Stan's POV
"What chapter?! You bastard, don't tell me I'm in a novel or something!!!" Although these words alarmed me, just like the "temporary" disappearance of the lightbulb in my hands, I managed to gather a huge amount of information.
First, yes, I am indeed under the influence of one or more higher entities, kind of like how the SCP Foundation is influenced by SCP-001 (S. Andrew Swann's Proposal).
(Image)
Second, this jerk seems to live in a completely different timeframe than mine. He mentioned that the next "chapter" would be Sunday, but here, it's Wednesday.
There's also the fact that he's definitely in a higher reality that's not easily accessible to me. If I try to meet him physically, I might end up like SCP-3812, searching for the true reality.
Third... I'm screwed.
Logically, I can't beat an entity of this level, and getting on their bad side is clearly not an option. However, I might still have one solution to get rid of him... or them.
At least now I know that recovering my memories isn't random, and I know who's "playing" with me.
[You're half wrong, Johan. Your situation is partly due to chance, but not completely.]
"What do you mean by that? Are you trying to deny that you 'isekai-ed' me against my will?" I couldn't help but frown at this response.
And of course, this guy seems able to read my thoughts despite my rudimentary mental defenses.
[Do you have any idea how many drunk Johans died while driving their vehicles at the same time as you across existence?]
"I..." Damn, he's right.
I unconsciously built all my theories about my arrival in this reality and the recovery of my past memories assuming I was "special." But that could very well be wrong.
[Listen Johan, feel free to try breaking free from my existence or fighting me if you really want to leave "my game," but trust me, it's just stupid.]
[If I stop writing, you stop functioning. And if my content doesn't please many people, I might get bored and delete this story.]
[So here's some advice, my little Johan: avoid calling me "bastard" or thinking about evolving Arlecchino into a memetic entity to prevent me from accessing my author account in hopes of controlling this story.]
Damn... I understand now why the SCP Foundation never really managed to eliminate the authors from their website.
The power disparity is unfair. And if, by some miracle, they manage to get rid of certain authors, it simply means those authors wanted it themselves.
Like in the case of Dr. Talloran and SCP-3999, where the latter literally gave up and let the scientist win (commit suicide).
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Although the cruel truth is that Talloran simply died alone, and the entity ceased to exist only in that reality.
The reason? Doctor Talloran was his protagonist in the self-insert story written by SCP-3999, simple as that.
The two are connected, but only in this "story."
I also understand why some Foundation members consider SCP-001 (S. Andrew Swann's Proposal) as gods. They're just... too powerful.
So there are multiple reasons to avoid confrontation with this god.
Especially since I don't know if he's the real author or an entity embodying the author in this story, like in the case of SCP-3999. I also don't know if this story is a self-insert.
"Ok... I'll avoid crossing 'certain' limits from now on. But just... why Gravity Falls and why Stan Pines?" He could have written a novel about someone becoming Dipper, right?
[I read an incredible Dipper fanfic, but unfortunately, it's on pause.] I could sense a bit of venom and sadness in the entity's voice.
[So I decided to write my Gravity Falls fanfic. But writing about Dipper would be... boring. So I had a choice between Stan or Robbie, and Soos was the last option from my point of view.]
"I see, but..." As I was about to ask another intriguing question, the lightbulb I borrowed from Niko disappeared, along with Niko himself.
[You've had enough answers about your overall situation. As for your next question: no, you're not ready to face Bill Cipher in your current state.]
[That damn yellow triangle even operates in my reality via a Reddit account, and he's won in an infinity of realities against the Pines family, except the one shown on TV. Hahaha.]
After receiving this shocking information, the higher entity's voice disappeared.
"Mr. Pines? Why are you standing there like a statue?" Terri was looking at me weirdly.
I looked around and noticed my environment had changed slightly. I still had the "One Shot" book in my hands, but I hadn't opened it yet.
"Sigh... I didn't even get his name and didn't discover the real objective of all this beyond his whim to write a story..." I shrugged and started looking for One Piece novels.
I'm not saying no to knowledge about creating artificial Devil Fruits, and there are plenty of smart characters in fiction who find themselves in weak positions at certain points in their story.
An interesting example would be Leylin Farlier after his dimensional reincarnation spell, or even Tony Stark after his confrontation with Thanos.
The only problem is my lack of time. I should really think about meeting Time Baby.
...
Dipper's POV
Why did I let myself get dragged into this mess by following Mabel and Luz?
"Dipper, do you have any idea what could make Uncle Stan come to the Boiling Isles library this late?" asks Mabel, looking at me curiously, her eyes turning to the strange man who appeared right after Stan opened a book.
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"I'm not sure, but it's certainly related to his research, given his outfit."
If there are two things I've learned about Uncle Stan, it's that he always prioritizes his research and his loved ones. So if he's coming here this late with Terri and Giffany, it must be important.
I'd better convince Mabel and the others to leave quickly. Knowing Uncle Stan, this place might become dangerous.
"His research?" Luz's eyes start sparkling with curiosity, her attention completely captured by what's happening in front of us.
I also notice that Amity seems confused, both by Luz's reaction and by what Uncle Stan is doing right now, grabbing the elderly man by his lab coat collar.
At least this makes her forget that Mabel and Luz were led by Edric and Emira to snoop through her hidden stuff in the library.
I'd better keep it that way. The last thing I want is to be considered a snoop by Amity. I don't want to lose one of the few friends I've made during these holidays because of Mabel and Luz.
While I'm thinking about how to get everyone away from the library, an oppressive aura suddenly fills the place. In front of Uncle Stan now are a severely injured and unconscious man, and a woman in a similar state.
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The others don't seem to notice anything, but I can sense that these two are extremely dangerous.
My instinct tells me this truth. It's the result of the crash course Uncle Stan gave me before sending me to Hexside.
"Dipper, I know Mr. Pines must have a good reason for acting like this, but I don't think it's right to treat people that way," declares Amity, visibly uncomfortable.
Indeed, the way Uncle Stan is handling the man and woman isn't exactly polite...
Before I can react, Luz rushes between Uncle Stan and the white-haired girl lying on the ground.
"Stop treating them so roughly!!!"