The Cipher Fighters
Chapter 2:
Dipper was still taking a nap up in the attic, while Mabel hung out with Pacifica downstairs. Eventually, it was dinner time. The group gathered around the table, except for Ford.
" Where's Great Uncle Ford," Dipper asked, now feeling better.
" Heck if I know," Stan replied. " Must've fallen asleep at his desk, again. I'll go get him."
Stan left the room and went into the basement. His eyes widened. Ford was on the floor, curled up in a fetal position and mumbling things to himself. The scientist's eyes were squeezed shut. Stan slowly approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder, earning a jolt from his brother. Ford screamed as he sat up then let out some air when he realized it was just his twin.
" Ford, are you okay," Stan asked.
" I'm fine," Ford retorted. " Just a random headache and chills. Must be coming down with the summer cold."
" Dipper was like that a few hours ago," Stan uttered. " He's fine now."
" Hmm…," Ford raised an eyebrow. " May I please have a word with him?"
" Knock yourself out, Knucklehead," Stan responded then climbed upstairs.
A few minutes later, Dipper entered the lab and walked over to Ford, who was now reclining back in his chair. His head was propped up with a pillow and he had a blanket draped over his lap.
" Grunkle Stan said you needed to talk to me," Dipper said. " What's up?"
" Dipper, when you got those headaches and that fever, did you hear something call your name prior," Ford questioned, earning a nod from Dipper. " The same thing just recently happened to me. I think it's time to show you what I've been working on."
" What's wrong," Dipper asked.
" Bill," Ford spat. " I have a feeling he is going to wreak havoc on Gravity Falls soon and we need to be ready ahead of time in order to defeat him."
" I'll go rally the troops," Dipper uttered as he went to turn around.
" Not yet," Ford grunted. " Not right now. Tomorrow. We need to find the symbols on the Cipher Wheel first."
" Okay," Dipper raised an eyebrow then shrugged. " How do we find them?"
" Going based on the markings on their clothing, a trait, or some sort of possession," Ford uttered. " For example, you are obviously the pine tree, I'm the six fingers, Soos is the question mark, and my brother is the symbol for the maceral. Have no idea who the others are. Let's see, we have the ice bag, the llama, the wiccan star, the glasses, the shooting star, and the heart with the stitches."
" Bill called Mabel Shooting Star, once," Dipper stated.
" That still leaves the ice bag, llama, wiccan star, glasses, and heart with stitches," Ford blurted out. " But we'll worry about that later. Right now, it's time to show you my project.
Ford shifted up to his feet then walked over to a large object with a tarp over it. He grabbed the ends of it and yanked it off. Dipper gasped as he stared at the new invention. Ford walked over to a panel and began pressing buttons. The machine whirred and began popping out missiles, ready for launch. A satellite popped up at the top of the machine and began rotating. Next, a laser gun popped out in front of the machine, followed by ten hand scanners, seats, and cup holders.
" Whoa," Dipper mumbled, eyes widening.
" This device is designed to battle the elements that come from the nightmare realm," Ford stated as he paced around it. " It is bomb proof, fire proof, protects its users from possession and mind tricks, and it is also spell proof. Oh, and it can't destroy things in our world, so no clean up to worry about, except for the remains of the demons from Bill's dimension."
"Cool," Dipper whispered then raised his voice. " How long have you been working on this?"
" Since I discovered Bill's plans," Ford retorted. " Anyway, just have to make a few more adjustments and it's ready for battle. Oh, and we have to gather everybody from the wheel. Without it, the machine won't work."
" Why did you design it like that," Dipper asked.
" Because, they are all needed to defeat Bill," Ford answered. " And yes, the machine can detect who is whom via hand scan. It is designed to reject those who are not part of the wheel. Apparently, we give off some sort of energy signature that only the ten of us have."
" Oh," Dipper uttered.
" Now, you better get off to bed," Ford patted Dipper on the head. " We've got a big day tomorrow and you need your rest."
" Alright," Dipper shrugged then began walking toward the elevator. " Goodnight, Great Uncle Ford."