Something for everyone to know. Updating this story on DA gets top priority. Start the fic.
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"Now when you say 'something', how do you know it's not just some hacker trying to work the identity theft job?"
I know it sounds like a dumb question, she wouldn't have contacted me if it was, but being thorough is part of my job.
"Well for starters, it isn't a transfer of accounts, we'd know if it were. The numbers just dial down to zero and the money is gone forever."
"Uh-huh." Dipper had his hands folded in a pyramid, listening intently. "Go on!"
"And whenever it happens there's this huge power surge which affects almost everything. Surprisingly enough the computers remain fine just enough to show the numbers drop, and then there's this weird snickering which seems to follow just after."
"You mean evil laughter?"
It's usually evil laughter in these scenarios, a snicker just doesn't add up.
"I don't know if it's evil or not, but it is definitely more of a snicker."
"Okay," Dipper leaned back in his chair. "one last question." He tipped his fedora up and smiled at her. "What's the part you're not telling me?"
Another part of my job is tell when somebody is hiding something from me. It all comes with the detective training you see.
She stared at him stunned for a moment before sighing and hanging her head in defeat. "It's not just a robbery, there's also a chance that it's a kidnapping too. About a month ago, the family accountant went missing, the police are still looking for him but I'm really hoping the two aren't connected."
There could have been a hundred different reasons why she didn't want to open with that, but most likely, I'm going to have to say its because the situation scares her.
"Alright then," he stood up out of the chair. "I'll take the case, find out who's doing this to you and bring them to justice."
He held out his hand to her, she seemed to just stare at it for a moment before shaking it. "Deal!"
"Alright," he started to head for the door. "I should probably get in touch with Robbie, see what he's dug up so far."
Robbie was technically the local law enforcement, so I had an obligation to at least try to work with him.
"Right, we shouldn't keep him waiting!"
"What's this 'we' business, Princess?"
I don't like where this is going. The last thing I need is to be slowed down by a frantic heiress.
"This...whatever it is, is stealing my family's money right out of their pockets. My parents know only one way to live, Dipper. And for better or worse my parents are still my parents."
"Sorry, but I can't have the actual client tagging along on a case. You're staying here until I've solved the case."
"Yeah right, and I'm Buffy the Vampire Slayer! We're in this together, like it or not!"
"Oh no we're not! You're not tagging along and their is nothing you can say to convince me otherwise!"
Dipper grumbled angrily in the driver's seat of his RV as he adjusted the radio.
"I knew you would see reason!" Pacifica smirked in the passenger's seat.
Friggin curves! I supposed it would be fine so long as she stayed on her toes. I was also pretty glad she just went straight for the passenger seat. The last thing I need is some pretty dame seeing how much of a slob I am in my own RV.
Pulling up to the police station they were able to find Robbie almost ready to go inside. Dipper honked the horn a couple of times to get his attention as he parked the RV. It seemed to have worked since he waited for them to come out and greet him.
"Dipper...and Pacifica? What's going on here? Wait! Does this have anything to do with that disappearance case I'm working on?"
"Actually yes! We think we might have a clue on who might've taken him and we were hoping you could help us." Pacifica explained.
"Oh I don't think there will be any need for that. I practically have the case solved already!"
Like any man, Robbie has his pride too. However, with any luck the guy can see the light with the situation.
Dipper raised an eyebrow at him. "Really?"
"Oh yeah! I totally got this, don't need any help and..."
"Robbie, be honest. Lying to a government agent is a federal crime, you know."
"Sigh. The trail went cold when I saw signs of a struggle in the forest."
I should have known. The forest was supposed to have quieted down since I was twelve, but I suppose the creatures in there must still exist.
"I guess that's where we'll start. Now I can invite you along since this is technically your case too..."
"Depends. Is this going to involve more of your weird spooky stuff you always deal with?"
Despite what my history with him says, Robbie is no fool. He's well aware of his limits and weakness, magical stuff being one of his biggest.
"More than likely." answered Pacifica.
"Well then if it's okay with you, I'd think I would rather you just pull rank over me, Dipper. I'm not good at the paranormal stuff, my specialty is busting teenagers."
"Okay well we'll just...wait, teenagers?"
"Yeah. The one thing I've found more fun than causing trouble as a teenager is busting teenagers and taking them back to their parents."
Dipper and Pacifica gave Robbie the same confused stare.
"Tambry says this is most likely due to me not getting enough discipline as a teenager from my own parents."
"We'll just investigate on our own then, Robbie. Which way was the sign of the struggle?"
"It about a mile in from that direction." Robbie pointed at a forest entrance at the end of the block. "Good luck."
Dipper and Pacifica had gone in to the woods and found what they believe might have been the signs of a struggle Robbie was talking about. Dipper was standing on top of a fallen tree writing down notes for his report on a notepad while Pacifica stood in the dirt trying to make heads or tails out of the scuffled footprints.
"Hmm...I don't like it. The trail's been cold for too long. There's nothing here we can actually use." Dipper folded up his notepad and placed it in his trench coat pocket.
"Then shouldn't you pull out that weird old journal of yours?"
Dipper seemed to stare out in to space for a moment before giving a small laugh. "Oh yeah, those! Ha! Been a long time since I've flipped through Journal 3. I'm afraid all the journals got destroyed at the end of my first summer in Gravity Falls."
Yeah, I was sad to see all three go. What else can I say? It was an epic summer.
Pacifica might not have socialized often with Dipper when they were twelve but she did remember he always had his nose buried in that book.
"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that."
"Don't be! I thumbed through that book so many times I practically had all it's pages memorized. What about you? Aren't you going to splash your money around to try and solve the problem or something?"
She knows I don't mean it, but it would be nice to know what she's been up to since I've seen her last.
Pacifica placed her hands on her hips, not appreciating the jab. "You know I'm not as rich as when we first met anymore. And I'll have you know that I've been making good on my promise! As the heiress of what is left of the Northwest Family Fortune I've been donating to all kinds of charities, opening parks left and right, and have even paid to have several shelters built!"
Dipper jumped off the tree and looked her in the eyes. "And how did 'Mommy and Daddy' feel about that?"
I always knew her parents were going to be an obstacle for her, but the question was how would she overcome them?
The smirk Pacifica gave him could have told him everything he needed to know, but she told him anyways. "Doesn't matter how they feel about it. Like it or not, bringing honor to Northwest family name has been good publicity. If anything we're even more well known now, we're being viewed as benevolent charity helpers the world over. There's nothing they can do about it, no matter how much they grind their teeth."
I could just picture Preston grinding his teeth at all the 'good press' she would get him. It's almost too perfect!
The impressed smile Dipper gave her caught her completely by surprise. "Oh my gosh, Pacifica!"
From the sound of his voice, Pacifica thought that maybe she stepped in something or perhaps some kind of weird bug jumped on to her suit.
"What?"
"You've grown up in to a total sweetheart!"
She blushed angrily at him. "Dipper!"
"What?! It's true!" he held up his hands playfully innocent.
It really is!
"Ugh! Even after all these years you're still a total dork!" she blushed angrily at him but Dipper couldn't help but laugh at her angry pout.
She was about to lay in to him when he suddenly held up his hand. "Quiet..." He listened to his surroundings quietly for a moment before grabbing Pacifica by the hand. "Something's coming! We have to hide!"
Before she could react he pulled her behind a bush so they could hide.
The sound of many heavy footsteps could be heard as they got closer and closer.
"Hm...Something's familiar about these footsteps... what could it be?" he mused in nothing louder than a whisper.
I had no idea what was coming, but I suppose in retrospect I should have figured it out sooner.
"Is it that it sounds like there's more than one of them?" Pacifica asked with a little bit of edge.
Dipper furrowed his brows. "No. If anything that should make them easier to figure out. It has to be something that doesn't normally travel in groups...it's right on the tip of my tongue, I know it!"
They were heavy too be gnomes, and yet not heavy enough to be something like some of the dinosaurs that were sealed underground.
The footsteps were soon joined by sounds of conversation, whatever they were...they were close now. A rustling in the bushes to their right made them hold their breath in anticipation.
Marching through the bushes in groups of two were some creatures Dipper had honestly hoped would never cross his path again.
And that was when I saw them. A tribe of creatures I had completely washed my hands of.
"The manotaurs?!" Dipper rolled his eyes as he whispered furiously. "Of all the..."
This was not a new sight for Pacifica, but she didn't know there was so many of them.
"Dipper, why are there so many of them? I was under the impression there was only one or two of them."
"Oh no, there's a whole tribe of them. The ones that helped us during Weirdmageddon were probably their surviving scouts. I'm actually a little embarrassed to admit that when I was a kid I tried to get them to make me more like them. In the end they just turned out to be a disappointment."
I might not be the greatest physical specimen, but I pride myself on my intelligence. Intelligence this lot is well known for having an extreme lack of!
She stared at him incredulously. "How? How could you possibly want to be more like them?"
"I was a little insecure about my manliness when I was twelve. Long story short, I thought they could be a solution and I was wrong. However, they don't normally travel in large groups like this unless it's some kind of special occasion."
At the time, I thought they could have been great role models for me. Too bad they turned out to be a bunch of ruthless meat heads.
"Maybe they needed to hunt something together?" Pacifica offered.
Dipper had his doubts on her theory, manotaurs were some of the strongest and roughest creatures in the forest. There weren't many things out there that could give them a hard time.
"What could they possibly need this much muscle for?"
As two manotaurs walked by carrying a cage on a single pole, Dipper got his answer. Inside the strung up cage, Dipper saw yet another face from his past.
Then it hit me like a freight train. There was only one creature powerful enough for the manotaurs to consider them a life long enemy. The multi-bear.
"Oh no..."
The gravity of the situation settled in on Dipper while Pacifica was still confused about it.
"Dipper, why are they making off with him like that? I thought they were friends on some level!" Pacifica whispered.
Her question fell on deaf ears as Dipper could only stare helplessly at them as they walked off with his captured friend.
"When I was kid, they considered him an enemy...I thought they would've buried the hatchet after Bill. I don't know why they're pulling this now... I just know our old friend is in some serious trouble." he said quietly.
Trouble indeed. Last time I checked he was usually pretty good about staying in his cave.
The numbness of his voice seemed to speak volumes about the situation. Pacifica looked back and forth between the retreating manotaurs and Dipper before sighing in defeat.
"Alright then, we'd better go rescue him."
Dipper turned his attention to her in surprise. "Really? You're fine with this? You do know this means we'll have to put the case on hold, right?"
"Yeah, but he needs help now, right? I remember he used to be pretty nice to everyone. Besides, the sooner we rescue him the sooner we can get back to the case. Who knows, maybe he's seen something."
As Pacifica walked in the same direction of the manotaurs, Dipper couldn't help but give an impressed smile at her.
"Whatever you say, Sweetheart."
"...What'd you just call me?"
Dipper and Pacifica stared at the entrance to the manotaur's cave currently being guarded by two manotaurs. From behind their fallen log they could view the entrance at the bottom of the hill perfectly.
"Okay Dipper, what's the plan? Do we sneak in or what?"
"Nah, there's too many of them to try and sneak in, we'd be spotted for sure. A full frontal assault would be suicide and there's no way how we can smoke them out. I'm afraid there's only one way in."
"What's that?"
"We have to be invited. Luckily for us, I've gotten them to invite me in the past. I just hope they don't mind a woman in their Mancave."
"What's that's supposed to mean?! Wait! It's not really called that...is it? Dipper?"
As Dipper walked down to the guards Pacifica's jaw dropped.
The manotaurs may have turned out to be bad people once, but it was still their own decision to help me man up when they did. For at least hearing me out I supposed I owed them a second chance. And since some of them helped out turning the Mystery Shack in to a robot, I was willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. I knew it crazy, but maybe in the ten years I've been away they could have found a way to find more compassion.
"Hello Chutzpar, long time no see." Dipper greeted one of the guards.
"A human?! We know not what you were thinking in coming here but..."
"Oh put the fist nipples away, Testosteraur. I'm not here to cause trouble."
The manotaurs exchanged a confused glance. "How do you know us human?"
"Aw, you don't recognize me? That's a shame." Dipper said with mock hurtfulness.
Whatever kick Dipper was getting out of this guessing game immediately died when Pacifica came tumbling down the hill. She stared up at him impatiently from the ground.
Talk about bad timing. I was hoping to slowly ease them in to the idea of letting us both in, but I guess it's all or nothing now.
"Uh a little help here, Dipper?" Pacifica sneered as she offered her hand to let him help her up.
"Dipper?" Chutzpar echoed. "Wait! Destructor?! Is that you?! Then that would make this blonde female Pacifica!"
I've grown to hate that nickname! It makes me sound so childish, I wish I just went with plain Dipper back then. At least then I would be feeling so self conscious of my pretty client right now.
As Dipper helped Pacifica up he sent the manotaur an annoyed glare. He quickly put up the collar of his trench coat in embarrassment.
"Don't call me that, man!" Dipper whispered angrily through gritted teeth.
"What are you doing here, human? And why bring a...'woman' to our mancave?!" Testosteraur seethed.
"What was that?!" Pacifica snapped.
I could already tell that if I didn't start playing peace keeper now there was going to be battle of the sexes...and species!
"My 'colleague' and I are investigating a case, and we believe your prisoner may have been a key witness." Dipper said with a wink to Pacifica.
"Destructor..."
"Dipper! Call me Dipper, Chutzpar!"
"Fine...Dipper...we still can't let you in. When you turned your back on us, you turned your back on any and all privileges that may have come with completing the final task."
"Aw come on, for not even for old time's sake? Grunkle Stan let you in to the Mystery Shack."
"He said 'NO'!" roared Testosteraur. "Now leave with your woman or we will CRUSH YOU!"
Dipper's hat was almost flown off from the sheer force of the manotaur's voice. He wiped a drop of spit off of his face before giving them an icy stare, there was something about it which unnerved Pacifica. There was some dangerous intent in it which gave her chills.
I was hoping to play it cool but I guess some people just want to play hardball.
"I see how it is." Dipper said in a monotone voice. "I was hoping it wouldn't have to come to this, but now I see there is little choice. You will take me to see Leaderaur or else I shall expose your entire race."
"You wouldn't!" gasped Chutzpar.
"Oh no? Think again! I am technically a government agent now, if I wanted to I could order in a strike squad and have everyone in that cave taken in and caged for scientific study!"
Dipper flashed them his badge to show he wasn't making it up.
"But...But Dipper..." Chutzpar stuttered.
"You're lying!" accused Testosteraur.
"I could be...but that's not the question here. The question you need to ask here is if can you take that chance...I think we all know the answer here."
"Enough!" Chutzpar thundered. "I will take you and your mate Pacifica to see Leaderaur. Follow me."
"She's not my...oh never mind! Lead the way."
Dipper and Pacifica followed the manotaur in, Dipper noticed Pacifica kept staring at him. Almost as if she was worried or sad about him.
"Something on your mind, Sweetheart?"
She blushed at the reused nickname but ultimately ignored it. "Did you really mean what you said to him? About turning them in so the government could turn them in to lab rats?"
"No. Of course not." he whispered to her. "That was just a bluff. However, it was a convincing bluff that worked. And right now that's all that matters. Any other questions?"
Even if I did call in a strike squad, these guys are so tough that it might not be worth all the effort. Even if we won, there would have been so much noise from the calamity that there would be no way civilians wouldn't notice it. Besides, manotaurs are pretty straight forward. There's not a lot of mystery there.
Pacifica smiled. It was nice to know that Dipper wouldn't actually do something as heartless as his bluff. He scared her a little bit back there, he was a very convincing actor.
"Well now that I know you're not as dark you were leading them to believe...I do have one." she said smirking.
"Fire away."
"'Destructor'?"
And just like that I'm an awkward twelve year old again. Good thing Mabel aint here.
Now it was Dipper's turn to blush. "I-I I was twelve, okay?! Now come on, we're starting to lag behind!"
"Whatever you say 'Destructor'."
"Just-Just stay close okay?!"
"Why? Are there 'booby traps'?" Pacifica asked the question in a mocking manner but a back part of her brain had seriously considered the possibility.
"No. However, it is likely something gross could fall on you."
Pacifica decided to ultimately walk a little closer to Dipper.
Of course it wouldn't have been anything from the roof or something like that, but manotaurs are well known for being sweaty and not exactly shy on it either.
Not even a minute in and Pacifica had already decided that she did not like the 'mancave'. It was dirty, humid, and everything smelled. She couldn't understand how Dipper wasn't grossed out, it seemed Pacifica would shiver in repulsion with every step.
Eventually they came to a large room filled with manotaurs but there was one manotaur on a throne which easily dwarfed all the others. In the corner of the room they saw the multi headed bear still in it's cage sitting on the ground. Every manotaur seemed to be giving them the evil eye, especially Pacifica. Dipper was so relaxed about the chilling environment it only made the tension worse for Pacifica.
If anything there seemed to be even more of them now. However, I saw the ones I knew recognized me almost instantly. I figured that maybe if I could dig up whatever feelings of brotherhood we used to have then maybe they could be reasoned with. Hopefully Weirdmageddon taught them enough sense to bury past grievances.
"Pubertaur, good to see you! Pituitaur, looking good!" Dipper greeted the manotaurs as they walked past.
"You know them by name? I just know Chutzpar and Pituitaur." Pacifica asked.
"More or less. Just watch out for Clark."
"Which one's Clark?"
"He's the one with the growth on his face, and it was pretty big when I last saw it. And that was when I was twelve."
If Clark did still have his growth I would imagine it to be bigger than his head by now.
Chutzpar lead them to the middle of the room where he knelt down in front of the giant manotaur. "Leaderaur! Dipper the Destructor..."
"Seriously, stop calling me that!"
Pacifica suppressed a small chuckle at Dipper's actions.
(A/N: Okay something to know right now. Multi-Bear's only known name is actually Multi-Bear, which is also his species. So from here on out that is why you will be seeing a constant switch in the first letters of his name. They will be upper cased when referring to him as WHO he is but lower case when referring to WHAT he is. It's actually a lot of trouble, try not to be too harsh on me about it please.)
"Has returned..." Chutzpar continued. "Asking for the release of the multi-bear. He brings a woman who we found common refuge with during Bill's attack. We bring them before you for they carry with them a threat of exposure to our kind."
Leaderaur stood up and twin streams of fire shot forth from his nostrils.
To me this just seems like unnecessary flare, but Pacifica, she's seeing this all for the first time. I could only guess what's going on in her head when she's sees something like this.
"Destructor!" Leaderaur bellowed.
"Dipper!" he corrected.
"Dipper the Desctructor!" snorted Leaderaur.
Dipper sighed and rolled his eyes. "It's like talking to a brick wall!"
A brick wall that snorts fire, but...
"Not only do you return after turning your back on us after refusing to do the final man task..."
"Final task?" Pacifica echoed while looking at Dipper. The subject of Dipper and a final manotaur task popping up again had captured Pacifica's curiosity. 'What was it they wanted him to do that was so important?' Pacifica thought.
"You also have the gall to demand the release of our most hated enemy WITH the threat of exposing us AND YOU DARE TO BRING A WOMAN TO THE MANCAVE!"
Leaderaur snorted fire once more but Dipper was undeterred.
"The only reason we have not CRUSHED YOU WHERE YOU STAND is in remembrance of the other forty-nine man tasks you completed! Along with Chutzpar's story of the great battle against the evil triangle Bill, you have earned leniency with us but by coming to us with a woman you have abused it! Leave now or else you shall face a fate even WORSE than the fate of the multi-bear!"
Once again Leaderaur snorted fire through his nose but this time it almost got Dipper's hat. He turned and started to walk back to his throne.
Just as stubborn as always. Since I couldn't appeal to his sense of brotherhood I decided maybe I could appeal to his sense of challenge.
"That's how we're going to play this huh? Alright then, how about a bet?"
Leaderaur stopped and while he didn't turn around he did turn his head back to Dipper. "What 'kind' of bet?"
"A fight. One on one. Just you and me."
Every manotaur in the room, including Leaderaur, threw their heads back in roaring laughter. Dipper remained silent as he politely waited for their laughter to die down.
"I'm serious. If I win we walk out of here with the multi-bear and you have to leave him alone."
Leaderaur turned around to bend down to Dipper's eye level. "And if I win?!"
"You get my RV."
This raised an eyebrow from the giant manotaur.
I knew this wasn't going to be enough to entice any of them. I doubted either of them could even fit in the thing. So the best thing to do, is sweeten the deal.
"And all the delicious jerky inside."
Leaderaur stood up and rubbed his chin in thought while the others murmured with each other on talk of jerky.
When in doubt, use jerky.
"I'll even sweeten the deal. If I can't beat you in three moves, I lose."
"Very well. Since you are only a mere human, I shall agree to these terms!"
Leaderaur inhaled deeply, most likely to snort more fire at him. Pacifica started to panic, they were both in the line of fire and had no time to get out of the way.
*PLOOT!**PLOOT!**PLOOT!*
Pacifica could only stare in amazement as Leaderaur writhed on his back holding his throat, desperately trying to breathe. She looked to Dipper who was holding a weird gun of some kind. It actually reminded her of a water gun in a way, there was a canister under the barrel filled with some kind of weird green glowing liquid, however there was also a number of odd white coverings on it (A/N: Think of the portal gun from Portals 2), and at the bottom of the handle there was a strange dial.
He spun it around on his finger once before holding it up for her to see. "Courtesy of McGucket Labs."
This gun was actually a gift from Old Man McGucket in his final days. I was eighteen and just starting out on the job, he knew his days were numbered and decided to make sure I was best prepared for my path ahead.
Leaderaur continued to struggle on the ground but now his head was facing them. Pacifica could now see that Leaderaur had something in his mouth, whatever it was it was so big that it was keeping his mouth open. It was round and there didn't seem to be any openings in it for air to get in, it seemed to be the same shade of green as the liquid in the canister under Dipper's gun yet was not glowing.
That was when she noticed there was two more of them sticking out of the Manotaur's nostrils. Leaderaur was suffocating!
"Do you forfeit!" Dipper called to him. "That's all you have to do to get me to save you!"
Instead of nodding 'yes' or shaking 'no', Leaderaur's nostrils just seemed to flare for a moment.
"It's flame retardant. Just swallow your pride, forfeit and I promise you I won't let you pass out."
A small little nod from him was all the confirmation Dipper needed. Putting the gun in it's holster by his waist, he reached in to his left trench coat pocket and pulled out a dagger.
"Wait!" Pacifica chimed in. "That doesn't look like it's made of metal. What kind of dagger is that?"
Dipper smirked at her question. "Oh this old thing? It's nothing special, you know, just a Dinosaur Fang!" her amazed expression only made his smirk get bigger. "I even got Mabel to glue a plastic handle to it." He flipped it on to it's blade and flicked the handle.
Mabel is currently living in a small town, running a crafts store with Candy and Grenda. We still stay in touch but she doesn't like how I usually work alone now.
He walked over to the leader of the manotaurs and stabbed the green sphere in his mouth. Now that the dagger had penetrated the blob, he continued to push it until he was up to his shoulder inside. He finally pierced the other side and air came rushing in to the monster's mouth.
It seemed as though now that there was a hole in it, the blob was much easier to remove, almost as if it lost it's ability to stick. He did the same to the other two and soon Leaderaur was able to breathe once more.
The other manotaurs helped their chieftain up as he caught his breath.
"So three moves, three shots. Same thing, right? So now that you've lost fair and square..."
The glare they all sent him gave Pacifica chills. Even Dipper seemed surprised at the hostility they were showing.
"No! It wasn't fair and square!" Leaderaur snarled.
"What?" Dipper asked with a realization of fear in his voice.
"Three shots and three moves ARE two different things!" continued Leaderaur. "You cheated!"
"What?!" miffed Dipper.
Leaderaur pointed at the two humans and thundered "CRUSH THEM!"
I swear the more things change the more they stay the same.
Pacifica took one step backwards before Dipper pulled out his gun. He turned the dial on the bottom of the handle and moved the barrel up so it was vertical with the handle. It locked itself in place and moved the odd white coverings so they acted as a guard at the end of the handle. The trigger itself was folded in to a slot in the handle, completely out of the way. Finally, the hole from the gun was widened by a great length where a long green glowing tendril snaked out. It looked to be about sixteen feet, thinning as it reached it's end.
Dipper swung it so the tendril would crack on the ground like a whip. "ALL OF YOU BACK!"
Dipper cracked his whip on the ground a second time making the manotaurs flinch. "I wanted to give you guys a second chance! When I was twelve, you cared about my problems and tried to help me with them! We went different paths, but for the sake of that time I tried to give you all one more chance to prove you weren't the pigheaded stubborn jerks I thought you were...but nothing's changed! I thought because of the help two of you gave us in assembling a giant robot maybe you could swallow your prides. I see now I was wrong!"
Dipper was keeping them back with his whip lashing but it wasn't going to keep them away forever. "My Grunkle Stan was more of a man than any of you could ever be! He was tough on me but it ended up hardening me for situations like this! And even though he's gone now..." Pacifica saw Dipper reach behind his trench coat in to a pocket she hadn't noticed before. "He did teach me one thing!" He pulled out a silver glass ball and held it high over his head. "And that's how to make an exit! NON-SPECIFIC EXCUSE!"
Dipper smashed the ball on the ground and in a blinding bright flash, he and Pacifica had disappeared. The manotaurs muttered among themselves in confusion while their leader grind his teeth.
"FIND THEM!" he roared. "SEARCH THE REST OF THE CAVE! THEY CAN NOT HAVE GOTTEN FAR!"
All the manotaurs charged down the tunnel ways in the back of the room. Even Leaderaur turned to go down a giant tunnel behind his throne, only looking over his shoulder once at the room. However, he didn't seem to see anything so he left.
Had he only looked higher he would have seen Dipper and Pacifica hanging from a stalactite with his whip. Dipper was holding Pacifica with his free hand by her waist which they were both blushing about. Pressing a hidden button the whip, they were lowered slowly to the ground.
Good thing sore losers never think to look up.
On their feet, Dipper let go of Pacifica who seemed to stumble around a bit.
"Sorry for the sudden flash and grab. I'll warn you next time."
"If I wasn't seeing so many spots, I'd slap you across the face right now!" she snapped.
"Yeah that should pass. You stay here and regain your sight, I'm going to go free the 'prisoner'."
He walked over to the cage giving it's prisoner a friendly grin. "Hey there big fella, remember me?"
The top head smiled back. "I could never forget my fellow Babba fan."
Dipper gave a small laugh. "Yeah, sorry for not rescuing you sooner. I thought maybe the manotaurs could have changed in ten years, realize what's really important you know?"
"You wanted to have faith in them, and while there is nothing wrong with that, I am afraid that there some out there who just refuse to grow." One of his head leaned to the right and spotted Pacifica. "Is that dizzy looking young woman who I think?"
"Just an old friend who wanted to grow. Pacifica Northwest." Dipper said with a smile as he examined the wooden lock on the cage. "I think it's time for your pardon." Dipper reached in to his right trench coat pocket and pulled out an old timey key. "Quentin Trembley's President's Key, if it's a lock and in America then this key can open it." And just like he said, the lock opened with it.
This key has actually come in more handy than any other tool in my arsenal. It can even open electronic locks...somehow.
Stepping out of the cage he started sniffing the air. "Wait...I know this scent. This is a scent...OF A NORTHWEST!"
Suddenly the image of a Northwest painting of a man standing on top of a pile of animal pelts flashed in Dipper's mind. "Wait! Multi-Bear! She..."
Dipper threw out his arm in desperation to stop the bear's charge but it was too late. Pacifica turned around just in time before to see the beast coming.
Time seemed to stand still for a moment, there was no escape, there was no rescue. Dipper could only stand frozen in shock, helpless at scene before him.
Pacifica...was being hugged by the multi-bear. "I love the Northwests! Weirdmageddon had sent all types of weird scents in to the air so I had no idea back then you were a member of the family of one of the greatest men I have ever know."
"What?" were the only words that were capable of escaping Dipper's mouth.
I have seen a lot of things in my time, but this one in front of me? Left me speechless.
"Yeah, I'd like to repeat that..." Pacifica wheezed. "What?"
As the bear placed her on the ground he seemed almost embarrassed. "Well it is true that I only met Nathaniel Northwest once before but..."
"Wait! Nathaniel Northwest?" Pacifica repeated. "The one who shoveled manure?!"
"True, he did not smell very pleasant..." Multi-Bear admitted. "However, he was always good company. He worked very hard to provide a life for his wife and seven children."
"Seven children? Really?"
"Yes, Dipper. Although I do not think they were very appreciative of his reputation with the town."
Made sense I supposed. The guy never asked to be labeled the town founder by the government, from what I could remember of his real picture he actually seemed happy with his job.
'The Northwests must have started going south with those children. I know I wouldn't want anyone to know I came from a man who's sole job was shoveling manure.' thought Pacifica.
"I only met him when I was a cub, he saved me from a hunter's trap and despite my freakish appearance he decided to spar me, however, he knew the villagers would most likely kill me out fear of my appearance. He advised me to head northwest in to the mountains where I eventually made my home."
"Well not that this history lesson isn't riveting but I think we need to get out of here before they come back." announced Dipper.
"So back through the entrance then?" asked Pacifica.
Dipper shook his head. "We were able to go in through the main entrance because we were being escorted. Now that they're all acting like a bunch of sore losers there's probably a trap or ambush waiting for us. No. We're going to have to make an exit."
"Make an exit? How?"
"Simple Sweetheart, you leave that to me."
All of the multi-bear's heads seemed to look at Pacifica. "Why does he calls you Swee..."
"I don't know!" Pacifica snapped.
Dipper pulled out his gun for a third time and adjusted the dial once again. He moved the white coverings forward and aimed the gun at the wall. As soon as he pulled the trigger a red laser beam shot out of the gun hitting the wall. He started to move the steady beam up the wall, treating it as if it were a blow torch.
Pacifica watched Dipper in fascination as he worked but something still itched in the back of her mind. "Hey, Multi-Bear. Would you mind answering me a question?"
"After sharing a shelter with you from Bill's magic? Not at all."
"The manotaurs kept mentioning a final task Dipper had to do, I get that you had something to do with it, but what was it?"
"They wanted him to kill me." he said with a smile.
"They wanted Dipper to kill you?!"
"Decapitate me, technically. I am considered an enemy of the manotaurs, my death would have made him a permanent member of their tribe. Even though he was young, he still managed to best me and could have killed me. Instead he chose to spare me after learning a little about myself, this decision was probably like a slap to the face for the manotaurs. I know he may seem a little..." the bear paused for a moment in search of the correct word. "Hard. However, he still has that kindness inside of him, I see it."
Pacifica brushed some hair behind her ear. "I think I'm starting to see it too."
*THOOM!*
"Okay, hole's in everyone. With the way the manotaurs like crashing around, I doubt they'll even notice it." Dipper announced.
Pacifica looked at Dipper's handy work, instead of blasting a hole he had cut one out big enough for all three of them. Her eyes went to his gun where steam seemed to be rising out of the barrel hole. "I gotta say, that laser seems pretty cool."
"Thanks, but it's not without it's drawbacks."
Something seemed to eject out of the back, Dipper let it hit the floor. Whatever it was, it was burned black and smoking like a burnt piece of wood.
"Like for example; it uses up an entire battery. Not to mention I can only use it as a steady beam instead of a single shot."
"Wait..." Pacifica squinted her eyes at the smoking heap on the floor. "Is that a cell phone battery?"
"No!" Dipper retorted. "It is not a cell phone battery!"
There was a quiet pause before Dipper pulled his collar up to hide his face. "Anymore..."
The process for making my gun's battery actually DOES start out with a cell phone battery...but she doesn't need to know that right now.
He avoided eye contact with her as they followed the multi-bear out in to the woods. A couple steps out and the multiple headed bear nearly stumbled, that was when Dipper first took real notice of his old friend. His fur seemed faded, his noses seemed so dry the skin was cracking, he still had his eye patch but it looked like it had seen some better days, and last but not least, save for the main head the other heads seemed exhausted.
"Multi-Bear, are you okay?"
"Yes, Dipper. I have just been running from the manotaurs for a while now. I am just dehydrated, it has been some time since I have had water."
"Well then," Pacifica started. "Let's see if we can find you a river or something."
As Pacifica took the lead, their friend noticed Dipper watching her walk and gave him a playful little jab.
That attitude? With those curves? Well...They could attract the distraction any man.
"I like your choice in human females, Dipper."
Dipper laughed nervously. "Shut up, man. She's just a friend."
Dipper tipped his hat to hide his blush as he quickened his pace to catch up with the heiress.
"I bet she is..." a mischievous grin crossed the bear's face. "For now..."
It didn't take them long to find a river, the water ran clear and deep, several large rocks poked through the surface of the water across its width.
"This will do nicely." the multi-bear said.
The multi-bear leaned over the river as he tried to make sure each of his heads got a drink. Dipper couldn't but stare as his friend tried to stretch half his body over when a gust of wind suddenly blew off Dipper's fedora.
"My hat!"
"I got it!"
And just like that she was off. Like a butterfly in to the sunset or a deer leaping across a grassy field.
Pacifica gave a toe loop jump in to the air, catching Dipper's hat before landing gracefully on a river stone. With only one foot on the stone and the other in the air she spun on her toes before leaping back on to dry land.
Dipper's jaw dropped as she walked over and handed him his fedora. "Try to keep a better grip on it."
A quick nudge from the wet bear snapped Dipper out of his stupor. The bear faced smirks didn't exactly help his embarrassment from staring.
"Wait! Pacifica! What was that?! Where did you learn that?"
It was her turn to smirk. "When I was thirteen my parents and I came to a compromise. Ballet. I did eventually stop taking lessons but I never did stop practicing."
"As a form of exercise?"
"More like a hobby."
An impressed smile started to grow on Dipper's face. "That is actually...pretty awesome!"
Pacifica gave a little mock curtsy to him making him chuckle.
An echoing chuckle behind him alerted him that the magical creature had finished his drink. He was already starting to look better much.
"Well Multi-Bear, I think now would be as good of a time to bring this up as any. The manotaurs technically kidnapped you, do you want to press charges?"
"I...do not understand, Dipper." Multi-Bear cocked his speaking head to the side. "Neither I nor the manotaurs follow the laws of man and..."
"Yes well, when the government found out magical creatures and the like actually existed some rules were changed. Now anyone who is an American citizen can press charges, the definition for that which has also changed."
It was true, it put the government in an awkward situation which they weren't sure how to handle.
"How so?" asked Multi-Bear.
"Let me put it to you this way. Are you sentient?"
"Yes."
"Are you capable of discerning right from wrong?"
"Yes."
"Were you born in America?"
"Yes."
"Then congratulations, you're an American citizen."
Pacifica gave a small laugh at Dipper simplistic explanation.
"No, I do not wish to cause you the trouble it would entail. The manotaurs and I shall sadly be forever enemies, the only reason they were able to capture me was because I was chased from my home."
I think the real reason why he turned my offer down is because he knew the manotaurs wouldn't go down without a fight. And who knows how much damage that would cause. However, there was still one question that needed to be answered...
"What could possibly chase you out?" asked Pacifica.
"Lightning Goblins."
"Lightning Goblins? I don't think I've ever come across something like those, in my adventures or any of the old journals. What are they?" Dipper asked.
"They are small, annoying little gremlins said to be born from a lightning storm! Because of this, they each have their own electrical charge. Perhaps this is why they seem to have an affinity with conductive metals. They may not be all that powerful on their own, but together they are quite formidable."
"They'd have to be to chase you out. What's the story with that, anyways?" Dipper asked.
"They came without warning. I know not why they wanted my cave but it was clear they didn't want me in it! I did my best to defend my home but eventually I was overpowered and chased out."
"Hmm..." Dipper hummed. "Pretty simplistic...any clue as to why?"
"It could be possible they wanted my cave for the shelter it provided, despite being born from a storm they don't like water."
Dipper pulled out a notepad and started to write on it. "Possible...but I doubt that's all there is to it. Is there anything else you can remember? Anything at all, even the tiniest tidbit could be crucial."
I had to write this down for a number of reasons. One; paperwork, it was always important to document everything. Two; a creature that wasn't in the journals? How could I resist? And three; there was no way we wouldn't be crossing paths with them so every bit information was going to help.
"Well...they did seem to be dragging something."
"Dragging something?" echoed Pacifica.
"Yes. In a large sack! I didn't have time to tell what it was but whatever it was, it was moving."
Dipper stopped writing and shared a look with Pacifica.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"It's definitely worth checking out, Sweetheart." Dipper turned to the Multi-Bear. "You stay here and rest, we'll handle things from here."
I knew Multi-Bear's pride must have been hurt here a little, relying on somebody else to get your home back, but he's smart enough to know when to turn the battle over to someone better suited. Pacifica and myself had the same conclusion, the person in the sack had to be her accountant. We knew it couldn't be a coincidence, but we could have never guessed the dangers waiting for us.
Omake
A couple of teenagers were spray painting an alley wall when suddenly Robbie jumped out of a nearby dumpster grinning like a maniac. "AHA! BUSTED"
Hello, world, here's a song that we're singin',
Robbie drove through town happily in his police car with the disgruntled teenagers in the back.
c'mon get happy
One by one he presented them to their parents on their doorstep while grinning like a maniac.
A whole lotta lovin' is what we'll be bringin',
Watching the teenagers get chewed out by their parents, Robbie gave a content sigh before driving home.
we'll make you happy
Robbie came in to his living room to find his pregnant wife watching tv.
"Hey Honey, how was your day?" Tambry asked.
"Oh you know..." he smiled contently. "Same old, same old."
Okay so that's it. Please leave a review it really helps me with the next chapter.