"Where's Grunkle Stan?" After an early breakfast he vanished. Soos sweeps the floor and kicks up clouds of dust. "Mr. Pines is on an important job. He instructed me to watch you dudes until he gets back. Oh, and he wants you guys to study magic."
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"Dipper, we should go to Gideon's party! It starts soon and lasts all day." She whispered.
He doesn't want to. But he won't let Mabel go to the party alone. What if she runs into danger? "How? Distraction?"
"Distraction."
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"Hey Soos."
"What's up little dudes?"
Dipper tosses up a baseball. Catches it. Tosses it up. Catches it. He smiled. "How does your magic work?"
"Can you really fix anything?"
Soos gave a thumbs-up. "Totally dudes!"
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Mabel winked and snapped her fingers. The baseball changes colors before fading. Dipper throws the ball. The entrance window breaks. Soos equips a wrench. He waves it like a magic wand. Hovering shards fit back together like puzzle pieces. It's a smooth glass surface again!
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"Cool!"
"Thanks dudes!"
Mabel hurled the baseball. It bounces fast as a bullet. Merchandise is destroyed. When it eventually rolls to a stop, the baseball magically springs back to life. As if the star of a ballet it hops, coils, and leaps across the tourist shop. Soos runs around trying to catch it but the baseball evades Soos' grasp.
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The twins sneak out of the Mystery Shack. "That should distract Soos all day."
"Let's get him a gift from the party. I feel bad for tricking Soos."
Mabel nodded. "He's nice. And he repairs anything we break. He works hard."
"I wonder where Stan is."
She shrugged. "Probably out looking for materials for his tacky exhibits. We can't show up at the party in these shabby clothes." Magic sparks from her Mabel's fingers. Fabric and decorations spin around the twins. Their normal attire is exchanged for trendy outfits.
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Dipper observes his astonishingly. It's an ebony suit, blue shirt and bowtie. Buttons and cufflinks shimmer like jewels. A ruffled collar scratches his neck. The shoes are pointed and polished. He didn't like it. Too suffocating and strict. Dipper looked arrogant and cold.
Mabel spins, laughing. Her dress is a long bubble skirt style, fancy ruffles, lots of glitter, and watermelon-pink color. Star-shaped earrings shine from glow in the dark materials. "Let's go to the party!"
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"Why didn't you ask Soos to join us?" Fiddleford inquired. "His talent is fixing things."
"There are some things even Soos can't fix. Besides, if the kids break anything or get into trouble, I can count on him." Stanley, McGucket, and Wendy hike through interlocked wilderness. Sunlight is rare. Shadows cloak the environment like night.
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Wendy is silent. Her insightful eyes search for danger. "Creatures in Gravity Falls have been restless lately. Violent too. They've been attacking people." A battle axe supports as a walking stick. Her nonchalant disposition is discarded. Replaced by a noble fighter. "So be on guard."
Stanley grinned. "That's why we asked you to help us."
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Fiddleford followed the psychic who never seemed to get tired as they climbed up a rocky incline. He guides the group by compass. For a long time the only sound is the clinking of Wendy's armor and the supplies in their bags.
Stanley's head bobbed up. "I sense dark magic!"
"But we're not even close to the-"
"Get down!"
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The soldier pushed her friends aside –saving them just in time! Acidic spit sails overhead. It lands on some trees. It bubbled, the corrosives eating bark and vegetation. Only scorched stumps remain.
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A giant monster emerges from the woods. Wendy's sensitive nose curled in disgust. Pungent, oily, sewer smell disbands their alarm. The soldier retched. The three humans dive for cover. Bewilderment and awe gleams in their eyes. "What is that thing?!"
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None of them have ever seen a creature like this before! A lumpy, bubbling mass of tar. A gurgling venomous monster. It moves like a slug and leaves a slippery trail as footsteps. Ducking behind some fallen trees they watch it frantically search for something. Its mouth is a gap armored by rows of teeth. Lastly, there are limbs from other mythological creatures sticking out of it. Each twitched independently. As if trying to escape.
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Wendy gasped, realizing something. "That thing absorbed other creatures to get stronger!"
Fiddleford slaps a cartridge in his pistol. The invention was originally made to erase memories. But he upgraded it for a more useful weapon. Bullets saturated in magic potions create an effective punch. "I'll provide cover as you two attack."
Stanley and Wendy eyed each other, nodded, and lunged into battle.
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Jumping from trees Wendy shouted a war cry. She landed on the monster and heaved the axe downwards. It just sinks into the tar and gets stuck. The tar monster doesn't flinch.
She yanks the axe free after a few tugs. Drops of tar hit her skin and she hisses –the acid burns. Like gum it attaches to her boots. A muscular Minotaur arm smacks the soldier and tosses Wendy.
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"It has to have a vital disadvantage somewhere!"
Stanley equips his eight ball staff and summons light magic. He dodges flying discs of dark magic. They strike trees, cutting them in half. He tries prodding for anything that can convey weaknesses. Stanley staggered. No thoughts just a bunch of disjointed noise.
The psychic is lifted up by a pale fairy arm. His legs are painfully imprisoned, almost to the point of breaking.
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The scientist shoots the arm accurately. The magic bullets shrivel the creature's arm. Stanley drops and is stunned. He manages to get away. Everyone recovers and counterattacks.
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Another talent Stanley has perfected over time is trickery magic. He drew symbols with a marker on his arms and chanted. A blinding light made the monster recoil. It looked at the three questioningly. The monster only sees typical forest fauna. Where did the humans go?
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Wendy and Fiddleford ambushed it. The soldier hurls her axe at the monster. Bullets chip away at the monster's outer tar armor. Weakened, it tries to run away. The warrior slashes its face. It withdrew and evaporated into smoke. Wendy cheered and high-fived her friends.
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"Why didn't it attack us when you casted magic?"
"Its only hunting humans and magic beings. Not regular animals." Fiddleford guessed.
"Corrupted beings or monsters made from dark magic want to destroy other magic. They each have different abilities and forms but their mission is the same." Stanley added.
"What does this mean?" Wendy asked.
"It means that dark magic is leaking out and infecting magical creatures too."
"We're close to the scar."
They run further into the woods after healing their injuries from the battle.
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Dipper and Mabel wait in line at the entrance of Gideon's party. It's at some classy discothèque. A muscular bouncer eyes them suspiciously, then nodded. "Names?"
"Mabel and Dipper Pines."
"This way." The bouncer is traded by another as he escorts the twins into the club.
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The interior is fancier than the outside. A castle made of ivory marble. Every seat has a velvet cushion, the lights are crystal chandeliers, the flowers specifically all pastel. A band is playing classical music. The tiled floor is so polished it reflects partiers like a mirror. Curtains wrap over round booths, studded with gleaming diamonds.
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Dipper can hardly breathe –the atmosphere is everything he dislikes. Mabel gracefully glides forward, looking at everything with a smile.
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They're seated at a booth far from other crowds. The din is muffled. Gideon sits at the center holding a tall menu. "Welcome to Boite Opulent."
"Thanks for inviting us! This club is amazing!"
Gleeful chuckled. "Why, it's no problem. Order anything you'd like, it's on me."
"Really?!" Dipper sputtered.
The teen waved his hand. "Yes, yes. After we eat we can discuss why you're here."
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The brownie extracts two boxes from his pocket. He opens the packages, revealing beautiful stones. Smooth, flat, ocean-blue and dappled by various other blue tints.
"What's the price?" Dipper asked skeptically.
"Friendship."
"Friendship?" Dipper is baffled. He can't be serious. It's got to be deception.
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He smiled. "These are exactly like my amulet. Very special."
"You mean a charm?" Mabel asked.
Gideon nodded. "The stone amplifies psychic powers."
"But why give us these?" Dipper looked at it frightfully like it was a big spider.
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"I have an eye for talent," The brownie explained. "And I know you two have magnificent magic capabilities." Gideon's gaze scares Dipper. He senses that he mustn't make him angry. Those knife tricks aren't just for tacky shows.
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"Think about what we could do with your powers. This run-down town can be something better! The most feared land among the magic territories! But, only we can change things."
Dipper blinked. "You…you want to take over Gravity Falls? But why?" The mage stifled a laugh. Gideon sounds like a clichéd villain.
"Because there are undiscovered spells. If we learn them it'll make us unstoppable!"
"Like…dark magic?"
"Yes."
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The twins exchange worried glances.
"No need to accept my offer right away. But do take these gifts. Would you like to dance, Mabel?"
She grinned and said, "Sure! Let's go."
Gideon faced Dipper. "Take a look around if you'd like."
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He did. Nothing caught his attention. He swiped a silver statue and walked back to the booth. Dipper gets lost in the blue stones in the box. A golden triangle materializes and he looks up at Bill Cipher. The demon is floating, holding a martini glass. Dipper smells iron. 'Is the red drink…blood?!' Instead of an olive there's a beating heart. Pines hopes it isn't a human heart.
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"Boring party huh, Pine Tree?"
"Yeah. It is."
Bill chuckled. "I've been to better and wilder parties than this! A bunch of lunatics in gaudy costumes acting like they're sophisticated –now that's a joke!"
"Then why are you here?"
"Have you forgotten?" Cipher grinned. Or Dipper guessed he did from his voice. "I'm here as your magic guide!"
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"Do you think I should learn dark magic?"
"Do you want to?"
"Yes, but everyone says it's dangerous."
Bill rolled his eye. "That's because those who try it aren't strong enough. It takes knowledge and diligence to learn dark magic."
"I don't trust Gideon."
"Good. You shouldn't." Bill took a sip of his martini and thoughtfully looked at the swirling blood.
"Are the amulets dangerous?"
"They can be. But, that brownie hasn't been able to unlock the magic charm's full potential."
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Pines is silent for a long time. He plucks the stone from its case and examines it. "I think…I'll keep it. I won't side with him unless Mabel will. I need to learn every trick I can."
"You're more of a mischievous person than I thought! I'm proud to be your magic guide!" Cipher bowed, his hat fell and he caught it. "So you're going to get as many spells as you can and when Gideon thinks he can betray you-"
"I'll be ready to dismantle any of his tactics." Dipper pocketed the stone and held Cipher's gaze. "But I'll need your help. I know nothing about dark magic. And as a demon I'm guessing you know the limits of such spells."
"I won't fail you, Pine Tree!" Bill laughed. "I can't wait to see the shock on that little goblin's face!"
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Walking home Mabel asked, "Wasn't the party cool?!"
"It was okay. The food was good."
"Do you think…we should join Gideon?"
"I don't know, Mabel. What if he betrays us?"
"He won't. Gideon wouldn't ask for our help if he was going to. And if he does, you and I could defeat him." Mabel skipped happily. "Don't you think his idea is awesome? Ruling over Gravity Falls as the most powerful mages would be marvelous!"
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Dipper smiled. "Okay. We'll help Gideon look for those spell books."
"Awesome! We'll be the best mages of all time! Let's go back to the Mystery Shack!"
"Wait," he grabbed the silver statue. "Do you think we can make this a gift for Soos?"
"Sure!" Mabel waved her hands overhead of the statue and it transformed. It's a replica of Soos standing heroically. At the base it reads, "Best repairman". The twins sprint towards home hoping to make it there before Stan and Fiddleford arrive.
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Fiddleford, Stanley, and Wendy stand staring into the rift. Writhing magic pours out from it. "How can this happen?" The soldier asked. "There's a force field over Gravity Falls!"
The scientist examined the wound. "Some spells aren't strong enough to repel dark magic. We'll need to craft an item to seal it."
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McGucket's eyes drifted towards Stanley. He looked troubled. Lost in thought.
"My father said that generations ago this had happened. What made the scars reappear?"
The physic flinched. Fiddleford can tell he's fighting back tears.
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"I don't understand, Fiddleford. We erased his memories. Banished him in a nothing dimension! He can't have returned to Gravity Falls!"
"Who?"
"My brother."
Wendy's eyes widened. "Brother? Like twin brother?"
"Yeah. Stanford."
"He's the one who almost destroyed Gravity Falls years ago."
"No way! I know the war was part of the town's history but they never say who the bad guy was. It must've been hard to…to fight your own brother."
"It was but…" Stanley shook his head. "I had to. If he had won, Gravity Falls –no. The world would be in an apocalyptic dimension."
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"So if he has returned why didn't he immediately attack Stanley?"
"Ford must be weak still. Hiding until he gathers enough strength." The scientist collected a sample of dark magic in a flask.
"And another army." Stanley added.
"Ford is observing too." Wendy said. "He's going to test everyone's resilience and weaknesses. Seeing what has changed." She saluted. "I'll sharpen my axe and be on alert, sirs!"
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Fiddleford and Stanley started driving home. Wendy said she would patrol for a few more hours and then go back home. The scientist is writing down notes, sorting what items could be useful for crafting. He paused, remembering what Dipper had said. "Stanley."
"Yeah?"
"Dipper told me he had had a vision."
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"Vision?" Stanley keeps his eyes on the road but shock is conveyed on his face. "Good or bad?"
"He didn't say."
"I'll talk to him and try to decipher its meaning." He hopes it was good. If not, Stanley is worried about Dipper. He only knows people can adapt to dark magic through summoning demons. Can a mage be naturally adjusted to it?