Chapter Text
All the trees around seemed to be alive for once, their leaves rustling in the wind. The air was chilled and smelled of oncoming rain. Of course, I was sheltered so I was in no hurry to get home yet. I held a lantern in my hand as I creeped along the cave entrance. Hopefully there weren’t any monsters in here. Not that I couldn’t handle them, I just didn’t want to right then. I was on a mission.
The gentle light from the small bulb inside the lantern did not do much good inside the cave entrance. I could not see much farther than a few feet. However, I didn’t need to worry too much. If my research was correct, the answers I needed wouldn’t be much farther from here.
The ground was covered in bugs and dirt and some damp spots of heaven knows what. A few skeletons of what I hoped weren't people were found every now and then as I continued my venture into the cave.
I placed my hand on the wall to help me guide myself along the long passageway. Luckily, I didn’t have to go much further. I stopped in front of some cave paintings. They depicted a triangular god of some sorts. It seemed to be bringing knowledge or wisdom to the ancient people of Gravity Falls. I smiled. Perfect!
I continued to look around, noticing the paintings didn’t stop at those few. The story seemed to continue, but something worried me. They seemed to be getting more adamant on not summoning this being. Why wouldn’t you want me to- right as I was asking myself the question, I got my answer. The ancient people of Gravity Falls seemed to believe that this being was to cause destruction if ever summoned to the human realm.
Regardless of the anxiety creeping up my spine at the idea, I knew I needed answers. Why would I deny myself probably one of the best chances I’d ever get to get answers? Because some cave drawings done by people way back when said I shouldn't? Who knows, it could’ve been a misunderstanding.
I took a deep breath. I looked back up and read off the phrase written on the cave wall. Of course, I had half expected something to happen. A whoosh of wind, a sound, a cloud of stardust, a thunderstrike, SOMETHING. But…the longer I waited, the more I realized that maybe I had just wasted my time. Maybe all those paintings were outdated. Maybe they had a typo, or maybe nothing really happened. Whatever the reason, nothing occurred other than me being disappointed.
Shortly after, I decided to go back home. I’ve wasted enough time. I always have time to come back and get more answers elsewhere later but currently it seemed all of my luck for today was going to be washed away in the rain and I personally would’ve hated to be caught in it.
I shuffled back towards the exit. As I reached the cave opening, I could’ve sworn I heard a whisper or something behind me. The hairs on the back of my neck rose as I looked back. Nothing and nobody.
“I need to get out of this place,” I huffed to myself. Quite clearly I was getting sucked into my head and becoming overly paranoid.
The air seemed to be more frigid now, but moist as well. I looked up to see dark looming clouds overhead covering the sky like blinds over a window. The trees had stopped their movement, the breeze now only a soft breath of air along the leaves.
A faint rumble of thunder sounded throughout the area and bounced off the hills. I felt my pace quicken slightly. The leaves and twigs crunched under my feet as I jogged through the woods back to my lab.
Once I reached my lab, I shut the door and sighed. I think I’ll take a nap. I need one anyway… I thought to myself and placed a hand to my head. I turned off the lantern and set it on a table before making my way to my room.
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When I awoke I was in an unfamiliar location. I was surrounded by my own research as well as documents of information I hadn’t discovered yet. Other things from my memory seemed to be scattered around the locale, floating in thin air. At first glance, I would’ve said I was in space due to the dark purple-ish-blue with scattered stars in the background. To say I was confused and surprised was more or less an understatement.
“Hiya, smart guy!” a cheerful voice called from behind me.
I turned around and met eye to eye with a man. I raised my eyebrows, a little confused, and felt a little shiver. Something about this felt off, but not necessarily in a bad way.
He grinned at me and placed his hands on his hips. He moved almost too fast for my eyes to follow and he was beside me to my right. I jumped and turned quickly.
“Woah, don’t have a heart attack! You’re not 92 yet,” he commented with a smile.
“Who are you?” I asked, staring at the man before me, dumbfounded. His hair was a golden yellow that fell at shoulder length, but his bangs were black. I wondered if his hair color was natural…I scanned over the rest of him, taking in his outfit. He was wearing a yellow button up with a pyramid pattern with the sleeves rolled up to half his biceps, a black bowtie, a necklace with an eyeball (slightly concerning…I hoped that it’s made of glass or plastic), black gloves, black slacks with a grey belt that had a yellow triangle attached to it. It reminded me of the drawings in the cave, though I assume he and the drawings in the cave are one in the same. To match with the slacks, he was wearing black shoes. To go with the rest of his black attire, he was wearing a black cape and tophat.
“The name’s Bill! And your name is Stanford Pines, the man who changed the world. But I’m getting ahead of ourselves,” he replied, tipping his tophat. “Let’s relax! Would you care to enjoy a game of interdimensional chess?”
Suddenly, a chess table and chess pieces appeared before my very eyes and I found myself sitting in a chair that formed into existence in a similar quick manner.
“Have a cup of tea,” Bill said as a teacup and teapot appeared, pouring what I assumed to be some kind of tea, trusting that he would say ‘have a cup of tea’ and pour me tea.
Regardless, I didn’t take a sip of tea, but instead allowed it to float beside me. I was learning quickly not to question the strange physics in this…place.
He explained to me that he was a muse who chose one mind per century to inspire with his wisdom. I felt a little flattered that he would choose me, if I was honest. However, our conversation fell silent as we both got focused on the game before us.
When the game finished, I came out victorious. I grinned in triumph as the being sitting across from me smiled slightly like a parent whose child had just beaten them in a game for the first time.
“Good game,” he grinned, sticking his hand out to shake mine. “I think you’re the first person to beat me in literally forever.”
“Oh, really?” I asked, accepting his hand and giving it a shake.
He nodded, letting go of my hand, and looking down at the chessboard before us. Almost as quickly as it appeared, it vanished. “Though, I guess that doesn’t say very much because nobody really plays chess like that where I’m from,” he laughed.
I took a sip from the teacup and nodded slowly. “I understand, yeah,” I murmured.
To be completely honest, I was still a little stoked that a being from another world with such intelligence and wisdom would choose me to inspire. I had always been told I was too smart for things. Never have I been told I was smart enough .
Bill smiled slightly at me as though reading my thoughts and put his hands to his hips. “Welp. Let me not take up too much of your time. I’ll pop in at random times to help you but I’ll need you to do something for me. We can work the details out later,” he smiled.
“Oh, well…um. Okay! I’ll see you next time, then…” I mumbled. The last I saw was his grin widening and then he was gone.
I sat up quickly, finding myself laying on the bed in my room. Was that all a dream? I looked around for a sign. Nothing seemed different at all.
I took a deep breath and stood to my feet. I need to continue doing research. There is time to consider if any of that…dream was reliable later.