AN: Sorry if I hadn't updated for a looong time. I blame a series of very unfortunate events. XD But anyways, I thank you for all of the reviews, guys! It made me soo happy! So... GUEST RREVIEW REPLIES:
Have-Some-Deer-Teeth: Thanks so much for that :D
OMAC001: Well, since they technically already are teens, and haven't seen each other for a long time, so...who knows. XD Thanks for reviewing.
Williebadger618: and 618 is from Alex and Ariel's birthday. ;-) Thanks so much, and I'll try my best.:D
Lil ol Gravity Falls: To be honest, it did took a lot of explaining and stuff because of the three-year gap.. :3 thanks a lot! :D
AnimeGurl202: Well, here it is! I do hope you'll like it :)
Bluejamathons: Thank you so much! :D
Lauren:Thanks, dude! :D
Chapter II : An Unexpected Visitor
"Hey, champ."
Dipper tore his eyes from the lit windows of suburban houses and lamp posts glowing in the darkness that were flashing past by the car's window, and turned to stare at his father, who was driving . "Y-ye-yeah?" he said, stifling a huge yawn. It had been a quite long and exhausting travel from Arizona to California by bus, which involved problems with the tickets, the baggage and some unruly passengers. He had arrived way late into the night, and was really glad when his dad came to pick him up by the bus station. Now all he wanted to do, really, was to sleep, and he wasn't interested with anything at the moment.
His father was quiet for a while, as they rounded a corner to another street, before saying, "how was school?"
"Fine," Dipper replied, exasperated. This questions had been brought up a million of times. "I told you, dad, Frontier's great."
"Just asking, son. You seemed... off. So, you excited to see your sister?"
Dipper shrugged, as they pounded d on another familiar street, wrapping his jacket more tightly around himself. "She'd... probably be sleeping now. It's late."
"Well, knowing Mabel, she'd do the complete opposite. She could survive one whole week without sleeping," Mr. Pines chuckled. He looked and saw that Dipper was already back gazing glumly at the window. Mr. Pines' smile faded. There was silence.
They reached a small stoplight which was gleaming red. Mr. Pines stopped the car, and placed a hand on Dipper's shoulder.
"Dipper," he said heavily. "She's your sister. In the end, you still need each other. You know that."
Dipper nodded stiffly. The stoplight flashed green, and Mr. Pines revived the engine and they sped away.
Dipper now shifted uncomfortably on his seat, wide awake, exhaustion suddenly replaced by tension. He knew that they were nearing the place. He thought that he could already control this, after coming back every summer, but no... that awkwardness was still there. It was really still there.
"We're here," Mr. Pines said, as he parked the car. "Welcome home, son."
Dipper took a deep breath, went out, and looked up.
It was just as he had remembered it, illuminated by the fierce burning glare of the lamp posts. The windows were all pitch black, though, and he came to the conclusion that Mabel and his mom were sleeping. Well, maybe he could deal with-
CRASH.
"What the-?"
The noise came right beyond the living room window, like a vase being broken. And it was not only that: there were loud footsteps, as though somebody was lumbering blindly inside. Dipper's eyes widened.
"Dipper-?"
But Dipper had already sprinted towards the front door, fear thumping in his chest. If they were sleeping, then it could only mean one thing.
Burglars.
He twisted the door knob, hoping against hope that it was locked... that it was him being paranoid again. But the door swung open, revealing the dark hallway. He stepped in, squinting, trying to see through the dark veil. The noises had subsided.
"Who's there?" He called, taking another step forward. It was eerily quiet. Something was definitely wrong.
And then-
" SURPRISE!"
"AAAAAAAARRRRGH! " He yelled, as a grizzly creature stepped up right in front of him. He backed away, tripped on something and went crashing down the floor.
Lights flared on.
Dipper looked up, as he nursed his toe. He blinked.
"Oh my gosh... uh... this... sorry about... uh... the... I... sorry," she said in a small voice.
The creature who had jumped on him was Mabel.
Her hair was in a mess, and paint was all over her face and her sweater. Dipper slowly got to his feet, gaping at her. Honestly, he had already planned out what to say to her, what was going to happen. But this was really... really unexpected.
"Liked it, Dip?" their dad asked cheerfully, entering the house, laden with luggage. "It was all... Mabel, why is a glue gun stuck to your hair?"
"It doesn't matter!" Mabel blurted out, obviously trying to control the situation, tugging at the glue gun. It wouldn't budge. Mr. Pines closed the door, and, bringing Dipper's bags, went upstairs.
Mabel cleared her throat.
"Welcome home, Dipping Sauce!" she said loudly. She was reading from a rather large and colorful banner, which she was holding with some difficulty. Now that explains the glue gun.
"Oh, yeah, made you this," she chatted away, when she saw him watching at it. "It took a lot of sacrifices-" she gestured at her hair "- but nah, it was fun!"
She looked hopefully at her twin, but his face was inscrutable.
"I'm going to bed," he said at last; Mabel's heart sank. He paused.
"Good night," he added stiffly.
He strode past her and climbed the stairs.
"Well, that's a start," Mabel muttered "Note to self: don't surprise someone in the dark. No, who am I kidding?!"
She threw the banner aside. Sure, she had worked hard for it, but still, it wasn't enough to cross the gap. She expelled the breath that she didn't realized she was holding. At least that nightmare was over...
Then she smiled.
"His scream, though" she chortled. "I bet he still sneezes like an adorable kitten..."
And still laughing, she also went upstairs for a good night's rest. The "artwork" did consume much of her energy.
She never noticed the dark, dense shadow of a triangle bobbing along with her.
Dipper paced around the room, feeling restless. His eyes itched with tiredness, but his brain was going haywire. That encounter with his sister made him remember that time when they had that golf war with Pacifica Northwest.
"How much d'you wanna bet they're no-shows?"
"Looking for someone?"
"Waiting in the dark... not creepy at all.."
"Ugh!" He threw his hands up to his head, annoyed. He tried his best to forget everything, think that that summer had never happened, but he can't. It sometimes bugged him especially when the night is at its deepest. And, the worst part is, things, very normal things, often remind him of it very vividly.
He glanced at his computer, and he slowly put down his arms. He hesitated, before sitting right in front of the device and began typing away.
No... what really... really bothered him were those persistent questions. He wanted... he needed answers. He needed to know them... and maybe then... then, he can move on.
The alarm clock on his bedside table dully ticked away as the hours past. Dipper now looked at it, his mind going hazy: it was 3: 00 am.
Dipper rubbed his eyes, before going back to the notes he was scribbling down in a piece of paper. He had found a website containing researches about other dimensions, as he thought that the portal was something of a wormhole to another universe. He read far-fetched researches about the paranormal, and papers of obscure and well-known scientists, trying to tie pieces together.. He yawned, doing his best to stay awake...something.. anything...
Wormholes are valid equations to Einstein's theory of General Relativity... these are tunnel-like connections...causes shortcuts to spacetime travel...vast distances... the universe...
He felt his eyes drooped, and he let his head fall to the desk...
"Are you sure about this?"
"No... But it's the only way.."
Strong winds whipped around him, howling like mad. He had no idea where he was... or what was happening. Everything was cold and dark. Sounds of movement were all around him, and the sense of foreboding reverberated in the air.
There was a hiss, and, blue light burst from one side of the place, pulsating every now and then. He was more confused; that light...it was familiar.
And then the first man spoke again, his tone harsh.
"And so what now? Goddammit, you moron, stop being so noble! If you go for it, you might die!"
That voice...He knew that voice..
"We need to do this, Ford! We're talking about the destruction of the whole world if we can't stop him!"
A burly figure moved towards the light, clutching what looked like a rope. In an instant, Dipper realized the source of the light...
The portal.
Another man spoke up, sounding nervous. "Lee, he has a point, the portal is unstable.. it may fail.. you may get trapped... or worse..."
"It's for the greater good, Fiddleford," Lee said gravely. "For the greater good."
There was another blinding flash of light and a scream before-
"Dipper? Dipper!"
Dipper jerked awake and cast his eyes around frantically. Sunlight was streaming through his window: it was already morning.
He leaned back on his chair, stretching. That was a weird dream he just had, though he didn't know what had waken-
"DIPPER! HELLOO?"
Mabel knocked on his door again, harder this time.
"Dipper, someone's looking for you! Says she's.. your schoolmate... I think.."
"What?" Dipper yelped, startled. He dashed towards the door and opened it.
Mabel almost stumbled inside because of excitement. She straightened up and grinned broadly.
"What on earth are you talking about?" Dipper hissed. Mabel giggled. Dipper noticed that the glue gun was already gone.
"There's a girl waiting for you downstairs," she told him. "Is she a girl who is a friend, or a girlfriend girlfriend?"
" I have neither," Dipper replied, dazed. Mabel shrugged. "See for yourself."
Dipper glared at Mabel, before going down the stairs. He reached the drawing room, then skidded to a halt.
"Faith?"
Faith Georgini craned her neck. She was sitting on the sofa, still wearing that silly braid, very much unperturbed. She smiled at him.
"Hi, Dipper!" she said brightly, standing up.
"What the-how-but-you-" Dipper stuttered, entirely stunned. "How the heck did you find me?"
"Connections," she said dismissively. "There are advantages of being part of the student council, you know. But anyways, I am not here to talk about that. I am going to get straight to the point. I need your help."
Dipper raised his eyebrows, before sitting down on the armchair opposite to her. She sat down too, and looked at him expectantly.
"Listen, Georgini," Dipper said irritably. "First of all, you can't just barge into the house of someone you barely know. Second of all, what makes you even think that I'd help you with whatever problem you have?"
"You are being rude, you know," Faith remarked. Heat crept to Dipper's face. "But I'm going to pretend you never said that." She started to babble in a business-like tone. "As I was saying, I need your help. I am planning on an investigation about the alleged claims of unnatural phenomena, and the school had funded it as well. I had read your paper, about it, remember? I think you are really into it. I want you to be part of my team."
"God, Faith, you can't boss anyone around, you know," Dipper grumbled. "Thanks, but no thanks."
Faith flushed red. "You must keep this in mind, Pines, that this is a great opportunity. Besides, this is quite better than... I don't know... brooding over something."
"I don't brood over something," Dipper said indignantly.
"Yeah, like you don't stare out of the window like a daydreaming idiot during Smithwick's classes," she said, rolling her eyes. "My point is, haven't you always wanted to be... a.. I don't know.. a paranormal investigator or.. or something? This might be your big break, if you know what I mean."
Dipper thought about it. Well, she seemed to be right. It's not like he had anything to do. It did sound better than to dwell on the past anyways.
"Right," he said. "Let's say, I agreed to whatever you're saying-"
"Great!" said Faith briskly, clapping her hands. "Then we need to-"
"Whoah, slow down! First off, where do you plan to start?"
She stared at him. Then from her pocket she drew out a crumpled newspaper clipping and handed it to him. He had only read the first line when his jaw dropped.
"Gravity Falls, Oregon," Faith said simply.
"No... no... you can't be serious.."
"I am," Faith nodded. "When I read all about the rumored gravity anomalies, how two kids were found at the source of energy, I knew that I would need you... You and your sister."
Dipper gaped at her. "This was three effing years ago," he said blankly. "And why would you even include Mabel-?"
"Did someone mention my name?"
Mabel traipsed inside the room, looking curious.
"Hi, again, Faith!" she beamed at Georgini. "Want anything?"
"Yes!" To Dipper's horror, Faith sprang into action. "Uh... Mabel... right? Yes, well, your brother and I have an out-of-town project together, and we were hoping if you'd want to join us. We really are short of members."
Mabel's eyes gleamed. "Really? You want me? Consider Mabel part of the team, then! I I'll be your fun manager, and the fun in this project had just skyrocketed bazillion percent! I'm gonna go and pack my sweaters!"
"Wait..what just-she didn't-but- GEORGINI!" Dipper roared, watching as Mabel hurried upstairs. The last thing he'd ever need is to go back to Gravity Falls with his sister. "YOU HAVE NO IDEA-"
"I do, actually," said Faith quietly. "I know parts of it, it was all over the papers, anyway." She hesitated. "You and your twin lived with a certain Stanford Pines, owner of the Mystery Shack, didn't you? "
" How did you-?"
"You can't expect me to go on with this investigation if I didn't have satisfactory information, can you?" She looked at Dipper straight in the eye. "You are searching for something, Dipper Pines, you can't deny that."
Dipper glowered at her.
"Look, Georgini, I am as clueless as you are. Stan didn't give a damn about us... but she thought he cared..."
Dipper's throat had become too constricted. Georgini gazed at him.
"I noticed that you'd become too dodgy when topics about your twin would be brought up," she said in a low voice. "I had a hunch, and judging by your reaction, I was right."
Dipper didn't answer. She pressed on. "I don't know the whole story, but I guess... Well, I guess for you to live the present, you need to face the past."
She waited hopefully.
"Looks like I don't have any choice, do I? You seemed to have planned this out," Dipper said grumpily, folding his arms. Faith smiled, looking immensely relieved.
"Don't worry, you and Mabel won't regret this. Thanks so much, Pines!"
She stood up. "This is settled, then. I think your parents had already known, the school might have notified them. See you soon!"
And with that she left. Dipper slumped on his chair, quite taken aback at what he had just agreed too. He glanced at the newspaper clipping he was stil holding, before carefully putting it in his pocket. It was like the place really wanted him to come back: first that sinister whisper, and then that dream... He shuddered.
But, truth be told, Faith did made sense.
Yep, he thought darkly, heading for breakfast. It's going to be a long summer.
AN: Gaaah, to be honest, this is the longest chapter I've written so far. But still...;-)
