"Grounded?!" Mabel's jaw dropped. "Are you serious?"
Fiddleford and Stanley loom overhead, frustrated and dismayed.
"But I did help him."
"We know."
"Listen," Fiddleford sighed. "You abandoned Dipper. He needed your help to escape from the gnomes!"
"Isn't good you know? Siblings are supposed to be there for each other." Stanley's eyes sparked despondently. "In good times and bad."
She pouted and avoided their glares. "It's not my fault he can't have fun or cast magic well…"
.
The men's postures became rigid with shock. "He could've died, Mabel."
Hurriedly she added, "Wendy should've-"
"No. You won't blame others for your mistakes. She did her job. Robbie is mostly at fault here…"
"Both of you are in trouble. For a week the two of you will work in the Mystery Shack."
Mabel crossed her arms and eyed them furiously. Everything turned out okay so what's the big deal?
.
"But Grunkle Stan-"
"Go upstairs and start cleaning out all that old junk from the attic. Understand?"
"Fine. Whatever." Footsteps treaded impatiently upwards and faded. Normally Stan respected rebellious spirit but Mabel had failed this time.
.
Fiddleford pat his friend's back. "Need me to bring back anything?"
"Groceries? I have to make sure she doesn't slack off."
"Sure. Count on me."
Stanley's eyes rest on faint old scars blemishing the scientist's body. "I know I can."
.
"Can you teach me how to wield an axe like you?"
Wendy smiled. "Sure! Need to get points in strength and dexterity first though!"
"I um," Dipper blushed. "I got you an Orthus fang."
Mint-green eyes glow astonishingly. "No way! How'd you do that?!"
Dipper explained the story. If someone as cool as Wendy is complementing him, he has to be cool too, right?
.
"Keep it. It's a pretty gift," Wendy dropped it in his hands. "But that's your trophy for winning such a dangerous battle."
He smiled.
"You might need it the future. I heard Orthus fangs bring extraordinary strength to the person who found it."
"Dipper!"
.
Pivoting he sees Fiddleford equipping a messenger bag over his shoulders. "Up for testing some inventions?"
"Totally!" Waving goodbye to Wendy he hops into the car.
.
The ride is smooth. The vehicle glides over pleasant country roads. Dipper's head droops. He's lulled to sleep by white noise of a weatherman's calm reports. Indistinct whispers drift by his ears. The voice is familiar. Darkness cloaks his vision and-
.
The car suddenly veers. A pale blue van dashes by, tires wailing as it almost fell over. Clouds of dust veils the windows. Thankfully the car remains upright.
"Oh my goodness! How reckless! You alright?!"
Dipper nodded. "Who were those guys?"
Adjusting his glasses he responds, "The Gleefuls. They're somewhat famous in Gravity Falls."
"What for?"
"Buck Gleeful runs a car dealer while Gideon," the scientist shuddered. "He's about your age. He's the star of Tent of Telepathy."
.
"Is he psychic like Grunkle Stan?"
"I'm uncertain. His powers could be faked. However, Gideon flaunts a necklace I believe emits magic qualities."
"So Gideon is a normal human like you and me? Or mythical?"
"I don't know."
Pines wonders how powerful the amulet is. Are his shows just a flashy exhibit or is that stone harboring bizarre magic?
.
Mabel paced angrily. Why does she have to do chores? It's really beautiful outside! Not even a vampire would want to be stranded indoors today.
Sipping on pink lemonade she's arranging out an escape.
.
She already cleared out a lot of junk. Still stacks of boxes clutter the attic. Lazily she shuffles through dusty contents. Mabel found something interesting. A grappling hook! Cool!
.
'Maybe I can sneakily climb out the window-'
Loud footsteps sprint upstairs. Mabel sighed irritably. 'I forgot he has-'
The door swings open and reveals a grinning Stanley. "That's right! I have mind reading powers!"
.
Glowering, Mabel pointed at him. "You can't stop me! I'm going to go outside!"
"Sorry but you're grounded."
"It's no fair! Why does Dipper get special treatment?"
Bewildered, Stanley blinked. "What? No he doesn't."
"Yes he does!"
The doorbell rang.
"Stay here." Stan shuffled down the creaky steps to see who it could be.
She didn't listen. Cracking open the window she aimed for a tree. Bravely Mabel swung towards it. The grappling hook pulled her up, saving her from a broken leg.
.
Climbing down the tree she sprints into town. A day of fun awaits! No way is she staying around to get in trouble.
Mabel heard Gravity Falls had a mall so that's where she's walking to.
.
Searching shelves and bins of clothes she plucked each find cheerfully. "This pattern will totally go with a necklace I'm making! And this one-"
"Pardon me. I'm terribly sorry."
"Oh no, it's my fault." Mabel helped up a short kid her age.
.
"Wow, I love your suit! So fashionable!"
Initially he thought it had been another moron but he was pleasantly surprised. "Why thank you. What's your name? I've never seen you in Gravity Falls before."
"I'm Mabel Pines. Amateur fashion designer and future celebrity!"
.
"Mabel Pines? Are you related to Stanley Pines?"
"Yes. My brother and I recently moved to Gravity Falls."
Gleeful's light-blue eyes flashes astonishment. How is that possible? She's nothing like Stan Pines!
.
"Well no matter. I'm sure you're not as grouchy or haughty as he is."
Mabel laughed. "No way!"
Gideon smiled. "Say, these designs you have in this notebook are fascinating."
"Thank you uh-"
"Gideon Gleeful. I run the shows at the Tent of Telepathy." He bowed elegantly. "A brownie."
She remembers Dipper enthusing about a list of legendary creatures. He's a flightless fairy.
.
Gideon flipped through pages. "I'd be willing to model your designs if you'd like."
"Really?! Awesome!"
"I'd be happy to! I also have an eye for fashion."
"Then what are we waiting for?! Let's go!" Purchasing material and abandoning chores Mabel tugged her newfound friend out of the shop. She knew it had been a good idea to go out today!
.
"Can you guess what this does?" McGucket asked.
Dipper studied a shimmering violet and pink stone. "It looks like an ordinary crystal."
The scientist smiled. "Hold it up to the light and see what happens."
.
The two sit in a dusky glade. Trees and enormous boulders barricade out most light. Yet slim spears of it pierce a roof of leaves. "Hmm…" Each facet glimmers like the stars at midnight. At the center is a translucent circle. It's faint but there. Dipper raises the stone to the light.
.
A laser beam shoots forward and strikes a tree. Absorbed by blue light the giant instantly shrinks. Shrubs stand taller. "That's amazing!"
"Yes. Flipping the crystal over will grow things."
.
Fiddleford gave Dipper a flashlight. A switch makes it possible to rotate the crystal. "This is yours."
"Really?"
"Wielding magic and tech can be advantageous. Consider it a gift."
"Thanks Fiddleford!"
He laughed. "No problem. It's a start to learning about inventions."
.
Dipper is practical, smart, and resourceful. McGucket always wanted an apprentice. Now he proudly mentors Dipper. The scientist wondered when he'd teach him about building robots!
That would have to wait. Studying inventing and magic tasks it might be difficult.
.
Diligently Pines takes notes. Like any child Dipper asks a lot of questions. The scientist doesn't mind it –at least he didn't fall asleep like Stan does.
Opening the car trunk Fiddleford grabbed a fold-out table and lab equipment. Beakers, chemicals, matches, and dusty volumes. "I was trying to gather info on vampires but all I can find are dull fangs that they drop." He sighed. "Immortality will be found one day."
.
"Instead we'll go looking for supplies." Fiddleford tore pages out from a notebook and gave the list to Dipper. "These should all be in this forest. Can you please get them?"
"Do I get some gold for completing this quest?" He joked.
The scientist grinned. "Maybe I can convince Stanley to take everybody to the ice cream parlor this week."
"Awesome! Count on me!"
"Press the button on your communicator if you need help!" The scientist reminded a running Pines.
.
Plucking resources from lively forest is simple. Climb a tree, look under rocks, and maneuver through nature's obstacle course. It's peaceful. The scent of damp woodland and the beautiful sky is splendid! Nobody is bothering Dipper about bad luck, evil magic, or not being social enough. He's allowed to explore the uncharted wilderness.
.
What? That's strange! A long, wide, serrated crater scars forest floor. Dipper sees nothing but darkness. Further inspecting it he finds the fringes scorched. Dead grass and stone clash against thriving green.
Maybe he can heal the earth? He did summon a tree to parry the giant gnome's attack. Dipper's hand brushed withering flora and burning stone. His hand hissed from the contact. Staggering, he stumbled –and tripped into the yawning abyss!
.
Wind whirls past. Eerie sound travels through gusts. It's so faint but shockingly painful. Dipper frantically tries to grab the rocks for a foothold but it's ineffective.
Blood trickles down Dipper's nose. Drops land on his fingers as he thrashes midair. He stares dreadfully at his trembling hand.
.
How far is it until the bottom?! Is another magical creature going to attack him while he's falling?
Dipper panics and draws the flashlight.
Then he realizes that he can understand the wind. It's a voice. Muttering?
.
Color drains from the world. Everything is gray. Run. Runrunrunrun-
But he can't. Dipper's legs are fixed in place. He's no longer falling and is instead hovering. How can he escape?
.
Pure darkness veils dawn. Dipper is trapped. He stares at a floating eyeball. The same one from his dreamscape. Quivering, he watches it appear from the shadows. Its wearing a dapper hat, bowtie, and is in the shape of a triangle. Lanky limbs languidly droop next to its crude anatomy.
.
"You're from the dreamscape! What're you?"
It laughed. Laughed. That's unnerving. Frowning Dipper spat, "What do you want?"
.
"I'm Bill Cipher. A guide to power and unlimited knowledge. You're funny Pine Tree. Being your guide won't be so bad. The last guys," the triangle narrowed his eye reflectively. "We'll see if you'll be as extraordinary."
Dipper flourishes the flashlight like a sword. "Where am I? What's going on, Cipher?"
"That silly invention won't work here, Pine Tree."
He lowers the item.
.
"What are guides?"
"Magic creatures or beings that help mages. We usually appear when the person first enters their dreamscape. There can be many per person."
Dipper tapped his chin. "So-"
Bill bowed, top hat comically drooping in sync. "The more powerful you get, I get. I can provide spells for you. Every mage has unique creature guides. When your abilities get stronger, new spells will be unlocked."
"That's so amazing!" Dipper finally summoned a creature just like Mabel can. He felt that he could now be on the same level as his sister in magic.
.
"If I study my magic a lot will I be a powerful mage?"
"Yes. Better than any mage ever seen before."
"For real?! This is so epic!"
Cipher snapped his fingers. Dipper floated up and safely landed on forest floor.
"Listen Pine Tree," Cipher hovered above lethargically. "In the future you'll obtain a special item. Study as much as you can."
Dipper nodded. "I will! Uh," he rubbed his neck. "How do I summon you if I need help?"
"Every mage is different. You'll find out."
He crossed his arms. "So far you're not much help."
Bill laughed.
.
"Cipher?"
"Yes?"
"Do you know what caused that…that scar?"
Bill portrayed awe. "No one told you the story?"
Dipper's brows furrowed curiously. "What story?"
"There was a long, vicious war after Gravity Falls was established. A man had found the town years ago. Stanley's brother-"
The radio crackled to life. "Dipper! Did you find those items yet? It's getting late. Can you please return to the clearing?"
Lively colors leaked back into the world. When he looked up, Bill was gone.
.
After hours of study and a boring trip to a grocery store, Dipper watched the world run by. He sat silently, arm resting on the door and propping up his chin. His mind kept drifting back to the eternally scorched earth. "Hey Fiddleford?"
"Yes?"
"Do you know about any strange abysses in the forest?"
.
Fiddleford trembled dreadfully. "Why?"
'I thought Stanley and I sealed those years ago! Has the damage returned? How?!'
Pines eyed the scientist perplexingly. "Because I found one."
Fiddleford forced a smile. Concern fractures his disarming, calm features. Powerful dark magic. It can cause catastrophic destruction to almost anything. Sometimes it's unrepairable.
"Nothing important. Magical creatures fight and leave ruins from them."
.
Dipper refuses to leave a mystery unsolved. If nobody is going to tell him what really happened then he'll discover the truth about that surreal scar in the earth. He guesses it's from dark magic. But how can Dipper fix it? Maybe a spell will restore-
.
The car parked next to the Mystery Shack. Along with Fiddleford, Dipper carries bags of groceries. They see Stanley exit hurriedly. He looks terrified. "Have you seen Mabel?"
"No. We just got here. Have you tried detecting her with your psychic-"
"Yes. But something is interfering. I've tried reaching her mind directly but she didn't respond."
.
The scientist gave Dipper the other bags and asked, "Can you stay here in case Mabel shows up?"
Dipper nodded. Where did she go? He's worried. But he knows Grunkle Stan and Fiddleford can do more to help then he could.
The scientist got back into his car and Stanley followed. Tires screamed as the car orientated before driving down a road towards town.