Welcome to Gravity Falls.
If you have traveled to Oregon, you probably have heard of a place called Gravity Falls, a little town forgotten in time, just another place in the map of Oregon, it's pretty easy to miss, since there is nothing of interest that the town could offer to the tourist, the only place for tourist in this town is an old and rusty shack near the woods, The Mystery Shack, run and founded by a big old man that calls himself Mr. Mystery, he dedicates to give the tourist the tour around the shack while having his employees working in the gift shop, a teenager, daughter of a lumberjack and rebel in sometimes, Wendy is in charge of the cash register machine, receiving the money, but never refunding. A young man that stills lives with her grandma, he's in charge of the cleaning of the shack, as well of fixing things that doesn't work right, he's a cheerful and helpful individual, his name is Soos. Last but not least, there is a pair of twins working in there too, Dipper and Mabel Pines, both of them have the age of 12 years and they do the restocking of the merchandise of the gift shop, they live in the shack with Mr. Mystery, or how they call him, Grunkle Stan, they were expecting a boring summer with the same routine every day, until Dipper found a journal hidden in the woods, containing information about the anomalies, secrets and mysteries in Gravity Falls, since then, their summer became more exciting, thanks to the anomalies of the land, they've got lots of adventures and face a lot of enemies as well, they had some great time, but everything is about to change, with the arrival of an unexpected visitor to Gravity Falls.
In the cold of the night, a portal opens in the middle of the woods, a young teenager emerge from it, Marco Diaz had arrived to that land, the determined boy turns around and closes the portal using the scissors in his hand.
Marco: Ok, I'm here, what now?
Marco heard a voice inside his head, it was his voice.
Bill: Well, why don't you take a rest, you must be exhausted, turn around and follow the light of the campfire I made for you, you can use your camping house to sleep warmer if you like.
Marco turned around and follow the fire light, just like Bill told to him, he arrived at the camping point. A clearing.
Marco: Look, I really appreciate all the help you are offering me, but, I have some questions to ask, if you don't mind.
Bill: Oh, I don't mind, but I'm sure those questions can wait until tomorrow morning.
Marco: Wait, could you at least tell me your name?
Bill: Oh, right! Where are my manners? The name's Bill Cipher and you are Marco Ubaldo Diaz, nice to meet you kid. Now that we introduce ourselves, why don't you get some rest?
Marco: Wait, how do you know-
Bill: Good night kid, see you tomorrow morning.
Bill's voice stopped talking to the boy, leaving him confused and with more even questions than before.
Marco decided to follow Bill's advice and get some rest, he was exhausted after that long and crazy day, he quickly set his camping house near the campfire, he went inside and got comfortable, he closed his eyes and tried to sleep, but he couldn't, he couldn't stop thinking about Star, is she alright? Maybe she was fine, but maybe not, he couldn't stopped thinking about that, but then, a sudden thought reached his head, if she was stuck there, he had to do something to help her after all the times Star saved him in the past, he needed to help her, he couldn't stop worrying, he was about to leave the camping house, but, Bill's voice stopped him.
Bill: Hey kid, relax, I know you are worried about her, but I can assure you that she's safe, someone is taking care of her, she's in good hands, just try to get some rest, tomorrow will be a long day…
This seems to calm Marco a bit, he returned to his camping house and laid down, closed his eyes and whisper to himself.
Marco: I really hope she's safe…
Marco fall asleep, waiting for the new day to arrive…
The next morning, Marco woke up and got out of the camping house, he started to look around, he found a river near the camping site, the boy approached to the river and use some of the water to wash his face. Marco returned to the camping house to take breakfast, he brought with him some food, he sat inside the camping house and started to eat, once he was done, Bill appeared in front of him again.
Bill: Good morning Marco, how did you sleep last night?
Marco: I'm fine, thank you.
Bill: Well, just to make sure, are you ready to start the job?
Marco: Not yet, as I said last night, I would like to make you some questions.
Bill: Alright, then let's get this over soon.
Bill float slowly downwards to get in the same height as Marco. Marco breathe deeply before starting the talk.
Marco: First question, what are you?
Bill: If you are asking for my species, then I'm a demon.
Marco: A demon?
Bill: I know what you're thinking, "aren't the demons like bad guys?" Right?
Marco: No, no, no, that's not it, it's just-
Bill: It's alright that you think that way, after all, the first demon you met wasn't the most benevolent, Tom, if I'm not mistaken.
Marco: That is going to be my second question, how did you know all of this things?
Bill: Well, let's just say that I'm not an ordinary demon, I'm a mind demon.
Marco: So you're telling me that you know all this things because you somehow entered my mind?
Bill: No, I can't enter to your mind unless you let me in, it's far more complicated than that and we don't have the enough time.
Marco: Well, in that case, for my final question, why do you need the wand if only Star can use it?
Bill: The answer to that question is your first goal of the day, here, let me give you something.
Bill snapped his fingers, giving Marco some kind of map with two places marked on it.
Marco: What is this?
Bill: That is what I like to call, a "to-do list".
Marco: How does it works, I mean, it looks like a normal map to me.
Bill: Well, it's like a map, but this map will tell you the places you have to go and your current location. Right now, there are two points mark in the map, one is outside the woods and another one is deep inside the woods, you will have to go to the outside point first, in there, you will find a big and old house called, The Mystery Shack, you will have to search for the man called mister mystery, you will have to ask him for a job in that old shack, he will tell you something and you will have to reply to him with a certain answer, listen carefully, the code is…
Bill whispers the code to Marco.
Marco: Alright, I will go there right now, thank you for all the help, I really appreciate it.
Bill: No problem Diaz, and now if you excuse me, I will have to leave you on your own for now, when you're done, go to the following point in the map, I will be waiting you there.
Marco: Ok, see you later.
With that said, Marco and Bill parted ways, Marco cleaned up his mess and packed all his stuff inside his backpack, after that, he started to walk directly to the point outside the woods marked in the map, he was heading to The Mystery Shack outside the woods, he was determined to do whatever it was necessary to bring Star back, and this was the first step.
Marco arrived quickly to the point marked in the map, he exited the woods and found himself in front of the house that Bill told him about, The Mystery Shack, Marco headed directly to the main attraction, ignoring completely the gift shop, he reached the entrance to the shack and heard a voice.
Stan: Welcome to The Mystery Shack folks! Come and behold with our rarest attractions for just 20 bucks the tour!
Marco walked towards the old man speaking.
Marco: Excuse me, are you Mr. Mystery?
Stan: Yep, Mr. Mystery at your service, what can I do for you?
Marco: I would like to ask for a job in the Mystery Shack sir.
Stan: Oh really? Then I guess I'll have to ask you, how far do you plan to go for the job? Think in your answer fast kid, and it better be a good one, the sky is the limit.
Marco: Thanks for your generosity, but I prefer, to reach out for the stars.
Stan's expression changed completely, he was being serious now, he approached the boy and whisper him.
Stan: Come with me…
Stan started to walk towards the gift house with Marco following him, Stan opened the door of the gift shop and let himself in.
Stan: Come in.
Marco entered the gift shop and follow Stan to his office, both of them entered the office and closed the door behind them.
Wendy, Mabel, Dipper and Soos stared at the both of them while they entered Stan's office.
Dipper: Guys, is it just me or Grunkle Stan looked serious about something?
Mabel: He definitely looked serious about something, something about the guy with him maybe?
Wendy: You mean the guy with the red hoodie?
Mabel: Yeah, that guy, what do you think they're doing in there?
Wendy: Maybe Stan caught him red handed?
Dipper: Red handed in what exactly? Shop lifting?
Mabel: Maybe he just wants to talk about something with him?
Dipper: About what exactly Mabel?
Mabel: I don't know… hoodies?
Suddenly, Soos was struck with sudden realization.
Soos: Dudes! What if Mr. Pines wants to hire him?
Dipper, Mabel and Wendy: Hire him?!
Dipper: What makes you say that?
Soos: Simple, the last time someone entered to his office was Wendy asking for job.
Wendy: That's right dudes, besides you entering there without permission, I'm the only one that went through that door with Stan.
Dipper: Well, it could be a possibility, but for now, we will have to-
Mabel gasped with excitement.
Mabel: Guys, do you know what this means if Grunkle Stan is really going to hire him?
Dipper: It means one more person in The Mystery Shack personal, I guess.
Mabel: Exactly, it means a new friend!
Dipper: Mabel! As I was saying, we will have to wait and see.
The four of them keep staring at the door while they were still talking about Stan and the boy with him in his office.
Meanwhile, inside Stan's office.
Stan walked towards his chair behind the desk.
Stan: Have a seat.
Marco sit in the chair in front of the desk, looking directly to Stan.
Stan: So, you're the one that Bill talked me about, don't you?
Marco: Yes I am, what did Bill tell you about me?
Stan: Not much, he just said that you could help me to open the portal I am working on, the only thing that I had to do was to hire you, that way you could help me in a more easy way and without making any suspicious activity.
Marco: In that case, is that a yes or a no?
Stan: It's a yes, you are hired, you will work in the Mystery Shack in the day, but in the night, we will work together in that portal, you will start tomorrow according to Bill's indications.
Marco: Alright, thanks for letting me help you and for helping me.
Stan: Not a problem kiddo, as long as you don't tell anyone, everything will be ok.
They both shake hands with a smile on their faces.
Marco: Well, I must get going, I still have something to do in the woods.
Marco turned around and before he could open the door, he was stopped by Stan.
Stan: That reminds me, do you have a place to stay?
Marco: Well… I sleep in the woods, so I guess I don't.
Stan: Wouldn't you want to stay here at Mystery Shack while we are working with that?
Marco: Really? There are no problems with me staying here?
Stan: Not at all, besides, it will be easier for the both of us to work if you stay here! So what do you say?
Marco: Well, I suppose that if there are no problems, I could stay here until we are finished with the job.
Stan: Great, glad to have you onboard.
Stan opened the door and let Marco out of his office. Marco went out immediately. When the door opened, everyone pretend to do something important while Marco walked to the exit, he opened the door and exit from there.
Stan: See you at night buddy!
Marco: See you at night Mr. Mystery.
With that said, Marco leave the place and went into the woods again.
Meanwhile, inside the gift shop.
Dipper: Grunkle Stan?
Stan: What's up kiddo?
Dipper: What were you two talking about inside your office?
Everyone went silent while they were waiting for Stan's reply, Mabel was excitedly hoping for the answer of…
Stan: I hire him, he will be working with us in The Mystery Shack.
Mabel explode of joy with the big news, she instantly got Wendy and Soos in the same mood, the three of them were very happy with the news.
Mabel: What did I told you! What did I told you!
Mabel said while she was shaking her brother with a big smile on her face.
Soos: Actually, it was me who to-
Mabel: WHAT DID I TOLD YOU!
Everyone was happy with this, except for Dipper that, as usual, had some doubts.
Dipper: And you just hire him? Just like that?
Stan: Huh? What do you mean?
Dipper: I mean, the time you spent in your office was too short, what do you even talked about if you really hire him?
Stan: That is not of your concern kid, now get back to work. Oh wait! That reminds me.
Stan turned around to where Soos and the girls where speaking.
Stan: Soos, I need you to prepare the guests room of the Mystery Shack.
Soos: Sure Mr. Pines, but, for who?
Stan: Figured it out.
Mabel gasped in emotion while hearing this.
Mabel: Grunkle Stan! He's going to sleep in here?!
Dipper: What?! Grunkle Stan? He's not going to sleep in here with us, right?
Stan: Yes, he's going to stay here for a while.
Dipper, Wendy and Soos: WHAT?!
Mabel: OH YEAH!
Dipper: WHY?!
Stan: Because he's not from here and he needs the job. Believe it or not, I'm not heartless, he doesn't have a place to stay, so I'm just giving him one.
Dipper: But-
Mabel: Come on, don't be a killjoy in this bro! Look at the bright side! We are getting a new friend! And what's better! We have all the night to spend with our new friend!
Stan: Your sister is right about this kid, you are worrying for nothing!
Dipper: But-
Wendy: Dipper, I don't want to get in no one side, but maybe your sister is right, maybe you should just relax about this.
Dipper: But I… hmm… maybe… argh!
Soos: Are you ok dude?
Dipper turned back to see Soos that was about to leave to do the job that Stan told him.
Dipper: Come on, Soos! You have to agree with me in this one! The boy that Stan hired seems pretty suspicious and Grunkle Stan knows it!
Soos: Sorry dude, but I don't see anything strange in that boy or in Mr. Pines, maybe you're just being superstitious about this.
Dipper: Soos! Not you too!
Soos: Sorry dude, but I have to get going, that room is not going to clean itself.
Soos exit the Gift Shop and went straight to the Mystery Shack.
Mabel: Come on bro-bro, cheer up! We are going to have a new friend!
Dipper: But Mabel, we don't even know his name yet, how do you expect to not be worried with the suspicious he looked?
Mabel: Hey, if not knowing his name worries you, then let's ask Grunkle Stan and get this over with! Grunkle Stan, could you please tell us the name of our new friend?
Stan: Why don't you wait until he arrives at night and ask him yourselves?
Mabel: Grunkle Stan! You're a genius! Why bothering asking things about him right now when we will have all night to meet him!
Dipper growled.
Mabel: Come on Dipper! Just relax! Everything is going to be fine!
Dipper inhaled some air and release it after some seconds, he sighed and said.
Dipper: Alright Mabel, you win, I'm calmed.
Mabel: But you don't have to be calmed! You have to be excited!
Mabel said to her brother while she was shaking him with her arms again.
Dipper: Okay, okay! I'm excited! Just stop doing that!
Dipper said with a smile on his face.
Stan: Well, that settles it! Now get back to work all of you!
Stan cleared his troath before saying.
Stan: Please.
After that, Stan returned to the Mystery Shack to give the tours, leaving Dipper, Mabel and Wendy alone in the gift shop.
Wendy: Well, at least you solve this problem quickly.
Dipper: I think so.
Mabel: This is going to be great! I'm already being curious about him!
Dipper: I guess we have to wait then.
The rest of the day was faster, the night soon arrived.
Dipper and Mabel were in their room in the atic, Dipper was reading the journal number 3 in his bed, while Mabel was jumping in her bed, she was so excited.
A doorbell sound all around the house, announcing the arrival of their guest!
Mabel shout with excitement, she and Dipper went downstairs to meet him.
Mabel got to the door and opened it.
On the other side was Marco.
Mabel: Hi! I'm Mabel! How are you? Please come in!
Mabel grabbed Marco from his arm and pulled him in before he could even say a word.
Once inside, Mabel closed the door and turned to see their new friend.
Marco: Um… Hi?
Dipper: Mabel, I think you should introduce yourself more properly.
Mabel: Oh ok, sorry, got a little carried away there. Why don't we first go to our room to know each other?
Marco: Am I going to sleep with you two?
Dipper: No, no, no, you will have your own room. Mabel just wants to go to our room in the atic.
Stan appeared in the hallway.
Stan: Hey, kids! Chill a little, you are shacking the boy too much already. And he just arrived.
Mabel: But Grunkle Stan! This is important!
Stan: Look Mabel, I know how you are with these kind of things. But at least take the boy to his room first, after that you can play all that you want.
Marco: Will that be ok? There are no problems with that?
Marco said while looking at Stan with a worry look in his eyes.
Stan: Relax, there is nothing to worry about. Just play with the kids this night and tomorrow will get to work.
Marco: But-
Mabel: Then what are we waiting for?!
Mabel grabbed Marco's arm again and ran with him towards the break room.
Marco: H-hey, slow down!
Dipper: I'll see you at the atic.
Once they were gone, Stan asked to Dipper.
Stan: What? You're not going to go with them?
Dipper: No, I'm going to clean up the mess Mabel did before he arrived, I don't want to give him a first bad impression.
Stan: I think you already did a first bad impression, but who am I to judge anyways?
Stan went back from where he came from and Dipper went upstairs.
Meanwhile, Mabel and Marco arrived to the break room.
Mabel: Here we are, in your room!
Marco looked at the sign that was hanging in the door.
Marco: Why does it says "Break Room" in the sign?
Mable: Because this room it's supposed to be where Soos rest when he's on his break, but he doesn't enter too often, he prefers to be with us in his free time! In fact, he just entered today here today to clean it up and prepare it for you!
Marco: Who's Soos?
Mabel: Don't worry about that, you will meet him tomorrow! But for now, just put your things inside it and let's go to our room in the atic!
Marco sighed and opened the door, he entered into the room and started to look around.
Marco: Wow, it's much bigger than I expected! And it's so classy too!
Marco was standing in the middle of the room, he was looking around, he noticed the bed placed against the wall of the room with a night stand by its side.
Marco approached the bed to place his backpack with his stuff over it.
Mabel couldn't wait anymore and grabbed Marco from his arm once again.
Mabel: Ok, you have seen your room! Now it's time to see mine! So come on!
Mabel dragged Marco out of the room and started to run to the atic.
Marco: Slow down!
Mabel: I can't and I won't!
They arrived at Mabel's and Dipper's room in the atic, in there, Dipper was waiting for them.
Mabel: Where here and now! At last!
Marco looked around the triangular room, he started to examine everything with his eyes and stopped in the window.
That window… No, that can't be… Can it?
Mabel grabbed some pillows of her bed and threw them into the floor.
Mabel: Please, have a seat! The friendship train is about to leave! So all aboard!
Marco looked confused at Mabel before Dipper called for his attention.
Dipper: Just sit down, man.
Marco sat down in one of the pillows with his legs crossed and his back straight.
Mabel and Dipper sit down as well, they were sitting in a circle.
Before Mabel could say something else, Dipper talked.
Dipper: Well, what about if we start again with the right feet?
Marco: I think that is the best option.
Mabel: Alright! Me first!
Dipper: You first calm down a little bit, you don't want to confuse him more than he already is.
Mabel: But I'm calmed!
Dipper: No you're not!
Mabel took some fresh air in her lungs and exhaled calmly.
Mabel: Alright. Hi, I'm Mabel, and this guy by my side is my bro, Dipper!
Dipper: Nice to meet you… Um… Excuse me, but, what is your name? Our Grunkle didn't told us much about you.
Marco: Oh, right, sorry for the late introduction. My name is Marco Diaz, I will be staying here for a while.
Mabel: Marco, that's a really nice name.
Marco: Thanks.
Dipper: So, where are you from?
Marco: I'm from Echo Creek…
Dipper interrupted.
Dipper: Echo Creek? I haven't heard of that place in my life.
Marco: I'm not surprised, it's just a little town in California.
Mabel: Hey, we are from California too.
Marco: Really? I thought you were from here.
Dipper: Nah, our parents send us here to spend the summer.
Marco: What?! And they didn't came back?!
Dipper: What do you mean?
Marco was about to tell them his actual date, but was stopped by a voice inside his head. It was him.
Bill: Don't say anything, I'll explain later.
Marco did what he was told, but he was left with even more questions.
Mabel: Hey, are you alright?
Marco came out of his deep thought.
Marco: Huh? Oh, yeah! Everything's alright! I just… got a little confused.
Marco said with a nervous smile in his face. Dipper started to rise suspicions upon their new friend already.
Dipper: So… What bring you here to Gravity Falls?
Marco thought carefully before answering.
Marco: I'm here to see a friend.
Mabel: You have been here in Gravity Falls before?
Marco: No.
Dipper: Is your friend from here?
Marco: …No.
Dipper: Then how are you planning to see your friend exactly?
Marco: She's not here yet, I just have to wait.
Mabel: Oh! So is a she! I wonder if there was a word missing from friend.
Marco: No, no, no, no, I don't want you to misunderstand me, we are just friends, nothing more. Wait… no, that's not true, she is not just a friend.
Mabel started to look at Marco with a big smile and fully wide eyes.
Marco: She is my best friend. Saying that she is just a friend feels wrong.
Mabel's eyes went back to its normal size and her smile disappeared when Marco said this.
Dipper let out a chuckle while seeing how Mabel's expression completely changed in seconds.
Dipper: I think you just killed Mabel's fantasy.
Marco: Sorry for that Mabel.
Mabel: Don't worry, it's alright Marco. Because if you are single…
Dipper: Oh boy, here she comes.
Mabel: That means you can be MINE!
Mabel said while embracing Marco into a hug.
Marco: W-WHAT?! No! I just meet you today! Besides, I don't think you and I should date! I mean, how old even are you?!
Mabel: I'm twelve!
Marco: Twelve and thinking already in this things?! What's wrong with you?!
Mabel: Love is wrong with me!
Marco: Dipper… Please tell her something…
Dipper: Sorry, I can't do anything when she gets like this.
Mabel: Why don't you stay here in our room, we could have a sleepover!
Marco quickly thought his way out of that situation.
Marco: Oh my, look at how late it is! I better get going to bed, tomorrow is a big day!
Marco got free of Mabel's embrace and made his way out of the atic.
Mabel: We haven't-
Marco: Good night!
Marco say as he closed the door behind him and ran towards the break room.
Mabel: Aww, I really wanted to talk more with him.
Dipper: You can only blame yourself for that.
Mabel: Pff, don't be ridiculous bro-bro, how could someone like me could scare a guy like him?
Dipper: One word. Romance.
Mabel: And what did you expected me to do if he's single?
Dipper: Leave him alone, and probably apologize in the morning.
Mabel sighed.
Mabel: I'm suppose you are right?
Dipper: Of course I'm right, but don't worry, you just scared him a little, I'm sure that he will forgive you.
Dipper said while he walked towards his bed.
Mabel: I hope he forgives me.
Dipper: Of course he will, for now just let him sleep.
Mabel: Ok. So changing the subject.
Dipper: Mm-hm?
Mabel: What do you think about our new friend Marco?
Dipper: He seems like a good person so far.
Mabel: Yeah, I like him, I hope we could get to know more about him tomorrow.
Dipper: But…
Mabel: But what?
Dipper: When I told him about why we were here, he acted weird, he acted almost like if he didn't knew it was summer.
Mabel: Yeah, I noticed that too.
Dipper: Then why didn't you say anything?
Mabel: I didn't wanted to question him about it, maybe he was just confused.
Dipper: Or maybe there is another reason.
Mabel: I didn't wanted to question him for that too.
Dipper: For what?
Mabel: Please Dipper, I noticed the expression in your face when he got nervous, you were at the edge of turning the friendship train into an interrogation room.
Dipper: W-what? I-I wasn't, really.
Mabel stared to his brother right into his eyes, Dipper sighed.
Dipper: Ok, you got, I was going to question him about it, but in the end, I prefer to not do it, I didn't wanted to ruin that for you, so I just stay quiet.
Mabel: Thank you, Dipper.
Dipper: It was nothing Mabel.
Mabel: Well, we better get some rest. As Marco said, tomorrow is going to be great!
Dipper: It sure will be.
Dipper said as he turned off the light from their night table.
Dipper: Good night Mabel.
Mabel jumped into her bed and said.
Mabel: Good night Dipper.
They both fall asleep, waiting for the morning to arrive.