Stan's POV.
"I know this Terri is competent, but are you sure she's worth that much money?" GIFfany says, looking at me through a screen.
I'm currently updating my equipment. You have to understand that there are many complex creatures, like ghosts and other large ones.
I always have to improve my equipment as soon as I buy new items. Right now, I've added laser guns and blasters that look like those shown in some science fiction shows to my gadget list.
I've even managed to create an energy shield and other useful things, like a 3D printer which, I admit, saves me a lot of time. Personally, I really like my universal translator.
It translates the brain waves that human and animal brains emit unconsciously, I got the idea from Ener from One Piece.
This machine isn't technically a universal translator, but a machine to translate or read minds.
It doesn't work over a large area, only within 10 meters. Beyond that, it struggles to process information selectively and accurately.
(Image)
"Yes, she's worth it," I say, changing the greenish liquids inside a capsule containing a much younger version of Stan.
Yes, I've created a clone of myself. I intend to temporarily abandon my current body and have it undergo cryogenization.
I could just continue with my new body, but I don't want to instinctively destroy the old Stan's body.
I'll rejuvenate it later with a more advanced operation using compatible and younger stem cells. I hope Dipper will do the trick.
I would have liked to undergo the operation directly instead of taking a detour, but I don't really have a choice.
Stan's body is simply too weak for such an advanced operation now. I would need to be unconscious for a few weeks, and I'm not even counting the rehabilitation in my calculations.
I'll just strengthen it during its time in cryogenization and after, I'll try the "rejuvenation" operation.
"I'd really like to occupy this new body, but it's impossible right now *sighs*."
"Why? You deserve it and I'm sure you're tired of the pain in your joints," GIFfany says, looking at the Stan in the capsule. I noticed she blushes while glancing at a certain area.
GIFfany is right, I've spent a lot of time ensuring the development of this clone, it's still three days of work in my free time. I even maximized its overall physical capabilities.
I went as far as making sure the abnormal gene from the Percepshroom exists in this clone's DNA. I'm certain that the body transfer won't make me lose my IQ.
"If I suddenly become young, I'll have a lot of administrative and personal problems to deal with... I have to be patient." My words are sincere, but I haven't said everything.
This new body, which is at the peak of the human species, is unfortunately incomplete. I need to recover the titan's blood, which is currently in The Old Gravesfield, to hope to finalize it.
The confrontation with Bill Cipher is inevitable, and if I want to put all the odds in my favor, then the titan's powers can't be neglected.
Unlike the three magic stones of Amphibia currently in Los Angeles, the titan's blood isn't monitored by a powerful dimensional entity that puts their holder through a test.
I really don't want to attract the Guardian's attention for now, I don't even know if this overpowered entity is aware of me.
There's also the problem that I don't know if the amount of titan blood in The Old Gravesfield will be enough for my projects. I'll have to hope that the size-changing crystal can affect this matter or if not, it's possible that I'll have to go to the Boiling Isles to get more.
I'm not really a fan of this idea, the creatures in that place are clearly stronger than those I face in Gravity Falls.
"Oh, dawn is breaking"
I looked at the time after listening to GIFfany. It seems I've worked too much, I'd better go up quickly.
I quickly injected myself with an emergency energizer dose. It's a product I concocted based on caffeine and other energizing substances to compensate for lack of sleep but, this stuff isn't absolute.
Sooner or later, I have to sleep to come back completely to the top.
....
Narrator's POV
"Hey, you brats, you seem... early today."
Stan headed to the kitchen while talking to Dipper and Mabel. He didn't look like a person exhausted by various works, thanks to his energizing mixture and a good shower.
"Yeah, Dipper and I wanted to visit more of the town."
Stan paused for a moment, his hand suspended, ready to pour milk before the cereal. He replied to Mabel in a relaxed tone:
"You often go into the forest without telling me, so why suddenly change and want to explore the town?"
Mabel had a slightly embarrassed smile, but Dipper spoke up, expressing himself with confidence. Stan observed the scene while eating his cereal.
"We don't just want to visit the town, we'd also like to see The Tent of Telepathy."
"So, you need my car and my money to go visit my direct competitor?" Stan couldn't help but look at Dipper as if he was an idiot.
"Uh... that's more or less it," Dipper replied, trying to hide his embarrassment under his cap.
"Okay, take this as a bonus. You'll probably be hungry on the way."
Stan gave them cash before refocusing on his bowl of cereal. Dipper, slightly confused by his uncle's unusual generosity, shrugged and put it down to GIFfany.
'The idiot really thinks I gave him real bills, haha. I can't wait to see Gideon's father's face when he gets caught at the bank.'
Yes, the money Stan had just given to Dipper was counterfeit. You have to understand that before his reincarnation in this body, Stan Pines had forced Mabel and Dipper to make fake bills. Currently, he hadn't gotten rid of these counterfeits, quite the contrary.
He had improved their quality thanks to the 3D printer. It was almost impossible to detect the forgery, unless you were an experienced banker.
"Thanks, Uncle Stan, we'll bring you souvenirs," Dipper said as he left the room. Stan stopped him before handing him his phone.
[Hey, why are you entrusting me to this child?] GIFfany suddenly appeared, having sensed movement.
"You should spend more time together. After all, you're also part of the family~."
[... If you insist that I hang out with these kids, then okay.] GIFfany quickly changed her tone after Stan's words.
"Uncle Stan, I'm not sure this is a good idea," Dipper tried to protest. But how could he hope to beat a man with over 50 years of experience in the art of scamming and a super brain in an argument contest?
In the end, the twins left with Soos for The Tent of Telepathy.
"It's just the two of us left, Wendy," Stan said, watching the car drive away.
"You say that as if we're going to do something extraordinary," Wendy replied in a slightly mocking tone.
The young girl's words brought a sadistic smile to Stan's face. Wendy was a bit confused seeing this expression appear on his face.
"Tell me, Wendy, do you believe in monsters?"
Unfortunately for Stan, Wendy's next words would completely ruin his mysterious aura.
"If you're referring to your current girlfriend, then yes. I feel like she's watching me 24 hours a day," Wendy said, shivering every time she caught a glimpse of GIFfany. It's not that she's racist towards AIs, but she clearly felt that GIFfany was extremely hostile towards her.
If she had to describe this sensation, it would be like being watched by her worst enemy while doing something else. It's just extremely uncomfortable.
'Shit, GIFfany...' Stan quickly understood that Wendy must be being spied on by GIFfany's robots. It seemed that GIFfany considered her as a threat.
"No, haha, and GIFfany isn't like that. I was talking about a legendary monster that resides in the area."
'Sorry, Wendy, but you'll have to put up with GIFfany for now.'