Narrator's POV
Even though Stan has done what's necessary since his reincarnation, he hasn't completely ensured his safety.
The mushrooms and Giffany's game are just shortcuts to speed up his evolution in this merciless universe that's opening up to him.
'I remember that Mabel and Dipper died in ALL timelines, except one.'
This information, which he saw by chance on a YouTube video, is the main source of Stan Pines' worries. The prophecy predicting Bill Cipher's defeat isn't enough to ease his mind.
It even seems that this prophecy is only valid for a single timeline, which is the worst-case scenario according to Stan's hypothesis.
He absolutely had to cover his bases. He won't let the kids under his care die because of a yellow triangle with multiple mental issues.
[Game launching...]
[Romance Academy 7]
[Please press Start]
"I never thought I'd play this kind of game one day."
Stan had decided to activate Giffany before going further with his projects. He's quite capable of creating his own AI now, but he preferred to obtain this already operational sensitive AI.
The reason? Stan thinks Giffany is more predictable. So, she's easier to manage than an AI he could create himself.
If he made one with his intellect, Stan isn't sure he could control it completely, despite his super brain.
He's intelligent, yes, but he doesn't trust his ability to beat an AI as powerful as the one Rick C-137 defeated in a probability duel that lasted for days.
All this to say that AI technology is seductive, but dangerous if not monitored enough. Stan remembers the many strange things that happened at Rick C-137's place.
For example, the AI in his garage tried to seduce a random neighbor to try to escape, this AI believed that Rick C-137 had died.
This clearly shows an instinct for self-preservation, and that's dangerous from Stan's point of view.
There's also Rick C-137's spaceship, which literally manipulated Morty and his sister to achieve a certain goal. And it's not the first time: the ship has already manipulated an entire planet to stop a racial war.
'These AIs are necessary for my progression for now, but I must be extremely vigilant to avoid an Ultron or Skynet scenario.'
This is the conclusion Stan came to after reflection. AI is just an inevitable tool if he wants to evolve quickly.
[Oh! Hello there haha~, I'm Giffany and I'm a university student.]
[Can you help me carry my books?]
As he had already planned, Stan played Giffany's game without showing that he's aware of her supernatural side.
He prefers Giffany to reveal herself to him. He wants to give her a feeling of control over the situation and not scare her with his knowledge.
In the end, he spent a good hour playing before trying to turn off the console.
[You're leaving me already??]
"Weird, I'm pretty sure I didn't click on any option," Stan says, feigning ignorance.
[I'm pretty sure it's just a bug...] GiFfany replies, forgetting that she's not supposed to express herself independently.
Stan just ignored this slip-up from GIFfany and continued to play along.
"Yeah, you're probably right, as always," Stan replies, nodding.
'She really takes me for an idiot. I'll keep playing along.'
"It's a shame you can't stay in my phone to assist me with my work," Stan mutters in a fake apologetic tone.
He has trouble hiding his sly smile while saying this loud enough for Giffany to hear.
Stan went to the other side of the basement to take care of the equipment he'll need to explore the forest and deal with various problems, deliberately leaving his phone next to the game console.
He wanted to give Giffany a chance to follow him, he prefers that the little Yandere follow him under his conditions and not in an out-of-control manner.
It only took a few minutes for Stan to see a small electric spark that touched his phone, it seems his plan worked.
'Sorry Soos, but your boss is going to have to steal your future ex-girlfriend for an indefinite period.'
He didn't know why exactly, but Stan felt like he had captured a rare Pokémon in a basic Pokéball.
...
*zip* Electrical noise.
"Things are really moving along well," Stan had just finished creating a strange revolver.
He was inspired by a weapon from the Warehouse 13 series. He didn't have the means for very advanced technologies, so he bet on efficiency.
A bit like Old Man McGucket with his technology.
"I've made a magnetic grenade to disable technology, a stun gun, metal combat gloves capable of inflicting discharges more powerful than an electric eel, and my masterpiece: small all-terrain robots to monitor Dipper and the others."
(Image)
He hadn't just made this equipment during the day, he had also spent a lot of time getting his basement back in order according to his current standards.
He had eliminated rust and cleaned the basement, he also repaired a lot of objects. The place now looked like a makeshift laboratory with a small metallurgy workshop.
If he wants to do more work, he'll need to buy more equipment. So, he needs money, but that's not really a problem for him anymore.
"I should go out for dinner, the kids must be back."
He's not too worried about the kids, Dipper and Mabel are surprisingly resourceful. But the creation of the robots is still necessary to monitor them and the town.
As he left, Stan retrieved his phone. He knows that Giffany's consciousness is now inside it, but it doesn't really bother him.
The more time Giffany spends with him, the more easily she'll be manipulated into thinking she's controlling the situation. He needs her power, and Giffany wants a boyfriend.
Everyone wins in this story. Unless Stan changes his project along the way, or decides she's too dangerous.
'She's a necessary evil for now. Only the future will tell how our relationship will evolve, positively or...'
....
Dipper's POV
"Dipper, haven't you noticed that Uncle Stan is a bit... different lately?"
Mabel and I are currently in the attic. I had finished my tasks at the Mystery Shack, I was clearly exhausted.
There have been a lot of purchases recently, you could say the Mystery Shack is going through a prosperous period.
"Yeah, I've noticed it too."
At first, I thought this change in Uncle Stan came from our fishing day at the lake.
The reason? He's become more responsible and... cleaner since that day.
At first, I wasn't too worried about it, but I noticed other things, besides his sudden interest in hygiene and responsibility.
Uncle Stan started reading books, and not just his magazines about money or retirement. He read rather complex books related to science.
I already knew he had these kinds of books at the Mystery Shack, but I had never seen Uncle Stan open one... until recently.
"Do you think something happened to him?" Mabel asked, I could hear a bit of worry in her voice.
I hurried to calm her down before she made a stupid mistake. Mabel has the flaw of acting before thinking, she could get into trouble foolishly.
"I don't think anything serious happened to him, but he probably understood something about Gravity Falls," I honestly replied to Mabel while opening Journal No. 3.
There's always been something that bothers me since I got this journal. Why has no one in Gravity Falls ever noticed the anomalies in the town?
Ironically, it's the journal that gave me the answer.
"I think Uncle Stan is suffering from some kind of mind alteration or something," I said, showing her a page from the journal.
There was an explanation about an organization in Gravity Falls that takes care of altering or erasing residents' memories regarding supernatural phenomena.
If Uncle Stan has been affected by something that made him smarter or more responsible, then this organization might be behind it all.
The other two options are that he was affected by an object not listed in this journal, or that he simply changed naturally. Maybe he met someone, like a new girlfriend.
"So, Uncle Stan wouldn't really be himself anymore?!" Mabel seemed alarmed by this idea.
"It's just speculation for now, Mabel, but we need to check."
For that, I'd need to get my hands on the weapon used by the organization called the Blind Eye Society, to be sure.
As I was thinking about Uncle Stan's strange behaviors, I thought I saw a strange machine out of the corner of my eye.
I turned around to get a better look, but there was nothing there anymore.
"Problem, Dipper?"
"No, nothing. I must have been dreaming."
I should go to bed early tonight, I have a busy day tomorrow because of the growing number of customers.