Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Gravity Falls, Oregon.

The Hulderlands.*

Two completely different areas in the world.

And yet, they have very much in common.

Both are homes to various creatures that shouldn't exist.

Both featured locations that are undiscovered and just as mythical as the creatures that surround them.

And both were explored by two brave youngsters, who knew the risks when exploring and studying them.

These are their...

Mystery Adventures.

Chapter Text

*A certain someone's POV*

Summer Break.

A time for leisure, recreation, and taking 'er easy...

...unless you're me.

{During the events of The Long Road}

Just when I thought my Summer Break from last year was insane, my family and I ended up spending Winter Break, and the new year, in the Hulderlands, a neighboring continent near the Scandanavian countries. As the new year dawned, so did the start of a new friendship.

*A boy, a girl, and a deer fox walk across a grassland*

My name is Dipper. The girl right next to me is Hilda, a resident of the Hulderlands. The little one right next to her is Twig, a deer fox, and her closest companion.

Since we were younger, Hilda and I each have a knack for adventure. Then, things escalated when we first met.

Last year, my parents thought that I, along with my younger twin, Mabel, could use some fresh air. Mabel and I visited a town in Oregon called Gravity Falls, home to my uncle, Stan Pines, who owned a tourist trap called the Mystery Shack, where we worked alongside him and two others named Soos and Wendy. I thought it was just going to be quite a boring summer, until one day, I found one of three journals, all later revealed to be authored by Stan's missing twin, Ford Pines. Each journal detailed all kinds of supernatural stuff that surrounds Gravity Falls. One of which would later become our biggest threat, Bill Cipher, a psychotic living pyramid who wanted to take control of the whole universe and recreate it in his image. In the end, Grunkle Stan sacrificed his memory to destroy Bill and save us all. As time went by, he started to regain his memories with the help of Uncle Ford. I've always looked forward to seeing them and the others again. Eventually, we would, but not in Gravity Falls.

When my family visited the Hulderlands in Winter, I decided to try "solo-exploring" the nearby wilderness. When I did so, I encountered a rather angry wolf, but I was saved by Hilda and Twig. Since then, she has shown me around the place, while we talked about our many adventures. During this, we even discussed our differences. I'm always careful, organized, and analytical, while Hilda is more of a risk-taker and often acts on impulse, such as when she jumped over a chasm and nearly fell, while I took a nearby safe path and had to pull her back up. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Eventually, we parted ways and headed back to our homes. However, I already knew what I wanted to do later that year.

Later that year, my family and I decided to visit Trolberg.

And thus, began a new kind of adventure for all of us.

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Intro: Play this first before continuing

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~Trolberg~

*A bus arrives and opens its doors, allowing its passengers to disembark*

*One particular group disembarks*

Stan: So, this is Trolberg. Not that different from Gravity Falls.

Mabel: Are you sure this is where Hilda lives?

Dipper: Her words, not mine.

Wendy: So, where's the house we're setting up in?

Ford: *Pulls out a map* Uh... It should be... *Points to a direction* ...right around this corner.

*They all head to the corner in question*

Wendy: *Spots the house in question* Is that it?

Ford: *Spots it as well* Yep. That's the place.

Dipper: *Looks across the street* *!*

Across the street from our new house stood a similar house, which looked more decrepit in comparison. And boy, did it send chills down my spine.

Dipper: ... Glad it's not that house.

~Inside~

Ford: Okay. Time to set up shop. *He and the others proceed to do so* If Trolberg is just as mysterious as Gravity Falls usually is, then we better prepare ourselves for whatever we might come across, especially... dare I say it... if the worst comes to the worst. *Notices Dipper heading outside* Where are you going?

Dipper: I'm... just gonna explore Trolberg a little more. I'll be back soon. *Leaves*

Stan: Don't take too long. The exchange thing that you and Mabel signed up for will start tomorrow.

Dipper: I know.

Mabel: Hold on! *Goes after him* I wanna explore too!

It was still school time for me and my sister. Our school happened to be in this multinational exchange program, which also featured the Trolberg-based Edmund Ahlberg Elementary. And I already know who goes to that school.

Mabel: *Catches up to Dipper* So, where's a good place to start?

Dipper: Well, we could start with the local library. The first thing I want to be doing here in Trolberg is study its history.

Mabel: Sounds like a plan. *!* Oh, wait. Maybe, I should go back and get the map.

Dipper: No need. We can just find a copy. It would probably be for the best if we had more than one- *Bumps into someone holding some boxes, causing them to fall* Ah! S-Sorry.

Familiar Voice: No, it's okay.

Dipper: *!*

Familiar Voice: It's hard for me to see where I'm going, considering how these boxes are blocking my view of what's in front of me.

Dipper: *Looks up to see...* Hilda?

Hilda: *!* *Looks up to him* Dipper! *Hugs him* Haha!

Dipper: Nice to see you too.

Hilda: *Breaks the hug* I haven't seen you in a while. How's life back in Piedmont?

Dipper: Quite fine. You?

Hilda: Oh, you're going to love what I've been wanting to tell you. *Turns to Mabel* You must be Mabel.

Mabel: Yep. *Extends her hand* I'm Mabel Pines.

Hilda: *Shakes her hand* Hilda Löfgren. So, what brings you here?

Dipper: We're participating in a school exchange program. Upon learning that your school was featured, we immediately went for it.

Hilda: *Chuckle* Talk about "diabolical luck". *Picks up the boxes* Well, since you're here, I might as well show you around. R-Right after I get these boxes delivered. I have to get these to a scout program that I'm a part of.

Mabel: We could help if you'd like. Fewer items to carry.

Hilda: Fair enough. Pick a box, any box.

{Later}

It was a fairly decent tour. Mabel and I needed it if we were going to attend Hilda's school.

~Park~

Hilda: The moment I stepped into Trolberg. This park is where I met some new friends. *Remembers* Well, I say they were my friends, but nowadays, I hardly ever talk to them.

Dipper: What happened?

Hilda: They... weren't exactly nice. At the time, I was still rather clueless. I've lived in a lone cabin with my mum in the wilderness for most of my life, hardly knowing anything about living in a city or even the smallest settlements, but now, here I am.

Mabel: *Spots something in the distance* Is that the school?

Hilda: Yep. That's where I go. In fact, after all that I went through in the past, I decided to start a school club, the Adventure Club. I do hope for you to join. We need around 5 or 6 members if we want it to be official.

Mabel: Count us in. We would love to.

Dipper: Well, tomorrow at least. We start our attendance tomorrow.

Hilda: Good. Less time for us to wait.

{Later}

Hilda: So, this is where you're staying for the time being?

Mabel: Uh-huh. Not much, but it's better than nothing.

Dipper: It's that house across the street that I'm worried about.

Hilda: *Turns to the house in question* Oh, my. *Turns back to the twins* Well, you're in luck. If you need any help, my apartment is just a block down the street. Just look for a white-and-red building with a brick roof. *Leaves* See you tomorrow.

Dipper & Mabel: Bye.

Mabel: She's quite nice.

Dipper: Hm. *Glances at the decrepit house*

{The next day}

~Edmund Ahlberg Elementary~

Sure enough, we began our first day at the school. It wasn't until we began looking for Hilda's club that things finally got... strange.

Mabel: *Looking around* Okay. Where is that clubroom?

Dipper: *Looking around* There should be some sign or whatever to show us. *Approaches a group of kids* Excuse us.

*The group turns to them*

Girl: Can we help you?

Dipper: We're looking for the... Adventure Club.

Boy: Löfgren's club?

Boy 2: Well, you don't have to look around for too long. *Points to a door* It's just down there. There's no official sign for it though.

Mabel: Which is why my brother and I are going to join it to officiate it.

Boy: Why that club of all things?

Dipper: ... I... visited the Hulderlands earlier this year. I don't mind exploring it again. *He and Mabel head for the clubroom*

Boy 3: They must be the exchange students in question.

Girl: They seem nice.

Boy: Yeah, but they're interested in Löfgren's club.

Boy 2: What's wrong with that?

~Adventure Clubroom~

Boy 4: Hilda, are you sure this thing will work?

Hilda: Positive. I've already tested it a couple of days ago.

Dipper: *Enters with Mabel* Hey, Hilda.

Hilda: Oh, you're here! About time.

Mabel: *Notices the bullseye* Are you guys up to something?

*Thwank!*

Dipper: Whoa! *Ducks his head*

*The projectile bounces off the bullseye*

Dipper: *Gets back up* Careful.

Girl 2: Sorry. Just... testing a new... *Glances at a...* ...device.

Boy 4: An experimental catapult.

Boy 5: Which we shouldn't be testing on the school grounds.

Hilda: In hindsight, we probably should've taken it outside after school.

Boy 5: *Annoyed* Oh. You don't say!

Boy 4: What was your first clue?

Girls 2: Boys, please.

Dipper: Hilda, are you sure this is a club for adventurers? Or is it actually for child soldiers?

Hilda: It's for adventurers. The catapult's just for self-defense.

Dipper: Looks more like offense than defense.

Hilda: Well, it depends on the situation, I guess. Anyway, allow me to introduce the team. *Points to the girl* Frida Auclair, *Points to one boy* David Olden, *Points to the other* and latest member Richard Burke.

Frida: Nice to meet you guys. Hilda has told us a lot about you.

Dipper: Likewise.

Hilda: Team, these two are twin siblings Dipper and Mabel Pines.

David: Dipper?

Dipper: Actually, my real name is Mason, but my nickname comes from my birthmark. *Shows it on his forehead* See?

Richard: Oh. That explains it.

*Muffled running*

*They all turn to the door*

Frida: Oh, gosh. Is that Daniel again?

Richard: Why am I not surprised?

Dipper: Wait. Daniel?

Mabel: Who's he?

Richard: Daniel Burke. My older brother. He works here as a volunteer.

*A young man barges into the room*

Daniel: Sorry, Richard! I gotta hide in here! *Hides behind a table*

*A teacher peeps through*

Teacher: Richard, have you seen your brother? I caught him stealing something from my room.

Richard: ... I... think he rushed by the door.

Teacher: Blast.

Richard: What has he done this time?

Teacher: He was nabbing some of my... flammable materials.

Richard: ... *Gulp*

Teacher: I'm on the verge of questioning why we still have him dropping by the school to volunteer if he keeps behaving like this.

Richard: That's just Daniel being... Daniel. He can't help it.

Teacher: Ugh. *Leaves*

Daniel: ... Is the coast clear now?

Richard: The teacher left.

Daniel: *Emerges* Hoo, boy.

Frida: Daniel, these habits of yours are getting out of hand.

Daniel: I know. But I need to know what's in that- *Notices the Pines Twins* Who are you two?

Dipper & Mabel: Uh...

Hilda: Daniel, these two are twins Dipper and Mabel Pines. Guys, this is Daniel Burke.

Mabel: Nice to meet you, Daniel.

Daniel: Nice to meet you as well, but I can't stay for introductions. I need to head to that house.

Mabel: What house?

David: Daniel and Richard visit decrepit places from time to time.

Hilda: And when they're home, it's their job to know what happens in their neighborhood.

Daniel: This time, I'm looking into a decrepit white house on the block.

Dipper: Does it have boarded windows and a no-crossing sign on the front yard?

Daniel: *?* How'd you know?

Mabel: We're in the house across from it.

Daniel: ... Well, sucks to be in your position. Besides, your house is no picnic either.

Dipper: How so?

Daniel: That house has a hidden basement, which is still accessible to this day. The house's founder died down there. To the public, he lost ownership at some point and lived down there as a tenant, up until he died of natural causes. However, some, including myself, have believed that the founder kept the ownership, and was poisoned to death instead.

Dipper: Who would do that?

Daniel: I don't know. Some say the following owner got a little too ambitious, and others believe that the founder... offed himself in an unsuccessful attempt to take the ownership to the grave. What I do know is that Martin Reynolds, the owner across the street, had some part in that matter. And on top of that, he has some secrets of his own.

Mabel: Like what?

Daniel: He had a family once, but his wife died in a tragic accident. After that, he just... snapped.

Richard: And if that weren't enough, his two kids went missing some time later. Some believe his broken state caused him to... kill them.

Dipper: ... Uh...

Daniel: But I am not stopping, until I find the answers I seek. *Approaches the door* I'd steer clear from that house if I were you two. It could cost you your life. *Leaves*

Hilda: ... Uh... Anyway, now that you're here, why don't you sign up?

{Later}

~Reynolds House~

Dipper: ... Hmm.

Mabel: You okay?

Dipper: ... I'm gonna give it a shot.

Mabel: Give what a shot?

Dipper: I'm gonna talk to him. *Approaches the house*

Mabel: Are you sure you want to do that?

Dipper: You would usually do this.

Mabel: Well, normally, I would, but after all that we went through back in Gravity Falls, I'm starting to feel a little cautious now.

Dipper: That's the thing about growing up; you get a little more cautious about your surroundings. *Knocks on the door* Hello?

*Silence*

Dipper: Silence. That's never a good sign.

Mabel: *Looks through the window* Neither is a lack of movement inside the house.

Dipper: Let's check the back. Maybe, he's over there. *He and Mabel do so*

At that moment, things started to get disturbing.

*Muffled noise*

Dipper & Mabel: *!*

Dipper: Do you hear that?

Mabel: *Nods* It sounds like crying.

*They continue to the backyard, until...*

Dipper: Oh...

Mabel: ...my goodness.

A tombstone. Unmarked. In someone's backyard. And yet, no one else has noticed it.

*Knob rattling*

Dipper: *Notices a door* We better leave. *Grabs Mabel's hand and leaves with her*

*A middle-aged man with a shovel exits*

Man: *Looks around* Hello?

*Silence*

Man: ... Hm. I thought I heard someone.

*A ball lands in the yard*

Man: *Turns to see some kids nearby* Oh, great. *Grabs the ball and throws it back* Can't you go play in the park or something?

*The kids grab the ball and leave*

Man: *Scoff* Seriously.

*A delivery truck passes by*

~Down The Street~

Our troubles didn't stop there. Things were about to get... dark down the street.

Seller: Man, I'm on a hot streak this month. I even managed to sell that "death house" to that group from the States.

Seller 2: You mean, the one across from Mister Reynolds' house?

Seller: Yeah, that one. *Places a "Sold" sticker over a "For Sale" sign* Besides, that old guy died from natural causes.

Seller 2: Not everyone sees it that way though.

Seller: Ah, who cares about what those conspiracy theorists yammer about? Not us.

*A flock of crows suddenly swarm the older seller*

Seller: Oy! Shoo! Get away! *Unknowingly stumbles onto the road* A little help here Alex!

Alex: *Notices the delivery truck coming* Uh... Eli?

Eli: What?!

Alex: There's a truck coming!

Eli: *!* A truck?! Where?!

Alex: Behind you!

Eli: *Turns around* Huh?

*Truck honks*

*The flock flies away*

Eli: *Screaming*

*Thud!*

Eli: *Flies backward* Oy! *Falls to the ground*

Alex: Eli! *Rushes to him*

*A woman peeks out of Hilda's apartment*

Woman: What on...? *!* Oh, no.

*Daniel arrives*

Woman: Daniel-

Daniel: Johanna, just stay inside. And whatever you do, don't let Hilda see this! *Rushes to the scene*

Johanna: ...

Hilda: *Appears* Mum?

Johanna: *Turns to Hilda*

Hilda: What was that noise?

Johanna: Hilda, just back up to the apartment.

Hilda: Why?

Johanna: Just go.

Hilda: ... Okay. *Goes back*

*A strange coin of sorts rolls away from the crash site, before stopping in front of...*

Man: ... *Grabs it* ... *Turns to the scene* How is that bonehead still drawing oxygen? *Pockets the coin* I guess it's forever beyond me. *Leaves*

{Nighttime}

Dipper: What? Someone got hit by a truck, right outside your apartment?

Hilda (Over the phone): He's breathing at least. And the truck driver wasn't at fault. But get this: It wasn't the only time. This was only the fourth accident in the past couple of weeks. All of them have the same MO.

Dipper: A pattern, huh?

Hilda (Over the phone): And here's the kicker: One particular man is always present at each accident. According to Daniel, that man in question is Mister Reynolds.

Dipper: Mister Reynolds? Why would he be at each accident?

Hilda (Over the phone): Not sure. Daniel's going to check out the house again tonight. In the meantime, I'm gonna sneak out and follow him.

Dipper: Wait a minute. What about-

*Hang-up noise*

Dipper: ... Dang. *Puts the phone away* I'll be right back. *Leaves*

Ford: Where are you going?

Dipper: I'm gonna check that house across the street again.

Ford: Dipper, need I remind you of what you and Mabel discovered earlier?

*Door closes*

Ford: ... *Groans* Never mind.

Stan: Let him do what he wants, Ford. More dinner food for me.

Ford: Still, Dipper should stay safe around that house.

~Reynolds House~

Daniel: *Skulks around the house* Okay. Where are you?

???: Daniel.

Daniel: *!* Gyagh! *Turns around to see...* Why are you here?

Hilda: I'm just as curious as you are.

???: Ahem.

Hilda: *!* *Turns around to see...*

Dipper: Impulsive as usual.

Hilda: You're one to talk. You were here earlier.

Dipper: Exactly. In the daylight. Not here during-

Daniel: Will you two keep it down? We have to look for a way in. Every time I sneak in, Reynolds would reinforce his house in response.

*Muffled noise*

All 3: *!*

Hilda: Is someone... crying?

Dipper: Mabel and I heard that earlier.

Daniel: *Looks up to see an open window* There's a way in. Maybe, we can find out who it is inside.

~Inside~

Daniel: Good gravy. What's with the decor?

Dipper: Well, a questionable taste decor doesn't make anyone a murderer.

Daniel: Whatever.

Hilda: *Notices a pile of coins* What are these for?

Dipper: Could they be from the accidents?

Daniel: Maybe. Considering the amount, there might be more incidents than just the four from the past two weeks.

*The trio skulks to the next floor up*

Daniel: He's always changing things, even on the inside. It's like the house is alive or something.

*Footsteps*

All 3: *!*

*A shadow slowly comes into view*

Hilda: *Spots an open room* In here. *She and the others head inside*

Daniel: *Sighs with relief* That was close.

Dipper: *Notices a corkboard* Whoa. Someone's been busy. Pictures of the two houses. And many others.

Hilda: Familiar faces too. Including... us.

Daniel: *Pulls out a camera* Here. *Passes it to Dipper* It's on "Silent".

Dipper: *Takes a picture*

*Flash!*

All 3: *!*

Hilda: You said it was on "Silent"!

Daniel: I thought it was!

Dipper: Let's just get out of here!

*They all do so*

We had to sneak from one door to another in the hallway, while a familiar face kept looking into the previous rooms. It was going smoothly until...

Dipper: *Steps on a loose board, causing it to creak loudly* ... Oops.

Daniel: Nice going, genius.

Man: *?* *Turns to see the trio* What the...?

All 3: *They all turn to him* ...

Hilda: ... Are... you... Martin Reynolds?

Man: So, what if I am?

Daniel: At least, you admit it.

Reynolds: *Notices the camera* ... You...!

Dipper: *?* Hm?

Reynolds: Give me that CAMERA! *Charges at them*

Daniel: Run! *He and the kids do so*

*Reynolds chases them around the house, until...*

Dipper: *Notices a crawlspace* This way! *He and the others go through*

Reynolds: No, no, NO! *Runs to the front door*

~Outside~

*The trio heads to Dipper's house*

All 3: *Panting*

Reynolds: *Stops at his front gate*

Dipper: Why doesn't he just go past his property line?

Daniel: I don't know. But it's all the more reason to suspect him for having secrets of his own.

Reynolds: ... Quit coming here, Burke! I'm getting tired of it! *Goes back inside* Not to mention how you keep getting past my reinforcements! *Slams the door shut*

Hilda: ... I mean, he's not wrong.

Daniel: Well, I don't care.

Dipper: *Examines the picture* Hey, Daniel.

Daniel: Hm?

Dipper: Do you... ever follow Mister Reynolds when he leaves his house?

Daniel: Not really. I just find that as the best time to sneak in, considering what he does when he's home.

Dipper: Well... *Shows the picture* Do you ever wonder what he does when he's not home?

Daniel: ... Not really. I never thought of that until now.

Dipper: Wouldn't have to go into his creepy house again.

Hilda: And who knows? Maybe, we'll get lucky.

~Upper Floor, Reynolds House~

Reynolds: *Observing the trio* ... You could get lucky. But I won't slip up. I never slip up.

It was only my first week in Trolberg. And needless to say, things were about to become quite... difficult.

Chapter Text

{The next day}

~Edmund Ahlberg Elementary~

The next day, Daniel was gathering the rest of the squad to relay their findings, while Hilda continued touring Dipper.

Hilda: *Spots a particular group of kids chattering* Ugh.

Dipper: *Spots them as well* Are they... bad news?

Hilda: Unfortunately, yes. *Points to three of the kids* Three of them were among the first "friends" I made here in Trolberg.

Dipper: So, those three are the ones you mentioned.

Hilda: *Nods* I'd steer clear of them if I were you. *Notices two more boys approaching the group* On the other hand, those two are a different story.

Dipper: *!* Hang on. I saw that boy before. He was with another group of kids.

Hilda: Hughie Lombardi. He's always so... judgemental. Ironically, he's also Richard's best friend.

Dipper: What about the other one?

Hilda: Trevor Stenburg. He's their team leader. He's just as rude as his group, but he admitted that there are times when he's... much nicer.

Dipper: How'd you get him to admit that?

Hilda: Well, I-

Daniel: *Arrives with the rest of their team* There you are. I was wondering where you went.

Hilda: Just giving Dipper a tour of the school.

As the team went over what was discovered in the Reynolds House, they didn't notice...

Hughie: *Spots them* Oh, great.

Boy: What?

Hughie: They did join the Adventure Club.

*The rest of the group turns to what he's looking at*

Girl: Are those the two twins from the other day?

Hughie: Mm-hmm. They were asking about Löfgren's club.

Boy 2: Didn't you say that one of them had a weird name?

Hughie: The boy in the hat. His name is Mason, but he prefers Dipper.

Girl: *Chuckling* Dipper? Like the star thing?

Hughie: His sister, Mabel, is no picnic either. She's so carefree. *Turns to Trevor* Remind you of anyone?

Trevor: ...

Hughie: *?* Trevor?

Trevor: *!* Y-Yeah. Yeah, it sounds like Hilda.

Girl: Are you okay?

Trevor: I-I'm fine. It's just... *Sigh* Never mind. *Heads to the front door* Let's just get inside.

Girl: *Groans* What has gotten into him?

Hughie: *Shrug* Don't look at me. He's your problem. I'm just your "latest addition".

{Later that day}

The rest of the day went on normally for the team until they were called to talk to Miss Hallgrim, one of the teachers. Originally, Daniel was supposed to be present as well, but he had left before the school day ended.

*The team enters*

Dipper: You... wanted to see us?

Miss Hallgrim: Yes. Before you say anything, I can assure you that none of you are at fault. It's more about Daniel. No surprise that he left the school for the day before we could get to him.

Richard: I know that Daniel has a long history of... troublemaking, but I do know that some of his actions are... justifiable in a sense.

Miss Hallgrim: And yet, those motives in particular are often overshadowed by everything else.

Richard: Well, yeah, but-

Miss Hallgrim: Back on topic. Has he told you anything in particular as of late?

Dipper: ... Well, there is one thing: There's this house across the street from mine, and he said that the guy in there has a... messed up behavior or something.

Miss Hallgrim: You mean, Martin Reynolds? *Sigh* Of course, Daniel would go after him.

Dipper: Daniel said he had a family once, but now, he lives on his own.

Miss Hallgrim: That I remember. The accident that killed his wife was the talk of the school at the time. Helen was a teacher here.

Hilda: What happened?

Miss Hallgrim: Helen was coming back from visiting some relatives. Her car was acting up. So, Martin had to pick her up in his. On the way back, they were about to stop at a red light, when all of a sudden, the brakes on Martin's car... somehow snapped. On top of that, it was raining that night. So, the car just went faster and faster, until they got to a busy intersection and... crashed into another car.

Kids: ...

Miss Hallgrim: Helen was the only one who died that night, and Martin had survivor's guilt. Since then, he had to lie to his children about what happened to their mother and even kept them isolated. A year later, those two kids, Andrew and Sophie, tried to leave the house to look for Helen, but Martin caught them and took them back. Shortly thereafter, Andrew and Sophie suddenly went missing and rumors began to spread about their fates. As of recently, I can see that Daniel has found himself in that crowd. *Glances at Dipper and Hilda* And even brought you two along.

Dipper: T-Technically, I wasn't into whatever he was into. I was... pulled in.

Hilda: "Pulled in"? Really? That's supposed to be your excuse?

Miss Hallgrim: And to think, you also took a picture of something in his house.

Hilda: *!* How did-

Miss Hallgrim: Hughie overheard your conversation and relayed everything to me.

Richard: *Face-palm* Dang it, Hughie.

Dipper: Well, the picture we took showed something creepy. He had a corkboard with pictures of... the six of us.

Kids: *?!*

Miss Hallgrim: *?* Now, why would he have such a thing?

Dipper: I don't know, but we saw it with our own eyes. Then again, he probably took it down by now.

Miss Hallgrim: ... Just... do us all one favor: Leave Mister Reynolds be. He's already suffered too much.

Kids: ... Okay.

~Park~

David: Miss Hallgrim did have a point. Is looking into Mister Reynolds even worth it?

Richard: Daniel thinks so. All he wants is answers.

Mabel: Curiosity does get the better of us.

Frida: But it seems to get the better of Daniel all the time.

Richard: Hence why he has a history of troublemaking.

Hilda: *Spots a familiar person* Uh-oh.

*The team spots the person as well*

Dipper: Mister Reynolds. *Approaches him*

Mabel: Uh... What are you doing?

Dipper: ...

Reynolds: *Notices Dipper* What do you want?

Dipper: I'm only gonna say this once. I'm sorry for breaking into your house.

Reynolds: ... That older friend of yours has done worse.

Dipper: If there's anything I can do to make up for it, then I'll do just that.

Reynolds: ... Follow me. *Walks away* I need some help with some supplies.

Dipper: ... *Follows*

Hilda: ... "Supplies"? *She and the others follow*

{Later}

~Hardware Store~

*Dipper and Mister Reynolds exit with a stash of supplies*

Dipper: Not to intrude on your personal life, but what are the supplies for?

Reynolds: ... I'm trying to turn my house into a... prison.

Dipper: *!* Why would you do that?

Reynolds: It's more about what I'm keeping inside my house rather than the countless intruders that barge in.

Dipper: Well, why is it difficult for you to talk about?

Reynolds: ... What I'm keeping inside... was created by my son.

Diper: *?* Your son?

Reynolds: Ever since Helen passed, Andrew and Sophie have become... immensely curious about what happened to her. I... didn't dare to tell them that she had died. Instead, I told them that she was reported missing. I was... scared to wonder how they would end up becoming if I had told them the truth. Looking back, I probably should've gone down that route. Instead, I saw what they had become when I lied to them. Sophie did move on, but Andrew... He just wouldn't stop thinking about his mother. That's why I decided to... isolate the three of us. The last straw came when he and Sophie attempted to escape.

Dipper: What did you do with them after that?

Reynolds: ... I sent them to live with relatives, the same relatives that Helen was visiting the night she died. For good measure, I gave up my custody rights, so that I could live on my own.

Dipper: But you said they went missing.

Reynolds: Also for good measure. But that... thing in my house. The thing that Andrew created... It just wouldn't leave me alone. So, I imprisoned it. I hope it doesn't get out. This city would be a better place without it roaming about and- *Spots something* Oh, boy.

Dipper: *Spots it as well* *!* Uh...

Up ahead with another crash site. This time, outside a garage.

Reynolds: Change of plans. *Takes Dipper's bag* I'll take everything back. Good day.

Dipper: W-What...?

Hilda: *She and the others approach Dipper* Okay. That was odd. Why the sudden change of plans?

Dipper: *Notices Mister Reynolds approaching something near the site* Oh.

Reynolds: *Grabs a strange coin and leaves*

Dipper: He probably wanted to avoid talking about the coins.

Hilda: The coins?

~Adventure Clubroom~

Daniel: *Writing on the chalkboard* "Mister Reynolds is not a killer". "Mister Reynolds is not a killer". "Mister Reynolds is not a killer". "Mister Reynolds is not a killer". "Mister Reynolds is not a-"

???: What are you doing?

Daniel: *Turns to see the group that Dipper and Mabel met* I'm trying to remind myself of something Dipper told me.

Girl: Is this about when you broke into Mister Reynolds' house?

Daniel: Questionable taste in decor doesn't make him a murderer, but if it's not murder, then what is it?

*Door opens, revealing the team*

Daniel: Oh, good. You're here. Where have you been this time?

Dipper: I had a chat with Mister Reynolds.

Daniel: *!* Why?

Dipper: He's no murderer, but he's hiding something worse than a dead body. He was being dodgy about it too.

Hughie: What else could he be hiding?

Hilda: Beats us, but it has to do with those coins that he has been collecting.

Richard: *Glares at Hughie* Why are you so interested all of a sudden?

Hughie: Uh...

Girl: I'm interested, Richard!

Hughie: *Mockingly* "I'm interested, Richard"! *Normal tone* You're always interested in what Richard has to say, Jemma.

Jemma: Hughie, shut up.

Daniel: Back on topic. What did he tell you?

Dipper: He said that he sent his children away after they tried to search for their mother, but he's been haunted by this... thing created by his son.

Daniel: What... did his son create?

Dipper: He wouldn't say, but he did tell me that he had been holding it prisoner for some time. It got even weirder when he just darted away from me to grab yet another coin.

Daniel: So, he's holding something prisoner in his house and he's secretive about those coins.

Hilda: *!* Wait a second. I just remembered something. That corkboard with the pictures of us on it. I saw a map as well.

Daniel: *Pulls out his camera and checks the picture* You're right. There was a map. *Shows it* It's even got a pin on all of our houses, including Dipper and Mabel's.

Boy 2: *Notices something* Hold on. *Points to pin* That one's my house.

Boy 3: Why would Mister Reynolds be watching you?

Hughie: Hold on. *Points to the building across from it* That building across from Tommy's house. Isn't that the workplace of that seller who got run over the other day?

Daniel: Well, we've already solved part of the mystery behind the Reynolds House. Now, we just have another.

David: I'm not sure if we should.

Daniel: David, people are getting run over, Mister Reynolds is collecting these coins at each scene, as well as taking photos of certain places and people, he's been keeping to himself about them, and no one's doing squat to solve this mystery because of his undeniably tragic backstory. Someone has to solve it, or this trend will continue for... whoever knows how long.

David: ... *Sigh* And that someone is... us.

Dipper: And just us. No one else is allowed unless it's necessary to bring them in.

~Outside The Room~

Unbeknownst to them, a certain rival group had been eavesdropping.

Trevor: Speak for yourself, Pines. The last thing this school wants is more troublemakers.

Chapter Text

*Dipper's POV*

Okay. So, after observing Martin Reynolds for some time, the crew and I gathered at our house to relay our findings to each other.

Here's what we collected. (Word for word.)

----------

Hughie and Deacon (Told by Hughie):

So, Deacon went to the doctor's office one day, waiting in one of the rooms, when all of a sudden, he heard screaming. Upon looking outside the window, he saw a small crowd gathering at a building across the street. They were surrounding one guy lying on the stairs. Poor sucker's knee was slightly bent the wrong way. When they tried to help, he insisted on handling it himself and crawled away, but one guy, later revealed to be his neighbor, followed him just to be safe. But then, as he made it to the bottom of the stairs, another guy came out and the same thing happened to him! Unfortunately for him, he got an even worse injury. He landed so hard, that everyone heard his spine cracking and he passed out a second later. When they all went to check on him (minus the first victim and his neighbor of course), something shiny rolled away from the second guy. Only Deacon noticed it, no one else. So, he managed to snap a picture of it. After doing so, a millisecond later, Mister Reynolds came into view and snatched the coin with only Deacon noticing, before leaving the scene. That's when the doctor came in and Deacon had to go back to his seat. Sure enough, that building is on that map in Mister Reynolds' house. Later on, I met up with Deacon, and we headed over to that building. Deacon's working theory is that the stairs have been... rigged or something. I don't know. It's his theory, not mine.

Me, Mabel, and Richard (Told by me):

Ever since Miss Halgrim told us to leave Mister Reynolds alone, we decided to only observe him outside his house rather than barge in like Daniel usually does. One night, we spotted him near the local cemetery. We couldn't get a good look at what he was doing from outside. We tried to get inside, but a police car was coming and we had to hide. They got a report of a vandal. Only one officer came and entered. So, we followed. All he could find was a dug-up grave. Then, all of a sudden, Mister Reynolds appeared from behind him and tried to whack him with a shovel. Fortunately, Mabel thought fast and threw a rock at him to catch his attention. The cop noticed as well, but all he could see was just a stray cat, while we lured MIster Reynolds away from him. Little did we realize that we were already too late. He already collected the body from that grave and stuffed it in a sack. Luckily, he just stopped and let us run off. I'm guessing whatever was in that sack of his was worth killing witnesses over and too important for him to lose sight of.

Jemma and Tommy (Told by Jemma):

There was this wooden building that Tommy and I decided to visit, as we saw Mister Reynolds entering it. Nothing but taxidermy statues inside. Anyone would think that every glass eye was silently judging them. When we got to the basement, we saw the taxidermist, acting a bit... off. He seemed to enjoy his work a little more than usual. I was about to question him, but Tommy insisted that we leave him be. When we tried to leave, we knocked one of the taxidermy statues over. As soon as we heard the taxidermist, we hid and skulked away. But then, something weird happened. We saw Mister Reynolds knock out the taxidermist for seemingly no reason. Then, he grabbed a stuffed crow and walked out. Kind of random if you ask me.

Hilda, Frida, and David (Told by Hilda):

At first, I thought Mister Reynolds was on to us since we spotted him on the school grounds. He was even picking a lock to one of the doors. But when we followed him inside, we saw that he wasn't really on to us. Instead, he was infiltrating a door that led to the school's boiler room. Upon our entry, we found what appeared to be tunnels underneath our own school. Why that is? We may never know. What really caught us offguard was not Mister Reynolds, but rather... Trevor and his group. They were just as curious about the tunnels as we were. Then, we heard a rumbling. So, we all rushed back to the surface. We hoped it wasn't a quake or anything like that. Thankfully, it wasn't, but honestly... I would've preferred a tremor. By the time, we got back to the surface, the rumbling just... stopped. We thought it was over, until... boom! We heard an explosion from outside. When we checked to see where it was, we saw a nearby apartment building on fire. It was put out in a short amount of time, and no one was inside when it happened, but no one knows what really caused the explosion. They just assumed that the boiler got all faulty, but I thought Mister Reynolds used the tunnels to sneak into that boiler room and tamper with it.

----------

Whatever Mister Reynolds is doing, it has become clear that he doesn't care about whoever he hurts. He doesn't let anyone get in his way. No one is bothering to investigate the guy. So, we might as well take matters into our own hands.

Chapter Text

~Pines House~

*Knocking*

Dipper: *Opens it, revealing the rest of the team* Come right in.

*The team enters*

Daniel: So, this is where you're staying, huh?

Dipper: You'd expect an apartment, but somehow, we got this place.

Ford: *Appears* You must be Dipper and Mabel's friends. Nice to meet you all. I'm Ford Pines. *Points to a sleeping Stan* That over there is my twin brother, Stan Pines.

Wendy: *Appears* Hi. I'm Wendy Corduroy.

Hilda: Nice to meet you too.

Daniel: We just need to use the second floor.

~Second Floor~

From the second floor, the team observes Martin Reynolds returning to his home.

Daniel: Nothing so far.

Mabel: So, how are we going to approach this?

Dipper: Simple: We split into two teams. One infiltrates the house, the other will be the eyes in the sky.

*Hammering*

*The team looks outside to see Mister Reynolds hammering wooden planks over one of his windows*

Richard: Okay. Nothing suspicious there.

Daniel: *Notices a door on the bottom level* Hmm. That door looks important. It's got like a... red lock.

Hilda: Why would he have such a thing?

Daniel: Beats me.

Reynolds: *Glares at the group* ... Hmph. *Enters his house... while leaving the front door open*

Frida: Why is he leaving the front door open?

David: Maybe, he's... daring us?

Daniel: If he thinks I'm scared, then he's wrong. I always get away.

Jemma: Try telling that to those... sharp objects out there.

Dipper: Barbed wire, a beartrap, a guillotine blade...

Mabel: No doubt it's a trap.

Wendy: *Spots something in the bedroom* Wait. Look in there.

*The team spots a red key on the nightstand*

Daniel: Perfect. *Climbs out of the window* I'm going in. *Jumps down to the ground*

Hughie: Couldn't he just take your door?

Daniel (Over the radio): Testing.

Dipper: *Uses his radio* We hear you.

David: You do remember that we're forbidden from barging in, right?

Daniel (Over the radio): I know, but I don't care. Who else is going to investigate this house? The authorities won't. Now, how do I get inside without using the front door?

Hilda: Well, you could try the upper window on the left.

Daniel (Over the radio): I don't see it.

Frida: Not your left, silly, our left.

Daniel: *Spots it* Oh, I see it. *Climbs up*

Reynolds: *Exits*

Richard: Mister Reynolds just came out. It doesn't look like he knows.

Daniel: *Enters through the window*

Tommy: Better hurry, Daniel.

Daniel (Over the radio): I know. Here it is. *Pause* I got the key. I hope it works.

Reynolds: *Goes back inside*

Deacon: Daniel, he's heading back inside.

Daniel (Over the radio): I'll sneak past him.

*Mister Reynolds' front door slams shut*

The team can only watch as Mister Reynolds looks around for Daniel, only for the latter to appear at the bottom level.

Daniel (Over the radio): I managed to sneak by.

~Reynolds House~

Daniel: Now, to use this key. *Inserts it into the lock* I hope we nail him. Otherwise, we'll be nothing but total-

Familiar Voice: Total what?

Daniel: *!* ...

Dipper (Over the radio): Daniel...!

Daniel: ... *Turns to see...*

Reynolds: ... I thought you were going to leave me alone. *Grabs Daniel by the neck* But it seems that you're impulsive attitude will never go away!

Daniel: *Choking*

Reynolds: *Snatches the key and unlocks the door* If you're so damn curious, then allow me to give you a tour. *Brings him in*

~Pines House~

*Slam!*

Richard: Daniel?! Daniel!

Ford: *Arrives* What just happened?

Wendy: Mister Reynolds took Daniel!

Ford: He what?!

*Static*

Reynolds (Over the radio): Hey, kid.

Everyone: *!*

Reynolds (Over the radio): I thought you were different from this rascal, but you're all just the same. You and your friends can tell whoever you want about what you just saw, but no one will ever believe you.

~Basement, Reynolds House~

Daniel: *Struggling*

Reynolds: Besides, who'd ever believe a bunch of troublemakers like you? *Chuckles evilly*

Chapter Text

{Later}

~Outside~

*A police car arrives and an officer steps out*

In response to Daniel getting kidnapped, the team had to call the police.

Officer: *Approaches the front door and knocks on it*

Reynolds: *Opens the door* Yes?

Officer: We got a report of a kidnapping taking place in your house, Mister Reynolds. I have to look around.

Reynolds: ... You can look around if you like. But I don't have anyone else in here.

Officer: Okay. *Enters and searches the house*

~Pines House~

David: I don't think calling the police is going to work. Mister Reynolds probably hid Daniel very well in his house.

Dipper: Even so, there has to be at least something that Daniel left behind as proof.

Richard: There has to be something, or my brother's dead!

Mabel: Richard, calm down. It's only been a few minutes. I'm sure Mister Reynolds hasn't done anything yet.

~Reynolds House~

Officer: *Spots some scratch marks near the basement door* ... Mister Reynolds, are you sure there's no one else in here?

Reynolds: Why do you find it hard to believe?

Officer: Because there's scratch marks right here.

Reynolds: *?*

Officer: What do you have to say about that?

Reynolds: ... I... think one of my neighbor's cats broke into my house, or... something?

Officer: You sure? Because these look like human scratch marks instead of cat ones.

Reynolds: *!*

Officer: I'll be coming back later. Just to be sure. *Leaves* Keep yourself available.

Reynolds: ... Oh...! *Approaches the marks* How did I miss these marks? And I don't have anything to patch them up.

~Pines House~

*The police car leaves*

Frida: You think it worked?

Hilda: Let's hope so. If Mister Reynolds isn't arrested, then he's probably under suspicion at best or brushed aside again at worst.

*Static*

Reynolds (Over the radio): Hey, kid.

Everyone: *!*

Reynolds (Over the radio): I don't know how he did, but your friend left a little on hint, and I'm unable to patch it up.

Dipper: *Uses the radio* Well, now, you know what happens when-

Reynolds (Over the radio): One warning: Keep pushing, and you and your posse will end up just like him. Lost, forgotten, buried, and Trolberg will never mourn a troublemaker like you, even if your group has mere children in it. Like I said, who'd ever believe someone like you?

Dipper: ... *Turns the radio off*

Jemma: Don't we need that?

Dipper: ... I'm tired of his voice.

{A day later}

Since then, the group hasn't uttered a single word about Mister Reynolds kidnapping Daniel. However, it hasn't stopped another particular group from getting involved. After eavesdropping them during lunch, they could easily tell what had happened.

Girl: Ugh. Do they expect anyone to believe them? No one would suspect a guy with a tragic backstory to be a sociopath.

Boy: Even if they did, it could be a total hoax by the "victim".

Boy 2: And another thing: The "victim" in question is Daniel Burke, the one guy who keeps harassing Mister Reynolds. Why would believe what he says about Mister Reynolds? Or even what any of his friends say?

Girl: *Scoff* If he had any to begin with. All he has is his brother. *Turns to Trevor* What do you think, Trevor?

Trevor: ...

Girl: *?* Trevor?

Trevor: ...

Boy: Trevor, were you even listening?

Trevor: ... I heard you... but I'm not interested.

Boy 2: Then, what are you interested in?

Trevor: ... I'm... I'm worried.

Girl: About what?

Trevor: ... To be honest, I'm worried about Daniel.

Girl: Oh, come on. Not you too.

Boy: He runs away all the time.

Trevor: Not this time. Daniel's a known troublemaker, but he didn't deserve to be kidnapped for no earthly reason. He's also the flesh and blood of Hughie's best friend.

Boy 2: If Hughie can even call Richard his "best friend".

Girl: Daniel's a sneaky rascal. He could probably get out of his current conundrum.

Trevor: They claimed that they saw what they saw. And we would've seen it too.

Girl: Why would we even team up with those-

Trevor: *Grabs a rock*

Boy: *!* W-What are you doing?

Trevor: Sending a message to you-know-who. *Throws it at the house*

*Shatter!*

Reynolds: What the...?!

Kids: *!*

Girl: *Irritated* Nice going, Trevor!

Trevor: Just run! *He and his group do so*

~Pines House~

Unbeknownst to them, Dipper and Mabel saw the whole thing.

Dipper: Oh, now, they've done it.

Mabel: Should we call the cops again, or something?

Dipper: ... No, I heard them. I can't say I blame them for being worried about Daniel.

Mabel: Or rather, you can't say you blame... Trevor. Those other three don't seem so interested in what he was thinking.

Dipper: Whatever.

{Later}

~Löfgren Apartment~

Not far from the Pines and Reynolds houses, Richard can only sulk in silence about what could happen to his brother. Nothing Hilda did to comfort him seemed to work.

Richard: *Gazing at the radio* ...

Hilda: *Gently takes the radio* If Mabel is sure that Daniel will be fine, then so am I.

Richard: ... I hope so.

Johanna: Richard! Hilda!

Hilda: Yes, Mum?

Richard: ... Yes?

Johanna: Could you come over here? There's someone who wants to meet with you two.

Richard: *?* ... *He and Hilda exit her room and head to the living room* Who is it? *Glances at the couch* *!*

Hilda: *!*

The visitor was none other than...

Reynolds: ... Hello.

Hilda: ... Hi.

Richard: ... Hi. *Grabs his coat* I'm gonna visit the twins. *Leaves*

Johanna: Richard...

Richard: I can't stay to chat! *Closes the door*

Johanna: ...

Hilda: ...

Reynolds: ... Well, I can't say I blame him. He is worried about his brother after all.

Hilda: ... So, why are you here?

Reynolds: I'm sure that boy gave you the gist of why I... behave the way I am today.

~Reynolds House~

Richard ran and ran for as long as his leg could carry him until he couldn't run anymore. Before he knew it, he found himself in front of the two houses.

Richard: *Panting* ... Oh, boy. *Turns to the Reynolds House* ... *Glares at it* Okay. That tears it. *Approaches the front door* I'm getting my brother back. *Tries to open the door* Locked. Of course. *Looks around... before pulling out a paperclip and making a lockpick* But that won't stop me. *Carefully picks the lock*

*A particular group quietly walks up to him*

Familiar Voice: Your brother's in there.

Richard: *!*

Familiar Voice: Isn't he?

Richard: *Turns around to see...* ... I didn't know you were interested.

Girl: Well, Trevor is. Then, he decided to pull us in.

Boy: And to think, he threw a rock at one of the windows earlier.

Richard: *?!* You... what?!

Trevor: I wasn't intending to shatter his window though.

Boy 2: Well, you sure made a big goof-up this time.

Richard: Look. If you want to help me for once, then feel free to do so. And you can start by helping me with getting this door open. Daniel and I aren't exactly the best at picking locks in Trolberg.

Trevor: *Snatches the pick and has a go at it* Then, it's a good thing that I'm a slight bit better.

*Click!*

Trevor: There we go. *Opens the door*

Richard: I know this sounds stupid, but we need to cover the whole house by... splitting up.

Girl: Split up, huh? Isn't that the worst thing to do in a horror movie?

Richard: Only when the movie monster isn't present. The last time I saw Mister Reynolds, he was at Hilda's apartment.

Trevor: *?* What's he doing over there?

Richard: I didn't stick around to find out.

~Löfgren Apartment~

Hilda: So, something has been haunting you in your house ever since you gave up your kids to your relatives? Is that it?

Reynolds: The traps were just there to prevent it from escaping. The last thing Trolberg wants is... something like that roaming the streets.

Johanna: And you said that your son created it?

Reynolds: I wasn't sure how he did it, or why he made that thing, but it's the one thing that hasn't left me in a long while. And to this day, I don't know how to get rid of it.

~Reynolds House~

Richard: *He and the others meet up in the living room* Did you find anything, Trevor?

Trevor: No.

Richard: *Turns to one of the boys* How about you, Fargo?

Fargo: No luck.

Richard: *Turns to the other boy* Alban?

Alban: I checked upstairs. No luck.

Trevor: *Notices something* Wait. Where's Martha?

Richard: *Looks around* Martha?

*Muffled crying*

Boys: *!*

Fargo: What was that?

Alban: It sounds like a... crying child.

Trevor: *Worried* Is it Martha?

Richard: *Listens carefully* ... No, it's not Martha. It sounds like a little boy.

Trevor: Obviously, it can't be your brother. He's older than that.

~Pines House~

Dipper: *Gazes at the Reynolds house... and notices movement* Hey, Mabel.

Mabel: *Appears* Hm?

Dipper: I think someone's in there.

Mabel: *Spots the movement as well* Oh. *!* Maybe, we can help them grab Daniel's radio.

Dipper: Good idea. Let me grab our- *Remembers* Oh, wait. Richard has it.

~Reynolds House~

Richard: Odd. The crying stopped.

Fargo: Are we moving away from it?

Richard: Maybe. *Spots a familiar* *!* The basement door. *He and the others approach it* Daniel? Daniel, are you in there?

Daniel (On the other side): *Delirious* Please, Mister Reynolds. I promise I won't barge into your house again.

Richard: *?* Daniel, it's me. Richard. Your brother.

Daniel (On the other side): I'm sorry. I won't tell anyone. Just let me out.

Trevor: Is something wrong with him?

Richard: Obviously. *Tries to pull the door open*

Alban: Richard, it's locked.

Daniel (On the other side): I didn't see a dang thing. Not one diddly-

Richard: DANIEL!

Daniel (On the other side): *Normal tone* Huh?

Fargo: I think he snapped out of it.

Daniel (On the other side): Richard? Is that you?

Richard: Yes, it's me! I've brought backup as well! We're gonna get you out!

Daniel (On the other side): Simply pulling on it won't do any good. You have to find the red key.

Richard: We don't know where to look. And it's not like Mister Reynolds put it back on his nightstand.

Daniel (On the other side): Then, I suggest you get moving now!

Richard: Right. Come on! *He and the others leave*

~Löfgren Apartment~

Hilda: Not to sound nosy or anything, but we might've eavesdropped on you multiple times.

Johanna: *?* You did?

Reynolds: *Sigh* Of course.

Hilda: One testimony involved you... visiting a taxidermist... which ended badly.

Johanna: *!*

Reynolds: It's... just one of those... moments.

Johanna: What moments?

Reynolds: Ever since Helen died, my survivor's guilt has often caused me to... lash out at other people. I'm able to maintain my composure with children, including Andrew and Sophie, but when I encounter an adult, I just... You know. So, if anything, I'd just chalk it up to... bling rage.

~Reynolds House~

Trevor: Are you sure this place is filled with traps? 'Cause none of them seem to be working right now.

Richard: That is weird. Why are none of- *Spots a familiar person* There you are.

Martha: *Struggling to open a door*

Trevor: Martha, what are you doing?

Martha: Haven't you noticed how every door is left open? Save for this one?

Richard: *Observes the door* ... Hmm. Let me help. *Helps Martha with the door*

Alban: Careful. It could be a trap.

Richard: We know. *He and Martha finally get the door open* There.

*They all look inside*

Fargo: Okay. What exactly are we looking for?

Richard: The basement door had a red lock. So, we need to look for... *Spots the red key hanging on an old key rack* There you are. *Jumps up and grabs it* Now, to... *Struggles to pull it off* Come on!

*Snap!*

Richard: *Falls to the ground* Urgh!

*The key rack bounces off his head*

Richard: ... Got it.

Martha: *Spots a radio* Hang on. Is this your brother's?

Richard: *Spots it as well* *!* It is!

~Pines House~

Dipper: Come on, Hilda. Pick up.

Wendy: *Enters* What's going on?

Mabel: We saw movement in Mister Reynolds' house earlier. Somebody must've barged in again.

Dipper: We need Hilda and Richard to use our radio to guide them to Daniel's. We're not far from each other. So, what's taking so long?

~Löfgren Apartment~

*Phone ringing*

Hilda: I'll get it. *Answers the phone* Hello?

Dipper (Over the phone): *Sigh* About time. Listen, someone's in the Reynolds house.

Hilda: *!* Really?

Dipper (Over the phone): We need you and Richard to use our radio to guide them to Daniel's.

Hilda: ... About that. Richard... darted off and left the radio with me.

~Pines House~

Dipper: He left the radio with you? *!* The movement inside.

Mabel: Maybe, the movement inside is Richard.

Dipper: Hilda, I think I know where Richard went.

~Löfgren Apartment~

Hilda: You do? Where is he?

*Static*

Richard (Over the radio): I found the other radio!

Hilda: *!*

Johanna: *?*

Reynolds: *?!*

Hilda: ... Uh-oh.

Johanna: ... What is Richard up to?

Reynolds: ... *Leaves* I'm gonna head back. Nice talking to you. *Runs*

Johanna: ... *Turns back to Hilda* Hilda... what's going on?

Hilda: I'll tell you later, Mum. *Leaves* I'm gonna be at the twins' house! Bye!

Johanna: ... *Sighs*

~Reynolds House~

Richard: Heh. Now, we can nail Mister Reynolds. *Singing (terribly)* I'm in the Reynolds house. I'm in the Reynolds house. I've got the red key. I'll save my big bro. I'll be a hero. The team's gonna love it. I am the best! Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh!

Hilda (Over the radio): Richard!

Kids: *!* Aaaaaggggghhhhh!!!!!!

Richard: *Normal tone* H-Hilda? You didn't hear any of that, did you?

Hilda (Over the radio): Hear what?

Richard: Never mind. Doesn't matter.

Hilda (Over the radio): Whatever. You need to get out of there! Now! Mister Reynolds knows you're in his house!

*Doors bursts open*

Reynolds: HEY!

Kids: *!* Aaaaaggggghhhhh!!!!!! *They all run for it*

Reynolds: *Chases them* Give me that key!

Trevor: Back up the stairs!

*They all do just that*

Reynolds: *Goes up* Richard!

Martha: *Runs into a string wall* Ahh! *Pulls away*

Alban: *Steps on a pressure plate*

*A giant chainsaw drops down, narrowly missing the kids*

Reynolds: *Stops and resets the trap* I'll have to get rid of this one. *Continues his pursuit*

Richard: We need to get back to the ground level! The front door's our only exit!

Trevor, Martha, Fargo, and Alban: Got it!

*The kids head back downstairs, with Mister Reynolds still on their tail*

~Outside~

Hilda: *Enters the Pines House* Dipper, I'm heading up!

*The chase bursts out of the front door*

Reynolds: Get back here!

Dipper: Come on, guys! Faster!

*The kids make it past the property line, causing Mister Reynolds to stop... and glare at Dipper, Mabel, and Wendy*

Hilda: *Appears* Oh, my.

Reynolds: ... *Slowly heads back into his house*

~Pines House~

Dipper, Mabel, Hilda, and Wendy: *They all sigh with relief*

Richard: *Barges in with the other four* Good news: Daniel's alive! He's still being held in the basement.

Dipper: Great! We can still save him!

Hilda: *Hugs Richard* Nice going, Richard! You're such a brave kid!

Richard: ... *Blushes* Th-Thanks.

Hilda: *Breaks the hug* We better call the others. We're getting your brother back tonight.

Trevor: You should count us in too.

Hilda: *?*

Wendy: Why?

Mabel: Trevor, we're not exactly-

Trevor: Save it. After what we just went through in there, we'd do anything to get a little retribution.

Dipper: ... Alright. We'll need all the help we can get.

~Basement, Reynolds House~

Daniel: ...

Reynolds: *Enters*

Daniel: ... What do you want now?

Reynolds: I'm bringing you to another room. Don't worry. You'll see your friends and your little brother soon. Just... not in a positive light. *Chuckles evilly*

Chapter Text

{Nighttime}

~Reynolds House~

The team, including Trevor's group, is now ready to barge into the Reynolds house to rescue Daniel.

Dipper: Okay. We get in, find Daniel, and get out. If we're lucky, we might find something that could incriminate Mister Reynolds for what he did to him.

Trevor: Emphasis on the "If".

Hilda: First things first, we need a way into the house. *Spots a familiar window* And I know just the spot.

~Inside~

*The team climbs into the house*

Mabel: Okay. We know that Daniel's still in the basement.

David: And we have the red key to unlock the door. This should be easy for us

Martha: *Looks around* Maybe, a little too easy. I don't see Mister Reynolds.

Frida: He's probably just out for a stroll or something.

Richard: I hope so, 'cause I don't wanna deal with him like we did last- *Spots something* ...time.

The team had now spotted the basement door... which now had two more colored locks.

Wendy: It's not just the red lock now. There's one in yellow and one in blue.

Fargo: Why did he add two more? To make it harder for us to save Daniel?

Alban: Now, what do we do?

Familiar Voice: Isn't it obvious?

Everyone: *!* *They all turn to see...*

Reynolds: Now, I've got 16 prisoners. *Pulls out a shovel... and turns the lights off*

Everyone: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

*Everything goes black*

~Strange Room~

*Everyone wakes up, groaning*

Dipper: ... What the heck?

Jemma: *Whimpering* ... My face...

Hughie: *Pats her head*

Tommy: What... room is this?

Deacon: I don't know. *Spots someone new wearing a creepy mask* Maybe, we should ask him.

Richard: *!* Wait a second. *Approaches him* Is this...? *Removes the mask, revealing a delirious...* *!* Daniel!

Daniel: *Delirious* ... The walls... They keep shrinking. Every time I do something wrong. But I swear. I haven't done a single thing.

Richard: Daniel, it's me! Richard!

Daniel: ... Richard... Who's Richard?

Richard: *?!* I am! I'm Richard! I'm your brother!

Daniel: ... I had a... brother? Strange. I recall playing with a sister.

Richard: We don't have a sister. And do I-

Daniel: But I saw a little girl. At least, I think I did. It's hard to tell, 'cause I haven't been outside in years.

Richard: Years?

Wendy: I don't think it's Daniel, Richard. I think it's somebody else using Daniel's body.

Mabel: So, it's a... ghost?

David: What did Mister Reynolds do to Daniel? And... whoever is possessing him?

Dipper: We have to get him to a hospital. Maybe, some medical treatment can help him regain his sanity.

Daniel: Sanity? I didn't lose my sanity. I still have it.

Hilda: The tone in your voice says otherwise.

Frida: *Tries to open the door* Help me with this door!

Richard: Working on it. *Looks around* There's gotta be something to pry it open.

Martha: Can't you work harder?

Hughie: This isn't Richard's fault, Martha.

Martha: ... You're right. It's not Richard's fault. It's flipping Daniel's fault!

Richard: Hey! Don't go blaming my brother!

Martha: Think about it. It all started with him. And now, look where it's got-

Richard: *Slaps her face*

Martha: ... *Furious* GYAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH! *Tackles Richard and wrestles him*

Trevor: Oh, come on! At a time like this?! *Tries to separate them*

Richard & Martha: *They shove him away* Stay out of this!

Trevor: *Knocks into a panel... which falls over to reveal a passageway* ... Hey.

*The team notices as well*

*Richard and Martha continue to tussle*

Trevor: Hey!

*Richard and Martha continue to tussle*

Trevor: HEY!

Richard & Martha: *They stop* WHAT?! *They both notice the passage* Oh.

Dipper: Let's check it out. *He and the team do so*

~Basement~

Hilda: This better be the way out.

Daniel: ... Hard to tell. They all look the same.

*Muffled crying*

Everyone: *!*

Richard: There's that crying again.

Frida: *Notices a heavily blocked door* It's coming from that door.

Mabel: Hello? Is anyone in there?

*Muffled crying*

David: I don't think they can hear us.

Daniel: ... That's the thing.

Richard: *?* What...?

Daniel: ... The kids... They never left this house.

Wendy: What do you mean?

Hughie: *Spots an open path* This way. *Leads the group down the path*

Unbeknownst to them, the crying began to slowly fade away, until...

*Door creaks open*

~Laundry Room~

*The team enters, sighing with relief*

Jemma: Finally, a normal room.

Fargo: Yeah, the only normal room in this mess of a house.

Tommy: *Notices a bat and grabs it* This could help.

Alban: *Snatches it* We'll take point.

Trevor: Come on. Let's get moving. *He and his group head upstairs*

Deacon: Why do you get to take point?

Trevor: Because if we can't find a way out, then we'll make one.

Deacon: And you're more capable of making a way out compared to us?

Martha: We never said that. If anything, we're the only ones capable, while you guys are too busy dealing with Daniel.

Dipper: ... She has a point. Daniel's not himself.

Wendy: Like I said, it's someone possessing him.

David: *Panicking* Whatever! I just wanna get out of here already! *Runs away* I don't wanna wear a bag as a face!

Frida: David! Wait! *Goes after him*

Mabel: *Runs after them* Don't just run away like that!

Richard: ... *Turns to the others* You guys take care of my brother. I'll go... handle the other... scaredy-cat. *Goes after them*

~Upstairs~

Trevor: Okay. Where's a good spot to make an exit point? *Checks some windows* No, these are too high up.

Martha: *Checks a hallway* Let's see if there's something down here.

*Hidden doors pop open and a bunch of wonky robots emerge*

Alban: Heh. Are those supposed to scare us?

Fargo: As if.

Trevor: *Snatches the bat from Alban* We each get a swing. *Smashes one robot* That's for kidnapping Daniel. *Tosses the bat to...*

Martha: *Smashes another* That's for breaking his mind. *Tosses the bat to...*

Fargo: *Smashes another* That's for nearly kidnapping us last time! *Tosses the bat to...*

Alban: *Smashes another* That's for the shovel to the face earlier!

Elsewhere, Richard catches up to Mabel, Frida, and David.

Richard: David, we're supposed to stick together, not run in cir-

Frida: *Covers his mouth* Shh.

*The four hide upon seeing Mister Reynolds watching his own house like a hawk while passing by them*

Frida: *Uncovers Richard's mouth* Let's go. *She and the others run down a hallway... only to find a bar door*

Mabel: Hm. *Grabs a bar... only to get zapped, prompting her to let go* ... Ow.

David: ... You okay?

Mabel: *Annoyed* Do I look okay to you, David?! I just got zapped.

David: At least, you're still breathing.

Richard: *Notices a powerbox* Give me a moment. *Fiddles with the wires* If I... just... do... this... then...

*The door opens*

Richard: There we go.

The rest of the group makes it back to where they entered... only to see that it has now been blocked.

Daniel: ... All wrong. No way out.

Hilda: This was our only exit point.

Daniel: ... Maybe, you'll get out of the prison... but you never leave the sight of the guards. Locks can't keep it out. It gets in your head.

Wendy: *Covers his mouth* Daniel, just stop.

Hughie: Daniel, are you certain that there's no way out, or is there something we could use?

Daniel: ... *Moves Wendy's hand* I need my mask first.

Dipper: Why?

Daniel: ... It's my thinking cap.

Jemma: *Notices a familiar sight* *!* The red key. *Spots two more* And the keys for the other two locks!

Daniel: *Approaches them and grabs them* ... I need my mask. *Leaves* I need my thinking cap.

Meanwhile, Trevor's group finds a potential way out... surrounded by a roomful of mousetraps and a pizza box.

Trevor: Hmm. We could risk kicking them to the side.

Martha: *Hops over to one gap* Or play hopscotch. *Hops to another and another*

Fargo: Uh...

~Basement~

Back in the basement, the team finds the room where they were locked in earlier.

Daniel: *Looks around* Where is it? Where's my mask?

Tommy: Is the mask even necessary, Daniel? I mean, it's just-

Daniel: Found it. *Grabs it and puts it on* I need to hear myself think. Shh.

Deacon: I agree, Tommy. I don't think the mask is necessary at all.

Daniel: It's my literal thinking cap. I can't think without it. What else can I use?

~Upstairs~

Martha: *Hops to another gap* Hehehe. *Hops to another*

Alban: Martha, we're just gonna kick them to the side.

Martha: I know what I'm doing. *Hops to another... but narrowly loses her balance* See? No worries. *Turns to the window* Just one more leap. *Hops onto the pizza box* There. Now, I just need to climb to the window.

Trevor: *Notices something under the pizza box* Uh... Martha?

Martha: Ugh! What now, Trevor?

Trevor: Th- That box you're standing on. I think there's-

Martha: *Steps on something underneath the box* Hm? *Looks down*

Trevor: ...a beartrap.

*CLAMP!*

Martha: *Screaming* MY ANKLE! *Loses her balance and falls onto the mousetraps, causing them to snap onto her*

Trevor: *He and the boys cringe at the sight* Oh, gosh!

Elsewhere, Richard's team scours the house for any exit points, until...

*Martha screaming in another room*

Richard: *!* Martha! *Runs to where she is*

Mabel, Frida, and David: Martha?!

~Basement~

*Martha screaming from upstairs*

Everyone: *!*

Hughie: I think Martha's in trouble!

Wendy: *Pulls Daniel* Daniel, you'll have to think on the way up.

Daniel: ... Up? Why?

~Upstairs~

Richard: *Looking around* Where is she?! Martha!

David: *Covers his mouth* And you were the one giving me warnings earlier.

Reynolds: *In the distance* You're forbidden to leave!

All 4: *!*

Mabel: *Notices an open room* In here! *Leads everyone inside*

Elsewhere, the rest of the team emerges from the basement.

*Martha screaming in another room*

Hilda: For once in my life, I'm really worried for Martha.

Dipper: I can't say I blame you.

Hughie: ... I blame myself for bringing her into this.

Jemma: It's not just Martha. You also brought in Alban, Fargo, and- *Spots a familiar face* Trevor! *She and the others rush to him*

Dipper: Are you alright?

Trevor: I'm fine. *Glances at a messed-up sight* ... She's not.

*The team turns to see Fargo and Alban carefully removing the mousetraps off Martha*

Martha: *Notices the team* ... Hey, Hughie. *Waves* Hehe.

Hilda: ... *She and the others notice the beartrap on Martha's ankle* Oh, gosh. Is that why you were screaming?

Martha: ... *Nods*

Dipper: Let me get it open. *Grabs a nearby wrench and pries the beartrap open* There.

Martha: *Removes the last mousetrap off her hand* I think that's all of them.

Dipper: Did anyone bring any bandages?

Wendy: *Pulls out a bandage roll* I only brought this just in case. *Wraps it around Martha's ankle*

Hilda: No offense, but you kind of had this coming. You were being overconfident.

Martha: ... No arguements here.

Alban: For once.

Wendy: *Tightens the bandage*

Martha: *Whimpering*

Wendy: Sorry. I have to make it tight to stop the bleeding.

Deacon: Can you still walk?

Martha: I got a flipping beartrap to my ankle and you're asking me if I can still walk. Seriously?

Tommy: Just answer his question.

Martha: ... Let me try. *Gets up slowly, wincing with every step she takes* I can barely take a step with this leg.

Daniel: ... *Points in a direction* This way. *Walks in it*

Trevor: What's he pointing at?

Hughie: He's thinking of a way out of here. We'll have to trust him at the moment.

Fargo: Do we have to?

Dipper: What other choice do we have?

~Strange Room~

Following Daniel, the team has now found themselves in what appears to be an "amusement park" room, roller coaster and all.

Jemma: Why does Mister Reynolds have this in his house?

Hilda: Beat me.

Martha: *Taps on a clairvoyant glass ball* Hm.

*Footsteps*

Everyone: *?*

*Richard's team arrives*

Dipper: There you are.

Richard: *Spots Martha* Martha, are you okay? *Notices her leg* Oh, my goodness. What happened?

Martha: Beartrap.

Richard: ... *Hugs her*

Martha: ... *Blushes*

Trevor: *Notices something in Mabel's hand* What's that?

Mabel: *Shows it* It's a whip. Caked in blood!

Frida: We don't know what Mister Reynolds was doing, or even whose blood this is, but we're pretty sure that this is proof enough to nail him.

David: Otherwise, he'll just burn yet another piece of evidence!

Familiar Voice: Which I'm going to do right now.

Everyone: *!* *They all turn to see...*

Reynolds: I'll be taking that whip now. And I'll show you what it's really for.

Dipper: ... *Notices a lever* Hm. *Pulls it*

*The roller coaster begins to move*

Reynolds: *?* Huh?

Dipper: Hop on! *He and the others do so*

*The roller coaster zooms around the house before...*

Hilda: *Sees the end of the ride* Watch out!

*The team ducks for it*

~Outside~

*CRASH!*

*The coaster comes to a stop*

Mabel: Quick! Back to our house!

*The team disembarks and runs back to the Pines House*

Reynolds: *Opens the front door* PINES! *Notices a trail of footprints... leading from the basement* Oh, no.

*The team stops in front of the house*

Stan: *He and Ford emerge* *!* Hot Belgian waffles! What on Earth happened to you guys?!

Dipper: We'll tell you later, Grunkle Stan. We just need a breather.

Daniel: ... He's evolving.

*Everyone turns to him*

Richard: What do you mean by that?

Daniel: He decided that he shall hunt, no matter where you run.

Hilda: Huh?

Reynolds: *Grabs Hilda* What did you do?!

Hilda: *Whimpering*

Reynolds: *Tosses her back onto his front yard*

David: Hilda!

Reynolds: *Grabs her again* Where is he?!

Hilda: Where is who?!

Reynolds: My son!

Hilda: *?!* Your son was in that-

Reynolds: How did you free him?!

Hilda: We didn't! We swear it!

Reynolds: ... Then, you... shall take... his spot.

*A police car arrives and two officers rush out*

Officer: Mister Reynolds!

Officer 2: Let her go!

*They both tackle Mister Reynolds, causing him to let go of Hilda*

Hilda: I'm sorry, Mister Reynolds! *Runs back to the team*

Officer: What's gotten into him?!

Officer 2: I don't know, but he needs to be restrained as soon as possible!

Hilda: *Run to Dipper and hugs him*

Dipper: Are you okay?

Hilda: *Nods*

Dipper: ... *Turns to the officers holding Mister Reynolds down* His son was in that room?

{A week later}

~Edmund Ahlberg Elementary~

By now, the incident at the Reynolds house was the talk of the town, but the Adventure Club just wanted to be alone for the time being. On a bright note, it only took a short amount of time for Daniel to come back to his senses, mainly thanks to Ford.

Daniel: Mister Reynolds wasn't hiding something that Andrew created. He was hiding Andrew himself. He didn't really send his children to live with relatives.

Dipper: Why would he do that to his own son?

Hilda: And where is his daughter?

Mabel: ... Maybe, she died at some point and her dad buried her in the backyard, where that tombstone is.

David: Did you she died accidentally? Or do you think...?

Richard: ... I wonder if Mister Reynolds will provide any answers.

Frida: If he's calm enough to talk.

*Knocking*

Hilda: S-Sorry. We're unavailable at the-

*Door opens, revealing...*

Frida: Oh, hey, Trevor.

Trevor: ... Hi. How are you holding up?

David: We're doing good. You?

Trevor: ... Martha's injury isn't too severe. Her ankle should be healed by the end of the week.

Richard: ... *Notices something in Trevor's hand* What's that in your hand?

Trevor: *Shows it* It's a letter, addressed to you guys. *Passes it to Dipper*

Dipper: *Opens it* Hm. *Pulls out the letter and reads it*

"To the Edmund Ahlberg Elementary School Adventure Club,

You managed to solve a great mystery. Martin Reynolds is done. However, so are you. Inside this envelope is a coin representing all six of your lives. One of you must hold onto it at all costs like a lucky charm. Lose the coin, and you'll lose your lives.

- The Shadow of Trolberg."

Mabel: The... what?

Dipper: ... *Pulls out a familiar object out of the envelope* *!*

Everyone: *!*

Trevor: Is that...?

Richard: It's one of those coins.

Dipper: ...

Daniel: ... Did... Did Andrew really create something after all?

Dipper: ... It seems like it. It's not just Andrew Reynolds. There was something else in that basement.

Hilda: So, what does this mean?

Dipper: ... *Glances out the window* ... Something's coming to Trolberg. And we need to be prepared for it.

----------

To be continued...

Chapter Text

Intro: Play this before continuing

----------

~Cafeteria, Edmund Ahlberg Elementary~

Dipper: Hilda, if I recall correctly, weren't you going to say something about... *Points to a particular person nearby* ...him?

Hilda: Hm? *Turns to see Trevor and his group* Oh, right. Trevor.

Dipper: You said that he's just as rude as his group, but he admitted that there are times when he's "much nicer". How did you get him to admit that?

Hilda: Well, one time, I was out for a stroll with Twig, stopping at the tidepools. We were about to continue our stroll when Trevor made his presence known. As it turned out, his house was nearby and he often came out to the tidepools. Initially, I didn't know why, but I got my answer a few moments later. *Looks around before leaning in* He does stone-skipping for a hobby.

Dipper: Wow. Really?

Hilda: *Nods* I've thrown stones into lakes and rivers before I came to Trolberg, but then, he taught me how it's done. By the time we were done, he started to feel down when I asked about his friends. He told me they weren't into stone-skipping. So, I suggested that I should bring Frida and David next time. He only said "I guess" and darted off back to his house. We haven't done anything together since, but I haven't given up on that thought.

Dipper: ... *Glances at Trevor, who is now arguing with his group* He came to us by himself once. Maybe, I should talk to him when he's alone.

Hilda: *Turns to the argument* ... Good point. I've always been worried about this behavior from them.

{The next day}

The next day, Dipper got his chance to have a chat with him.

~Park~

Trevor: ...

Dipper: *Approaches him* Trevor?

Trevor: *Turns to him* ... Oh. Hi. What do you want?

Dipper: I just wanted to have a chat with you. I thought it'd be best if we did it in private.

Trevor: ... Fine. I don't have much to do today anyway.

*They both sit under a nearby tree*

Trevor: So, why do you want to talk to me of all people? Is it because of what happened at the... you-know-where?

Dipper: Actually, Hilda told me that you do stone-skipping as a hobby.

Trevor: ... Of course, she would mention that. I don't talk about it that often since I usually skip stones alone. That is until she came in.

Dipper: She did mention dropping by again with Frida and David. Have you ever thought of still doing that?

Trevor: ... Honestly, it has crossed my mind, but... I'm just afraid of letting my usual friends know about it. They're not exactly on good terms with Hilda. As for me, I kind of started to bury the hatchet with her.

Dipper: How?

Trevor: Well, sometime before you arrived, I had a skirmish with some teenagers. It was because of... something I rather not talk about. I could've gone straight home or headed to any of my friends, but instead, I... went to Hilda's apartment.

Dipper: What made you want to go to Hilda's place?

Trevor: ... *Shrug* I don't know. I guess I wasn't thinking at the time. It was probably hard to think of anything after getting beaten up.

Dipper: ...

Trevor: But in the end, her mother patched up a bruise that I obtained from the skirmish. So, now, I could drop by Hilda's apartment if I need to. Just not in front of my friends.

Dipper: ... Speaking of which... Why are you guys so... rude to people?

Trevor: *!*

Dipper: I mean, you must've started somewhere.

Trevor: ... *Looks around before turning to Dipper* I'll tell you. Just... don't tell anyone else, especially Hilda. I'd rather tell her on my terms.

Dipper: ... Well, if you insist. So, how did you become what you are today?

Trevor: ... My dad.

Dipper: Your dad?

Trevor: I don't normally talk about my family with anyone, but... I only got to know my dad for just 7 years. From when I was born, to when he showed me around Trolberg, to... my 7th birthday. I hated that day.

Dipper: What happened?

Trevor: ... That morning, he said that his boss called him to fill in for an absent coworker. So, he wasn't going to be around for most of the day. Mum threw the whole party all by herself. My friends and I were actually having fun. I was convinced that Dad was gonna come home and surprise me with some amazing gift. But after the cake was eaten, and the presents were opened, he still didn't show up. So, we decided to check his room. We thought he could've left a surprise gift for me in there. Instead, we saw something else. It was a letter from him. To this day, I still remember what it said. That was the last I saw and heard of him. hard to celebrate after that. Originally, we wanted to keep it to ourselves, but somehow, word got out. Then, some older kids picked on me, saying that my dad only left because he hated me. I snapped when I heard that and punched one of them so badly, they nearly got blind. Naturally, I was suspended, but I didn't mind it at all. That's when the four of us decided that if the world was going to be cruel to us, then we should return the favor. After that, the rest is history.

Dipper: ... I... I'm sorry that happened to you.

Trevor: ... I've moved on by now. But since then, I've been bitter at the world.

Dipper: Well, if anything, this conversation is proof that not everyone is bitter at you.

Trevor: ...

Dipper: There are those who care, even if you're not exactly the friendliest person in Trolberg.

Trevor: ... Thanks.

Dipper: *Gets up* Well, I've said my piece. I'm gonna head back to my house. Nice talking to you. *Leaves*

Trevor: *Waves* He's right. There are people who care.

Chapter Text

~Trolberg Library~

Mabel: *Enters* Whoa. *Looks around* This one sure knocks Gravity Falls' library out of the ballpark.

Ever since arriving in Trolberg, Mabel wanted to know if there was anything similar to what she had seen in Gravity Falls. One such spot to investigate was the library. So far, it has proven to be different from the one in Gravity Falls.

Mabel: This place feels like a forest. I wonder if there are any hidden passages or something. *Spots something behind some bookshelves* Hm. *Approaches them and moves the shelves out of the way* Speak of the devil. It's as if the library and the cemetery merged into one. *Enters* Huh. Is there...? *Spots a lightswitch* Here it is. *Flips the switch*

*Lights come on*

Mabel: Ooh! It's a library within a library. *Looks around* What kind of books are these? *Spots a desk with a book on it* "How To Aid & Keep Thy Friends Forever". *Notices a sticky note* "Do NOT use 'The Tide Mouse Spell: How To Ensure A Friend's Success In A Chosen Endeavor'. VERY DANGEROUS. - Hilda". *Opens the book* How dangerous are we talking? *Finds the page in question* Here we are.

Outside the room, a particular discovers the hidden room opened up.

Librarian: Oh, not again. *Enters*

Mabel: Hmm. It doesn't say anything about how it's dangerous. It just says how the spell works.

Librarian: *Approaches her* Ahem.

Mabel: *Looks up* Oh, hello. I take it you're... the librarian.

Librarian: Yes. And you are...?

Mabel: Mabel Pines. I'm... new to Trolberg.

Librarian: ... Right. So, Mabel, how did you find this room?

Mabel: I noticed a gap behind some bookshelves.

Librarian: And why are reading this book? Didn't you read the sticky note that Hilda left behind?

Mabel: I saw it. I just wanted to know what makes this particular spell dangerous. So far, I've only found the instructions.

Librarian: *Turns the page* It's right here, side effects and everything. And one more thing: The books in this very room are for reference only, not for circulation. And leave the reshelving to me. Okay?

Mabel: Okay. I was just curious.

Librarian: *Leaves* Curiosity can sometimes lead to a... deadly outcome.

Mabel: *To herself* I sure learned that the hard way back in Gravity Falls.

Librarian: And by the way... the name's Kaisa. *Leaves the room*

Mabel: ... Alright. *Turns back to the book* "Side effects include blanked-out eyes, occasional growling, excessive slime drool, or a fine purplish mist rising from the enchanted's scalp, typical signs that the soul of the enchanted is preparing to be forfeited to the enchanter..." *!* "...for all eternity". *Closes book* Okay. Too much info for once in my life. *Tosses the book onto the desk* Let's see if I can find a more... peaceful spell book.

Kaisa: ... *Smiles* Heh. Easier said than done, Mabel.

Chapter Text

~Trolberg Library~

Hilda decided to show the Pines Twins some of the creatures that Trolberg has to offer.

Hilda: *Drops a book onto the table* Here's one we can start with.

Dipper: "Tales Of The Marra". What the heck is a Marra? *Opens it* "The Marra are nightmare spirits who are said to haunt the Huldrawood. They visit sleeping humans at night and create nightmares out of their fears". *Closes it* Nope. Not starting with that one.

Hilda: Okay, we'll start with a more lenient creature.

Frida: *Places another book on the table* How about this one?

Mabel: "Lindworms: Habitats & Hideouts". *Opens it* "Lindworms are notoriously antisocial creatures, and most fled during the construction of the city". *Turns the page* "At last report, only one lair remained in all of Trolberg".

Dipper: Which is where?

Mabel: According to this map, it's right... *Points to a spot* ...there.

Dipper: Underwater?

David: It's not really underwater. *Places a magnifyer over the map, revealing a tiny island* This is Cauldron Island, the tiniest island in Trolberg. That's where the lindworm is.

Mabel: So, how do we get over there? By boat?

Hilda: Actually, I have a better solution.

~Coastline~

Trevor: *Tosses a stone into the water, causing it to skip*

Alfur: So, how long have you been doing this hobby?

Trevor: *Tosses another* I was around 5 years old when I started skipping stones. My dad introduced it to me.

Alfur: Your dad?

Trevor: ... I... rather not talk about it.

Familiar Voice: Trevor!

Trevor: *?* *Turns to see Dipper, Hilda, Mabel, Frida, David, and Twig approaching him* Hey. Why are you here?

Mabel: *Points to a distant island* Have you ever noticed that island in the distance?

Trevor: *Turns to said island* ... Yeah, I've seen that island plenty of times. But I've never been to it.

Hilda: I can fix that. *Grabs a nearby conch shell and passes it to Alfur* The tide should be high right now.

Alfur: Alrighty. *Builds up air*

Trevor: ... Why is he doing that?

Frida: Last time, he couldn't make the noise he was going for.

Alfur: *Inhale* I just need... *Inhale* ...to build up... *Inhale* ...enough air... *Inhale* ...to blow on this! *Inhales and blows on the shell* Done!

*Nothing happens*

Mabel: ... Uh...

Hilda: Just wait for it.

Dipper: ... W... What exactly are we looking for?

Frida: The same thing that took us to Cauldron Island.

*BURST!*

Dipper, Mabel, David, and Trevor: *!* Aahh!

Twig: *!* *Hides behind Hilda*

*Splash!*

*They all look up to see...*

David: What the heck is that?

Hilda: A water spirit.

Mabel: That's a water spirit?

Frida: What were you expecting?

Mabel: A... ghost that appears out of the ocean?

Alfur: Excuse us! We were hoping you could take us to Cauldron Island. Just for a quick visit.

Water Spirit: ... *Spins around to make a staircase*

*Everyone steps on*

Twig: *Shivering*

David: We know you're afraid, Twig, but you have to conquer your fear at some point.

Twig: ... *Reluctantly steps on*

Trevor: It better be a quick visit, 'cause it'll be getting late soon.

Hilda: Of course.

*The water spirit takes them to Cauldron Island*

The ride seemed peaceful, with the group only encountering Salt-Lions leaping over them.

~Cauldron Island~

*The water spirit arrives*

Frida: *She and the others disembark* We won't take long. We just need a quick glimpse of the lindworm.

Trevor: If we can find it.

Hilda: A lindworm lair isn't that hard to find. Just look for disturbed foliage, overturned earth... *Looks up* ...and that.

*They all look up to see high plumes of smoke*

Hilda: That's where the lindworm should be.

*They all climb up the hills to see the lindworm sleeping in its garden*

Mabel: Its fire comes from its nostrils?

Dipper: So, that's where the smoke is coming from. *Pulls out his camera and aims at the lindworm* I hope it doesn't wake up from this.

Trevor: Well, as long as you're taking a picture from up here and not down there.

Dipper: *Snaps a photo* There we go. Now, to-

*The lindworm stirs*

David: I think it's waking up.

Hilda: Okay. Time to go. *She and the others head back to the water spirit*

Lindworm: *Slowly wakes up* Ugh... *Looks around* I could've sworn I... *Sighs* If they came back...

Little did the lindworm know that the group hopped back on the water spirit and headed back to Trolberg.

Chapter Text

~Pines House~

Although it's behind them now, the team still can't help but look back at what went down at the Reynolds house.

Richard: *Gazing at said house*...

Hughie: *He and the others approach him* You okay?

Richard: ... I know it's over and done with, but I can't help but look back at... what Mister Reynolds did to my brother.

David: I'm more concerned about what he did to his son.

*Two cars pull up to the Reynolds house and a bunch of enforcers step out*

Dipper: *Looks outside* Uh... How many police departments does Trolberg have?

Hilda: Only one. Why?

Dipper: I'm seeing two out there. One of them looks more... militaristic.

Hilda: *She and Frida outside* Oh. That's Trolberg Safety Patrol. They're supposed to look like that. They specialize in situations deemed too difficult for standard law enforcement.

Dipper: So, they're pretty much a SWAT team?

Frida: More or less. So, compared to the police, you'll be seeing Safety Patrol more often.

Tommy: Same with the Sheriff's Department.

Mabel: *?* There's a sheriff's department in Trolberg?

Deacon: It's actually called the Hulderlands Sheriff's Department, but their headquarters is here in Trolberg. Because of that, they have an interservice feud with Safety Patrol.

Dipper: Do you guys know where it is?

Jemma: I do. My dad used to work there as a deputy.

~Hulderlands Sheriff's Department~

*The group arrives*

Jemma: Here we are. HSD headquarters.

Hilda: *Notices a familiar face* Kaisa?

Kaisa: *Turns to them* Hilda? What are you doing here?

Hilda: We were about to ask you the same thing.

Frida: Are you... friends with someone here?

Kaisa: ... *Nods* One of the deputies happens to be a... childhood friend of mine. *She and the others approach the front door* And a former member of Safety Patrol.

*The front door opens, revealing a near-50-year-old man*

Man: Oh, hello there.

Kaisa: H-Hello, sir.

Man: *Notices Jemma* Jemma.

Jemma: Hello, Sheriff.

Dipper: *?* You're the Sheriff?

Man: Yes, I am. Tate Whittaker, Hulderlands Head Sheriff. How's your dad by the way?

Jemma: He's doing fine. You?

Tate: Likewise. Though, I must say. One of my youngest deputies has been cooped up in his room ever since the Reynolds fiasco.

Kaisa: Actually, that's why I'm here.

Tate: *?* You... wanted to visit him?

Kaisa: *Nods*

~Inside~

Dipper: *Looking around* Pretty standard for a sheriff's department.

Jemma: I've actually been to the room we're heading to. It was empty back then, but Tommy, Deacon, and I used to play in there.

Kaisa: I do have a set of rules when meeting him. First of all: If you're going for a handshake, then let him initiate contact. Secondly: You should probably look as friendly as possible. Since we grew up together, he only trusts me. Ironically, he hardly ever trusts people with guns.

Tate: He even has trouble with me and the other deputies. So, we usually enter his room without our guns, even if they're holstered.

Kaisa: And here's the most important rule: Unless you guys have written some dissertations that I don't know about, do not mention anything related to conspiracy theories.

Mabel: ... Such as...?

Kaisa: Oh, I don't know. Certain assassinations, creatures that have yet to be proven...

Tate: I, myself, highly recommend avoiding any mention of... military bases.

Dipper: You mean, like...?

Tate: Yep. That base in particular.

Hilda: Wait. Which one?

Dipper: Doesn't matter.

Tate: The kid's a conspiracy enthusiast, but some of what he's into has been proven useful to the Sheriff's Department.

Kaisa: He just prefers to keep to himself.

Tate: *He and the others approach a particular door* Here it is. *Knocks on it* Michael? Are you in there, buddy?

*Silence*

Kaisa: ... I hope he isn't asleep.

Tate: You and me both. *Knocks on it* Michael! Are you awake? *Turns the knob... and opens the door, revealing a staircase* Huh?

Hilda: Does he usually keep the door locked?

Tate: I guess he forgot to lock it this time.

*They head down the staircase*

Downstairs, they see a projector playing a film of sorts.

???: Area 51; JFK; Apollo 12; Denver lnternational Airport; Doveland, Wisconsin; the world is just full of conspiracies. And yet, governments around the world want us to believe that nothing is going on. Like police turning you away from a crime scene, saying stuff like "Move along, people. There's nothing to see here." and other lines like that. But there is much to witness. And I'm among those lucky enough to have ducked under the yellow tape. I've read beneath the redacted lines. The proof is out there.

*The film stops, revealing a silhouette*

Kaisa: Uh...

???: *Turns to them* Hm? Who's out there?

Kaisa: Michael, it's me.

Michael: *!* Kaisa? *Moves the projector sheet (revealing himself to be around Kaisa's age)* Oh, my goodness! It is you!

Kaisa: *Chuckles* Nice to see you too, Michael.

*They both hug each other*

Michael: *Breaks the hug* So, how's it going at the library?

Kaisa: Quite fine. *Turns to the kids* Kids, this is Michael Kingston, the childhood friend that I mentioned earlier. *Turns back to Michael* Michael, allow me to introduce Hilda Löfgren, Frida Auclair, twin siblings Dipper and Mabel Pines, David Olden, Richard Burke, Hughie Lombardi, Tommy Kendrick, Deacon Anderson, and-

Michael: *!* You're Jemma McNeal, aren't you?

Jemma: Mm-hmm.

Michael: Your dad told me about you before he left. Did you really play down here?

Jemma: I did, along with Tommy and Deacon. *Looks around* So, you turned this room into your office?

Michael: Of course. It's hard to leave such an empty room alone.

Tate: And yet, it's probably too isolating for you.

Michael: I know. I'm aware that I've been cooped up in here, but I've been on the cusp of a real breakthrough that might help one of our recent cases. *Heads to his desk* I just need to look for it. *Scrambles through his stuff*

Dipper: *Looks around* Is your office always this... messy?

Michael: Something old McNeal told me was that a clean office means you're not thinking hard enough. When I started, I wasn't sure what to think of, but then, I got into conspiracies around the world. Surprisingly, some of my thoughts and skills have proven to be useful.

Tate: ... In a way.

Michael: In a way. *Spots a file folder* Found it! *Grabs it and passes it to Tate* Here you go.

Tate: Thank you. I'll be heading upstairs if you need me. *Leaves*

Mabel: *Notices something on the ground and grabs it* What's this?

Hilda: It looks like part of a turtle shell.

Michael: Oh, that? McNeal left that for me. I wasn't sure why though.

Dipper: *Examines it* It's got like an inscription of sorts.

Michael: And it's in a different language. I don't know what it says.

Dipper: My uncle's a scientist. He could help.

Michael: Really? I like the sound of that.

~Outside~

Outside the Sheriff's Department, someone wearing a hooded jacket gazes at the Sheriff's Department, before leaving; the unzipped jacket sways, briefly revealing a Safety Patrol badge.

Chapter Text

~Alleyway~

Daniel may have regained his sanity after the events at the Reynolds house, but he's still trying to recuperate from what Martin Reynolds did to him.

Daniel: ... *Flashbacks of what happened back then appear in his mind* ... Andrew Reynolds... What happened in that house?

???: You're still thinking about Martin Reynolds, aren't you?

Daniel: *Turns to see a shady man nearby* ... Y...Yes.

Man: Of course. Tell me, bud, did you... receive something in return?

Daniel: S-Sort of. A coin.

Man: Did this coin have anything?

Daniel: ... *Tries to remember* Uh... I think it had an... apple on both sides. Not sure why though.

Man: ... I do.

Daniel: *?* You do?

Man: The apple is from an old folktale, one that was meant to keep children from misbehaving. I learned it from a... traveling storyteller.

Daniel: How does the story go?

Man: There was once a family of four wizards. The parents were worried that their children might become spoiled due to being trained in the magical arts. So, they sent them out to face the challenges of the outside world. Along the way, they came across a seemingly kind elderly man. He was simply hungry, and so, the oldest brother was going to conjure up an apple. However, the brother was known to be... mischievous. He ended up conjuring a black apple, much to his younger sister's concern. He tricked the elderly man into thinking it was a rare flavor, but upon taking a bite, the elderly man was disgusted by the apple's bad taste. In response to the boy's misdeed, he cast a magic of unknown origin, berating the two for being spoiled, mischievous, and downright obnoxious. He then disappeared, much to the siblings' relief. At first, it seemed that nothing happened, but just as they were about to continue down the road, the younger sister noticed that she was given a petrification spell. They didn't know what to do. So, they went to the nearby house of an old family friend. The friend wasn't too pleased when he learned about what the brother had done and that the sister was being punished for something she had no part in. Regardless, the friend decided to help, by teaching the brother about these strange little things, simply known to wizard-kind as "star sprites", shiny star-shaped sprites that are usually created by the happiness of others. And so, the brother set out to collect enough star sprites to reverse the petrification spell and save his sister. By the end, he was immensely close to failing, but all of a sudden, the stone encasing the sister started to glow, until finally, it shattered. The spell was broken and the sister was freed. But it wasn't coming from the sprites. It came from every good deed that the brother had done. Just then, the elderly man appeared. He could tell the two were partially mad at him for "punishing the wrong child", but in the end, they made peace with each other, and the friend added that they probably needed the quest anyway to see how hard things can get in life, even if they had special abilities. And from that day forward, the two grew up to treat others the way they wanted to be treated. The coin you have in your possession is a representation of what the brother did early in the story.

Daniel: So, the apple on the coin represents the apple in the story.

Man: And in a way, the fact that the apple is on both sides represents the two siblings. The brother who committed the misdeed, and the sister who was unjustly punished. I'm guessing you did some bad things in your life. Haven't you?

Daniel: ... Plenty.

Man: And in the process, your little brother received flak for the things that you caused.

Daniel: ...

Man: But the Reynolds fiasco was just the final straw. Clearly, you deserve that coin after all. It fits you.

Daniel: ...

Man: Well, I've said my piece. I'll be seeing you around, Daniel Burke. And while you're at it... tell your brother and those kids I said "Hi". I recommend starting with Dipper Pines.

Daniel: *?* ... Why him of all people?

Man: ...

Daniel: Actually, how do you even know us?

Man: Oh, Daniel, I know lots of things. *His eyes suddenly show various cryptic images* *Slow deep voice* LOTS OF THINGS...

Daniel: *Feeling dizzy* ... D... Wha...?! *Smacks his to snap out of it... only to see that the man is gone* Where'd he...? *Scoff* Never mind. Maybe, it's just my imagination. *Walks away*

Unbeknownst to Daniel, the man is now watching from a faraway rooftop, indicating that what happened was very much real.

Man: I'll be watching you.

Chapter Text

Intro: Play this first before continuing

----------

Sometime after Hilda came back from finding a runaway Twig, Trevor decided to try hanging out with the little deer fox more often, much to the dismay of his friends.

One day, they went out for a walk, hoping it would help clear Twig of what he went through in the wilderness.

Trevor: ...

Twig: ... *Bark*

Trevor: *?* ... What is it?

Twig: *Grunt*

Trevor: Are you... concerned about me?

Twig: *Nuzzles him*

Trevor: ... *Pets him* I'm fine, Twig. I just... have a lot to think about.

Twig: *?*

Trevor: My mother doesn't exactly trust you and Hilda, what with your many... escapades. Meanwhile, my friends aren't any... different, but they think I'm softening up to you guys. I'm not.

Twig: ...

Trevor: I just needed a... change of scenery. That's why I visited you guys that day.

???: Oh, brilliant.

Trevor & Twig: *?*

???: Just what my friends and I need. Another addition to that group of dingbats.

*Trevor & Twig turn to see...*

Trevor: ... Do I know you?

Girl: No. We haven't met. My name's Maria. And you are...?

Trevor: ... Trevor. Trevor Stenburg.

Maria: *!* Oh, so, you're that one delinquent I've been hearing about. The one who threw a stone at the Great Raven without even knowing it.

Trevor: ...

Maria: And because of that, you developed a fear of birds.

Trevor: ... I'm... trying to... get over it.

Maria: Well, you sure are taking forever. From what I've heard, even your own friends pick on you for having such a fear.

Trevor: ... They do actually.

Maria: And because of that, you went as far as to call... *Glances at Twig* ...his owner a "witch".

Trevor: ... I stopped after a... particular day.

Maria: Well, it didn't stop your friends from the look of things.

Trevor: ...

Maria: Do you honestly think that some of the things you have been doing lately are fixing you're image? That you could redeem yourself?

Trevor: ... I...

Maria: You've already made it clear as to how you prefer to treat others. Do you ever stop to think about how many times you've been cruel to people?

Trevor: ...

Maria: It's a long road, kid. A long, treacherous road with no chance of reaching the end.

Trevor: ... I-

Maria: I'd give up and walk away if I were you. I've done it before. This road you're on isn't worth completing. It'll just consume you, until-

Familiar Voice: Hey! Brat!

*Trevor, Twig, and Maria turn to see...*

Wendy: I don't know who you are, but you better leave Trevor alone. I won't tolerate whatever rude words you're saying to him.

Maria: ... Fine then. Talking to him wasn't working anyway. And besides, I wasn't being rude. I was giving him advice.

Trevor: ... Well, your advice reeks of... where you like to go.

Maria: ... It's called the Huldrawood. *Smirk* You should drop by someday. *Leaves*

Trevor: ...

Wendy: You okay, Trevor?

Trevor: ... O-Of course, I'm fine. I just didn't think that would happen.

Twig: *Nuzzles him*

Trevor: ... *Pets him*

{Later}

~Elsewhere~

Elsewhere in Trolberg, Maria was at home, chatting with her mother, who happened to be...

Gerda*: *Places a dinner dish on the table* Here you go, dear.

Maria: Thanks, Mom. *Proceeds to eat*

Gerda: So, how was your recent stroll?

Maria: Oh, it was fine for the most part. I had a run-in with some friends of... Hilda.

Gerda: *?* You did?

Maria: Nothing too serious. I was... giving him advice.

Gerda: On what?

Maria: ... He was... going down a bad path. So, I advised him to walk away from it.

Gerda: *Chuckle* That was a wise decision you made.

Maria: ... *Smiles a little*

Little did Deputy Gerda know that her daughter's story was only partially true.

Chapter Text

{Nighttime}

~The Huldrawood~

Only the sound of the wind blowing through the leaves broke the silence of the Huldrawood, just as it was on any night at this time of year in Trolberg. However, in the middle of it was a lone female teenager, who was en route to a familiar spot to meet up with her friends, completely undeterred by the dark forest.

On this very night, a meeting was underway. Her team leader, Maria Gustav, possessed knowledge of a new way to create fuel for nightmares. But she intended to change things up by putting aside the usuals, like spiders, ghosts, wolves, and trolls. At this point, that stuff was getting old.

It had been a tough go since Maria left the boy who was afraid of everything and easy to scare, and finding another child to scare and tell her friends about it had been proving difficult.

As the group's second-in-command, she knew that Maria missed it a lot. Hilda, who was still relatively unknown to her, had only one fear, but not like the boy from before. Only a monster made of bones could scare him. It wasn't the same as scaring her, but it was better than nothing.

Girl: If it weren't for that meddling blue-haired girl, Maria wouldn't be like this.

*Strange noise*

Girl: *?* ... *Looks around*

A strange sound suddenly snapped her out of her reflections. The marra looked around, scrutinizing every leaf on every tree. It seemed as though a gust of wind blew right past her. But she couldn't find anything out of the ordinary.

Girl: ... Eh. It was probably just strong winds.

Brushing that aside, she proceeded along the path, only to soon hear another loud gust of wind blow through the leaves. This time, she turned around to make sure that she wasn't followed by anyone suspicious.

But when she turned back to face forward...

*Whoosh*

...the gust came from behind her again, causing her hair to jerk around in the wind. Turning back, she found… nothing. Again. Nothing but sky.

But something was off. There was a part of the sky with no stars in it. She looked upon that spot for a few moments, right before a winged shadow suddenly flew out from it and swept past her, knocking her onto her back.

She had just enough time to see it spread its wings and fly into the darkness. It also had two large red dots which she could only assume might have been eyes. But within seconds, it vanished into the night.

Girl: Strange…

Just then, a familiar face appeared before her.

Maria: There you are. I was wondering where you- *Notices her behavior* Are you okay, Lucinda?

Lucinda: ... I-I'm fine.

Maria: Well, *Grabs her hand* come on then! *Pulls her along*

~David's House~

David had finally made it home. He was ready for bed, only until his father stopped him for the usual inspection for bugs on him. Turns out a small beetle got on him on his way back. Nothing to freak out about.

Now, in his PJs, and the comforts of his bed, it was time to go to sleep.

David: Good night, Warren. *Closes his eyes*

He closed his eyes and slowly drifted off into sleep. But the tranquility didn't last long, as two large red lights illuminated the window next to his bed.

David couldn't sleep with this bright red light shining through his eyelids. As he opened his eyes, he noticed that his room was mostly illuminated in a crimson glow. Looking at his hands, they were brightly lit up by this red light.

David: *Stammering* W-What is this?! *Turns to his window*

It was a large, thin creature with large antennae on its head, looking at him with red glowing eyes that seemed reminiscent of bike reflectors. It was so bright that his eyes ached from staring at it any longer than a few seconds at a time.

After taking a moment to rub his eyes, he saw that the creature had two wings that looked like its arms at first glance but were actually separate. Its big wings on its back and its flabby arms hung down, seemingly limp.

This scene lasted for a few seconds, ending with the creature making a crouching motion, pulling its wings up as high as it could, then swinging them down quickly, and darting upward into the night sky, leaving David horrified.

He probably wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.

{The Next Morning}

Hilda and Frida were on their way to David's house, talking about plans to earn more Sparrow Scout badges and ones that didn't even exist yet.

Frida: What makes you think a cactus can also speak?

Hilda: Maybe, they're just too shy to talk to us for now.

Frida: Maybe not all plants can speak. *Rings the doorbell*

*Door opens*

Mrs. Olden: Oh, hello, girls. Come right in.

*The girls enter*

Mrs. Olden: David's in his room. He hasn't eaten breakfast yet. Could you ask him to come out?

Hilda & Frida: Sure. *They both head upstairs*

Hilda: *Knock on his door*

David (From inside): Aah! Who-Who is it?

Hilda: It's us. Hilda and Frida. Can we come in?

David (From inside): Ermm, it's fine. Go ahead. Come in. My door's unlocked.

Hilda & Frida: ...

Hilda and Frida exchanged glances for a moment before entering. They were stunned to see David all disheveled and building a tower of cards on his desk, as well as the sheets hung up to cover his window.

David: H-Hey, guys.

Hilda: David... What's going on?

David: ... I-I just had a h-horrible nightmare. I'm just… building this tower again to… calm down. *Puts the last two cards in place*

Frida: A horrible nightmare? But… you haven't had a nightmare like this since we got the Marra off you, right?

Hilda: Did she come back?

David: I don't know. But… the nightmare felt… very real.

Hilda: How real?

David: ... It felt as though I was wide awake.

Frida: And…?

David: There were these… red lights shining through the window. It was this monster with huge wings and… r-r-red eyes. It was scary…

Hilda: But… why did you put the sheet on the window if you knew it wasn't real?

David: It felt too real. I can't bring myself to look out there… There's no way of knowing that this is the work of a Marra.

Hilda: We can't take any chances. If it is, we'll just do the same thing we did last time.

Frida: But they'll probably know we're onto them.

Hilda: Still, we'll have to find them and see what's going on. *Braces her hand against David's desk... inadvertently knocking over David's card tower* Oops. Sorry.

David: It's fine. It came apart eight or so times.

*Hilda and Frida exchanged more worried glances at each other*

~Sparrow Scout Hall~

Shortly before they arrived, the trio were discussing ideas to earn Hilda more badges and what activities they could do. They arrived in time to see Raven Leader lining everyone up into teams.

Raven Leader: Hilda, David, Frida. You're right on time. Form a team and await my instruction.

All 3: Okay.

Frida: Whew… Talk about cutting it close. Now then, we need to formulate a plan to earn more badges. Any ideas?

David: How about we do the activities during the day this time?

Hilda: Why during the day? Almost all of us do it at night.

David: I-I just thought the day was safer. It doesn't remind me of my nightmare.

Frida: Lighten up, David. It was only a nightmare. It wasn't real.

David: B-But it felt real.

Hilda: Look, if it helps, I'll go confront them. Once we're done with the activities, I'll go straight to the Huldrawood and have a chat with the Marra.

Scout: The Huldrawood? You mean the home of the flying monster?

Hilda: *?* Flying monster?

Scout: Yeah, the flying monster that lives in that forest. It's said that deep in the Huldrawood, there's a terrible monster that can eat you in just two bites.

Scout 2: So there is a monster in that forest, isn't there?

Scout: Yeah, but… from what I've heard, the last sighting was no less than fifty years ago. It's unlikely that it's still around anymore.

Hilda: *Turns back to David* Did you hear that?! That must be what the Marra used to make your nightmare!

David: They're really stepping up their game, aren't they?

Raven Leader: Sparrows, your attention, please. Today's activity is to collect a rare species of flower that blooms this season. *Shows out a bag containing a particular red flower that hasn't fully grown* You're looking for the Glistening Flower.

Hilda: Wow! How pretty.

Raven Leader: Now, this type of flower can grow anywhere within the walls of Trolberg. So, it won't be hard to find. Try and gather as many as you can. Dismissed.

~Outside~

David: If anything, we should probably leave it to Dipper and his group. The three of us will be busy with a Sparrow Scout assignment for today. We don't even know how long it will take.

Hilda: You're right. We better give them the heads-up just in case we don't have enough time.

Familiar Voice: Well, I'm here now.

Hilda: *She and the others turn to see...* Oh, there you are. We were just going to talk to you.

Dipper: About what exactly?

David explained his situation to Dipper; his recent nightmare, the speculation of the Marra, and the mention of the "flying monster".

Dipper: I see.

Hilda: I was planning on confronting them after we're done with our assignment, but we don't know how long it'll take. So, we thought you should confront them.

Mabel: If we can find them that is.

Dipper: They can be anywhere in the Huldrawood.

Hilda: Just look for a campsite with a green campfire. Shouldn't be that hard to miss.

Dipper: Well, I might as well hang out at the Huldrawood just in case.

~Trolberg Flower Shop~

A few minutes later, the trio were out searching for a Glistening Flower.

Frida: *Showing a catalog page* It says here that these flowers are often used as a substitute for candles in Jack-o-lanterns. It comes in handy under a full moon. It somehow makes it give off a very bright light.

David: It's like magic.

Frida: Agreed. It also says here that they have another way of growing. That other way is based on who plucks it from the ground.

Hilda: How?

Frida: According to this, "If the subject has a common desire and/or feeling, the flower will grow right in his hands, which is indicative of the flower believing that that desire or feeling will be fulfilled".

Hilda: That sounds fantastic. I look forward to seeing them grow.

Frida: Well, we'll just have to wait until the next full moon, and we'll see them bloom.

Hilda: Still, they could be anywhere.

The trio continued to explore half the city in search of those flowers. The streets, the gardens, the parks, but disappointingly, they came up completely empty-handed. But Hilda wasn't one to give up. She suggested searching the place where they first met the Vittra.

~Vittra Territory~

During their search, Hilda split off from the group to try and cover more ground. She searched every bush and tree until she eventually stumbled upon the hole that led into the Vittra tunnels.

Hilda, in the middle of her searches, began to consider why David's nightmares came back.

Hilda: Was it even a nightmare? What if David really saw some unknown creature? Or perhaps the Marra who tormented David came back for whatever reason? *Slams into something* Ugh!

In the middle of her thoughts, she wasn't watching where she was going and slammed her face right into a tree branch.

Annoyed, she removed the branch from her face and brushed the leaves out of her face and hair. But after nursing the impact area for a bit, Twig suddenly began tugging at her skirt.

Hilda: What is it, boy?

Twig suddenly darted toward the hole and pointed out a small red sprout not far from the hole. Now surprised, she approached the sprout and got a closer look. It seemed to only have very recently sprouted and was awaiting the full moon. Her pupils widened at the sight of such a thing.

Hilda: David! Frida! I found one!

Upon hearing her, Frida and David arrived on the scene as fast as they could.

David: Wow! A Glistening Flower!

Frida: It's really small.

David: *Spots something* Hm? *Approaches it* *!* Hey! Check this out!

Hilda and Frida ran to where he was, fixing their eyes on what David saw. They discovered a huge field of Glistening Flowers. Many of the sprouts were of similar size, but one of them was huge. But Hilda noticed that the sprout that she found seemed really small by comparison.

Frida: Perfect. Now, we only have to take a few, and nobody will notice.

Hilda: *Grabs the sprout she found* I'll keep mine. It's like a baby.

David left for a moment to grab their cart with various gardening tools and began assisting the others with carefully and painstakingly removing several sprouts from the ground and filling their cart. It was quite a tedious process.

Frida: Excellent. We might just be the first to get badges.

David: We just gotta bring them to Scout Hall now.

Upon hearing this, Hilda remembered something.

Hilda: I'll catch up with you later.

Frida: Why?

Hilda: Well, I did say when we're done, I'll go straight to the Huldrawood.

David: But it's still daytime. The Marra gather at night.

Frida: And besides, you already assigned Dipper to handle it.

Hilda: I know, but I can wait until they arrive. I'll just intercept the one I need to talk to. And who knows? It might require more than one person.

Frida: But you'll be waiting for hours.

Hilda: There's always a chance that they'll come early. *Notices her sprout* Oh! I almost forgot. Here's the baby sprout.

Frida: Oh, no, it's fine. You can keep it.

David: You found it after all.

Hilda: ... Okay.

Hilda, looking at the understanding faces of her friends, gave a smile. She stuffed the sprout into her bag and took off, with Twig right behind.

Hilda: Thanks, guys!

~The Huldrawood~

Hilda dashed through the city without any hint of exhaustion until she reached the stone boundaries of the Huldrawood. She put on her game face and darted towards the open gate, where Dipper was waiting.

Dipper: I guess your assignment didn't take long?

Hilda: Almost. But I'm pretty much done at this point.

They step through the door and hide behind a tree, keeping their distance and giving themselves a good vantage point to see who enters, but keeping stealthy.

Dipper: And now...

Hilda: ...we wait.

{Later}

Minutes passed. Some people came and went, but none of them resembled any of the girls that Hilda saw in the Marra gang. Minutes then became hours. The sun began to set. But they kept their eyes peeled on the entryway.

{Sundown}

Even Twig was starting to get bored.

Hilda: *Sigh* I guess they're not… coming.

Dipper: Well, I'm not stopping just yet.

Hilda: Whatever.

Hilda took her eyes off the door and began to rummage through her pouch. It had her sketchbook, her pencil, a flashlight, and the sprout that she found. She looked upon it, smiling. The stars began to appear in the sky as night fell.

Hilda: I hope you grow up to be a huge flower.

*BOOSH!*

All 3: *!*

Dipper: What the...?

The sudden noise that rang out made Dipper, Hilda, and Twig jump. She quickly got back up to her perch and surveyed the entrance with Dipper. This time, it was what they were waiting for. It was the Marra that gave David nightmares, along with one of her friends.

The Marra began walking as Hilda silently and quickly put her things away, put on her bag, and began her pursuit with Dipper, keeping enough of a distance to not get noticed.

Dipper and Hilda carefully yet quickly trailed the two Marra who remained clueless to Dipper and Hilda's presence, until they reached the campfire site where the other Marras were to meet.

The two Marra stopped for a moment to look at the extinguished fire, giving Dipper and Hilda a moment to get a little closer until they could see the Marra and the fire. The former continued walking anyway.

Dipper and Hilda took this moment to emerge from their hiding spot.

Hilda: *Jumps out of the hiding spot with Dipper and Twig* Hey, you two! Stop right there!

Twig: *Growling*

The sudden outburst caused the two Marra to wince. They were naturally ticked to hear that familiar voice again and turned to face her.

Maria: You again.

Hilda: Yes, me again.

Lucinda: And who's this guy?

Dipper: Oh, just a fellow samaritan.

Maria: Ugh. Great. First, I have a run-in with Trevor. Now, we have to deal with this newbie.

Dipper: *?* You had a run-in with Trevor?

Maria: Of course, I did. And speaking of which, I think we've started on the wrong foot here. I'm Maria. This here is Lucinda.

Dipper: Uh... Right. I'm-

Hilda: No time for introductions. I need to know something: Are you giving my friend nightmares again?

Maria & Lucinda: *?*

Hearing this, the Marra went from irritated to confused.

Maria: What are you talking about?

Hilda: You said it was no fun giving kids nightmares when they ask for them.

Maria: Of course, I did. So, we have no business giving that David kid nightmares.

Hilda: And yet, here we are. David had a nightmare again, and who else would give those kinds of nightmares other than you?

Maria: I haven't even been to his house ever since our encounter from that one night.

Hilda: I find that hard to believe. David would never lie to me.

They stared at each other, angrily, and hardly even blinking.

But after a period of silence, a familiar sound suddenly startled Lucinda. The sound of leaves suddenly rushing. The Marra second-in-command turned away from Hilda and Maria's staredown to focus on the trees. Dipper, Hilda, and even Maria barely seemed fazed by the sound.

Hilda: What? You gonna- *Notices Twig on high alert*

Now, Hilda was concerned with what was going on.

Dipper: Hilda, I don't think this is their doing.

They all looked at the trees which seemed to shake violently. It wasn't even that windy. So, the discrepancy was concerning. Suddenly, the loud sound of flapping wings filled the air, followed by a gust of wind blowing past them, and then, the sound of something crashing into the ground came from behind them.

They all turned around and discovered a two-meter-tall creature with large wings on its back, legs, and thin arms covered with fur. The creature seemed dead silent. But the strange thing was that its eyes seemed to be closed.

Dipper and Hilda were surprised to see such a strange creature that they had no idea about. But Twig and the two Marra were frozen in fear.

Maria: What is that?

When Maria took a small step back, the creature suddenly sprung to life, opening its large red eyes, looking at the Marra girls' green eyes, and darted toward Lucinda with unmatched speed.

Lucinda: Eep. *Morphs into Marra Dust and flees*

Maria: Hey! Come back!

After seeing this, Dipper and Hilda nervously strayed clear of the creature's path, with Hilda pulling Maria away as well. But when the creature saw how Lucinda turned into Marra Dust, it wasted no time and pursued it.

Dipper, Hilda, and Maria looked up to see the chase continue into the air. It seemed to dart across the sky, which would soon turn too dark to see any more of it.

Lucinda tried very hard to lose the creature, going anywhere in the forest to try and hide. But she simply couldn't shake the creature off her tail.

Hilda: ...

Maria: ...

Dipper: ... *Turns to Maria* Don't just stand here! Help Lucinda!

Maria: I don't know how!

The sky now became too dark to see anything other than green mist darting wildly around the sky and forest. Hilda tried to flash her flashlight up there to get a better look. But as expected, her flashlight wouldn't reach.

Hilda: No good. I can't see them.

Maria: *Groan* Fine then. *Morphs and flies after them*

Dipper: We better leave too.

That said, Dipper and Hilda started for home.

Meanwhile, Lucinda was running out of ideas, seeing as how the creature was gaining on her. She continued to make passes through the forest, soon passing where Dipper, Hilda, and Maria were. But when the creature passed by, it detected a bright light from below. The creature looked back, inadvertently allowing the black hair Marra to get away and the twin-tailed Marra to follow her.

Dipper: *Looks up* *!* Uh-oh.

Hilda: *Looks up* *!* Oh, great.

Dipper and Hilda were surprised to see the creature stop right in front of them. They were able to observe it in greater detail. It looked like a hairy, insect-like man with large grey wings. But amidst their curiosity, the creature suddenly darted toward Dipper and Hilda, scaring them into dropping their flashlights and falling on their backs.

When they recovered, they saw the creature land quickly in front of them. Their flashlights were pointed right at them, just beyond the creature's line of sight, illuminating them. It slowly approached them as they backed up, eventually hitting a tree. They noticed that the creature gave off lights from its eyes. They were so bright, that Dipper and Hilda had to close their eyes.

Moments later, while their eyes were shut, they heard a loud flap and felt a gust of wind. They opened their eyes, but could hardly see anything. When their eyes adjusted, the creature was gone, and their flashlights were off.

While they were trying to comprehend what just happened, they got up and began looking for Twig and found him hiding behind a tree, quivering with fear.

Hilda: C'mon, boy. L-Let's get out of here.

On their way out, they decided to keep their flashlights off for the time being. It helped that the moon finally rose. But on their way out, she realized something. David's words echoed in her head.

"There were these… red lights shining through the window. It was this monster with huge wings and… r-r-red eyes. It was scary…"

What they saw matched what David said he saw. It couldn't have been a coincidence. What David saw was not a nightmare at all. But with one answered question comes another one.

Dipper: What exactly is that creature?

Hilda: *Shrug*

One thing's for certain: They wouldn't rest until they find an answer.

Meanwhile, Lucinda landed at the foot of a tall tree. She reverted to her human form, panting in exhaustion. She hadn't had such a long chase in a while. She kept her eyes on the sky, hoping to god to not see that thing again.

Letting out a long breath, she wondered for a moment why that thing chased her through most of the forest without any explanation as to why. She didn't even do anything to that creature.

Lucinda: Dang monster. I only create nightmares for humans, not... whatever was flowing through its mind. And why did that blue-haired girl go after us again? Was she delusional?

Maria: *Appears and morphs* Whatever the case, if it wasn't for their flashlights, you might not have been able to escape, and god only knows what would've happened next.

Their thoughts were interrupted by a green light in the distance. Knowing what it was, they started for it.

Maria: There's no time to think about meaningless things. Only our preliminary meeting is important now.

Lucinda: ... Okay. *She and Maria head over* And while we're at it, we need to discuss a certain subject.

Maria: I know. As the team leader, I'll think of something for... her.

Chapter Text

~Library~

Dipper and Hilda ran with Twig through the city in search of a known building, passing streets until she reached the Library. The lights were still on, and it wasn't closing time yet.

Dipper: *Enters with Hilda and Twig* Okay. Where is she? *Spots Kaisa* There you are.

Kaisa: *Turns to them*

Hilda: Um… excuse us?

Kaisa: We're in quiet time. Can't talk.

Hilda: Sorry. We were just wondering if…

Hilda: We don't have that book.

Dipper: What …? What are you-

Kaisa: *Turns to them*

Kaisa cut him off by suddenly turning to them sharply. She had a serious expression and began approaching Hilda's ear to utter only a few words.

Kaisa: You must leave here. Now. You can return here tomorrow, and I promise I'll show you the book you're looking for.

After she finished speaking, she turned back to what she was doing. Hilda was so confused, that she was gonna ask further, but Kaisa put a finger over her mouth, making a signal to keep quiet.

Dipper and Hilda began to take note of the situation. So, they fell silent and left, and Kaisa continued her work elsewhere.

~Outside~

Dipper: Let's just head back. We'll investigate tomorrow.

The trio, with a little confusion, started for home. It was getting late. So, they decided to head straight home. The journey back was surprisingly uneventful. They half-expected to see that unknown creature flying, but nothing happened.

~Löfgren Apartment~

Hilda continued until she reached her home's street. Hoping that her mother wasn't asleep already, she rang the doorbell.

It wasn't long before her mum, Johanna, came down and opened the door. She looked around for a bit, then down toward her daughter.

Johanna: Oh! Hilda, you're home early.

Hilda: In a way. We've already finished our scout activity. *Enters* Whew… What a day.

Johanna: How'd it go?

Hilda: It went amazingly. We collected beautiful shoots from flowers known as the Glistening Flower.

Johanna: I know those flowers. I remember when a sprout grew in my hands on a full moon.

Hilda: Really? How much light came out?

Johanna: Not much. It was just a little flash that lasted a few seconds.

Hilda: ... But it was nice, right?

Johanna: Well, yes, but… it wasn't as nice as I had hoped.

The conversation continued into the night as Tontu joined them, offering tea. But sooner or later, they'd go to bed. After Hilda turned out the lights, she kept thinking about what the Librarian told her. So first thing in the morning, she'd go straight to the Library.

~Pines House~

Meanwhile, Dipper returned to his house.

Dipper: *Enters* I'm back.

Mabel: Hey, Dipper.

Wendy: How did your... "task" go?

Dipper: Eh... The girls that Hilda told me about weren't the culprits after all.

Mabel: If it wasn't them, then who was tormenting David?

Dipper: ... I'm not sure how to put it. *Notices Ford working on something* How's your examination going?

Ford: I'm starting to reach a breaking point with this turtle shell. I can't seem to figure out what language this is. I'm already on the least likely languages, but I doubt it's any one of them.

Dipper: ... *Ponders* Have you tried the older versions of each language?

Ford: *!* Hm. That could work.

{The next morning}

The sun shining through her window woke Hilda up. Recalling her thoughts last night, she got up quickly and did her morning routine.

During her routine, Alfur left the clock house he stayed in all the time. But when he saw Hilda awake, he tried getting her attention.

Alfur: Hilda! Hilda!

Hilda: What is it, Alfur?

Alfur: I have something important to tell you. You see, last night, I was writing a paper about nights in Trolberg. I was looking out the window while doing so.

Hilda: Well, that is important. Knowing what happens at-

Alfur: Th-That's not the point. There was this gigantic creature that appeared in front of the window. It had wings and red glowing eyes. It was looking at you as you slept.

Hilda: *!*

This matched exactly what Hilda and David saw. Wearing an intrigued look, she turned to the window for a moment.

Hilda: ... I have to tell Dipper. *Runs off* Thanks for the intel, Alfur! Gotta go! Bye!

Alfur: W-Wait! I haven't explained everything!

*Door slams shut*

Alfur: ... Oh, no.

~The Library~

Hilda: I hope Dipper's over there.

Hilda dashed through the streets until she approached the Library. But what she saw surprised her.

Many police officers, Trolberg Safety Patrol troops, and fire trucks surrounded the library with barricade tape blocking the front door. Many Trolberg citizens were there too, including the group. Once Hilda noticed them, she ran over.

Hilda: What happened?

Frida: Something attacked the Library and nearly destroyed it.

Hilda: When did this happen?"

David: They say it was in the middle of the night, and no one knows who or what did it.

Hilda: Is Kaisa alright?

Frida: She's fine. *Points to where Kaisa is* No worse for the wear.

Hilda saw Kaisa, Dipper, and Michael simply staring at the wrecked Library. Upon approaching them, Dipper showed Hilda a single sheet of paper.

Hilda: W-What's this?

Dipper: Kaisa gave it to me.

Kaisa: This is all I could save from the info you needed.

Hilda: But… what happened?

Michael: Some fearsome creature got into the library and trashed the place. Then, a fire occurred. Nobody knows what caused it.

Dipper and Hilda examined the sheet of paper, then toward the Library, wondering what kind of fiend would do something like this. Saying nothing, Kaisa and Michael walked off and vanished into the crowd. Dipper and Hilda would've followed her, but they were called back by their friends.

*Dipper and Hilda approach the team*

Richard: What'd she give you?

Dipper: She said it's a creature profile.

Mabel: A creature profile?

Trevor: Of what?

Dipper: It's called "The Mothman".

Hughie: *?!* The... what?!

Hilda: Just follow us.

~Löfgren Apartment~

Johanna had already left for work that morning. On their way there, Hilda had explained what she and Dipper had on that profile. It took them some time to process this information.

David: So, it wasn't a nightmare at all.

Frida: Looks like it. You and Hilda both saw it for yourselves if I'm not mistaken.

While Frida and David continued thinking, Hilda carefully read each word on the page in greater detail.

Hilda: It says here "A creature that is described with large wings and very bright red eyes cannot be other than the Mothman".

Richard: Is that a bad thing?

Hilda: It doesn't say. But what it does say is that when this creature appears, it's an omen of disaster.

Mabel: Disaster? You mean, if it appears again, there will be more?

David: Well, if it says that, there might be if it appears again. Could the Library have been the Mothman's doing?

Dipper: Let's not jump to conclusions just yet. I have a feeling we don't know all we need to know.

Jemma: But if it is, is there any way to get it to go away?

Dipper: *Reads the profile* Ummm… it doesn't say anything about that. But it does have a weakness. According to this, "A bright light can stun it for a moment, but it then follows the light until it reaches it".

Tommy: So, this helps us how?

Dipper: ... *Shrug*

Coming up with an answer was hard for all of them.

Alfur: *Appears* Sorry to interrupt, but may I try to help?

Tommy: How?

Alfur: Well, since you were so hasty to leave, I couldn't tell you the rest of what I knew.

Deacon: The rest? The rest of what?

Hilda: When I woke up, he told me he saw the Mothman through the window. But I was in a hurry to get to the Library. So, I didn't hear all he had to say. *Sheepishly* Sorry about that, Alfur.

Alfur: It doesn't matter. We're all in a bit of a hurry. But the real kicker is that when the Mothman was there, I could hear him say a few words.

Dipper: It can talk?

Frida: What'd he say?

Alfur: He didn't say much. Just that "It's really cold out here".

David: Now that you mention it, it did get pretty cold last night.

Alfur: That profile you have there. Did it help you come up with an idea on how to deal with this Mothman?

Hilda: *Ponders* Hmm… *!* I've got it!

~Rooftop~

Hilda brought the group (plus Tontu) to the rooftop to discuss the plan, using a layout of the Huldrawood.

Hilda: We know we can stun the Mothman with bright light. So, tonight, we meet at the Huldrawood. There, we hide in close proximity to one another. Once one of us sees him, that person will shine their flashlight toward him. Once he darts toward that person, another one of us shines their own flashlight at him and the previous person turns their's off. We'll repeat that strategy until Twig sets off a trap. Then, we can confront the Mothman.

Hilda's plan left some doubt in the others at first, but after some thought, they decided it was the best idea they could come up with. They spent the rest of the day considering how their plan would be executed.

{Sunset}

~The Huldrawood~

As soon as the sun began to set, they left for the Huldrawood and arrived at the entrance by sundown.

Hilda: Alright. Any further questions?

The group looked uneasy at first, but they eventually shook their heads and entered with Hilda. They came with flashlights and spare batteries.

Soon, they found an ideal hiding spot with a good line of sight. David, Trevor, and Richard hid in a bush next to Alfur; Mabel and Frida hid on top of a small tree, hidden in the leaves; Tontu, Hughie, Jemma, Tommy, and Deacon hid inside a log on the ground; and Dipper and Hilda were at the center, setting a trap. It was an old floodlight that David's dad had in storage. It ran off an external power source and gave off a considerable light.

Once Dipper and Hilda finished setting it up, they hid behind a tree. The controls were a bit of a long distance away. So, Twig kept tabs on it.

The minutes went by as the night fell. The cloudy skies obscured any moon or stars, so aside from the slightest light pollution, the sky was virtually pitch black. Hilda reached for her flashlight, but after pulling it out of her satchel, she saw the sprout she collected the other day. She was surprised to see it still in there.

Hilda: I could've sworn I took this out hours ago. *Takes it out*

She took it out of her bag, but when she did, she saw that it began to turn green. This surprised Hilda until she and Dipper turned to look up at the tree, which now also bore a yellowish-green hue. Alarmed, Hilda and Dipper turned around. From behind some bushes came the voices of teenagers.

Knowing what it was, Dipper and Hilda turned back to face the sky. Moments passed… until a powerful gust of wind blew by.

Dipper: It's here!

Alfur, in the bush, watched as a large creature arrived.

Alfur: Okay, on my mark, turn on your flashlights.

David, Trevor, and Richard: Alright.

The Mothman was suddenly about to touch down.

Alfur: Now!

Trevor & Richard: *Shine their lights*

Going against his fear, David hit the button on his light and shut his eyes tightly. When he opened his eyes, he saw the very same creature that was at his window. Only this time, he could see it clearly.

Mothman: *Turns to him*

David: *Yelp*

It took a bit for the Mothman to turn toward him. David let out a yelp and immediately turned off his flashlight shortly before the Mothman darted for him. In response, Tontu turned his flashlight on, causing the creature to stop and turn to him and the quartet.

When it darted for his light, he turned his flashlight off and hid behind the log with the quartet. Frida sprang into action and lit her flashlight. Hilda's plan was working. She and Dipper just had to light the floodlight. It would take a bit to turn on. Meanwhile, the Mothman flew in Mabel and Frida's direction, prompting Fride to turn off her flashlight.

In response, Dipper and Hilda turned their flashlights on. Now, the Mothman darted for them. When it got close, Hilda tried turning off her flashlight. But it wouldn't turn off!

Hilda: Wh-What?! *Presses the button repeatedly*

Dipper: What's wrong?!

Hilda: My light won't turn off!

Mabel: Boys! Flashlights! *She and Frida shine their lights*

*The boys follow suit*

But it did nothing to attract the Mothman's attention, as it continued to encroach upon Dipper and Hilda. The two resorted to removing the batteries from her flashlight to turn it off. But the moment after she did, the other flashlights suddenly fizzled out.

Mabel: What the...?!

Frida: No! The batteries can't die now!

But now that it was completely dark, the Mothman took a few steps from Dipper and Hilda soon before noticing a light source in the distance. It was the all too familiar yellowish-green flame of the Marra behind a small hill.

As Dipper and Hilda watched the Mothman dart toward the yellowish-green light and begin to chase half of the Marra into the air, with the other half hiding in the bushes nearby, they carefully reinstalled the batteries into her flashlight. However, that was probably a mistake since her flashlight came right back on.

Getting alerted by the light, it turned back to Dipper and Hilda, ignoring the Marra, letting them get away, and darting straight for Hilda. They tried to jam the button to turn it back off, but it still wouldn't work. Before they could remove the batteries again, the Mothman landed right in front of them and looked at them, with its red eyes glowing brightly. It encroached upon Dipper and Hilda until they were backed up against the floodlight.

Familiar Voice: Hey, bug man! Get over here!

The Mothman turned to face the voice. It was Lucinda which then made the green flame increase in size. In response, the Mothman flew toward the fire and looked at it in a trance. But the fire began to extinguish after a while. Once the fire was weak enough, the next brightest thing was the Marra girl's glowing green eyes.

Now, Lucinda was in for it. The monster began to approach her with Lucinda backing away. Seeing this, Hilda tried to point her flashlight at the Mothman, but it didn't seem to do any good. It was tightly focused on the Marra.

Suddenly, the entire forest began to light up. Dipper and Hilda looked above to see that the moon was emerging from the clouds. And in Hilda's offhand, the flower sprout, she witnessed something unexpected. A bright light began emanating from it, illuminating the whole forest.

The Mothman, noticing the huge light behind Lucinda, turned to face it. And the Marra was surprised to see something so bright in Hilda's hand. The light from the sprout shone brighter and brighter until it was so bright, it illuminated the entire forest in a sun-like glow.

*The others cover their eyes*

The Mothman slowly made its way over to Dipper and Hilda, it could hardly see through such a bright light. Luckily for it, the light began to fade over time. It soon got to a point where it was still bright, but it was no longer blinding.

*Everyone uncovers their eyes*

The creature, noticing the smaller light now, looked toward Dipper and Hilda.

Hilda: Listen to me, Mister Mothman. I want to talk to you.

The creature tilted its head to the side, seeming as if to be confused that anyone would want to speak to it.

Mothman: ... What is it that you wish to talk about?

The Mothman's voice surprised everyone. Its voice was deep enough to sound eerily similar to Jorgen, but a bit more intimidating.

Dipper: The Library. Was that your doing?

Mothman: ... No.

Hilda: Then… what are you doing in this city?

Mothman: ... I've come to warn you.

Hilda: "Warn us"?

Mothman: Yes.

Dipper: About what?

Mothman: ... To clarify, I do not cause disaster nor enjoy doing such things. The moon foresees an unspeakable danger that's approaching this city. I fear that the Library was only the first of many.

Hilda: What kind of danger?

Mothman: Horrific monsters and events. My duty is to warn people about my presence. It's the only way they'll know something terrible will happen.

Hilda: Oh.

Dipper: ... Sorry for thinking you were an evil creature.

Mothman: ... I forgive you. You aren't the only one. Many in the past have misunderstood me. And only a tragic few have understood the truth of my presence.

Hilda: ... And... thank you for caring about us.

Mothman: ... There is no need to be thankful. It is our job to look out for you.

Hilda: It's fine, That's all we needed to know.

Mothman: *Nods* Prepare yourselves, youngsters. For a great danger will be coming. And only you can stop it.

Trevor: Only... we can stop it?

Jemma: How can we stop it?

Mothman: ... Only time will tell. *Takes off into the night*

As the group looked up at the sky, Hilda smiled, knowing that once again, a mysterious creature that she partly considered to be a threat was actually a good creature. Meanwhile, Lucinda also stared toward the sky, before turning around and walking away.

Hilda: *Turns to Lucinda* Hey. Wait!

Lucinda: *Stops* ... *Turns to her* Y-Yeah? What's up?

Hilda: ... Th-Thanks… for your help.

Lucinda: ... W-Well, thank you too.

Hilda: *Tilts her head* Hm?

Lucinda: Well, if it weren't for you and that flower of yours, I wouldn't have been able to get away from that creature. There was no telling what it was gonna do to me.

Hilda: ... Yeah… and… sorry about going after you and Maria like that.

Lucinda: It's fine. No way any of us could've known. And we always stick to our word. *Morphs and flies away*

Dipper and Hilda then looked to the sky, watching the Mothman fly across the moon. Behind them, their friends were approaching, with Twig to arrive by her side first.

Alfur: You two alright?

Hilda: ... Yeah, no worse for the wear.

Dipper: ... But… will it stay that way for all of us?

Mothman's words echoed…

"I fear that the Library was only the first of many."

----------

Meanwhile, a mysterious hooded figure on a rooftop watches over the Sheriff's Department, more specifically Michael, who was working late for the night. Just as Michael was about the head into his office, the figure's eyes began to glow as red as the Mothman's.

???: Michael...

----------

To be continued…

Chapter Text

~Sparrow Scout Hall~

Raven Leader: Alright! Gather around, Sparrow Scouts! It's time for your next assignment!

It was beginning around evening time at Scout Hall as all the children gathered around their leader, who stood happily by the stage with a series of papers in hand. Hilda, Frida, and David were all very excited, especially Hilda since this was another opportunity to receive another badge.

Raven Leader: This weekend, you'll all be getting into groups of three to embark on local fossil digs around town. There's a series of sites within the Trolberg area that you can visit, and each group is to retrieve just one fossil of unique quality. If you can do that, then you'll be able to earn the Palaeontology Badge!

As Raven Leader passed around some worksheets, Hilda and her friends all swapped high-fives and huddled together.

David: This will be a cinch! All we have to do is bring back a simple fossil and that's it!

Hilda: Which means maybe I'll finally be able to earn another Sparrow Scout badge! What's the best place to look, Frida?

Frida: *Opens her binder* According to my notes, the best place to find fossils is by the Björg Ford Lakeside. *Closes it* But no doubt all the other Sparrow Scouts are planning to go there. I bet everyone is just going to bring in a shell or something.

Hilda: Well… we just have to find somewhere that's equally unique. That's all. *Thinks for a moment* But where’s a good spot to…? *!* *Snaps her fingers. I've got it!

David: What have you got?

Hilda: Well, Twig and I often pass by some railroad tracks that lead into the woods. I once overheard my Mum talking about a petrified forest deep inside.

Frida: A… what? 

Hilda: A petrified forest.

David: That sounds spooky.

Frida: It's not spooky at all. *Opens her binder and flips to a page with some drawings of trees* A petrified forest is simply one that gets buried by dirt before it can rot away. Groundwater runs through the wood, turning it into a mineralized form.

David: … Ehh… I bet that sounds spooky to a tree.

Hilda: In any case, we should look for fossils there! I bet not a lot of kids know about it. So, we’ll set off first thing tomorrow morning.

~Library~

At the Library, Hilda strolled past the enormous bookshelves as she usually did. Little did her friends know, she had been secretly practicing magic. Ever since her adventure with the Tide Mice, and her adventure with Kaisa, she desperately wanted to perfect the art and do it justice. No more skipping footnotes, if she could help it. At this point, the most she had been doing was small levitation spells.

During this visit, however, she didn't plan on reading up on her magic. Frida wanted her to retrieve a specific book for her since she was busy with her family that night. However, she didn’t think to bring in the Adventure Club (and Trevor) to help her out.

Dipper: Have you told them that you’ve been doing magic again?

Hilda: Not really. If I did, they would most likely panic, considering my history. Then again, I could assure them that I’m playing it safe now.

Trevor: I hope so. My friends and my mother are still… skeptical of you.

Mabel: What are we looking for again?

Hilda: *Searching* Frida said that I have to bring her a book on…

Perusing through the volumes, she found what she was looking for and pulled out a brick-sized compact book.

Hilda: "The Treasury of Natural History”. Huh, that looks about right.

Taking care not to get noticed, she and the others pushed a particular shelf back and strolled down the stairs to the mysterious secret room. Mentally telling herself not to focus on magic, she got comfortable on the red armchair and examined the book.

Jemma: This cover is quite lovely, what with the etchings of animals and plants and the gold-embossing of the title. 

Hilda propped it open and was greeted by an array of images and text about nature. One artwork piqued her curiosity: There were two kinds of grotesque-looking animals, a large, big-headed one and a series of smaller, bipedal ones. They seemed to be fighting over a carcass.

Hilda: Can't say I've seen animals like those before.

Hughie: No one in this age has. *Points to a caption*

She peered down at the caption below which read “extinct reptiles of the Triassic Period”.

Hilda: "Extinct”? Well, that explains things.

Before long, Hilda and the Adventure Club spent a half hour lingering through these pages and were introduced to all these strange, long-gone animals and plants.

Hilda: That's such a shame. They're all quite beautiful. I'd so love to see these creatures alive.

Tommy: As far as anyone’s concerned, there hasn’t been any success in bringing creatures of the past back from extinction.

Hilda: … *!*

And then, a particular thought sparked in her brain.

With a sneaky eye, she craned her head to look at the shelves before her, filled to the brim with spell books of all kinds.

Hilda: … Maybe… Maybe, one spell won't hurt. *Approaches the shelves*

Deacon: What are you doing?

Setting the nature book aside and leaving her chair, she skimmed through various titles before settling on ‘Incantations of the Time Dimension’, which seemed about right. Taking her usual care, she scanned through the book's contents, hoping to find the right spell.

Dipper: Hilda…

Hilda: Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing this time.

Once she found what she was looking for, Hilda and the club ran upstairs and - checking if the coast was clear - moved to the scanner to make a copy of the appropriate pages. But there were eyes watching her.

Once the scan was completed, she hurried downstairs, placed the book back, gathered her belongings, and approached the check-out desk. Stacking books, the ever mysterious Librarian, Kaisa, turned around and gave Hilda a suspicious look.

Hilda: Hi, Kaisa. Just this, please.

Smirking, the Librarian picked up the book and eyed the cover.

Kaisa: Hmm. "The Treasury of Natural History”? I never pegged you as a nonfiction reader.

Hilda: Oh, it's not for me. Frida needs this book to help with our Sparrow Scouts assignment. We're going fossil hunting tomorrow.

Kaisa: Aye, that sounds completely safe… and not dangerous at all. *Scans the book and hands it back to Hilda*

Hilda: Thanks! See you later! *Tries to leave*

Kaisa: *Taps Hilda’s shoulder* Hildy… make smart decisions okay?

Hilda: Uh… *Nods* Yes, ma'am. *Smiles awkwardly*

And with that, she was out the doors of the library.

Kaisa looked after her, crossing her arms but softening her glare.

Kaisa: I swear, this kid's gonna keep me up at night.

Dipper: … On that note, we’ll take our leave as well.

Trevor: Yeah, I don’t want my friends catching me hanging out with you guys.

*The Adventure Club heads to the door, only to…*

Mabel: *Bumps into someone* Oof!

Michael: Holy smokes. Where’s the fire?

Mabel: Sorry, Michael. *Leaves with the others*

Kaisa: *Scoff* Kids these days, always acting like they’ve already reached adulthood.

Michael: *Smirk* You and I used to act like that when we were little.

Kaisa: Eh, I’ve wisened up over the years.

~Outside~

Meanwhile, two female teenagers were watching the Adventure Club leaving.

Girl: *Observing Trevor* Is that the boy Maria told us about?

Girl 2: *Pulls out a picture of Trevor* Yep. That’s him. Trevor Stenburg.

Girl: First, she was obsessed with that one kid. Now, she’s grown obsessed with another one. What is her deal this time?

Girl 2: I don’t know. The least she could do is give a little more detail. *Pulls out an orb of sorts* What I do know is that we need to use this thing on him when he’s asleep.

Girl: If we knew what it’s supposed to be.

{The Next Morning}

~Löfgren Apartment~

The next morning, after a lovely breakfast with her mother, Twig, Alfur, and Tontu, Hilda was greeted at her front door by Frida and David, all geared up.

Hilda: Good morning, guys!

David: Ready to go?

Hilda: You know it. *Turns to her mother* I'm going out now!

Johanna: Okay, sweetie! Don't be gone too late now! Good luck with the fossil hunt!

Kids: Thank you!

~Outside~

Frida: Were you able to find the book?

Hilda: Mm-hmm *Pulls out the volume from her backpack* Right here. *Passes it to Frida*

Frida: Oh, excellent! Thank you so much! *Flips through some pages* This will help us identify any fossils we see.

Hilda: I figured so. I didn't realize how bizarre the life of the past is. Maybe, we'll find the skull of a big dinosaur or something! That would get us, like, 10 badges!

David: If we found such a skull like that, how on Earth do you think we'll be able to bring it back with us?! My muscles are delicate.

Hilda & Frida: *Giggling*

The children chatted all the way to the railroad tracks. After checking both ways, they crossed the tracks and headed out into the woods. Unbeknownst to them, the two Marra from yesterday had been tailing them, believing Hilda could lead them to Trevor. Although the trio didn’t notice them, they did notice another group on their way to the forest.

David: *!* Hey, is that...?

Frida: I think it is.

Hilda: So do I. Hey, Dipper!

Dipper: *Turns to them* Oh, hey, guys.

David: Why are you out here?

Mabel: Same thing as you guys. Looking for fossils. Though, it’s for a separate thing we’re doing for Uncle Ford. But since you’re here, we might as well work together.

Richard: If we can find a good spot to search for any.

Frida: Well, you're in luck. *Pulls out a map* According to the map I printed out, the petrified forest should be right… over…

Hilda: *Spots something* There!

Sure enough, past a series of bushes, there was a clearing in the woods where the soil turned yellow and rocky, spread out towards a large rock formation. Throughout the area were the enormous fossilized trunks of extinct trees, many of which lay in positions as if they were felled yesterday.

Hilda: Wow! This is incredible! Mum was right!

Frida: "Wow” is right! I wish I had seen this place sooner. I thought I knew all the natural places around here.

David: So did I.

Jemma: Come to think of it, I wonder how many people know this is here. *Turns to Hilda* Besides your Mum, of course.

Hilda: That’s actually a good question, but as far as I'm concerned, no other Sparrow Scouts are likely coming by anytime soon. That means we'll have more of a chance of finding something special.

Hughie: True that. Let's get searching!

Frida pulled out some small pointed hammers and brushes and handed them to her friends, sending them in opposite directions to cover more ground. 

Tommy: I hope us helping them doesn’t count as cheating.

Deacon: Eh, don’t worry. We’ll most likely find something separate from what they’re looking for.

Nearly an hour went by as the kids picked and scratched at the crumbly dirt. Hilda, Mabel, and Richard often carelessly moved stones around; Frida and Dipper delicately chipped away in small localized areas; David, Trevor, and the quartet just dug a series of holes. No luck.

Wiping her now dusty brow, Frida disappointingly looked to her friends.

Frida: You guys find anything?

Hilda: No.

David: Nope.

Dipper: Negative.

Mabel: Nothing.

Richard & The Quartet: Nada.

Trevor: *Throw his hammer to the ground* Ugh! It’s much more frustrating than we thought!

Frida: You’re telling me. *Tosses her hammer to the ground* This place should be littered with fossils! I don't get it.

Hilda: D-Don't give up, team. All the special things in nature are the hardest to find. That's something I learned when I lived in the woods.

Frida: *Dejectedly flips through the book* I guess that's true.

Still content to dig his holes, David removed a series of stones and was struck by a blue gleam in the dirt.

David: Huh?

Trevor: *Turns to him* What is it?

Brushing away the dirt, he revealed the brilliant iridescent blue of a fossilized beetle, embedded in the rock. It sported an indigo spot on its head.

David: *His eyes light up like fireworks* Guys! I found something!

*The team turns to him*

Frida: What is it? *She and the others rush over* 

David gently held the stone with two hands and presented it. 

David: I think it's a bug fossil.

Hilda: Whoa. What a pretty fossil! I didn't know they could have colors like that.

Frida: Sometimes, when an animal is fossilized under certain conditions, their organic tissues can remain. *Flips through the book for identification* Probably from the same process that petrified these trees.

David: That's fascinating. I gotta say, how lucky are we? We're going to be the talk of the Sparrow Scouts for sure.

Richard: Which fossil is this anyway?

Frida: Hold on. *Finds the right page* Here we go. *Turns the book towards David's fossil* It's a click beetle. And according to a website I was looking at last night, this petrified forest is 210 million years old! So, the beetle is likely that old.

Hilda: A 210 million-year-old bug… That's perfect. *Reaches into her backpack to take a peek at her scanned page*

Frida: Way to go David! *Hugs him*

David: Aww, thanks.

Frida: *Breaks the hug* We should probably wrap that in a cloth to protect it. *Grabs her backpack*

Hilda: Actually, before you do, I want to try something.

*They all turn to her*

Frida: What do you mean?

Tommy: We were in the hidden library room again.

Hilda: I… learned a spell last night... and I wanted to try it out on the fossil.

David: *Panicking* You WHAT?! No-no-no-no, not this again! *Clutches his fossil*

Frida: *Annoyed* Hilda, what on Earth could have possibly made you want to try that? *Turns to Dipper* How come you didn’t stop her?

Dipper: She said she knew what she was doing this time.

Frida: And you took her word for it? Unbelievable.

Hilda: It's nothing bad! I promise! I was just so excited reading about extinct animals that I wanted to learn how to bring one to life. And it's just a beetle. So, it won't be too dangerous.

Frida: You learned a spell that can bring extinct animals back to life?

Hilda: Yep! It's really simple! I just want to try it out on our fossil.

David: I don't know about this, Hilda! M-Maybe, it likes being extinct!

Hughie: How can you tell?

Tommy: *Elbows him* Don’t be a smart Alec.

Hilda: Aww, come on, you guys. Please? I'll be able to turn it back into a fossil when I'm done. I promise!

Frida: … Did you make sure to read all the fine-prints when you learned the spell?

Hilda: Yes, of course!

Frida: Every footnote?

Hilda: And every asterisk.

Frida: … *Takes a deep breath* Then, I think we can trust you on this one. *Shrug* So, why not?

David: *?!* Frida!

Mabel: Don't worry, David. Like Hilda said, it's just a bug. Better she try to bring that back to life than a big dinosaur, right?

The boy did have to admit that would be a much more dangerous situation. Sighing, he placed the fossil back on the ground.

David: Okay. Do your thing. Just… don’t kill us.

Hilda: I know. *Giggles*

Shaking her hands with delight, Hilda took a stance and urged her friends to get behind her. Positioning her hands towards the fossil beetle, she closed her eyes and began reciting her spell.

Hilda: From the depths of time primeval; As if yesterday was medieval; Come to life, bare your soul; What once was dead is now whole!

*Sparking*

Deacon: Uh… Is it supposed to do that?

Sparks ignited from the fossilized insect, and it looked as if the animal was attempting to escape its rocky tomb.

Seeing the wriggling animal, David felt a sense of sympathy.

Jemma: Aww. The poor thing is struggling. 

David: I'll help it out!

Dipper: Wait! 

Hilda: David, NO!

But it was too late.

As soon as David touched the beetle's exoskeleton, everything seemed to grow very dark around the children. Within seconds, everyone felt a sharp pain in their heads and collapsed onto the ground. Soon, it was pitch black. The Adventure Club fell unconscious.

Immediately after that, the Marra made their presence known, having seen the whole thing.

Girl: *Giggles deviously* This should be a cakewalk. We don't have to wait until nighttime to use that orb on Trevor.

Girl 2: *Pulls out said orb* You got that right. Now, all we have to do is-

*Sting!*

Girl 2: Augh!

Girl: *?* Eunice? What's wrong?

*Sting!*

Girl: Agh!

Unfortunately, the two also felt the same sharp pain in their heads and collapsed onto the ground. Soon, it was pitch black and they too fell unconscious.

Chapter Text

~???~

When the children (and the Marra) came to, it felt as if someone placed an enormous lamp above them. It was egregiously hot and humid. Various sounds emanated around them, but they were not the familiar sounds of the Trolberg forest.

The Adventure Club and the Marra sat up on the hard dusty ground, rubbing their heads and eyes. The trio's Sparrow Scout uniforms were already damp from their sweat.

David: *Groan* That really hurt.

Frida: Tell me about it.

Hilda: *Gets up* Ugh... *Looks around*

Having gotten her composure, Hilda looked around at the environment before her. They were surrounded by enormous trees with great branches radiating from along their trunks. They looked very different from the pine trees they were used to back home.

Hilda: Where...? *!* Guys… I think we're in trouble!

Dipper: I'll say! Where are we?! This doesn't look like the petrified forest.

Hilda: That's just it! It doesn't look like the petrified forest… because the forest hasn't been petrified yet!

Mabel: But that means…

Frida could only clasp her hands to her mouth.

Hilda: I didn't bring the beetle back from 210 million years ago, *Flailing* I sent us back 210 million years ago!

Everyone: WHAT?!

Richard: That means we've landed in the Late Triassic Period!

Looking around, they were at least relieved to see all their belongings made it back with them. However...

???: *Groaning*

*They all turn to see...*

Girl: I didn't think that was gonna happen.

Eunice: Neither did I.

Hilda: You two?

Girl: Yes. Us two. And my name is Kylie in case you're interested. And she's Eunice.

Jemma: You two are from Maria's group, aren't you?

Kylie: Well, duh.

Trevor: Why are you here?

Eunice: Heh. Funny you should ask that. Maria told us to go after you.

Trevor: *?* Why? Has she grown obsessed with me?

Kylie: Well, it doesn't matter at this very moment, does it?! We couldn't help but overhear your friend saying that we've all traveled back in time!

David: *Panicking* Ohhhh! This is bad! I must have interfered with the spell! *Starts to cry* I'm so sorry!

Hilda: No, th-that's okay! I'll be able to bring us back. All I need to do is change the beetle back into a fossil, and David you can just touch it and it will send us all back again!

David: ... Okay then… That's all fine and good.

Hughie: Speaking of which… where is that beetle?

David: How should I- *Feels something on his head* ...know?

Frida: It's on your head!

As soon as Frida tried to pick it off, the animal began to fly about in the air.

Hilda: NO, NO! Quick! Grab it!

The children and the two teenagers scrambled about, skipping and hopping into the air after the beetle, but it was all in vain. Before long, the spooked animal disappeared into the forest.

Tommy: Oh, shoot!

David: Now, what are we going to do?! *Starts to cry* We're trapped out here millions of years away and it's all my fault!

Kylie: Thanks a lot, you dolt.

Hilda: David! It was an accident! Please don't blame yourself. *Hugs him gently* We'll just have to go through the wilderness and find that bug. Okay?

David: ... Okay.

Eunice: What? Out there?

Frida: Hilda, with all due respect, this isn't the woodlands outside Trolberg. We don't know these parts!

Hilda: That may be so, but you're forgetting one thing: We're the Adventure Club, a team of natural-born adventurers! We've been dragged into strange and unusual situations before!

Kylie: Uh, not all of us have-

Dipper: And besides, if we have trouble with something we can just rely on your book.

Frida: *?* My book?" *Looks into her backpack*

Sure enough, she saw that her copy of 'The Treasury of Natural History' was still inside.

Frida: Oh, yeah… So it is!

Deacon: Maybe… we'll be alright then?

Hilda: That's right. We're all in this together.

Dipper: *Turns to the Marra* Well, are you two in?

Eunice: *Scoff* Like we have a choice.

{Later}

Before long, the unlikely alliance went off into the direction the beetle flew. They turned over every fern and rock, hoping to find their missing bug. They made note of the peculiar flora of the area. There was not a flower or broad-leaved tree to be seen. Frida noted that all the plants in the area were either cone-bearing trees or spore-bearing plants like ferns; flowering plants wouldn't evolve for another 80 million years, it turned out. Thus, the forest was completely clothed in greens and browns.

Stepping out into the clearing, the team was greeted by the sight of an enormous wetland, ringed by great boulders and water-loving plants.

Dipper: Oh, dear. It doesn't look like there's a way around it.

Richard: Seriously?! I'm not going through that!

Mabel: Shhhh! Richard. please! Not so loud!

Richard: Why? What are you talking about?

Jemma: Is something out there?

Hughie peered into the water and saw a big pair of yellow eyes staring back at him. The dark impression of its body in the water seemed massive.

Hughie: Uh-oh...

Hilda: Something's out there alright. Something big.

Hughie: Hey, guys?

*They all turn to him*

Hughie: There's bubbles.

The enormous form of the animal revealed itself by rising out of the water. It was a large amphibious animal, almost like a giant salamander, and it was immediately joined by more of its fellows. Some of the rocks in the wetland, it turned out, were others of its kind.

David: Uhhhh... What are those things?

Frida: *Flips through her book* Metoposaurs. They're amphibians that can grow to three meters long.

Tommy: Three whole meters?! *Backs away* That's a "No thank you" from me!

Deacon: *Grabs Tommy's arm* Hang on. Maybe, there's an easier way across?

Surveying the area, Hilda noticed a very old and very tall tree that looked to have been partially cut into by another animal and was leaning toward the water. Smiling, she ran over to it and began pushing at its trunk.

Hilda: Come on! Help me push this tree into the water! We can use it to walk across.

Without skipping a beat, the others joined in and struggled with all their might, eventually managing to push the tree into the water with a loud splash. A few of the metoposaurs swam away, frightened, but all eventually settled back down.

Trevor: Woohoo!

*The two Marra high-five each other*

Dipper: Come on, let's go!

Balancing with care, the team walked along the enormous trunk of the tree, over the steaming water and hissing amphibians below them.

David: What ugly things.

Kylie: They're not going to try to catch and eat us, are they?

Frida: I read that their jaws were like steel traps, able to bite at anything they wanted.

Eunice: They don't look hungry though.

Hilda: So, as long as we stay up here, we'll be fine. Besides, they probably can't reach us anyway.

Jemma: Well… that's good to know. Better us up here than down there with those beasties.

Suddenly, the log started shaking, momentarily causing everyone to freeze in place and grip the bark.

Mabel: What was that?

David: Wasn't me!

Kylie: Don't look at me, I didn't do anything.

Several meters behind the group was the sprawling, gray form of a big reptile. Crocodile-like in its visage and body, but with a strange raised snout and cony front teeth. It managed to clamber its front limbs along the trunk of the tree and made its way towards the children, opening its mighty jaws.

David: *Screaming* A monster! RUN!

Terrified for their lives, the team bolted across the fallen tree, trying to keep their balance as the lurching reptile clambered after them. Several times it fell into the water, only to launch back onto the log for another bite. Snapping sounds filled the air, sending the neighboring metoposaurs scrambling into the mud.

Hilda saw the top of the tree poking into the foliage of the forest and ushered the others along.

Hilda: Come on! We're almost there!

With seconds to spare the trio made a jump for the brush as the attacking reptile made one final bite of its jaws, just missing David's legs by a meter. The kids tumbled down into the dirt, landing safely on the other side.

Hilda peeked over the bushes to see the lumbering animal turn back into the water.

Everyone was panting, trying to compose themselves.

Frida: That… was… so close!

David: *Livid* Did you see that thing's flippin' teeth?! He almost made brunch out of us!

Deacon: Frida, what was that frightening thing?

Frida: Let me check.

After checking to see if the book was damaged (It wasn't), Frida managed to find a double-page spread on the animal and shared it with her friends.

Frida: "Phytosaurs - Large, aquatic reptiles resembling, but unrelated to, crocodiles".

Hilda: *Glances at the page* "Their name means 'plant reptile'.

Trevor: *Scoff* Well, that's clearly a load of rubbish.

David: Guess that makes me a rutabaga then.

Hughie: Hilda, I'm getting really worried. We've only been in the Late Triassic Period for 15 minutes and we've nearly lost our lives!

Dipper: This is clearly no place for humans, that's for sure.

Hilda: But we've been in worse scrapes. We just have to become familiar with our surroundings and stick to places where we're in the least danger of being seen.

Hughie: If you say so… but the sooner we find this beetle, the better.

{Later}

By now, it was past noon. The team had entered a much more open landscape, still surrounded by forest, but cut through by a small stream. They settled down under the shade of an enormous fallen log and ate some of their packed lunch, making a conscious decision to save some just in case they were spending the night.

The group constantly found themselves fanning their hands in an attempt to dissipate the heat.

Tommy: Of all the places in the past to get stuck into… why couldn't we have ended up in a nice, balmy world?

Eunice: I'd prefer an Ice Age world to this.

Kylie: Why is it so hot out here anyway? It was autumn back home. Shouldn't it be cool where we are?

Frida: Well, during this time in Earth's history, all the continents were joined together and there was only one big ocean, with no ice at the poles.

Dipper: Thus, the climate was very extreme: Hot and dry in the interior and wet and humid on the coasts. Apparently, there would have been massive monsoons at parts of the year.

Hughie: I wouldn't mind some rain, even nasty rain if it meant it could break up this hot day.

Peeking out of the bushes behind David was a little slender, reptilian head. It eyed them and quickly popped back into the bushes. David overheard the rustles and turned his head around. There was nothing there.

David: Huh… Okay then.

There was a sharp buzzing sound that took everyone's attention.

Mabel: Do you hear that?

Richard: It sounds like wings!

They looked around, and sure enough, there was the blue beetle, landing delicately on Jemma's shirt sleeve.

Jemma: *Freezes up*

David: Jemma… don't move.

Jemma: I'm trying.

Just as Hilda and Dipper were tiptoeing to snatch the insect, David was knocked on his belly by a small, bipedal animal. Frida and Jemma yelped as the seemingly fuzzy reptile tried to take a bite out of the beetle, which by now had flown away again.

Hilda: Oh, no!

At first, she went after the insect, but then, she focused her attention on the intruding animal and her unfortunate friend.

David: Ugh! Get off of me you nasty thing! *Knocks the reptile off of his back and gets back up*

It turned and craned its goose-like neck at him, baring its teeth and snapping at him.

Kylie: Go on! Get out of here!

Trevor picked up a stone and chucked it at the animal, landing it right on its face. It yipped and bolted back into the forest.

Hilda: *Rushes to David and checks his body for scrapes* Are you okay, David?! 

David: Yeah… *Dusts his arms* No thanks to that stupid bird thing.

Mabel: *Observes said animal* Wait a minute… *!* I recognize that animal!

Frida: What do you mean?

Mabel: In your book! When we were reading it for the first time!

Hilda: *!* You're right! Here, let me see!

Frida handed her the book and Hilda rapidly scrambled to that infamous page with the curious illustration. She showed it to the others.

Hilda: It's a dinosaur! It's called Coelophysis. We read a little bit about it. It's a flesh-eater.

Kylie: Oh, for goodness sake. Does anything eat plants around here?!

Frida: Judging from the illustration, it looks like it was just a little one.

Hughie: And lucky for us too. Because it's thought that this animal lived in groups.

*Rumbling*

A low rumbling of rapid footsteps started echoing from the forest. David was the first to feel it.

David: *?* *Looks around*

Jemma: Did you say... "groups"?

Hughie: That's right. Sociable little things. I guess you'd need to be when you live in a world with threats like that guy. *Points at the earlier illustration, where a whole pack was fighting over a carcass with a much larger animal*

Frida: Postosuchus. Now, that I don't want to meet. *Chuckle*

David: Uh... Guys?

Eunice: "Growing up to five meters in length and sporting a jaw full of curved teeth, this relative of crocodiles was the apex predator of its day".

Hilda: Yeah, you're right about that, Frida.

David: Guys!

*They all turn to him*

Trevor: What is it, David?

David: WE NEED TO GO NOW! *Runs away*

Without question, the team collected their things and got a move on. No sooner had they made a beeline away from the woods when a pack of Coelophysis charged after them.

The dinosaurs, snapping and cheeping in anger, rushed after the children. Accompanying them was a smaller juvenile with a black eye.

Hilda: Come on!

Dipper: Don't look back!

David: Oh, cruddlesticks! I wish I brought my running shoes!

The trio kept up a good pace from the Coelophysis for a little while, but it was quickly becoming apparent that these animals were built for speed and would overpower them very soon. Thinking fast, Dipper and Hilda noticed a particularly bushy tree on the edge of the clearing, with branches all along its sides.

Dipper: Quick! Up that tree!

Wasting no time, the team hurried behind the two leaders and they quickly maneuvered up the tree, using the branches like a jungle gym. They had only managed to get a few meters up when the little dinosaurs swarmed at the base of the tree and practically started clambering over each other to take a bite out of them.

Richard: Oh, no! What if they start climbing up?!

Jemma: *Looks down* I... don't think they can.

They looked down and observed the Coelophysis, noticing how clumsily they gripped the trunk, only to slide down on top of their fellows. The Coelophysis was definitely not a tree-dwelling animal.

The team scrambled up the tree for several more meters before they felt they were safe enough. Try as they might, the dinosaurs continued to struggle after them. Once they realized it was all in vain, the pack of feisty carnivores simply sat on the ground and stared at them with big eyes.

Hilda: *Chuckle* Well… it looks like they're not trying to kill us anymore.

Kylie: But they're not leaving either.

Trevor: Yep, they're mighty mad at me, that's for sure.

The young Coelophysis from earlier had his eye on Trevor (and David) the entire time.

David: I mean… we can't stay in this tree forever, can we? Those bloody things are just going to wait for us to get tired and come down.

Hilda: *Shrugs* Maybe not? Even Twig gets bored when he can't catch a wild animal. How desperate can these Coelophysis be?

{Much later}

Hilda pretty much got her answer.

Several hours passed by and the kids were still stuck in the tree, watching as the pack of hungry dinosaurs observed their every movement like a mitten and a tiny elf laser pointer. Frida lazily read from her book, while Hilda and the Marra rested their heads against the trunk and the rest ate some more snacks. At one point, David chucked some Jorts down on the ground, and several of the Coelophysis nipped after it, only to return their attention to them.

David: *Tired/annoyed tone* Pretty desperate, I'd say.

Dark grey clouds had fallen over the area about an hour ago, turning the hot, dry afternoon into a humid, dark evening. It almost threatened to rain several times, but nothing passed over. They could hear thunder in the distance, however.

Kylie: Ugh! Why can't you all just leave us alone?! *Snaps off a tree twig and throws it at the dinosaurs*

Two Coelophysis simply dodged the stick and resumed their positions.

Hughie: Thank goodness you're extinct! *Sticks his tongue out for good measure*

Out of nowhere, one of the older dinosaurs shot up in alarm, sniffing the air. Giving a dire-sounding chirp, it darted off towards the inside of the forest, with all the other Coelophysis in tow. The juvenile looked back at David and sneered before joining its fellows.

Frida: Hey! Look, they're leaving! *Puts her book away in her backpack*

Eunice: Pff. They're probably just waiting for us to come down so they can attack us again. I bet they're crafty enough to do it.

A low rushing noise began to permeate through the air, causing all three kids to crane their necks in the direction of the sound. It was coming from far away down the clearing.

David: Oh, dear. Is it their bigger brothers?

Frida peered at the ground below and noticed how the small stream had begun to grow in width and change in color as if getting muddier. She looked up and saw flocks of pterosaurs flying past, as if panicked.

Frida: I don't think so.

Before long, it became very clear: the storms in the distance had sparked an overflow on the river system beyond, sending an enormous flash flood right down the clearing and in their direction!

Deacon: Oh, no! What do we do?!

Tommy: What can we do?!

Hilda: There's only one thing we can do: Climb as high as you can!

Hilda wasted no time ushering her friends and the two Marra higher and higher up the trunk. Within seconds the force of the waters collided into the tree, shaking everyone in their places. Jemma almost slid off, but Hughie and Dipper managed to grab both of her arms and hoist her back so that she could regain her grip.

The torrent cascaded all around them, bringing along branches, entire trees, shrubs, and even poor animals caught unaware. Ever higher the waters climbed, but the team had made it as high as possible and they could only hope the waters would recede in time.

Chapter Text

For several minutes, they hung on as the flash flood intensified. Several large logs smacked into the trunk of their tree, each time jolting them in place and tilting the tree's orientation.

David: I don't like this! We're gonna fall in!

Dipper: No, we won't! Not on my watch!

Hilda: Or mine! *Looks around*

Another bump from debris, and the tree leaned more and more toward the water. Everyone clutched the branches even tighter.

Hilda finally saw something promising: One of the closest trees had a split down its middle where another sapling had grown in its place. Its size and distance were perfect enough to bring everyone to safety and away from the flood. However, it was a few meters out of reach and much too risky to make a jump for it. A thought ticked in Hilda's brain, and she figured it was a dire enough situation where she could try anything.

Hilda: *Turns to the others* Guys, trust me on something, will you?

Frida: If you have a plan to get us out of this mess, be my guest!

David: For once, I'm not complaining! Anything's better than this!

Hilda: Okay… *Takes a deep breath and reaches out her right hand towards the split tree*

She had never used a levitation spell on anything larger than a tennis ball, but if she could just muster enough strength and willpower, she could use her magic to pull the tree a little closer in their direction.

The flood waters were getting higher and higher.

Thinking hard, Hilda wiggled her fingers.

Hilda: Come on…. come on…

Sparkling light radiated from the tree and the branches all twitched and jerked gradually in her direction. Hilda bared her teeth and put all her weight on her arm.

Hilda: Come on… Be a good tree.

Eventually, the tree had turned just close enough to them that Hilda could practically touch it with her fingers.

Hilda: Yes! Guys! Jump onto that tree!

Mabel: W-What?!

Richard: How did you-

*Another fallen tree strikes their trunk*

Richard: Never mind!

This time, the center started crackling and Hilda almost lost her focus.

Hilda: JUST JUMP!

A second later, everyone scrambled across towards Hilda's side and dived into the split tree. Once they were both across, Hilda leaped and ended her spell, which flung the tree back into its original place. The group was knocked down its branches, but they were otherwise unharmed.

Breathing heavily, Hilda looked back to see that their original perch had snapped in two and careened into the rushing waters with a thud. The team was safe and on higher ground.

Hughie: Holy moly! That was amazing! We're high and dry!

Jemma: *Hugs Hilda* Thank you!

Hilda: *Hugs back*

Frida: Hilda, was that magic?

Hilda: Sure was! *Giggle* It actually did us some good for once.

Tommy: You saved our lives! Thank you!

Hilda: Don't thank me just yet. Let's find that beetle. Then, we'll celebrate.

{Later}

After another hour, the clouds parted, revealing the warm red-orange glow of the approaching sunset. The kids, with much better confidence, strolled through the woodland. Past ferns and giant horsetails, they kept a good pace.

Eventually, they reached another clearing. This time, there was no other forest to be seen, just a seemingly endless series of muddy sand dunes going off into the field of distant mountains. It looked as though much of the debris from the flash flood was deposited here, including several enormous tree trunks.

Deacon: Wow… Take a look at that. This looks to be just the right conditions for preserving these trees.

Trevor: Really?

Deacon: Yep! If there's more mud and sand to cover these trunks up, they'll eventually be fossilized.

David: That's incredible. That's just like the Petrified Forest back home, only we're seeing its start.

Hilda: Come on! Let's check it out while they're still light.

Kylie: Maybe, if we're lucky we'll come across our troublemaking beetle.

Eunice: Let's hope so.

The group hobbled down onto the muddy sand, and wasted no time poking and prodding around the plant remains. They turned over several logs, only to find soggy lizards and insects clambering about in a daze. David was especially tense. With each site of a six-legged animal, he held his breath hoping that it would turn out to be the bug they were looking for.

Hilda rounded the corner of one of the giant tree trunks and froze in place. Eyes wide, she caught sight of the bloated carcass of a large reptile. It has a pointed snout with blunt teeth and its back was covered in a row of hard armor, some of which protruded from its shoulder and neck as curved spines.

Hilda: Whoa! Check this out! I found a dead animal!

Richard: Uh...

Hughie: Oh, my goodness! Great find, Hilda!

Deacon: *Laughing* Ewww. It smells awful.

The kids approached the carcass, looking it up and down.

Dipper: Got any identification on this one, Frida?

Frida: *Flips through the pages* Got it! It's an aetosaur, a plant-eating reptile that was covered in armor for protection from predators.

David: Wow, that book has everything! I might need to borrow it one day to earn the Ornithology Badge.

Hilda: *Chuckling* I might even ask Mum to purchase me a copy.

She turned back to the dead reptile and felt its tough, pebbly skin with her open palm.

Jemma: Poor thing. Must have been washed out with the storm.

Tommy: To think that would have been us if it weren't for Hilda.

Unbeknownst to them, a large form was making its way across the muddy dunes, leaving deep footprints behind it. Sharp breaths erupted from the animal's snout as it tracked the scent of the dead aetosaur. Honing in on its location, the animal trudged forward with increasing speed.

Eunice: We really should be careful around here. Usually, when there's something dead out in the wilderness, the scavengers aren't far behind.

Hilda: That's a good point. Let's keep moving.

Frida: Hopefully, it's not our little dinosaur friends. *Giggles*

David: Ugh, yeah, hopefully. Though, with Hilda around, I think we could actually handle those guys.

Hilda: Heh, maybe! I'm not afraid!

A deep bellow called from behind the aetosaur carcass as the enormous, bipedal body of a great reptile revealed itself with a mouth of gleaming sharp teeth. The group screamed in surprise and huddled together.

Kylie: Um… I think we spoke too soon!

Dipper: Is that…?

Frida: Postosuchus! The apex predator!

Sniffing around the rotting body of the aetosaur, the giant crocodile-relative salivated. Eyeing the team, it clambered over the carcass and hissed out. The nasty sound rang in the kid's ears.

Mabel: Okay… Calm down. We mean you no harm! Do you want that dead animal? It's yours! Don't mind us!

Trevor: *Smiling weakly* Yes! Eat and be merry! We'll be on our way!

Baring its teeth, the Postosuchus hopped off the dead body, reared back up, and advanced upon the children.

Richard: No! No! Get away!

David: *Clings onto Frida*

Dipper and Hilda put themselves in front of their friends and the Marra, shielding them in a last-ditch effort.

Hilda: This is your last warning!

Dipper: Leave us alone!

The Postosuchus simply bellowed again and opened its toothy mouth at them, continuing its approach.

Breathing deeply, Hilda held out her right hand and started to concentrate. Maybe, just maybe, her magic could be strong enough to fend off even the largest land predator of this day and age. She wiggled her fingers and struggled, but the reptile just came closer and closer, drooling wildly.

As it closed in, Hilda shut her eyes and put all her efforts into her spell. The shadow of the Postosuchus enveloped them, and it looked like this was the end.

However, within moments, Hilda overheard a whining growl and felt an even greater presence in the area. Opening her eyes, Hilda was greeted with an impressive display, and she wasted no time getting everyone's attention.

They looked up to find a giant, a fairly large one with great muscles and a large mustache, grabbing the Postosuchus by its tail and holding it up to his face. He gave a deep, piercing glare at the predatory reptile, which simply whimpered and cowered in his grasp.

Giant: That's it. Good boy.

He then placed the animal down and gave it a swift flick on the tail. The Postosuchus bounded off, squealing.

Giant: Now, git!

Looking down at the children, the giant crouched and outstretched his hand, urging the children to climb on his palm.

Still in shock, they walked and took a seat, allowing the giant to bring them to his eye level.

Giant: Well now… I reckon I've never seen critters like y'all before! I'm Kranglefant. What's yer names?

Hilda: I'm Hilda, and this is Dipper, Mabel, Frida, David, Richard, Trevor, Jemma, Hughie, Tommy, Deacon, Kylie, and Eunice. We're humans.

Kranglefant: Is that so? There's something off about you kids as if y'all don't belong in these here parts. 

David: Would you believe us if I told you we accidentally time-traveled from 210 million years in the future? *Sheepish chuckle*

Kranglefant: I see. When ya live to be several millennia old, ya tend to have seen everything. Guess this old fella's still got some surprises awaiting him. Hehe.

The children had to laugh at that, save for the two teenagers, who weren't in the mood. Hilda was particularly pleased to know that, even in these distant times, the giants were roaming the planet. She even wondered what mysteries of nature they could have revealed had they not left the Earth due to their troubles with the 'little peoples'.

The giant looked beyond and noticed the setting sun.

Kranglefant: It's getting pretty late. You kids looking for a place to stay?

Frida: Actually, we thought you could help us? We're trying to track down an animal.

Kranglefant: It wasn't ol' toothy boy was it? *Chuckle* I probably scared him off the supercontinent!

Hilda: No, we're all grateful for that. We're looking for a blue beetle. I need to perform a spell on it to get us back to our time. Or… err, forward to our time.

Kranglefant: Blue beetle, eh? I believe I have an idea. There's only one place around here to find them.

~Woodland~

At an open woodland, the exact place where the team was transported, the blue beetle landed safely on the dirt by a tree stump. Looking around, it buried slightly into the soil and began depositing eggs.

Great, thudding footsteps shook the trees, signaling the arrival of the giant.

Kranglefant set the children gently down in the woods.

Kranglefant: Alright now. You get on home safely, ya hear?

Dipper: We will!

Hilda: Thank you Kranglefant!

And with ease, the giant strolled off into the distance.

Frida: What a nice fellow.

Hilda: Yeah. The giants are really sweet. Glad you all got to meet one.

*Buzzing*

David: Did you hear that?

Without skipping a beat, the kids happened upon the beetle, still depositing its eggs.

Mabel: This is it! This is our beetle!

Richard: Are you sure? What if it's just any other beetle?

David peeked closely at the insect, noticing the peculiar indigo spot on its head.

David: Yep. That's our bug. I remember seeing that spot.

Dipper: Alright, everyone. You know the drill.

Hughie: Say no more!

*Everyone gets behind Hilda*

Once again, Hilda closed her eyes and sang the opposite spell.

Hilda: Moving forward, day into night; The arrow of time catching flight. Bring back your essence, from then to now; Return to what was, as if a vow!

The beetle, having finished laying its eggs, began to glow as sparks emanated from its body. It opened its wings, ready to fly off, but David ran for it.

David: OH, NO, YOU FLIPPIN DON'T! *Grabs it* Got it!

*Sting!*

Everyone: AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!

Kylie: Not again!

As expected, everything went dark.

~Petrified Forest~

By the time they came to, the unlikely alliance saw where they were.

The forest was once again petrified.

They were finally back home.

Dipper: ... W... We did it. We're home.

Hilda: We're back home! Woohoo!

Kylie: *Grumpily* Good! Great! Fantastic! Finally! Now, let's get out of here! I never want to see this place again!

And with that, Kylie grumpily ushered everyone to leave the forest, much to their annoyance.

The spell had worked like a charm, and the unlikely alliance managed to return to the present day. It was already night when the trio made it back home to their worried parents, but they reassured them that it was all in the name of the Sparrow Scouts.

~Sparrow Scout Hall~

Before long, the trio made it back to Sparrow Scout Hall. It was finally Sunday and they all presented their beetle fossil, which was the talk of the meeting.

Raven Leader: My-my, this is indeed a most impressive specimen! And to think, you found it in the Petrified Forest! I've been meaning to make a trip there myself.

Hilda: It's a really cool place. I have my Mum to thank for telling me about it.

Raven: Well done, Sparrow Scouts! I think you've all earned your badges. *Turns to the trio* Especially Frida's group. I bet the local geologists would love to have a word with you all on your fossil discovery.

In the end, their unexpected adventure was a complete success.

Hilda, Frida, and David walked away from Sparrow Scout Hall deep in discussion.

Frida: I don't think I've ever done so much for a Sparrow Scout badge in my life! Traveling through time, dealing with dangerous extinct reptiles, and surviving a flash flood!

David: And all in one day!

Hilda: That was a world-class adventure for sure. *Remembers something* Um... By the way, I'm really sorry for bringing you into such a dangerous situation though.

David: What are you talking about? I was the one who touched the sparkly bug.

Hilda: But it was my magic! I was so desperate to practice my skills that I put us all at risk.

Frida: If it means anything, I think it's really cool that you're learning magic properly. You don't have to keep it a secret from us.

David: Yeah! It's not the most unusual thing I've seen you do.

Hilda: *Laugh* I guess that's so. I appreciate it.

Frida: *!* Oh! I almost forgot! *Pulls the book from her backpack* We should probably bring this back to the library.

Hilda: I can take it back for you. I'll stop by the library on my way home.

Frida: Okay. *Passes it to her* Thanks!

As the children split off with a string of goodbyes, Hilda paused and opened the book, flipping through the pages. She stopped when she saw a drawing of a group of mammoths in the snow.

Hilda: Hmm… Maybe, that can be a summer adventure.

Another particular thought sparked in her brain.

~Huldrawood~

Meanwhile, Kylie and Eunice had to return to the other Marra.

Maria: So, let me get this straight. Instead of using my energy orb on Trevor, you stood by and watched Hilda bring a fossil back to life, got sent back in time with her and those friends of hers, and went through a crazy adventure with them in the Late Triassic Period?

Kylie: It sounds ridiculous, I know, but-

Maria: I never said it was ridiculous. *Sigh* I just didn't think you were going to end up getting involved and making an uneasy alliance with her.

Eunice: We still have the orb. *Shows it* We can try again.

Maria: Don't bother. I got a better idea. *Turns to...* Lucinda.

Lucinda: *?* ... Yes?

Maria: I've seen what you did on that one night. You've managed to earn their trust.

Lucinda: ... Something you're unable to achieve.

Maria: Whatever. *Grabs the orb* And because of you earning their trust, you could approach them without any problems. *Holds it out* I think you should use this on Trevor.

Lucinda: *!* M-Me?

Maria: You heard me, Lucinda. *Shoves the orb into Lucinda's hands* Take the orb and use it on him. Let Trevor Stenburg see the truth.

Lucinda: ... *Sigh* For the record... you're signing my death warrant. *Morphs and flies away*

Maria: ... So be it. *Turns to the remaining two* And you two. Monitor her. Make sure she gets the job done.

Girls: Understood.

Chapter Text

The holiday season had passed. The Adventure Club was now ready for a new year. However, a drastic event from Sonstansil has caused things to go sideways for them.

The Adventure Club can agree that Trevor is a rather polarizing individual.

The first time Hilda saw him, he and his friends did some rather cruel things, from throwing stones at birds, to berating her in school. (Hilda would add that he also knocked the Great Raven into a river, but that was an accident (and sort of on Alfur).)

Then, sometime after her Tide Mice fiasco, she encountered him again outside his house, only for him to inadvertently introduce her to stone-skipping, a hobby of his. Since then, he had become a slight bit nicer towards Hilda, much to the dismay of his friends.

However, word of what he did to the Great Raven had spread, resulting in him getting beat up by some teenagers and approaching Hilda after feeling like he had "nowhere else to go to". After that, he hasn't done anything cruel ever since, yet he still hangs out with his friends just to save face.

Things almost downhill between him and his friends when they got involved in Daniel's investigation into the Reynolds house. They weren't interested at first, but they soon changed their minds after Mister Reynolds kidnapped Daniel, the older brother of Richard, who was best friends with one of Trevor's friends, Hughie. The Adventure Club thought they had buried the hatchet with Trevor and his friends, but in reality, they only buried the hatchet with Hughie, who later joined the club, but they were still nowhere near the other four, as they were still committing misdeeds. Fortunately, whenever he got the chance, Trevor would hang out with the Adventure Club.

Then, the holiday season came. Suddenly, Trevor was back to his devious ways. He and his friends peddled the trio with snowballs, only to be chased away when they fought back. Later on, he gets kidnapped by strange beings called Yule Lads, along with his mother and even Hilda's mother. However, they were rescued in the end. After that, Trevor came to the trio and apologized, claiming that he only went back to his devious ways just to save face. In response, the trio suggested that he should join the team and worry less about what his friends and his mother would think. Trevor said that he would think about it, but until he makes his decision...

~Pines House~

...he has to keep his distance from the Adventure Club, much to their dismay.

Mabel: You think he'll switch sides?

Hilda: It's his decision. We're not forcing him or anything.

Hughie: I would've.

Richard: *Turns to him* Really? What made you think of that by now?

Jemma: *Elbows Richard*

Dipper: Regardless, we'll have to cope with him keeping his distance from us. Until he makes his decision, this club is still a club of 10 students.

David: ... I actually feel bad now. I was on my guard the whole time, from when he came to Hilda's apartment, to the snowball incident. Even after Hilda told us about when he introduced her to stone-skipping, I still couldn't trust him. But after what happened on Sonstansil... I don't know what to think anymore.

Frida: No one blames you, David. You had a right to stand your ground.

David: Still, I think we should... be there for him when he makes up his mind.

Hilda: He'll be fine. He's a strong kid.

Deacon: What I'm more concerned about is that crazy Marra girl going after him. Trevor hasn't even told us why he's being targeted by Maria, and if we're not there for him when the worst comes to the worst...

Daniel: ... Let's just focus on something else. We have other friends aside from Trevor.

Deacon: Name one.

Daniel: *Ponders* Um...

Jemma: We have Kaisa and Michael. Do they count?

Daniel: They count, but they're also awfully busy.

Wendy: *Watching the news* Speaking of Michael, check this out.

*They head to the TV*

Reporter: A resident has found two of his neighbors dead from what appears to be a homicide/robbery. The Hulderlands Sheriff's Department has been called to investigate as the witness claimed to have noticed a group of shady people entering a car with a "familiar license plate number". The group in question could likely be the same perpetrators that the Sheriff's Department has been investigating for the past month and a half. However, once again, the group's motives remain unclear.

Dipper: ... Well, I know what we're doing today.

*They all turn to him in confusion*

Dipper: Come on. *Heads to the door* Time to meet up with Michael.

*The club reluctantly follows*

Ford: *Appears* Just a minute, Dipper. If you're visiting Michael, then I might as well come. *Shows the shard* I managed to translate the inscription.

Dipper: About time. He's definitely gonna love hearing that.

~Crime Scene~

Tate: First murder of the overall case and it happens here in Trolberg. I love this city.

???: Hey! Sheriff!

Tate: *Turns to see the Adventure Club* Huh?

Officer: Sorry. Police only.

Tate: I-It's okay! They're with me! You can let them in.

Officer: ... *Steps aside*

*The club enters*

Tate: Why are you guys here?

Hilda: Dipper's idea. He thought Michael would be here.

Tate: Actually, he's back at the office. He's not exactly interested in anything related to... wealthy folk. Besides, you shouldn't be here.

Dipper: Mabel and I have solved some mysteries back in Gravity Falls. It's no big deal.

Tate: Ugh. Well, don't expect any miracles like the ones you've had back in Gravity Falls. Trolberg's still very much different. *Leads everyone inside*

Mabel: So, what are we looking at here?

Tate: At around about 7:00 AM, a neighbor noticed the property's front gate open. They investigated and found two victims, Katherine and Doctor Caleb Malone. They're old money. Big philanthropists here in Trolberg.

Daniel: This place looks fortified. Any idea how the perps got in?

Tate: Well, there's no indication of forced entry.

Frida: *Looks around* They seem to be rich enough to install a security system.

Tate: They have one, but it's pretty old. So, it was super easy for the perps to disable it.

*The club cringe at the sight of the covered-up corpses*

Wendy: What happened?

Tate: Both were shot. Instant kills. We got fancy art on the walls, and a very expensive watch still on the table. Clearly, this wasn't a simple robbery.

Dipper: So, the perps tossed the place looking for something. We need to work out what that was.

Richard: *Notices a jacket over Doctor Malone* Where'd that jacket come from?

Tate: *Points to a young girl nearby* She placed it. Her name is Lily Cantrell. Her family is also wealthy. Doctor Malone's a friend of theirs. In fact, her dad is the neighbor who called it in.

Dipper: *Approaches her* Hello, Lily.

Lily: ... What do you want?

Dipper: I just want to ask you some questions.

Lily: ... Will it help avenge Doctor Malone?

Dipper: Well, if you can help us out here and tell us what you saw, we should find out who did this.

Lily: ... *Sighs* Okay. Daddy and I were going out for a walk. We were passing by Doctor Malone's house. When suddenly, we heard a "Bam, bam, bam!", and then, another. So, we hid. After like a minute or so, we saw these guys in scarves and beanies running out of the house and into a car. Daddy got a good look at the license plate and we waited until they left. We went into the house and that's when we... *Points to the corpses* ...saw them.

Dipper: ... Where's your dad now?

Lily: He went to the police station. Apparently, he saw that one of the perps wasn't wearing a scarf. So, he probably saw his face.

Dipper: Okay. Thank you, Lily. And I'm sorry for your loss. *Tries to leave*

Lily: Can I go with you guys?

Dipper: *?* ... Why?

Lily: ... I'm... not in the mood of going back home just yet. I want to make sure someone is investigating this.

Dipper: ... *Turns to Tate*

Tate: ... *Shrug*

Dipper: ... *Turns back to Lily* Okay. We'll make sure it doesn't get pushed aside.

Lily: ... *Smiles a little* Thank you.

~Outside~

Elsewhere, Trevor went out for a stroll. He wanted to be alone to think about Hilda's suggestion of joining their group. However, he also had to take his friends into account, something that Hilda should've done.

Unbeknownst to him, someone else had something else for him to worry about.

Lucinda: *Observing him* ... *Gazes at Maria's orb* ... *Sigh* ... I have to do this. *Tails him*

Alongside her were two of her fellow Marra, who were tasked to monitor Lucinda and make sure she got the job done.

Girl: I still think it's pointless to use that orb on him, Lucinda.

Girl 2: Miranda's right. You should just use your own energy to give that boy a nightmare.

Lucinda: As much as I agree with you two, Maria was the first of us to encounter him. So, in her eyes, it's "First come, first serve". And this orb was created by her.

Girl 2: Well, when you put it that way...

Miranda: *Notices the crime scene* Huh.

Girl 2: *?* What is it?

Miranda: ... I'll... be right back, Naomi. You can continue monitoring Lucinda.

Naomi: Where are you going?

Miranda: I'm gonna pay a visit to another old adversary. *Morphs and flies over to the crime scene*

Naomi: ... Maria's not gonna like that.

~Pines House~

As Miranda began tailing them, the Adventure Club began their investigation into the double homicide, starting with pictures of Doctor Malone and his many antiques.

Richard: Doctor Malone was an old money philanthropist. Any one of these antiques of his could be the target item.

Mabel: Fancy artwork, expensive wristwatch, fragile vases...

Lily: Regardless, we shouldn't leave any stones unturned. *Notices one photo* Hang on. I think I have a theory.

Dipper: What is it?

Lily: *Shows it* This photo was taken six months ago in Doctor Malone's home office. It's filled with Hawaiian artifacts.

Hilda: But the police said that every item in this picture was accounted for.

Lily: Except for one. *Points to a particular item in the picture*

Frida: What is that?

David: It looks like a leaf.

Daniel: It looks like a piece of whalebone to me.

Lily: Doctor Malone told me that it's a scrimshaw. And according to his findings, it's almost 150 years old. And what makes it even more interesting is, that is the least valuable item on the list that they sent over.

Wendy: Not according to the people who executed him and his wife. Besides, if it's out in the open like that, why'd they tear up the house?

Lily: Well, maybe, Doctor Malone moved it, or hid it, or even donated it. Either way, I, myself, haven't seen that thing in a long while.

Ford: *Arrives* I just got off the phone with Sheriff Whittaker. This family that you're friends with seems to have a past shrouded in mystery, Lily.

Lily: *?* Hm?

Ford: *Points to the scrimshaw* See this symbol? That's the crest of the Manticore League. It's an old British secret society that no longer exists. The Sheriff's Department did some digging and they found that Doctor Malone's great-great-grandfather, Joseph Malone, was believed to be a member.

Lily: I could've sworn that was just a regular British crest.

Hughie: Is there anything else about them?

Ford: Not quite. All everyone knows is that they formed in the early 1800s and disbanded in the 1970s.

Dipper: ... I think we're gonna need Michael for this.

{Later}

~Michael's Office, Hulderlands Sheriff's Department~

Michael: *Activating a video camera* Begin log: The local laboratory has provided me with a... "strange and dangerous" serum that they have been working on for the past few weeks. They have confirmed that the serum is dangerous to humans, but they have yet to figure out how that is, and they're quite cautious after an... unfortunate incident, hence why they came to me since I specialize in all things odd. After some examination, I've found that the active ingredient in this formula is a chlorophyll-based enzyme. Further analysis has indicated that it does affect human cellular membranes. *Grabs a beaker and a circular tray* Here we have *Points to the beaker* the serum in question and... *Points to the tray* what I like to call "human plasma". I'm now going to combine the serums to see how dangerous it can be. *Pours a drop of the serum onto the tray*

*A small tree slowly forms*

Michael: ... Okay. It would definitely suck to be a tree.

???: Michael!

Michael: Agh! *Accidentally pours the rest of the serum, making the tree even taller* ... Oops.

*Dipper and Hilda arrive*

Hilda: *She and Dipper notice the tree* Uh... How did you grow that?

Michael: ... *Groan* Hold on. *Turns to the camera* End log. *Deactivates it and turns back to the kids* I'll tell you later. What do you want? Is this about the Malone homicide from this morning? I already told Sheriff Whittaker that I'm not interested.

Dipper: Well, you might change your mind if we told you that one of the victims, Doctor Malone, is the descendant of an alleged secret society member.

Michael: And what is this secret society called exactly?

Hilda: The Manticore League.

Michael: *!* ... The Manticore League?

Dipper & Hilda: *They both smirk* Mm-hmm.

Michael: I haven't focused on them since I was in middle school.

Hilda: Well, they've resurfaced now.

Dipper: *Shows a picture of the scrimshaw* Did you ever see this symbol before?

Michael: Yeah, that's their crest. Not sure about this... scrimshaw though.

Dipper: It was missing from the crime scene. It could've belonged to his ancestor, Joseph Malone.

Michael: *!* Joseph Malone. Holy smokes. I think I know what this scrimshaw could be.

Hilda: What do you think it is?

Michael: This could be the literal key to a lost treasure that hasn't been found since the 1800s.

Dipper: What treasure would that be?

Michael: One second. *Opens a cabinet and pulls out a picture* It involves a Shanghai noble family called the Chen Clan. *Shows the picture* This is one of the clan's most popular heirlooms, the Dragon Pendant. Crafted in the 1400s, stolen in the late-1800s. Now, around the time of the theft, a few members of the Manticore League, including Joseph Malone, were in Shanghai. So, when the pendant disappeared, so did the League. There were rumors about their involvement, but no one has ever been able to connect them to the lost pendant. But legend has it, the League smuggled them out somehow.

Hilda: Is there any chance they could have been smuggled into the Hulderlands?

Michael: That's what I always believed. But to this day, no one has proven that. But I bet this is the key to finding them.

Hilda: So, this is all about getting their hands on the Dragon Pendant, and the Malones were just in the way.

Dipper: If this scrimshaw is a key, what does it open?

Hilda: Answer that, and you'll solve one of the world's great mysteries.

Chapter Text

~Pines House~

Michael: *Typing a typewriter* Just one more name, and... *Finishes* There. *Rips out the sheet and passes it to Daniel* A list of known members of the Manticore League. Any of them could've known about the Dragon Pendant and where it was stashed.

Hughie: *Glances at the list* All dead. I'll just head over to the cemetery and use that "ghost stick".

Daniel: Or just look up the descendants, and cross-check them for any criminal activity. *Leaves*

Richard: Do you have any better ideas, Colonel Sarcasm*?

Hughie: ... *Inhale* No, I do not. I just know that we're looking for a lost treasure, but obviously, the known members have taken the location to the grave. Not only that, six months ago, there was a photograph of the scrimshaw published in a magazine. Why did these bad guys wait until now to go after it?

Richard: It's possible Doctor Malone didn't know what he had or what the key opened.

*Phone ringing*

Lily: *Answers it* Hello?

*Static*

Lily: *?!* What the...?!

Ford: *!* Oh! Sorry. *Presses a button on a nearby device*

*Static stops*

Dipper: Uncle Ford, what is that?

Ford: It's a signal scrambler. I made it after the Reynolds mess.

Lily: ... *Uses the phone* Hello? *Listens* I'm still here, Sheriff. *Listens* I'm at the Pines house. *Listens* There was a signal scrambler. *Listens* I don't know, but they turned it off now. *Listens* The police got a hit? *Listens* Okay. *Listens* I'll tell them. *Hangs up* Daddy's sit-down with the sketch artist got a hit. The guy he saw was Brandon Markham.

Michael: *?* Brandon Markham? I haven't heard that guy in a while.

Hilda: You know him?

Michael: He's been in trouble with the other Sheriff's Department offices. He's got priors in counterfeiting, art fraud, and felony assault. And if I recall correctly...

~Warehouse~

*Michael and the Adventure Club arrive*

Frida: This is where he usually hangs out?

Michael: His personal workspace. The one location we never bothered to raid... until now. *Kicks the door and aims his handgun* Sheriff's Department! *Enters and looks around*

*Silence*

Michael: Clear.

Dipper: *Spots a workstation* Got modeling clay and plaster here. Looks like Markham was building something.

David: *Spots something* ... Uh...

Michael: *Turns to him* What?

David: *Points at what he's looking at* It looks like he was doing a lot more than that.

Michael: *Approaches him... only to see a skeleton* Good gravy. *Examines it* There's a hole in the back of the skull. I think someone got a little greedy and betrayed one of the crew.

David: Or the crew betrayed him.

~Pines House~

Ford: *Locks the door*

???: Excuse me, sir.

Ford: *Turns to see...* Can I help you?

Miranda: Sorry if I'm being nosy, but I can't help but notice that shard in your hand.

Ford: *Glances at it* You mean this?

Miranda: *Nods* Mm-hmm.

Ford: Are you into archaeology?

Miranda: S-Sort of. I was just curious about that thing in your possession. *Notices an inscription* What does that say?

Ford: Oh, the inscription? It took me some time to figure out what it says. My grandnephew has suggested that it could be one of the "old languages". And he was right. The inscription was in Old Norse.

Miranda: What did it translate to?

Ford: It says "And journey forth, to the Land of the Growing Rose, where the Obsidian Temple awaits to be awakened".

Miranda: "Obsidian Temple"?

Ford: Not sure what that is, but I'll need to work on locating the "Land of the Growing Rose" first. Only then, will we search for this temple.

Miranda: I-If anything, I would like to join you guys when you do find this "Land of the Growing Rose". I do think it's interesting.

Ford: Well, if you insist...

Miranda: Great. Thank you. *Leaves*

Ford: Uh, by the way, the name's Stanford Pines.

Miranda: Miranda Crom!

Ford: ... She seemed nice.

Maria: *Watching from afar* ... Au contraire.

~Edmund Ahlberg Elementary~

Man: *Gazing at the Edmund Ahlberg statue*

Michael: Eddie.

Eddie: Hello, Michael. *Notices the Adventure Club* So, these are the kids that you're friends with?

Michael: Well, they're really Kaisa's friends, but yeah. *Turns to the kids* Guys, this is Deputy Eddie Weston.

Eddie: Howdy.

Hilda: Hello, Deputy. What brings you here?

Eddie: Oh, I'm just sightseeing. In fact, it's my first time seeing this here statue of Edmund Ahlberg.

Michael: Eddie's our office's history buff. So, he and I often work in unison.

Eddie: A case in point: Your friend, Daniel, provided me with that list of known members. I looked up their respective descendants, cross-checked them for any criminal activity, and I got a hit. *Pulls a file out of his satchel* A few weeks ago, an auction house in Macau was robbed. The guy who called it in was Silas Fenwick. The thieves, who are most likely the same guys that we're looking for, made off with a bunch of letters from Joseph Malone to Silas' ancestor, a known Manticore League member living in Florence in 1880 by the name of Dalton Fenwick. *Passes it to Michael* Fortunately, I got scans of the letters.

Dipper: What do they say?

Eddie: At first glance, nothing. Nothing about the scrimshaw key, or the Dragon Pendant. Just some boring stuff about living in Macau. In other words, I thought it was all just an incredibly gigantic waste of time. However, I examined the letter even further and came up with a theory: That boring stuff in the letters, I think it's probably coded in some kind of cipher.

Mabel: A cipher?

Richard: How do we decode it?

Eddie: Not sure, but here's something else: Dalton Fenwick was an apprentice to an American sculptor who was also living in Macau at the time. Gregory Sorenson. And we all know what statue he is famous for. *Points to it*

Frida: Edmund Ahlberg's.

Eddie: It was built in 1880, around the same time the pendant went missing.

Michael: So, Dalton Fenwick must've helped Joseph Malone smuggle the pendant out of China inside the statue, which means that's what the scrimshaw key opens.

Frida: *Ponders* Hmm.

David: What is it?

Frida: All that modeling clay, plaster, and paint that we found at the warehouse. I think the culprits were working on a fake statue.

Hughie: Why would he do that? I mean, if he had the key, why wouldn't he just come here and open it?

Frida: I've looked at this statue countless times in my life. I've never seen a keyhole.

David: None of us have.

Frida: If the treasure is inside the statue, There's no way Brandon Markham could get to it without being seen. Swapping this statue with a fake is the only way that he could get to whatever is inside the statue.

Eddie: Nice theory. Only one problem: Our bad guys are not going after this statue.

Jemma: Wait a second. There's more than one?

Eddie: There's a total of four Edmund Ahlberg statues in the whole continent, one in each city-state, including Trolberg. And here's the kicker: The ship with the original statue sunk on its way to the Hulderlands. So, they built a second one, this one here. Years later, the original was recovered by a fishing boat and brought to the Hulderlands. That's the one with the Dragon Pendant inside it. Which means...

Michael: That's the statue that Markham's after.

Tommy: So, where's that one?

~Silbergrad~

*A Safety Patrol zeppelin flies over*

Pilot: Well, here we are, the western city-state of Silbergrad. Not sure how Lord Dimitrescu's gonna react to our presence though.

Michael: He'll understand. Silbergrad's isolated, but they can be cooperative.

Deacon: Your coworker better be right about this.

Michael: Of course, he is. Sometime before the recovery of the original statue, another statue was being constructed for Silbergrad. When the original statue was recovered, Sorenson decided to have that statue sent to Silbergrad, while the one that was originally meant for Silbergrad was sent to Elvenborough. The rest is history after that.

~Ground~

*A car arrives and a familiar face exits along with two guards*

Michael: Hello, Your Majesty.

Dimitrescu: I take it you're Deputy Sheriff Michael Kingston?

Michael: Yes, I am.

Dimitrescu: *Notices the kids (including an astonished Hilda)* And they are...?

Michael: Oh, they're just with me. Nothing to worry about.

Dimitrescu: My palace received a call from your coworkers. Are you absolutely certain that our Edmund Ahlberg statue is the target of some... ambitious thieves?

Michael: It sounds farfetched, but I am quite certain. In fact, I'm also quite certain the statue has already been... taken beforehand.

Dimitrescu: What do you mean by that?

Michael: Recently, a couple of philanthropists had been killed in Trolberg. The culprits responsible were looking for a missing piece that goes along with this statue. Most likely, they knew about the statue first, before discovering that it required a missing piece.

Dimitrescu: Do you have a way of proving that the statue was stolen first?

Michael: ... Let's just say you... won't like it. Mabel! Hilda!

Mabel & Hilda: With pleasure! *They both hold out some hammers*

Dipper: Oh, boy.

Guard: Is that really wise?

Michael: I know what you thinking. But I can't seem to find another way.

Dimitrescu: ... *Sigh* Do what you must.

*The girls approach the statue*

Guard 2: If that statue is-

Michael: If anything happens, I'll take full responsibility.

Hilda: Okay. Here goes nothing.

Mabel: Fore!

*They both swing at the statue*

*Smash!*

Everyone: *!*

*Bits of the statue fall to the ground*

Hilda: Well, I think we have our proof.

*A hand falls off and lands in front of the king*

Dimitrescu: *Grabs it* Plaster. The statue's supposed to be cast in brass. It seems you were right, Deputy.

Michael: Which means the culprits already switched the statues.

Guard: Then, where's the real one?

Dipper: Good question.

Chapter Text

~Silbergrad Police Department~

With the statue missing, the team has to team up with the Silbergrad authorities to find it before more people get hurt.

Officer: *Shows security footage* A city maintenance truck was reported stolen two nights ago, the same night that this footage was taken, which means that your suspects already switched out the statues before your victims were killed.

Dipper: We know that Brandon Markham is one of these guys. *Shows a mugshot of said culprit* Who are the other two?

Officer: *Zooms in* Let's see. *Examines the three guys* Uh... I'm not seeing your person of interest. He's not in here.

Officer 2: That's because he's dead. I just got off the phone with the Trolberg Police. The dental records from that skull you found matched Brandon Markham. Ballistics did confirm that it matches the same caliber that was used to kill those philanthropists.

Michael: So, his crew betrayed him after all.

Officer: We better dig into them.

~Outside~

Hilda: *Gazing at the city*

David: *He and Frida approach her* You okay?

Hilda: ... Just admiring the city.

David: You do know what Silbergrad is known for, right?

Hilda: I do. Silbergrad is by far the most isolated, as it's usually under constant threat by dangerous lycanthropes. The people constantly conducted hunting expeditions beyond their walls to cull the herds of werewolves, werebears, and wereboar that stalked the woods beyond their city. Their symbol is that of the silver ring, a band engraved with arcane symbols that protected the city from the lycans as long as there remained a king upon the throne to bear it. As such, Silbergrad was also the only city in all of the Hulderlands that still had a king. We're probably the luckiest kids in Trolberg to ever visit such a place. *Sigh* I wish we brought Trevor along though.

Frida: ... I'm sure he'll come through.

Hilda: Let's hope so.

~Inside~

Officer: Gilbert Reines, ex-Royal Marine. Interpol's got a lot of paper on him. Theft, fraud, assault. He and his two partners are even wanted for murder in connection with a high-end museum heist in Slovakia. They were last seen in Shanghai three weeks ago.

Michael: Around the same time that the letters were stolen from the auction house in Macau.

Mabel: So, these are the bad guys we're looking for.

Richard: Markham was just a pawn. He built the fake statue and showed the other three the location of the scrimshaw.

Diper: And as soon as services were rendered, they shot him and turned him into a skeleton.

Officer 2: These guys must have come in on fake passports. We'll cross-check their faces with airport and seaport security cameras.

*Phone rings*

Officer: *Answers* Hello? *Listens* Yeah, he's with me. *Listens* I'll pass it to him. *Passes it to Michael* It's for you, Deputy.

Michael: Hello? *Listens* *!* Mister Pines!

Dipper: *?*

Michael: *Listens* You've decoded the cipher? *Listens* Oh. *Listens* Okay. *Listens* Okay, see ya. *Hangs up and turns to the kids* Mister Pines just found a way to decode the cipher. He's on his way now.

{Later}

~Airport~

Ford: So, this is Silbergrad?

Hilda: Yep.

Dipper: How did you figure it out?

Ford: *Pulls out his laptop* The correspondences between Fenwick and Malone were intentionally innocuous. When I analyzed the text using a frequency count, certain words kept appearing in a sequence. I applied a transposition cipher, and using that, I then isolated every second letter of the remaining words. *Shows his progress*

Mabel: Looks like one of those word search puzzles.

Ford: It does at first, but it's actually...

Michael: That's a scytale, isn't it?

Ford: Exactly.

Frida: A... what?

Michael: Imagine something like a... word or number lock from the 19th Century. You can rotate it, but instead of just one word or a number combination, it creates a.. paragraph of sorts.

Ford: Exactly, and once you rotate the letters around the cylinder... *Presses a button to rotate the words on the screen* ...it reveals a hidden message. Without a computer, something like this would take months to decode.

Kids: *Amazed* Wow.

*The rotation stops and reverts back into a flat sheet*

Ford: And there you go.

Dipper: "Beneath the King's heavy right foot, a white leaf reveals, with a turn... the truth within". That's why they had to switch the statue out. They had to get beneath it.

*Static*

Hughie (Over the radio): Hey, guys. You got your ears on?

Hilda: What is it, Hughie?

Hughie (Over the radio): The suspects did enter the country using aliases. They came in on a passenger ship, and when they arrived, they rented a van. They tracked the van's whereabouts to another warehouse at the harbor.

~Warehouse~

Michael: *Kicks the door open* Sheriff's Department! *Sees a crook going for a gun and shoots him down* Suspect down! *Enters with the others*

*Officers grab the suspect*

Officer 3: He's one of Reines' goons.

Ford: So, where are Reines and his other goon?

Officer 4: Still looking for that bloody scrimshaw from the look of things.

Richard: *Spots something covered* Hm. *Uncovers it* *!* I found it!

*The others approach her*

David: The missing statue.

Michael: *Spots something on it* And here's where the scrimshaw's supposed to go. *Turns to the goon* Where are your partners?

Goon: Why would I tell you? You shot me.

Michael: ... *Pulls out his gun* Give me a second. *Approaches the goon* Here's the thing: You shot two civilians. I like shooting crooks. So, once I've dealt with you, everyone goes home happy.

Frida: Um...

Goon: You're crazy.

Michael: Then, talk. Why haven't you opened the statue yet?

Goon: We need the scrimshaw, genius. Didn't you-

Michael: *Press his gun against the goon's forehead*

Kids: *!*

Ford: Michael...

Michael: If you can't find the bloody scrimshaw, then why can't you just break it open?

Goon: 'Cause the Dragon Pendant is a delicate specimen. We didn't want to risk damaging it. We need the key.

Michael: But it wasn't at the Malone house. You tore the place up, but you couldn't find it.

Daniel: ... *Approaches them* Listen, meathead. You killed two innocent people for no reason. Do you understand that? Two people pointlessly died. If you don't have the scrimshaw, where is it? Are your partners out looking for it?

Goon: We recently learned that Malone donated that bloody leaf to an art museum here in Silbergrad. Everything that we've been looking for was right here the whole time.

Everyone: ...

Michael: ... At least, we know where to go next.

Chapter Text

~Stenburg Residence, Trolberg~

Trevor had the house to himself while his mother left to gather groceries.

In his room, all he could think about was the events that led up to where he is now.

His dad had left him, causing him and his friends to prank people as a way of lashing out on the world.

The day he first met Hilda and caused harm to the Great Raven.

Hilda’s first day at school, and how she resolved an incident regarding a baby troll.

The day he showed Hilda his hobby of stone-skipping, which led to him being a slight bit nicer to Hilda.

The teenagers who beat him up for what he did to the Great Raven, and his subsequent visit to Hilda’s apartment.

The day he first met the Pines Twins and the subsequent week of madness at the Reynolds house.

The moment he first expressed his past to Dipper.

The day he first encountered a Marra.

The fiasco from the holiday season, where he went back to his mischievous ways just to save face.

And finally, Hilda’s suggestion to switch sides and finally bury the hatchet.

But despite Hilda’s advice to worry less about what his friends and his mother would think, he just can’t seem to get them out of his mind.

~Art Museum, Silbergrad~

*The team arrives to see people evacuating*

Hilda: Oh, no.

Mabel: We’re too late!

Dipper: Not quite!

*They swarm into the museum*

Frida: *Spots two shady people* There they are!

Michael: Sheriff’s Department! Drop your-

*The culprits shoot at them, causing the team to take cover and commencing a shootout*

David: Shouldn’t we have the numbers advantage?!

Richard: They have two guns! Michael only has one!

*Shooting stops*

*They look up to see the culprits running in different directions*

Jemma: They’re getting away!

Ford: Let’s split up! Michael, Daniel, you two and I will get the remaining goon! Kids, Reines is all yours!

Everyone: Got it! *They all go after their respective targets*

~Hallway~

The remaining goon was pretty easy, as Michael, Ford, and Daniel caught up to him at a locked door and knocked him out.

~Outside~

Meanwhile, Reines is slightly difficult, as he had a getaway motorbike at the ready.

Dipper: *He and the others spot him riding away* Oh, no, you don’t. *Grabs a nearby rock and throws it into the exhaust pipe*

*The bike jostles and throws Reines off*

*A police car rolls up to Reines and two officers approach him*

Officer 5: Gilbert Reines, you’re under arrest!

Officer 6: *Spot a familiar object on the ground and grabs it* Hm.

Dipper: *Rushes to them*

Officer 6: Don’t worry, kid. We got this. *Shows the scrimshaw* Is this what you’re looking for? 

Dipper: … Yep. That’s the scrimshaw.

Officer 6: *Passes it* You better hope you’re friend is right about the statue.

{Later}

~Warehouse~

Later, the team and Lord Dimitrescu met up at the stolen statue.

Dipper: ... *Passes the scrimshaw to Michael* Here. The honor's all yours.

Michael: ... Alright. Let's do this. *Places the scrimshaw onto the engraving and turns it*

*Clicking*

Michael: ...

*A cylinder with a hatch extends out*

Michael: *Opens the hatch, revealing an old sack* ... *Grabs it and opens it* *!*

Ford: ... Well?

Michael: ... *Smiles* Everyone... for the first time since 1880... *Pulls out...* ...the Chen Clan's Dragon Pendant has seen the light of day.

Everyone: *Amazed* Whoa.

Michael: ...

Tommy: How do you feel?

Michael: Oh, it's weird. We might just be the luckiest people in the Hulderlands.

Frida: *Giggle*

Deacon: So, what happens now?

Michael: *Puts the pendant back into the sack* Simple. These need to be sent to China and put on display *Passes it to Lord Dimitrescu* for everyone to see.

Dimitrescu: You have my word for it, Deputy. For what it's worth, thank you. *Leaves*

Michael: Anytime, Your Majesty. *Turns back to the others* Shall we head back?

~Trolberg~

As the team made their way back to Trolberg, A certain group was about to get a surprise from one of their own.

Maria: ... What's keeping them? Have they used that orb yet?

Kylie: I personally would've used it on you-know-who.

Maria: As much as I would've loved to see her roll in her bed like a crybaby, I have to get this boy out of the way first.

*A Marra wisp flies in and morphs into...*

Maria: Oh. Miranda. Has Lucinda completed her task yet?

Miranda: N-Not really.

Maria: Then, why are you here? It clearly looks like you're wasting our time.

Miranda: I know, but I have something to tell you.

Miranda told Maria, Kylie, and Eunice all about Ford Pines and Michael's "turtle shell" shard. Somehow, the three Marra found themselves interested.

Eunice: A "Land of the Growing Rose" and an "Obsidian Temple". What do you think they mean?

Miranda: I'm not sure myself, but my best guess is that it could be somewhere in Norway since the inscription was written in Old Norse. It would be a big win for us if we could find this temple before they do.

Kylie: Miranda, I know you're interested, but we are Marra. Marra aren't into stuff like this. All they do is create nightmares out of people's fears.

Maria: ... Hmm.

Miranda: Well, what do you think, Maria?

Maria: ... This "Obsidian Temple". Did the inscription ever mention what it's supposed to be?

Miranda: N-No. It just said that it "awaits to be awakened".

Maria: "Awakened". It almost sounds like it could be a living thing.

Eunice: A living thing?

Maria: If we could get our hands on this temple, we could definitely do some damage to the world. *Smirk* Alright, Miranda. I say we give it a shot.

~Stenburg Residence~

*Lucinda and Naomi sliver in and morph into their human forms*

Naomi: You know what to do. I'll go give Mrs. Stenburg a whiff of my power, while you go to Trevor's room and-

Lucinda: Use the orb on him. I know. *Heads to his room*

Naomi: *Giggling mischievously* Miranda is missing out. *Heads to Mrs. Stenburg's room*

~Trevor's Room~

Lucinda: *Slivers in and spots the sleeping Trevor* There you are. *Approaches his bed* So, you're the boy that Maria wouldn't shut up about. *Raises the orb* Well, this all... ends... now.

Trevor: Dad... *Rolls over, facing the other way*

Lucinda: *?*

Trevor: ... Don't... go...

Lucinda: ... He looks kind of like... *!* *An image of a little boy appears in her mind* ... Little... brother? *Drops the orb on top of herself, affecting her with its energy* Urgh! Agh! *Images of the boy continue to appear in her head* What the...?! Why...?!

Naomi: *Slivers in* *!* Lucinda?

Lucinda: *Groaning in pain*

Naomi: What happened?

Lucinda: Get me out. Get me out of there! Get... me... OUT! *Morphs and flies out of the window*

Naomi: Lucinda! *Morphs and flies after her*

Trevor: *Slowly wakes up* Hm? *Turns to his window to see the two Marra flying away* ... *!*

Chapter Text

Intro: Play this before continuing

----------

The Pines Twins' had been spending some time in Trolberg, but they still remembered that they were participating in a multinational exchange program. So, their stay was only temporary. However, seeing how they've become connected with the Hulderlands, their Uncle Ford decided to stay behind at their Trolberg house to help them apply for dual citizenship. Naturally, the Adventure Club was elated to hear this idea. But on the day of the Pines Twins' departure, they got much more than what they bargained for.

~Seaport~

Dipper: *Pulling his luggage* Well... this is it. We said our goodbyes yesterday. Now, our time as liaisons is over.

Mabel: And we'll be back in Piedmont.

Wendy: No need to be so glum. Ford's staying behind to keep the house safe.

Stan: And he's helping us apply for dual citizenship.

Mabel: Well, we know that. It’s just that… it’s always been the two of us.

Dipper: We’ve never had any friends in Piedmont. Just in Gravity Falls.

Stan: *Spots something behind them* Wanna tell them that?

*The three kids turn around in confusion… to see a familiar group approaching them*

Dipper: Richard?!

Richard: *Arrives with the others* Hey, twins.

Mabel: What are you guys doing here? To see us off?

Jemma: Not quite. We’re actually coming with you.

Mabel: *!* You’re coming with us?!

Hughie: Since you two were the liaisons of your school in the program, we figured it’d be appropriate to return the favor.

Dipper: Wow. I-I knew Trolberg would send a liaison of their own, but… not like this.

Tommy: It took us some time to convince the staff, but we succeeded.

Deacon: Now, we get to travel outside the continent. No doubt Hilda’s missing out on this. *Chuckle*

Wendy: Speaking of Hilda, how is she?

Daniel: She’s fine. We told everyone about what we’re doing right now. We were gonna tell Hilda, but she wasn’t home. Her mother told us that she already went out to look for Trevor this morning, but she’ll relay the news.

Dipper: Well then. It should please me to say this… *Taps Richard’s shoulder* Welcome aboard our bandwagon.

Richard: *Giggles* Thanks, Dipper.

And with that, the group set off for the boat.

Little did they know that what happened here at the seaport wasn’t the only big news in Trolberg.

Chapter Text

~Trolberg Library~

Kaisa: *Reshelving books*

Kaisa was starting to feel lonely as of late.

Hilda, Frida, and David might've been just frequent visitors to the library, but they were also close friends of hers, especially after she teamed up with Hilda and Frida during her crisis with her mentor, Matilda "Tildy" Pilkvist; not to mention, the time when she tried to help Frida and David in searching for and rescuing Hilda from Trundle, the Mountain King.

Recently, Hilda learned about an extraordinary island located within the British Isles and is about to embark on a trip to said island, alongside her mother, Twig, Alfur, Frida, and David.

If that weren't enough, twin siblings Dipper and Mabel Pines, whom she also had grown close to, had already departed for their native homeland, along with some of Trolberg's students.

Because of this, she started to feel all alone at the moment.

Of course, her only known company was her childhood friend, Michael Kingston. But even so, that didn't feel like it was enough.

Michael: *Enters* Hey. Kaisa.

Kaisa: ... *Turns to him* ... What do you want?

Michael: I just came to check up on you.

Kaisa: I'm fine.

Michael: You sure? You look... exhausted.

Kaisa: ... *Sigh* I guess I'm just feeling... lonely.

Michael: Lonely? How? I'm right here.

Kaisa: That's the thing. It's just you.

Michael: *Realizes* Oh. You were thinking of the kids.

Kaisa: ... I guess I made a... bond of sorts with them. There was that time when I was retrieving a book from Tildy and got help from Hilda and Frida. Then, Hilda was stuck in a troll form and I had to help Frida and David in locating her.

Michael: I see.

Kaisa: And now, here I am. I won't be hearing from any of them for a while. Hilda's about to embark on some... excursion. And those two twins went back home for the time being, while a relative of theirs is still here.

Michael: ... *Pulls her aside* Okay, look. I know you're missing them already, but like I said, I'm still here. For you. So, you're not entirely lonely.

Kaisa: ...

Michael: If there's anything you need, let me know. I'm always available.

Kaisa: ... *Sigh* Okay.

*The two gaze at each other for a moment, until...*

???: Practicing a secret handshake or something?

Michael & Kaisa: *!* ... *They both turn to see...*

Michael: Oh. Hey, Lacey.

Kaisa: We're not doing anything... stupid. We're just...

Lacey: ... Never mind. None of my business.

~Outside~

Michael: Look, I'm telling you. It's-

Lacey: I can tell that it wasn't. No need to worry about it.

Michael: Why did you come here?

Lacey: I was looking for you.

Michael: *?* For me? *Remembers something* You're not trying to get me back into the Safety Patrol, are you?

Lacey: No. I just wanted to see how you were doing, especially after... what happened that night.

Michael: Well, you're in luck. I was nowhere near Trolberg when that... Mountain King came in and tried to wake up a troll underneath us. I was in Silbergrad, seeing if the Sheriff's Department could establish a new office, what with the... lack of law enforcement over there.

Lacey: Easier said than done when that... isolated city is surrounded by lycanthropes 24/7. *Remembers* Then again, it's not as... xenophobic as-

Michael: Ogrebrücke. Yeah, I know. I shouldn't have to worry about any of the Hulderlands' city-states. Our Sheriff's Department is completely independent. So, if Silbergrad wants to send people on hunting expeditions beyond their walls, the Sheriff's Department can be spared being picked to help them.

Lacey: ... You do know I was a Silbergrad resident myself, right?

Michael: I remember that. We all have our backstories. I still remember when you told me about yours; how you came to Trolberg, how you joined the Safety Patrol, how you were... admiring me from afar when I came into Safety Patrol...

Lacey: How I ended up with... *Points to her eyepatch* ...this.

Michael: I also remember how you became... different after that. A bitter woman, a more stern officer, a far cry from the kindhearted girl I once knew... and loved.

Lacey: ... I've been thinking that you would want those days to come back. The time when I wasn't like this.

Michael: ... Perhaps. But I would also want you to move on. You can still be stern, but that bitterness needs to go. If you want to continue being a Safety Patrol, then be a real officer.

Lacey: What's that supposed to mean?

Michael: It means that you shouldn't be one of those people who pretend to be tough. Just be... strong and real. Tell the truth. Be strong enough to be gentle.

Lacey: ...

Michael: Believe me. My predecessor at the Sheriff's Department told me that once. *Leaves*

Lacey: ... Of course.

~Seaport~

Meanwhile, Trevor was wandering around aimlessly, unable to get something out of his mind.

Trevor: The Great Raven, the trolls, the elves, the tide mice, the nisse, the Black Hound, the Yule Lads... Hilda...

Without realizing it, he boarded a passenger boat without anyone else noticing.

Little did he know that it was the same boat... that Hilda was on.

Chapter Text

*Everything is blurry, slowly clearing up*

Familiar Voice: You know, I'm impressed with you guys. You're a lot more clever than you look. So I'm gonna let you kids off the hook. You might come in handy later. *Demonic voice* BUT KNOW THIS: *Normal voice* A darkness approaches. A day will come in the future when everything you care about will change!

*Everything clears up, revealing...*

Bill Cipher: Until then, I'll be watching you! *Poses* I'LL BE WATCHING YOU... *Demonic voice* ...Dipper!

~Dipper's Room, Pines Residence~

Dipper: *Wakes up in a fright* Ahh! *Looks around* ... *Sighs* Just another dream. *Gets up* He's supposed to be dead. There's no way he survived that Memory Gun.

Ever since he and Mabel returned from Trolberg, Dipper had been having nightmares of Bill Cipher, a strange pyramid-shaped being that he fought back in Gravity Falls. Back then, Bill was destroyed by a device called the Memory Gun, a device meant to permanently erase bad memories. Despite this victory, Dipper started to have nightmares about Bill somehow surviving the Memory Gun, partially because of Stan slowly regaining his memories after sacrificing his mind to destroy Bill. However, he kept everything to himself, not wanting to worry anyone else, especially his sister.

~Dining Room~

Dipper: *Walking down the stairs*

Mabel: Morning.

Dipper: Hey.

Mabel: You okay?

Dipper: I-I'm fine. I just had a...

Mabel: Another wild dream?

Dipper: ... *Nods*

Mabel: The problem's not going to go away any faster unless you tell us what it's all about.

Dipper: I want to, but... I don't think it's something you'd want to get involved in. For some reason, I feel like I need to handle it alone.

Mabel: ... Well, I know something that we can do together.

Dipper: Hm?

Mabel: How about a stroll around the neighborhood? Would that help?

Dipper: ... Maybe.

~Streets~

Mabel: It still feels weird to this day, you know? We've visited two different places on Earth that feature all kinds of things that are out of the ordinary and we treated them as normal life. Now, we're back here in a normal and peaceful setting, yet it feels like we've never lived in this setting before.

Dipper: It does give me the urge to pack up and move to Gravity Falls.

Mabel: Same here. It makes me wonder how everyone at Gravity Falls is doing right now.

Dipper: ...

Mabel: *?* You thinking about one of them?

Dipper: ... Uh...

Mabel: Who are you thinking about? Soos? Candy and Grenda? Old Man McGucket?

Dipper: ...

Mabel: *!* *Chuckle* Don't tell me you thinking about Pacifica.

Dipper: ... *Blushes a little*

Mabel: *Smug* So, you are thinking about her.

Dipper: ... It's just...

Mabel: Hm?

Dipper: ... I don't know. I guess I was thinking about how she could easily relate to...

Mabel: To who?

Dipper: ... To Trevor.

Mabel: *!* That's a good point! Those two have so much in common! Both of them started out as troublemakers...

Dipper: Yep.

Mabel: ...they each had a feud with a particular someone...

Dipper: Pacifica had to deal with you and me, Trevor had somewhat of a rivalry with Hilda.

Mabel: ...and in an ironic twist, those same rivals brought their respective feuds to a close by helping them turn over a new leaf.

Dipper: Mm-hmm.

Mabel: And speaking of Trevor, I wonder what he chose to do. We haven't seen him since the holdiay season.

Dipper: I-I'm sure we'll find out at some point. It won't be long before Uncle Ford calls us about- *Spots a familiar someone* What the...?

Mabel: *Spots the same person as well* Richard?

From the look of things, Richard appears to be holding something.

Dipper: *He and Mabel approach him* Hey, Richard.

Richard: Hey, guys.

Mabel: What's that in your hand?

Richard: Well, that's the thing. *Shows it* I was going to come up to your house to see if you could tell me. *Gives it to Dipper*

Dipper: *Examines it* ... It looks like... an amulet of sorts.

Richard: I've been thinking that it's no ordinary amulet. I think it could be a key to something.

Mabel: Where'd you find it?

Richard: It was right outside the hotel we're staying at. I haven't told the others about it yet.

Dipper: ... This looks like a... very tarnished gold. And the symbol looks- *!* ...awfully familiar.

Mabel: How familiar?

Dipper: ... Uh... I'll take it back home to get a better look. *Runs off* Thanks for the discovery!

Mabel: ... *Pouts*

Richard: ... Um... If you don't mind... I could hang out with you.

Mabel: ... *Giggle* Okay. *Pats his shoulder* You're such a softy.

Richard: I get that a lot.

~Pines Residence~

Upon bringing the amulet home, Dipper can see that it had the symbol of a familiar-shaped eye. Whether it was a coindence or something else, there's little doubt that the eye symbol looked awfully similiar to an old adversary's.

Dipper: ... Why would he leave this for Richard? He doesn't know him.

Unbeknownst to Dipper, someone was watching him from afar, way outside his house.

???: ... On the contrary. I know lots of things. *His eyes suddenly show various cryptic images* *Slow deep voice* LOTS OF THINGS...

Chapter Text

Kelly Hollis, the only known Huldrawood Marra to defect from the group. Initially, she was friends with Frida, much to the dismay of Hilda and David, but ended up revealing her true colors later on, as she revealed herself to be a Marra. However, the appearance of the mysterious Black Hound and a subsequent Sparrow Scout assignment caused her to defect, partially because Frida recommended that she should keep her old toy rabbit, Fluff-Bun, which has since caused her to go soft on people.

Ever since one of their own defected, the remaining six girls decided to come up with ways to get payback, but a myriad of obstacles have distracted them from doing so.

One such distraction was Maria's newfound obsession with Trevor, a new friend of Hilda's that she doesn't know anything about. She attempted to cast doubt on his decision to befriend Hilda (and Dipper), but she was stopped by another new friend. Instead of talking with him, she decided to create an orb of her Marra energy to use on Trevor. However, she also decided to have one of the other girls use it. When the first attempt failed, she enlisted her second-in-command, Lucinda, to use it on Trevor. But when she tried, Lucinda got distracted by the image of a little boy, one that she recognized, and in the process, used the orb on herself by accident, giving her nightmares of that same kid.

Since then, she has isolated herself from the other five, until recently, she decided to meet up with them again to discuss any plans on getting back at Kelly.

~Huldrawood~

Little did she know that Maria had something else in mind.

Lucinda: *Arrives* Hi. Sorry for being late.

Maria: There you are. What kept you?

Kylie: You said you were going to meet up with us after being cooped up, but it got late, and you still didn't show up.

Lucinda: ... I... had to clean up something in my house.

Eunice: What did you clean up?

Lucinda: Just some old room that my mother and I haven't used... for many years.

Miranda: ... Was that difficult to clean up?

Lucinda: ...

Miranda: Never mind. Don't answer that. I don't even want to know what it's about.

Naomi: Maybe, you don't, Miranda, but I do.

Maria: Not as much as I do.

Lucinda: *?*

Maria: Girls, you can start discussing without us. I have to talk to Lucinda for a moment. *Pulls her to another part of the forest* Come on, you.

Lucinda: I-I thought we were going to about how we're getting payback on Kelly.

Maria: Not yet. *Pushes Lucinda up against a tree* What has gotten into you? Naomi told me that you wasted my orb on yourself and darted out of that boy's room after the effects kicked in.

Lucinda: ...

Maria: So, I'm going to ask you and you're going to answer whether you like it or not. What... happened?

Lucinda: ... When I was about to use the orb, I got distracted by something.

Maria: What was it?

Lucinda: ... I... don't know. I thought I saw the image of...

Maria: Of...?

Lucinda: ... Luca.

Maria: *?* Your brother? The one who died at an early age?

Lucinda: ...

Maria: *Realizes* Oh. Let me guess: Trevor reminded you of him, didn't he?

Lucinda: ... My brother would be around his age if he were still alive.

Maria: ... And yet, we all know what you did.

Lucinda: Not what I did. It was my mother's fault.

Maria: *?* Your mother's fault? Didn't you say-

Lucinda: My memory was fuzzy at the time I told you that I strangled my own little brother out of anger and jealousy. But somehow, that orb helped me regain the memory of how it really went down.

Maria: ... How did it really go?

Lucinda: ... During my childhood, I enjoyed playing with these... toy figures that my dad left for me... before he suddenly walked out on us. My father was my whole world... whereas Luca was my mother's whole world. And because of this, we were estranged from each other at the time. She had very little regard for me and cared more about Luca. Then, one day, I got an A- on a school test, though calling it "bad" would be an overstatement. And yet, that's how my mother viewed it. In response, she took one of my favorite figures away and placed it on a tall cabinet that I couldn't reach. All of a sudden, I... lost it. I headed over to that same cabinet, where I saw my brother using the drawers as a staircase to grab something.

Maria: Isn't this where he turned around to look at you before...?

Lucinda: ... *Nod*

Maria: So, what changed?

Lucinda: ... The orb showed me that I didn't strangle him.

Maria: *!*

Lucinda: He was just grabbing the figure that our mother took away from me. Then, I saw the drawer. It just... fell out. And he fell. I ran to him and tried to save him, but I... *Sigh* I somehow slipped and... heard a thud. And when I looked up... I saw him. I couldn't look at him anymore. So, I grabbed my figure and darted out of my house.

Maria: ... And the rest is history. Younger me saw you crying in a bush and I brought you to... him.

Lucinda: ... *Nod*

Maria: And after you became a Marra, you came back home to see that your mother got rid of that tall cabinet and no longer neglected you. Ironically, had it not been for Luca's death, you two would still be estranged from one another.

Lucinda: ...

Maria: What I don't get is why you took forever to tell us.

Lucinda: I was under a lot of stress. I didn't think the orb's effects were going to last that long. I just... needed time to... adjust myself.

Maria: ... Well, now, you're finally adjusted. And we can now discuss how to get back at Kelly. But I need to know if my trusty second-in-command is ready.

Lucinda: ... *Nod* Hm.

Maria: Good girl. *Pats her shoulder* And for the record: Despite what even the other girls think, I care about what happens to you. Got it?

Lucinda: ... Got it.

Maria: *Pulls her back to the campsite* Now, come on. We've got things to discuss.

Lucinda: I just hope we don't get distracted... again.

Maria: Well, it should be easy now... considering that Hilda isn't here to stop us. *Chuckles evilly*

Chapter Text

~Pines Residence, Piedmont~

Mabel: *Places a book on the table* This should be a good book for Dipper. 'Extraordinary Islands Of Earth'. *Opens it* Let's see. "Scuttlebutt Island", already visited; "Cauldron Island", already visited; *?* "Muertes Archipelago"? Never heard of that. *Spots another island* Huh. This one's in the British Isles.

*Phone rings*

Mabel: I'll get it, Dipper! *Grabs the phone and answers* Hello?

Hilda (Over the phone): Hey, it's me.

Mabel: Oh, hey, Hilda! How are you doing?

Hilda (Over the phone): Quite fine. You?

Mabel: Same here. I'm having a look at this book that I got for Dipper. It's about the strangest islands on Earth.

Hilda (Over the phone): Really? Is the island that I'm on in there?

Mabel: Is it located in the British Isles?

Hilda (Over the phone): *Giggle* How did you know?

Mabel: I'm on that portion right now. There's a lot of history about this island. *Spots a particular picture* Heh. That looks like Stonehenge.

Hilda (Over the phone): Wait. What?

Mabel: There's a spot that looks like Stonehenge.

Hilda (Over the phone): Oh. That place.

Mabel: Is there something wrong?

Hilda (Over the phone): ... About that. I had to go through some... eerie occurrences at that particular spot. We were helping out with a construction project, but something went wrong. One of the machines lost a wheel of theirs in a... peculiar manner, someone saw a traumatizing sight, and the leader's jeep caught on fire. No one knows how or why, but we couldn't take it anymore. So, we abandoned the site. Needless to say, it was a stark opposite of what Trolberg has.

Mabel: ... I'm sorry you had to go through that.

Hilda (Over the phone): ... We'll get over it. Unfortunately, we lost sight of Trevor during the third incident.

Mabel: Well, I hope you do. I've been wanting to hear his decision.

Hilda (Over the phone): Oh, that? Well, you're in luck. He decided to-

Frida (Over the phone): Hilda! Trevor just called! You need to hear this!

Hilda (Over the phone): H-Hold on! I'm coming! Sorry, Mabel. I have to go for now.

Mabel: What's going on?

*Hang-up noise*

Mabel: ... Never mind. *Presses "End"* I'll probably hear about it sometime later. *Gets up and heads to Dipper's room* Hey, bro! Guess what? *Arrives* Hilda called, and she's- *Notices something* Uh...

Dipper: *Turns to her* ... Oh. Hey, sis.

In her brother's room, Mabel could see a corkboard filled with all kinds of papers, pictures, and connection strings; all related to one thing.

Mabel: ... Is that...?

Dipper: ... Yeah. It's him. It's Bill Cipher.

Mabel: *Notices the amulet that Richard found* ... So, this is why you've been acting up. Do you really think...?

Dipper: ... I don't want to believe it... but somehow, I do believe that he's still alive. The real mystery is how.

Mabel: ...

Dipper: I'm sorry, Mabel. I should've told you, but... like I said, I don't think it's something you'd want to get involved in. For some reason, I feel like I need to handle it alone.

Mabel: ... *Approaches him* ... Not on your life.

Dipper: *?*

Mabel: ... Bill was taken down before. We can do it again.

Dipper: But Grunkle Stan was the one who took him down, not us.

Mabel: After all we went through as one big family... *Pats his shoulder* ...I don't see how the two of us can't.

Dipper: ... You really think the two of us can stop him?

Mabel: *Nods*

Dipper: ... *Sigh* ... Okay. Just to be safe, we'll need to tell the rest of the Adventure Club.

Mabel: Including...?

Dipper: Mm-hmm. We need to tell Hilda.

Chapter Text

~Piedmont High School~

Dipper: *Walking through the hallway*

Mabel comforting Dipper on the day he showed her what he had been up to should've helped him.

But in the end, the nightmares were still too much for him. It seemed that Bill Cipher was still as powerful as he was back in Gravity Falls.

On a bright note, there was something that did take his mind off of Bill, which helped him a little.

*Students murmuring*

The only downside is that it was the subject of gossip.

Ever since he had his nightmares, his demeanor has become the subject of gossip among his schoolmates.

Student: What's up with Mister Gloom over there?

Student 2: Isn't he from that oddball family that lives in that oddball town up north?

Student 3: I bet he got affected by the same thing that makes those townsfolk act stupid.

Student 4: I heard that his uncle tried to end the world with some strange device.

Familiar Voice: Look at that shrimp. He's probably having nightmares of that nonexistent "monster" that he's been babbling about.

Dipper: *Shudder* Her again.

Of the many students in his school, a trio of girls stood out to him.

They were often called "TIP"; the word itself being an acronym for their first names; Tasha, the prissy team leader; Ivy, the unusually soft-spoken member; and Petunia; the equally quiet muscle.

Dipper and Mabel have been at odds with them since they returned from Gravity Falls long ago. In every encounter, the twins were always ready to combat them.

This time, Tasha saw Dipper's current state as an opportunity to dish out some heavy damage.

Dipper: *Opens his locker* ... *Glances at the old "See You Next Summer" paper* ... I'm not sure if I'll come this Summer.

Mabel: *Approaches him* Hey, bro.

Dipper: *?* *Turns to Mabel* Oh, hey, Mabel.

Mabel: How are you holding up?

Dipper: ... I'm doing fine... more or less.

Mabel: *Notices the drawing* You think we'll make it to Gravity Falls this Summer?

Dipper: I'm not sure. I mean, apart from bringing our uncles and Wendy, we had to miss the last 2 Summer Breaks because of our time in the Hulderlands. I do miss Gravity Falls, but...

Mabel: You miss the Hulderlands as well?

Dipper: ... *Nods*

Mabel: ... Tell you what: We'll head to Gravity Falls first this Summer, and maybe even show the Adventure Club around. Then, when all of that is said and done, we'll head back to the Hulderlands. Maybe, we'll be official dual citizens by the time we get there.

Dipper: ... I hope so. Uncle Ford did promise us. *Closes his locker*

Mabel: Don't you worry, Dipper. We're in this together, whether we're separated or gathered.

Dipper: I'll keep that in mind.

Familiar Voice: Hey, Dizzy Head!

Dipper & Mabel: *!*

Mabel: ... Not her again.

*The twins turn to see a familiar sight*

Dipper: ... TIP.

Tasha: Correct-O-Mundo, gigante weirdo. I was beginning to worry that you forgot about me.

Dipper: *To himself* If only I had that Memory Gun.

Tasha: I've heard about your recent nightmares; always babbling about some "living, one-eyed pyramid" coming back from the dead; your "Grunkle" regaining the memories he sacrificed in order to destroy him; the pyramid freak plaguing your mind for whoever knows how long; blah-blah-blah. Haven't you noticed that your whining's making you look stupid by now?

Dipper: ...

Mabel: ...

Tasha: I don't know what you went through in Oregon a while back, but clearly, your parents' idea of giving you some "fresh air" pretty much backfired, what with all of those escapades you went through with gnomes, and ghosts, and other stuff that doesn't exist. In fact, didn't you mention that you guys went through an "armageddon" phase on your last days there? If it really was an armageddon over there, then why hasn't it happened everywhere else in the world?

Dipper: *Sighs in frustration*

Tasha: It's obvious from the start that what you went through was all in your head, no two ways about it. Not to mention, your 3 journals were probably just something your Grunkle made to throw people off-track.

Dipper: Ugh...

Tasha: But for once, I'll be fair, if what you went through was no hallucination, then there was simply no way you could've made it out alive.

Dipper: And you think you would've made it out alive?

Tasha: Perhaps. The three of us have been on camping trips ourselves with Ivy's old man. It was super boring, but to be fair with her dad, he did teach us how to survive. Meanwhile, you two wouldn't be able to make it out alive since all your Grunkle and his own brother ever do is argue with one another. If you were out in the wilderness, you'd be dead, killed by the very first wild creature that you would come across, whether they're existent or totally ridiculous. Not to mention, that pyramid freak would've gotten you by now. In short, you're practically The Boy Who Cried Wolf. *Laughs evilly*

Dipper: ...

Mabel: *Approaches her* That's not true.

Tasha: *?* Oh?

Mabel: Our uncles do care about us, even if they constantly argue with each other. And back in Gravity Falls, they did teach us a thing or two about how to handle those creatures.

Tasha: Aren't those uncles of yours twins though? The thing about twins is that they always argue with each other no matter flipping what.

Mabel: Now, you're just stereotyping! Siblings argue, but not all the time, and they stick together no matter what. My Grunkle Stan and Granduncle Ford are always at odds with one another, but they care for each other. Dipper and I got into fights during our time in Gravity Falls, but we stayed together no matter what. So, who are you to judge how families function?

Tasha: Excuse me?

Ivy: ... T-Tasha, I think we should just leave them be.

Tasha: I don't care about your suggestions, Ivy. I won't tolerate how Little Miss Happy-Go-Lucky here is hypocritically judging me.

Mabel: You call this "hypocrisy"? Maybe from your own point of view.

Dipper: *Walks away*

Petunia: *Notices* Where's he going?

Tasha: *She and the other three notice as well* Hey! I'm not done with you yet!

Ivy: *Grabs her arm and pulls her away* Actually, we are.

Tasha: Ivy! *Struggles* Let me go, Ivy! I'm not finished with that Dizzy Head!

Petunia: Ugh... *Leaves with them*

Mabel: ... *Follows Dipper*

Dipper: *To himself* I wasn't hallucinating. I know what I saw. I know what I went through. And I know there are some things in this world that are just too different from the world we usually live in.

Mabel: *Catches up* Are you okay?

Dipper: ... *Nods*

Mabel: Don't listen to what Tasha had to say. She was just playing her usual mind games.

Dipper: ... I know. But she does have a point about Bill. He would get me with ease.

Mabel: But he has yet to get you by now. I know you think Bill is alive, but even so, if he did have intentions to get at you, he would've done it by now. And if he does try to get at you, we'll be ready to combat like before, and we won't let his overpowered magic get the better of us.

Dipper: ... *Smiles a little*

Student 5: Holy smokes.

Dipper: *?* What is it?

Student 5: Check out the news.

*The twins turn to see a news report of something happening in the British Isles*

~Outside~

Unbeknownst to anyone, two hooded figures are watching from afar... and have heard what Mabel said.

???: That blasted girl doesn't know what coming out of her mouth.

??? 2: She's not wrong though. You know the old saying. "Fooled me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me". They're not going to fall victim to that over-the-top nonsense from before.

???: ... Perhaps, you're right. They won't fall for the old tricks. But if there's one thing I learned ever since I returned, it's that sometimes... *Removes his hood revealing...*

Bill: You have to think outside the box.

Chapter Text

~Road~

The day had finally come. Dipper and Mabel were heading back to Gravity Falls after 3 years. They can't wait to see their friends again. And as a bonus, the Adventure Club was tagging along, wanting to see what Gravity Falls is like.

But something was distracting Dipper. Because of this, he didn't mingle with the others on the way to Gravity Falls. All he did was gaze out the window. This only prompted worry from Mabel.

~Bus Stop, Gravity Falls~

Mabel: Well, here we are, Adventure Club. Welcome to Gravity Falls.

Richard: It's... surprisingly peaceful.

Dipper: At first glance, it seems that way, but just wait until we show around.

Mabel: We'll start at the Mystery Shack. Follow me. *Leads the group, minus Dipper*

Dipper: *Looks around* ... Hm. Doesn't look like much has changed when we were away. I wonder if the Hulderlands will be the same when we come back. *Follows the team*

~Mystery Shack~

Hughie: Uh... What happened to the 'S'?

Mabel: Weak nails. But we kept it that way. It's quite fitting.

Dipper: *To himself* Originally, I accidentally cut it off during a swordfight.

Mabel: *Knocks on the door*

Familiar Voice: It's unlocked.

Mabel: *Opens the door* Hey, Soos!

Soos: Hey! You came back!

*The two hug each other*

Wendy: And you've brought the Adventure Club.

Daniel: Hello to you too, Wendy.

Dipper: *Quietly enters*

Girl: *Hugs Mabel* Mabel!

Mabel: *Hugs back* Hey, Candy. *Breaks the hug* I guess you came here alone?

Candy: Grenda's out on a date with Marius, but after we heard about you coming back, she told me to give you this. *Pulls out a heart-shaped hairclip*

Mabel: Ooh! *Puts it on* How do I look?

Jemma: I think it's fitting.

Dipper: *Smiles a little*

Familiar Voice 2: Welcome back.

Mabel: *Turns to see...* Oh, hey, Pacifica!

Dipper: *?!* Pacifica?

Pacifica: I heard you were coming back to Gravity Falls. Nice to see you again.

Mabel: *Hugs her* Same to you.

Pacifica: *Notices Dipper* Is that you, Dipper?

Dipper: ... *Waves*

Pacifica: Is he okay?

Mabel: *Breaks the hug* He's fine. He's just being distant at the moment.

Pacifica: About what?

Mabel: It's about these nightmares that he's been having for a while.

Candy: Nightmares? What are they about?

Dipper: ...

Tommy: ... He doesn't like to talk about it.

Deacon: Considering the subject, we can't exactly blame him.

Soos, Candy, and Pacifica easily understood upon hearing that.

Mabel: Well, right now, we're here to have a look around Gravity Falls. So far, nothing too bad has happened, which means that we have ample time-

*Door closes*

*They all turn to see...*

Richard: I guess he went outside.

Pacifica: ... You guys go on ahead. *Leaves* Maybe, I can talk to him.

Mabel: You do that. Come on, guys. Let me show you around the place.

*The kids follow Mabel around the Mystery Shack*

~Outside~

Pacifica: *Approaches Dipper*

Dipper: ... So, uh... How are you holding up?

Pacifica: ... Fine. After you left 3 years ago, my parents finally found a new home for us. It's smaller than the Northwest Manor, but my father only cared if it was among other houses of the town's elite.

Dipper: Heh. In other words, you're still living a life of luxury.

Pacifica: More or less. What about you? What have you done in the past 3 years?

Dipper: ... During the Winter of that year, I visited this place called the Hulderlands. Simply put, it's no different from Gravity Falls, what with the wilderness surrounding this town called Trolberg, and the strange creatures that roam around. And I... met someone.

Pacifica: *?* Is it a girl?

Dipper: *!* N-Not what you think!

Pacifica: Relax. I'm not jumping to conclusions.

Dipper: ... Regardless, our relationship is... platonic to say the least. And needless to say, she and her own friends are rather nice. In fact, those five kids we brought? They're from the same town. That's how the Adventure Club came to be.

Pacifica: This girl. What's her name?

Dipper: Hilda. Hilda Löfgren. I really think you guys should meet her.

Pacifica: Perhaps. But I do like to know one thing before I do so.

Dipper: What is it?

Pacifica: This nightmare problem that you're having? You need to open up more about it. You can't just solve everything by yourself.

Dipper: I know. Mabel told me that already.

Pacifica: Well, we'll keep reminding you until your confidence is back up. So, the next time we see your friend, you need to alert her as well.

Dipper: ... Okay.

Pacifica: But for now, you can start with me. What were your nightmares about?

Dipper: ... Well, this might sound crazy... but I think... Bill Cipher's alive.

Pacifica: *?* Bill Cipher's alive?

Dipper: I don't know how exactly. But my working theory is that it has to do with Grunkle Stan regaining his memories.

*Bill and his hooded accomplice watch from afar*

Pacifica: Maybe, Bill connected his... life force or whatever to Stan's memories?

Dipper: Maybe. But either way, the last I want is for him to get at us again. My uncles stopped him before. We can do it again.

Pacifica: That's the spirit.

Chapter Text

{Towards the end of 'Strange Frequencies'}

Martha, Fargo, and Alban headed over to the Löfgren Apartment to apologize for how they treated Trevor in the past, something they haven't done since apologizing to Trevor himself.

~Löfgren Apartment~

However, they were in for a surprise upon arriving.

Martha: *Takes a deep breath* Okay. We just need to go in there, find Hilda, apologize to her for ditching Trevor, and merge our two groups into one.

Fargo: Shouldn't we bring Trevor along to do this? I mean, what we're planning kind of revolves around him.

Martha: True, but I don't think we should bother him right now. He's probably busy with whatever he's doing.

Alban: What is he doing by the way? He's been keeping to himself ever since... Well, you know.*

Martha: He's probably still drawing in that sketchbook that Hilda got for him.** The last thing I want is to disturb him while he's drawing. *Thinks for a moment* Then again, I am curious about what's drawing as of late.

Fargo: *Spots a familiar face* You could ask him yourself.

*Martha and Alban turn to see Trevor approaching them*

Trevor: Hey, guys.

Martha: ... Hey, Trevor.

Trevor: Why are you out here right now?

Alban: We're heading to Hilda's apartment. We're, uh... apologizing.

Trevor: For what?

Martha: For how we treated you back then. We already apologized to you. Now, we just need to confront Hilda.

Trevor: Oh, there's no need to worry about apologizing to Hilda for what happened back then. Your apology to me was enough in my opinion. If anything, I should give her the heads-up.

Martha: ... Still, it wouldn't hurt for us to talk to her about it.

Trevor: That's fine with me. *Looks back at the apartment* However... she's unavailable at the moment.

Fargo: Why?

Trevor: ... *Looks around* Well, I might as well tell you what I know so far.

*Flashback*

{During the events of 'Strange Frequencies'}

Hilda and Alfur had spent days locked up in their room, trying to crack a secret radio code that she had been receiving; all signs pointed to Hilda's missing father, Anders, being the source of the signal, and that it was somehow coming from Nowhere Space. She papered all of Trolberg with flyers of her dad and showed them to every nisse they invited to the meeting, and no one had seen him. Worse still, upon recovering Hilda's radio, they learned it was actually Victoria Van Gale of all people sending the coded messages, not Anders. Afterward, Frida and David left the apartment; Frida didn't want to be late for supper, while David sheepishly stated to Hilda "It's pizza night". As for Hilda herself, she just felt dejected that she had been wasting her time trying to find her father, though a determined Alfur believed that there may be more than what they had learned.

~Outside~

Right outside the apartment, Frida and David were about to part ways, when a familiar face came into their view.

It was Trevor.

Frida: Hey.

Trevor: Hey.

David: Why are you out here? It's getting late.

Trevor: I'm just out for a stroll. In fact, I was planning on telling Hilda something.

Frida: About that. It's probably not the best time to talk to her.

Trevor: Why?

Frida: She's feeling... dejected right now. She and Alfur had been trying to decode a radio message of sorts, thinking it was from her father, but it turned out to be someone else instead. We wanted to stay behind and comfort her, but...

Trevor: ... *Sigh* Really?

David: Well, we thought our presence would worsen the mood.

Trevor: You don't know that.

David: ...

Frida: ...

Trevor: ... If you won't comfort her, then I'll do it. *Heads into the building* Someone has to be there for her.

David: Uh...

Frida: ... I think we should let Trevor handle it. We probably don't deserve to go back in there after what we just did.

David: ... I guess you're right.

~Löfgren Apartment~

When Trevor entered, he found Johanna eating dinner alone with Tontu. There was no sign of Alfur or Hilda, and Trevor wondered if they were still working on that radio, despite learning the true origin of the mysterious codes.

Johanna: What are you doing here, Trevor?

Trevor: I was in the area. Where's Hilda and Alfur?

Johanna: Alfur's gone. He said he had work to take care of. Something to do with that radio. But Hilda's still in her room. She said she was going to bed early.

Trevor: Is she alright?

Johanna: I don't know. She said she wanted to be left alone.

Trevor: Is it okay if I check on her?

Johanna: *Nods* Please do. She's not like her usual self.

Trevor: ... Okay. *Heads to Hilda's room* ... Hilda?

*Muffled sobbing*

Trevor: ... *Opens the door slowly* Are you... okay?

When he opened the door, the scene that greeted him was as bad as he imagined. Hilda was curled up in bed in her pajamas, facing away from the door, tangled up in her blankets, and sobbing into her pillow.

Trevor: ... *Closes the door and approaches her* ... *Taps her shoulder* ... Hilda?

Hilda: ... *Turns to him* ... Trevor? What are you doing here?

Trevor: I was in the area. I was going to tell you something, but Frida and David told me about what you were up to. So, I checked to see if you were doing okay.

Hilda: *Sniff* ... I'm fine.

Trevor: ... *Removes his shoes and sits down on her bed* ... Do you want to talk?

Hilda: ... Not really...

Trevor: ... It might help you feel better.

Hilda: ... *Takes a deep breath* ... *Rests her head on his shoulder*

Trevor: *Blushes a little*

Hilda: I just don't understand why he would leave again. He said he planned to stay, that he would take me camping. But then, he just ran away without even saying goodbye. It doesn't make any sense.

Trevor: ... Not to sound offensive, but... did your father have any enemies?

Hilda: ... I don't know. I don't even want to know.

Trevor: If he did, then maybe, he doesn't want to put you in any more danger.

Hilda: ... Maybe. But it's still a guess.

Trevor: ... I'm sure he'll pop up again. There's no way he would ditch you... unlike... how my dad left me behind.

Hilda didn't respond. A few more tears slipped down her cheeks the moment he brought up his own dad, and so, Trevor hugged her tight to his chest. Hilda put her arms around him and cried silently into his shirt. He did what he could to try and console her, cradling the back of her head as she cried on his shoulder. Trevor leaned back against the pillows and let her get all of her tears out, not wanting to leave her until she stopped.

Trevor had never seen Hilda like this before. She'd always been so strong, so confident, so unwavering in her optimism. To see her break down like this shook Trevor to his core, and he hated to think that her current state revolved around a problem that he could relate to.

Eventually, Hilda fell asleep in his arms. Unable to move her, Trevor allowed himself to relax and eventually dozed off as well.

In time, Johanna came in to check on them, finding Hilda and Trevor fast asleep in Hilda's bed. She saw the tear streaks on her daughter's face and realized that Hilda had cried herself to sleep in Trevor's arms.

Not wanting to disturb them, Johanna carefully picked up Hilda's discarded blanket and draped it over the two teens. She kissed Hilda goodnight, and placed a grateful hand on Trevor's head, making a mental note to thank him in the morning for coming over. In time, she would. But for now, she let him be, stepping outside to leave Hilda and Trevor in peace.

Johanna: Hilda's really lucky to have a friend like you. *Closes the door*

Unbeknownst to her, Trevor was slightly awake when she said that, making a small smile.

*Flashback ends*

Martha: ... That was surprisingly nice of you.

Trevor: Early the next morning, I was the first to wake up. I didn't want to disturb anyone. So, I just left. What happened after that is anyone's guess.

Fargo: Was it really necessary to bring up your dad?

Trevor: ... I guess it wasn't. But I didn't want her to believe that the two of us are... stark reflections of one another.

Alban: *Smugly* Really?

Trevor: Really, Alban. I-

*Car starts*

Before Trevor could finish, the four kids heard a car starting up. Without warning, Johanna's car came into their view and zoomed by.

Trevor: What the...?

Martha: Where is Hilda's mum going?

Trevor: Beats me.

Martha: *Spots another familiar face approaching them* *!* At least, I know where the three of us are going. *Hastily pulls Fargo and Alban away*

Trevor: ... *Turns to see...* Mister Pines?

Ford: I've been looking all over for you, Trevor. Are Hilda, Frida, and David available?

Trevor: N-No. They're kind of busy.

Ford: Bummer. I was going to show them something that Michael and I discovered. Since you're here, I'll start with you. Come on. *Leads the way*

Trevor: I-I don't know, Mister Pines. A-About Hilda, she-

Ford: Not now, bud. I'm about to show you something urgent!

Trevor: ... It's probably not as urgent as what Hilda is going through.

~Gravity Falls~

Meanwhile, the Adventure Club is having a surprisingly peaceful time in Gravity Falls.

And Dipper is doing his best to ease his nerves about his nightmares of Bill by having a stroll around the town.

Dipper: ... *Ponders for a moment* Let's see. I've met up with McGucket, Sheriff Blubs, Deputy Durland, Lazy Susan, the gnomes, Gideon, Tyler, Grenda, and Marius. I wonder how Wendy's friends are holding up.

*Phone ringing*

Dipper: *Turns to a nearby phone booth* ... *Looks around* I guess it's for me. *Enters* Oh, boy. *Carefully answers* Hello?

*Static*

Dipper: ... Hello. Anyone there?

*Static*

Dipper: Wh-Who is this? Why are you calling?

*Static fades*

Distorted Voice (Over the phone): ... This is my only warning. You better stay away from the Hulderlands. Or not only will I haunt you, but the rest of whatever friends you have.

*Hang-up noise*

*Dial tone*

Dipper: ... *Hangs up* ... Bill?

{Later}

~Mystery Shack~

Dipper: *Enters*

Mabel: Oh, you're back.

Dipper: Hey.

Richard: Are you alright?

Dipper: I'm fine. Just... I thought I saw him.

Mabel: *?* You mean...?

Dipper: ... *Nods* I think it was-

*Phone ringing*

Dipper: ... *Answers* Hello?

Familiar Voice (Over the phone): Hey, Dipper!

Dipper: *!* Michael?

Everyone: *!*

Michael (Over the phone): Yep. The one and only. Listen, I got some great news for the whole Adventure Club. We need everyone to gather up at Trolberg because your uncle and I made a breakthrough with my turtle shell fragment.

Dipper: You mean, you've translated it?

Michael (Over the phone): Yep. You're gonna love it. This might just be the club's biggest adventure yet. I hope to see you soon.

Dipper: Okay. Just tell Hilda that-

*Hang-up noise*

Dipper: *Annoyed* ... Never mind.

Hughie: What did he say?

Dipper: He said that he and Uncle Ford made a breakthrough with that turtle shell fragment.

Jemma: The one that my dad left for him?

Dipper: And he wants the whole club to gather around.

Tommy: Including us?

Dipper: Well, obviously.

Deacon: ... Well, we've been meaning to get back to Trolberg anyway.

Stan: Maybe, Ford has finished up with that dual citizenship thing by now.

Mabel: Heh. I hope so.

Daniel: Alright. Let's get our stuff first, and then, we'll catch a boat to Trolberg.

Wendy: I'll bring some extras just in case.

Pacifica: *Enters*

Dipper: Oh, hey.

Pacifica: Hey, guys. What are you up to?

Dipper: ... This might sound crazy... but would you like to come with us?

Pacifica: ... W-Why? Where are we going?

Dipper: ... *Smiles a little* It's time I show the Hulderlands.

Chapter Text

~Seaport, Trolberg~

*A particular team steps foot onto Trolberg*

Dipper: Well, here we are. Trolberg. The most popular city in the Hulderlands. This is where it all started. What do you think?

Pacifica: It's... lovely in a way. But isn't this just a fraction of the Hulderlands?

Dipper: It is, but you'll get to see the rest soon enough.

Mabel: Come on! We can't just stand around gazing at the Trolberg! We have to find Hilda and Uncle Ford!

Dipper: Right. I know just the place where we could find Hilda.

~Park~

Meanwhile, Hilda and Trevor had brought Frida, David, Twig, Alfur, Raven, Tontu, Martha, Fargo, Alban, and Louise to the park.

Louise: *Petting Twig* Aren't you a sweet little thing? *Giggle*

Twig: *Bark*

*Snap*

Martha: *Growl* I'm only halfway finished with these forms, but I'm gonna run out of lead pretty soon.

Alfur: I know. It's not easy. Of course, how else are you going to see?

Fargo: It's pretty easy for one to mistake you for a raven.

Raven: I get that a lot. But what makes me stand out is that I'm able to become gigantic if I so choose.

Alban: So, what happens when you go into... Nowhere Space when you're outside a building?

Tontu: If I did that, I'd get taken to the Void Ocean. It's a zone in Nowhere Space we hardly ever visit.

Trevor: *Observing them* Hm. *Turns to Hilda* Needless to say, this is working out pretty well.

Hilda: *Nods* About time we finally buried the hatchet. Though, we did have the chance to do that back on Sodor.

Frida: Well, we didn't have any way of knowing about their sudden change of heart. At the time, we were already getting used to Trevor's.

David: ... So... Shall we...?

Hilda: Yeah, we better get on with it. *Turns to the others* Gather around!

*They all do so*

Hilda: Alright. As of today, despite all we've gone through in our lives, despite our conflicts with one another, and despite even our darkest days, our two groups are now merged into one. So, how about we officially bury the hatchet? *Makes a fist* We'll collide our fists together on my cue. Got it?

*Everyone nods and makes a fist*

Hilda: Okay. *She and the others take a deep breath*

Familiar Voice: You're gonna leave us out?

Everyone: *!* *They all turn to see...* Dipper?!

Dipper: ... S-Sorry if we're interrupting.

Hilda: Oh, it's fine. We're just merging our groups right now.

Mabel: Well, since we're here, mind if we join?

Hilda: Go ahead. We are one big group now after all.

*Dipper's team joins in and takes a deep breath*

Dipper: ... For the countless adventures to come.

*They all collide their fists*

And just like that, a new era began for the Adventure Club.

Chapter Text

After going through several separate ordeals, the reunited Adventure Club is ready to solve one of their biggest mysteries.

~Löfgren Apartment, Trolberg~

However, before they could go for it, they needed to help their newest members get situated with how the club does what they usually do.

Johanna: Has everyone packed what they want to bring?

Dipper: Yep.

Hilda: All set.

Mabel: Ready when everyone else is!

Pacifica: *Puts her bag on* … Ugh…

Mabel: Anxious?

Pacifica: Does it show?

Mabel: Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.

~Outside The Olden Residence~

Frida: *Knocks on the door*

David: *Opens it*

Frida: Ready to go?

David: *Put his bag on* I’ve got everything I need. You?

Frida: Same here.

Louise: Same here.

~Pines House~

Ford: *Grabs the fragment*

Michael: Do you have to bring my fragment?

Ford: Just need to remind the Adventure Club of what brought them back together.

Michael: Good point.

Richard: Come on! Come on! Before it gets dark!

Ford: We’re coming, Richard. Don’t worry.

~Trolberg Library~

Kaisa: Are you sure the library will be fine without me?

Daniel: Well, Tildy did say that you need to get out more.

Kaisa: I know that, but this isn’t how I pictured it. *Turns to the new worker* Especially considering that the library is going to be watched over by a newbie.

Daniel: Laurence knows what he’s doing.

~Train Station~

Stan: Have you got the tickets?

Wendy: Yep. All 24. *Gives one to Stan and one to…*

Anders: No doubt this will make my daughter proud. Normally, I’m always going off on my own. Now, I’m finally going to have an outing with others.

Wendy: You do know who else is coming with us, right?

Anders: I know. Johanna’s coming as well, but if anything, this could help the two of us finally cool off after what we’ve gone through in our lives.

Wendy: If it works, that is.

Stan: *Spots the others* If you’d like, you could ask them if it’ll work.

*Wendy and Anders turn to see the others coming*

Stan: Hey, squad.

Dipper: Hey, Grunkle Stan.

Anders: So, you must be Dipper and Mabel Pines. I’m Anders Löfgren.

Mabel: Hello, Anders.

Louise: So, how far are we traveling?

Frida: We’re just heading to a clearing near Tofoten. In case we have to, Miss Astrid’s house is nearby.

Hughie: *Reading*

Michael: Whatcha got there, bud?

Hughie: Just a book about where we’re going today. Is Tofoten really that enamored by fairies?

Hilda: Trust me. You don’t know the half of it.

Kaisa: If anything, you should probably have a book on the entire Hulderlands. Obviously, there’s more to this continent than just Trolberg.

Daniel: *Pulls out a list* Let’s see.

Who’s coming:

Dipper Pines

Hilda Löfgren

Mabel Pines

Frida Auclair

Richard Burke

David Olden

Pacifica Northwest

Trevor Stenburg

Hughie Lombardi

Jemma McNeal

Tommy Kendrick

Deacon Anderson

Louise Delgado

Martha McIntyre

Fargo Granger

Alban Struecker

Stanley Pines

Stanford Pines

Johanna Löfgren

Anders Löfgren

Wendy Corduroy

Daniel Burke

Kaisa McCabe

Michael Kingston

Daniel: Almost everyone’s here. We’re just missing…

*Four kids come into their view*

Hilda: There they are.

Trevor: *Panting* Sorry if we took too long. Had to go from house to house to pick up these guys.

Fargo: Everything we need is all packed up by the way.

Alban: Tent supplies, sleeping bags… *Pulls out a water canteen* …these.

Martha: *Adjusting her hat strap*

David: Where did you get that camping hat?

Martha: Oh, this? Trevor got it for me around when you first met Louise. Does it look weird?

Hilda: No, of course not. I think it's fitting.

Martha: Th-Thanks.

Ford: Come on! No time to lose!

*They all board the train*

{Later}

~Train~

Trevor: *Gazing outside*

Hilda: So, here we are. Your first outing.

Trevor: First proper outing. My time on Sodor doesn't really count since I only boarded your boat by accident. Not to mention… Well, you know.

Hilda: Good point.

Louise: Sodor? *Turns to Martha, Fargo, and Alban* Didn't you guys say you went to an island called Sodor?