Disclaimer: I don't own Gravity Falls
AN: For clarity , this is set earlier in the summer than my more recent chapters .
" I know Bud really wants the cash from the tickets , but why doesn't he understand that the Gleefuls coming to this party can literally destroy our lives?" Pacific flopped on his bed .
" He hates them until he can con them out of money . That's how my father works ." Gal scrutinized several bowties . " Mambe a skinny tie would be a better choice for you if you really want to impress Rob…"
" You think so? But what's the point , Gleeful going to ruin it anyways !"
" Probbally ."
" Uhh!"
" Kids!" Bud called with an accent thicker than his daughter's . " I need you to print more flyers !"
" Come on , Patz . You'll worry yourself to death ."
Pacific sat up . " Does he expect us to walk to the copy story ?
"Calendars, mugs, t-shirts and more! They got it all at the copier store!"
"Hi Mel ."
"Hi ! That's not their slogan, I just really feel that way about the copier store."
" Anyways Patz , we have a copy machine in the shack .Maybe it'll distract you from your problem ."
" Doubt it ."
" You didn't mention that the copy machine was thirty years old , Gal ."
She shrugged . " Maybe it'll work ? I mean , there's about half the moths in here than I expected.
" How does it work anyway?" He pushed random buttons while resting his elbow on the scanner .
" Check it out , it's starting to glow green !" The machine then let out a giant poof of black smoke , effectively blinding them . When it had cleared , a sheet of paper slid out .
" Hey , Patz!" She gestured to the print of his arm . " It worked -what?" The paper shriveled up , then formed into a 3D living arm . They both leaped backwards as the arm began to crawl towards them .
" Stay back !" Pacific threw his cup of punch on the arm in panic . The punch dissolved it on contact.
" Do you realize what this means?"
" Yeah...we don't have to walk to the copier store !"
" All right now ." Bud clapped his hands . ' Mel , you are the decided DJ for tonight !"
" You won't regret it , Mr. Pines !"
" Rob , Gala , you'll work the ticket stand ."
" Actually , I was thinking Patz should work at the ticket stand ." She nudged Pacific. " Right ?"
" You do realize that you'll have to commit to working with Rob all night? "
" I'm okay with that !" His voice cracked, causing Gal to snicker .
" Okay then. Let's go , we have a party to prepare !"
Pacific rubbed his neck.
Why is it that I'm fine around everyone else , but when I'm with Rob , I'm a stumbling idiot?
" Hey , Patz ." Pacific jolted at Rob's touch. " Just a heads-up, it looks like the psychotic twins are in line , and they brought company ."
Pacific groaned. " Um , do you mind if I go inside ? Just until they're done buying tickets?"
" Sure , I'll cover for you . "
" Thanks!"He lept up .
" Watch out for Mr. Pines!"
Pacific took the time to get a drink and scan the room . Gal was talking to two other girls who sat on the sidelines , she looked happy.
" Now remember everyone, who ever party-hardies ... what?". Mel squinted at an instructional book . " Um , they win the party crown!" He lifted an ( obviously cheap) crown in the air ." Most applause at the end of the night wins !"
Pacific nearly spat out his drink when he spotted Bud yards away. He slipped away , planning to make his way towards the door when-
" Hey , Northwest!"
Pacific stifled a groan and turned to a smug looking Abel Gleeful with two of his friends by his side. " You know , I wasn't expecting any competition tonight . Maybe you can change that ?"
" Buzz off , Gleeful."
" Whatever you say , Northwest . It's just…" He stroked the party crown . " It gets boring winning without competing . Tonight I wanted to win after I actually went against someone . But hey if you're scared…"
Pacific curled his fists . " You-"
" Pacific!"
Uh oh .
" I told you to stay at the table!"
" I… I was just coming in for a bathroom break . I'll go back out in a second , Uncle Bud !"
" You better." He narrowed his eyes ." Those profits won't be collected themselves." He walked off .
" This isn't over Gleeful!" He called over his shoulder as he ran towards the copy room .
" Good ." Abel snickered . This night is going to be even more interesting than I thought .
Pacific slid onto the scanner , praying it would work. " Come on …"
Even though he had seen it before, seeing his paper copy of himself was still very unnerving.
" So…" They spoken in unison. " Wait, I'll speak first. Alright, let's get down to business! I want to talk to Rob , but Abel ...well , he's weird."
" It would smarter for you to deal with him . If it involves the Gleefuls things can get messy , and I am just made out of paper."
" Right ! Okay , do better with Rob then I did and we'll be fine !" They walked out . " I hope you kill it on the dance floor!"
Pacific pictured Abel's smug expression." Oh ,I will ."
If I'm killing it , he's committing mass murder . Pacific thought . It was true , Abel had both the natural talent and training , and while Pacific was good , it would take a small miracle to win , especially if Abel's town popularity was a factor.
Meanwhile his copy hummed in contentment , even though it was his first real interaction with Rob , his feeling we're just as strong as his original counterpart .
" Hey ,Rob ." Number two turned his head to see a bored looking Wendal leaning against the ticket table.
" Um , Pacific . You don't mind if I hang out with Wendal , right?"
" Of course not , it's only fair ." He said through gritted teeth.
"Thanks alot!" She dragged Wendal inside.
He cursed to himself . Perhaps this calls for another copy…
That stupid , perfect pretty-boy!"
While Pacific was dripping with sweat , Abel was as fresh and in place as when he arrived .
Abel looked over at him and smirked. " I am pretty , aren't I ?" He laughed and spun around.
Right , he can read minds . Suddenly an image flashed before his eyes .
" Oh , Wendal ." Rob sighed. " You may be a moody slacker, but your ability to confidently talk to me and bad boy attitude drives me up the wall!" She was dipped to the floor ." Let's get married ! But first…" She stalked over to Pacific and gave him a harsh slap . " Oh , Wendal ! Take me now !"
Despite the fact he had stopped moving, Pacific had began to sweat twice as much . Many people were staring at him , Abel most of all . No doubt he had seen the whole thing.
" Shimmery Twinkleheart , he's your friend ! There's so many new adventures and friendships juuust around the bend !"
Oh , Crap . That was his cellphone's unfortunate ring tone . He answered before even more people started to stare . " Hello ?"
" Hey , Pacific original ! Here's the deal … Wendal and Rob are hanging out , and I got left with the ticket booth .
" What?"
" But don't worry , I'm taking care of it . Or rather , we're taking care of it ."
" You made more clones ?" He hissed , neglecting to notice that Abel had crept closer ." I'm coming up there, right now !" He clicked his cellphone off.
" Backing out so soon , Patz ?"
" I'm coming back , so stop smirking."
" No , It fine . I mean , I haven't had any time to talk to Gal at all , not even one dance ! " He winked."I believe a break is well overdue. "
Pacific growled , backing away slowly. " Don't try anything funny!"
" Wouldn't dream of it !" He waved .I am so going to take advantage of that copy machine .
Pacific burst into his room . " What the … how many clones did you make ?"
" Well , uh , I really should have labelled them . But I do know that Three and Four have stolen Wendal's bike.
" And Five and Seven are on the lookout in case he returns !"
" And Six is at the Ticket table !"
" And ... there's also Number Eight . Better known as Paper Jam Pacific .
Pacific turned to stare into the deranged eyes of his copy . " We have played God and this is our punishment." He could only assume Paper Jam Pacific's sad wail meant he agreed.
" Okay gentleman!" Abel clasped his hands . " You know your duties?"
" Very handsome gentlemen." Able number two finger-gunned .
" Yes we are !" Number Three said ethusiasiasticly.
" If we band together, we can drag Gal away to our manor !" Number Four pumped his fist .
" Yeah !" Two and Four made way towards the door.
" No guys!" Abel waved his hands . " We're gentlemen , remember ?"
Able number four growled in response. " Geez , what's his problem?'
" Anyways . Number Two , when Pacific returns , you'll compete against him . Three , since I made a promise to the Dipstick you'll be the lookout for her . "
" Assistant to the creep who wants to find the journals and rummage through Pacific's things , got it !"
" And Four , you'll keep watch over Pacific's copies , 'k ?"
Four crossed his arms ." And you ?"
" I'll hang out with Gal , of course!" He opened the door . " Now , let's party !" He nearly sprinted down the hall .
His copies exchanged a glance. " Of course he's eager -"
" -he's the one that that actually gets to enjoy himself."
" Why does he get to be with Gal ?"
They nodded to each other and began to construct a plan .
" Alright , Dipper #2 , you help me look while my brother's copy-"
" You know , in private you can call me the name you've always wanted to be called …"
She sighed. " Fine, but you can only call me Tanya in private , got it ?"
' Which you aren't!" Able number three groaned. " I read your mind years ago , I know!"
No , my brother read my mind . Dipper silently corrected. But that was before they set boundaries. Besides , Dipper had a stronger, more secure mind now .
" Come on, we have a journal to find ."
" And Patz's private drawer to raid !" Abel pumped his fist with fake enthusiasm .
Dipper could now see that she would hate Abel number two just as much as her real brother.
" So your new friends abandoned you to dance ." Able took a sip of his drink .
" Yep . I refused to join them and here I am . " Gal tore her napkin into little pieces .
" If you don't know how to dance I would make an excellent teacher…"
Gal caught sight of her friends (?) dancing. " Screw it , why not?"
That was the only cue Abel needed . He laughed and began to twirl her around.
" Do you hear something?" Dipper asked her double.
They finished walking the last steps. " Sounds like... Northwest?"
" But listen. It sounds like more than one ." They crept towards the attic door.
" Come on , Number Nine has been distracting Mel for fifteen minutes !"
" Right ...but we've been talking . Why should you be the one to dance with Rob ?"
" Because I'm Pacific original ! Guys , you promised that we wouldn't turn on each other…"
" I think we all knew we were lying . Get him !" The Dippers could hear rustling and a yelp .
" Okay, now that he's been taking care of , I nominate myself to dance with Rob . I have been around her the most."
" Okay , fair point , fair point. Counterpoint , I should be the one to dance with her since I've been around her the least ."
They heard the group approaching the door . The Dippers hurried to the next room to hide .
" That makes like zero sense!"
" You make zero sense!" They heard a thud .
" Hey , buddy . How about a cracker ?"
" NANANA-AHH !"
" Yikes ."
" Don't look at your feet , look at me ."
" Like this ?"
" Yeah ! Ready to try a spin while we have the space ?"
" As long as I'm feeling adventurous…"
The spin caused them to separate them at the end , Gal still twirling three turns after . " You're right , that was fun !" Gal looked around her . " Abel ?" She was alone .
" We should take advantage of his room being empty ." Dipper nodded .
" They're both slobs ." Dipper number two began to rifle through the drawers .
" Hello?" They heard a pounding on the closet door. " Is anyone out there ?"
They exchanged glances .
On one hand , I could just leave him and I could continue to search for the journal. On the other hand , there multiple versions of him that locked him in a closet and are now on loose .Dipper sighed and nodded . " Hide ." She mouthed . Rolling her eyes ,she put a hand to her amulet and she began to turn the lock .
" Let me go !" Somehow Abel's struggles went unnoticed by the crowds of people and his copies ( dressed in concealing hoods) dragged him away .
" Why should we ? We want to spend time with her too ."
" And we will ." Number Two snapped his fingers. " Right after we take care of you ."
" I wouldn't be so sure about that ." They all turned to see Dipper , Tanya , and an angry crumb covered Pacific.
" Seriously? Abel , you made a copy too ?"
" Three copies actually ."
" And you're not one to talk , Pacific Original ." Everyone turned to see all of his clones (minus Two and Three ) ready to attack . " Okay guys , guys . I think we all know what this means ." Pacific number two's eyes swept the room . " Clone fight !"
Dipper had the most advantage , having the power to throw a clone around at will (though only one at the time ) , not to mention she didn't have a clone to fight .
" Stop hitting yourself !" One of Abel's copies slammed his fist into his double's chest before getting tackled by Able number two.
In hindsight, not numbering their doubles was a poor choice.
It was Dipper , Pacific , and Abel against three of Abel's copies and six of Pacific's , which was rather tough odds . They also realized another thing . Paper copies didn't get tired .
" Guys ?" Gal had to yell to even hear herself over the crowd . Abel , Pacific? She hadn't even seen Dipper . What was going on ?
She weaved through the crowd , trying her best not to get trampled. Perhaps they can went in the living area ?
" No guys ! I'm Number Seven , see ?"
" That's not me , guys !"
To call it a surprise was an understatement . Yep , he used the copy machine . As did Abel . Dipper as well . Geez , I think Abel's about to be seriously injured -
She threw her punch onto the copy, effectively keeping it from ripping out Abel's throat . " I-I have more in this cup !" Gal waived the remaining ounce of punch threatenly . The remaining copies hissed and scattered .
" My hero !" Abel attempted to jump into her arms , forgetting she was still standing . He didn't let this deter him .
" Patz , he's purring again !" Gal cried from her position on the floor . " And he's cutting off my circulation!"
" You were so brave !" Abel hugged her tighter .
" They're only gone temporarily. We need a plan to destroy them permanently ." Dipper brushed herself off.
" Right . Let's brainstorm."
" Where are they ?" The Pacifics asked for eighth time.
" How are we supposed to know ?" The Abel clones stalked around the floor. Even their paper versions didn't get along .
" Alright , we've checked the entire upstairs , the perimeter of the shack -"
" Nana-shana !"
" Paper Jam Pacific is right , we haven't checked the party ! "
" You can understand him ?"
" Nope . Let's go!"
" Any second now ."
" Look !" Gal pointed out into the crowd . " There's two Pacifics !"
" There's another , plus one of me !"
" There's the other one , and two more of me …"
Eventually they registered every remaining copy . " Dipper , it's time."
Dipper took a breath and began to concentrate. This would require a lot of focus …
" Dipping Sauce…"
She gritted her teeth ." Working on it!"
The clones were yards away now.
" When we reach them , we steal Abel's original identity and marry Gala , right?"
" Only one of us can ...never mind."
The other copy gasped . " I can make a copy !"
Gal could now hear every word . " Gleeful …"
" Hang on …"
The whole crowd gasped as they felt the freezing drops of the fire sprinklers , and their shock grew when the copies began to shrivel in the water.
Not waiting for the initial shock to wear off ,the group ran outside .
" That was chaotic ." Pacific rubbed his neck while surveying the damage .
" This will take days to clean up ." Dipper observed . " Well , we have places to be -"
" Sister dearest , mind if I ask a favor?" Abel leaned in to whisper in her ear .
Her eyes rolled into the back of her skull but she nodded and began to collect the water , drop by drop , and depositing in the multiple containers .
" What are you doing?"
" Helping you by drying out the dance floor . Oh , and it looks like someone saved you a dance ." He gestured to the approaching Rob .
" I understand why you'd want to clear the floor for yourself and my cousin , in which you will soon ask her to dance-"
" You got me there ."
" But why did you ask Rob for me ."
" Hey , we're friends, aren't we?" He put an arm around him .
" You're trying to impress my cousin, aren't you ?"
" Plus it makes my sister furious. Anyways , I have an unfinished dance with Gal . " He separated his arm . " Come to think of it , I didn't finish with you either ."
" Let's just call it a drawl ."
" Nope , I'll get your servant to add another song . I'll totally win , by the way ."
Pacific suppressed a smile. " We'll find out when the time comes , Gleeful."
And Abel did win , not that Pacific minded . I danced with Rob , so how could I truly lose?
" Quite the night ." Tanya put her chin in her hands .
" I suppose."
" I have a commoner's soda ." Tyrone waved a can ."Might take the edge off ."
" Why not ?" She opened the can and sipped carefully. " Do you think Northwest will ever get over his infatuation with that … girl ?"
" I don't know . But perhaps what Abel said was correct. Maybe we do get in our own way . Or in his words " Act like an arrogant , unlikable jerk ".
" As much as I don't want to admit it …"
" I know. Cheers ." Tanya took a sip . " Oh right." Her body began to crumple .
" Tanya ?"
" We had a good run . But remember what we talked about."
" I ... I will ."
" Then get out there ! Before it's too late-" Her soggy remains let out one last fizzle before melting completely.
" You were the only one who understood me . " She poured the rest of the (repulsive) drink in the soda pool ." And I think I'll take your advice."
The hooded figures made no more sound than a light breeze while they gazed at the scene before them . Two couples dancing away , with someone they knew very well standing off to the side .
" Your original orders still stand ?" The tallest and bulkiest figure asked .
" Yes . Dipper Gleeful's mind isn't something to be trifled with , and if we to try to erase her mind or the minds of the select few she puts above the ignorant citizens of the town ... well , it isn't something I would like to think about . As for remaining citizens of Gravity Falls however ..." The man gravely nodded and typed . M-Y-S-T-E-R-Y S-H-A-C-K P-A-R-T-Y . " It shall be unseen ."
By the next morning , the citizens" terror was washed away and replaced with blissful ignorance .
AN: Too many line breaks ? Oh well . I'll soon be off to Tokyo for ten days ( one of my dream destinations ) and who knows if I will write , much less publish any chapters . Sorry ! Might replace Rob with Robin , now that I realized that could work . Thanks , and please review !
