Alright, guys, 087-B here with another chapter of Beach Bandits!

In the previous chapter, the group's suspicions of Eric Tech being the culprit responsible for the disappearance of the sand seemed to be confirmed once they were shown a mysterious robot on the beach! When talking to Sheriff Blubbs about it, he said that the four of them would have to get some evidence for him so that EcoTech would be shut down and Tech would be arrested.

In this chapter, Dipper, Mabel, Wendy, and Soos, while speculating on how to get any evidence for Sheriff Blubbs, will receive a surprise visit, one that just might give them the next clue to solving the mystery…

…or, it might just open up an even bigger one.

Also, before I begin, I want to clarify something; Ford will not appear in this story. Any theories about him you might have are false. This story's idea and plot were both conceived long before Not What He Seems even aired, so this story didn't have Ford in the plot at all. I added in a small nod to him in the first chapter, but that's about it. So just remember; Grunkle Ford has nothing to do with this story!0

Now, with that out of the way, on with the show!

Chapter 3

New Mystery Arc – Part 3

"Predicament In Piedmont"

The four of them had instantly started watching the news once they had returned back to the Mystery Shack, having found no new leads on their walk back. They sat on the couch and various seats in the living room and flipped through the channels until stopping at the local news, wanting to hear what it had to say about the missing sand and EcoTech's plans for 'solving' the problem.

"Ugh…just nothing but the same crap over and over!" Wendy sighed and threw her arms in the air, before bringing them back down and crossing them. "Yeah, we get it, the sand is gone, tell us something new!"

"Wendy, calm down, alright?" Dipper said. "We'll find a lead soon. It shouldn't be that hard, right?"

"A lead on what?!" Mabel shouted this time. "There's nothing to go off of! The sand is gone, and we can't find anything to prove Tech's guilt, Dip!"

Soos decided to jump in. "But what about the robot—"

"That thing's probably long gone, Soos." Wendy replied. "I mean, even if they did find it, it's probably disguised as a trash can and won't reveal itself to anyone."

"Oh, yeah, true…" Soos muttered in response, delving deep into thought once again.

"Well, maybe we'll find out something, right? Knock on wood?" Dipper suggested, before everyone heard someone knocking. "I…I didn't mean literally…"

"Uh, Dip, I think that's the front door, actually…" Mable pointed out.

"Oh, uh, right…I knew that, heh…" Dipper smiled sheepishly before standing up and going over to the door, turning the knob, and opening it.

"Hey, I heard you guys were in town, so with my plans cancelled, I figured I'd come see what's up."

Pacifica Northwest, the "most popular girl in Gravity Falls", former enemy, now friend, stood before him at the door. Still donning her outfit from a year earlier, though with slightly less glamour, she hadn't changed much in appearance; aside from being slightly taller. She smiled and stepped in as Dipper gestured her to.

"Oh, Pacifica!" Mabel smiled and ran over. "I'd love to chitchat, but we've got problems!"

"If you're gonna mention the sand, then I know about it, everyone does." Pacifica sighed. "It completely ruined my beach plans for the day, and now with The Lakes being drained…this summer is starting out pretty sucky so far."

"What…?" Dipper's eyes widened for a moment. "Lakes? Drained?"

"You mean you haven't heard?" Pacifica asked.

"Heard what?" Wendy asked.

"Well, after my beach trip was canned, my parents decided to take me up to that tourist spot in Piedmont, The Lakes. Every summer, they hold races on the lakes, and hikes up the mountains." Pacifica explained. "But when we get there, the place is barren and closed, all because all of the water had been completely drained."

"What?!" Mabel exclaimed. "When did this happen?!"

"They say it all happened last night; they being the park rangers that work there." Pacifica replied.

"All in one night…like the sand…" Dipper thought for a moment. "Both the sand and water, gone in one night, on the same night…and then EcoTech shows up…it's gotta be connected!"

"Connected how?" Soos asked.

"I knew it! He is making a private beach!" Mabel pumped her fists in the air.

"Mabel, no he isn't!" Dipper shouted. "Stop it already!"

"Wait, 'he' who?" Pacifica asked.

"We're talking about that Eric Tech guy." Wendy responded.

"Oh, him." Pacifica grimaced. "That guy's so weird, but he ain't leaving anytime soon; my parents say he's bought a lot of land around Oregon and California, but nobody knows why."

"Well there has to be a reason for all of this." Dipper said. "And we gotta get to the bottom of it!"

"We're trying to find evidence to bust Tech for being the culprit!" Mabel explained to Pacifica.

"Oh, so I'm not the only one who doesn't trust that guy." Pacifica smiled slightly. "I'll stick around here and see what I can find."

"Be wary; he's got robots patrolling around." Wendy added.

"Robots?" Pacifica asked. "Well, considering last summer, that's practically the norm around here."

"Mabel and I have lived in Piedmont for the majority of our lives, but we've never even been to The Lakes, but we've heard about them." Dipper said. "This'll be a crummy first visit, but who knows what we'll find there!"

"If Tech's responsible for the water's disappearance, then we'll really have a good lead!" Soos pumped his fist in the air this time.

"The next bus to The Lakes comes in an hour, so you might want to hurry to the station if you want to catch the ride." Pacifica explained. "And be careful, alright? If that Tech guy is really building robots, he might have more dangerous ones patrolling there, to keep anyone away from his hideout."

"We'll keep an eye out." Dipper smiled. "Shall we go then?"

"I'm in!" Mabel chanted.

"Totally, dude." Wendy smirked and crossed her arms.

"Let's beat this guy's game!" Soos cheered.

Dipper smirked as well. "Then we're off!"

"Alright, dudes, four bus tickets." Wendy handed everyone a ticket as they sat at the bus stop near the outskirts of Gravity Falls, a few posters advertising The Lakes on the sides. "The next bus should take us directly to The Lakes over in California."

"Maybe we'll get to see mom and dad while we're there!" Mabel smiled.

"Maybe, Mabel, but remember; we're on a mission here." Dipper noted. "Our main priority is investigating what's going on at The Lakes and find out what's happened to the water, and maybe find clues on where the sand went."

"What're The Lakes like?" Soos asked.

"I can't answer that, Soos; like I've said, I've never been, and neither has Mabel." Dipper replied. "This is new territory for all of us."

"What a boring name, anyways; The Lakes, sounds real interesting…" Wendy muttered.

"Well, interesting name or not, that's not the point." Dipper sighed. "Maybe we'll find some evidence to bust Tech's plans while we're there!"

"Dude, get all those disposable cameras ready." Soos said. "Who knows how many pictures we'll need?"

"Well, I'll try and take pictures of what seems like the most incriminating evidence." Dipper added. "Then, we might just be able to bust him as soon as we get back!"

"Guys, the bus is here!" Mabel pointed to the blue and white striped public city bus that rolled to a stop in front of the small station. "Alright! Let's do this!"

Mabel hopped off of her seat and sprinted on to the bus, followed by Soos, and then Dipper. Wendy got up and was about to follow as well, when she stopped. She had a strange feeling that she and her friends were…being watched. Quickly, she whipped her head around and scanned the surroundings around her, plus the tops of the buildings.

Nothing.

She shivered, continuing to feel that strange feeling, as she quietly stepped onto the bus herself.

Then, the doors shut, and the bus started off down the road towards Piedmont; their destination: The Lakes.

-(End of Chapter)-

To be continued…

And thus, the New Mystery arc is complete! Only a prologue arc, the next arc will be the first major one, and will be significantly longer, with a lot more action, a lot more answers, and a lot more questions!

With the sand missing from Gravity Falls, and the water missing from The Lakes in Piedmont…what could this mean? How are they connected? Where is this leading our heroes?

All of these questions will be answered when the right time comes…

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

Stay Tuned!

~087-B