Chapter Text
There once was a land that few remember, and those who do speak of it in whispers. It once held great power and mystery, and was rumored to harbor a great secret that could destroy the known world. There once was a terrible man who harnessed a dark magic who attempted to unlock the land’s secret and bring ruin, and yet no matter how many times he tried the magic was too powerful for him to overcome. A vast forest covered this ominous land, and it was filled with magical creatures and unforgiving curses. The forest was lush and beautiful, but it guarded the terrible secret and fought against the man who failed to tame it. Eventually the man caved in and his single attempts to overthrow the beings of the forest halted.
And he waited.
Time passed and slowly the rumors spread of the untamed magical forest. Brave warriors and curious adventurers sought out the infamous land, and the survivors returned with even more tales to weave of the impossible dangers they faced. Each story that was told was more exciting and enthralling than the next, but most people knew that to venture into the enchanted forest was foolish.
Until one day, twin brothers stepped forward. One brother was strong and a quick thinker, being clever in the arts of trickery. The other brother had great knowledge and insight, knowing the fine arts of magic. Both brothers were intrigued by the enchanted forest. As dangerous as the stories made the land sound, the brothers knew there was more to the forest than fame and fortune.
With their heads held high the twins ventured into the unknown with no ill intent. One brother planned to protect them from the traps and monsters, while the other brother planned to study the woods and creatures within. Time passed and the villages nearby the forest assumed the worst, making shallow, empty graves for the lost twin brothers.
But something unexpected happened. The forest, with thick, natural barriers protecting itself from the outside world, started to wither away. The darkness from the thick trees lit up, and the once intimidating forest became inviting.
None of the people expected this to happen so suddenly. When the villagers gathered around the edge of the forest, the twin brothers appeared.
No longer were they clothes in their tattered clothes, but were dressed in fine silks and jewels unlike the villagers had ever seen. When the intellectual brother spoke, his voice was booming and commanded respect. He explained that after their time spent in the enchanted forest, they learned to respect the creatures within, and to respect the earth itself for the trees were as sentient as the animals they shelter. Once the forest trusted the brothers, it showed them the terrible secret, and instead of ruin the brothers chose peace and prosperity. Because of this decision, the forest never wanted to part with the twins and granted them prolonged life and the power to rule.
The villagers bowed, and welcomed their new kings; Stanford and Stanley, Kings of the Pines, and rulers of the land of Gravity Falls.
With the help of magic, the villagers and the two Kings built a grand castle and city, and soon wealth and prosperity came pouring into the city’s walls. Neighboring kingdoms heard of this new kingdom rising, and soon made alliances with the brothers. Time passed and the brothers hardly aged, much to the people’s pleasure. Their Kings were firm, fair, and just, and they could never part from them.
Yet, with all the luck and joy that their kingdom held, the brothers held were not completely honest with their devoted citizens. Understandably so, the twins failed to mention that their gifts would continue only if the two brothers and their descendants guarded the terrible secret. Below the castle grounds a labyrinth was carved from the earth, hiding the terrible secret unbeknownst to anyone but themselves.
Fearful of one day their secret would be discovered, they hired an Oracle as part of their council. He was a weak but wise man, only using his power to aid the Kings in their final decisions on most affairs within their kingdoms politics and economy. Though Stanley did not trust the Oracle at first, Stanford befriended him quickly. They would battle in games of wit, have deep, philosophical discussions, and would aid each other in expanding their knowledge. Stanford saw no evil in the Oracle, and contemplated on letting the man know of the whereabouts of the labyrinth.
Stanley was right to not trust the Oracle. It was a still night and neither of the Kings could sleep. Feeling uneasy, Stanley urged his brother to come with him to check on the seal to the labyrinth below the castle. Deciding to humor his brother, Stanford agreed, and was forever changed.
The Oracle, his closest friend in his life, was no Oracle, but a Warlock. The man was using dark magic to try and force the seal open. The terrible man that started the legends was still alive and young, and had tricked the brothers so he could sneak his way to the well hidden labyrinth. When he attacked Stanford, Stanley blocked him and ended up scarred on his shoulder. Stanford used his all his rage and magic to banish the Warlock’s physical form from Gravity Falls.
The spell worked, but at a price. Stanley was fading from this world, so Stanford called upon the seal’s magic to bring his brother back, only to end up infused into the seal. Stanley awoke to see his brother’s body and spirit fade into the stone seal, and before he could comprehend what he witnessed, his brother was gone.
King Stanley was alone.
News of the murder of King Stanford broke the citizen’s hearts, and made them fear the outside world. King Stanley assured them that nothing bad would happen; the murderer was slain by his hand and would pay for his transgressions in the Underworld. Though the citizens listened to their strong King’s words, one question was starting to bother them as time passed.
If King Stanford was capable of leaving this plain, who would take the throne once King Stanley departed?
Luckily, the King had a niece, who blessed the kingdom with twins; a boy and a girl. King Stanley, still with the heavy burden of his brother’s death weighing on him, decided to take in his small, remaining family in hopes to build a brighter future.
And that is where the story truly begins…