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

Volumes of Forgotten Lore

They shared the paper in a small spot between them, reading their own stacks. Norman was given Ford's old journals while Dipper read his own for the sake of a semblance of (unneeded) privacy. Aside from a few sappy lines in the journals about Wendy, there was nothing to be embarrassed about. Dipper found something he had been looking for, though-- a passage about something Ford noticed in the woods, in passing, a story Ford told him that he recounted briefly in his journal, followed by a piece of a page ripped out from a book taped under it.

Dipper tapped Norman's shoulder, setting the journal in Norman's lap with his finger pointing to the passage, "Read here."

The sounds of the others in the kitchen, talking, utensils clinking against plates, and the faint sound of the radio from the kitchen were the only sounds. Norman read quietly, then after finishing the passage he took a deep breath and sighed.

"Think this thing might be connected?" Norman asked. "Where did you get this book page?"

"Ford found it after he encountered it, when he told me the story he gave it to me to go with it. I don't think he really believes in what he saw, he said he was tired and he could have been dreaming."

"If I saw a snake talking, I would probably think it was a dream too. If it was a dream, it's oddly specific... Though, I guess it could be related. Who's to say a human-devouring wolf and a talking snake have nothing to do with each other?" Norman rolled his eyes, half sarcastic.

"The page is from an old book on, uh, native american legends, I think? I don't recognize the name of the legend it's referencing but the name... I feel like I've heard it somewhere..." Dipper wondered aloud, then raised his voice to reach the others in the room beside them. "Any of you guys know anything about western-hemisphere indigenous folklore?"

"Wybs does, although you're talking pretty broad I'm not sure where you mean" Coraline offered, finishing her plate and washing it in the sink. "His gram's family tree has roots in a native mexican tribe out of... Zapotec, right? She told us a few stories over the years. Why?"

"Ever heard of...? Wow. Not even going to try to pronounce that." Norman laughed. "Let me spell it: T-E-Z-C-A-T-L-I-P-O-C-A. According to this entry, it is a god that appears as a talking black and yellow snake that resembles a, uh, Mohave Shovel-nosed Snake? It also can take other forms like that of a blood-jeweled fowl-- whatever that is-- and a jaguar, and as a black and yellow tiger moth."

"It's a turkey," Wybie grinned. "Blood-jeweled fowl is basically a turkey. She never really told me any stories about ol' Tezzy, she said the stories were often really dark and inappropriate for a child. I can call her up, though, see what she says. Maybe she knows something."

"Yeah, it can't hurt." Norman looked at what he had read so far and so far found nothing of use. "I'm getting nowhere in my stack of journals."

"You two go eat," Wirt offered. "I'll clean up."

The two thanked Wirt, joining Mabel in the kitchen as Coraline and Wybie went onto the back stoop outside to call Mrs. Lovatt on speaker.

Mabel had her head laid down sideways on the table, watching Wybie and Coraline talking on the phone. Admittedly, she felt a little alone in all this. With her partner-in-crime/twin spending more time with Norman, then with Wybie and Coraline already on the fringe of their group because they knew each other so long (and were dating, to boot). Then, with Wirt and Wendy so much older and Gregg so young, she felt a little lonely.

Vaguely, Mabel wondered how her old friends were doing, but did not dwell for long, they all lost touch (seemingly mutually) with none going out of the way to seek out the others. After a few initiations of hellos in their old group chat, none answered, she had given up a year or so ago.

So, she played third wheel now. She was almost tempted to wonder what Gideon was doing at that moment, almost. Then, her curiosity getting the better of her, she interrupted Dipper and Norman's chat about some cheesy, vampire slasher-movie and asked about Gideon.

"Gideon..." She whispered, uncomfortable with the sound of his name. "How was he?"

"He seems okay, actually." Dipper spoke quietly, "He works for Pacifica's parents, and he has lived alone in the woods more or less since we left. He seems to be doing okay. He's grown up a lot, he seems less... troubled."

Dipper was honest, which surprised Norman but also bothered him in a way he couldn't place. He didn't see how Gideon acted before now, but killing the twins? The boy he met earlier looked incapable of doing such a thing. Gideon just seemed sad, but he wondered if he should tell the twins so. Looking at the stern look on Dipper's face, and the downtrodden look on Mabel's he figured maybe not.

"Oh, okay." Mabel nodded.

Dipper excused himself to the bathroom while Norman scooted himself into the seat beside her. He looked at the direction Dipper had gone then whispered to Mabel in a voice so quiet she had to strain to hear. Over the sound of books rustling as Wirt picked them up, the muffled voices of Coraline and Wybie outside, the ceiling fan in the room next door, and the radio quietly humming a tune; Mabel struggled to focus her hearing on just Norman's voice.

"Mabel, was he really that bad? Gideon?" Norman asked. "I admit, while people can change, I have dealt with my fair share of bullies and he does not seem like one."

Mabel nodded, "He was, yeah. I mean, I can sorta chalk up his possessiveness of me to how he was spoiled and his age but he was really scary then. He had the power to take what he wanted by force. That's not the kind of power that should be in the hands of a 9 year old. Ever."

Norman nodded, sensing she had more to say, so he remained quiet. After a moment, she continued, "I wouldn't be surprised if he had changed, though. Dipper and I did, and he went through much more than us. Who's to say he didn't turn a new leaf? I did think about him sometimes, over the years. Wondered if he ended up in juvenile hall, or jail again, or... dead, even. I can't imagine having to live with the things he did. I would like to confront him, though. Just once."

"If you want to see him, I can take you, even if Dipper doesn't want to go. Maybe he can help, you never know. He knew about the killings, maybe he knows something only someone who lives in those woods would know." Norman offered, eyes checking occasionally to see if Dipper returned. He didn't like feeling like he was going behind Dipper's back but it was harmless curiosity.

Right?