Back To Gravity Falls: Beware the Beast (Multiverse Crossover)

Gravity Falls Community Radio

Full chapter name: Gravity Falls Community Radio (with an ear to the ground)
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Norman looked at the house once more and suppressed a sigh, taking in the cramped, dusty cabin that looked like it wasn't much more than a way-point to rest between trips. In truth, that was all it really was-- an old house held together by memories and old-fashioned, hardy craftsmanship.

Dipper still stared at the house thoughtfully when Norman broke the silence of the quiet street with a disgruntled tone.

"Wait, why are we going here? The Mystery Shack isn't for several blocks, I thought the whole reason we came out was for your journals." Norman asked, arms subconsciously crossed.

"I do want them," Dipper explained, "but I also want my great uncles to provide some knowledge that only they can. Ford has dealt with supernatural entities for longer than I've been alive, why shouldn't we ask his opinion? Because Wirt doesn't like them?-- No offense."

"None taken," Norman responded, eyes catching sight of a figure passing a window on the side of the house. "We should go in."

Dipper knocked on the door, a few heavy footfalls thumping around followed by the frowning expression of Stan, who barely spared a glance before ushering them in.

He sat them at the table, pulling a bar stool from the pantry to sit on for himself. None of the furniture matched, each wood piece a different wood, color, stain, you name it. Even the living room furniture mix-matched beyond excuse for "modern" decor. To the boys, the house looked like a garage sale puked on it. To be fair though, it practically had.

Stan took a bite out of the banana he plucked from the bunch on the table and talked through his food, "Comin fo hep, huh?"

"Yeah," Dipper nodded, eyes watching his great uncle intently. He hadn't seen him for years, sure, but Stan seemed much older than before. He didn't seem to be much of a smiler anymore either. "We wanted to know if you or Gruncle Ford have dealt with anything like this before."

"Well, definitely not me," Stan rolled his eyes, "and who knows what Ford knows. Don't you practically have the journals memorized, why are you asking me?"

"I could only write down what I remembered at the time and most of it was Bill gibberish from a scared kid. Give me a break, okay?" Dipper snapped, "Where's Ford?"

"Think he went to go get groceries, we haven't been at the house in months. Cabinet is as empty as the Pit." Stan finished his banana, throwing the peel away.

"Then where'd you get the banana?" Norman asked, pointing with his thumb at the bunch.

"May or may not have swiped it from the neighbor's grocery delivery, but that's beside the point." he defended. "When Ford gets back, you all should talk about this. I still don't know much about all this stuff, he has years of experience on both of us, kids. Shouldn't be too long now, if you wanna turn on the radio and listen to show tunes... or whatever they play on the radio in this town nowadays."

Dipper shrugged and got up, turning on the radio, "Maybe they'll have another report on the victims, could get some new info."

"Even if it's just speculation of everyone in town leaning on their radio, with their phone in hand." Stan grumbled to himself, "I hope Ford brings some booze back with him."

Norman looked at Stan and felt a weight in his chest. Dad does that too, he thought to himself, turn to the drink when anything doesn't go his way or doesn't seem easy to handle. Mom is just sad, subdued smiles and meds. Courtney is just absent, physically and emotionally.

I get bad too sometimes. Norman glanced back up at Dipper who was sitting beside him, elbows on his knees and leaning forward listening intently to some local indie band's song as if it held all the answers. When I get bad, though, I drown myself in my screenplay. Just shut it all down and repurpose my negative feelings for the sake of art. Not exactly the healthiest thing to do, but what else do I have?

Dipper, he wondered to himself. Mabel too... maybe. We'll see.

Once the song finished, a young male voice came on the radio, an odd combination of dated vernacular and a charming childish lilt to his voice.

"Hell-lo Gravity Falls! This is your ear to the ground and the voice to the masses, Tad Cornelius Strange, and here's today's forecast-" the radio chimed, Dipper turning the volume down a moment to look out the window as Ford pulled up the driveway in an old station wagon.

"Guess he's home to talk now," Dipper thought aloud.

"Guess so," Norman replied, suddenly desperate for a drink of water to soothe the uncomfortable lump in his throat.

Ford entered with a curse, bellowing that Stan should have at least held the door if he didn't plan on helping. Once he caught sight of the boys, he seemed slightly embarrassed and his features softened.

"Give me a few minutes, boys."

Dipper returned his hand to the knob of the radio, turning the music up as silence fell in the small house. Ford made trips from the car to inside, swift but focused, lips pinched shut.

They would have to talk about it sooner or later: the folly of throwing the journals into the pit, the bad sense of delving into all of this madness alone, and the tips needed to survive this whole ordeal. Surely, Stan would use choice phrases such as "you nimrods", "touched in the head", and "what were you thinking?". Ford, on the other hand, would most surely remain quiet for a long time before speaking after Stan. He would be taking his time to explain the dangers while also being firm that they should accept the help of adults, that they should not bear the burden alone. His knowledge did not extend too much further than theirs and that made him even more nervous for the lot of them.

This, of course, would all be followed by Dipper defending himself with just a little too much venom. His fingers would clench and unclench into fists as Norman would offer impartial advice, to take the help offered but only under their conditions so that they could handle it their own way. Dipper would reluctantly agree, while the great-uncles of a boy who used to smile much more often, would only agree because they felt out of viable options. At least the agreement would allow them to be involved to some degree.

After this, the boys would continue on their way and head to their real destination, to collect Dipper's journals. They would walk in silence, sure that they were doing the right thing by bearing this weight alone.

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A.N.

Just looked up Tad and he is voiced by Cecil. My life is changed.

-troll voice- Oh my god.

-dog voice- What is this- a crossover episode?

-young boy voice- Yes, yes it is.

And now, back to your regular programming.

Hope you enjoy this chapter's weather.

Goodnight, Mystery Kids. Goodnight.