268DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN GRAVITY FALLS
A/N: This story takes place in the alternate future from my 'Attack of Gray Bitie's Monster Alliance' chapters 11-13.
On a lonely road somewhere in the middle of Oregon, a small car made its way towards a small unassuming town. Inside the vehicle Dipper Pines, a average 32 year old single father at the wheel, and sitting next to him is his 12 year son Tyrone who is otherwise too preoccupied with his portable game to care about anything going on. "Here we are son, Gravity Falls." Dipper said eagerly as they drove into town.
"This place is a dump," Tyrone said without even bothering to look up from his game.
"Heh, I said the same thing when I first came here, but mark my words, this place is a lot more interesting than it seems." Dipper promised.
"Whatever," Tyrone sulked as he continued to play his video game.
Sighing sadly Dipper made another attempt to connect with his son. "Look Tyrone, I know this is a big adjustment, having to move and all, but this was the only place I can find work, so please work with me here?" Dipper pleaded.
"I wouldn't have to move if I was living with mom instead of you!" Tyrone accused.
Dipper was taken back by his son's statement, but maintained his composure. "I'm sure you will come to like it here. After all me and your Aunt Mabel had a lot of fond memories of this place." Dipper said hoping to change the subject.
"Oh, you mean like the fond memories of you two chasing little animals in the woods pretending that they were some big scary monsters? Or fighting the sweater monster living in your closet?" Tyrone scoffed.
"It wasn't a sweater monster, it was an invisible wizard." Dipper corrected him only to realize that was the wrong thing to say.
"It's that kind of childish delusions why mom left you!" Tyrone snapped. Dipper was stunned to silence by his son's accusations. True Dipper's obsession with the paranormal is one of the reasons his wife/Tyrone's mother Tracy left them; but it's not the main reason she left.
Dipper met her back when he was in college. For the sake of his grades, and not wanting to owe a fortune in student loans, Dipper put his hobbies on hold and studied very hard. He quickly established himself as a math wiz, even beating a supercomputer in advance calculus. He then accidentally designed an advanced rocket engine, one that was much more powerful and energy efficient than current ones, which he sold to NASA for an impressive sum. It was after he made his first fortune that Tracy came into his life. She seemed nice, at first, even sharing his passion for the paranormal; and not ridiculing Dipper's embarrassing traits, like his sweating problem for one. Even his sister Mabel seemed to approve of her. The two married shortly after college and Tyrone came a few months after that. It was about this time that Tracy began to show her true self. She had expensive tastes, often spending money faster than they could make it. She had assumed that Dipper would continue making innovative technologies and possibly start his own company. Giving her the life of luxury she believes she deserves, but what she didn't know was that engine designing was only a means to end for Dipper. His real passion was looking for monsters, and the selling of the rocket engine was only intended to be start up money to finance his expeditions. Sadly that dream never left the planing stages as his wife started spending all his money for her own extravagant desires. Dipper was forced to take up three part time jobs to pay for his wife's excessive spending, but that would barely cover one of her credit cards.
Upset and frustrated that Dipper didn't give her the life she wanted, she vented all of her anger at Tyrone. Often blaming Dipper's weird obsession with monsters as to why they are living in poverty. Even though technically they were in low middle class. This of course planted the seeds of discontent in Tyrone's heart as he started believing that all their problems really is his father's fault. When Tyrone was 10, Tracy finally filed for divorce. Needless to say, after putting up a not so convincing sob story, the judge ruled in her favor giving her mostly everything. Leaving Dipper with only sole custody of Tyrone and her debts. Both of which she wanted nothing to do with. After the divorce was finalized, she disconnected her phone number and leaves, leaving Dipper with no means of contacting her. Naturally Tyrone blames him for that as well.
For the next couple of years, Dipper worked diligently with his jobs and being a single father. Frequently asking family and friends for help. Thankfully he only had to cover the debts she had when they were married, any new charges weren't being billed to him. He'd figured that she'd probably found some new sucker to leech off of. Then tragedy struck, Dipper was laid off of not one but all three jobs at the same time! (What are the odds) Dipper was at a loss of what to do, he'd already owed a lot to too many people. Desperate, Dipper decided to call upon those who live in the one place he wanted to, but was reluctant to, return to...
Dipper pulled the car up to an old cabin and got out. Tyrone got out as well, mainly because he wanted to stretch his legs. "Where are we?" Tyrone asked his father.
"Son, welcome to the Mystery 'S'hack," Dipper announced proudly. Tyrone has heard about the Mystery Shack from his father and Aunt Mabel. They always made it seemed like a place of wonder, but now seeing the rickety old cabin, whose sign is still isn't fixed, he wasn't impressed.
"Come on inside," Dipper said gesturing his son to follow him. Tyrone groaned in frustration as he followed his father in.
Dipper knocked on the door. "We're closed, come back whenever I feel like opening!" a crabby old voice yelled.
"Grunkle Stan, it's me Dipper!" Dipper yelled.
"Dipper?" Stan opened the door revealing a wrinkly old man supporting himself with an 8-ball cane. "Dipper, my great nephew! You haven't changed a bit!" Stan cried giving Tyrone a hug.
"Hey let go of me!" Tyrone yelled struggling to get out of Stan's hug.
"Grunkle Stan I'm over here. That's my son." Dipper announced. This caused Stan to let go of Tyrone.
"Grunkle Stan, Tyrone, Tyrone, this is your Great Great Uncle Stan." Dipper introduced.
"Wow, you're old," Tyrone said bluntly getting a good look at Stan.
"Believe it or not, but he was this old when I was your age," Dipper whispered to his son.
"Hah feisty, I like this kid already!" Stan laughed slapping Tyrone on the back. "So you have a kid huh? You mean you actually found someone who will marry you!" Stan said with amazement.
"Grunkle Stan you were there at my wedding," Dipper reminded him with annoyance.
"Just joshing you, I know that!" Stan laughed. "So where's the misses? Did she rob you blind and ran off yet?" Dipper's silence was all the answer he needed. "Yeah that's why I never married," Stan said proudly before coughing.
"Stan it's time for your medicine!" a female voice from the kitchen called out. Tyrone turned to see a beautiful woman carrying a small pill and a glass of water. "Oh we have company? Dipper, is that you?"
"Hey Wendy," Dipper blushed.
"And is that Tyrone? Aw, you look just like your dad at your age." Wendy cooed. That's when Stan started coughing even harder. "Here you old man," Wendy complained handing Stan the pill and water. Stan immediately grabbed the medicine and swallowed it quickly.
"Thanks Wendy, what will I do without you?" Stan teased.
"Probably croak you old geezer," Wendy said rolling her eyes. "So Dipper, you're finally back." she said turning to him.
"Yeah times are tough and I needed a job." Dipper admitted.
"So you've come to beg for your old job back? I can get your room ready." Wendy joked.
"If it's available," Dipper joked.
"What!?" Stan and Tyrone screamed. Tyrone cringed at the idea of living in this shack. Stan not liking the idea of having two more mouths to feed.
"Just kidding, I already have a job lined up." Dipper laughed.
"Oh where?" they all asked.
"It's at Pafisca's..." Dipper mumbled. Tyrone noticed that Stan and Wendy's jaw dropped.
"Dipper are you crazy! Going back to that dame!" Stan screamed only to start coughing again.
"She promised us room and board!" Dipper argued. "Plus a decent pay."
"Oh well that different then," Stan said breathing a sigh of relief. He was afraid that Dipper was going to be living here in the Shack while working for Ms. Northwest.
"Who are they talking about?" Tyrone asked.
"Pacifica Northwest, the riches girl in Gravity Falls, and like me she's Dipper's ex-girlfriend." Wendy informed him. This time it's Tyrone's turn to drop his jaw. He always assumed that his mom was the only girl his dad ever loved. To hear that he not only dated Wendy, but he also dated this Pacifica girl was shocking to say the least.
"Speaking of which, we really need to get going, bye Grunkle Stan, Wendy, it was really nice seeing you again." Dipper said getting up.
"It was great to see you too. Both of you." Stan said affectionately. "And since you'll be sticking around, be sure to visit from time to time."
"Sure thing Grunkle Stan," Dipper promised.
"Yeah, I need someone to fill in the wolfboy costume!" Stan laughed holding up the dreaded outfit that still haunts Dipper's dreams.
Later at the Northwest estate, Tyrone stared in marvel at how grand the big mansion is and couldn't believe that he would be living here. As they reached the front door there was about a dozen people waiting for them. Two of which stood out as they weren't wearing servants' clothing. One was a lady with big blond hair and way too much makeup, the other was a little girl with auburn hair that had an 'I really don't want to be here' look on her face. "Hello Dipper long time no see." the woman who Tyrone assumes is Pacifica greeted.
"Hello Pacifica, you're looking as beautiful as ever." Dipper stuttered. "Though I do wish you'd tone it down with the makeup. You actually look better without it."
"Oh Dipper flattery will get you..." Pacifica paused dramatically as she got closer. "Everything." she whispered seductively into his ear, causing Dipper's spine to tingle. Even after all these years apart she is still able to excite him.
"And this is my son Tyrone," Dipper said nervously trying to change the subject.
"Aw how cute, he looks just like you. Only with out the hat." Pacifica squealed.
"I don't like hats," Tyrone said dryly. Due to his utter disdain for his father, Tyrone developed a habit of not doing anything his father does. Since Dipper likes to wear hats, Tyrone avoids wearing them.
"Feisty," Pacifica laughed. "Anyways, this is my daughter, Amelia. I'm sure the two of you will become great friends."
"Sure whatever," Amelia scoffed not even looking at Tyrone before going back inside and heading towards her room.
"What am I going to do with her," Pacifica shaking her head sadly. "Oh where are my manners, come on in." she invited. Pacifica led the Pines boys to a large room with two beds. "This will be your room," Pacifica said. "And those will be your work clothes." Pointing to a set of uniforms in the closet.
"Dad what is going on here?" Tyrone demanded.
"Well Tyrone, that job offer I was talking about. It's a butler position." Dipper said. At this point whatever respect Tyrone had for his father was gone.
"Well mom always said you'd end up as a monkey. Looks like she was right as usual." Tyrone said harshly. Dipper and Pacifica were taken back by his statement.
Pacifica was going to let Tyrone live here for free, being Dipper's kid and all, but after that rude remark, she decided to punish the little brat. "And these are yours," Pacifica said pulling out the same butler's outfit that Dipper worn all those years ago.
"Pacifica this wasn't the deal!" Dipper argued.
"I know, but Amelia needs her own personal butler, and since you two are living here for free, it's only fair." Pacifica smiled.
"Oh no! No way, am I doing to degrade myself playing kiss up to some snotty rich kid!" Tyrone snapped.
"Then you are free to leave. The door is right over there." Pacifica said coldly while at the same time giving Dipper a wink.
Tyrone made his way to the door, only to realize that his father was moving. "Dad?" Tyrone asked nervously.
"Sorry son, but I need this job, and look, this room alone is way better than our old apartment." Dipper said jumping on the bed. Tyrone had to give him that. The room was very nice, very roomy, complete with internet and cable, all of the premium channels included. Tyrone weighed his options: 1 live here as a monkey, 2 stay with Stan as a wolfboy, 3 live like a hobo. No matter how you look at it, there's really only one acceptable choice. "Alright," he conceded taking the Butler uniform.
Up in her room, Amelia was rereading the Odyssey for what seemed like the 100th time. Unlike most girls her age, she preferred the classics. She found it idiotic how other girls drooled over those new age vampires and/or werewolves just because some movie had a bunch of shirtless pretty boys portraying the monsters, and not very well she might add. Amelia prefers stories about real men, ones who proves their valor with deeds rather than just having a pretty smile. Like Odysseus, he is one of her favorites. Sailing the world for ten years, resisting off the temptation of a beautiful goddess, and even rejecting the chance for immortality. All to return to the woman he loves, not knowing if she's even waiting for him anymore. Now that is a real man in her opinion. "Too bad there are no more men like that anymore," Amelia sighed sadly hugging her book. Her daydreaming was abruptly ended by the knocking on her door. "Who is it?" she asked rudely.
"It's me," Pacifica answered. "I have a surprise for you."
"Great what is it this time," Amelia groaned as she opened the door. Waiting outside her room was that boy she saw earlier in a butler's uniform with a 'please kill me' look on his face.
"Surprise, your own personal butler," Pacifica cheered.
"Terrific, just what I always wanted. Another bootlicker to tell me how pretty I am." Amelia said sarcastically.
"In your dreams maybe, you spoiled brat." Tyrone whispered, but was loud enough for Amelia to hear him.
At this point the same thing cross the kids' mind as they glared at each other; 'There's no way I'm going to like this guy/girl'!