Dipper woke up at three AM. He felt restless, his brain running in circles too much for him to sleep. Exiting the room he opened the attic window. It creaked as it swung open and a fresh summer wind hit his face. He carefully climbed out and up the roof. The sky is a murky black, the stars above flickering like blades.
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I wonder if Bill is okay.
As if summoning his thoughts by a wish, a shooting star fell across the horizon. No –it's Bill! Blue fire engulfed the demon as he toppled through the air. Pines stood up and raised his arms to catch his magic guide.
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Bill's eyes scrunched –whether from pain or a weak smile Dipper can't distinguish.
"I made…it back, Pine Tree." The demon's voice sounded broken and desolate. A chunk of Bill is missing, so is his top hat and an arm. Smoke curled from some wounds, smelling like burning cigarettes and a dying person's despair. Dipper tried not to retch. "Hold on, okay? I'll help you!" But how? What heals demons?
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Please! Let some stores still be open! Wheezing from a long run, Dipper arrived at a row of mostly deserted shops. A door dinged as he entered one. These will have to work. Grabbing a bunch of feeder mice he dumped them on the counter hurriedly. He would've given Bill some blood but he didn't know if it'd be substantial enough. Demons aren't vampires.
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He tossed cash on the counter looking panicked. The woman at the register raised an eyebrow. Plenty of druggies and strange folk wandered the shops around this time. But hey, the kid isn't some raging tourist so she didn't ask any questions. She accepted the cash and saw him abandon the change, running out the doors back into the woods.
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Cipher didn't even have any jokester comments to spare. Pines opened his backpack and held up a feeder mouse. "Will this help?"
Bill lifted it up and let the mouse drop into his jaws. He had a mouth full of sharp teeth this whole time?! Dipper flinched at the squishy sounds and bone-crunching.
"Since it isn't alive it's like the fast food of sacrifices but it'll mend my wounds."
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He's no longer missing limbs or smoking so that's good. Bill bowed gratefully. "Thank you Pine Tree."
"I should thank you, you saved me!"
The unnerving night amplified paranoia. Chirping crickets, humming street lights, and shadowy silhouettes of trees did nothing to banish the tension of the surrounding darkness. In fact, it made the world feel empty.
"What happened? Did Ford really steal your powers?"
"He did, before the war. But that's a story for another time. You better get back. Don't want to worry your family. The corrupted are livelier at night."
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Quietly shutting the attic window, Pines noticed morning light tint the darkness like a painter's brush in a glass of water. He's shocked when he sees Mabel awake. The amulet glows as she picks up small objects like pencils, soda cans, and knitting tools. She dropped them and pocketed the amulet, smiling at Dipper. "Can't sleep either? I was going to ask you to spar but you were gone."
"Sorry."
Mabel shrugged. "Want to make breakfast for Soos, Stan, and Fiddleford?"
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Pancakes are the king of breakfast. You can add anything to them. Dipper throws in chocolate chips and Mabel made cute cat drawings with strawberry syrup. Bacon was cooked too.
"Those look mouth-watering," Bill said. "Maybe blood sacrifices are obsolete…"
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Fiddleford yawned, automatically walking to the coffee machine. His fogginess disbanded when he hears his family laughing.
"Dude!" Soos cried. "This is the best breakfast ever!"
The scientist smiled warmly and took a swig of bitter coffee.
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Soos carried a tray to Mr. Pines who complained. "I can eat with everyone else! I ain't that old!"
"You need to rest! You'll be conning tourists for cash again, but until then you have to stay in bed." Fiddleford shouted.
"Shut it! I ain't some weak old man! Those healing potions of yours taste like rusty metal and horrible beer!"
McGucket chuckled. "Soos will have a busy day."
"Why? Where are you going?"
Taking a bite of pancakes he replied, "To the lake. Want to go?"
"Are we going fishing?"
"No. That's more of Stan's thing. I have a lab there."
"You do?!" Dipper asked.
Mabel smiled. "Let's go!"
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Pacifica threw her text book aside and sighed. Her parents grounded her and the butler has to follow her everywhere. He acted as if he wasn't there but she could see him by the corner of her eye. I'm not hungry but it'd be a good distraction. "When's lunch?"
The butler checked a pocket watch. "In two hours. Would you like a snack, Ms. Pacifica?"
"Yes." She gave him a long list and he bowed, disappearing out the door. Time to explore!
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The Northwest estate is a literal castle with modern additions upon a plateau. The house is split in half with a garden at the center. At the entrance are lodgings, offices, a kitchen, and a ballroom. The other side has training grounds and is a museum for all of the Northwests' magic artifacts and historical art. A staircase from the ballroom leads up to a balcony which one can view the garden from. The garden itself is more extraordinary than a rainbow. Colorful flowers adorn elegant hedges and the tiles are imported marble. A water fountain was the focus, a golden statue of the first Northwest.
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Pacifica's family is a blend of human and elf. They were a tribe that studied sun magic, a form of light magic that's more physical than spiritual (like dream magic is). She used to be inspired by her ancestors' exciting tales –all of them had been famous heroes. But now she wonders about the original ancestors. What was the sun tribe like? The only historic book she found about them was the spell book she owned –and not much could be read from faded elfish language. All I know is that a beautiful elf was thrown out from her tribe for falling in love with a human healer.
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Every portrait had a cold and cruel expression painted over with heroic colors. The older portraits have an everlasting quality to them which she liked more. Pacifica often wished she had elf ears instead, like her father.
Her mother is a model and owns a make-up and perfume line. Mr. Northwest had been a lawyer and adviser to the mayor of Gravity Falls. But now he owns a cruise line, making a lot of money from tourism.
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Leaving the library in the house she walked back to her room, unhappy about not being able to find out anything new. As Pacifica walked past the ballroom she froze and looked back. A deep purple light emitted from within. Eerie magic hit her senses, effervescent like a cello's somber voice. She soundlessly opened the double wooden doors, staying close to the shadows behind the door so she wouldn't be seen.
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At the top of the stairs and underneath the Northwest's family portrait is her father. A few steps below is Gideon Gleeful. Why is he here? Sure, Gleeful is locally famous, but Mr. Northwest thought he was just some short-lived celebrity. Pacifica doesn't recognize the others surrounding them. Dark shadows shroud the entire ballroom, excluding the purple light. She guesses that they're from town.
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A revolting sense returned, the exact same trepidation she had felt when fighting that corrupted elf. The air felt thick like tar. The attendants started talking and she listened, hoping that nobody saw her.
The purple light and shadows flash on the people's faces bizarrely, outlining their gleaming eyes, giving them a weak and gaunt characteristic.
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"…I didn't expect him to recruit you, Gleeful. But you do have fame and your psychic powers are useful. What would I get out of this trade?"
Gideon gave no fake pleasantries and didn't hide his distain. To him and Ford, Mr. Northwest was solely a means to assure victory. The man lacks strength and resolution.
"A piece of land kings would be jealous of. He needs and army. If you do this right, you'll be a hero in his new world."
Mr. Northwest laughed. He lit a cigar. "I don't care much for titles. The land sounds promising. What else?"
Gideon brusquely said, "You won't suffer."
Pacifica's father paled, his cigar trembling in his lips.
The psychic smiled. "He'll give you extraordinary powers. He's always generous to devoted followers."
"Powers?"
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Mr. Northwest never got any magic. He has magic in his blood but he was never able inherit magic the rest of his family had. The man had a longstanding resentment about that. The other Northwests, his brothers and sisters always disregarded his successes because they were only in the modern world and not in magic. Maybe this time they'll notice. If he had more magic than them they'd finally let him back into the main estate, a town where all legendary elves lived.
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Gideon eyes flashed knowingly. "You and I seem to have the same problem. With his magic you won't be excluded to just petty family feasts anymore."
Mr. Northwest smiled. "What do I have to do?"
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Pacifica's jaw dropped. You're being deceived!
The two had invited some townspeople who were curious about magic. They probably think it's a newfound invention or magic spell created by the most famous people in Gravity Falls. She realized that the townspeople are just sacrifices.
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Horror and fear rattle Pacifica. Her heart is pounding. The sacrificing ritual is beginning.
"This'll be a test run," Gideon said coolly. He turned to face the crowd. "Guests, prepare to be amazed!"
Extracting a small dagger Mr. Northwest cut the side of his hand. Small drops of blood fall into an orb of purple light.
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It reacted to his blood fanatically, bubbling and gurgling like boiling water. Shadowy limbs extended from the orb and loomed threateningly over the guests. "Now chant the spell," Gideon said.
He did.
The townspeople's eyes started to glow. Their bodies are frozen, rigid like soldiers. Their faces and jaws slacken. The dark entity's limbs lunge into their mouths and in response the people thrash painfully. Pacifica shakes violently, terrified, as she hears the screams of twenty people wailing like poltergeists.
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Flesh peeled away and wraithlike beings replace the living. Purple mist circles the corrupteds' feet. On their foreheads is a tattoo of a six-fingered hand.
"Outstanding. They didn't fall apart this time."
This time?!
"I didn't think anyone with light magic could do this."
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The man smiled proudly.
Gideon surveyed the new corrupted. "They'll make good soldiers but we'll need more." Whispering into his amulet a big portal appeared. The corrupted marched wordlessly into it and the portal vanished.
"Only a few drops of blood can make those?"
"Yes. It's an experimental spell but all dark magic needs blood. Blood with magic in it. If you serve him, he'll give you many gifts."
"What else do I have to do?"
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The psychic snapped his fingers. The orb transformed into a ring. He gave it to Mr. Northwest. "Host a party. Bring as many people as you can."
"Shouldn't we just attack the town already?"
"No. Our mission is to gather forces. We can't attack yet."
"I uh…"
"What?" Gideon turned around when he descended the stairs, looking impatient.
"Just don't hurt Pacifica. She's my only child."
"If she doesn't interfere she'll be safe. But we won't turn her into a corrupted."
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No, no, no! This is –can they really do that?! I have to tell Dipper! Pacifica ran back to her room trying to act nonchalant. The haunting imagery of those townspeople being sacrificed scared her.
The butler returned carrying a tray of tea, sandwiches, and sweets. "Ms. Pacifica are you alright?"
"Yes, just tired. From practicing magic."
"After you eat, Mr. Northwest wants to speak with you."
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Mr. Northwest lit another cigar and tapped his foot impatiently. He smiled when he saw his daughter. "We're hosting a party in two days."
"We are?"
"Yes. So you'll need a new dress and help decorate."
"Can I get some invitations?"
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Raising an eyebrow he brushed his beard thoughtfully. Did his daughter know anyone useful? He handed her two invitations. Maybe her friends had magic that would be useful to Ford.
"Thank you father." Pacifica would go to the Mystery Shack tomorrow and tell Dipper about the sacrifices. Together, they might be able to stop the people from turning into corrupted.
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"Lake! Lake! Lake!" Mabel invented her own beat-boxing song as Dipper became a DJ. Fiddleford laughed and joined in, being a surprisingly good vocalist. Luckily no tourists were out this early on the water. The scientist borrowed a small boat. Everyone got in and the twins rowed.
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It's very serene. Mist hovers just above the surface. The only sound is the creaking old boat and the waves. They traveled in silence until they heard a thunderous roaring. It's a waterfall!
"Is your lab behind the waterfall?"
McGucket laughed. "Seems more magical than it is."
The boat drifted to a small island of rocks attached to the side of the waterfall. "Mind helping me? Careful. The rocks are slippery. I've been meaning to upgrade this old equipment but…"
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Mabel and Dipper carefully scaled the rocks to a device that looked like a pirate ship steering wheel. McGucket tapped a code on a keypad and turned to them. "Okay. One, two, three!"
The twins pushed the heavy wheel and the waterfall started to dispel.
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Bunker lights are installed in the cave. Fiddleford lead the way down the steps. "It's been years since I've been here." The cave descended into a metal lab. At least this one hadn't been compromised by the war.
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Dipper looked at all the old tech on the shelves. Some were gutted and others are intact. Large equipment crowded the lab. Dust and scratches scarred the machines.
"I'm surprised the generators still work. I'll have a lot of cleaning to do."
"What's in here?" Mabel asked. "This place is huge! You gotta have something cool."
The scientist laughed. Stanley had said the same thing years ago. "Yes," his eyes shine whimsically. "A few things."
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Pressing buttons a door screamed as it retracted. The twins ran inside and gasped.
"Giant mechs! That's awesome!" Dipper shouted. "Did you pilot these?!"
"I used to. Most of them are in poor condition."
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They're unrecognizable. Half a body missing. Limbs are damaged. Rust slowly decayed the metal plates. One mech however, is sturdy and refused to be lost to time. The one Dipper saw in his vision.
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Fiddleford rubbed his hands together. His breath is a cloud thanks to the freezing cold. "I missed building them. Are you two willing to help?"
"Sure!"
"Can we paint it too?"
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"Why're we rebuilding mechs, McGucket? Because of Ford?" Dipper guessed.
"He's that powerful?" Mabel added.
The scientist sighed and put his pencil down. "Unfortunately. We can't underestimate him. Every single day matters. We have to build as many mech as we can. Wendy offered to send some of the guards over to learn how to pilot them. It was a miracle that we won last time."
"Will Stan fully heal from that curse?"
"Yeah," she shook her head. "We exorcised it but he's still injured."
McGucket gave them a reassuring smile. "Stanley has a lot more rebellious fight in him than anyone I know. It might slow him down but he'll recover."
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The scientist instructed Dipper with tools and Mabel melded the parts together, her fire magic is a good replacement for a torch. One day isn't enough time to rebuild and test a mech but they'd be able to scrap the others and start building a new one.
"Hey McGucket?" Dipper shouted to be heard over the noisy tools. "What happened during the war?"
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The man waved for them to follow him. He walked around the lab and carried old VHS tapes in his hands. He turned on an old TV and put one in. Pulling a drawer open he found an old photograph. The twins looked at it. The picture had a fuzzy glow. Stan, Ford, and McGucket were at the Mystery Shack before it was turned into a tourist shop. The friends looked young, in their twenties, and their smiles were so bright. "Stanley already told you how we all got together. Those days were so fun," his melancholy smile decayed into a frown.
"Aw," Mabel laughed. "So wholesome!"
"Do you ever wish you could go back and relive those days?"
"Sometimes."
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Sound startled the twins and their gaze jumped to the TV. The first tape is playing. "Okay…first day of testing out an operational mech." Past-Fiddleford said.
"Ford and I built it. Stanley always tested our inventions. We found out that magic couldn't cooperate well with technology. Magic can be installed but it's dangerous. It's different now. New tech offers new possibilities."
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Mabel and Dipper laughed. The three are a comical group. Fiddleford was always chasing Stanley and making sure he survived his daring ventures. Ford rarely smiled but he sometimes made his friends laugh with a joke or pun. Sometimes they tested mechs, other times Fiddleford studied the twins' magic, and the tape would cut to Stanley pranking his brother and McGucket.
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Removing one tape, Fiddleford put in another.
"I think this will be our greatest invention yet! This is the first day of testing Ford's new portal device –a larger version of his old prototype."
Mabel pointed to the screen. "Is that the portal?"
"Yes. A door to other worlds. It was supposed to be our greatest work. But it ended up being our greatest mistake. Things started to change after it failed."
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"Six years. It took us six years of testing this portal and finally, I think we're going to have a stable portal to another world!"
The video footage flickered and crackled as colorful energy shined from the portal. "We used a dummy to send through the portal. None of us knew what would be waiting for us on the other side."
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Blaring static and popping distorted the footage and it was hardly visible but the voices were clear. Undoubtable fear and amazement.
"Oh my God! Do you see that?!"
"We did it! Hahaha! Tonight the beer is on me!"
"Other dimensions are real! This is the greatest scientific discovery in the world!"
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Then, the footage became clear again. An unknown world slides into theirs. Murky fog covers the floor and tall metal plants emerge, twisting around the entire lab. They absorbed the metal and everything started to rust before disintegrating. In the distance a metal city gleamed in the darkness. Ford, affixed with shock didn't notice the violent plants looming overhead. Water crashed through around his feet –a muddy green-blue.
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"Cut the power! Cut it! Before these things kill us!" Stanley screamed.
Fiddleford panicked, scrambling to get up, screaming as the water seemed alive. Like it was trying to pull him under. More plants appeared out of the portal, making the portal whine and protest, the structure cracking as it folded. A piece of the portal fell. "Ford!" Stanley ran into his brother, saving him from being crushed by his invention.
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Stanley got up and took a lighter. Making a makeshift torch he waved it around furiously. The metal plants screeched and recoiled from the light. He bravely followed as the plants and water retreated begrudgingly back through the portal. Fiddleford hit an emergency button and the portal shut off. The entrance was sealed as the machine crumbled. Stanley and Ford ran from falling debris.
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"What the fu- was that?!" Stanley shouted. "Is everyone okay?!"
McGucket stumbled, glass embedded in his arms and legs. Stan supported his limping friend.
"The water…" Stanford collapsed, staring at the portal as if he could still see the other world.
They turned to look at Ford.
"I could hear it. It spoke to me. And there was a city on the other side. One like ours."
Stanley's fearful gaze hardened. "We're done. This experiment is over. You two are going to the hospital and we're not going to repair that portal." The tape ended.
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Nobody said anything and let the terrifying information sink in. Did Ford hear something? Was it his magic? Or was it something from the other world?
"That was…insane." Dipper looked at McGucket. "Other worlds exist but what did you guys sacrifice to discover it?"
Mabel didn't have a cheerful reply, she was lost in thought.