HI!

I'll be starting this new story and try to update as much as I can until the finish! I'll attempt at making this interesting and satisfying, probably heart-wrenching and all in all lovely. (I will most likely fail; kappa.)

Also, this AU is loosely based off of Steven Universe and Soul Eater. Meaning that I have created this AU from the strangeness of my mind!

The story itself will be inspired by SAO, a bit of Naruto and a bit of Bleach. However, it is not directly taken from the shows, so please do not worry if you have never watched any of these. But, please do enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Gravity Falls or any of the shows mentioned above!

Sunlight glared into the window, causing Dipper to squint as he observed the blurry motion. His sister leaned against him, snoring and cringing often, much to the vexation of the bus driver. There was no one else on board to bother them, allowing him to ponder in silence. It's been such a long time since they've seen their great uncles, yet they've never gotten a chance to actually visit the wondrous town called Gravity Falls. He has heard quite a lot about it, however. Prone to attracting the strange creatures of the world, and possessed one of the most notable academies, for reasons unbeknownst to him. He sighed, hoping that this would be a good change for them, especially after their most recent loss. He briefly wondered if his parents ever stayed in Gravity Falls before, and what they would think of it. Living in a small city full of industries and common businesses was definitely different than living in a hick town.

"This is your stop, ya runts."

The doors opened with a hiss. Attempting to shake his sister to rise, Mabel smacked him with an annoyed expression. Dipper twitched his eye, "We have to get off."

"I know," She smirked at him, fully awake. He frowned deeply.

Mabel snatched her luggage and skipped to the exit, waving at the driver, "Thanks!"

"Don't mention it," He surveyed the area with a sneer, "ever."

Dipper hopped off the vehicle with his own luggage in hand. The doors shut abruptly, eliciting a jump of alarm from the pair. The bus left a dirt cloud in its wake as it drove off speedily. The twelve-year-old twin brunettes coughed temporarily before they looked around at their new surroundings. There were pine trees and more pine trees, filtering the light of the setting sun. The small noises of rustling grass and leaves made the atmosphere significantly more refreshing and crisp. Both of them eyed the visible dirt road that led to the town they were dropped off at. Gravity Falls was quite cut-off from the rest of the state, making it a little less modern than the rest of the nation, yet it was still told to have more of the unnatural occurrences. Nonetheless, it would be their new home.

"This is gonna be waaay different from our old home, right, Dipper?" Mabel was fascinated with the unfamiliar scenery as they waited for their relative to appear. "I bet there is gonna be a lot of cool stuff to do! Some new people to meet... oh! Friends! New friends!"

The boy only rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed with the sight or the imminent encounters. It was only a small town, after all. Even though there was a fine academy here and a little bit more creatures to show, it was nothing grand. This town was just about as normal as the rest of the world. Ignorant to this, she kept examining every detail of the grass and trees, in awe of this vivid, overgrowing nature. Mabel always was the one who would attempt to eliminate her boredom in any way possible. Albeit they were twins, they were very different in personality. The only things that interested him was the supernatural tales that came from here, and that there was a popular Soul Fighters Academy.

Soul fighting was very common among the people of the world, as much as other things like minotaurs, unicorns, gnomes, and all those other magic-whatever. However, the world also possessed dark beings, like monsters… or demons. But Soul Fighters were born and trained to fight against the evil. A weapon would be formed from the very essence of your soul, best fit to your natural tastes and necessity. It's able to be summoned at will with focus, but fighting with it requires intense and constant practice.

Dipper didn't really like the idea of getting his hands dirty with strange types of blood, or any type of blood, really. He's had his own experiences, and it was not at all what he expected. But time flows, and beliefs, opinions, and feelings change. Now, it didn't matter what blood he got on his hands, because the last type he'd want to see was if it was from someone he deeply cared about. He would kill any creature if it meant protecting his sister. His father always told him that his soul was very peculiar, and he should start learning at a young age. Although, that was shot down the drain, by said boy…

Mabel, on the other hand, was never required to learn such fighting. Her parents said that her soul was nothing but bright and warm, and oddly hard to understand.

The piercing sound of sirens snapped them to reality. Both of their attentions were drawn to a rusty car that hastily drove their way. Once it stopped, an old-looking man wearing a suit, glasses, and a fez hat stepped out. A mischievous, yet welcoming grin was plastered on his face, but the crinkles in his forehead gave away the stress put on him to make it there.

"Sorry I came so late, the cops were after me… again. I tried to get here as fast as possible before some other boogeyman took you guys away." Deciding to ignore his strange reasons, the twins looked up at the same time. The sky was now painted dark blue with streaks of purple and dots of sparkling white. The eeriness only increased as the forest seemed to grow louder with noises.

"You two want to stay here with the unknown creatures of the dark or get in?"

It only took a moment, but soon, Dipper and Mabel grabbed their luggage and quickly ran to either side of the car. Sliding into the passenger's seat, they immediately shut the doors behind their hurried entrance. Stan started up the engine, and soon they were on their way to his home.

"So, Grunkle Stan, what's it like in Gravity Falls?" Mabel began after a few seconds. Stan arched an eyebrow through the reflection of the rear-view mirror. She prompted, "What's it like? The people, the places, the music, the dances?"

"If I were going to take a wild guess, it'd probably be to your taste."

Mabel pumped her fist. "Oh! Also, do people ride on horses? Are there any cute stores I can go to?"

Mabel extended her onslaught of questions as Stan drove down the narrow road with the rows of pine trees encasing them. Dipper made a mental note that they hadn't actually passed through the town. Perhaps it was his great uncle's way of avoiding the cops after whatever crime he had done earlier. A silent snort made its way to him.

"Is there a couple of cute guys that I need to hit on? Because I can do it!" She wiggled her eyebrows. Dipper grimaced with disgust at the thought. She dismissed his overprotectiveness. "Oh, where is Grunkle Ford? Is he busy? Did he miss us too?"

"That nerd doesn't even know what he's missing half the time," Stan scoffed. Mabel smiled cheekily, "But when he does, you're super happy, right? I bet he'll hang around us a lot from now on!"

"Considering the fact we are your legal caretakers now, yes, he will be."

Mabel prodded his cheeks, not caring that this may accidentally lead to a crash. "You missed us; I know you did! Come ooon!"

Stan could practically feel his large ears burning off, but decided he'd have to suck it up and get use to it. Dipper was already used to his sister's curious nature, and made no move to stop her. However, after what seemed like the millionth question, he suddenly declared, "Well, sweetie, you're gonna have to see for yourself tomorrow. But, how about tonight we just let you guys get settled down."

Mabel seemed satisfied with his answer, nodding twice with agreement. Before they knew it, they pulled up to a worn-down building made entirely of wood. 'Mystery Shack' sat atop, with the 'S' from 'Shack' missing. Dipper was a bit confused seeing them live in such a shabby place. He and Mabel knew well that their great uncles weren't exactly the most low class people. Grunkle Ford was a famous paranormal investigator that kept all his research in journals. So far, there was only three. He usually worked alone, or with his brother if needed. Grunkle Stan was a well-known fighter amongst the citizens, and a con-man that would occasionally bring up loot he definitely did not get legitimately.

Within seconds, a resounding explosion was heard from the inside. The shadow of smoke seeped from the old cracks of the building. All three of them rushed into the shack, trying to find out what had caused the blast. There was dense gas covering the view of the living room, but Stan could make out where it was coming from. Securing his grip on the kids' hands, he rapidly led them down to the basement. To their convenience, the smoke quickly cleared, letting them breathe cleaner air and relieve their eyes from the slight stinging. Ford was now visible, soot coating his face and his clothes. A broken beaker laid on the table in front of him, evidence of an eruption circling the glass.

Wiping the ash off of his glasses, a smile crept up his face at the sight of his grandniece and grandnephew. He greeted blithely, "Kids! What a pleasant sight!"

The anxiety of the twins diminished greatly since it seemed that he was alright. However, Stan frowned. "Can't really say the same for you…"

Ford tossed away the largest piece of the destroyed tool, before sweeping away the rest of his mess. Rubbing his face with a clean towel nearby, he also threw it into a hamper kept in his laboratory. Then, he resumed to his work as though nothing happened.

"It's their first day, Poindexter. Don't try to kill them!" Stan chastised, "Why do you have to be doing… whatever you're doing right now?"

Ford waved him off, "Don't fret, Stanley! In fact, if I had severely injured them, then I would heal them with this!"

He held up a vial containing a bright red liquid with a triumphant smirk. Dipper and Mabel looked at it in wonder while Stan just huffed. "And what is that supposed to be exactly?"

"It's a healing potion! It will stimulate the body to create the appropriate cells at a faster rate to regenerate wounds and injuries! All I have to do now is give it a test run. Come with me!"

Ford led the young twins and his brother to another table secured in his lab. Dipper took this as the opportunity to analyze the room. Complicated technology and equipment was in its place along the walls, on the counters, or on the tables, along with sheets of scribbled notes. The scientist searched around until he found the small, wilted flower that he kept out of the sun and dehydrated.

"Since this plant is small, it should only require one or two drops." He explained while carefully tipping out a specific amount. "Now, watch as the flower springs to life!"

The flower did just that. It dramatically straightened its stem, life flowing through its veins from the roots to the petals. Glowing healthily and mystically, Dipper, Mabel and even Stan were amazed at the sight. Ford was too caught up in his success to realize the flower was starting to grow numerous vines and pointy thorns on its stem.

"Uh… Grunkle Ford? Is it supposed to do that?" Dipper inquired fearfully as he backed away slowly with his sister behind him. Stan was starting to get a bit wary as well.

"Do wha—?" A strangled noise came from Ford's mouth as a vine swiftly wrapped around his neck. Dipper was shocked as Mabel gasped instantly. Their eyes flashed with horror as memories played within their minds. Grunkle Stan was the first to react to help his twin brother. Copper-colored light immediately shined upon both of his hands. He punched the pot containing the roots of the flower with his summoned brass knuckles, trying to reach its main life source. Vines shot out to stop him, but they only tore his clothes and grazed his skin. Although he was old, he was not weak, nor was he slow. Stan closed in on the overgrown weed. Thrusting his hand into the soil, he seized the roots and ripped apart the flower.

Crippling petals and ash fell along with Ford. He only coughed and cleared his throat as the two children were staring at them worriedly.

"G-Grunkle Ford are you alright?!" Mabel asked uneasily. He waved his six-fingered hand around to dismiss her concern.

"It's fine! I'm alright! Just gotta work out a few bugs and it'll be good." He cleared his throat again. "Say, have you eaten yet?"

The twins silently shook their head, and Ford clapped them on their backs. "Alright! After dinner, you guys can knock yourselves out in your new room!"

As Ford went up to began cooking, Stan just ruffled their heads. He chuckled at how shocked they were. He went down on one knee to get on their level as they stood still. "He's right, you know? We gotta eat 'cuz I'm pretty starved myself! But you two shouldn't worry about things like this; it'll be normal for you in no time!"

Mabel snapped out of her trance with a small laugh and worked up a smile, then rushed upstairs to follow her Grunkle Ford. Dipper only gave a small frown and shook his head, puzzling Stan. Seeing his expression, Dipper felt obliged to inform him of the cause of their reaction.

"Our parents died like that…" He began solemnly. Stan slightly wondered the last time Dipper actually smiled. "Some creature of darkness and long limbs took them out. We hid as they fought, and ran when they fell."

Stan nodded for him to continue, but the boy didn't exactly desire to continue describing the tragedy. Dipper gave a heavy sigh. "We have to stay strong now. I'm sure they'd want that."

At such a young age, these kids had already lost their parents. The melancholy on his face was unnerving, and who knew what risks this boy was willing to take, now that the reality of life had hit him hard. Grunkle Stan tensed; this was the beginning of his and his brother's guardianship. It was their responsibility now to manage and raise these kids as their own. He gave him a sympathetic smile, before pinching his cheek. Dipper gave a whine of pain and rubbed his blooming flesh.

"I understand, kid. My brother and I both do. But don't try to make everything life or death from now on. You're young, and you've got time. Relax, have fun, enjoy life; it's what makes it worth living."

Dipper soaked in his words as the two stared at each other. Then, a genuine smile broke onto his youthful face while he nodded in agreement. After portraying his understanding and gratitude with his eyes one more time, he turned around and ran upstairs to join his sister and Grunkle Ford. Grunkle Stan followed in pursuit; the mess would have to be cleaned later, not that he was going to do it.

Dinner was lively and interesting; their discussion ranged from a myriad of topics, in which the topic of their parents was subtly avoided. Afterwards, Stan showed them their new room in the attic. He left them to become adjusted to their shared sleeping area. Mabel quickly assessed her decorative space until Dipper put his luggage down and jumped in his bed. She couldn't help but also leap in hers, bouncing against the dusty mattress. It was a bit cold to the touch, but sure to be comfortable once it was warmed up. She had never exactly said out loud, but she was fine living here with her grunkles, as long as her brother was also here. She turned the lights off and they both snuggled into their blankets.

"Hey bro-bro?"

"Yeah?"

"Goodnight, dork!"

A muffled chuckle was heard, but a response came, "Goodnight, weirdo!"

Light snoring was then heard from his bed a few minutes after, and she soon fell asleep as well. For the first time in a week since the funeral, she felt at home.

A curious eye peered into their room as they slept. Two new citizens to Gravity Falls? It was nothing mindblowing or complicated. However, they happened to have grabbed his attention quite greedily. Yet, it was not them themselves, but their souls. The boy's was strong-willed and sharp; it burned a bright blue flame of hidden strength.

However, the girl's soul was… hazy, at most. He was quite surprised and irritated from the struggle of trying to understand it. The most he discovered was its yellow brightness and the abnormal feeling of stretching warmth. He felt a small desire burn in his chest to get closer to her, to see if she was as warm as her soul was. But he shook out of that feeling as swiftly as it came, slightly appalled from such a tug. What was that feeling indeed? No matter, that shouldn't be his main concern. He was sure to meet them soon, anyway.

Bill Cipher stood out as one of the worst demons to ever crawl upon the Nightmare Realm, and it would always frustrate him. No matter how hard he would try to prove his worthiness, it did little to no improvement. He had only started 120 years ago, so he reasoned that his demonic power was still weak. The most he could do was invade someone's dream or their mind, and his deals were fulfilled just by that. Although, he wasn't fully sure of the mechanics of demonic growth, or how he even got them. But knowing nothing except how to be mischievous and cunning, he caused trouble to the innocent.

Bill would go around Gravity Falls, making it his goal to cause displeasure and sometimes harm to its inhabitants. He would disappear when his capture was near, and would trick and deceive people to do his bidding. The citizens tended to avoid him, and were told to run if they saw his distinguishable top hat or yellow suit, or especially his cat-like eye.

He'd laugh at their fear. As much as he hated to admit his lowliness, stronger demons would cause worse damage, he barely did anything. Bill was more than well aware of stronger demons, for denying their existence would surely make him a fool. They would taunt and scowl at him about his young human-like appearance. It took much skill and power to morph their hideous appearances into a human being, but Bill's was natural. They found it repulsive that he looked like such a weak creature, yet still walked on the same plane as them. A bit more than a few of them would start beating him up to put him in his place, insulting and spitting on him. The times where he could barely process that he was losing his senses was where he would teleport out of the Nightmare Realm and to the human dimension.

And that was another thing that intrigued him. The other demons had to force themselves out of their realm to Earth for a limited time, or some couldn't go on their own at all, that is if they aren't summoned or acting upon a deal. Yet, he was able to go back and forth between the planes of their existences. Although he did not express it, he took slight pride in his unique abilities. Who needed to be acquainted with those trashy monsters, anyways?

The outlawed dream-demon was unable to face off against all of the Soul Fighters by himself, and permanently staying in the Nightmare Realm was just an eternity of torture. Everyone in the Nightmare Realm and everyone in Gravity Falls practically hated him, avoided him, or were annoyed by him.

He was on his own; all he had to look out for was himself.

Once again ignoring the girl's soul and its alluring aura, he vanished in the night.

BILL IS ONE OF THE WORST DEMONS EVER?

Ha! Is it weird to imagine him as such? Well now you can read about it! In a different AU! Other characters will be introduced, so wait 'till then! If this story is intriguing for you, I'm glad! If it isn't, I'm sorry! I had this idea in my head for waaaay too long so I decided, hey, I'll just write about it!

Rewritten: 10/03/16.

Pce!