'Dipper.'
Pines wakes up startled. Pages peel from his check and the large volume clatters onto the desk. Blinking weariness away, Dipper's eyes land on the clock. Five-thirty AM. He's been in the Mystery Shack's library for a long time.
'Are you awake?' It's Grunkle Stan's telepathic communication magic. 'Meet me downstairs in Fiddleford's lab.'
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He stares at the door anxiously. Is he in trouble? Taking a deep breath, Dipper enters the lab. Tension is obvious. One can hear a pin drop.
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Stan clears his throat. "I've heard you've had a vision."
"We're curious." Fiddleford extracted a notebook and pen. "What is it about?"
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Dipper recalls the ominous vision.
"This divination foretells of bloodshed
Created by turmoil and dread
Magic warfare reviving new and old adversaries
An ancient curse looms over this town's societies
If the heroes' questing is abruptly terminated
Then everybody's end is fated."
Stan paced. "A curse?"
Fiddleford scribbles furiously. "Who would be the heroes?"
"Could you tell who the two mages were?"
"No."
"We all know the stone belongs to Gideon. The staff," McGucket glanced at Stanley. "Didn't Ford-"
"Doesn't matter. It's gone."
"What's gone?"
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Dipper's brows furrowed. He glared. Why aren't Stan and Fiddleford telling him everything?
In fact, he senses fear from them.
Stanley sighed and looks away as if carefully choosing what to say to him. The mage gets to eye level with Dipper. "Kid, I think…I think you can learn dark magic."
"What?!"
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"Good optimistic visions originate from light magic. The other…" Fiddleford trailed off.
"It's rare for mages. Unless their family branch specializes in dark magic. But we don't." Stanley doubts Dipper summoned any demons. There aren't any noticeable changes, physically or emotionally like Ford had.
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"Try to reject that magic."
"Why? Don't you think it could be useful? If it's rare then that means I could-"
Stanley frowned. "All dark magic brings is pain, suffering, and isolation! It destroys families! No one can control it!"
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Nose and eyes burning, Dipper feels tears sting.
Stan flinched briefly but his scowl hardened.
"You said it's all about balance! What if I could use it for good?!" The words are pouring out of his mouth like a flash storm. "You're just like mom and dad!" Dipper tosses the door open and exits the lab, sobbing.
.
"Ugh," Stanley sighed. He's more irritated at himself than at Dipper. "I shouldn't of –why is the Pines family a bunch of runaways?!"
"It's dangerous outside with the corrupted magic!" Fiddleford runs past Stanley who followed him out of the Mystery Shack. Out into the murky darkness of dawn, in the light's absence, threatening creatures thrive.
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Pacifica Northwest wants to be a sunflower. Strong, beautiful, elegant, free, and happy. Characteristics that she fakes –for the public, for her parents. She hates being a Northwest. A sunflower has an insouciant life.
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She'd desert this artificial high-class charade in an instant. Exchange her glitzy, overpriced clothes for comfy warm ones. 'Riches are valueless. You can be your own person.' This is a mantra she tells herself during all the gaudy parties and other activities Pacifica is forced to attend.
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Crisp pages are flipped through. Old spells woven into a honey-colored, gilded book. The only treasure of the Northwests that Pacifica values. As the only heir, her father gifted this ancient artifact. Putting it in a satchel, Pacifica's blue eyes hover up to the bedroom window. Her refection is somber. Glimmering makeup is gone. Golden jewels are stored. For trade the trinkets could buy a room in an inn or a way out of Gravity Falls. Her clothes –a pale white empress waist dress and flat shoes betray her status. It was the least expensive clothes she owns –her training outfit for when she studies combat magic. Pacifica hopes she can escape into the shadows.
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Blue disbands the dark horizon, signaling morning's approach. Pacifica's gaze changes into scorching resolve. 'Depart into the dusk and never look back.'
Soundlessly she opens her balcony doors, crosses the marble floor, and looks down into the wilderness below.
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Nails dig into her palm. Pacifica shuts her eyes and steadies her breathing.
Even if the Northwest had the best education anyone could buy, and perfected many talents, she's still fearful of traveling unknown roads alone. 'C'mon Pacifica! You got this!' She reaches out for a tree branch. The tree, like a monster's claws, grapples the luxurious stone mansion side.
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Carefully eyeing the ground below, Pacifica descends the tree, branch by branch. Bugs scurry hurriedly among the ancient bark. As she got further along, the tree exhibited obvious damage and rot. The Northwest avoided branches that looked weak.
Shoes land in damp grass. Mushrooms cling to the stump like colorful ruffles on a dress. There should be a path leading left into town and right into the woods. Maybe she could find a cabin to stay in. Pacifica summons a hexagonal prism. Its soft light guides the mage through the dark, twirling above as she walks.
Unknown to Northwest, sinister creatures lurk within the gloomy darkness.
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Ahead is an abandoned circle of cottages. Generations ago it had been the main town of Gravity Falls when it was founded. The Northwests had contributed money until it eventually became a tourist campsite. The signpost is still standing though covered in mold and vegetation. Now this place is a relic. Moss, weeds, wildflowers, and trees entrench into stone, wood, and flourish. 'It's far from paradise but it'd make a good home…'
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Danger! She senses it. 'Don't move. They'll know that you're aware of them.' Pacifica can tell there are twenty small enemies and one big one. She can't see them. Their disguises are sound.
Slowly the monsters peel from shadowy darkness like human-shaped figures cut from paper.
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As if not used to walking yet, the monsters take wobbly steps towards their target.
Pacifica is horrified of their eyes. Darker than the depthless waters. The monsters don't blink, and the intensity of their gaze freezes her in place, affixing her attention. Something worse than a bone-chilling feeling makes Pacifica tremble. Like an intimidating force removing a wraithlike energy from the Northwest's being.
The small monsters are arm's length and wispy. But, she wonders, what are they?
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Leaping above is a mutated elf. Corrupted magic pulses through his entire body, as if replacing a heartbeat. He has no eyes, just sockets. The elf's clothes are shredded, but hints of an old uniform remain. Was he an archer guard?
Unbelievable! The elf is talking! His voice sounds arid, as if he hadn't drank water for days. "Magic wielder. You…have light magic in your veins. If our army can't turn you into one of us, you must perish."
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Throwing a hand out Pacifica shouts, "Dazzle!"
Needles of white-hot light sink into the smaller monsters. They shrink, screaming as they evaporate.
Pacifica narrowly dodges an arrow. It hisses by and strikes a tree. Normally she'd brags bout her opponent's bad aim but something about these otherworldly monsters feels very dangerous.
Standing by them makes Northwest tired. Even weak and clumsy.
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The corrupted elf launches arrows quickly. Whish, fwish, shumph!
Pacifica parries them by a magic meteor hammer. Every missed arrow is dodged but sends her backwards. Northwest's magic is weaker at night –she's unsure of how long a battle she can endure.
The last arrow dispels her magic weapons and hurls her towards the woods.
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Stunned, clouds of dust rise and blind her.
The corrupted elf lunges from the earthy veil with a short sword. Pacifica dashes by narrowly being decapitated. Scorching discs of light drag on the sword, saving her. Sparks hit her face as she abruptly turns to face the elf.
He's gone.
'Where is-'
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Pacifica screamed. She's rolling –but what's up or down? Sharp stone floor digs into her body as she desperately tries to throw the corrupted elf away. He grips her throat and stabs her arm with the short sword.
Northwest screams but there's no sound. Her vision is dappled by flickering darkness. The elf's grasp isn't as cold as the blade buried in her arm. But the mage realizes the corrupted monster is stealing her magic!
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The elf laughed. He wretches the knife free and hovers it above Pacifica's heart. "Soon you'll have no magic at all. That'll be so sad. But I'll be stronger. Stronger than I used to be. All thanks to the power I was given."
Fear surges through her. Tears burn her eyes.
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Swinging her arm it collides with the elf's neck. Needles of light stab his face and shoulder. Flesh melts as the elf screams and withdraws. The short sword dropped and Pacifica rolled, avoiding it. Smoke dispenses from bubbling skin.
Even though she feels half-dead, Pacifica grinned. "You may be undead and powerful or whatever, but I'm going to defeat you."
Cursing, the elf flourished his blade.
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A pine tree sprouts up from the ground and spears the corrupted elf. Blood drips onto the leaves and rains down in globs. The monster reaches out an arm and then suddenly goes limp. His sword clatters –the battle is over.
"What?" Pacifica stumbles, hand leaning against the tree. She collapsed and sat down. Her wound is sapping the mage's energy. A blurry figure runs up to Northwest. She senses concern and kindness.
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Refreshingly cold water is given to the injured mage. Though numb, she grabs the bottle and drinks it. Someone sits next to her, prodding the stab wound. Pacifica's vision clears. Her eyes meet green that reminds her of dense forests. "Who…are you?"
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"There." The boy heals the wound and wraps medical tape around it. "It doesn't look like there was any magic used on that wound…" he looks back up to smile at her and Pacifica swears she felt her heart leap up. "I'm Dipper Pines."
"I'm Pacifica Nor –Pacifica. Did you cast that?" She pointed to the pine tree above them with her uninjured arm.
"Yeah."
Northwest laughed. Dipper looked at her as if she was a fish with legs.
"That's so cool. I've never seen a mage cast a tree before."
Pines gathered medical supplies in a kit and put it in his backpack. Pacifica sees the small lantern attached to the bag.
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"Is that a sunflower?"
"It is."
"Really?" She smiled. "I love sunflowers. Um…thanks for…for saving me."
Pines blushed and rubbed his neck. "No problem. I saw someone in trouble and I had to help. It was pretty awesome how you fought that elf."
"Of course!" Pacifica proudly stood up straight. "Practicing magic is very important. I was the best in my class."
Dipper left the shade of the tree and looked up at the elf. "What happened? He looks…"
"Undead? But he isn't a zombie." Pacifica's gaze warily swept the clearing.
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"I was walking when that elf and some creatures attacked me. I've studied many, but none of this looks familiar." Pacifica held up her bandaged arm and looked at the wound. "But I know one thing. They were trying to absorb my magic."
Dipper found a notebook and pen. He's writing down what Pacifica has observed.
"Do you think it's dark magic?"
"No. Wendy, Grunkle Stan, and some books I've read call it corrupted magic."
"Corrupted?! But that hasn't happened to any creature in years!"
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Dipper told Pacifica about the scar in the woods he had seen. She thoughtfully twirled her golden hair. "That elf wanted magic to get stronger. Do you think there are more corrupted beings? He said that his power was given to him."
"There has to be. Maybe a mage is granting beings power for something. A test?"
"But why?"
"Maybe…maybe they want to make an army."
Dreadful silence seeps into the air.
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"How'd it survive Gravity Fall's shield?"
"I don't know but I want to find out. People…people are hiding things about Gravity Falls."
Pacifica rolled her eyes. "Of course. This town is so old I bet there's something powerfully ancient hiding here." She held Dipper's gaze for a moment and then said, "Count me in."
"What?"
"I'll help you. We'll solve this mystery."
Dipper's eyes glimmered and his smile outshined the prettiest stars in the sky. "Really?! Man, this is going to be so cool!"
Northwest nodded. She stepped towards the old town. "This'll be a good place to start. The cabins are run-down but I'm sure I'll be able to fix it. Did you know this was the original town of Gravity Falls? Anyway," Pacifica started walking away. "Meet me here if you find out any clues."
"Um, will you be okay?"
She stopped to look back and smile at Dipper. "My magic is stronger during the day."
Saluting a farewell with his hat, Dipper left the clearing and sprinted into the woods.
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Pines slowly marched through the wilderness back to the Mystery Shack. 'Grunkle Stan, I'm sorry for running away. I just…just want to be a strong mage. Like you and Mabel.'
"But you are, kid."
"Stan?!" Dipper saw him ahead on the path. Fiddleford is there too! He ran up and hugged them.
"Whoa, where is the fire?"
"We're happy to see you safe." The scientist laughed.
"You…you guys aren't mad?"
"Well," Stan sighed. His great muscular shoulders heaved as he did. "We were. But that doesn't solve anything. And I shouldn't have been so cynical. Instead, if you're ever in a place where you can't contact me or Fiddleford," Stan handed Dipper some knuckles. He grinned. "Use these, huh? They got me outta some pretty tough situations."
Dipper poked the weapons and nodded. "Thanks."
"Stanley's decided to make an outline where all of us start training." The scientist sounded excited too. "I'm going to even learn how to use a bow!"
"That's right and it starts as soon as we get back."
"Oh but we mustn't forget that proper meals tremendously help for training."
Stan and Dipper laughed as the three walked to the Mystery Shack.