Gravity falls : I am … Stan pines !

POV of Stan

I couldn't help but smile while looking at Eda. Her words brought me a sense of relief: she literally shares a bit of my burden.

It's an... indescribable feeling.

"Thank you. You can join me here once you've gathered everything you need. And that goes for you kids too," I said to the children.

The idea of sending the kids to another dimension doesn't seem very ethical to me, but if I fail here, at least they'll be safe... for a while.

I've already written three journals to cover my back in case of any unexpected events during the execution of my plans.

The first journal, which Terri possesses, is focused on the technological aspect of my research. It's probably the most dangerous in the short term.

The second journal, which I currently have, concentrates on the biological aspect of my work. It contains information about the creation of artificial demon fruits and some data on martial arts.

As for the third journal... it's incomplete. It's currently locked in my safe, located in the Emperor's coven.

This one compiles all my theories and speculations about magic, but I haven't yet been able to prove half of what it contains, which makes it "incomplete".

From my perspective, the third journal is potentially more dangerous in the long term than the others.

So, unlike journal #1, which is in Terri's hands, and journal #2, soon to be entrusted to Dipper, I've decided to leave journal #3 under the Collector's guard, with Lilith as a temporary mentor.

You could say journal number 3 is now controlled by two people.

Unlike Ford, who jealously guards his journals, I prefer to entrust mine to trustworthy people.

"I just hope my countless plans are nothing more than paranoia," I thought. The situation with GIFfany had indeed affected me more than I want to admit.

I've even avoided mentioning certain works I consider too dangerous, like my research on long-distance consciousness transfer.

This idea came to me thanks to a certain SCP and Rick C-137.

It would be incredible if I could transfer my consciousness over long distances in case of death, but the work has been delayed.

For now, I've just managed to save my mind in case of death. Of course, I can't send it to a "body" due to the distant distance.

So, my mind will end up in cyberspace via my nanomachines.

In short: a semi-failure.

"We've gathered our stuff!" Eda finally returned with the children.

"Great! But you, little guy, are staying here," I said to the Collector who was floating above the twins.

"But I want to go too!" As expected, my decision doesn't please him, but he's the only one capable of holding back or weakening that damned baby. His help is crucial to executing my plan.

"I need you. You'll have your share of adventures too," I added. My words made his eyes shine with excitement.

"Awesome! I'm gonna play!" he exclaimed, before suddenly stopping mid-flight.

"I hope I won't be playing against you... right?"

It seems our previous fight left him a bit traumatized.

"No, haha, of course not. This time, we'll play by fighting others," I responded with a smile.

Eda and the children aren't yet aware of GIFfany's death or the looming war. I prefer to avoid worrying them for now.

I opened a portal to take us back to the laboratory using Titan's blood, but before crossing it, I threw a glance toward Luz.

"Are you sure you want to follow Eda and the twins?"

I trust Eda and Dipper's abilities, but Luz and Mabel are another story.

"100%! It's time to discover a new civilization, isn't it, Mabel? *Clap!*" Luz declared enthusiastically, high-fiving Mabel.

I could only pray for Eda.

Thankfully the Collector spends his time playing and having fun, otherwise Eda would have surely already lost her mind.

"Arlecchino, open the portal." Once at the laboratory, I didn't waste any time.

The machines were all ready, only activation was missing.

[Received!]

For the first time outside of tests, I opened a portal without using magic.

*Damn* Electrical sparks crackled on the fabric of space before an extremely wild landscape appeared.

"Before you leave... Dipper, catch this. It might be useful where you're going. And bring me back samples of strange creatures."

Surprised, Dipper caught the book and box I casually tossed to him.

"A journal... and a box?" he asked, intrigued.

I winked at him before closing the portal. I didn't want to drag out our goodbyes.

[Master, are you sure you want to share your research?]

"I really don't get why father keeps someone as aggro as you." As usual, the Collector provokes those around him.

[...] Arlecchino just glanced at him and continued trying to make me understand their opinion.

I ignored Arlecchino and the Collector's remarks, then headed toward the Mystery Shack's exit. I had something to discuss with old Man McGucket.

[Master, I understand that you care about your loved ones, but if any of them were to be controlled or driven by bad intentions, your research...]

"Don't worry, Arlecchino. I've planned measures in case of mind control. And... I trust my loved ones."

If GIFfany "betrayed" me, it was simply due to my negligence and excessive trust in Arlecchino to watch her.

Of course, I haven't recorded everything in the journals. For example, Dipper's martial arts are not as advanced as mine.

There's also the fact that I don't want to end up like Ford before his teleportation to another dimension.

He had no one... he was a lonely man, consumed by distrust and paranoia.

While trying to calm Arlecchino's paranoid concerns, I finally reached Old Man McGucket's bunker.

"How's the robot creation going?"

(Image)

I doubt I'll need this machine, but it's better to stay cautious, right?

I also like its design, it reminds me of old memories.

"Everything's good, boss. I managed to complete it and programmed it to be controlled via the pilot's brain waves, thanks to this helmet."

I nodded at his explanation and then examined his report.

The robot had a simple but effective design. It was equipped with an arc reactor capable of providing energy for all its weapons.

"I see you've done good work." I was satisfied.

"Hahaha, it was very easy with the materials here. I can't wait to use this thing."

He wasn't the only one...

...

POV of the Narrator

In an ice desert, there were several strange individuals, some dressed casually despite their extremely harsh environment.

"I'm arriving on Earth for the first time, and it had to be for a mission in such a hostile place," Hunter complained next to Lilith.

He had just learned that Dipper and Mabel had gone on an adventure to another dimension without him. Hence his insistence on coming to Earth and living his own dimensional adventure.

It's worth knowing that Hunter has never had a friend his age. So, when he started at Hexside Academy under his emperor's orders, he didn't really know how to approach people his age.

Fortunately for him, he wasn't the only new student at that time.

Thanks to their similar situation and their inability to use witch magic, Hunter became extremely close to Luz and the Pines twins.

Their sudden departure was a bit annoying and depressing for him.

"Focus, Hunter, the emperor seems to have finished," Lilith declared beside him, clutching her palesman tightly.

"I'm done, it's time to activate my magical training." In front of a massive magical circle with others superimposed, there was the emperor of the Boiling Isles, aka Stan.

He was in armor, and beside him were the Collector and Arlecchino.

The moment Stan activated the magical circle, the illusory silhouette of a baby began to float in the air.

It emitted a force different from magic, but powerful enough to make ordinary individuals tremble in its presence.

*Bam* While everyone stared at the strange baby's silhouette, a portal appeared nearby with several armed people, accompanied by a gigantic baby similar to the first.

"Stan Pines, you are under arrest for threatening the order of space-time and causality itself!"