Opening File: Lady Gobbler

Pachita Aves, better known Grandmami Aves is the grandmother of Zoe Aves, and mother of Carmelita Aves. Unknown to everyone else, she is the supervillain, Lady Gobbler. Years ago, Lady Gobbler was originally engaged to Puma Loco but on their wedding day, he left her at the altar for his future wife, and Rodolfo's mother, Dora. This act would not be forgotten or forgiven, as she continues to strive for his demise.

Lady Gobbler functions as the head of the Flock of Fury, being the oldest member, as well as the mother of Voltura and Grandmother of Black Cuervo, respectively. She's a conniving old woman with plenty of tricks up her sleeve. Gobbler is a fearsome fighter despite her age, as she's able to hold her own against heroes and other villains alike. Pachita would eventually meet a con artist who rolled through town and cost her a truck full of priceless jewelry.

She would try to track down the foolish man who cost her a fortune, chasing him all around Miracle City with both catching the eyes of the law. Both would end up working together to escape and as punishment Pachita forced the man, Stan Pines to be her servant and help her with another robbery to gain twice as much wealth. Stan agreed with the intention of double crossing her while she planned to do the same.

Both would try to outsmart the other in a ridiculous game of cat and mouse, bordering on pure insanity which led to both almost falling into the volcano…

And in the heat of it all their competing they somehow miraculously started a relationship that went on for a few months before Stan received a call from his brother in a town called Gravity Falls.

That would be the last time Pachita would hear from Stan Pines…

Until now.

Close File

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Opening File: Commander Shen

Shen is a Jackal Mobian who represents the Gaia Union, he was present when Gantu and his officers of the United Stellar Alliance apprehended several Gems and two humans. He came to the Crystal Gems' aid when he heard their name and offered to speak with them on his behalf.

Close File

Xxx

"We all go through life having more than one surprise. It's impossible not be surprised once in a while. It can be a surprise party on your birthday or the kind of surprise that shakes the very foundation of your entire world. No matter where you go in life or what you do there is always a surprise around the corner so whatever you do…Don't be too surprised." TOM chuckled as the file closed.

Xxx

Steven, Connie and the Gems were led into a luxurious room with Shen stopping at the door. "I will be a minute. We have a Gem battlecruiser to deal with."

He left and closed the door but the Gems were already focused on Steven, hugging him tightly. Everyone started crying in joy and relief, and they embraced one another. Eventually everyone calmed down, sitting down a comfy couch and staring out the viewport into deep space.

"... How come nobody told me about Pink Diamond?" Steven finally asked the question everyone had been waiting for.

Garnet glanced away. "We all did what we had to during the war. Everything's different now."

"But did Mom really do it? Did she really... shatter her?" Steven asked, looking at Garnet.

"She had to. The Earth belonged to Pink Diamond. Destroying her was the only way to save the planet. For Amethyst to be herself, for Pearl to be free, for me to be together." Garnet held up her hand, looking at the gemstone. "For you to exist."

"But I thought... A-At least she'd never..." Steven trailed off.

"She didn't always do what was best for her. But she always did what was best for Earth." Garnet stated.

"Even if it meant shattering someone..." Steven questioned.

"Yes."

Steven sighed deeply. "... Thanks for telling me…Where's Peridot?"

"I bubbled her and sent her to the temple before we escaped the outpost." Pearl answered. "I think she should remain there for now."

Connie frowned when she heard that. "And me?"

Pearl glanced away.

"Figures." Connie closed her eyes. "You never had any intention of letting me and Peridot go, did you? As soon as we stop the Cluster you'll just lock me up in your base too, won't you?"

"And what's the alternative? Let you run back to Homeworld to tell the Diamonds about us." Pearl retorted.

"I can't believe I thought you'd actually be as honorable enough to not turn on us the second you had a chance." Connie turned her back to the Crystal Gems. "All your talk of free will and choice might as well be a sham."

Pearl was about to say something but Steven stopped her. "We'll let Peridot out when we get back."

"Steven-" Pearl protested.

"Connie and Peridot risked their lives to help us find out where the Cluster is and Connie could have died with me in space. They deserve to go free, even if it means going back to Homeworld." Steven stated, staring back at Pearl. "We're not going to keep them prisoner after all they've done to help us."

"Dude, did you forget they tried to kill us?" Amethyst pointed out.

Connie scoffed. "If we tried to kill you, you wouldn't be here right now. You were captured alive."

"And probably on our way to be shattered if we didn't crash your ship." Amethyst retorted.

Connie narrowed her eyes as she spun around, glaring at Amethyst who glared back.

Luckily Garnet stepped in. "We will still need Peridot to help with the drill. Despite our reservations we cannot hold them against their will. This is not the Rebellion."

"But what if Homeworld sends an invasion fleet when they find out the Cluster failed?" Pearl asked.

"I doubt the Gems will have much time to care." The group looked at the door, watching as Shen re-entered. "In fact, I believe they are too busy to deal with a failed colony and a small band of rebels."

"What do you mean?" Steven asked.

"A few cycles ago the Gem Homeworld, in fact the entire Gem Empire fell under attack." Shen answered, surprising the Crystal Gems and their human charges. "An unknown virus crippled their network and a large number of pirates, mercenaries and hostile forces attacked their colonies. There is even rumor that they managed to infiltrate Homeworld and attempted to assassinate the Diamonds themselves."

"What?!" Pearl and Connie exclaimed at the same time.

Shen nodded. "It was confirmed by our Intel. The Gem Empire has fortified its borders, both in Gem's home galaxy and in other galaxies where they have established territory and have been fighting off insurgences by rogue factions. There is no shortage of people in the universe who have a grudge against the Gems."

The Crystal Gems along with Steven and Connie were silent as they took in what they had just heard.

"No one's ever managed to attack Homeworld before." Pearl whispered. "Who could have done it?"

"We are not sure yet but our intel points to an alliance involving the Plutarkian Confederation and the Glorft." Shen answered. "The Plutarkians have competed with the Gems for resources in this galaxies for centuries and the Glorft had harbored a grudge since the Empire colonized their home planet. We know both were involved in the attack but we do not know exactly who organized the entire raid. We do suspect that the Plutarkian who helped coordinate the attack was originally based on Earth by the name of Lawrence Limburger."

"I know him." Pearl narrowed her eyes. "He put out a hit Peridot and Connie."

"Unfortunately he is no longer on Earth following the loss of the Confederation's leadership so we can only suspect he has returned to Plutark to take over." Shen continued. "Unfortunately this could lead a new Plutarkian threat to Earth and the Gaia Union."

"Uh, Mr. Shen?" Steven waved a hand. "Can you tell us what exactly the Gaia Union is? Because you look just like a Mobian."

Shen smiled. "I believe it's because I might be a Mobian, descendent from Earth."

This surprised Steven and the others again. "Really? But how?"

"I suppose it starts back to when the Gem Empire occupied most of Earth before the war. Gems were abducting people from their homes but our ancestors did not go quietly. Inspired by the Crystal Gems they fought back, mutinying against the Gem ships that were taking them away and caused them to crash land on planets in a distant part of the galaxy. Slowly understanding the technologies from the Gem ships and the relics of that era brought with us it helped us advance further than we would have if we had been left on our own." Shen started to explain. "Some grew and advanced becoming a thriving civilization that eventually took to the stars. While some explored and tried to reconnect with the other worlds that had been populated, others cut off all contact to pursue a policy of isolation or some simply did not develop as fast as the others for one reason or another. When the people of Freleng, the planet that would become the capital of the Gaia Union first reached space we met with the United Stellar Alliance, an alliance of dozens of worlds that came together for mutual protection from the Gems and other hostile forces and they welcome us into the galactic community. We were able to trace our origins back to Earth through ancient maps recovered the crash sites of the Gem ships and saw it had not become a colony like most other worlds the Gems invade."

Connie fidgeted in her seat which Shen noticed. "You are a human from the Gem Empire."

"Yeah." Connie slowly nodded.

"I see the Empire has found a use for organics." Shen noted.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Connie glared.

"It means what I said. We all thought that the organics captured by the Empire would have been used as slave labor or placed in some kind of space zoo." Shen stated.

"We're not raised in a zoo and we're not slaves." Connie said coldly.

"Noted." Shen nodded before continuing. "Since our joining with the Stellar Alliance we have followed the same protocols for peaceful contact. We have worked hard to remember our history and find the planet of our ancestors and during that time we discovered a colony of Mobians on the planet Mars that had unfortunately been strip-mined by the Plutarkians."

"People used to live on Mars?!" Steven exclaimed.

"Still do from what I last checked. Despite the planet losing most of its resources the people there still live but in harsh times. They are not really open to talking with outsiders at the moment but we know they have operatives on Earth who would likely wish to know about the location of Mr. Limburger but that is for another time." Shen stated. "After long periods of survival we chose to open up to the galaxy and make an offer of friendship to anyone willing, even our cousins on Earth."

"Wait. You've made contact with Earth?" Pearl cut in.

"Just the leaders we found suitable to contact and offered our help with the Grimm." Shen answered. "I believe you know one of them: Phil Ken Sebben."

The Gems and Steven were again surprised.

Sebben had been in contact with people from other planets?!

"We offered assistance against the Grimm and to help give its people a fighting chance." Shen continued. "But that's not even the beginning. We are also hoping to find a way to stop the Gem Empire from colonizing other planets the way they have."

"Really?" Steven asked.

Shen nodded. "If a handful of Gems were able to rebel and put aside their past feud like the Crystal Gems have there is hope the Gems of the Empire can be persuaded."

"That's impossible. The Diamonds would never allow it." Pearl protested.

"I am sure before your Rebellion no one thought a Gem could rebel against her Diamond." Shen softly rebuked.

Pearl looked ready to say something…but then covered her mouth with her hands.

"So far our technology is on below the level of the Gem Empire but we have access to mech technology and advanced genetic engineering for medical purposes." Shen continued. "An all-out war with the Gem Empire is out of the question so we must work on trying to find a way to make peace with them."

Steven was silent as he considered what Shen was saying.

Pearl and Garnet didn't seem to believe peace was possible.

His own mother shattered one of their leaders instead of trying to make peace.

Or did she try peace first and only resorted to shattering when she had no choice?

Trying to make peace is preferable to war.

Could it be done?

Steven glanced at Connie who noticed him staring at her and stared back with a confused look on her face.

Steven looked away and sighed.

They were both human but had been raised differently.

Steven had been raised by the Crystal Gems to rebel against Homeworld's authority.

Connie had been raised to respect Homeworld and to see the Crystal Gems as a band of rebels, thugs and murderers.

If his mom couldn't make peace with the Diamonds than what chance did he have?

Xxx

"STANLEY PINES!"

Stan ducked under the table, falling back on some very old habits. "No Stan here! But if you see him give him one for me! That guy owes me a lot of money!"

The table was kicked over and he looked up to see an elderly woman staring at him with very angry eyes.

Eyes Stan Pines immediately recognized. "Pachita?!"

"So this is my dad?"

DAD?!

"Si. Say to hi to your abuelo, Zoey."

Wait…

Did abuelo mean…

GRANDPA?!

Stan Pines promptly fainted right on the spot.

"Oh no you don't!"

WHACK!

"Ow!"

"Get up you greedy idiot and take it like a man!"

Stan sat up, looking directly into the face of a woman he had not seen for nearly thirty years and had only one thing to say. "Geez, the years have not been kind to you, Pachita."

WHACK!

"OW!"

"You're no prize yourself anymore, Pines!" Pachita Aves growled, aiming her cane at Stan's face. "And you have a lot of nerve not actually being dead!"

Stan suddenly paled. "W-Wait! How'd you know I'm not dead?!"

Pachita held up her tablet, showing the recording of him and the kids when they took back the Mystery Shack after Gideon was arrested. "You never could resist the spotlight and don't say you are your twin brother. I could see that look in your eyes, the look of a conman tricking everyone around him."

Stan was about to say something but stopped when he saw the young woman behind Pachita and the two girls. "So…are they…"

"Your daughter and granddaughters." Pachita answered, seemingly calming down. "Carmelita Aves."

Carmelita remained silent, staring down at the man who was apparently her father who she had never met.

"And your granddaughters, Zoe and Frida."

Stan stood up and looked down at the two kids. "Uh…I might not be the best with knowing how kids are supposed to look and all but one of them…"

"Frida is adopted." Pachita stated.

"Oh okay." Stan now understood. "Well, I can see the other takes after her grandma."

"My name is Zoe." The black haired girl stated stoically.

Stan shrugged. "Sure."

Boy was this awkward.

The mere idea of having a daughter, let alone two granddaughters even if one was adopted was more than enough to give Stan a heart attack.

"As for why we are here." Pachita narrowed her eyes. "Something about you faking your death and me not seeing or hearing from you after that."

Stan raised both hands, knowing how dangerous Pachita Aves got when she was made. "Look, it wasn't a spur of the moment decision. I needed to make everyone think I was dead for…special reasons. I mean, if I knew you had a kid along the way I'd have at least tried to send a message."

"Hmph." Pachita was not buying it. "Sure you would."

"Really I would have." Stan stated, getting a little annoyed now. "Look you might not think much of me but family is important to me. I had to go find my brother when he called me."

"And I assume he is the one who is actually dead." Pachita scoffed.

"He's not dead. He's…" Stan sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. "It's a very long story and I had to make sure no one found out."

"And what is bad about this secret?"

Xxx

"THIS IS THE BIG SECRET?!"

Stan stifled a snicker at the shocked look on his former flame's face along with the shocked looks on the rest of her family upon seeing the dimensional gateway in the basement.

Quickly wiping the smile off his face Stan nodded. "Yeah. I've just started to get it to work again and I need to finish it to save him. I am not going to stop until this machine is up and running again."

The Aves family was silent as they took in what Stan had told them about the machine and the person he was trying to save.

"Look, Pachita. I don't expect forgiveness. I gave up on that a long time ago." Stan fell to his knees. "But please, if you plan to kill me for not being there for you when you had a kid and when your kid had kids can you please wait until this is over."

Pachita stared at the man who abandoned her.

Left her to raise a child on her own even if both didn't know it at the time.

Faked his death for thirty years.

And was now begging her to hold off until…

She sighed. "As much as you deserve a beating I cannot fault you this time."

"You can't?" Stan looked hopeful.

"We Aves are villains but we know the importance of family." Pachita said, sharing a smile with her daughter and granddaughters. "So I understand now why you left-"

POW!

"OW!"

"But you still owe your family some form of recompense." Pachita said after having slugged Stan in the face.

"That fair." Stan rubbed his face, flinching from the stinging sensation. "So, do you plan on leaving?"

"That depends. Children?" Pachita looked to Frida and Zoe.

Both girls shared a look and then looked at Stan, curious and honestly the point of coming here was to get to know the grandfather they had never met before.

"We would like to stay." Both girls said.

"Very well." Pachita turned back to Stan. "Better get some extra beds out, Stan. Time to get to know your grandchildren. Carmelita and I will find better…accommodations."

"Well, how do they feel about bunking with their cousins?"

"Cousins?"

Xxx

"WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

Mabel was having the time of her life as she and Dipper sat in Grunkle Stan's car that was being flown back to Gravity Falls, courtesy of Double D and Armatae.

"Mabel could you please calm down?" Dipper said, having to stop Mabel from opening the window and sticking her head out.

You can just stick your head out the window while traveling high above the clouds.

This wasn't a cartoon, you know.

"Yes, please. Calm down." Double D spoke through the speakers. "We'll be back at Gravity Falls within the hour. Can you please control yourself?"

"How can I do that when I am in a flying car?!" Mabel brought her hands to her cheeks. "First I am a princess and now I have a flying carriage! How many dreams will come true for me after this?"

"I hope not for a while. I just want to lie down and do nothing but read from the journal for a while." Dipper sighed, leaning back on the couch.

"Agreed." Double D sighed as well. "It will be difficult enough to explain to Mother and Father what has been happening to-"

ALERT!

"Huh?"

A purple blast shot up in front of the car, stopping it in its 'tracks'.

"Whoa!" Mabel and Dipper hit the dashboard of the car but luckily not hard enough to hurt them.

"What in the world?!" Double D had to shake his head to regain his bearings. "Armatae, what happened?"

Danger

Up came none other than Jasper in her Plasmius form, arms crossed and grinning at the suit of armor carrying the car. "This is what he wants me to kill? Isn't there anything on this planet that's worth my time?"