Prepare for a courtroom drama. I'm no John Grisham, so it isn't perfect.
Over the course of the next week, Pacifica recovered, and was eventually discharged from the hospital. Dipper took her home and gave her royal treatment for a while. However, the trial quickly approached, and Dipper and Pacifica were required to attend as witnesses. They took the train to Gravity Falls, and checked in to a hotel.
"I am going to go to the mansion, and try to find some evidence to prove your father's innocence." Dipper said when they had settled in.
"Why are you so insistent on this? Can't you accept that he might have done it?" Pacifica said.
"I'm trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, since he's the father of my girlfriend." Dipper said.
Dipper headed over to the Northwest Mansion, where he found policemen at the door.
"Can I come in here?" Dipper asked.
"No. Our detectives are looking for evidence, and they won't let anyone in." the policeman said.
"Please! I was involved in the case, and I think I can contribute to the investigation!" Dipper said.
"City boy thinks he's going to find something our officers aren't?" The policeman said.
"City booooy! City boooy!" and older Deputy Durland yelled.
Dipper scowled, and walked away.
When he arrived back at the hotel, he explained the situation to Pacifica.
"Well, all you can do now is testify." Pacifica said.
The trial quickly approached, until the day came. Dipper and Pacifica drove to the courtroom, where they could see a crowd of people. There was the judge, Mr. Northwest, his two expensive lawyers, and several lawyers on the other side, along with a woman. There were also several people in the back.
Dipper and Pacifica sat down, ready to be called upon to testify.
The judge introduced the case, and allowed both sides to make their opening statements.
"I am John Hampton, and I am working on behalf of Jane Ryan, wife of the late Xavier Ryan. She previously wanted her identity unknown, because she felt threatened, but for the purposes of this trial, it is necessary that we state her name. My client has evidence that supports the fact that Mr. Northwest forced Xavier Ryan to carry out the shooting." the lawyer said.
"Thank you, Mr. Hampton. Defendant, make your opening statement." the judge said.
"I am Allan Laughton. My client, Mr. Northwest, had no connection to this shooting. He cares for his daughter, and he would never do anything to harm her. Any accusation that my client as any connection to this horrible deed is wrong." Laughton said.
"Thank you. We may now begin revealing evidence." the judge said.
"I'd like to call Jane Ryan to the stand." Hampton said.
Jane Ryan obliged, and prepared to answer questions.
"Mrs. Ryan, can you please read the note that your husband left you?" Hampton asked.
Jane took out a letter from her pocket. "Dearest Jane, If you are reading this, my worst fears have come true. For a long time, I have been an agent of a Preston Northwest, a scheming billionaire who forced me to do immoral deeds. I could never stand up to him, because he threatened to hurt you. Please, if you can, bring this man to justice. But only if you can ensure you and our children's safety. Love, Xavier." Jane read.
"Thank you, Mrs. Ryan." Hampton said. "I think we can all agree that this letter supports the involvement of Mr. Northwest in this incident."
"Ah, the boss was not Mr. Northwest. This letter was simply written by the real boss to frame somebody else. Mr. Northwest was the father of the victim. He had no reason to hurt them. The boss was actually someone who had a troubled history with the Pines family. I'd like to call Bud Gleeful to the stand." Laughton said.
Bud Gleeful got up from the back.
"Mr. Gleeful, is it true that your son is currently incarcerated in Alcatraz?" Laughton asked.
"Yes." Bud replied sheepishly.
"And is it true that part of the reason your son was arrested was due to his constant attempts at destroying the Pines family, the family of one of the targets?" Laughton said.
"Yes." Bud replied.
"And, can you tell me what you were doing the day when Mrs. Ryan said her husband came home distraught?" Laughton asked.
"I...I..don't remember." Bud said.
"Ah...I see. No alibi, hmm?" Laughton said.
"This is ridiculous! The letter doesn't reference anything about Bud Gleeful!" Hampton yelled.
"I told you, he was used as a scapegoat!" Laughton yelled.
"Do you have any evidence to support this?" Hampton asked.
"Yes! I call Dipper Pines to the stand!" Laughton said.
"Mr. Pines, is it true that the gunman seemed to specifically target you?" Laughton asked Dipper.
"Yes. He followed us for several blocks, and he knew my name." Dipper said.
"And is it true that your girlfriend is the daughter of the accused?" Laughton asked.
"Yes." Dipper said.
"Would you say that Mr. Northwest is... a good man?" Laughton said.
"Well, we haven't always seen eye to eye, but I believe this man cares deeply for his daughter, and he would never do anything to hurt her." Dipper said.
"But, do you have any actual evidence that could support this claim of innocence?" Hampton asked.
"I wanted to search Northwest Manor for evidence, but I was denied entrance." Dipper said.
"I think if this man has a reason to believe he could find evidence at the house, he should be allowed in." Laughton said.
"Objection! What 'evidence could you even find there?" Hampton yelled
"Well, possible alibis, or simply photographs that show how much he loves his daughter." Dipper said.
"That isn't relevant!" Hampton said.
"I will allow this man to leave the court if he thinks he can find relevant evidence." the judge said.
"Thank you, your honor." Laughton said.
Dipper hurried out of the courtroom and to the Northwest Manor. He handed the policemen a note from the judge, which allowed him access.
Dipper entered the house, and collected photos and other items that showed Mr. Northwest's attitude towards his daughter. Most rooms were just filled with opulent furniture and carpeting.
When Dipper was almost ready to head back, he found a strange door in a side hallway. Most of the doors were very extravagant and huge, but this door was dilapidated and fairly small. Dipper pushed on the door, but it was locked. Dipper knew he should probably leave it alone, but curiosity got the best of him, and he picked the lock. When he pushed the door open, it revealed a dark room.
Dipper flicked on the light. He saw a strange machine, and a stack of a bunch of tubes. Dipper couldn't believe it when he realized what they were. They were memories from the memory eraser. He didn't want to jump to conclusions, but he was now considering the possibility that Mr. Northwest was the one who erased their memories. He searched through the scrolls, all labeled differently. He eventually found one with his name on it, and he put it in the machine.
The memory showed Dipper and Pacifica, both twelve years old, holding hands and kissing. Then it showed himself in a room with Mr. Northwest, getting his memory wiped. He couldn't believe it. He and Pacifica had had a relationship back in Gravity Falls, and Mr. Northwest had destroyed it.
Dipper continued searching through the memories, until he found one of himself, now a grown man, and Pacifica, once again getting their memories wiped. Mr. Northwest had been putting on an act. He had never been okay with Dipper and Pacifica dating. This still didn't mean he was involved in the shooting, though. Maybe he erased minds, but Dipper still doubted he would actually have someone shoot him. After all, the Bud Gleeful story made sense.
Dipper was ready to leave the room when one more tube caught his eye. It said Bud Gleeful on it. Dipper put the memory into the machine. It showed Mr. Northwest wiping Bud's mind. This memory was recent. Then, it hit Dipper. Mr. Northwest was the boss all along. He was just using Bud as a scapegoat. Dipper grabbed the memories, and dragged the machine out of the door. He had to get to the court to make sure justice was served.