Gravity Rangers
0
Pairings Undecided
0
Author's Note
0
As you can all see, lately has been about updating stories that have been untouched for years. A lot of good ideas I don't want to see die like you see on a lot of other author's pages. For early chapter viewings join my . Unique art and early releases there. The chapters will always be released here eventually for free, but original content and art will be on there.
0
Story Start
0
The late afternoon sun slanted lazily through the windows of the Mystery Shack, casting long, meandering shadows across the dusty shelves laden with oddities and the so-called 'mysteries' that enticed tourists. At the counter, a stack of applications sat beside a notepad filled with scribbles and lists.
Naruto fufilled the role of manager entrusted with the Shack's daily operations, leaned back in his chair and sighed. His blue eyes, normally sharp with focus, now held a glint of fatigue. Hiring was a serious affair, especially since the chosen candidate would need to cope with the Shack's unique brand of chaos. His gaze fell on the next application, and a name caught his attention—Wendy Corduroy. Someone he had seen around town from time to time, a laid-back and chill girl with fiery red hair, whose reputation for nonchalance was as well-known as her family's lumberjack business.
As the chime above the door announced her arrival, Naruto straightened up and offered a friendly smile. Wendy strolled in with a casual air, her long hair tied in a loose ponytail that swayed with each step. She wore a simple flannel shirt, its green and blue plaid pattern well-suited for the woodsy area of Gravity Falls, along with a pair of well-worn jeans and boots that had clearly seen their fair share of adventure.
"Hey, Naruto," she greeted him with a nod, her voice carrying the relaxed drawl he expected. "You called about the job?"
"Yeah, thanks for coming, Wendy," Naruto replied, gesturing to the chair across the counter. "Let's get down to business. You know the Mystery Shack... it's a bit of a handful. You sure you're up for it?"
Wendy laughed, a sound that seemed to dispel the seriousness of the interview. "Are you kidding? I've tackled bears for fun. I think I can handle a tourist trap."
Naruto couldn't help but chuckle. "Fair enough. But it's more than just a tourist trap. There's inventory, upkeep, maybe running the register, dealing with... peculiar events. And let's not forget the occasional supernatural occurrence."
Wendy arched an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "Supernatural, huh? Sounds like my kind of gig. So, what exactly are we talking about here? Ghosts? Gnomes? Gobblewonker sightings?"
"All of the above, and then some," Naruto admitted, leaning forward. "Stan... Grunkle Stan's been keeping this place a mystery for years. I'm looking to maintain that while also updating some things."
Wendy leaned back, her expression thoughtful. "You want to keep the mystery but lose the dusty vibe, right? I can get behind that. Plus, I'm good with people, and I can spin a yarn that'll sell ice to a penguin. You should see me at Christmas, convincing my brothers that Santa's a no-show 'cause he got into a wrestling match with Bigfoot."
Naruto's smile widened. "I might hold you to that storytelling skill. Part of this job is keeping the customers entertained, even if it's with wild tales. But there's more—organizing displays, labeling new 'artifacts', and coming up with creative descriptions that'll make them irresistible."
"No problemo," Wendy replied with a shrug. "I can be creative when I want to be. And I know all about organizing from cleaning up after my brothers. Trust me, after dealing with their messes, I can handle anything."
"Good to hear," Naruto said, his tone turning serious again. "There's also the issue of safety. Things can get... weird around here. Not everyone who walks through those doors is here for a simple visit. Some are looking for more than just souvenirs, and we need to be prepared for anything."
Wendy's relaxed demeanor didn't falter. "I can handle myself. And if things get too weird, I've got a wicked right hook and a trusty bat named 'Mr. Whack'."
Naruto nodded, impressed despite himself. "Alright, let's talk schedule and pay. We're looking for someone full-time, and the pay's standard minimum wage to start, but with bonuses for exceptional performance—like managing a crisis without breaking a sweat or selling the unsellable."
Wendy considered this, her green eyes calculating. "Sounds fair, as long as I can get a couple of days off to hang with friends. You know, gotta have some work-life balance."
"Agreed," Naruto said as he took out a pen and began jotting down notes. "How about Tuesdays and Thursdays off? And we can reassess in a month, see how things are going."
"Deal," Wendy said, extending her hand across the counter. "You've got yourself an employee, boss."
Naruto shook her hand, feeling the firm grip that spoke of her confidence. "Welcome aboard, Wendy. You start Monday. Be ready for a wild ride."
With the interview concluded, Wendy stood, pushing the chair back with the back of her legs. "Looking forward to it. See you bright and early, boss-man."
As she sauntered out the door, Naruto couldn't help but feel that the Mystery Shack was about to get a whole lot livelier. Getting Wendy on the team and on board earlier was definitely going to help.
After locking up for the night, Naruto took one last look around the shop. The Shack was quiet now, but he knew the peace was temporary.
Turning off the lights, he headed upstairs, ready for a well-deserved rest. Tomorrow was a new day, and with it would come new mysteries to unravel, new stories to tell, and a new friendship that would undoubtedly make his life in Gravity Falls all the more unforgettable.
The day when it had all began was appoaching ever closing. And he was a carbon image of what he had worn that day. Black hiking boots. Light brown cargo pants with a faded orange button up and a pair of shades to keep the sunlight out of his eyes.
Wendy arrived on time, stepping through the door with her usual nonchalance, yet there was an undercurrent of curiosity in her eyes that Naruto noted with approval. This was her initiation into the Shack's many secrets.
"Welcome to day one, Wendy," Naruto said, his hands resting on his hips as he took in her appearance. She was dressed appropriately for the task, in clothes that looked comfortable and ready for movement.
"Thanks, dude. Lead the way," Wendy replied, following him as he moved to the first exhibit.
Naruto gestured broadly at the main exhibition. "This," he said, "is the heart of the Mystery Shack—the museum. You'll find everything from the Sascrotch to jackalopes here. Customers love these, and part of your job will be to keep the stories behind them as intriguing as the exhibits themselves."
Wendy peered at a jackalope with raised eyebrows. "Heh, cool," she said. "I can definitely spin a tale or two about these guys."
Moving on, Naruto led her to the gift shop. "This is where you'll spend a good chunk of your time." He explained the layout, pointing out the exits, including the mysterious entrance behind the vending machine. "The key here is to know your merchandise, keep things tidy, and always be ready for a quick exit."
Wendy grinned. "I'm a master of the quick escape. Learned from the best—my brothers."
As they toured the living room, Naruto emphasized the importance of downtime. "It's not all work. We hang out here, too. Just remember, the Mystery Shack is as much a home as it is a business."
Wendy nodded, taking in the comfortable chair and the TV, already picturing breaks spent lounging after a busy day.
They briefly peered into Stan's office, where Naruto stressed privacy and security. "This is Stan's domain. We respect that. But just so you know, this is where the important stuff is kept—like the deed to the Shack."
In the kitchen, Naruto pointed out the essentials. "The fridge is community property—label your food. And the stove? Only for those who know how to use it without setting off the smoke alarm."
Wendy laughed. "I'll stick to cold sandwiches, thanks."
The hallway led them past the bathroom and storage room, which Naruto described succinctly. "Bathroom's a bathroom. Keep it clean and stocked. Storage is for inventory—make sure everything's accounted for and report any shortages."
Back in the gift shop, Naruto started the hands-on training. He showed Wendy the cash register, a clunky antique that required a bit of finesse. "You'll get the hang of it. Just remember, always give the correct change, and smile—it helps with tips."
Wendy practiced opening and closing the register, the cha-ching and clatter of the drawer a satisfying sound.
"And this," Naruto continued, picking up a feather duster, "is your best friend when it comes to keeping the place dust-free. With all the knick-knacks, it's a daily task."
She took the duster, twirling it in her hand. "Got it, boss."
As the afternoon wore on, Naruto and Wendy moved from one task to another—organizing shelves, polishing oddities, and even role-playing customer interactions, with Naruto acting as a particularly difficult tourist while Wendy managed to upsell a 'genuine alien rock'.
"Looks like you're a natural," Naruto complimented her as they closed up shop for the day. "Tomorrow we'll cover the more... unusual duties."
Wendy locked the front door, a sense of pride filling her. "Can't wait. This job's gonna be a blast."
Naruto watched her leave, a sense of satisfaction settling over him. There was still more to prepare for and time was dwindling away.
The next day dawned just as clear and bright, a mirror of Wendy's burgeoning confidence as she stepped back into the Mystery Shack, ready to tackle the new challenges ahead. Naruto was waiting for her, a list of tasks already prepared.
"Today we're going to dive into the more... unconventional aspects of your job," Naruto explained as they walked through the Shack, their footsteps echoing slightly in the quiet before the rush of customers. "This includes managing inventory that might be a bit more active than you're used to."
Wendy raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "Active inventory? Like what, possessed souvenirs?"
"Exactly like that," Naruto said with a nod. "Sometimes things in the Shack have a way of coming to life. It's all about handling the situation calmly and getting things back under control before the customers notice."
They stopped in the museum, where a variety of curious items from past adventures were on display. Naruto picked up a small, ornate box and handed it to Wendy. "This is a puzzle box that changes shape at night. Your job is to solve it every morning to reset it."
Wendy turned the box over in her hands, the intricate carvings and moving parts captivating her. "Challenge accepted," she said with a grin.
Moving on to the gift shop, Naruto showed her the array of Mystery Shack merchandise. "These Gravity Falls snow globes," he said, picking one up and giving it a shake, "tend to create a localized snowstorm if they're not shaken at least once a day."
Wendy watched as tiny flakes swirled inside the globe, a look of amusement on her face. "Never a dull moment here, huh?"
"Not even close," Naruto replied. "And the most important rule: if anything seems out of the ordinary, even for the Shack, let me know immediately."
The morning passed in a whirl of lessons and laughter, with Wendy acing each peculiar test Naruto set for her. By the time the first customers began to filter in, she was behind the counter, ready to charm and chat with the best of them.
Throughout the day, Naruto kept a watchful eye on her, ready to step in if needed. But Wendy took to the Shack like she'd been born there, her easygoing nature a perfect match for the oddities around her. She handled the cash register with ease, laughed off a "haunted" hat that tried to float away, and even helped a pair of tourists find the perfect memento of their visit.
As closing time neared, Naruto found Wendy restocking a shelf, humming a tune he didn't recognize. He leaned against a nearby counter, arms crossed, a smile playing on his lips.
"How was your first official day on the job?" he asked.
Wendy placed the last of the merchandise on the shelf and turned to him, a wide smile on her face. "It was awesome. This place is like nothing I've ever seen. It's like a funhouse and a museum had a baby."
"That's one way to describe it," Naruto chuckled. "You did great today, Wendy. I think you're going to fit in just fine."
Wendy's smile broadened, and she brushed her hands together, as if dusting off a job well done. "Thanks, Naruto. I'm stoked for this summer. It's going to be epic."
Naruto nodded, the events of the day solidifying his decision that hiring Wendy was one of the best moves he'd made for the Shack. She brought a sense of vitality and ease that the place had been missing.
"Alright then, I'll see you tomorrow. Get some rest; we've got another big day ahead of us," Naruto said as they headed for the door.
As the door clicked shut behind them, they stepped out into the evening, the sky above painted in hues of purple and orange, the air tinged with the scent of pine and adventure. The Mystery Shack stood behind them, a silhouette against the twilight, as much a part of Gravity Falls as the trees and the whispering wind.