"So, how did your exam go?" Fiddleford asked, sipping freshly brewed coffee. It is lunchtime and everybody crowded the small table. The cramped space felt more welcoming and lively than it had decades before. "Did you find out which element you're attuned to?"
.
"Water, fire, and thunder magic!"
"Really? That's wonderful Mabel!"
"Haha, yep!" Stanley patted fires out from his hair and charred clothes. Hugging his great niece with a free arm he exclaimed, "She's a natural! Just like her Grunkle Stan!" Pride boomed in his voice.
"What about you, Dipper?"
.
The boy pushed hardly eaten food around his plate with a fork. Shriveling up dejectedly he kept his eyes glued to the table. "Uh…only flora magic I guess."
Looking up, the scientist saw Stanley point a thumb to a window directly behind him. New, thriving, tall trees stood in the yard. "I see…" for a moment Fiddleford stared at the spectacle, mesmerized. 'How fascinating! Dipper can restore life in an instant!'
.
"Don't worry, Dipper." McGucket softly reassured. "I'm certain you'll find more elements that you're good at casting. I'm sure magic is very difficult to learn."
"For me it wasn't…" Stanley reminded, and got a sharp glare from his trusted friend.
"Hey," Mabel chuckled. "Don't let it-"
A surge of popping electricity tapped Dipper's arm, making him jolt in surprise.
"Shock you! I'm the alpha twin. Of course I'd find magic easy!"
Usually Dipper thought Mabel's jabs and jokes funny and lighthearted.
But they sting now, sharper than stepping on an upright tack.
.
"Excuse me." Abandoning the small group he ran to the attic. Sitting on a lumpy mattress Dipper huddled into a ball. Frustrated and confused, he ignored the pains of an empty stomach. Instead he tried reading one of his favorite mystery novels. Jealousy ignited a flame in his gut. It didn't extinguish, no, it grew like a lightning bolt striking dry bark and bursting into fire. 'Mabel outshines me in sorcery, the one thing I should be great at!'
.
Unable to focus on the book Dipper tossed it aside. Sluggishly he lay down and glared at the ceiling. The suffocating attic is stuffy and hot but he refused to get up, open a window, and breathe in some fresh air. Simmering in his own envy and disgust from his weaknesses suited the Pines boy just fine, it seemed. There was a loud knock on the door.
.
Stanley stood on the other side. 'Being competitive is in my nature; I can't help but be happy for Mabel.' The Mystery Shack owner sighed. 'I guess I have a lot to learn about being a guardian.' Rubbing his neck thoughtfully Stan knocked on the door again.
.
"Hey kiddo. It's uh…it's me." Cracking open the door he discovered Dipper submerged in his thoughts. Stan found his expression painfully too familiar. Resentment cloaked his great nephew like stormy clouds. Sitting on the bed Stanley remained silent, unsure of what to say. Kids' dreams are very fragile and easily broken.
.
'I would know…' Stanley tasted a bitter flavor on his tongue, memories flooding his brain, ones he'd rather forget. Either that, or go back in time, erase the past, and fashion better events to mend the future. 'How would you cheer yourself up Stanley?'
His mind replied coldly, 'Mask any insecurity with an overpowering force of boldness.'
No, that may work for Stanley but not for Dipper.
'He's more like him than me…'
.
"Listen, kid. It sucks not unlocking tons of magic abilities at first. I understand. But, you know what? You're part of the Pines family. We refuse to fail. That means you'll be an impressive sorcerer one day!"
Dipper's eyes sharpened with doubt.
Stanley patted his great nephew's back. "And hey, just because Mabel starts with more powers doesn't mean she'll get further. Both of you guys need a lot of practice."
.
"Still…at least Mabel can cast cool spells."
'Stanley! Don't play favorites!' Fiddleford had scolded after ushering Mabel out of the room on a task to bring one of his notebooks back. 'Everyone has unique talents they should be proud of. Hell, I have no magic abilities but I'm the best scientist in Gravity Falls.'
"Yes, but it'll be harder for her to control them. When a mage discover multiple powers at once, it's a lot of work to best every branch. It's like mice fighting for a block of cheese." Stanley pointed at patches of ruined clothes. "Mabel almost fried and electrocuted me! So, learning fewer elements at a time is better."
.
The man presented Dipper a gift. In a clear old lantern (previously used for candlelight) held earth inside. He stared at it incredulously.
"This will be your first project. I want you to focus on growing a sunflower with magic only. Sunflowers are very stubborn without sunlight." The glass floated into Dipper's backpack. "Carry it with you, alright?"
"Okay, Grunkle Stan."
"You two are my apprentices and family, after all. If you need anything just ask me or Fiddleford."
A hint of reviving happiness bloomed on Dipper's face.
It was brief, but it was there.
.
"Also, you're the first Pines twin to adapt to flora magic. I'd say that's a win all on its own." Turning he added, "C'mon. I want to teach you how to meditate. Maybe you'll be able to enter the mindscape."
Following behind, Dipper became eager, wondering what it would be like to practice dream magic.
.
The three sat on comfy cushions in a cluttered study. Sturdy oak bookshelves stood by banner flags displaying various mythological beasts. Glass objects glimmered with rainbow light and a miniature solar system twirled from the ceiling. Silence clung to the air. If someone wanted to explore the vast depths of their thoughts this was the place to do so.
.
"For each person meditation is a different process." Stanley explained. "Your dreamscape may or may not appear right away."
"How do we know when we reach the mindscape?" Dipper inquired.
"Unlike regular dreams it'll feel as if you're awake in the real world. Your vision will be sharp, crystal clear. The mindscape is an entirely different sensation than either dreams or reality, though."
Taking a deep breath, they smelled soothing aromatic candles, whiffs of faint nature and perhaps something ethereal.
.
Mabel is the first to enter her dreamscape. Loud colors exploded like bright stars. A garden of pink surrounded Mabel, endlessly stretching into the horizon. Stone fountains held sweet chocolate for water, clouds resembled cotton candy, and there was a river made of rainbow sprinkles. "This. Place. Is. AMAZING!"
.
A colossal castle stood before her. Every boy band she could possibly imagine walked among candy statues. "I never want to leave!"
Just as quickly as the dreamscape appeared it vanished. In a blink Mabel crashed back into reality. An invisible force had grabbed her shoulder, yanking the girl out from her mind.
.
"First lesson of the mindscape," Stanley stated sternly. "Don't get trapped in your own mind. Everything may look peachy on the surface but underneath it will try and keep you there forever."
Mabel crossed her arms. "But I was just about to explore my kingdom! How can something that looks so awesome be so evil?"
"Humans are easily deceived. Keep your guard up; otherwise you'll become a prisoner to creatures created in your own dreamscape."
Shrugging, Mabel returned to meditating.
.
Dipper struggled to identify his mindscape. For a few heartbeats he stared at nothing but darkness. 'Am I focusing too hard? Do I not have the ability to adventure into the mindscape?' Suddenly, another world materialized.
.
Though looking almost identical to Gravity Falls woodland it sure seemed surreal. Very surreal. Towering pine trees skewered puffy white clouds, a dark blue sky mottled with countless sparkling stars, and a tall waterfall greeted Dipper. Giant mushrooms gathered around, the bright tops casting cool shade in hot weather. The boy sat by the pool and noticed tiny specks of fluorescent light floating gracefully around. It felt like at any moment an ancient dragon would land in the glade before him, wings outstretched and fire flashing out from jaws of razor teeth.
'Am I as small as an ant? Am I in danger?!'
.
A blue butterfly fluttered by, kissing a patch of flowers before leaving. 'I guess not.' Surprisingly, Dipper's mindscape seemed really peaceful. In the shadowy horizon among the tree trunks, a tiny light shimmered. An orb was suspended in air, held by nothing. In the middle had a thin pupil, emitting a sense of alertness and ferocity. The unknown thing looked like one big eye.
.
For a few seconds it remained still. An eerie cold draft latched onto Dipper's bones. It stared straight at him, unblinking. Fear told Dipper to retreat, to run away. Curiosity said otherwise. He wanted to inspect this enthralling new mystery. When he stood, the eye vanished, completely cloaked in shadows. 'Was…was that a magical creature?'
.
Stunned, Dipper's eyes shot open and he gasped for breath. Dipper had been kicked out from the mindscape. A cold heavy stone had plunged in his gut, similar to winter wind smacking his face. "W-What happened?!" The boy wheezed.
.
They glanced at him in worry. "Did it feel like an icy fist punched your gut?" Stanley guessed.
Dipper nodded.
"Your dreamscape rejected you."
"Why?"
"There are many reasons. One is that your mind is torn apart by chaos. I doubt this is why you got teleported back."
.
"Well? What's the problem? Is Dipper bad at telepathic magic?" Mabel taunted.
"You maybe have weak ties to that branch of sorcery. But I know you'll get better, Dipper. Every Pines that become a mage is outstanding in light magic."
.
"I was able to stay there the longest!" Mabel boasted.
Dipper crossed his arms and glared at her.
"One day," Stanley interrupted their newfound rivalry. "You may be able to enter other's minds too."
.
"Really?! That's cool!" Dipper exclaimed.
"Yes. But you must tread carefully in another's mindscape. Such powers can soothe or harm."
"Why's that?" Mabel asked.
"Dream magic is essentially light and dark magic." Stanley sighed. "Too much of either can damage the mind causing irreversible effects."
"Sounds boring to me." Mabel mumbled.
"Since dream magic can be the most difficult to learn, I'll be here to guide you."
.
"Will…will we ever study dark magic?"
Stanley held Dipper's gaze for a moment. "I will tell you about it but I refuse to teach either of you how to cast dark magic spells."
"O-Okay."
"Feel free to read any of the books here. It has plenty of facts, knowledge, and tips that can help you. Alright?"
The twins nodded. All three continued meditating.
.
Humming a cheery tune Fiddleford placed diner on the table. Drinking tea, he watched as the twins devoured their food before shuffling sluggishly to get more. "Tired, are we? Does it cost a lot of energy to explore the mindscape?"
"Unfortunately, yes. If they keep studying for a few years it'll be easier for them." Stanley answered.
.
Chuckling, Fiddleford said, "I bet coffee is a fantastic remedy-"
"We are not giving the kids caffeine."
"I know, I know. I'm just joking."
"Sometimes I really think you aren't." Stanley huffed while stuffing a slice of pizza into his mouth.
Nightfall replaced sunrise, the fiery orb sunk behind the forest hills.
.
Instead of crying whimpers, Mabel snored soundly.
'I'm glad she's getting a restful sleep now even though she was bragging all day about her powers.' The boy felt ecstatic that they had found a home that is warm and welcoming. In fact, Dipper didn't miss his parents at all. Shouldn't he though? They are his parents, yet never seemed interested in their lives. Not after their magic powers began to develop. The pang of sadness faded when Dipper realized that he was away from their cold, judgmental, evasiveness.
Mabel and Dipper's parents had kept the twins mostly homebound and willingly abandoned them.
.
Gravity Falls is a breath of fresh air and full of undiscovered adventures. Dipper smiled content as he heard a comforting symphony within the Mystery Shack. A radio blared 1950's music downstairs. Grunkle Stan industriously crafted new exhibits, singing along as he switched through a collection of tools, mostly saw blades and hammers. Fiddleford's lasers and other fancy technology loudly counterfeited a grandfather clock's ticking heartbeat. Swiftly Dipper was carried by a chariot of sleep with amazing speed hurtling not towards desolate nightmares, but awesome dreams.
He couldn't wait to explore the vast wilderness of Gravity Falls.
Yes, the twins had finally found the perfect home.