[Tried to improve everything after chapter 1 which is the intro of the story is let me know if i missed something]
Later that night, after Stan's snores began echoing through the Shack like a freight train and Mabel had finally fallen asleep (clutching a bedazzled snow globe and muttering about "monster-fighting boyfriends" and "glitter strategies"), Leo and Dipper sat in the attic, poring over Journal #3.
The lamplight cast long shadows across the pages as Dipper carefully flipped through the journal, his fingers tracing the strange symbols and detailed illustrations. The leather binding creaked softly with each page turn, and Leo could smell the musty scent of old paper mixed with something else—something that reminded him of ozone, like the air after a lightning strike.
"So according to this," Dipper said, pointing to a page covered in sketches of various creatures with glowing green eyes, "these anomalous entities have been appearing more frequently over the past few weeks. Usually just one or two sightings scattered around the forest, but lately..." He flipped to another page, this one covered with a hand-drawn map of Gravity Falls marked with red X's. There were a lot more X's than Leo was comfortable seeing.
"More," Leo finished, studying the map with growing concern. "And they're getting bolder. Some of these sightings are pretty close to town."
"Exactly." Dipper's voice carried a mixture of excitement and worry. "Which means something's driving them out of their normal hiding spots. The journal mentions that supernatural activity in Gravity Falls follows certain patterns. Lunar cycles, electromagnetic readings, seasonal variations, that kind of thing." He flipped ahead several pages to show Leo a complex chart covered in numbers and astronomical symbols. "But this recent spike doesn't match any of the established patterns."
Leo nodded, studying the chart even though most of it was beyond his understanding. Internally, he was thinking about Bill Cipher. The dream demon's presence could certainly explain increased supernatural activity—Bill had a way of stirring up trouble wherever he went. But how could he explain that without revealing too much about his knowledge of future events?
"What if," Leo said carefully, choosing his words like he was defusing a bomb, "there's something bigger pulling the strings? Like, not just random supernatural stuff happening on its own, but someone or something orchestrating it? Maybe these creatures aren't just coming out of hiding—maybe they're being driven out by something even worse."
Dipper's eyes lit up with the kind of enthusiasm Leo had seen when the kid was really onto something. "That's... actually a really good theory. A catalyst theory." He flipped through more pages, his excitement growing. "The journal does mention 'powerful entities' that can influence other supernatural creatures, but it's frustratingly vague about details. Look at this."
He showed Leo a page that had been partially damaged, with several lines of text burned or scratched out so thoroughly they were unreadable. What remained was fragmentary: "...triangle shape..." and "...dreams and nightmares..." and "...never trust..."
"The author seemed really spooked by whatever this was," Dipper continued. "There are pages like this scattered throughout the journal—important information that's been deliberately obscured or destroyed. It's like he was afraid someone else might read it."
[System Note: You're approaching dangerous territory]
[Bill Cipher awareness may have unintended consequences]
[Recommend proceeding with extreme caution]
[Additional note: Dipper's investigation skills are more advanced than expected]
Leo pushed the System's warning aside, though a chill ran down his spine. He knew he was walking a tightrope here, but Dipper's safety—and Mabel's, and everyone else's—might depend on them being prepared for what was coming.
"Well, whatever's going on, we'll figure it out together," Leo said firmly. "That's what teams do, right?"
"Yeah." Dipper closed the journal and looked at Leo seriously, his young face grave in the lamplight. "Thanks, by the way. For trusting us with this. And for... you know, not thinking we're crazy. Most adults would have called child services by now if we started talking about monster hunting."
"Trust me, after fighting a glowing raccoon-thing that looked like it stepped out of a nightmare, 'crazy' is relative," Leo replied with a grin. "Besides, I'm not exactly what you'd call a normal adult either."
"You're eighteen," Dipper pointed out. "That barely counts as adult."
"Hey, I'll have you know that eighteen is plenty adult enough to make questionable life choices and pretend I know what I'm doing."
Dipper snorted with laughter, and Leo felt that warm feeling again—the sense of belonging somewhere, of having people who accepted him. It was a feeling he'd never really had in his old life, and he wasn't about to give it up without a fight.
[Social Link: Dipper Pines - Level Up!]
[Status: Trusted Ally → Close Friend]
[New Ability Unlocked: Investigative Teamwork - Enhanced cooperation in research and monster hunting]
[Bonus: Shared journal access granted]
The System chimed one more time, and Leo was surprised to see a new notification:
[Daily Quest: Beginner's Routine - INCOMPLETE]
[Reminder: Physical training improves all stats and prepares you for future challenges]
[Time remaining: 2 hours 47 minutes]
[Warning: Skipping daily training may result in decreased performance during critical moments]
Leo sighed, stretching his arms above his head. His muscles were still sore from the fight with the anomaly beast, but the System had a point. If they were going to be dealing with more supernatural threats, he needed to be in the best shape possible.
"I should probably get some exercise in before bed," he said, standing up and rolling his shoulders. "That fight last night showed me I'm not in the best shape. If we're going to be dealing with more of those creatures, I need to step up my game."
"Exercise?" Dipper looked confused, glancing at the small digital clock on his nightstand. "At midnight?"
"Push-ups, sit-ups, squats, that kind of thing. Basic conditioning." Leo started stretching, working out the kinks in his back and shoulders. "Gotta stay in fighting shape if we're going to be monster hunters. Plus, regular exercise helps with mental clarity, stress management, all that good stuff."
"That's... actually not a bad idea," Dipper said, looking thoughtful. "I mean, if we're going to be putting ourselves in dangerous situations, being physically prepared is probably smart." He hesitated, then added, "Mind if I join you? I could probably use the exercise."
Leo grinned. "Sure thing, partner. Fair warning though—I plan to push myself pretty hard. The System doesn't believe in taking it easy."
"The what now?"
Leo's brain stuttered. Right. He'd said that out loud. "Uh... my personal training system. You know, like a routine. I call it... the System. Very creative, I know."
Dipper raised an eyebrow but didn't push the issue. "Okay. Well, I can handle it. How hard can it be?"
Twenty-five minutes later, Dipper was sprawled on the attic floor, gasping for breath and looking like he'd just run a marathon. His hair was plastered to his forehead with sweat, and his face was bright red.
"How... are you... still going?" he wheezed between ragged breaths, watching as Leo continued his routine with what looked like mechanical precision. The older teen had barely broken a sweat and was showing no signs of slowing down.
"Pure stubbornness," Leo replied, finishing his final set of squats without even breathing hard. The System's enhancement of his physical abilities was becoming more noticeable with each workout—his stamina was definitely higher than it should be for someone of his previous fitness level, and his muscle recovery was suspiciously fast. "That, and spite. Spite is a fantastic motivator."
"Spite against who?"
"The universe in general. It keeps trying to kill me, so I figure I should be in good enough shape to return the favor."
Dipper managed a weak laugh. "That's... a surprisingly healthy outlook, actually."
The System chimed happily in Leo's vision:
[Daily Quest Complete: Beginner's Routine]
[+2 Strength, +2 Stamina, +10 EXP]
[Bonus: Training partner present - Additional +5 EXP]
[Level Up! Lv. 3 → Lv. 4]
[New Stat Points Available: 5]
[New Skill Available: Combat Conditioning - Improved physical performance during extended fights]
Leo felt the familiar warm energy flow through his body as his stats increased. His muscles felt less tired, his breathing was easier, and he had a general sense of improved physical capability that went beyond what normal exercise should provide.
"Alright," he said, helping Dipper to his feet with one hand, "tomorrow we start getting you in shape too. If we're going to be monster hunters, we need to be ready for anything the weirdness of this town can throw at us."
Dipper nodded, still catching his breath but looking determined. "Agreed. Though maybe we can start with... less intense training? Like, maybe work up to the full routine instead of jumping straight into the deep end?"
"We'll work up to it," Leo promised. "Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither are monster hunters. But by the time summer's over, you're going to be in the best shape of your life."
"And Mabel?"
Leo glanced over at the sleeping girl, who was now hugging Waddles and mumbling something about "ninja pig training" in her sleep. "Mabel's going to be... Mabel. But we'll make sure she can handle herself if things get dangerous."
As they finally settled down to sleep, Leo arranged his sleeping bag and stared up at the slanted ceiling of the attic. Moonlight filtered through the small window, casting strange shadows on the wooden beams. Somewhere in the distance, he could hear the sound of wind through the pine trees and the faint hoot of an owl.
One day in Gravity Falls, and he'd already fought a monster, made enemies with a psychic ten-year-old, started building relationships with the main characters, and officially joined the Mystery Twins as their third member. The System had been right about one thing—fun was definitely mandatory in this place.
But as he drifted off to sleep, Leo couldn't shake the memory of Bill Cipher's laughter echoing through the forest. The dream demon was out there somewhere, watching, waiting, planning. And Leo had a feeling their next encounter would be much more dangerous than a simple anomaly beast.
The real adventure was just beginning.
[Personal Log - End of Day 1]Location: Mystery Shack AtticStatus: Alive and mostly intactThreat Level: Moderate and risingAllies Gained: 2 (Dipper, Mabel)Enemies Made: 1 (Gideon)Mysteries Encountered: Too many to countNext Priority: Investigate increased anomaly activityPersonal Note: This place is going to be the death of me. I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.
The morning sun streamed through the attic window, casting long golden rays across Leo's makeshift sleeping area. He woke to the sound of Mabel's enthusiastic singing—something about pancakes and rainbow unicorns—and the distinct aroma of what could generously be called "breakfast" wafting up from downstairs.
Leo groaned, rolling over in his sleeping bag. Every muscle in his body ached from the previous night's encounter with the anomaly beast. The System had been unusually quiet since Bill's appearance, which somehow made him more nervous than its constant notifications.
"Rise and shine, mystery fighter!" Mabel chirped, already fully dressed in a sweater decorated with what appeared to be dancing tacos. "Grunkle Stan's making his famous Stan-cakes, which are definitely not just regular pancakes with extra grease!"
Waddles oinked in agreement, having claimed permanent residence on Leo's legs.
Dipper sat cross-legged on his bed, Journal #3 open in his lap, sketching furiously. He looked up when Leo stirred. "Sleep well? No more midnight forest adventures?"
Leo sat up slowly, dislodging a protesting Waddles. "Just the usual nightmares about sentient garden gnomes," he said, trying for levity.
The System finally flickered to life.
[Daily Quest: Beginner's Routine - ACTIVE]Progress: 0/4 tasks completedTime Limit: 24 hours
[New Quest Available: Integration Protocol]Objective: Successfully integrate into the Mystery Shack's daily operationsReward: +15 EXP, Unlock "Odd Jobs" skill treeFailure: Stan kicks you out
Leo rubbed his eyes. "Great. More chores."
"What?" Mabel asked, tilting her head.
"Nothing. Just... talking to myself again."
Dipper's pencil paused mid-sketch. Leo could practically see the gears turning in the kid's head.
______________
Downstairs, the Mystery Shack's gift shop was already prepped for another day of tourist exploitation. Stan stood behind the stove, wearing an apron that read "Kiss the Cook (But Not Really, I'll Charge You)," flipping what looked like hockey pucks in a pan. The smell was... unique. Like bacon grease mixed with something that might have once been maple syrup.
"Morning, freeloader!" Stan called cheerfully, expertly flipping a pancake that landed with a suspicious thunk on the plate. "Hope you're ready to work for your keep. I don't run a charity here. This ain't the Salvation Army, and I ain't Mother Teresa!"
Wendy lounged behind the counter, already looking bored despite the early hour. She was spinning a pen between her fingers with practiced ease, occasionally blowing bubbles with her gum. "Morning, new guy. Survived your first night in the Shack of Horrors? I'm impressed—most people either run screaming or get eaten by something weird."
"Eaten by something weird?" Leo raised an eyebrow.
"Relax, dude. I'm mostly joking. Mostly." She popped her gum. "The weird stuff usually stays in the forest. Usually."
"That's... not as reassuring as you think it is."
"Barely," Leo admitted, accepting a plate of Stan's mysterious pancakes. They looked... questionable. The pancakes were an odd grayish color, and he was pretty sure he saw one of them twitch. The System helpfully provided an analysis:
[Food Item: Stan-cakes]Nutritional Value: QuestionableSafety Rating: Probably won't kill youTaste: Surprisingly edibleWarning: May contain traces of sawdust, hope, and questionable business practices
Leo took a cautious bite, expecting the worst. The System was right—they actually weren't terrible. They tasted like regular pancakes, if regular pancakes had been made by someone who'd only heard pancakes described in a fever dream.
"See?" Stan grinned, sliding another pancake onto Leo's plate. "Secret ingredient is love. And possibly baking powder that expired in '98, but mostly love!"
Soos emerged from the kitchen, carrying his own plate stacked impossibly high with Stan-cakes. "Morning, dudes! Mr. Pines, these are even better than yesterday. Did you change something?"
"Trade secret, Soos. Can't go giving away all my culinary mysteries."
Dipper appeared at the bottom of the stairs, already dressed and carrying his journal. "Morning, everyone. Stan, please tell me you didn't use the pancake mix that's been in the back of the pantry since the Carter administration."
"Hey, that mix has character! It's vintage!"
"It's a health hazard."
"So," Stan continued, sliding a stack of flyers across the counter and pointedly ignoring Dipper's concerns, "since you're staying here, you're gonna help out. These need to be distributed around town. Tell everyone about our exciting new exhibit: The Sascrotch! Half Sasquatch, half... well, use your imagination!"
Leo picked up one of the flyers, studying the blurry photograph. It looked like someone had taken a picture of a gorilla costume while running away from it. "This is... definitely something."
Mabel bounced down the stairs, wearing a sweater that seemed to be covered in tiny dancing hot dogs. "Ooh, are we talking about Grunkle Stan's latest completely legitimate business venture?"
"Hey!" Stan protested. "The Sascrotch is totally real! I caught it myself with nothing but a net and my natural rugged masculinity!"
"Grunkle Stan," Mabel giggled, "that's not even a real word!"
"It is now! I trademarked it!" Stan pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. "See? Official government document. Cost me fifty bucks and a box of cigars, but it was worth it!"
Dipper looked up from his journal, squinting at the document. "Stan, this is a receipt from Denny's."
"Is it? Huh. Well, I'm still gonna trademark it. You can't stop me, kid!"
"You can't trademark nonsense words."
"Watch me, kid. I once convinced a guy that gravity was optional for an extra five dollars. Never underestimate the power of creative marketing!"
Wendy snorted. "Remember when you tried to sell 'invisible rope'?"
"Hey, that was a legitimate product! Just because you couldn't see it didn't mean it wasn't there!"
"Stan, you literally sold them nothing. Like, actually nothing. You handed them empty air."
"And they paid good money for it! That's called capitalism, Wendy!"
Leo couldn't help but laugh. This was exactly the kind of ridiculous conversation he'd expected from the Mystery Shack. "I can handle distributing the flyers. Might be nice to see more of the town anyway."
[Quest Update: Integration Protocol]Sub-objective: Distribute flyers around Gravity FallsProgress: 0/50 flyers distributedBonus objective: Don't get arrested for false advertising
Leo picked up one of the flyers. It featured a blurry photo of what was obviously a person in a gorilla suit with... anatomical modifications. He tried not to laugh.
[Quest Update: Integration Protocol]Sub-objective: Distribute flyers around Gravity FallsProgress: 0/50 flyers distributed
"I can handle that," Leo said. "Might be nice to see more of the town anyway."
"Excellent!" Stan rubbed his hands together greedily. "And remember—every person you convince to visit is worth five bucks to me, which means it's worth... carrying on living under my roof to you!"
Soos emerged from the back room, covered in sawdust and carrying what appeared to be a toilet seat mounted on a pedestal.
"Morning, dudes! Hey, new guy—Leo, right? I finished making your room!"
Leo blinked. "My... room?"
"Yep! I converted the old storage closet. It's got everything you need: four walls, a ceiling, and this sweet light bulb I found in the dumpster behind the hardware store!"
The System chimed:
[Housing Upgrade Available]Storage Closet → Basic RoomAmenities: Bed, Light, PrivacyCost: Free (Soos is just cool like that)
Leo grinned. "Soos, you're amazing. Thank you."
"No problemo, dude! Oh, and I installed this cool toilet seat I found. I mean, there's no toilet, but it's the thought that counts, right?"
"...Right."
____________
After breakfast, Leo set out into Gravity Falls with his stack of flyers and a sense of genuine excitement. This was his chance to explore the town he'd only seen through a screen, to meet characters he'd watched from afar.
His first stop was the arcade, where he hoped to catch Wendy during her break. The System had been oddly quiet about her since their initial meeting, which made him curious.
The arcade was dimly lit and filled with the electronic symphony of beeping, blooping, and the occasional frustrated curse from teenage gamers. Leo found Wendy at the Fight Fighters machine, decimating virtual opponents with casual expertise.
"Hey," he said, approaching carefully. "Mind if I watch?"
She glanced over, popping her gum. "Sure, knock yourself out. Fair warning though—I'm about to school this machine."
Leo watched her play, genuinely impressed by her skill. After a few minutes, she finally lost to the final boss and stretched.
"Not bad," he said. "You ever try speedrunning?"
"Speed what now?"
"Speedrunning. Like, trying to beat games as fast as possible. There are whole communities dedicated to it."
Wendy raised an eyebrow. "That sounds... actually pretty cool. Where'd you hear about it?"
Leo's brain scrambled. Right. Internet culture from his world didn't exist here yet. "Uh... friend from out of town mentioned it. Big gaming nerd."
[Social Link Progress: Wendy Corduroy +2]Current Level: AcquaintanceStatus: Mildly interested
"Huh. Well, if your friend's got any other cool gaming stuff, I'm down to hear it." She stretched again, joints popping. "So what's with the flyers? Stan got you doing his dirty work already?"
Leo held up the Sascrotch flyer. "Apparently I'm now part of the Mystery Shack marketing team."
Wendy snorted. "Good luck with that. Half the town's immune to Stan's scams by now."
"Only half?"
"Hey, tourists exist."
__________________
Leo's flyer distribution went about as well as expected. His first stop had been the hardware store, where the owner—a gruff man with suspicious stains on his apron—had taken one look at the Sascrotch flyer and burst into laughter.
"Stan's really outdoing himself this time," the man had wheezed. "Last month it was the 'Cornicorn'—half unicorn, half corn on the cob. Before that, the 'Bearracuda.' Kid's got creativity, I'll give him that."
Leo's next few stops yielded similar results. The librarian politely declined with a knowing smile. A group of teenagers outside the arcade actually applauded his commitment to the bit. One particularly memorable encounter involved an elderly woman who not only refused the flyer but chased him half a block with her purse, shouting something about "snake oil salesmen" and "corrupting the youth."
"Lady, I'm barely eighteen!" Leo had called back as he jogged away. "How am I corrupting anyone?"
"You're working for Stanford Pines!" she'd yelled back. "That's corruption enough!"
By the time he reached Main Street, Leo had developed a new appreciation for Stan's resilience. How did the man keep coming up with increasingly ridiculous schemes when everyone in town knew they were fake?
The answer, he supposed, was tourists. And sheer, stubborn determination.
It was around noon, just as Leo was beginning to think he'd never convince anyone to visit the Mystery Shack, when things got interesting.
He was approaching Greasy's Diner, its neon sign flickering erratically in the afternoon sun, when he noticed a commotion inside. Through the grease-stained windows, he could see someone with bright yellow hair gesticulating wildly at a cowering waitress. Other diners had stopped eating to stare, their expressions ranging from uncomfortable to outright afraid.
The System suddenly blazed to life:
[WARNING: Hostile Entity Detected]
[Character Identified: Gideon Charles Gleeful]Threat Level: Low-Medium (Psychic abilities present)Recommendation: Avoid confrontationNote: Subject shows signs of narcissistic personality disorder and delusions of grandeur
Leo frowned, studying the scene more carefully. Gideon was here? In the original timeline, he didn't show up until later in the summer. But then again, Leo's presence might have already started changing things. The butterfly effect was real, and he was definitely a butterfly.
Through the window, he could see little Gideon Gleeful in his pristine white suit and blue bow tie, clearly berating the poor waitress about something. His cherubic face was twisted into an expression of theatrical outrage, one small hand waving dramatically while the other pointed accusingly at his plate. Several other diners looked deeply uncomfortable but weren't intervening—they just sat there, staring at their food and pretending they couldn't hear.
The waitress, a tired-looking woman in her forties with graying hair and kind eyes, was wringing her hands and backing away slightly with each word Gideon spoke. Leo could see her name tag from here: Susan.
Leo's hand tightened on his stack of flyers. The System was recommending avoidance, which was probably the smart play. Getting involved with Gideon this early could cause all kinds of problems. But something about the scene—the way everyone was just sitting there, letting a kid terrorize a hardworking woman—rubbed him the wrong way.
[Optional Quest Triggered: Stand Up for Others]Objective: Defuse the situation at Greasy's DinerReward: +10 Karma, +5 Reputation with Gravity Falls citizensRisk: Potential conflict with Gideon GleefulWarning: Gideon possesses genuine psychic abilities and is not to be underestimated
Leo looked at the quest notification, then back at the scene in the diner. The smart thing would be to walk away. The safe thing. But as he watched Susan flinch at whatever Gideon was saying, Leo realized he'd already made his decision.
Before he could second-guess himself, Leo pushed through the diner's door, the little bell above it chiming his arrival.
"—and I specifically asked for extra bacon!" Gideon was saying in his fake southern accent, voice pitched to carry across the entire diner like he was performing on stage. "Do you see extra bacon on this plate? Because I surely do not! What I see is a tragic lack of pork products and an even more tragic lack of respect for your customers!"
The waitress—Susan, according to her name tag—wrung her hands nervously. "I'm sorry, Mr. Gleeful, but you ordered the veggie omelet. That doesn't come with—"
"Don't you sass me, woman!" Gideon's voice rose to a near-shriek, and Leo could swear he felt something in the air—a pressure, like the moment before a thunderstorm. "Do you know who I am? I am Gideon Charles Gleeful, Psychic Extraordinaire! I have powers beyond your comprehension! And I will not be disrespected by some common—"
"Hey," Leo said loudly, stepping forward into the suddenly silent diner. "Is there a problem here?"
Every eye in the place turned to him. Leo could feel the weight of their stares, the mixture of curiosity and apprehension. This was clearly a small town where everyone knew everyone, and he was the obvious outsider.
Gideon turned slowly, his cherubic face twisting into a scowl when he saw an unfamiliar teenager. Up close, he looked even younger than Leo had expected—maybe ten years old, though something about his eyes seemed much older. And wrong. There was an intelligence there that was definitely beyond his years, along with something cold and calculating that made Leo's skin crawl.
"And who might you be, stranger?" Gideon asked, his voice dropping to a more normal volume but gaining a dangerous edge. "I don't believe we've been introduced."
"Someone who thinks maybe you should tone it down a notch," Leo said, surprised by how calm his own voice sounded. His heart was hammering in his chest, but he kept his expression neutral. "She's just doing her job."
The diner had gone completely quiet now. Leo could hear the hum of the fluorescent lights, the distant sizzle of something on the grill, the soft tick of the wall clock. Everyone was staring, waiting to see what would happen next.
Gideon's eyes narrowed, studying Leo with an intensity that made him want to squirm. "Well, well. Another do-gooder. How... quaint." He stepped closer, his small hands clasped behind his back like a miniature businessman. "Perhaps you don't understand how things work in this town, newcomer."
Leo could feel it now—something pressing against his mind. Not painful, but definitely unnatural. Like someone trying to push their way into his thoughts, probing for weaknesses. It felt invasive, wrong, like mental fingers rifling through his private thoughts.
[System Alert: Psychic pressure detected][Resistance: Moderate]
[Gideon Gleeful is attempting to intimidate you]
[Mental Resistance skill activating...]
[Success! Psychic attack deflected]
The pressure vanished abruptly, and Leo felt something shift in the System—like a shield sliding into place around his mind. His thoughts were his own again.
He could see the exact moment Gideon realized his psychic powers weren't working. The boy's eyes widened slightly, genuine surprise flickering across his features before being quickly replaced by cold calculation.
"Interesting," Gideon murmured, his voice losing its theatrical quality and becoming genuinely curious. "Very interesting indeed. You're not like the others, are you?"
The tension in the diner was thick enough to cut with a knife. Leo could see other customers shifting nervously in their seats, some of them half-risen as if ready to bolt for the door. Susan had backed against the wall, her eyes darting between Leo and Gideon like she was watching a nature documentary about predators.
Leo knew he was in over his head. This wasn't just some spoiled kid throwing a tantrum—this was someone with real power, someone dangerous. But backing down now would make things worse for everyone, especially Susan.
"Look," Leo said, keeping his voice steady and reasonable, "why don't you just pay for your food and leave? Everyone here just wants to eat in peace. There's no need to make this into a big production."
For a moment, Gideon stared at him with those unsettling pale blue eyes, his head tilted slightly like a bird of prey studying potential prey. Leo could practically see the gears turning in the kid's head, weighing options, calculating advantages.
Then, unexpectedly, Gideon smiled. It was a bright, innocent expression that didn't reach his eyes at all.
"You know what? You're absolutely right." His voice had returned to its saccharine sweetness, but there was still that edge underneath—like honey poured over broken glass. He pulled out his wallet, a expensive-looking leather thing that probably cost more than most people made in a week, and left a twenty on the table. "Keep the change, darling," he told Susan, who looked stunned by the sudden shift in mood.
As he walked past Leo toward the door, his expensive shoes clicking on the linoleum, Gideon paused. He was so short that Leo had to look down at him, but somehow the kid still managed to seem threatening.
"What did you say your name was?" Gideon asked conversationally.
"I didn't."
"Hmm." Gideon's smile widened, showing too many teeth. "Well, I'm sure we'll be seeing each other again... very soon." The way he said it, with that slight emphasis on 'very,' made Leo's skin crawl. "This has been most... educational."
As the door swung shut behind him, Leo caught a glimpse of Gideon through the window. The boy had stopped on the sidewalk and was looking back at the diner with an expression of intense concentration, as if he was trying to solve a particularly challenging puzzle.
After a moment, the normal sounds of the diner gradually returned. Conversations resumed, though in more hushed tones. Silverware clinked against plates. Someone coughed nervously.
Susan approached Leo with tears in her eyes, her hands still shaking slightly. "Thank you so much, honey. That boy's been making trouble all over town lately, and usually no one stands up to him. People are scared of him, you know? They say he can... do things."
"What kind of things?" Leo asked, though he was pretty sure he already knew the answer.
"Mind tricks. Making people do what he wants. There's stories..." She glanced around nervously, then lowered her voice. "My friend Martha, she works at the bank? She says Gideon came in last week asking about some old property records, and when the manager said no, Gideon just... looked at him. Next thing you know, the manager's handing over confidential files like it was nothing."
Leo nodded grimly. "Well, he can't hurt you in here. There's too many witnesses."
"You don't understand, honey. That boy doesn't need to be alone with you to hurt you. He can just... make you want to hurt yourself." Susan shuddered. "But you... you stood up to him. How?"
[Quest Complete: Stand Up for Others]+10 Karma, +5 Reputation with Gravity Falls citizens[New Skill Unlocked: Mental Resistance - Level 1][Social Link Established: Susan (Waitress)]
Leo accepted her thanks graciously, but his mind was racing. Gideon's psychic powers had tried to work on him, but the System had blocked them. That was... concerning. It meant the System was more than just a game interface—it was actively protecting him.
But it also meant he was now on Gideon's radar. And judging by that parting comment, the little psychopath was planning something.
___________________
Leo was walking back toward the Mystery Shack, his flyer distribution forgotten in favor of processing what had just happened with Gideon, when he heard someone call his name.
"Leo! Hey, wait up!"
He turned to see Pacifica Northwest jogging toward him, her blonde hair gleaming in the afternoon sun like spun gold. She was dressed casually—for her—in a designer sundress that probably cost more than most people's monthly rent, paired with sandals that looked like they belonged in a fashion magazine. Even her "casual" look was perfectly coordinated, from her pearl earrings to her manicured nails.
[New Encounter: Pacifica Northwest]Danger Level: LowSocial Complexity: High (Family expectations, social pressure, hidden depths)Romance Potential: ...sigh Why do I even bother calculating this anymore? You're clearly going to befriend every attractive person in this town.
Leo tried to ignore the System's commentary. "Oh. Hey, Pacifica."
She slowed to a stop in front of him, slightly out of breath from jogging in those impractical sandals. Up close, he could see that despite her perfect appearance, there were subtle signs of stress—a tightness around her eyes, a forced quality to her smile that reminded him of someone trying very hard to maintain a facade.
"I saw what happened at the diner," she said, her voice carrying that distinctive Northwest confidence with just a hint of something else underneath. "That was... actually pretty cool."
Leo blinked in surprise. This was not the conversation he'd expected to have with Pacifica Northwest. In the show, she'd started as the stereotypical mean girl—rich, popular, and dismissive of anyone beneath her social status. But this felt different. More genuine.
"Thanks? I guess?" He studied her face, looking for signs of sarcasm or mockery. "I mean, it wasn't really a big deal. Just seemed like the right thing to do."
"No, seriously." Pacifica shook her head, her perfectly styled hair swaying with the movement. "Gideon's been throwing his weight around town for months, and everyone just takes it because of his stupid psychic powers. My parents think he's 'charming' and 'entrepreneurial.'" She made air quotes, her tone making it clear what she thought of her parents' opinion. "But you just... stood up to him. And it worked."
There was something in her voice—a note of admiration mixed with something that sounded almost like longing—that made Leo look at her more carefully. Under her perfect makeup and carefully styled hair, she looked tired. Stressed. Like someone carrying a weight she couldn't share.
"Are you okay?" he asked, the question slipping out before he could think better of it.
The question seemed to catch her completely off guard. For a moment, her carefully maintained composure flickered, and Leo caught a glimpse of something vulnerable underneath all that polish and poise.
"I... what?" She blinked, as if the idea that someone might be concerned about her wellbeing was foreign. "What do you mean?"
"You look like you haven't been sleeping well. And you seem nervous about something." Leo kept his voice gentle, non-threatening. "I know we don't really know each other, but... is everything alright?"
For a moment, Pacifica just stared at him. Leo could practically see her internal debate—the instinct to maintain her perfect facade warring with what looked like a genuine desire to talk to someone, anyone, about whatever was bothering her.
Finally, her shoulders sagged slightly. "I... it's nothing. Family stuff. You know how it is."
[System Insight: Pacifica is dealing with intense family pressure]
[Her parents have been pushing her harder lately regarding social status and family reputation]
[She's looking for any sign of genuine human connection]
[Warning: The Northwest family has a dark history in Gravity Falls]
Leo's heart went out to her. He knew what was coming in her storyline—the revelation about her family's dark past, the pressure from her parents, the slow realization that she'd been raised to be someone she didn't want to be. But that was still weeks or months away in the timeline. Right now, she was just a lonely teenage girl trapped by expectations she didn't choose.
"Actually, I don't," Leo said carefully, leaning against a nearby fence post to make himself seem less threatening. "My family situation is... complicated. But I get the impression that 'family stuff' covers a lot of territory, especially when you're expected to live up to certain standards."
Pacifica's eyes widened slightly, as if she hadn't expected him to understand. "Yeah. That's... exactly it." She looked around nervously, as if worried someone might be listening. "It's like... everyone expects you to be this perfect version of yourself all the time, and if you're not..." She trailed off, shaking her head.
"Then you're letting everyone down," Leo finished softly.
"Exactly." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "And the worst part is, you start to forget who you really are underneath all the expectations. Like, sometimes I look in the mirror and I don't even know if the person looking back is really me, or just... what everyone wants me to be."
The vulnerability in her voice was heartbreaking. This was so far from the mean girl persona she'd shown in the early episodes of the show. This was just a scared, lonely teenager who'd been raised to believe her worth was tied to her family's reputation.
"Well," Leo said carefully, "if it helps, you seem pretty real to me right now. Maybe the person you are when you're not trying to be perfect is who you really are."
Pacifica stared at him for a long moment, her blue eyes wide. "Why would you say something like that? You barely know me."
"Because everyone deserves to have someone in their corner. Even rich, popular girls with perfect lives."
"My life isn't perfect," she said quietly, her voice carrying a weight of pain that made Leo's chest tighten.
"I know." He smiled gently. "Perfect lives don't leave people looking like they carry the world on their shoulders."
They stood there for a moment in comfortable silence, the afternoon sun filtering through the pine trees and casting dappled shadows on the sidewalk. Leo could hear the distant sounds of the town—cars driving by, someone's dog barking, the faint sound of music from a radio somewhere.
Finally, Pacifica seemed to remember herself and straightened up, her mask of perfect composure sliding back into place like armor. But there was something different about it now—less brittle, more genuine.
"Anyway, I should get going. My parents are expecting me at the country club for some boring charity luncheon." She started to leave, then paused, looking back at him with an expression he couldn't quite read. "Leo? Thanks. For... you know. Most people just see the money and the clothes and assume that means everything's perfect."
"Most people don't look very hard," Leo replied.
She smiled then, and for the first time since he'd met her, it looked completely genuine. "Maybe you're right about that."
[Social Link Established: Pacifica Northwest - Level 1]
[Status: Tentatively interested]
[Note: She's more complex than she appears]
As Leo watched her walk away, he couldn't help but smile. Maybe he was changing things already. And maybe, just maybe, that was a good thing.
____________________
By the time Leo made it back to the Mystery Shack, the afternoon crowd was in full swing. He could hear Stan's booming voice from inside, spinning some elaborate tale about the Sascrotch's mating habits to a group of bewildered tourists.
He found Dipper and Mabel in the gift shop. Dipper was restocking the snow globes (which contained what appeared to be glitter and wood chips), while Mabel was bedazzling everything in sight.
"Leo!" Mabel bounced over, accidentally flinging glitter everywhere. "How was your flyer adventure? Did you meet anyone cool? Did you fight any monsters? Please tell me you fought monsters!"
"No monsters," Leo said, grinning at her enthusiasm. "But I did meet some interesting people."
Dipper looked up from the snow globes. "Define 'interesting.'"
Leo hesitated. How much should he tell them about Gideon? They'd encounter him soon enough in the original timeline, but his presence might have accelerated things.
"Well, I met this kid named Gideon at the diner. Seemed... intense."
Dipper's eyes narrowed. "Gideon? As in Gideon Gleeful?"
"You know him?"
"Know of him. He's got some kind of tent revival show on the other side of town. Claims to have psychic powers." Dipper's voice was heavy with skepticism. "Probably just another scam artist like Grunkle Stan, but with a religious twist."
[System Note: Dipper doesn't know about real psychic powers yet]
[His worldview is about to be challenged very soon]
"Maybe," Leo said noncommittally. "He definitely seemed like he thought he was special."
Mabel gasped dramatically. "Ooh, is he cute? Please tell me there's a cute psychic boy in town! That would be like... the best summer romance ever!"
Both Leo and Dipper stared at her in horror.
"Mabel," Dipper said slowly, "you do realize that if someone actually had psychic powers, they could probably manipulate your thoughts, right?"
"Even better! Mind control is so romantic!"
"That's... that's the opposite of romantic, Mabel. That's literally the most unromantic thing possible."
"You guys have no imagination," Mabel declared, then skipped off to bedazzle something else.
Leo and Dipper shared a look of mutual understanding.
"Your sister is..." Leo began.
"Terrifying? Yeah, I know."
The Daily Grind
The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of tourist management and odd jobs. Leo found himself surprisingly good at the work—the System seemed to boost his efficiency at mundane tasks, turning what should have been tedious labor into something almost game-like.
[Skill Gained: Customer Service - Level 1]
[Skill Gained: Manual Labor - Level 1]
[Integration Protocol: 75% Complete]
Stan seemed pleased with his work ethic, which translated into slightly less insulting nicknames. He'd gone from "freeloader" to "unpaid intern," which Leo supposed was progress.
Wendy spent most of her shift teaching Leo the fine art of looking busy while doing absolutely nothing. "The key," she explained, "is to always have a clipboard. People see a clipboard, they assume you're doing something important."
"What if they ask what you're doing?"
"Tell them you're conducting a survey. Then ask them a bunch of random questions until they go away."
Leo was beginning to understand why Dipper had such a massive crush on her.
As evening approached, the tourist crowds thinned out. Stan retired to his office to count money, Wendy headed home, and Soos started his mysterious evening maintenance routine that involved a lot of power tools and what sounded like construction.
Leo found himself alone with the twins in the gift shop.
"So," Dipper said, closing up the register, "you never did explain what you were really doing in the forest last night."
Mabel looked up from her bedazzling project (a snow globe that now sparkled like a disco ball). "Oh yeah! Tell us about the raccoon demon!"
Leo sighed. He'd been dreading this conversation all day.
"Look, I know it sounds crazy, but there really was something out there. Some kind of... mutated animal. Glowing eyes, weird energy around it."
Dipper's expression grew serious. "Weird energy? What kind of weird energy?"
"Green. Crackling. Like... like electricity, but wrong somehow."
Dipper and Mabel exchanged a look. Then Dipper opened his vest and pulled out Journal #3.
"Did it look anything like this?" He showed Leo a page filled with sketches of various creatures, all with the same characteristic green glow around their eyes.
Leo's heart skipped a beat. "Yeah. Exactly like that."
[System Alert: Canon knowledge being revealed early][Dipper is connecting the dots faster than expected][Timeline alteration: Minimal but growing]
Dipper flipped through several more pages, his excitement growing. "These are anomalous entities. I've been tracking them all summer, but I've never seen anyone actually fight one and win." He looked up at Leo with something approaching awe. "How did you do it?"
Leo felt trapped between honesty and self-preservation. The System offered no helpful prompts this time.
"I... got lucky. And I had a big stick."
"A big stick," Dipper repeated flatly.
"A really big stick?"
Mabel suddenly gasped so loud that both boys jumped. "OH MY GOSH! Leo! You're like... a monster hunter! That's so cool! Are you gonna teach me how to fight demons? Can I get a big stick too? Does this mean you're like a secret agent or something?"
"Mabel—"
"Is that why you won't tell us where you came from? Because you're on a secret mission? Are there more monsters? Are you here to protect us? Oh oh oh, are you from the future?"
Leo's brain was spinning trying to keep up with her rapid-fire questions. Finally, he held up his hands for silence.
"Okay, okay! Look... I'm not a secret agent or a time traveler or anything like that. I'm just... someone who ended up in Gravity Falls and is trying to make the best of it. And yeah, apparently I have a knack for dealing with weird stuff. But I don't know much more than you do about what's going on in this town."
It wasn't technically a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either.
Dipper studied him carefully. "But you're willing to help us figure it out?"
[Major Choice Point]Join the Mystery Twins as an official ally: High reward, High riskStay on the sidelines: Safer, but limits growth potentialTake charge of investigations: Maximum reward, Maximum risk
Leo looked at the twins—at Dipper's earnest hope and Mabel's bubbling excitement—and felt something settle into place.
"Yeah," he said. "Yeah, I'm in."
[Quest Complete: Integration Protocol]
[Major Quest Unlocked: The Mystery Trio]
[Objective: Support Dipper and Mabel in their supernatural investigations]
[Warning: This path will lead to significant timeline changes]
[Reward: Unlimited growth potential, Deep friendships, Possible romance options]
[Risk: Everything]
Mabel squealed and threw her arms around Leo in a bone-crushing hug. "This is going to be the best summer ever!"
Dipper grinned—the first completely genuine smile Leo had seen from him. "Welcome to the team, Leo."
Evening Training
Later that night, after Stan's snores began echoing through the Shack and Mabel had finally fallen asleep (clutching a bedazzled snow globe and muttering about "monster-fighting boyfriends"), Leo and Dipper sat in the attic, poring over Journal #3.
"So according to this," Dipper said, pointing to a page about anomalous creatures, "these things have been appearing more frequently over the past few weeks. Usually just one or two sightings, but lately..."
"More," Leo finished. "And they're getting bolder."
"Exactly. Which means something's driving them out of hiding." Dipper flipped to another page. "The journal mentions that supernatural activity in Gravity Falls follows certain patterns. Lunar cycles, electromagnetic readings, that kind of thing."
Leo nodded, though internally he was thinking about Bill Cipher. The dream demon's presence could certainly explain increased supernatural activity. But how could he explain that without revealing too much?
"What if," Leo said carefully, "there's something bigger pulling the strings? Like, not just random supernatural stuff, but someone or something orchestrating it?"
Dipper's eyes lit up. "That's... actually a really good theory. The journal does mention 'powerful entities' that can influence other supernatural creatures." He flipped ahead several pages. "But it's frustratingly vague about details."
[System Note: You're approaching dangerous territory]
[Bill Cipher awareness may have unintended consequences]
[Recommend proceeding with caution]
Leo pushed the System's warning aside. "Well, whatever's going on, we'll figure it out together."
"Yeah." Dipper closed the journal and looked at Leo seriously. "Thanks, by the way. For trusting us with this. And for... you know, not thinking we're crazy."
"Trust me, after fighting a glowing raccoon-thing, 'crazy' is relative."
They shared a laugh, and Leo felt that warm feeling again—the sense of belonging somewhere. Of having people who accepted him.
[Social Link: Dipper Pines - Level Up!][Status: Trusted Ally]
[New Ability Unlocked: Investigative Teamwork]
The System chimed one more time:
[Daily Quest: Beginner's Routine - INCOMPLETE]
[Reminder: Physical training improves all stats]
[Time remaining: 3 hours]
Leo sighed. "I should probably get some exercise in before bed. That fight last night showed me I'm not in the best shape."
"Exercise?" Dipper looked confused. "At midnight?"
"Push-ups, sit-ups, that kind of thing. Gotta stay in fighting shape if we're going to be dealing with more of those creatures."
"That's... actually not a bad idea. Mind if I join you?"
Leo grinned. "Sure. Fair warning though—I plan to push myself pretty hard."
"I can handle it."
Twenty minutes later, Dipper was gasping for breath on the attic floor while Leo continued his routine with mechanical precision. The System's enhancement of his physical abilities was becoming more noticeable—his stamina was definitely higher than it should be for someone of his previous fitness level.
"How... are you... still going?" Dipper wheezed.
"Pure stubbornness," Leo replied, finishing his final set of squats. The System chimed happily:
[Daily Quest Complete: Beginner's Routine]
[+2 Strength, +2 Stamina, +10 EXP]
[Level Up! Lv. 2 → Lv. 3]
[New Stat Points: 5]
[New Skill Available: Enhanced Conditioning]
Leo felt a warm energy flow through his body as his stats increased. His muscles felt less tired, his breathing was easier, and he had a general sense of improved physical capability.
"Alright," he said, helping Dipper to his feet, "tomorrow we start getting you in shape too. If we're going to be monster hunters, we need to be ready for anything."
Dipper nodded, still catching his breath. "Agreed. Though maybe we can start with... less intense training?"
"We'll work up to it."
As they finally settled down to sleep, Leo stared up at the slanted ceiling and thought about everything that had happened. One day in Gravity Falls, and he'd already fought a monster, made enemies with Gideon, started building relationships with the main characters, and officially joined the Mystery Twins.
The System had been right about one thing—fun was definitely mandatory in this place.
But as he drifted off to sleep, Leo couldn't shake the memory of Bill Cipher's laughter echoing through the forest. The dream demon was out there somewhere, watching, waiting.
And Leo had a feeling their next encounter would be much more dangerous than a simple anomaly beast.
[End of Chapter 2]
[Status Report:]Level: 3EXP: 35/150Health: 100/100Mana: 50/50
Stats:
Strength: 12
Speed: 10
Stamina: 14
Intelligence: 13
Charisma: 11
Luck: 8
Skills:
- Quickstep (Level 1)
- Mental Resistance (Level 1)
- Customer Service (Level 1)
- Manual Labor (Level 1)
- Enhanced Conditioning (Level 1)
Social Links:
- Mabel Pines: Trusted Friend
- Dipper Pines: Trusted Ally
- Stan Pines: Tolerated Employee
- Wendy Corduroy: Casual Acquaintance
- Soos Ramirez: Friendly
- Pacifica Northwest: Tentatively Interested
- Susan (Waitress): Grateful
- Gideon Gleeful: Hostile Interest
Active Quests:
- The Mystery Trio (Major)
- Daily Routine (Repeatable)
Warnings:
- Bill Cipher is aware of your presence
- Timeline alterations are increasing
- Gideon Gleeful considers you a threat
- Unknown entities may be monitoring the situation
System Note: Your choices are beginning to reshape the narrative. Proceed with excitement... and caution.
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