Gideon couldn't stop thinking about two things: world domination and Mabel Pines. This town of fools will bow to him eventually. Most already do. But he isn't happy until it's total. If he can gather more spell books Gideon will become a formidable, frightening adversary!
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He was born with weak magic ties. Psychic magic can flux between light and dark. Gleeful could move or lift objects with minimal movement. The boy was troubled by this and searched endlessly for ways to progress.
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A year ago he had stumbled into the woods, lost among a network of interwoven vegetation. Tripping over rocky terrain and roots he cursed. Paying for magic tutors didn't work and neither did practice. 'Why can't I unlock any cool abilities?!' A gleaming chip of gold caught Gideon's eye. Prying it lose from earth he examines the strange item.
It's a book. The cover is scorched. The title is unidentifiable. Flipping through weathered pages Gideon finds a treasure box worth of valuable spells. Even charms! Not like the lame, apprentice level crafts found at booths or libraries. An entry engages the brownie. "How to make a psychic amplifying charm…"
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A sinister smile stretches on Gideon's face. He realized that every noteworthy or famous lineage in Gravity Falls has spell books. Including ancestors' specific spells, invented and perfected over generations of diligence. Gideon giggled and carried the book home.
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Pretty blue stone equipped as a disguised bowtie, he can finally strategize a way to take over the pathetic town of Gravity Falls!
First he tested the amulet at his shows. A few volunteers acquired broken limbs. Others lost their magic within range for a short time –the longest being three minutes. Gideon can't believe how extraordinarily powerful the amulet is!
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Everyone thinks Gideon is a harmless, adorable, talented showman. But he's clever. He listens. The money earned from the Tent of Telepathy is an additional advantage. All this is a dagger hidden under Gideon's coat of politeness. One day no more will everyone think he's just some spectacular showman.
He'll invite the Pines twins to his show, get to know them, find their strengths and weaknesses.
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Fixing his tie and adding some hairspray to his hair, Gideon paused to gaze at his reflection. Pictures of Mabel decorate the frame. They're from the day they hung out. Gideon can tell she's extraordinary, a brilliant star among the drab nobodies. Plucking one from the mirror he folded and deposited it in an inner coat pocket. "You're not like the rest of these pathetic, worthless, failures Gideon! One day they'll be dirt under your shoes. These boring shows will be over soon."
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He walked to the backstage. Gideon hopes to see one familiar face in the crowd. Taking a deep breath he watches the curtains fall aside. An announcer begins to introduce him. Lights blind the showman briefly. He puts on a face he practiced well. Be adorable. Be benign.
'They'll be so surprised when I host my final show…'
Piano music silenced cheers. Its light tune is slightly eerie but mesmerizing. He turned to face the audience.
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"Thanks Fiddleford. This show is going to be so cheesy. I wonder what it'll be like." Dipper joked as Mabel and him followed the scientist to the Tent of Telepathy. It had been a week since Mabel had been grounded. The twins had also been practicing magic a lot and wanted to go see more of the town. Fiddleford decided to take them to Gideon's show. Stan protested but McGucket said it'd be a good way to distinguish any threatening magic. Stan begrudgingly agreed. Like him, the scientist had an army's worth of tricks for emergencies.
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The three have front row tickets. Sitting midst the lively clamor and piano song, their eyes attached to the stage. Cheesy or not, nobody can deny anticipation fizzing in the crowd. McGucket grabbed a pair of metal glasses with green-tinted lenses and put them on. The curtains moved.
Huh. Not what Dipper expected.
Gideon Gleeful bowed. His ivory hair almost swept polished floor. "Welcome," his eyes swing up to meet the audience. "To the Tent of Telepathy."
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Many are wearing merchandise from Gideon's show. Awe is clear and animated. Fiddleford yawned. He's not one for overgenerous events. It removes qualities from important things. To him, this is petty and deceitful.
A whimsical tune plays from piano. Gideon asks the crowd to stand up –they do. People clap to the beat. Chipper lyrics are sung from the showman. Confetti explodes at the ending chorus. Fiddleford and Dipper are unimpressed.
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"For the second act I'll ask for two volunteers. Who will be the fortunate participants?" Gideon ignored the crowd's calls, stood on his toes, and looked. Smiling he pointed at the twins. "Mabel and Dipper Pines! Yes, hurry now. No need to be shy!"
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His eyes shine when they meet Mabel's. Gideon kissed her hand and she laughed. The brownie sticks out a hand which Dipper reluctantly shakes. His nose itches from pungent perfume. Pines recognizes that bowtie. It's the one from his omen!
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A sharp pain prodded Dipper. Like a needle in a needle cushion. He blinked, stunned. In a second it's gone. Was he imagining it? Or does Gideon have mindreading powers like Stan?
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Gideon stands between them. "For this trick it'll require focus and agility." He summons three heavy objects: a sofa, a metal table, and a priceless statue of a golden cat. "Hold out your hands."
Dipper warily eyes the furniture hovering above him. Balloons marked by numbers for points surround Dipper's trembling form. The objects swayed. Huh? These aren't lightweight props?! He sees faint blue outlines on them. If he moves too quickly the items could fall. Is Gideon a real psychic?
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The brownie gives Mabel a small suit case. The lid opens. Knives, elegant and silver, are stored in velvet. Cute bowties are tied to the hilts. She's hesitant to grab one. He winked. "There'll be no bloodshed. It's part of the show."
Mabel took a knife from the case and eyed her fearful reflection in the metal surface. She meets Dipper's gaze. It's set in identical dread.
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A blade hissed past Dipper's ear and sinks into the wall. The balloon's loud pop startled him. He stumbled, almost losing his grip on the wobbling items.
What? She had aimed way away from him.
"Wow! These two are brave! Go on." Gideon laughed. "When you earn enough points another magic trick will happen."
Knives sliced air. Dipper dances awkwardly after each throw, trying to keep the items upright. Is this all an illusion or is he really in danger?
An alarm rang, like when a person wins a carnival game. "Now Dipper toss those up." The table, gold cat statue, and sofa fly high up, almost striking the stage lights above. And then they fall. Dipper dove and sees them explode into colorful shapes and sparkles. Wait. Where's Mable?!
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Dipper sprints to catch her as she emerges from the shapes. A giant hibiscus flower appears and saves Mabel. Summoned lighting cracks from her hands to add to the wonderfulness of the show.
Gideon clapped. "These two are magnificent aren't they? Outstanding talent!"
Applause. Shocked, the twins smile and bow.
"Thank you all for coming to the show!" The curtains shut, signaling the end of the event.
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Mabel bounced excitedly. "That was so cool!"
"You think so? Well, it wouldn't have been as awesome without your lightning magic! But Mable, you could've aimed away."
"I did."
"Huh? Really?"
"Is Gideon really a psychic? I felt like I had no control after I threw the knife."
Gleeful walked up to them and grinned. "I am psychic."
"What so you actually controlled the knives and objects?!"
"I've hosted many tricks like that. You were perfectly safe."
Dipper rolled his eyes.
"I'm happy you two liked the magic tricks. I must say I am pleasantly surprised. I didn't expect you to cast spells." He did. Gideon had wanted to see if they would to learn what magic they have. Gideon extracted two envelopes from his pocket. "Might you two want to attend a party tomorrow?"
"Seriously?! Us?"
"You don't need to but I'd like to get to know you two better. You're interesting people. The exit is that way," Gideon pointed and then bowed. "Until next time, Pines."
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"The show was the best! We were stars!" Mabel said.
Fiddleford folded the glasses and stored them in his pocket. "Why don't we get ice cream?"
"Really?!"
The scientist laughed. "I know the best shop in Gravity Falls. It has over two-hundred…"
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Night sky is a deep blue-purple. Gideon had had no idea that the Pines were so powerful. If he made friends with them, the three could conquer Gravity Falls. Maybe they could even control dark magic! The Pines twins are adventurous, knowledgeable, and crafty. Unlike the rest of this rubbish town. Gideon walked back to his study to read spell book entries again. It's been a while since he crafted charms.
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"Thanks Fiddleford!"
"Yeah! This ice cream is the best!"
"No problem." They sat at an outdoor bench. "Ice cream is crucial during summer."
"What about Grunkle Stan?"
McGucket smiled and pat Dipper's head. "Good idea! Mabel can you-"
She took the money and said, "Yep!"
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"Did you notice anything while on stage?"
He nodded. "Gideon's bowtie. I think it has magic."
"Precisely! Yes. My glasses can examine charms. It's unquestionably powerful. For a mage at his age, he shouldn't be that powerful!" Fiddleford listed items used to make the amulet when Dipper interrupted.
"I've…I've seen it before."
The scientist's brows furrowed. "How?"
Dipper stared into the distance recalling the omen. "In a vision. I can hardly use light magic but somehow it happened. I guess you're going to say I was tired and-"
"No. Stan has had a few. And how else would you have seen that exact bowtie before? What was in your vision?"
"I'm back!" Mabel waved the bag. "Let's go home!"
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The scientist didn't prod about the vision. He'd ask later. Stan has more talent deciphering omens. Besides, Stanley and him need to evaluate those scars in the woods. If they don't, darkness could corrupt the town. For the past week they've been packing for the trip. Fiddleford hoped it was mendable. A calamity is something he'd want to preclude.
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"Are you going to study all night again? Boring!"
"Studying is import-"
"So is actually casting magic! And is that sunflower ever going to bloom?"
Dipper sighed. "I hope so."
Mabel shook her head. Her brother is always surrounded by stacks of books. How would he learn to be courageous if he never did anything else? Is he that weak? 'Maybe I shouldn't have run away when he needed me…'
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"Dipper?"
"What? I only have a few pages left-"
"I'm sorry for running away."
He turned abruptly, shocked to hear an apology.
"Did you really destroy that giant gnome by yourself?"
"Yeah."
She smiled, impressed. "You're the first to defeat a legendary monster! I'll have to find one and challenge it!"
He laughed. "Count me in! It'll give me an experience boost!"
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Mabel stood in a fighting stance playfully. "Oh yeah? Only if you can defeat the final secret boss: me!"
Dipper snorted. The twins circle each other. Mabel shoots a fireball and Dipper evaded it. Tackling her he summons brambles, affixing his opponent to the floor. Lightning scorched the trap and she threw a punch. Petals bloomed onto her skin, softening the hit. The twins kept sparring, both faltering and then taking the upper hand in the battle.
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"How're you so accurate when casting?"
"Not always." Dipper pointed to pages showing mages in various summoning poses. "I just study these. Hey. What elements can you cast? Learned anymore?"
"Thunder, fire, and rarely water. Light magic, I can summon small creatures."
"Really?!"
She shrugged. "I guess so. The creatures listen well to orders. But I have a hard time with precision when casting. Can you still only-"
"Yeah. Just flora magic. Maybe light magic?"
"I wonder why."
"Why?"
"Why we don't have the same magic elements. Or why we're not psychic like Grunkle Stan."
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"The books say twins have a higher chance sharing the same elemental magic but it also depends on various things. Personality is one; some others are practice and what they value most."
"What about dark magic? Why doesn't Stan want to teach us that?"
Dipper nodded. "Dream magic: light and dark, can corrupt a person if they use too much at a time. I read that people can turn into monstrous beasts. But why is it forbidden to learn dark magic?"
"Any of the history books have any clues?"
"No."
Mabel tapped her chin thoughtfully. "We should investigate! How cool would it be to learn every magic branch?!"
Dipper smiled. They discussed where they could obtain historic papers about dark magic being banished in Gravity Falls. He really wanted to know more about those scars in the woods, and if he could solve the mystery on why they are there. Does someone in town have the ability to cast dark magic?