AN: I'm back!
Okay, so first all, I apologize for being so late. It's been a week or two. Welp, that's what you get when life catches up with you. XD So.. Guest review replies:
Static WarO: Thanks for all the reviews! It's amazing!
phantesmal-wanderer: Well, Bill says that he's always watching... I guess he'll show up soon enough!
Lauren: Thanks dude! Wanna know where this one takes me too!
Austria Trinity: Your enthusiasm is infectious! :D I'll do my best!
Halziscool: Well, here it is! :D
Chapter III: The Handyman
Wendy Corduroy had always been on cool side.
She was standing in a crowded bus station, hands on her jean pockets, a smirk curling on her lips as she watched her friends egg on a petrified Thompson.
"C'mon, Thompson, don't be a crybaby!" she yelled at him. "Do it, do it, DO IT!"
Her friends followed her lead, also cheering for Thompson, while Tambry snapped away pictures with her phone, with Robbie Valentino's arm around her shoulders, looking extremely pleased.
"Uh... guys, can't we do another dare?" Thompson pleaded.
Lee scoffed. "Psssh, Thompson, this is just a piece of cake. How hard could it be? You'd just need to keep the guards away from the restricted area where they kept those broken-down buses. It'd, be, like, a cool place to hang out, and maybe we could fix one of those suckers up. That'd be a sweet ride!"
"Yeah, but why do I need to wear this stupid bear costume, bringing a bottle of honey?" Thompson demanded. "It makes me look idiotic!"
Indeed, travelers who were scurrying to their rides, or getting out of it, came to pause as they ogle at this group of teenagers, especially at Thompson, who was wearing a sick yellow bear suit, which was too tight that he had difficulty in moving. Many others, though, just scowled and hurried away from them, afraid that they might attack them any minute and shred them to pieces.
"It's for publicity," Tambry grunted, now typing away on her phone. Robbie laughed. "Nice one, Tambers." He raised his free fingerless-gloved fist in the air. "Go beat the hell out of 'em, Thompson!"
Use honey as a weapon!" Nate screamed. And they went back to chanting "THOMPSON! THOMPSON! THOMPSON!" so loudly, it made passersby stare.
Wendy guffawed as Thompson waddled towards the guards, making very slow progress.
"By the way, Wends, your Dad's sending you upstate again?" Nate asked.
"Gaugh, don't remind me about it," Wendy groaned, as shrieking girls began running away from Thompson. "It sucks. Cousin Harold's cabin smells like rotten cabbages. Can't do anything 'bout it, though, ever since the Shack closed down."
They fell silent when Wendy mentioned the Shack. True to it's name, the tourist trap's shutdown was utterly mysterious. It's owner, the infamous criminal, Stanford Pines, had disappeared right after the so called 'gravity anomalies' or whatever the heck that was. The townsfolk had already formulated their own theories about the incident. In fact, they rarely ventured to the destroyed place, thinking it was hunted, and they kept rambling on about how Stan had a deal with a demon, not that Wendy believed in it. After all, myths are myths.
Wendy flipped her long fiery hair from her face and stared dully around the station, waiting for Thompson's signal. Gravity Falls had attracted lots of tourists ever since the incident. Amidst the jostling crowd, her eyes settled on a boy for a moment, then she backtracked, stunned.
The boy, a brunette, looked 15 or 16 years-old. He was reading a map, scowling heavily, a backpack slung on his shoulders. Something stirred in Wendy's memory, though she had no idea why. She was even surprised at what she felt towards the random stranger, though that may be because he... well...looked cute...
Wendy shook her head, startled. What on earth was that-?
"WENDY, COME ON, WE'RE GOING! THAT'S THE SIGNAL!" Nate yelled gleefully, as the guards went and chased Thompson, roaring with rage. Wendy gave a shout of laughter, and ran after her friends, pushing the boy out of her mind.
"What is it with boys asking for directions?" Faith grumbled.
"There's nothing with it, except for the fact that we have a map that we could use!" Dipper said irritably.
He went back down to the map he was supposedly reading. He, Mabel and Faith had just gotten off the Speedy Beaver Bus that had traveled from Piedmont to Gravity Falls. The trip, for Dipper at least, seemed to have lasted forever, passing through thick green sceneries, watching the gray buildings replaced by the vibrant colors of nature. It was uncomfortable enough to sit on a seat for hours, and more so when the person who's sitting next to you jump up and down, shrieking in delight every now and then. He was even surprised at how Faith slept through most of the journey, considering Mabel had been so loud.
That wasn't the only thing that was troubling him. The nightmare he had kept replaying on his head, as though he needed reminding of what it was about. He was sure that the noble one was the Author, and the one who was stopping him was... the Author's brother. It was even quite unnerving on why he had dreamt about it in the first place, like some old forgotten memory that wasn't his, but he just knew that it wasn't just some fantasy: it was too accurate. More questions began to whirl. What was the Author talking about stopping someone, or else the world might be doomed? What did he mean "for the greater good?" Who was that someone? He had never wanted the truth this badly.
His sister, who had wandered away from Faith and him to watch a commotion caused by a rowdy group of teenagers when they had started bickering, now went back to them, her eyes shining with excitement, hoisting her multi-colored suitcase where she kept her many sweaters a little higher.
"This is gonna be so fun!" She said happily. "It's like nothing changed! Even old Ben Benchy is still here!" she pointed to a bench that looked very worn and dirty, it might splinter to pieces when someone even tries to touch it. "I'm just glad Mom and Dad allowed to let us come back!"
Their parents had been a little surprised at their plans. Faith had visited again and explained the research. Dipper kept quiet as Faith discussed the points in a very polite and soothing way, the very opposite of her snobbish self, though omitting the past-present rant. He was still having doubts with his decision, and had wanted, perhaps, for his parents to stop him. However, they agreed to whatever Faith had said, saying it can help them with their class, but Dipper suspected it was more than that. He was proven right when his mother took him aside the day before the trip, while he was packing.
" I'm glad that your schoolmate had arranged everything well, " she had started casually, darting around the room rather aimlessly, her arms full of clothes. " We won't need to worry that much, then. "
Dipper had merely grunted: He was bent low over his bag, trying to hide the apprehension bubbling inside him. Somehow, he knew what was coming.
"I think you are wondering why your father and I didn't have second thoughts on this project... and.. and.." She heaved a deep sigh, before saying, "and why... we'd send you back.. to that... place.."
Dipper had straightened up and turned to look at his mom. "I - mom - I.." he had sputtered distractedly
Mrs. Pines had put down the clothes she was bringing, abandoning all pretense now.
"Dipper, I know it had been different after Gravity Falls," she had said in a kind and understanding voice. "It was difficult for both of you. But then, you can never hold a grudge forever, especially to Mabel. She's trying very hard, you know."
His mom took a step closer and patted him gently on his cheek. "Take care of your twin, alright? Talk to her, Dipper."
Dipper remembered that he had nodded, and that his mom had smiled, and went out. Just as he suspected: it's the reconciliation thing all over-
"You know what, screw that map," Faith was now saying scathingly, wrenching Dipper back to the present. She had her phone out and was waving vigorously at someone. "Besides, my aunt is here!"
Faith had told them that they would be staying with her aunt, who was a part-time teacher at Frontier, and was more than happy to be their guardian. Dipper had heard all about Miss Wright, and though he had never met her, he had this impression that Faith's aunt was some unmarried middle-aged woman who's quite fond with kids. He was surprised, therefore, when he glanced up and saw Faith hugging a very young woman, probably in her twenties, with curly hair in a violent shade of violet that reached her shoulders, adorned with a plastic butterfly. She grinned broadly at the Dipper.
"Aye," she said cheerfully, pushing Faith away and extending her hand. "First thing's first, though, so I am terribly sorry that my nerdy niece dragged you to this madness that she obsessed with. "
Patches of red appeared on Faith's face, looking abashed.
"This is my aunt, Klarika Jane Wright-"
"Klark will do," Klark cut her off, as Dipper took her hand, and she shook it hard, while Faith glared at her. "Gotta keep things light and cool, eh?" She eyed Dipper curiously. "Hmmmmm... You got that air of dorkiness in you. Mr. Pines, I assume?"
Dipper felt his cheeks burn. "Yeah, that's me," he mumbled.
Mabel, meanwhile, was goggling at Klark, seemingly lost for words for the first time in her life.
"Oh.. my... GOSH! THAT HAIR IS CRAZY BONKERS AWESOME! AND WHERE DID YOU GET THAT BUTTERFLY?" She squealed. Klark's grin got wider.
"Thanks," she said warmly. "Made it myself. They always say I am so random, but hey, who cares?"
"That's what I feel too!" Mabel said, awed. "Teach me your ways, great one!"
Klark giggled. "You must be his twin, eh? Mabel?"
Mabel nodded. They shook hands, broke apart, and Klark clapped sharply.
"Right, then," she said, "best be off, unless you want to join in the fun." She jabbed a thumb towards a large gathering of people. Dipper distincly hear shouts of glee and mirth, and as he squinted properly, saw a rather large man in some yellowing furs, running desperately, the cops almost catching up with him. "Blubs and Durland ain't so lenient with teenagers now. Talking 'bout you lot, of course, but I always want to think of myself as a teen."
"Blubs and Durland?" Dipper asked quickly, as Klark began walking away. Mabel followed, still staring at Klark with wide eyes. He felll on step beside her. "They're still here, then?"
"Aye," Klark replied, sounding amused. "Pissed them off the first day I arrived at this place, a year ago. Here they go."
Indeed, the sheriff and the deputy ambled past in their uniforms, just as Dipper remembered them, waving their batons in the air while shrieking like idiots.
"Disappointing, don't ya think?" Klark said brightly. She continued walking. Dipper raised his eyebrows at Faith, who was blushing furiously.
"She's Mom's youngest sister," she explained sheepishly. "There's a reason why she's only a part-time teacher, you know."
"Who cares?" Mabel whispered. "I think she's awesome! I wonder if she likes pigs?" Dipper resisted the urge to roll his eyes as Mabel hurried after Klark. Acting normal was really the dumbest strategy he'd thought of, but at least it was working a bit... now the awkwardness wasn't there, and she's playing well with it. Shaking the idea out of his head, he ran to catch up with them.
"Klark, tell me, is Gravity Falls... er... okay?"
Klark frowned lightly at Dipper, then shrugged. "Fine, I guess. You gotta hear the folklore 'bout this place, though. Like the Abandoned Shack, for instance-"
"The what?" Dipper and Mabel chorused together.
"The Abandoned Shack. Gotten obscurely famous years ago. Townsfolk don't usually go there. Says it's too creepy. Y'all know 'bout that, 'course?"
She smiled slyly at the twins, who was gazing at her, befuddled. Faith huffed and quickened her pace.
"Is this Shack used to be a tourist trap full of fake items?" Dipper asked.
"Aye," she answered happily. "Smart lad. Legends were true then, about twins who go nosing around the place. Always thought people were crazy in this town. Stand corrected, then!"
Color drained from Mabel's face as she saw Dipper's expression darkened, and she added hastily "legends tend to exaggerate."
"Wisest thing I've ever heard today," Klark nodded solemnly. "C'mon then, my car's waiting-"
"You know how to drive?!" Faith asked incredulously. "When did you even-?"
"Got my license and my car a year ago, you prat," her aunt said jovially. "There she is!"
They had reached the parking lot, which was bathed by the afternoon sunlight. Dipper and Mabel froze in their tracks, shocked.
Before them was a car which had just been polished thoroughly, its red paint glinting in the sunlight. Dipper's eyes settled on the front plate, and saw what he was looking for: the letters STNLYMBL.
"Beauty, isn't she? No one wanted this one, thought it was cursed. Psssh, people are so paranoid these days!" Klark announced proudly.
"W-where did y-you g-get i-it?" Mabel croaked. "T-this w-was-"
"Fron Stanford Pines, who, Faith had told me, is your great-uncle," Faith said apologetically. "I am sorry, but I never knew till after I bought it from some cheap second-hand store-'
"It's okay," said Dipper curtly. "Let's go."
All of them went in, Dipper barely repressing a shudder. Mabel who was sitting next to him at the back seat again. was looking at anywhere but him.
"So, when do you start, fine ladies and gentleman?" Klark called up front.
And then Dipper answered the last thing Mabel thought off.
"Tomorrow. At the Mystery Shack."
Soos Ramirez gazed at the run-down Shack, transfixed.
It was early morning; the sun was rising steadily in the east, and the birds were chirping merrily. He hadn't told his Abuelita about where he was, or what he was up to; when he had sneaked out, she was still sleeping. But he's sure she'd understand. She had always been there through thick and thin, and she knew that the Mystery Shack would always be his second home.
It had been hard after all that happened during that fateful summer. Soos remembered that the Shack had been filled with cops and government agents after the next few days, salvaging everything that they could save, until they gave it up as a bad job because of its ruined state, and moved on with the investigation. However, they had surrounded the Shack with rather tall fence, and posted the sign "No Trespassing" to make sure no one could get in.
Soos still couldn't comprehend, nor could he accept, that Mr. Pines, that man in the suit, that one wearing a weird fez, the "charismatic" Mr. Mystery, the man he had thought he knew so well, was actually another person. Everything was so hazy, so obscure. His only consolation was that Stan did not build a doomsday device. It seemed to be.. a... stargate... or the thing science-y movies always talk about. He had been wondering for a while if the one who stepped out of it was from Clustery Bunches of Owl Cerealland, or some futuristic beep-bop place.
And yet both of them left without explanation. They were never seen again.
The consequences were disastrous. He needed to get another job when the Mystery Shack never reopened, trying different posts, as a cook, a bus driver and being a plumber. He always got fired easily, though; his heart, that red squishy, pumping thing, would always be at being a handyman at the Mystery Shack. And now...
"Well, time to go in! O great Clustery Owls, you better watch over me, or I'll never eat those cereals again!"
He started forward to the fence towering above him before stopping uncertainly.
"Just kidding, dawg," he said aloud, to no one in particular. He started moving again. "Man, those cereals are delicious."
"This.. is... completely insane.." Faith snarled, and Mabel couldn't agree more... this was insane... INSANELY FUN!
Klark stuck her head out of the car's window, bemused.
"'Ya sure 'bout this?" she asked them. "I mean, I don't mind the 'No Trespassing' sign and that fence, but look at that hovel. It's going apart. Besides, folks here never approach the person who went even a mile near that."
"That'd be better," Dipper uttered grimly. "No one would get in our way."
"Right," Klark said. It was very brief, but Mabel thought she saw her cast a significant look at Faith. "Take care, then. Call if you need me."
"We will," Dipper assured her. "Thanks, Klark."
"Aye, Pines. Make sure Faith wouldn't get in your way!"
And with that, the car swept away, leaving them right in front of a tall fence. Just beyond it, Mabel could make out the dark silhouette of a house.
"This is too rash, Pines," Faith hissed vehemently. "We are researchers now, not some... some idiotic I-have-no-idea-what-I-am-doing spy! We need to be systematic, or we'll get in so much trouble!"
Mabel watched, mildly interested, as Dipper retorted back. Faith had been really kind to her, and she's a likable girl, but she couldn't understand why the two always disagree with each other, like some of those soap operas she had watched.
"This town is not systematic, Georgini," Dipper shot at Faith. "You gotta deal with the unexpected-"
"-by entering a restricted property and making a fool of yourself!" Faith scoffed. "Really, Pines, if you even-"
"Uh.. guys, did you see this?"
Dipper and Faith whipped around; Mabel was crouched on the ground, examining the fence.
"Whoah!" she exclaimed. She pushed one of the wooden panels, and it swung to reveal an opening large enough for two persons to crawl through. They stared at it, enthralled.
"Well," Faith remarked, "this can't be a mishap, nor a coincidence. Someone's already entered before us."
"But didn't Klark said that everyone's avoiding the place? Who would go in?" Dipper mused. He knelt down to join Mabel. Her brother was acting odd today. He had never brought up the Mystery Shack for years, and yet now he was determined to go back. But she didn't mind this; this was an improvement, being out with him, than those days he spent in his room. And she was taking in these developments enthusiatically. She was going to make sure they are going to have the funnest time in the world, or her name is not Mabel Pines!
"We're not staying here, are we?" Mabel said cheerily. "C'mon, let's go through the rabbit hole!"
And she flattened herself on the forest floor and began to wriggle through. A minute later, she was on the other side, getting to her feet and dusting dirt away from her clothes. She was followed by Dipper, and then by a grumbling Faith.
"This is not right," Faith said in a low voice. "We need to go back, now."
And she may have a point, as Mabel craned her neck to take in the surroundings.
Their great-uncle's roadside attraction was slowly crumbling to dust. Ivy had already crept in on its walls. Windows were shattered, while others were missing their panes. It looked forlorn and desolate, with that air of a spooky haunted house. The "S" that was part of the board that spelled MYSTERY SHACK was still down, and was already joined by the letters "M" and "K", their paint worn and peeling. A wave of sadness washed over her, extinguishing the renewed enthusiasm.
"No wonder people hate to be here. It's already giving me the creeps. Maybe we need to go back, Dip chip. Dipper?"
But Dipper was squinting at the far end that leads to the back of the Shack.
"There's someone there," he muttered. He suddenly dashed away, towards to the source of the movement.
"PINES!" Faith screamed. "PINES, WE'D GET IN- MABEL, NO!"
But Mabel ran too, heading to the other side. She knew that the intruder would go round the back of the Shack, and she's going to head him... or her off. She rounded the corner as fast as her feet could carry her and shot straight towards the stranger, who was running while looking behind him. Heavy footsteps pounded on the ground, announcing Dipper's arrival. Desperate, the stranger tried to climb on the roof.
"Oh no you don't, you chubchub man!"
Mabel launched herself at the intruder, just as Dipper dived towards them. There was an explosion of pain and a tangle of bodies as they landed on the dirt with sickening thud.
Groaning, Dipper pushed himself up, rubbing his back. Beside him, Mabel was stirring, too. They looked at each other.
"YES!" They screeched in unison, exhilarated.
Instinctively, Mabel raised her hand for a high-five, but saw that Dipper was already prodding their victim, who was lying facedown, with his toe.
"I think we might have knocked him out, you know," he was saying. "We brought him down hard."
"Yeah, that's right," Mabel replied, forcing a smile as she brought the hand to her hair to cover the sticky moment. "We were like football players!" She laughed nervously, as her brain shrieked indignantly at her. Wrong timing.. wrong, wrong, WRONG.
The stranger moaned. "Alright, dudes, you got me. Oow... everything hurts."
Dipper and Mabel froze. Their eyes widened. That voice... but... no...
Faith finally caught up with them, clutching a stitch at her side, wheezing.
"What the- who-how-?"
But they weren't listening, too mesmerized at the man, who was now getting up to his feet and glimpsed at the ones who tackled him.
"Teenagers? Man, you know some pretty cool moves! You guys are some kind of like... secret agents or something? I know, that weird hairy Ninja guy trained you, didn't he?"
"Soos?" Dipper and blankly. "Soos is that really.. really you?"
Soos' eyebrows creased as he studied the twins. Then he leaned over and whispered, "dudes, know this might be awkward, but I think I've seen you before. Wait, wait, lemme guess! Uh.."
"Dipper and Mabel?" Mabel suggested, smirking. Soos clicked his fingers.
"Dipper and Mabel!" He said proudly. "So did you guys-wait... Dipper and Mabel?! PINES?!"
He peered at them in disbelief. The twins draw themselves to full height, grinning.
"Welp, time to faint, dawg," Soos declared, and he crashed to the ground again, unconscious, while Dipper and Mabel laughed at Faith's confused expression. And though it may be very brief, Mabel was glad that it was like those good old times, when they were carefree, with Soos, the handyman.
AN: Hmmmmm, well, I'm thinking, I'll use private messaging to give a reply to your reviews.. Would that be okay? I really want to interact more with you guys!
