"So.. How we doin' this?" I tried asking the twins.
We looked over in front of us. It was an artificial tree made of metal. Which apparently was the spot where Dipper found the Journal 3. He wanted to find out the number one mystery of Gravity Falls, the author of the journals.
He explains that he disappeared 30 years ago, then two days ago- the accident with the zombies, he figured out that the book contained invisible ink. Honestly, I could have guessed that. And now... We were standing at a tree, which below it was the bunker supposedly.
With no other clues, we were hard stuck in front of the tree, trying to find out how to open it.
"Chop it down, dudes!" A voice said with the sound of a bike bell ringing. We turned around to find Wendy.
"Sup!" I greet with a smile.
Mabel looks at her with a surprised expression, "Wendy!"
"Oh, hey!" Dipper waves, "You came." He said trying to sound calm. Now that I think about it-.. We didn't actually get to hang out with Wendy much.
"Of course dude, I'm so stoked about this. I've been wanting to go adventuring with you guys." She gets off her bike putting it beside a tree. She takes off her bike helmet and puts on her lumberjack hat. "Thanks for the invite man!" She starts walking off to the tree, not waiting for their response.
I look at Dipper, he had an awkward smile, "Of course, anytime you wanna.. I, we're always..." He says extremely flusteredly.
I laugh lightly at his reaction, "Nice one Dip." I said passing him and walking over to Soos- who was trying to drill the tree. Wendy was looking over the tree, trying to find something else. "I don't think that's gonna work, Soos."
"Don't worry I got this dude." He says laser-focused at using the hand drill.
I examine the tree myself, there was a small machine inside the tree, which I assume was where Dipper flicked a switch and got the Journal 3. It seems that it doesn't have any more power and is already broken. Probably because he left it open.
I tapped the tree, yep.. metal. I look above me, in some parts of the tree, the paint was ruined which showed the metal behind the paint.
I look at Wendy, she seems to be also looking above. "Is it just me or does that look like a lever?" She points at one of the branches.
The base of the branch was the most obvious part, it showed metal. "Seems like it," I reply.
The twins walked up to us, "But.. how do we get up there?" Dipper asks, trying to think of an idea. "Maybe a ladder?"
I look back at the lever, I could go levitate in.. but I don't want them to find that out yet. I shake my head clearing my thoughts, I look back at them, Dipper was still thinking of ideas. Wendy.. was somewhere.
I look back at the tree, she was already climbing, "Oh." Was all I could say, we all turn to her almost at the lever. She was using her belt which surrounded the tree to climb up. God she's an absolute badass.
She stops just below it and she ties the belt on her back to keep her from falling off. She takes her axe and in one swing- the branch switched. "Boosh!" She said making the sound effect.
We all stare at her in awe.
"Oh yeah, my dad used to make me compete in these lumberjack games when I was a kid. Guess I kinda ruled at it."
Before she could go down, the tree started to shake. She screams and falls on one of the bushes. The tree then started to descent to the ground. We help Wendy up so she doesn't fall in the hole. It soon stops and the sound of pistons could be heard as wooden stairs start to pop up which leads downstairs. "Quite cryptic. I like it," I comment.
"Well, this is it.. What happens down there we tell no one," Dipper says as we all agree. Nodding and giving a thumbs up. With that, we started to head down. He takes the lantern as he leads us downstairs. The steps didn't last long as we reached the bottom quickly.
We soon entered one of the rooms. We all responded in amazement.
"Woah.."
"Cool!"
We looked around the bunker, there seems to be a lot of food. The boxes were arranged with dates from every five years. There were pipes hanging from the ceiling with some low-hanging lights.
Wendy approaches a plate on the wall that says 'WARNING FALLOUT SHELTER' She takes it, "This is going over my bed."
Mabel looks at a barrel and dips her face in. I tried warning her, "I don't think that's a good idea..."
She turns her head to me and laughs, "My face feels fuzzy."
"Caterpillars? Why is that there? How are those still alive.." I questioned, doesn't make much sense really...
"This is incredible! It's like he was preparing for a disaster. But what kinda disaster would need supplies for over sixty years?"
Would Bill be a disaster? That's why the author made so much preparations? Even in the Journal, it said that he's a dangerous demon... Sometimes I forget that there could be consequences into talking with a Cipher.
"Wait a minute.." Wendy speaks up, she approaches a map of Gravity Falls, with the top being taped to the wall. She takes it off to reveal a circular door with a wheel in front to open- which I forgot what kind of door. It read out, CAUTION STAY OUT.
The height was small, which you can't stand inside. The only way inside is by crawling. I went first, with Mabel being last- for several reasons.
At the end of the tunnel was a room. We entered and examined the room. There were symbols in random spots of the room- from the floor, walls, and to the ceiling. Across the room was the only door out, which was locked.
Mabel accidentally pushes Dipper into one of the tiles with a symbol in it, it gets pushed in and sounds of gears could be heard. Before we could react the symbols turned red and soon enough some of the tiles from all angles started to extrude towards us.
We all look to Dipper, for hopes in getting out. He turns to us with his book in hand. "Find these four symbols! Quick step on one!" With quick thinking, we all started to look for one and we hit all four. We look over to the door which started opening.
Without a second thought, we all run to the exit, while Dipper's vest getting caught up in the door. We all fall in the floor with a thud.
"That was nuts!" Wendy says pumping her hands up.
"That was close," I point out, still on the floor.
We all stood up and dusted ourselves, "You ruled back there," Wendy compliments Dipper. He laughs nervously while thanking her.
They all started joking and fooling around, I chuckle at their behavior before looking over to the room, it seemed like we were in some security room. There was a control panel with screens in them, with a few buttons without labels. I considered pressing some of those red buttons.. almost.
The room was separated into two rooms with a wall that stopped in the middle. On the right was the security room and to the left which was divided by a wall- was a table with a small cabinet beside it.
There was a lock that seemed to be busted. I opened the compartment, there wasn't much, except for a box. With a note that said- 'Don't throw away.' with a circle.
Curiosity filled my mind and I opened the box. I was surprised to see only a piece of paper, I turned it over on different sides. There wasn't anything written. It seems kinda important, but there's nothing here...
I looked over at the box, there wasn't anything else. "Well-.. Maybe it has invisible ink, in it. I'll check it out later, probably," I said taking mental notes. I put the paper in my phone case, so I wouldn't lose it.
"Hello!" Mabel says from behind me, appearing out of nowhere.
"AH!" I screamed, holding my racing heart. I stare at her and sigh, "Was that necessary?"
She giggles, "Sorry 'bout that!" She apologies.
I put my hand on her cheeks, squeezing them lightly. "It feels like you aren't really sorry."
"I'mmm sowwy," she tries to say. I chuckle, letting my serious face melt into a happier one. I let go to let her speak properly.
"So, what's wrong?"
"Nothing much just wanted to catch up with you," she replies with a bright smile.
"Sure," I said, putting all my attention on her. I look at her as my eyes fall into one place, "I see you're still wearing the ring I gave you, and the necklace," It was both subtle, which wasn't visible much. It was good... I wouldn't want anyone getting the wrong idea.
She tenses up for a moment before replying, "Y-Yeah, thanks.." She says awkwardly.
"It looks cute on you," I blurted out accidentally. Smooth Will- Smooth... Way to make it more awkward.
Her ears started to go red, "T-Thanks..." She mutters. She shakes her head, "Gah! Stop teasing me!" She yells getting her confidence back as she started pouting. "I wanted to say- do you want to hang out, somewhere like the mall."
"With the others?"
"N-no! I mean just- uh- us."
Before I could responds Soos comes to check on us, "Dudes! I think Mabel and Wendy are gone," he says while wearing a lab coat. Where'd he get that?
"What?" I asked as we went back to the other room. "Where did they go?"
"Well.. I might have locked them in that closet over there," Mabel admits, pointing at the end of the room.
I look at the closet, that they were talking about. It was metal, there was a button at the side- I pushed it hoping that it would open the door... and it did. There were also some writings on the side. "I'm pretty sure this isn't a closet.." I said looking back at them, "It says- 'decontamination room'."
"Experiment number 210: the shapeshifter," Mabel says, as she reads something from the table.
Soos speaks up, "Didn't they say something about a monster earlier..?"
They both gasp in realization, "Dipper!" Mabel yells as she looks back at the closet.
I facepalm, "Damn.. There's already a lot of things that happened, while I was gone," I muttered to myself. "Anyways, let's go find them."
It didn't take long to get to the other side, the decontamination room was big enough for the three of us. On the other side, looked somewhat like a sci-fi movie. There were huge pipes that decorated the ceiling which connected to some tubes- that could fit a human. Kinda like where you experiment on some stuff.
There was a cage on the right side of the room. Which was busted open. "I got a bad feeling about this.."
There were holes everywhere, something made them.. it keeps giving me some unsettling vibes. We could barely see anything either.
Soos squints his eyes trying to look around, "It's so dark- How will we ever find them?"
"I have a-" Before I could reply, Mabel, cuts me off.
She stands in front with a proud pose, "Leave that to Mabel!" She clicks her sweater which was a light bulb, and it lights up the room in front of us.
Soos looks in awe, "Whoa, rad! Although, isn't electric clothing kinda like a fire hazard?" He asked, concerned.
"If Soos, says it.. I feel like that's dangerous," I say agreeing with him.
"Psh, Of course not. It's a fun hazard. Now let me light the way!" Before I could respond she runs off into one of the tunnel, Soos follows after her.
I sigh, pulling out a flashlight. This time I learned from my last adventure to be prepared. Let's just hope we're not too late...
I quickly follow after them, scared of losing them in this maze of a tunnel. We were walking around trying to find them for a few minutes. Until we bump into them- like literally bumped into them. All of us fall to the floor.
"Oh hey, guys!" I start as we got up.
"Dudes!"
"Dipper- Wendy!"
Dipper looks at us surprised, "Mabel! Will! Soos!-" He starts backing off with Wendy behind him, "Wait.. How do we know they're not the shapeshifter?"
"I'll tell Wendy your secrets," I say looking at him with a blank face.
"Okay.. Maybe not." He says trying to change the subject, "Oh my gosh, Wendy, you're bleeding!"
"What exactly happened?" I asked still confused.
"We got attacked by the shapeshifter." She rips out a part of her sleeve and put it on her leg,"He broke out of his cage, pretended to be the author, and wants Dipper's journal."
They thought he was the author? Maybe I should have told them the truth... Well too late for that now.
"Imagine if he escapes to the town! He can transform into anything! We could never trust anyone ever again!" Dipper says with panic in his voice.
"Well, he took us into his home, tricked us, and tried to destroy us. I say we return the favor." Wendy says with a serious face.
...
William
It didn't take us long to find the monster again, though not really 'we', cause I'm the one who found him because I'm the 'bait'...
I found him in the main room, probably waiting for us to leave. He has the appearance of an old man with goggles. With all my confidence I screamed, "Hey ugly!"
He looks at me, looking a bit mad. It soon turned into a face of fear, "W-Who are you kid?!" He screams.
"You don't need to know that-.." Before I could finish my sentence, he starts running off. "What the f-! Wait-" I look on the ground to find a can. I picked it up and threw it towards him. I knew I had good aim- but I actually hit him straight in the head.
He stops and looks back at me, "You may be like him, but good thing you aren't!" He turns back to his other form- which was a white- thing creature it was hard to describe- but it had six legs and two red big eyes and a white body, he starts chasing me this time.
Before I could process what he said, I turned around to run without hesitation. I ran back to the tunnels to meet up with the others, I looked back for a moment- and yep he's still there... Hopefully, they got the last part covered...!
I ran and ran, keeping up the pace as to not die. As I turn the corner I see them, near the pipes- holding the valve. I yell at them, "He's here! Do it now!"
They turn the valve, which didn't do anything. I turn around with the monster closing in, it didn't have time to react as I kick it in the face- knocking it back a few feet, before it got knocked back it scratched me in my shoulder with its large sharp arm. I help them in the valve, while Wendy goes to the monster with her axe in hand.
"It might be jammed!" I yelled, with a strong pull- ignoring the pain, both Soos and I managed to turn it on. Which quickly flooded the entire area. With my remaining strength I hold on to the valve, while the others gets pushed back. I got on my feet and turned it off.
I fall with my back on the ground, still exhausted. I turn my head towards the others as Dipper starts to get up. He takes the axe that was on the ground, "Wendy!" He yells as he starts to run back, trying to find Wendy.
"You dudes okay?" Soos asked getting up.
"Yep.. Still good." Mabel replies. I put my right arm up giving a thumbs up, while still on the ground.
This was just honestly too exhausting. "You guys go ahead and help Dipper. I'll just lay here for a bit."
"Okay! Just wait here!" Mabel replies as they both started to run, heading in Dipper's direction.
I look at the scratch it gave me, the wound wasn't that big enough to be fatal, but it still did hurt. "Great... My jacket is ruined now." I took a deep breath as the pain started to disappear.
I lay there for about a minute, waiting for my energy to get back. As soon as I had the strength, I got up and walked towards the others.
As I got close to them, they were staring at a tube with the Shapeshifter inside, in the form of Dipper. "Creepy..."
...
"So... About earlier." I look at Mabel as she looks at me with a bright smile despite all the things that happened today. It took us a while, but we got out of there as quickly as we can.
"What's up?" I half-heartedly asked, still tired.
"My question earlier.. Was that a yes?"
I was silent for a moment, thinking of what she was referring to. "Uh.. Just us right? Sure. It's a date then," I reply finally remembering what she said.
"I didn't say it was a date..." She shyly whisper to herself, which I could still hear. She shakes her head, trying to gain confidence again. "Yay! I'll see you then!" She says in a victorious tone.
"When is it exactly?" I asked, she didn't really say anything about that.
She puts her hand on her chin. "I haven't plan that far.." She mutters, "Maybe sometime this week, when there's free time." She shrugs, which I lightly laugh at. We seem to be rather closer than before, with less awkward moments.
"Sure, we could perhaps watch some movie," I suggest to her which she seems to agree to as well. "Pretty sure Wendy and Dipper watched a movie yesterday at her house."
"You're crazy making a lot of plans!" She giggles, trying to push me lightly in a joking manner. "Well, you better make some time then!"
"Don't worry, I got loaaads of time than you can imagine," I said with a grin, I mean I wasn't lying, I literally have a lot of free time, I swear I could die of boredom if it wasn't for them making each day entertaining.
Before she could make a witty comment, Wendy approached us and hits me in the shoulder lightly, "I'll see you later Will," She ruffles Mabel's hair, "You too Mabel."
"Goodbye, Wendy!" Mabel says with a wave, before turning to Dipper, who was sitting in one of the fallen logs and she approaches him.
Wendy turns to Soos, "You too Soos."
"See you dude!" He replies back. He also walks back to the twins.
I look at Wendy, "So.. What did you talk about with Dipper?"
"Nothing much, just talking about some movie night," Wendy says as she takes her bike, putting it in front of her. Honestly.. She feels like a sister- that I never had and she's as chill as me.
"So you probably, know how he has a huge crush on you?"
She shrugs, "Yup. I mean I already knew from before, but yeah we talked about it. So I don't think he'll be more awkward with me. How 'bout you? Looks like someone has a crush on you too."
My face heats up a bit from her comment, "W-What.. I don't think it's anything like that.. yet," She laughs at my reaction while putting on her helmet.
"You look cute together, try not to mess that up." She hops on her bike, "I'll see you guys later, I have to go back home first!"
"Okay, Byeee!" I waved goodbye, before looking back at the others.
"Well.. time to go back."
...
Chapter End