Chapter 3: Action Of Judgement

" The one who barks the loudest. Is most likely the weakest. The one who is quiet. Is usually the most cautious. And the one who laughs is the most dangerous. " - Unknown

Woof. Woof. Woof.

The sound of barking spread through the dense forest, waking up Dale who was sleeping peacefully with his arms behind his head. He slowly opened his eyes with a slightly annoyed expression.

" A dog? Really? I guess it's better than a- " Before Dale could finish his sentence, he glanced down from the tree, glancing at a hideous monster, which stood roughly 7 feet in height. It's body was dropping down onto the grass, leaving a trail of black slime, similar to a snail.

Dale was still in shock as he watched the monster staring up at him, but oddly, the creature had no eyes. And clearly, it was confused, swiftly noticing this. Dale's hand slid across the tree bark grabbing onto a twig, snapping it off

In a single swift motion, Dale tossed the twig off the tree. The light twig swayed through the air, being blown through the sky by the gentlest of breezes. Until it softly landed on the ground. Instantly, the monster spun its slimey body around towards the twig.

It was obviously for Dale. The monster in front of him, hunted by sound alone. He watched as the monster slowly moved towards the twig, engulfing it in its slimy mass. As soon as the monster engulfed the twig, it stopped moving. Before its body shook rapidly. And a noise erupted out of the creature.

" Chirp. Chirp. Chirp. "

To help with its hunting. The creature right below Dale. Evolved to replicate creatures' vocals. Whether it be humans, birds, dogs, or even cows. After engulfing the twig, the creature began to chirp mating vocals, believing that the animal in the tree was a male bird. Dale could only stare at the monster in disbelief.

His mind went wild with thoughts about how to escape from it...Until a thunderous gunshot rang out scattering nearby birds. Immediately the monster, sluggishly, scrapped its body across the ground, approaching the gunshot. Dale watched, as the monster, got further and further away until it vanished from his eyesight.

" Well, that was lucky. " Quietly mumbled Dale, who made his way down from the tree. He gently landed on the ground. " But. I need to hurry up and find Gravity Falls town. I won't keep getting lucky. And eventually one of these monsters will kill me. "...

Several hours later

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⭑⚝

Inside a cabin, the sound of a loud, high-pitched voice was heard.

" D-Dipper! Look how cute this is! " Screamed out Mabel who was holding onto waddles with cat ears on. Dipper could only let out a loud sigh, as he sat on his bed intensely reading a journal with the number three on it.

" Y-Yeah Mabel. They look cute. "

" Come on...Dipper you didn't even look up from the book. " Dipper let out a loud grunt and slammed his journal shut and looked up. Right in time, to get poked in the nose.

" Boop! " Mabel said with a grin on her face. Dipper could only look away slightly annoyed as he placed his journal on his bed and stood up. Walking past Mabel who could only watch him walk away confused. Dipper headed down the stairs, before walking into the bathroom.

He slowly shut the door, before he collapsed onto the nearby sink, exhausted. Almost pitch black bags were under his eyes. He hadn't slept for almost two days. Dipper quickly reached up and turned on the sink, cupping his hands under the faucet, splashing his face with cold water. Trying to wake himself up. And yet, the cold water only seemed to make him more tired. Dipper couldn't help but stare at his sleep deprived condition in the mirror. Staring into his eyes. Before his lips quivered and-

" Hey. Dipper. Are you alright? "

" Woah! Soos! How did you get in here? " Asked Dipper, his heart beating out of his chest. Soos could only chuckle as he held up a key and spoke.

" Stan gave me a key that opens any door. I usually wouldn't open it but Mabel said I should check up on you. Apparently, you've been acting strange. "

" Check up on me?"

" Yeah I know. I thought it was weird too. " Responded Soos shrugging his shoulders. Dipper could only ponder to himself, before the sound of a bell ringing made both him and Soos look towards the bathroom door. Soos let out a loud huh, before he spoke.

" Someone entered the giftshop? This late? This never happens. " Said Soos as both him and Dipper headed towards the giftshop. They walked next to each other before they entered the shop and were greeted by a tall cloaked figure standing in the doorway.

" Umm? Is this shop closed? " Said the figure pulling back his hood revealing his bright blue eyes, long brown hair, and sun-burnt skin. Dipper and Soos could only side-eye each other before Dipper spoke.

" Yeah. You're a couple of hours late. "

" Well, I'm sorry. I just moved into this town. " Said Dale scratching the back of his head. An awkward silence engulfed the gift shop, as Dipper and Soos stared at Dale, who had an obvious fake grin on his face. The sound of a pen drop could of been heard, until the sound of running footsteps could be heard and Mabel sprinted towards Dipper with his journal in hand.

" Hey! Dipper I found something in your journal. " Screamed out Mabel until she stopped on a dime noticing Dale. She stared at him. As Dipper started to backpedal towards Mabel, before she suddenly shouted out while pointing at Dale.

" If you plan on robbing us, I'll let you know. Grunkle Stan will knock you- "

" You seem to have the wrong impression. Which isn't surprising. I'm terrible at first impressions. I only came here to check something. " Said Dale as his eyes drifted down to the journal. No one noticed this... Except Dipper who instantly grabbed his journal from Mabel's hand and spoke.

" Do you know something about this? " Once again an awkward silence swept through the gift shop, before Dale spoke. While turning around.

" Why? Would I know about a journal? But I'm sorry for bothering you. I'll come back later."

Dale walked out of the door, gently closing it behind him, while pulling his hood up. Dale walked down the stairs leading to the giftshop door and began heading towards the forest. He had achieved his goal. Dale mainly entered this giftshop to check if Dipper had his journal like the normal timeline. And luckily for him, he did.

All Dale had to do now was enter the town and find a place to sleep. Dale stepped further and further away from the shack, his footsteps echoing almost rhythmically before the sound of Dipper's voice cut them off.

" Hey! Wait! If you actually do know something about this journal you have to tell me. "

Dale could only glance back at Dipper who was standing in the doorway. A small grin crept onto Dale's face as he waved goodbye while entering the forest...