Hey everyone, I'm back for another chapter of Beach Bandits!

In the previous chapter, Dipper and Mabel returned to Gravity Falls for the summer once again, only to find that the sand from the beach had disappeared! At the same time, a strange new company called EcoTech had opened up and claimed to be helping recover the missing sand.

In this chapter, the gang of four will travel around Gravity Falls to hopefully uncover some clues as to where the sand has gone, as well as who Eric Tech is and what his company really plans on doing in Gravity Falls.

Now, on with the show!

Chapter 2

New Mystery Arc - Part 2

"Suspicions Rise"

"Grunkle Stan! Grunkle Stan! Grunkle Stan!" Dipper and Mabel chanted in unison as the two lead the others back to the Mystery Shack.

"Yeesh, kids, what, what, what?!" Stan shouted as he stepped out of the building that was his home, but mostly his brother's. "What's got you in such a fit?"

"Dude, the sand is gone!" Soos exclaimed once he and Wendy caught up with the twins.

"Grunkle Stan, this crazy dude just opened up a company in town, and he's, like, suuuuuper suspicious!" Mabel exclaimed, flailing her arms around for emphasis.

"Hold on, hold, everyone slow down, you're rattlin' me here…" Stan sighed. "Dip, start talking."

"Well, uh…all the sand is gone from the beach, and this new company opened here, and we think that the owner of the company is connected to the missing sand." Dipper explained slowly.

"They call themselves 'EcoTech' or whatever, and their CEO-dude isn't exactly looking like the most trustworthy guy right now…" Wendy added. "Eric Tech, or whatever his name is; he's wacked."

"…normally I'd say you four are full of crap, but after last summer, I believe anything now." Stan muttered. "Since the FBI left us alone, I don't think this company is an undercover headquarters for them…but why would they take the sand…?"

"It's all too weird to think about right now, we need time to collect and process our thoughts." Dipper said.

"Yeah, I gotta think about this too…" Stan leaned against the front wall of the Mystery Shack, crossing his arms. "But listen; talk to Sheriff Blubbs about this. He might be able to help you find out some info about the guy you were telling me about."

"Yeah, he might know something." Wendy nodded.

"Then c'mon!" Soos started sprinting off towards downtown Gravity Falls, Mabel and Wendy following.

Dipper started to follow, but Stan stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Promise me none of you will get into any trouble, alright?"

Dipper turned and smiled at him. "No worries, Grunkle Stan. We'll be fine; I promise."

Stan smiled back as Dipper sprinted off to catch up with the others.

The walk from the Mystery Shack to the police station wasn't exactly the shortest; after a while, the gang of four still hadn't reached it, still walking down the sidewalk of the semi-populated street.

"If this guy did take the sand, then why would he need it?" Wendy asked.

"Good question…" Dipper put a finger to his chin as he walked. "Maybe he…wants a private beach?"

"Then wouldn't he take the ocean, too?" Soos asked.

"But then that would sorta be a global crisis, and he would probably attract too much attention." Wendy replied. "There's gotta be some sort of hidden reason, some kind of clue, or…or maybe—"

"Hey, Wendy!"

The group turned to look across the street, seeing a few familiar faces; Robbie, Lee, Nate, Tambry, and Thompson.

"Dudes, what's up?" Wendy smiled and waved, crossing the street with the other three in tow.

"You dudes hear about the sand?" Nate asked.

"Who hasn't?" Mabel shrugged.

"We think that Tech guy has something to do with what's happening." Dipper said.

"Well then you'd be right to think that." Robbie agreed. "C'mon, you guys gotta see this."

They all started off towards the iron fence that blocked anyone from entering the now sandless beach. The four were confused as to what the teens had found and simply needed to show them, or how it related to Mr. Tech and his company. When they arrive, Robbie pointed through the fence towards the water.

"Take a look."

Dipper stepped over and peered through the grated fence. Halfway between the fence and the water was a trash can, simply sitting there out in the open. "A…trash can?"

"Ooh, garbage, what convincing proof that Tech is our villain here." Wendy sighed, crossed her arms, and rolled her eyes.

"No, just…guys, seriously, just look at it." Thompson urged.

Dipper sighed as well. "I don't see what's so—"

Then, it happened.

The trash can vibrated, the lid popping up a tad, revealing a pair of mechanical eyes poking out from inside, and two wheels emerged from the sides of the bottom half. The wheels turned as the machine began moving around along the terrain with ease. Dipper, Mabel, Wendy, and Soos gasped at the sight.

"See?" Robbie asked.

"A r-robot?" Soos blinked a few times.

"N-No way…!" Mabel muttered.

"But…but what does this have to do with Tech?" Dipper asked.

"Wait, look on the side of the wheels!" Wendy pointed.

Dipper looked, and he squinted his eyes, before widening them again at what he saw. Embedded on the side of the wheels was a logo.

EcoTech Enterprises

Dipper, Mabel, Wendy, and Soos sprinted towards the police station as fast as they could. This strange discovery was something they had to tell the police about, as this already confirmed their suspicions that Tech wasn't just a normal businessman. As they approached, they saw Sheriff Blubbs standing outside of the building, reading a newspaper, with Deputy Durland beside him, staring aimlessly ahead.

"Sheriff Blubbs! Sheriff Blubbs!" Dipper called out.

"Huh?" The police officer lowered his newspaper. "Whoa whoa, calm down, calm down! No need to freak out on me!"

Soos stopped running alongside the others and panted. "Officer dude, we got…uh, dude, I mean, sir, officer, uh—"

"Soos…just breathe." Wendy said.

"We…we need to tell you…" Mabel began, panting as well, before noticing Deputy Durland. "Uh…is…is he alright…?"

"Oh, uh, yeah, Durland's trying to set a record." Blubbs explained. "Longest time spent drowing out your surroundings; record's eighty-five hours, and Durland just passed seventy-three."

"That's…interesting…" Dipper stopped panting and managed to regain his breath. "You've heard of the sand going missing, right?"

"Well duh, kid, who hasn't?" Blubbs asked. "Was that all you had to come find me for? Normally, I'm the one running around looking for you."

"It's not just that!" Mabel exclaimed. "We think we might know who took the sand!"

"Yeah! It's that EcoTech company!" Soos added. "They've stolen the sand for their evil private-beach purposes!"

"Soos, it's not for a private beach…" Wendy sighed, slapping her palm against her temple and shaking her head.

"Now listen here, okay?" Blubbs began. "I'm not saying I don't believe you, but why would he do that? Mr. Tech seems like he's trying to help."

"But he's got robots!" Mabel said. "He's got them stealing the sand!"

"We saw one on the beach, logo and everything!" Wendy added.

"Hmm…alright, I'll scope out the beach when I have the time, see what I can find." Blubbs said. "But if you're pranking me, then I'll have to be hauling you down to the big house; the hooscow; don't make me do that, okay?"

"We promise, we aren't lying, okay?" Dipper said.

"Well if you aren't then you'll have to get me some evidence." Blubbs said. "If you want me to arrest this guy, I need to have the evidence to back up your claim. If you can get me some, then I might be able to help you out."

"Alright, dude, we're on the case!" Soos saluted Sheriff Blubbs.

"Yeah, we'll be back with enough evidence to bust the guy!" Dipper smirked. "I've got plenty of disposable cameras to work with; all I have to do is point and shoot, and then "BAM!"; busted for good!"

"See ya later, Sheriff!" Mabel waved and started walking off with Soos and Dipper.

"Yeah, later Blubbs." Wendy waved as well and followed her friends.

"Take care, and don't get into any trouble, you hear?" Blubbs called out.

"We won't!" They all responded, before walking off back to the Mystery Shack.

-(End of Chapter)-

To be continued…

Stan is confused by EcoTech's presence, Sheriff Blubbs says he'll need some incriminating evidence to arrest Eric Tech and shut down his company, but the most important event that happened was that the teens showed the 'core four' a strange robot they found; one that had EcoTech's logo on the side!

Things seem to be getting much stranger, but what could Tech be planning with his company? Are those robots really up to no good? Where'd the sand go? All these questions will be answered in time…

Anyways, I hope you have enjoyed this chapter, reviews are highly appreciated, and as always…

Stay Tuned!

~087-B