Gravity Powers - Stranger Than Mystery - Book 3

Chapter 3 - Marching Forth

"Director." An agent asked peeking his head through the office doorway.

"What is it now, Agent?" A young man no older than Dipper asked sitting in his chair. The office was decorated more like a teacher's desk area in a high school classroom than a director of the Paranormal Investigation and Apprehension Agency. On his desk was a picture of him and his brother wearing silly outfits. Probably for Halloween.

"Y-you've seen the news, right, sir?" He asked.

"The news is always full of biased opinions. Why would I?" The man asked.

"W-well. You know that one guy, Gideon Gleeful?" The agent asked stepping further into the room.

"Know him? He's practically the reason Williams left and I took over." He said.

"He had someone as a guest on his...weird show. And that guy. There's been so many reports of viewers'....shadows coming to life and attacking them." The agent gulped. "A-a few casualties....Most have been injured...."

The young director turned his chair around to the edge of his desk. He slammed a button down with his fist. "We're on red-alert, Agent. Tell everyone who doesn't get the blaring sirens and lights. We're going after Gleeful."

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"I've only heard that name one other time in my life." Kronos said. "Atbash once told me about him. But he never said anything about him except that he was a traitor. I'm a traitor to the demons, so why is he attacking people?"

"I don't know. I'm as shocked as you. Tad Strange was the most normal guy ever. Granted, that his normal...ness was a little too much. But that was ironically normal for Gravity Falls." Dipper said.

Markus broke from his dad and walked off. "Go to your mother, Markus." Dipper told him.

"Well. One thing's for sure. We have to find the source of that broadcast." Kronos said angrily.

Dipper nodded. They walked over to the living room. Everyone was holding each other and tending to each other's wounds. Luckily, no one was hurt too badly. Pacifica limped over to Dipper, trying to hide it. "Paz." He said. She put a finger to his mouth.

"I'm ok, honey. One grabbed my leg but nothing happened." She said.

Kronos walked over to Candy. "You ok?" He asked.

Candy nodded. She looked sickly pale from the fright. "I'm so sorry." Kronos said.

"You have no reason to be." She assured him.

"Dad! What was that?" Kai asked running up to him.

"I don't know. But it had something to do with that strange man on the TV." Kronos looked over at the monitor. The show was still going with Gideon asking Tad what that was all about.

Tad smiled wickedly and turned to him. "Just a demonstration. But you should probably turn the show off before people start looking for us."

"What did you do?!" Gideon was now yelling.

"I told you the plan changed." Tad said inspecting his fingertips.

"Did that flick of your wrist...do something?" Gideon asked.

"Of course it did." Tad rolled his horizontal, blue eyes. "I showed everyone watching what power I have."

Gideon thought to himself then looked back up. "T-the shadows?"

"Ding-ding-ding!" Tad pointed at him. "It's all a part of my plan. And unfortunately for you, this plan....won't change."

"So what do you expect me to do?!" Gideon yelled at him.

"I suggest you start running and hiding if you don't want an angry mob of who knows what to catch you." Tad smirked and sat back on the couch.

Gideon pointed at him and tried to say something but couldn't. He ran to a part of his mansion where all the leftover monsters gathered. "Everyone! Meet at our second location! Now!"

The monsters started to file out the back exit without further explanation. He looked back at Tad who was simply relaxing on the couch like nothing bad was going to happen. "I'm not going anywhere. Yet you'll be the first to die, Gleeful. Farewell." He called.

Gideon flared his nostrils. "You're just like every other demon I've ever met! I thought you were different! But you're not. You're exactly the same. A liar. A trickster."

"WRONG!" Tad snapped and stood up. As he did, a shockwave was sent through the room from him. "I am not like the other demons. I'm much....stranger. Those demons betrayed me. Ironically, spending an eternity banished here on earth with humans made me worse than any demon in existence. You wanna know why?"

Gideon didn't know why he did, but he nodded. "Because humans are much worse than demons. I've learned that from experience. They are much much crueler. Self-centered. Prideful." Tad answered for him. "So in order to fulfill my vow. I will have to eliminate all who stand in my way. And every human I've ever met is worthy of that fate."

"What fate?" Gideon asked.

"Well. One of two fates. They either pledge themselves to me....and kneel. Or die a most horrible death." Tad smirked.

"I-I pledge myself to you....Will you grant me power over the Earth?" Gideon got down on one knee and looked up at him.

"Maybe." Tad said. "Now go."

Gideon stood back up and ran out the door.

Dipper turned the television off and gathered everyone together again. "No one turn the TV on. I'm going to find the people responsible for this attack. And I'll need some help."

"So going with you, bro!" Mabel raised her hand quickly leaving Mermando in the dust.

Kronos stepped forward. "I'll go."

Rory stepped forward pushing Ty back and looking at him worriedly. She turned back to Dipper. "I'm going." Ty looked at her and nodded. He then pulled her close for a quick kiss.

"I'm going." Zak said.

"Guess that means I'm joining you guys." Wendy added.

"Dood. I wish I could go." Soos spoke up.

"Sorry, Soos. You got a big family. I think it's best if you stay with them." Dipper said.

"Oh ok. Because I totally learned some sweet fight moves a while ago. I could totally help you guys but I guess my family comes first." Soos said walking back to join his wife, Melody, and their five kids all standing at attention.

Pacifica stepped forward and walked to Dipper. She looked him square in the eye. "Be careful." She said.

Dipper tenderly put a hand to her cheek. "I can't promise that. But I can promise to come back."

"Then do that." She said softly leaning her head against his hand.

"I love you." Dipper said.

She lifted her hand and pulled back his short bangs to reveal his birthmark. She remembered the first day he showed her the unique shape on his forehead and falling in love with it. He was more embarrassed than ever and that only added to how adorable it was. She smiled and kissed the mark then pulled away. "I love you too." She whispered before backing away.

Ford handed Dipper his folded suit and hugged him. "Good luck, son." He said.

Kai, Markus, Violet, the triplets, and Samaera watched as the small group marched out the front doors. Markus ran upstairs to his bedroom and slammed the door.

The group looked at each other as they marched on to Dipper's truck. They'd handled much worse. Why would this worry them?

Because this attack wasn't on any city, any random innocent lives, it was on their family. This was personal.