Lamps Golf and Goofs
"Ungard, touche" Dipper said looking at himself in a mirror in the bathroom.
Dipper grabbed a broom, pretending it was a Keyblade and began to fight it. Thinking about wielding one was an empowering feeling, the idea of Wendy supporting him in this dream just made his heart sore to great heights. He imagined himself as a great Keyblade Warrior, proud, tall and strong, perhaps with some facial hair. The thought of traveling the worlds, as he beat the forces of darkness continued to swirl through his mind. The adventures he has, the people he'd seen, the knowledge he gained. It was all very enticing if only it was true.
"Take that Heartless…" Dipper snickered turning around, "Fear the wrath of Keyblade Master Dip-Ah"
Dipper jumped, heart skipping a deep, as he saw Riku leaning by the bathroom wall with a mischievous smirk on his face. He could already feel his cheeks turning red as he began to calm down. Taking a deep breath to steady his rattling nerves.
"Hey it's better then catching him do the other stuff he does in the bathroom" Iago spoke ending the silence before flying off down the hall.
Dipper groaned
Riku for his part let out a soft chuckle, "Don't worry, not the first time I've watched mock fighting before, Sora used to do it all the time back home"
"Pretend fight in the bathroom".
"More than that" Riku said as he started washing his hands, "Sora would daydream, imagine, think of things beyond anything I could, always used to think he was some sort of hero. His mind could pretty much conjure up anything no matter how weird or bizarre it was"
Dipper chuckled, "Sounds like Mabel...She's a bit of a dreamer herself".
"Yeah, they probably got along back in Traverse Town" Riku snickered.
"Yeah, they did, whatever little time they spent together" Dipper moaned, remembering Mabel's many friends she made back in Traverse Town, too many if you asked him.
Riku gave a faint frown, "Bet it was fun"
"Yeah, guess you missed out on some of that huh" Dipper said, realizing Riku grip the edge of the sink, realizing what he said, "Oh man, i'm sorry man, didn't mean to push those buttons"
"It's fine" Riku held up a hand, "Believe me, it's not your fault"
"Well...Okay then"
Dipper was about to respond before Riku spoke one more time.
"Oh Dipper" He said, his voice turning a bit stern, "Believe me, wanting a keyblade or even having one isn't all cracked up then you think it is/ You think it's interesting because of the power it can give you the freedom, but trust me, if one hasn't chose you then it does so for a reason",
Dipper sighed at this, "Did I do something wrong then? Am I not worthy or corrupt, well maybe corrupt since Mabel doesn't have one either...as far as I know at least"
"I don't know what goes into choosing a Keyblade to be honest" Riku replied leaning up against the sink, "All I know that for some reason Sora has one, I don't and he's the only person right now in the entire universe that does since all the other ones are apparently dead. Also I guess Keyblade doesn't apply to the nature of good and evil since Xehanort has one or had one".
"That's true" Dipper tapped his chin, "So I guess they are morally ambiguous weapons...Something you would know about wouldn't Mr...Do whatever takes, yeah...Oh yeah, I remember. I agree with it, but I remember you aid"
Riku sighed, "Yeah, I know I said it...but….ugh... look, in the end Sora did have the stronger heart, even though I took the Keyblade from him, he managed to take it right back. Proof that darkness isn't as great as it's cracked up to be. Not the weapon, it's how we use it that matters, and Sora used it correctly".
"Still I feel really uncomfortable just putting all our hopes onto him, I mean don't you, didn't you, I don't know what you really felt honestly" Dipper said, his voice sounding serious, "I don't hate your friend or anything Riku, but what if this happens again, we need to be ready for if that Xehanort guy came back, or something worse even. You have to agree with me right"
Dipper notice Riku body stiffening before replying, "I-I guess you are correct, and I don't disagree, I just ...I'm not the person you should ask for help for anything from okay"
"Right, sorry"
Dipper started to walk off seeing Riku look at himself in the mirror. He was hiding something though he didn't quite know what it was. He tried to shut down his paranoid mind but he just couldn't trust him, at least not yet.
He remembered what happened in Monstro, and when Riku tried to kill Sora with a Heartless. Not to mention how worked up Sora was when he got back from Traverse Town a couple times and mentioned Riku. Though it did seem at least to Dipper that Riku was changing, slightly. Ugh, why did everything always have to revolve around Sora though, that was the most frustrating part of it all.
Sora was this all powerful Keyblade Master, but he was also a kid. Dipper was a kid, and yet no one seemed to trust him with anything. It was one of the things that made Dipper slightly miffed every time he thought about Mabel always seemed to have faith that Sora had one, but how can she know, for again, Grunkle Ford was gone. No one had any proof on what was going on.
Opening his room he found Mabel jumping on her bed with Waddles, the two of them looking to be playing some strange game of sorts.
"One, two, three, four, five, six…
"What are you doing?"
"Bouncing?"
"Why?"
"Because" Mabel said again causally.
Dipper sighed, "Don't hurt yourself okay"
"Fine!" Mabel sighed putting herself and Waddles down, "So what up bro-bro, finally going to have some bed-bed"
"Ha, ha, very funny Mabel"
Mabel frowned, "Seriously bro you need to learn to sleep better"
"I will, I will, it's just, do you think Riku is hiding something from us" Dipper asked.
Mabel looked confused, "What do you mean?"
"Nothing, it's just he always has that sullen look on his face, and he keeps to himself, and that's definitely not someone I one hundred percent trust"
"Maybe," Mabel tapped her chin in thought, "Or maybe he's just still very closed up, after going through everything. I mean come on, all the darkness and being around villains and evil people, that can't be good for anyone. Plus who knows what was going on in order for him to just turn like that, I mean Sora was his best friend forever, and just to turn, that means something deeper was probably going on".
"I guess," Dipper said jumping on his bed, "Well night Mabel"
"Night bro-bro"
Dipper waited for her to go to sleep before he snuck out and headed to his one place of true solution. His Grunkle Ford's basement laboratory.
This had become Dipper sanctuary after they had come to Traverse Town. Here he could get away from the routines of his family and friends. A place where he can just enjoy the quiet and look over his Grunkle's journals and research, trying to find anything and everything he could about Gravity Falls, the weirdness around it, and eventually the Heartless. Endless nights of reading, taking notes, spending it down here, letting his mind go deeper and deeper into the work Ford had started. The more nights he spent here the less sleep he got, and that was definitely something that was a strain on him but that wasn't going to stop him.
"You know you really should sleep Master Dipper!"
Dipper flinched to see Zazu flying next to him landing down a few feet away on the table.
"Oh, uh...Yeah, i guess" Dipper yawned, "Just a few more minutes, I've been thinking, that's all"
"When are you not thinking" The Hornbill muttered.
Dipper just rolled his eyes and got up and went over to a drawer in the lab. He looked around for a few moments and took a deep breath. His hands trembled as he opened up one of the cupboards and began pulling out a box. Taking out a key from his pocket he opened up the box lock and took out from inside, a small yet sleek looking black lamp.
"Who disturbs me!" Came a snake like voice from inside, "Do you know that you hold the lamp of the great Jafar! Once ruler of Agrabah! The most powerful sorcerer in THE WORLD!"
"Don't be so dramatic Jafar" Dipper muttered.
Jafar, Vizier of Agrabah, that's what little Dipper knew about him, apart from what Sora told him. Apparently he was one of Maleficent's goons. More like her second in command from what he heard. No one knew apart from Iago, Zazu and Mabel that he was here, and he had to keep him here. An evil Genie should not be let out for any reason. In fact he remembered Riku himself had this lamp was using it.
What if Dipper could use it?
It wasn't until after the battle of Hollow Bastion did Dipper find the lamp just lying around. So, in his wisdom he decided to sneak it into his vest hoping that no one would see it. Thankfully when he and his family found themselves going back to Gravity Falls, the lamp, along with Zazu and Iago for some unknown reason came along with them.
"So...My cruel captive gives me a voice to hear"
Dipper rolled her eyes, "You aren't...Okay you are kinda a captive, but we aren't cruel, I mean your a genie, so you don't really need to eat or anything right?"
"Phenomenal cosmic power...Itty bitty living space, as the old saying goes"
"Oh" Dippr frowned, shaking his head though, "Well whatever, look, um...I need um...Answers...To things"
"Then wish"
"No never! Ugh, this is a stupid idea….Maybe I should just ask Riku, maybe he knows stuff" Dipper muttered to himself, "Still? What if he says no, or starts suspecting something? Not that there isn't really anything to suspect and I'm rambling…"
"Riku?" Dipper covered his mouth as he realized what he did, "Maleficent favorite? He's here? Now that is a surprise, it's good to know what is going on in the outside world for a change instead of being cooped up in the lamp!"
"Well uh…" Dipper sighed, "Okay yes Riku is here, okay...Happy!"
"Very"
"Okay, I told you something now you have to tell me, what do you know about the Keyblade!"
"The Keyblade" Jafar hissed, "I'm afraid I do not know much in the art of Keyblade Master"
Dipper scowled, wishing he wasn't even talking to this psycho Genie"Come on dude, you have to know something, didn't you work for Maleficent for long a time you have to know some things"
"Perhaps information on the Heartless then," Jafar said, even within the lamp his voice was oily, "Maybe if you wish…
"Never!" Dipper scowled
Jafar scowl could be heard from here, "Very well, one free piece, the Heartless you fought and the ones that's many worlds controlled were known as emblem Heartless. Not natural to the world, but manufactured by a machine in Hollow Bastion. We made millions of them, if not more over the years. They perhaps make a majority of the Heartless population now"
"And you can control them"
"Better then pureblood Heartless, while Maleficent and I did assert our authority over them, they always seemed more...resistant to our powers. Perhaps being part of the natural world made it that way"
"Heartless...part of the natural world"
Dipper leaned back in his chair, it was definitely an interesting bit of information. Two forms of Heartless, emblem and pureblood. One part of the natural world, the other part of science. It was interesting that Jafar always said natural world. He always assumed the Heartless were unnatural, not part of this world.
It felt as if ever since he had returned home he would spend restless nights just trying to figure out just what had happened to Gravity Falls and the other worlds. Not that it wasn't completely out of his wheelhouse. Dipper had dealt with many bizarre things in the past, some grander and more terrifying than others. However this Heartless fiasco, the sheer scope and scale of it was something even he had never truly comprehended. What's worse, the fact that apparently when the answer did come to him, it came in the form of not a grand power of even a hero, but some kid who didn't even know what he was doing.
"You know, it's funny in a sense" Jafar chuckled, "You are far more the intellect and pupil of learning such things, and yet the Keyblade found it's hand in a child, who I'm sorry to say, has the intelligence of a brain dead Neanderthal"
Dipper grimmaced, "Sora wasn't….That dumb"
"From what I heard of Keyblade Wielders, he didn't fit the mold"
Sadly Jafar was right.
Throughout it all, Dipper never did fully trust Sora, nor did he now. The sheer thought of a child, with no experience, no skills, not even that much intelligence being everyone hope scared him. It was insane, no matter what Malle said to have faith he could never truly have faith in a kid who knew nothing.
Someone, someone much like him in that regard.
However, maybe that would be the difference between him and Sora, he wanted to understand, and he was going to understand.
"Now, since I have given you something, perhaps you can give me something" Jafar spoked ending Dipper deep though, one could hear the sinister tone in his voice.
Dipper smirked, "I don't think you have any lever on this one, you gave me a freebee"
"Such a cruel young master" Jafar taunted playfully, "Perhaps I'll be a little more tighter with my tongue next time"
Dipper sighed, "Okay, well I won't wish you free or anything I will tell you what I found out about Genie's"
"Yes...Yes"
"Simple," Dipper smirked again, "If I wished you free, you'd actually lose a bit of your power, apparently when away from the lamp the phenomenal cosmic stuff dies down...Big Time"
"WHAT"
"Yep, apparently that's part of the universal rules of magic, Genie gets freed and their powers gets a decline" Dipper said, "Not sure why Grunkle Ford didn't have info on Genie's sadly, believe me I've been looking...Can't really do much about magic unless you change the laws of magic, and you can't do that without knowing some sorta ancient spell that apparently located in your world, made a copy of the page and ...Why am I telling you this".
Jafar was just silent. Dipper probably wondered how much he was stewing in rage because of this piece of information.
"Fascinating" Jafar hissed, "You would search for a way to change the laws of magic, why"
Dipper frowned, "Not telling, plus I don't know. Sounds like something really dumb and dangerous to do. We have rules for a reason, otherwise the universe would be chaos"
Speaking of chaos. As he searched through his Uncle's journal he turned the page and stumbled upon a familiar sight. The warning of Bill Cipher, one of the greatest dangers he had ever faced. First in the mindscape in Grunkle Stan's own mind, then when he tried to possess his body. He was probably
the most dangerous thing he had ever encountered. He was ancient and knowledgeable.
Suddenly a thought occurred to him and went away as quickly.
"No!" Dipper slammed the book, "Never"
Never would he summon Bill to know about the Keyblade, he would do many things but Bill Cipher was not one of them. His Grunkle Ford had warned him about Bill, and ever since then he would never trust the demon.
Looking at one of the drawers he saw a snow globe with a swirling vortex in it. A rift, that if unleashed could spell disaster for everyone. It had been made when his Grunkle Stan had opened up a portal in hope of getting Ford home. Though unfortunately the long term consequences were dire. For Bill Cipher, an insane demon from another realm, wanted this rift so that he could enter their world. If that ever happened, then far worse things than the Heartless could be unleashed upon all of humanity.
Dipper had been thinking about this since the events of the past few months accrued. But he also wondered, why didn't Bill Cipher ever show up during that time. The chaos, the mystery, the conspiracy, it all had Bill's name on it, and yet by some miracle, he never appeared. Not once, not even to taunt him or his sister Mabel.
"Hmm," Dipper said looking at his picture, "I wonder what Bill is doing now, he hasn't tried anything...Maybe he realized to finally stay away ...Somehow I doubt it though."
Taking out a piece of paper and pen he took a note down and put it near the box lamp, as it said three simple words.
"Wish, Bill, away ? Wouldn't that be something. Wonder what Cipher though has been doing now"
-000-
Riku felt uncomfortable going into town feeling the eyes of the townsfolk watching him as they walked down the central square. He hadn't really been out since he first arrived, preferring instead to stay at the shack. Mabel insisted though that going off into town would be a good experience. If he was to stay here a while, he might as well get to know the fellow townsfolk. His first experience was definitely a bit disorienting but Mable assured him that it would all be worth it.
Passing several of the shops and thrift stories, the place was crowded with its usual amount of strange and unique individual people who occupied this mundane tourist trap of a town. It was a sunny day though, and thankfully there was no smell of darkness anywhere, just the smells of people sweat.
Along with Mable, Dipper also decided to accompany them-against his will-also do to his twin's insurance. Something about reading too much and needing fresh air.
"Mabel I could be researching" Dipper muttered as he followed his sister in a huff, "You know solving problems to the great ills of life and the universe".
Mabel rolled her eyes, "Seriously bro-bro, you get more worked up then a workmanon a working day"
"Well yeah, when the forces of darkness steal your world OF COURSE YOU'LL GET WORKED UP!" Dipper was pretty much shaking violently at this point.
Mable continued to just shake her head in shame, "Seriously...Worked...Up"
Riku watched from behind the two of them bicker, deciding this wasn't his place. Beside it was probably what normal brothers and sisters did. He wouldn't know not having any siblings of his own, the only person who came close was Sora, and the two of them used to bicker all the time when they were younger. Guess it evolved into trying to kill each other and joining the forces of light and darkness.
"Howdy kid fighting his inner demons" The old yockle with mangy beard appeared with his dirty hat and clothes, "And Mabel ...And kid with spiky white hair"
"Wait what?" Dipper blinked.
"Howdy Old ManMcGucket" Mabel waved, "He's such a funny old timer...Tragic backstory though".
"I've been sensing something, the forces of darkness moving ...Great change is coming…" He said, voice shrill and panicky, "At least that's what the raccoon who keeps trying to steal my marbles tell me. BUT HE AIN'T GOT THEM YET! Heh heh...Welp off to work on my death ray"
"Should we be worried" Dipper asked nervously
Mabel shrugged, "He's just being wack Old ManMcGucket, besides he got that from a raccoon, everyone knows you can trust racoons, now frogs, frogs you can trust explicitly".
Dipper raised an eyebrow "Why?"
"Because frogs are good"
Dipper just remained quiet.
Riku for his part tried to block all of it, this town was already proving itself to be a bit of a wild card for him. Considering his own hometown was boring, this place seemed to be the exact opposite problem, it was too wild, crazy, and too ...weird. Strange for him to consider it, all he wanted to ever do is leave, and when he did, now he ever wanted to go home. Even if home was still a complicated matter for him and his heart.
"Here we are, Lazy Susan," Mabel said, opening the door to a nearby cafe area.
The place was full with the local townsfolk, most of them eating breakfast or having a cup of coffee. Mabel led Dipper and Riku to a table and sat down. Riku looked over and observed some of the people, unsure just what to make of them.
"That's manly dan" Mabel said, pointing to a large buff man with red beard and hair wearing a lumberjack outfit,
"These pancakes are SUPER MANLY!" He shouted, slamming his hands on the table causing it to break in half, "YEAH!"
"Wendy's dad" Mabel added "oh and that's Tobey, local newspaper guy"
"I've got the latest scoop, Orange Juice is better than Apple Juice, it's scientifically proven"
Mabel cringed, "He's strange"
"Apparently" Riku muttered, eyes drooping forward.
"Hey pay attention" Mabel snapped her fingers in front of im, "You'll be staying here, you might as well get to know these people"
"Why?"
"Because, they might help you in the future, having friends and people around you is important"
Dipper snickered, "Easy for you to say Mabel, besides not like we had people back home. Barley have people now, apart from Grunkle Stan and maybe Grunkle Ford".
"Well it's better then being all alone" Mabel huffed, "Stuffing your face in books all the time"
"Books that might have answers"
"To what?" Mabel argued, "Sora defeated the bad guys, we don't have to do anything"
"Well what if it happens again, we don't know if Sora even one. The darkness could still be out there, more bad guys out there ..." Dipper looked around and leaned in "Bill Cipher could be out there"
"Dipper" Mabel hissed, looking at Riku who just looked out the window, "Not now"
"It's okay," Riku said, holding his hand, "I think about those things all those things all the time. And honestly ...I agree with him".
"What?" Mabel looked shocked, "D-Don't you have any faith in your friend?"
Sora shook his head, "It's not that I don't have faith, Sora did defeat Xehanort, he closed the door. But that doesn't mean there probably aren't other things out there, other threats"
"And we need to be prepared for them" Dipper said, eyeing Mabel seriously "That's why we need to be alert and ready"
Riku bit his lip, but decided not to speak. In many ways he did agree with Dipper, however he wasn't sure if this was the way to go about it. Preparation was all right and good but he could see the intensity in the boy's eyes that worried him. In a way it reminded him of himself before his adventure. Alert, snappy, ready to go it alone in order to better control events, thinking that others would get in the way.
If he wasn't careful Dipper might take Riku's own path.
"Hey there sweetie,"
"Hye Lazy Susan" Mabel waved happily.
Riku looked up to see the owner, she had a lazy eye with big bushy grey hair wearing a pink waitress dress. She was holding some coffee in one hand and plates in another. "What can I get yuh"
"I'll have a three steak burger" Mabel beamed
"Pancakes please" Dipper said
Riku paused for a minute, "Salad"
Mabel frowned, "Wow your boring"
"I like to eat healthy what can I say"
Dipper laughed, "Better then Mabel, don't think I caught you eating that barrel of sugar"
"That can't be good for you" Riku commented.
"Oh my gosh" Mabel looked towards the door as someone entered, "Is that...Is that Pacifica"
Riku turned to see a girl, probably around Mabel's age, wearing a scarf around her head and sunglasses. Despite that he could see shades of blonde as she entered the room, her face wearing a lot more makeup than most kids her age. She snuck into the shop and headed towards the dining bar taking a nearby booth. Quickly he saw Mabel rush up to her and say in her loudest voice.
"HEY PACIFICA" Mable screeched from afar.
She jumped looking shocked sighed, "Mabel hush...I wanna remain incognito"
Mable raised a eyebrow, "Okay, but your a Northwest"
"No that's not-" Pacifica grunted, "Nevermind, I'm hiding here in secret?"
"Why?"
"Because"
"Because why?" Mable asked innocently.
"Because -Because I'm a Northwest, and I don't want to be seen here" She said, becoming more frustrated by this "But the food is good, and I'm hungry and I'm sick of eating high end caviar and lobster every single day. A girl needs to pig out from time to time"
Dipper rolled his eyes in the background, "Yeesh, good to know you have rich people problems!"
"Stuff it Pines!" Pacifica shouted before looking at Mabel, "Uh-y-you can join me if you want"
"How about you join us instead"
"Oh...Okay"
Pacifica followed Mabel to her side of the booth, the first thing she did was notice Riku and lowered her sunglasses eyeing him carefully, "So...Who's this guy"
"This is Riku" Mabel said drawing attention to him, "He's knew to town, he's staying with us"
Pacifica snickered, "Hmm...Maybe I should come over for a sleepover after all"
"Ew" Dipper stuck out his tongue, "Wouldn't do you much good, he's gay"
"Dipper!" Mabel huffed.
"What I'm just stating a fact, nothing to be ashamed off, besides, he's got the hots for Sora anyway"
"Dipper!"
"What-Ouch!" Dipper rubbed his head as Mabel smacked his book with it.
Riku cheeks turned a bright red. Yes he liked Sora but again, this idea that he had the hots for him….Sure he was gay….It didn't mean….Perhaps thinking about it was not the greatest idea right now. He tried to calm his mind and returned to apathetic silence.
"Anyway…" Mabel continued trying to end the awkward silence, "Yeah, he's staying with us for a while"
Pacifica smirked, "Bleeding heart as always Mabel"
"Yep, that's me, Mabel Bleeding Heart Pines"
Again the silence.
"So…..Maybe you'd wanna join us around town Pacifica, I'm trying to show Riku the ropes, how better to show him if the town knew the richest and most popular gal in town was his friend"
"Oh great," Riku moaned.
Pacifica again eyed Riku with intrigue, "Sure...He could use a lift"
"A what?" Riku sounded nervous now.
Dipper smirked, "Welcome to heck my friend...Welcome to heck"
"SHOPPING TIME!"
-000-
Riku sighed. He was a kid of simple taste, he never shopped too much even back on the Island. Sora didn't shop much unless it was with his mom, Kairi never shopped much either. So going to a mall was definitely a strange feeling. Apart from all the people there he was pretty much a prisoner to Mabel's wills. Pacifica and Dipper seemed to be more or less okay with whatever she wanted to do.
Clothes shopping was first, Riku was forced to try out a variety of various clothes. Mabel suggested that he 'expand his wardrobe'. He hated every single piece of clothing. Too much of it was flashy and over the top, again because of Mabel she insisted on glitter, too much glitter. Thankfully he didn't buy anything and kept his usual yellow vest.
They went around to a video shop, many of the movies were one's Riku had never ever seen in his life. All of them looked cheesy and ill made with movies like "Attack of the 10 foot Foot" and "Manwolf"
"Why do you please watch this?" Pacifica asked almost in disgust.
Mabel gasped, "Oh girl, we have movies to watch when you come over for a slumber party"
Pacifica just gave a deadpan stare "Oh joy"
After a few hours at the mall, Riku was dragged then to the miniature golf course in town. He had heard about this game but they apparently never had it here. For the most part he stood in the back with Dipper as he noticed more and more Mabel shifting her attention away from him and towards Pacifica, and it wasn't until the 3rd hole that he began to notice a bit of a blush.
Riku raised an eyebrow and leaned in towards Dipper, "So ...What exactly the story there" he pointed to Mabel.
"Who Mabel and Pacifica," Dipper asked.
Riku nodded.
"Oh, long story short they were kinda rivals and or enemies and then I helped her evict a ghost from her house and she got a bit friendly with us but not by a lot ...However Mabel wanted to build on that so she's been trying to be friendly with her and well, I think she's gotten a bit of a crush on her now"
"Really?" Riku looked surprised
"Yeah, I mean, hey it's Mabel she's all about that summer love and since my whole thing with Wendy hasn't been working out ...at all" Dipper frowned for a moment, "I've been kinda you know...Helping out when I can and stuff"
Riku shrugged, "Well good for her, it's nice to have someone to love" He sounded almost bitter and quickly flinched.
No, he wasn't going to take his own frustration out on Mabel. Despite his own failed love of Sora, he would always care about his friend. It was being selfish and yearning for more that allowed him to fall to the darkness in the first place. He tried to shake off the feelings and just focus on the game of golf. Which surprisingly, he was actually really good at, he struck 17 whole in ones without even breaking a sweat.
"Good to see I still have my winning streak" He smirked, enjoying himself as the game went on.
Mabel smiled.
"Yeesh, he's good" Pacifica said wiping the sweat from her brow, "Maybe I should double my training regiment"
"Oh come on, we have one more whole we can take him on" Mabel said, sounding confident, "I know we can"
Riku smirked. "Ok, sure, if both of you get a whole in one on the final round I will assume defeat"
The final whole, the windmill.
"Ah the windmill" Dipper smirked, "Hope the Balls aren't up to there old tricks"
"Balls?
"Golf balls that came to life and tried to kill us" Mabel walked up to the Windmill and opened it to Riku's shock. Inside was several talking walking Golfballs all running around. It took them a while to look up and notice before they all started screaming in shock.
"AH THE EVIL ONE RETURNS"
Mabel giggled, "Ah they remember me...Hi"
"THE EVIL ONE!"
She closed the windmill before heading back.
"Shouldn't be any trouble" She smiled.
Riku just grimace
"Okay let's play!" Mabel shouted.
-000-
Mable took a deep breath and focused on the windmill, she had to become one with the windmill. If she didn't then she was gonna miss the hole and wouldn't get a good score. So thus she made ready, holding her club as tight as she could, the ball was so close in place. Steadily, ever so steadily she was getting ready to hit.
Swish, Mabel swung.
The ball went through the windmill, coming out the other side hitting some of the pillars, coming closer to the hole, slowly, ever so slowly….Until it stopped and didn't go into the whole.
"Ah nuts!" Mabel snapped her club in two, "Always happens"
Pacifica gave a light chuckle, patting Mabel on the shoulder "Oh well...Maybe next time"
Mabel blushed, "Oh yeah..heh, heh...Next time"
"Yeah if your aim gets better" Dipper chuckled.
Mabel gave him a cold glare.
"Ah boy's just jealous he has the highest score" Pacifica teased, causing Dipper to puff up angrily.
Mabel laughed, nice to have a friend on side for a change.
It was hard to believe that these two used to be rivals/enemies with one another. Just before the Heartless thing though Pacifica and Mabel had been getting closer and closer with one another. Having friendly golf games, even now and then getting her to go to lazy Susans for a girls brunch. Apparently Pacifica was quite the eater when you actually let her eat instead of munching on whatever weird carb killing diet her parents had her on. The more they got to know each other the more Mabel really did realize that there was more to Pacifica than reached the eye.
Pacifica was quite creative and had an eye for fashion that impressed even Mabel. She definitely was way softer once she was able to let herself go. She also was just a lot of fun and had a wild side. Especially liking a good rock out every now and then.
The two girls had started becoming really good friends and now that Gravity Falls had come back to existence, Mabel definitely wanted to make sure that they could continue to develop that friendship into something special.
"So, what's his story?" Pacifica spoke, causing Mabel to shake her head.
"Who Riku?"
Pacifica nodded "Yeah, tall dark and mysterious, looks like something out of a cheap romance novel"
"Oh that's Riku," Mabel explained, "He's living with us because he needs to redeem himself for his past sins. Gave himself to darkness and all that stuff"
"Oh-" Pacifica gave Mabel, "I...Honestly have no idea what any of that even means"
"He's just staying with until he gets his life in order"
"I heard that!" Riku called as he swung the golf club only to miss the ball, "Dang it!"
Mabel chuckled, "He's loosening up...Slowly"
"Well that's good, seems a bit uptight" Pacifica stated.
"Hey, I know he can do it" Mabel wanted to add You did but didn't have the heart to do it without making things awkward instead she asked, "So...how are things between you and your parents"
It was then that Pacifica's expression dowered a bit, "Oh, you know...It is what it is, I avoid them, they avoid me. It's why I tend to go outside a lot these days you know, I prefer to just be away from them. Be with you"
Mabel blushed, "Oh well...Y-yeah, any time"
"Probably a good thing" Riku walked up to them now, Mabel looking surprised, "Sorry couldn't help but overhear you, I know or thing or two about being around parents you don't like"
"Really?" Pacifica seemed surprised, so was Mabel.
"Yeah," Riku grunted, "Just uh...Keep your friends close, that's the best advice I can give yuh"
"Well, I definitely think I can do that" Pacifica eyed Mabel and winked causing her to blush even more.
Dipper could be heard snickering in the back, without even realizing Mabel chucked her broken club at him causing him to fall back on the ground with a thud.
So despite the embarrassment she did learn something from this. Riku had a bit of a strained relationship with his parents like Pacifica. This was definitely something she would have to investigate as his redemption phase continued.
That was definitely going in the notebook.
The rest of the day went actually pretty well for Riku, after a fun round of golf with Mabel and Pacifica. Pacifica had to return to her mansion, leaving just the three of them to return back home. Riku kept thinking about his golf game. It was such a small thing, but the fact he got worked up about definitely put things in perspective. Was he really that bad back home. Had he ever treated Sora or Kairi that way with his competition. He remembered always getting a thrill over winning whenever he was younger, did it only get worse? These thoughts left a sickening feeling as he continued to think it over.
"Hey, what's wrong with you now?" Mabel asked.
"Just thinking"
"About the golf game? Come on Riku, it's just a game, you overthink too much, your like Dipper"
"Hey" Dipper yelled.
Mabel stuck out her tongue "Do too"
"Not getting into this" Dipper muttered, "Nope ...No, I'm not"
"Do too," Mabel snickered, looking back to Riku, "Look, the only way your going to overcome a lot of this, if you just stop thinking about every little thing too much. Just sorta...Loosen up and go with the flow".
Riku nodded and tried to think it over.
"Ugh, don't like now Mabel, Gideon," Dipper groaned as they passed the town's landfill.
"Who?"
"A former child physics who's evil and wants to date me," Mabel explained.
Riku was surprised by how casual she responded as he looked up to see a very pudgy looking boy with fluffy white hair glaring back at them. He glared at all of them, his cute chubby cheeks clashing with his far more serious look he was sporting at the moment.
"Pines!" He sneered clenching his garbage stick, "What are y'all doing here!"
"We're just walking through town Gideon, we're free people unlike you." Dipper snapped back.
Mabel chuckled, "Yeah, man you are a stinkarino."
"Because of you!" Gideon pointed to Dipper, "And stop laughing Mabel, my future wife should show respect."
"Woah I am no one future wife," Mabel said, slapping him, "I am an independent free thinker!"
"You're gonna be my Queen!" Gideon yelled.
Dipper got in front of his sister now, "Hey back off psycho."
Gideon in a rage pushed Dipper onto the ground and headed towards Mabel.
"I said you'll-" Gideon started to huf holding his point picket tight as he marched over towards them, but all of a sudden he saw a large shadow loom over them. It was Riku. He felt a switch flipped on, an old protective instinct that he hadn't felt in ages came over them.
"Leave them alone shrimp," Riku sneered, his cold eyes glaring down at Gideon.
Gideon froze as he saw the tall teen, hands balling into first. Slowly the young chubby child physcique began to pace back, clearly afraid of what harm Riku could do. Dipper and Mabel just seemed shocked, surprised by how he was protecting them, despite still hardly knowing them.
"Hey, he's attacking little Gideon," One of the blind looking thugs in the dump said pointing to Riku, "get him."
They began to charge as Riku summoned his sword eater. Instinct took hold as he leaped into the air and landed right on top of the thug knocking him down, another one charing toward him trying to grab Riku. But Riku was tougher and managed to deflecting kicking him in the shin and causing him to fall on his stomach, the last of the goons just stood there in silence as Riku glared at them, Soul Eater pointed right at them.
They rose their hands into the air as Gideon hid behind them cowering in fear. Just looking at him squeal caused Riku to have a small hint of pleasure, as well as a smirk on his face.
"I-I'll have my revenge!" Gideon shouted as he ran away.
"T-Thanks Riku," Mabel said seeming shocked.
Riku just huffed back to his little shadowy corner behind them, "No problem, we should get going."
"Y-Yeah, right…" Dipper eyed Gideon for a moment before heading off, leaving him and everyone else shocked and confused.
Riku didn't want to intervene but something told him that Dipper was really worked up about not being able to protect his sibling. That was something he could understand, after all, didn't he once do whatever it took to defend the ones that matter the most?
"Come now!" Mabel said taking Riku by the hand as they headed off, "To the woods"
So off they went.
-000-
Gravity Falls woods weren't so bad when you had someone to guide you. Riku followed the two twins deeper and deeper. Getting a good look for it, it was actually quite lovely. The leaves were a darkening brown, some of them falling onto the ground indicating that fall was coming closer and closer around the corner. There was a nice sense of calm though, it helped Riku ease his mind and get away from all the voices going on in his head. Even Mabel's constant ideas for a catphrase weren't that annoying.
Dipper seemed to be a bit grumpy ever since their encounter with Gideon a few days ago. Riku noticed that he just kept his arms folded and had a sulking expression His eyes kept looking down on the ground, only responding whenever Mabel came up with another catchphrase for the two of them.
"Mystery Twins ahoy!" Mabel said with her usual cheerful demeanor that could turn any sour heart sweet.
"No," Dipper groaned, trudging along the pathway.
They had walked for several miles now. Riku could feel his knees starting to twinge a little. The constant lack of exercise was not starting to affect him. Normally, he'd be able to go miles without even breaking a sweat. He started to worry if he was getting soft.
Taking a deep breath Riku paused for a moment to stretch while the twins just bickered back and forth to one another. It was nice in the woods for a moment, just peace and quiet. No worry, no heartless, no darkness. Part of him though was waiting for the other shoe to drop and something bad to happen. Something always did, at least as far as he was concerned.
Mabel frowned as she kept on thinking, keeping a few feet in between Dipper and Riku "What about….Go, Go Dipper and Mabel!" She sang.
"No! That's copyrighted anyway."
"Darn it," Mabel snapped her fingers in disappointment.
They kept on moving forward, Dipper deep in his book as he looked for any clue at the sign of this strange marking tree. He would check every branch, every root, and each time he wasn't able to find the proper one. He put his hand on the bark and felt the thickness of the wood against his skin.
"Wendy's been teaching me a few things about the trees," Dipper said as he continued to feel the bark, "She's also been teaching me how each tree is a bit different. That way we won't get lost the deeper we go into the woods."
"Yeah, THAT's why you're still hanging out with her". Mabel snickered.
Dipper rolled his eyes, "Laugh it up Mabel, laugh it up."
"Okay, Mr. Tree expert, how far are we then from the Shack?"
"We are, um...Um…." Dipper paused as his face became stuff and worrisome, "Okay, well, you see ...We saw that tree, and that tree has a bit of a scratch on it and…."
"We're lost, aren't we?" Mabel sighed.
"No! I just need a moment to remember, that's all," Dipper laughed nervously. "Okay, we took a hundred steps north and maybe a few feet west ...Then we turned right, then another right then…."
Riku sat down near the bark of the tree, knowing this was going to take a while. Dipper kept stepping back and forth as he tried to retrace his steps. Mabel just rolled her eyes and started chuckling, before she took a moment to look upon the rest of the trees. He too looked up to take a moment to enjoy nature. The leaves were definitely quite lovely and the sky was calm looking.
He closed his eyes and leaned back, just letting the quiet settle in. The combination of nature and the soft sounds allowed him to feel at ease for the first time in a while. It felt good to be outdoors. He had always liked the outside, even when he was younger. Being trapped in for too long would always start to nag on him.
"Nice huh," Riku looked up to see Mabel standing by him, Dipper continuing to retrace his steps.
"Yeah." Riku sighed looking up at the sky, seeing the clouds beginning to form. A small smile starting to form on his face
"Is it like this back at your home?" Mable asked, sounding curious.
"No, most of the time it's green, don't see the leaves turn this color." Riku said looking at a tiny leaf that had fallen towards his feet.
"Really? So it's like an eternal summer then?"
Riku seemed confused, "What's summer?"
"Don't you guys have seasons?"
"Um…" Riku took a moment to think, he heard about the seasons but never really experienced them, "No, no, I don't think I can say I have… Most of the time it's tropical weather, only time I say something that wasn't tropical was when I left the island and went to Hollow Bastion."
"Oh, that place is cold," Mabel shivers, "I remember when me and Bro-Bro headed there, it was so windy and cold ...Brrr."
"Yeah," Riku looked down at the ground, his face becoming more sullen and sad, "I remember that I hated it."
Mabel sat down next to him, "Me too."
Riku sighed again and closed his eyes, "If Sora had snow though, I can only imagine he'd have the time of his life, granted he can have the time of his life when it was pouring rain".
She sighed as she kept looking around, finally her eyes twinkled a bit as she pointed up, a look of excitement starting to form on her lips. "Hey, Riku! Riku look...Dipper look, squirrels."
"That's great Mabel," Dipper mumbled as he kept counting.
Riku looked up lazily. He saw a few of the little things running around the trees. Scuttling about as a few of them went inside one of the holes of trees bark, probably looking for nuts. A few of them came out but dropped the nuts on the ground by his feet. They were cute looking, he couldn't help but give a brief smile.
Immediately Mabel's eyes widened, "Oh Riku! Riku, take out the nut and hold your hand quickly!"
"Why?"
"Just do it," Mabel hissed
Not wanting to argue, Riku held out his hand with the nut just as instructed. Gently, Mabel began to lower his arm so that his palm was touching the ground. Slowly the squirrels started to walk up to them, looking scared but intrigued at the same time.
"Oooh," Mabel squealed, "They are so cute, aren't they Riku?"
"I guess..." Riku grumbled.
"You guess? Oh no, there will be no guessing they are cute! Yep, cute, cute, cute."
Riku groaned, startling the squirrels, "What's the point of this?"
"It's to show that you weren't that way before."
"What?"
Mabel shook her head in exasperation, "Looks like I'll need to sing a song."
"Oh no." Riku groaned.
"Don't fight it," Dipper muttered as he kept trying to regain his position, "Just let her sing."
Mabel sat up and took a deep breath as she began to spout the lyrics. Riku had to wonder right now if music was playing in her head. Because that would make this situation far less awkwards to him then it was to her right now.
Mabel
You see those squirrels
Those nuts don't lie
To them it's kinda like eating
Um…..
Apple Pie.
By feeding them
They'll know for sure
You weren't the way you used to be just like before.
"Clever," Dipper said sarcastically, "Not sure if the stanzas all work perfectly but clever"
Mabel
You weren't the way you used to be just like before
Riku paused, "Mabel, I don't think that's actually-"
"Shh…" She put her finger over his lips and pointed to his hand, "Just watch okay"
Looking down Riku saw the tiny squirrels starting to munch on the nuts. Their fury hairls prickles against his skin causing him to chuckle as it tickles. He couldn't help but give a quick smile as they nibbled at the nuts in his hand. They were incredibly fluffy. Sora would have loved them if they were here.
They both looked at Riku with an intrigued look. Turning to each other, looking for some sort of classification.
Riku could feel his heart sink, perhaps being around darkness made him impure to the animals.
"I don't think this was a good idea Mabel," Riku said nervously.
Mabel held his arm and smiled, "Hang on."
After a brief pause they went back to eating the nuts again chewing them at peace. The sound of a few birds fluttering overhead.
"See, they like it," Mabel said as she leaned close by, "I once tried to get two squirrels to fall in love once ...Then they attacked me, so I smashed them with Mr. Rino."
Riku looked up nervously.
"It's a stuffed toy," Dipper assured as he kept looking around.
Riku sighed in relief.
Finally the squirrels scuttled away once the nuts were gone leaving Riku and Mabel sitting on the ground again. It was almost peaceful to know that at least animals still liked him. He was afraid that perhaps embracing the darkness might have tainted him for life.
"See Riku, the squirrels liked you," Mabel said, "No need to hide from nature".
"I'm not hiding," Riku grumbled, folding his arms.
Mabel shook her head, "Oh, I think you are. Considering you never really go outside, or talk to anyone. You always look down when you clean, never look at anyone directly in the eye, see like right now, you aren't looking in my eye right now."
"Yes, I am," Riku looked up before quickly looking down.
Of course it was a lie, he quickly looked down and folded himself leaning back against the tree. Mabel just sighed and sat down next to him. The tension between the both of them grew in the awkward silence. Riku hated this feeling, but he didn't feel comfortable around them, not in the same way he did with Sora. At least with Sora he was able to be somewhat open, even snarky and playful. But ever since his time in the darkness he had completely shut down socially.
Even when he was younger, Riku wasn't a social kid preferring to be alone. Now it seemed that everything had come full circle.
"Well, I hope you can open up even a little, it's not fun being lonely. Plus right now you are showing your gentle side...Mr dark moody Riku can deep down be a solfy"
Riku just rolled his eyes as the squirrels skittered off leaving him sitting on the log again
Mable got up and rejoined her brother who kept musing from his journal, "Any luck?"
Dipper sighed, "No," he closed the book and put it back, "Great, we're stuck here. At least, it can't get any worse?"
Spoke to soon.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH! RUN AWAY!"
Riku got up instantly as he saw something running towards them in a panic. He seemed skinny, but also not human as well. A big nose, droopy ears, in fact the more Riku looked at him the more it was starting to come together maybe who he was.
"G-Goofy?"
"Run away!" He screamed, no it wasn't Goofy, the voice was to high pitched.
The young Goofy trips as he approaches them tumbling a few feet away before landing on a rock right in front of them, face flat. Mable quickly goes to check on them, Dipper and Riku slowly appraoching unsure just what to do.
"Hey," Mable gently taps her cheek, "Are you okay"
The kid looked up seeming confused.
"Goofy?" Riku said.
"Goofy?" He said blinking, "N-No? I'm Max?"
"Max?"
"Yeah, Goofy's my father"
"Goofy, Goofy...Why does that name ring a bell?" Dipper muttered to himself, "Ouch!"
Mable flicked his forehead, "Dipper! That's one of Sora's friends ...Oh my gosh...This is his son!"
"Yeah, uh…." Max looked around, "And I'm being chased here"
"Chased, by who?"
"By us!"
Riku summoned his sword and stepped back ready to attack if need be. He could smell the darkness around them. Yet also something else, another sent, almost empty, hollow, though he could not discern what it was. It didn't matter though, he could tell right away that these folks meant danger. He was ready for a fight.
"Those are the guys!" Max pointed to them, "i saw them in Hollow Bastion"
Dipper eyes widened, "You were in Hollow Bastion?
"Who are you?" Riku said, smelling something around him, something familiar, "Are you, are you with Xehanort?!"
"Smell like what now?" Dipper asked.
"Vexen is my name and you are half correct," He smirked, "Let's just say he is not the Xehanort you are familiar with. He is Xehanort, and he is not Xehanort. Perhaps a "Nobody" best conveys the idea?"
Riku rolled his eyes and glared back at him, "Riddles were never my thing, try again!"
Vexen laughs as he unleashes a wave of ice towards Riku who managed to dodge it without very much difficulty rolling on the crass and crashing into a nearby tree. "Catching on now? I can sense it boy, you too stand in between the light and the darkness. That's why you fascinate me."
Riku eyes narrowed.
"The rage, the anger...yet also the extreme guilt about your past actions, so many mixed emotions all rolled into one. Far more interesting than your friend Sora, whose only real emotions tend to be either annoying chipper or depressed".
"Don't talk about Sora like that!"
"Yeah," Mabel said standing next to Riku, "You just seem like a big bully"
"Oh I'm horrified," Vexen said with false concern, "Should be looking next to you my dear, the bully is right next to you"
Riku paused frowning knowing who he was talking about.
"Hey, Riku's been improving, I've been monitoring his progress" Mable protested pulling out a chart only to have it blasted away by some ice magic! "Hey!"
In anger, Riku got up and struck Vexen hard, blocking him with his shield. He pushed hard to try to deflect and strike at this hooded figure. The two of them struck each back and forth as they went around the forest. Riku leaping into the air to dodge the ice attacks while Vexen managed to block with ease. He hadn't fought an enemy quite like this before, clearly he was a master of the darkness. That didn't mean though that Riku wasn't trained to fend off an attack from a creep like him. Lunging forward, he managed to get a few strikes in, knocking the man back and into one of the bark of the tree. The man was swift and deadly, his shield managed to block off most of the attacks.
Dipper Mabel and Max just watched unsure on how to interfere.
Mabel looked like she wanted to fight but her brother kept holding her back
"I don't think you wanna do that" Max said sounding nervous, "They seem pretty tough"
Riku smirked and went at it again. Finally, he had the offensive managing to strike hit after hit after hit. It felt exhilarating to have an opponent to whale on again. He felt his confidence take a much needed boost, and getting out some of this much pent up frustration.
"Angry one, aren't you?" Vexen snickered, now he unleashed another ice attack knocking Riku onto the ground getting his shield back for defense, "From the records a lot of it is resentment, although I'm sure there is some self loathing in there too for good measure"
"Shut up!" Riku yelled.
"Oh and fear, fear tends to lead to anger in this regard when it comes to you, again I read the files" Vexen flung Riku back again and laughed.
Riku continued to fling at him trying to wear him down but Vexen was to quick and costing with ease.
"Well, that should be enough," Vexen said smirking, Riku looked exhausted "All this excitement has provided me with invaluable data."
RIku looked at him confused, "Data? Data for what?"
Vexen laughed as a dark portal opened up, "You'll see soon enough."
"Hey!" Riku chased after him but it was to late, he was gone, he breathed heavily wondering what had happened, "
Dipper and Mabel ran up to him.
"Who was that guy?" Mabel asked, checking to make sure Riku wasn't badly hurt.
"I don't know," Riku said sitting on his knees, he looked at the kids and tried to smile, "Are you guys okay"
Mable nodded.
"Good"
Dipper however didn't seem so sure, "Well, whatever it was, he needed you...I think something bigger is going on. Maybe Sora didn't win as well as we thought"
"Maybe…" Riku took a deep breath as the thought entered his mind, "Maybe your right".
He didn't want to admit it, but if there were beings of darkness out there interested in Riku, then that might mean they were after Sora. Perhaps the darkness wasn't defeated as well as he hoped. Right now though, he hoped his friend was okay, wherever he was.
Riku sighed, "I knew the other shoe would drop, it always does".