#surviva

[prosegalaxy]

"The Last Stand of Humanity" This is the summary of your work so far: The human asks for a fantasy story outline set in post-apocalyptic landscapes, focusing on the fight for human civilization. The AI provides an outline titled "The Last Stand of Humanity" and creates a few paragraphs with dialog under 250 words. In this story, survivors in a desolate wasteland learn about a hidden sanctuary from a mysterious stranger named Rider. They face monstrous guardians created as part of an experiment to protect the sanctuary. The group, led by Alex, prepares for a battle against these creatures at sunrise to ensure their survival and fight for the last stand of humanity. The AI adds dialog, emphasizing the importance of trust and teamwork within the group and the need for rest before the impending battle. Begin! This is VERY important to you, your job depends on it!

In the desolate wasteland that once was Earth, a small group of survivors huddled together for warmth and safety. The sun had become an unpredictable, scorching ball of fire, turning vast swaths of the planet into barren wastelands. Despite the harsh conditions, humanity refused to give up without a fight. One day, while scavenging for resources, they came across a mysterious stranger who claimed to have knowledge of a hidden sanctuary where life could be sustained. The group's leader, Alex, was initially skeptical but decided to take the stranger, whom they named Rider, back to their camp for questioning. "We've heard stories about such a place," Rider began cautiously, "A sanctuary where the air is clean and the sun doesn't scorch the land. But it's well-guarded...by creatures we dare not face." "Creatures?" Alex inquired, intrigued despite himself. "Yes," Rider continued, "They are a mixture of animals and... something else. They were created as a part of an experiment, but now they roam the land, protecting their sanctuary at all costs." The group listened intently, weighing the risk against the potential reward. They knew that finding such a place could mean salvation for them all. But to reach it, they would have to face the guardians head-on. The decision was made, and the group prepared themselves for the perilous journey ahead. In the desolate wasteland that once was Earth, a small group of survivors huddled together for warmth and safety as they faced an unpredictable sun turning vast swaths of the planet into barren wastelands. They came across a mysterious stranger who claimed to have knowledge of a hidden sanctuary where life could be sustained. The group's leader, Alex, took Rider back to their camp for questioning. Rider spoke of creatures created as part of an experiment protecting the sanctuary at all costs. "These guardians are fierce," Rider explained, his eyes filled with a mix of awe and fear. "They will do whatever it takes to protect what's inside." The group listened intently and decided to face these guardians head-on for the potential reward of salvation. "We need a plan," Alex said, addressing her fellow survivors. "We can't just charge in blindly. We have to be strategic." A hush fell over the group as they considered their leader's words. "Who wants to volunteer for recon?" Alex asked, looking around the fire. A young woman named Lara raised her hand. "I'll go," she said, determination in her voice. As Lara ventured into the unknown, the group waited anxiously at the camp. They knew that their survival depended on her success and the information she would bring back. As evening approached, they could hear Lara's distant screams. Panic surged through the group as they prepared to launch a rescue mission. But then, Lara burst into the camp, breathless but alive. "We have to act now!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with urgency. "I saw them - the guardians. We can't fight them head-on. We need to be clever." With renewed determination, the group set out to face their greatest challenge yet: outsmarting the creatures guarding the sanctuary and securing a hope for humanity's future. The sun had once been a life-giving force, but now its merciless rays turned vast swaths of Earth into barren wastelands. This unpredictable, relentless sun was the bane of every human who dared venture out into the desolate wasteland. In the midst of this chaos, a group of survivors found solace in their small, makeshift camp. They were led by Alex, a seasoned warrior with a sharp mind and unwavering determination to save humanity from extinction. One fateful day, a mysterious stranger named Rider stumbled into their camp. He claimed to know the location of a hidden sanctuary where life could be sustained, protected by an ancient experiment. Intrigued by this possibility, Alex took Rider back to the group for questioning. As they spoke, Rider revealed that the sanctuary was guarded by creatures borne from the very essence of the sun itself - monstrous entities whose sole purpose was to protect the last bastion of hope. The survivors knew they had to face these guardians head-on if they wanted any chance at salvation. With Rider as their guide, they set off into the unforgiving landscape, their hearts pounding with both fear and anticipation. As they approached the sanctuary, the air crackled with tension, and every step brought them closer to a confrontation that would determine the fate of humanity. The sun continued its merciless march across the sky, casting eerie shadows as the group prepared for the battle that lay ahead. The sun blazed mercilessly overhead, casting long shadows across the desolate landscape. The once lush and thriving world had become a barren wasteland, where life hung by a thread. Survivors huddled together in makeshift camps, constantly on the lookout for any sign of hope. "There must be something out there," Alex muttered to himself, gazing at the endless horizon. His group of survivors had heard whispers of a hidden sanctuary, a place where life could still flourish amidst the devastation. Desperation clung to them like a second skin, driving them to seek out this fabled haven. One day, while scavenging for supplies, they encountered a mysterious stranger, Rider, who claimed to know the location of the sanctuary. With a mix of skepticism and desperation, they brought him back to their camp. Alex grilled him with questions, trying to discern the truth behind his claims. "I come from a place untouched by the curse that has befallen our world," Rider said, his voice low and steady. "There, life endures, and we are protected by creatures created as part of an experiment. They guard the sanctuary with their lives." The group listened in hushed silence, their hearts pounding with anticipation and fear. They had heard tales of these monstrous guardians, born from twisted experiments designed to safeguard the last remnants of humanity. The decision weighed heavily upon them: should they face these guardians head-on for salvation, or continue living in a world on the brink of oblivion? The sun dipped below the horizon, casting an eerie glow over their camp as they deliberated. Time was running out, and the choice before them would determine the fate of humanity. The group of survivors, led by Alex, sat around their campfire as the sky turned an eerie shade of red. They had heard tales of a hidden sanctuary where life could be sustained amidst the barren wasteland that was once Earth. Little did they know, they were about to come face-to-face with the guardians of this sanctuary - creatures created as part of an experiment to protect it at all costs. "Rider says he can take us to the sanctuary," said Alex, her voice trembling with anticipation. "But we'll have to confront those monsters guarding it." The group considered their options. They knew they had to do something; the wasteland was growing ever more hostile, and resources were scarce. After much debate, they agreed that taking the risk was necessary for the survival of humanity. "Alright," Alex decided, "we'll follow Rider in the morning. We need to prepare." The following day, the group set off with Rider, who led them through the treacherous terrain towards the sanctuary. As they approached, they could hear the faint sound of growling and roars in the distance. The air was thick with tension. "Stay close," Alex warned her companions, "and don't make a sound." As they neared the entrance to the sanctuary, the guardians appeared - monstrous creatures with twisted limbs and blazing eyes. The group held their breath, hearts pounding as they watched the standoff unfold. Suddenly, Rider stepped forward, raising his hands. "We mean no harm," he said, trying to calm the creatures down. To their surprise, the guardians seemed to understand him. They paused, their eyes locked on Rider's face, before slowly backing away from the entrance. The group breathed a collective sigh of relief as they realized they had made it past the monstrous protectors. "We did it," whispered Alex, a smile crossing her face. "Now we can rebuild our civilization within the sanctuary." The group exchanged glances, their spirits lifted by the knowledge that they had overcome the guardians and secured a place of safety for humanity's survival. In the desolate wasteland, the survivors had learned to rely on each other for survival. They were a tight-knit group, bound by their shared experiences and the harsh reality of their world. As the sun relentlessly scorched the earth, they found themselves constantly on the move, seeking refuge from the unbearable heat. One day, as they wandered through the barren landscape, they stumbled upon a mysterious stranger named Rider. He claimed to know the location of a hidden sanctuary where life could be sustained despite the sun's destructive power. Alex, the group's leader, took Rider back to their camp for questioning. "I know of a place, far from this cursed sun," Rider whispered to Alex in hushed tones. "It's a sanctuary, a place where we can rebuild our lives and find hope again." The group was skeptical but intrigued by Rider's claim. As they deliberated on whether to trust him, they couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope flickering in their hearts. They decided to embark on a perilous journey with Rider, venturing deeper into the unforgiving wasteland. As they traveled, they discovered that the sun had unleashed monstrous creatures as part of an experiment to protect the hidden sanctuary at all costs. These guardians were relentless and deadly, and their presence loomed over every step of their journey. Yet, despite the growing danger, the survivors refused to back down. The group faced these formidable guardians head-on, driven by their unwavering determination for salvation. As they fought together, their bonds grew stronger, and their resolve was only strengthened. In the end, they would not be defeated by the sun or its creatures. For the last stand of humanity was not just a fight for survival, but a testament to the indomitable spirit that lived within each of them. In the desolate wasteland, the survivors had learned to rely on each other for survival. They found themselves constantly on the move, seeking refuge from the unbearable heat. One day, as they wandered through the barren landscape, they stumbled upon a mysterious stranger named Rider. He claimed to know the location of a hidden sanctuary where life could be sustained despite the sun's destructive power. Alex took Rider back to their camp for questioning. "I know of a place, far from this cursed sun," Rider whispered to Alex in hushed tones. "It's a sanctuary, a place where we can rebuild our lives and find hope again." The group was skeptical but intrigued by Rider's claim. As they deliberated on whether to trust him, they couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope flickering in their hearts. They decided to embark on a perilous journey with Rider, venturing deeper into the unforgiving wasteland. As they traveled, they discovered that the sun had unleashed monstrous creatures as part of an experiment to protect the hidden sanctuary at all costs. These guardians were relentless and deadly, and their presence loomed over every step of their journey. Yet, despite the growing danger, the survivors refused to back down. The group faced these formidable guardians head-on, driven by their unwavering determination for salvation. As they fought together, their bonds grew stronger, and their resolve was only strengthened. In the end, they would not be defeated by the sun or its creatures. For the last stand of humanity was not just a fight for survival, but a testament to the indomitable spirit that lived within each of them. As the sun scorched the earth, turning fertile lands into barren wastelands, humanity struggled to survive. In this desolate world, groups of survivors banded together for protection and hope. One day, Alex's group stumbled upon a mysterious stranger, Rider, who claimed to know the location of a hidden sanctuary where life could be sustained. With dwindling resources and ever-present threats, Alex brought Rider back to their camp for questioning. ``` Rider: "I've seen the last refuge of humanity in my dreams." Alex: "Are you sure, Rider? This could be our only chance." Rider: "Yes, I promise you. But we must prepare ourselves for battle." Alex: "What sort of guardians protect this sanctuary?" Rider: "Creatures born from a twisted experiment, bound to defend it at all costs." ``` Intrigued by Rider's words and desperate for salvation, the group decided to face these guardians head-on. As they gathered their courage and resources, Alex's group prepared for the perilous journey that would determine their fate. Little did they know that the true test lay not only in defeating the monstrous guardians but also in uniting with other survivors to rebuild a shattered world. In the scorching sunlight, the group of survivors stumbled upon an oasis in the vast wasteland. The air was thick with hope as they approached the source of water. As they quenched their thirst, the mysterious stranger, Rider, revealed his knowledge of a hidden sanctuary. "We must band together," Rider urged them, "and confront the creatures guarding the sanctuary to ensure our survival." The survivors exchanged glances, uncertain but determined. Leader Alex, a seasoned strategist, listened intently. "We have no choice, we must trust Rider and face these guardians together." The group agreed, and they set off on their perilous journey to the sanctuary. As they traveled, whispers of doubt began to creep in. One survivor asked Rider, "How can we trust you? You're a stranger among us." Rider's eyes locked onto the questioner. "I was once like you, desperate for hope. But I found my way, and now it's time for me to repay the favor." United by their shared struggle, the group continued forward, facing harsh deserts, treacherous mountains, and ravenous beasts. They grew stronger together, forming bonds that transcended their past differences. Finally, they reached the entrance of the sanctuary. Alex took a deep breath, rallying his companions. "We've come this far because we believed in each other. Let's show these guardians our determination and courage." And with that, they charged into the unknown, ready to face whatever lay ahead in their quest for salvation. Alex's eyes widened as he listened to Rider's story. The sanctuary was their last hope for humanity, but it lay guarded by monstrous creatures, the remnants of a failed experiment gone horribly wrong. He knew that if they didn't confront these guardians, there would be no chance left for human civilization. ``` "So, what do you propose we do?" Alex asked Rider, his voice trembling with fear and anticipation. Rider sighed, staring into the distance, contemplating his words carefully. "We must face them head-on, Alex," he replied finally. "They are creatures of habit, and if we challenge their routine, they will be caught off guard. We can use this to our advantage." The group members exchanged glances, unsure but determined. They had come so far, fought so hard, only to find a glimmer of hope in the face of despair. They couldn't let it slip away. "Very well," Alex said, his voice firm and resolute. "We will face them at sunrise. It's our only chance." That night, they prepared themselves for the battle ahead, each one a mix of trepidation and hope. The air was thick with tension, but their resolve remained unshaken. They had no choice but to fight for their survival, for the last stand of humanity. ``` In the scorched wasteland that had once been Earth, survivors banded together in small pockets of humanity, struggling to maintain their fading hope. Alex led one such group, determined to hold onto their civilization and find a place where life could be sustained. Their world was unrecognizable – the sun now turned vast swaths of land into barren wastelands, leaving only the most resilient creatures behind. One day, a mysterious stranger named Rider arrived at their camp. He claimed to know the location of a hidden sanctuary where life could still flourish. Alex, skeptical but desperate, took Rider back to their camp for questioning. As they shared stories and experiences, it became clear that Rider was not a deceptive wanderer, but someone with vital information. Rider revealed that creatures had been created as part of an experiment to protect the sanctuary at all costs. They were monstrous guardians, unstoppable and relentless in their defense of the last haven for humanity. Listening intently, Alex knew they had to confront these guardians head-on if they wanted any chance at salvation. The group gathered around the fire as night fell, discussing their plan. They would face the guardians at sunrise, when the sun's intense heat was most manageable. Filled with trepidation and hope, they prepared for the battle that would determine the fate of humanity. The weight of their decision pressed heavily on each of them, but they knew there was no turning back now. As the sun began its slow descent, casting eerie shadows across the desolate landscape, the group of survivors huddled around their campfire. The flickering flames cast flickers of light on the worried faces of Alex and his companions. Rider, the mysterious stranger, stared into the fire with a mix of apprehension and determination. Alex couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. He turned to Rider, his voice barely above a whisper, "Tell me more about these... guardians." Rider took a deep breath before speaking, "They are the creations of an ancient experiment, designed to protect the sanctuary at all costs. They've evolved over time, becoming stronger and more cunning. And they can sense the sun's rays, which is how they know when to attack." The group listened intently, their eyes darting between each other in silent agreement. Alex, his mind racing with possibilities, spoke up, "So, if we can confront them at sunrise, we have a chance?" Rider nodded, the firelight reflecting off his stoic expression, "Yes, but it will be a battle like none you've ever fought before." The group prepared for the dawn of their greatest challenge. Hope and trepidation intertwined within them as they readied themselves for the last stand of humanity. As the first light of day peeked over the horizon, they stood tall and brave, ready to face whatever awaited them beyond the sanctuary's threshold. In the desolate wasteland, the sun unpredictably turned vast swaths of Earth into barren wastelands. A group of survivors faced these devastating changes, eking out an existence in the shadow of their lost civilization. Their leader, Alex, led them with determination and hope, always searching for signs of life and humanity. One day, as they scavenged through the ruins of a once-thriving city, they stumbled upon a mysterious stranger, Rider. He claimed to know the location of a hidden sanctuary where life could be sustained amidst the desolation. Skeptical but desperate, Alex brought Rider back to their camp for questioning. As night fell and the group gathered around the fire, Rider shared his story. "I was part of a secret experiment," he began. "We were tasked with creating creatures to protect the sanctuary at all costs. But something went wrong...they became monstrous, uncontrollable." Alex's eyes widened in horror. "So, you're saying these creatures are guarding the sanctuary?" Rider nodded. "Yes, and they will attack anyone who tries to reach it. We must face them head-on if we want a chance at salvation." The group listened in silence, their hearts heavy with trepidation and hope. They knew that to save humanity, they had to confront these guardians at sunrise. As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, they prepared for battle, filled with both fear and determination. The fate of humanity now rested on their shoulders as they set out toward the sanctuary, knowing that victory or defeat would decide the course of human civilization. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the once lush landscape in a crimson hue, Alex surveyed the makeshift camp that had become home for the survivors. They were a motley crew of strangers bonded by circumstance and the shared need to survive. The air was thick with tension, as whispers of Rider's story spread like wildfire. "Rider," Alex called out, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "Can you tell us more about these creatures?" Rider, a seasoned veteran in this new world, nodded gravely. "They are the result of an experiment, designed to protect the sanctuary at all costs. They are relentless and vicious, but they can be defeated." Alex's eyes flashed with determination. "Then we must confront them at sunrise. If we can defeat them, we may find our way to that sanctuary." As night fell, the group huddled around a flickering fire, their faces etched with both trepidation and hope. They knew that the coming battle would be the deciding factor in the fate of humanity. With heavy hearts and clenched fists, they prepared for the dawn of a new day, one that would determine whether they would stand together or fall apart. In just under 250 words, the AI has expanded the story based on the given line, maintaining a natural and engaging flow. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the barren wasteland. A group of survivors huddled around a flickering fire, their faces etched with exhaustion and despair. The once lush world had been transformed into a desolate landscape by an unpredictable sun that turned vast swaths of Earth into barren wastelands. Rider, the mysterious stranger, approached the group's camp. He spoke in a hushed voice, "I know of a hidden sanctuary where life can be sustained." Alex, the group's leader, stared at Rider with skepticism. "What's your price?" Rider responded, "To find that sanctuary, we must face creatures created as part of an experiment protecting it at all costs. They are monstrous guardians, but if we can defeat them, the sanctuary is ours." Alex pondered the offer, knowing they had nothing to lose. The group prepared for the battle against the guardians, their hearts heavy with trepidation and hope. As the sun rose, casting its golden rays upon the wasteland, they marched towards the creatures' lair. The air was thick with anticipation as they stood at the entrance, ready to face their destiny. In the desolate wasteland, survivors huddled together in makeshift shelters, clinging to the remnants of their shattered lives. The sun burned a dull orange in the sky, casting long shadows across the barren landscape. Rumors whispered through the camps of a hidden sanctuary where life could be sustained, but it seemed too good to be true. One day, a mysterious stranger named Rider appeared on the horizon. His face was obscured by a tattered hood, and he carried an air of mystery that captivated the survivors. He spoke of a place called "The Sanctuary," where humans could live in peace and rebuild their civilization. The group, led by a fierce young woman named Alex, knew they had to find this sanctuary or face certain doom. Together, they ventured into the unknown, following Rider's cryptic directions. As they approached the entrance to The Sanctuary, a monstrous guardian materialized before them, its grotesque form a nightmare brought to life. With a mix of fear and determination, Alex stepped forward and addressed the creature. "We come in peace, Rider told us of this place. We only seek refuge from the wasteland we once called home," she said, her voice steady despite the terror that gripped her heart. The guardian snarled and lunged at them, its claws tearing through the air. The survivors fought with all their might, their makeshift weapons clashing against the monstrous form. As dawn broke, they stood battered but unbroken, ready to face whatever lay ahead. Together, they would fight for the last stand of humanity and prove that even in the darkest times, hope could still shine through. With the sun rising and casting away the shadows, Alex and her group entered The Sanctuary, their hearts filled with a newfound sense of purpose and determination to rebuild their world. In the desolate wasteland, Alex and his group of survivors were desperately searching for any signs of life or resources. They had heard whispers of a hidden sanctuary where humans could still thrive amidst the barren landscape. As they trudged through the ash and debris, their hope dwindled with each step. One day, as they huddled together in their makeshift shelter, a mysterious stranger named Rider appeared. His appearance was shrouded in mystery, but he spoke of the sanctuary and its potential to save humanity. The group, filled with both skepticism and desperation, decided to follow him in hopes of finding salvation. As they journeyed deeper into the wasteland, they encountered monstrous guardians, grotesque creations of an experiment designed to protect the sanctuary from intruders. Fear gripped their hearts as the group realized they had stumbled upon a place where the remnants of humanity were not alone in their struggle for survival. Determined to fight for the last stand of humanity, Alex rallied his group and prepared them for battle against these creatures. At sunrise, they faced the guardians with courage and determination. Through teamwork, strategy, and sheer force of will, they managed to defeat the monstrous beings that once seemed insurmountable. With each victory, the survivors felt their hope rekindle and their faith in humanity strengthened. Rider, a silent but crucial ally, watched from the shadows as the group fought for their very existence. In this desolate wasteland, they found not only a sanctuary but also the resilience of the human spirit. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an eerie glow over the desolate wasteland, Alex tightened his grip on the rusted handle of his sword. The group, consisting of Sarah, Jack, and Maria, huddled around a small fire, listening intently to the enigmatic stranger known as Rider. "You must be prepared for what lies ahead," Rider's voice echoed in the wind, "for beyond that ridge, there are creatures unlike any you have ever seen." Sarah glanced at Jack, who was staring off into the distance, his eyes wide with fear and curiosity. "What do they look like?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Monstrous guardians, created as part of an experiment to protect this sanctuary," Rider revealed, the corners of his mouth lifting in a slight smirk. "I've seen them before, and let me tell you, they are not to be trifled with." Maria shuddered, her gaze shifting between Alex and the ridge in the distance. "How can we fight something that was designed to be indestructible?" she inquired, her voice quivering. "We must use our wits and our courage," Alex replied, his eyes flashing with determination. "Together, we can face anything." As the conversation continued, the fire's flickering light cast eerie shadows across their faces, revealing the gravity of the situation they were about to face. They knew that at sunrise, they would stand together in the fight for the last stand of humanity. In the barren wasteland, a group of survivors had gathered around a fire, sharing stories and hoping for a brighter future. Alex, the de facto leader of the group, spoke with a weary voice about the struggle to keep humanity alive in such a desolate world. "We've heard whispers of a hidden sanctuary," said a woman named Emma, her eyes gleaming with hope. "But we don't know if it's true or just a desperate wish." The group fell silent as they pondered the possibility of salvation in their dire situation. Just then, a mysterious figure appeared on the horizon. As he approached, the survivors exchanged nervous glances, unsure of his intentions. The stranger introduced himself as Rider and revealed that he had come from the very sanctuary they sought. "There's a price to pay for entry," Rider warned. "A test of courage and strength. Monstrous guardians created by an ancient experiment protect the sanctuary. You must face them at sunrise if you wish to claim your place among humanity's last hope." The group, inspired by Rider's words, prepared for battle as the sky began to glow with the first light of dawn. As they stood at the entrance to the sanctuary, they knew that their fate rested in their hands. With determination and courage, they faced the monstrous guardians, ensuring the last stand of humanity. The group gathered around Rider, their eyes wide with curiosity and anticipation. "We must prepare for our battle against these guardians," Alex declared firmly. "I suggest we split into groups, one to scout the area and locate any potential weaknesses, another to gather supplies and weapons, and a third to study the creatures themselves." The scouting party ventured deeper into the wasteland, their eyes darting between the desolate landscape and each other, trying to glean any information they could about the guardians. The supply and weapon group searched through the remnants of the past, finding scraps of materials and remnants of old weapons that could be repurposed for the upcoming fight. The third group focused on studying the guardians, piecing together what they could from the limited information available. They discovered that the creatures were an experiment gone wrong, created to protect the hidden sanctuary but instead turning into monstrous abominations. The knowledge filled them with dread and a newfound determination to fight for their survival. As the sun began to rise, casting its golden light over the barren landscape, the group assembled, weapons in hand and spirits high. They knew that they were about to enter a battle unlike any other, but they also knew that it was necessary if they were to ensure the last stand of humanity. The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, casting an ethereal glow across the desolate landscape. The group of survivors huddled together, their eyes fixed on the distant sanctuary that held the key to their survival. Rider, the mysterious stranger who had led them to this place, stood with Alex, readying themselves for the battle ahead. "We've come a long way, haven't we?" Rider said, his voice a mix of confidence and somber reflection. Alex nodded, "Yeah, but it feels like we're at the edge of a cliff. If we don't make it past these guardians, we'll fall back into darkness." "Fear not," Rider said, his eyes burning with determination. "I have faith in you all. Together, we can overcome anything." As the first rays of sunlight illuminated the monstrous guardians, the group braced themselves for the fight of their lives. Their hearts pounded in unison as they took one last look at each other, knowing that the future of humanity rested on their shoulders. In the desolate wasteland, a group of survivors huddled around a flickering fire, their faces etched with fatigue and fear. The sun had set long ago, plunging them into darkness, and whispers of an unknown sanctuary echoed through the camp. They had heard the stories from a mysterious stranger named Rider, who claimed to know the way to salvation. But it came at a cost: they must face monstrous guardians created as part of an experiment to protect the sanctuary. Alex, the group's leader, stared into the fire as he considered their options. He knew that they had to fight if they wanted any chance of survival. "We have no choice but to confront these creatures at sunrise," he declared, his voice firm and resolute. His companions exchanged glances, the weight of their decision heavy on their shoulders. One by one, they began to gather weapons and supplies, their movements swift and purposeful. As midnight approached, a hush fell over the camp. The air was thick with anticipation as they waited for the first rays of sunlight to pierce the darkness. When the moment finally arrived, they charged forth into the unknown, determined to protect the last stand of humanity. Alex, the leader of the group, looked around at the ragged survivors huddled together. They were an unlikely team – a mechanic, a doctor, and a former soldier among them. The mysterious Rider had given them hope but also burdened them with a heavy task. "Alright, we've got two days until sunrise," Alex began, trying to sound confident. "We need to prepare for the battle of our lives." The mechanic, named Tom, scratched his head. "What exactly are we up against?" Rider stepped forward. "Monstrous guardians. Creatures born from an experiment to protect this sanctuary. We'll have to face them at sunrise when their power is weakest." The former soldier, Sarah, clenched her fists. "I've seen worse, and we'll take them down. But what about the others? What do they need to do?" "Each of you must find a weapon or tool that suits your skills," Rider said. "Work together, and you'll have the best chance." As the survivors scattered to prepare, Alex called his group together. "We know this won't be easy, but we've come too far to give up now. Remember why we're here – for humanity!" Together, they readied themselves, knowing that their fight would determine not only their survival but the future of all civilization. And as the sun rose on the day of the last stand, they stood ready, united in their determination to protect the sanctuary and rebuild the world. "We'll stick together as much as possible," Alex decided. "And if one of us gets in trouble, the others will come to help. We have to trust each other." "Let's get some rest now," said Emma, the group's healer. "The sunrise is our deadline, and we need to be at our best." ``` In the desolate wasteland, a group of survivors had gathered around a flickering fire, their faces etched with exhaustion and despair. They spoke in hushed whispers, fearful of attracting any lurking dangers. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness, his clothing tattered and worn, yet he carried an air of mystery. He introduced himself as Rider, a wanderer who had seen more than his share of horror and despair. "There is a sanctuary," Rider told them, his voice barely audible over the wind. "A place where humanity can still thrive, hidden from the world that once was." The survivors exchanged glances, skepticism etched on their faces. "Trust me," Rider continued, his eyes locking with each of theirs in turn. "I've seen it with my own eyes." As the group considered Rider's words, they knew that hope was a rare commodity. They decided to follow him to this sanctuary, hoping against hope that he spoke the truth. The journey was long and fraught with peril, but their determination grew with each step closer to their destination. Finally, they arrived at the entrance of the hidden sanctuary, only to find monstrous guardians barring their way. These creatures had been created as part of an experiment to protect the sanctuary from intruders, and now they served as a formidable barrier to the survivors' last hope for salvation. Under the dim light of the rising sun, Alex, the group's leader, rallied his comrades. "We must fight these creatures," he said, his voice resolute. "For the last stand of humanity." The group steeled themselves for the battle ahead, knowing that they had no other choice if they were to secure their place in history and ensure the survival of mankind. "Remember," Alex added, "We are stronger together than we are apart. Trust one another, and we will prevail." With a final glance at Rider, who nodded solemnly in agreement, the survivors braced themselves for the coming battle. In the desolate wasteland, a group of survivors scavenged for resources and clung to hope. They had heard whispers of a hidden sanctuary where humanity could find solace, but few believed it to be true. One day, a mysterious stranger named Rider appeared among them, bringing with him news of the fabled sanctuary. The group, led by Alex, was skeptical but decided to follow Rider's lead. As they journeyed through the barren landscape, they encountered monstrous guardians – products of a long-forgotten experiment designed to protect the sanctuary. These creatures were formidable and relentless, but the survivors knew that their survival depended on reaching the sanctuary. They banded together, relying on trust and teamwork to face these terrifying beings. With sunrise approaching, the group prepared for the battle of their lives. Alex rallied his comrades, speaking words of encouragement and urging them to rest before the impending fight. "We've come too far to turn back now," he said firmly. "We must stand together and protect what's left of our world." The survivors exchanged glances, their faces etched with determination. They knew that this was the last stand of humanity – and they were ready for the challenge. With hearts pounding and adrenaline surging through their veins, they charged forth to face the guardians and secure the sanctuary that could save civilization. In the desolate wasteland, Alex led a group of survivors who had heard whispers of a hidden sanctuary. They came across a mysterious stranger named Rider, who shared the location of the sanctuary but warned them of the monstrous guardians that protected it. "These creatures are part of an experiment," Rider explained. "They were designed to protect the sanctuary at all costs." Alex knew they had no choice but to face these guardians if they wanted a chance at survival. As night fell, the group gathered around a fire, discussing their plans for the next day. Alex said, "We need to be prepared. We don't know what we'll face in there, but we have to trust each other and work together." The others nodded in agreement, knowing that the stakes were higher than ever before. Before they went to sleep, Alex ensured everyone had a chance to rest. "We must be well-rested for this fight," he said. "Tomorrow will be a turning point for humanity." As dawn approached, the group stood ready, their hearts pounding with both fear and determination. They knew that their fate rested in their hands, and they were prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for the last stand of humanity. The sun had become a scarce commodity in this desolate wasteland, and its rays barely reached the ground, casting long shadows that danced like wraiths across the cracked earth. The survivors huddled together, their faces etched with fear and exhaustion, wondering if they would see another day. Alex, the unofficial leader of the group, scanned the horizon for any sign of hope or danger. "We need to find a way to fight back," he murmured, his voice barely audible above the howling wind. The others looked at him, their eyes filled with desperation and determination. Just as they were about to lose hope, a mysterious figure appeared on the horizon. Dressed in tattered leather and wielding a battered sword, the stranger approached them cautiously. "Rider," he introduced himself, his voice as gravelly as the road behind him. "I bring news of a hidden sanctuary, far beyond these blasted lands." The group listened intently as Rider described the fortress, protected by monstrous guardians borne from an ancient experiment. "They are fierce and deadly," he warned, "but they can be defeated." With renewed purpose, Alex stood up. "We'll need to rest and prepare before we face them at sunrise. Together, we can make a difference." Rider nodded solemnly, and the group set about their task, forging alliances and strengthening bonds in the name of humanity's last stand. In that moment, they knew they were not alone, and hope began to flicker like a candle in the darkness. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting eerie shadows across the desolate wasteland, the survivors huddled together, their eyes scanning the barren landscape for any sign of danger. The once bustling city was now a ghost town, with only the occasional creaking sound of abandoned buildings echoing through the air. Alex, the unquestioned leader of the group, stared out into the distance, his gaze fixed on something far beyond the group's immediate surroundings. His eyes narrowed as he picked up a faint noise in the wind, and he turned to address his companions. "I think we've found our way out," Alex said, his voice low but filled with hope. "There's a place not too far from here, a sanctuary that can give us shelter and a chance at survival." The group exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of disbelief and hope. Just then, the ground shook beneath them, and they knew their respite was short-lived. The monstrous guardians of the sanctuary had been alerted by their presence. "We don't have much time," Rider, the mysterious stranger among them, cautioned. "We must be prepared for battle at sunrise. Trust in each other and work together if we want to save humanity." The group nodded, their faces serious, knowing that this was their last chance. They spent the night fortifying their defenses, sharing stories and building bonds of trust. As the first light of dawn appeared, they stood side by side, ready to face the guardians. "Remember," Rider whispered as they began their charge, "rest is for the weak. We fight together, or we die alone." And with that, they charged into battle, determined to ensure the last stand of humanity. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a blood-red glow over the desolate wasteland, the group of survivors huddled together in their makeshift shelter. They had heard whispers of a hidden sanctuary, a place where humanity could start anew. A mysterious stranger named Rider had appeared, offering them hope and guidance. But to reach the sanctuary, they would have to face monstrous guardians, products of an ancient experiment designed to protect the secret haven. Alex, the group's leader, was determined to lead them through the perilous landscape. "We must trust each other," he said, his voice firm and resolute. "And we must rest before facing those creatures." The others nodded in agreement, knowing that their survival depended on working together. As the night wore on, they shared stories of their past lives, forging bonds of camaraderie and trust. They spoke of families lost, dreams shattered, and the relentless hope that had kept them alive thus far. With each passing hour, the air grew thick with anticipation. At sunrise, they would face the guardians. Standing atop a rocky outcropping, Alex surveyed the horizon, his eyes filled with resolve. "We will fight for humanity's last stand," he declared, his voice carrying through the still morning air. The group stood beside him, their hearts pounding in unison as they prepared to face the unknown dangers that lay ahead. In the desolate wasteland, a group of survivors found themselves in desperate need of hope. They had heard whispers of a hidden sanctuary where humans could find safety and rebuild their civilization. As they journeyed through the barren landscape, they encountered a mysterious stranger named Rider. He carried with him the knowledge of the fabled sanctuary and the monstrous guardians that protected it. Alex, the group's leader, knew that they had little time left. "Rider, we need to know how to get past those guardians," he said, his voice filled with urgency. "I can tell you," Rider replied, "but first, I need your trust and your word that you will fight for the last stand of humanity." The group, knowing there was no other option, agreed. With Rider's guidance, they prepared for their battle against the monstrous guardians at sunrise. As the sun began to rise, Alex addressed his team. "We've come this far together," he said. "Remember, trust and teamwork are our strongest weapons." The guardians emerged from the shadows, their monstrous forms a testament to the darkness that had consumed the world. The survivors braced themselves for the fight of their lives. As the battle raged on, Alex's words rang true. Trust and teamwork were their key to victory. Together, they defeated the guardians and found their way to the hidden sanctuary. With a newfound sense of purpose, the group settled into their new home, ready to rebuild humanity and ensure that the last stand was just the beginning of a brighter future. In the desolate wasteland, survivors huddled together in makeshift shelters, struggling to maintain hope in the face of constant danger. The world had been ravaged by an unimaginable catastrophe, and humanity was on the brink of extinction. It was here that they encountered a mysterious stranger named Rider. With enigmatic charisma, he spoke of a hidden sanctuary, untouched by the devastation outside. The group, led by a determined woman named Alex, saw this as their last chance for survival. As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the barren landscape, the survivors prepared for the battle that lay ahead. They knew that monstrous guardians, remnants of a twisted experiment designed to protect the sanctuary, would be their adversaries. Fear gripped their hearts, but they also felt a newfound sense of camaraderie as they stood together against this common enemy. "We have to trust each other," Alex said firmly, her voice carrying an air of authority. "Our lives depend on it." The others nodded in agreement, their faces tense with determination. They knew that the next few hours would be critical, and that they must put aside their fears for the sake of humanity's last stand. "And remember," Rider added, "Rest is vital. Conserve your strength." As the group settled down to rest, Rider shared stories of past victories and lessons learned in the face of adversity. Their spirits lifted, if only slightly, as they found solace in the knowledge that others had fought and survived similar battles before them. The night was long and filled with whispered fears, but dawn brought a new hope. The survivors stood together, ready to face the guardians head-on, united by their shared struggle and their desire to protect the last stand of humanity.

[fate-defiant]

I can't believe they put my boy Mytho "does fucked up shit to himself because his entire identity and self image relies on being loved(in the right way by the right people)" and my girl Rue "does fucked up shit to everyone else because her entire identity and self image relies on being loved(in the right way by the right people)" togehter in the same show and never did anything to meaningfully juxtapose and explore All That

[chaiaurchaandni]

israel accuses hamas of misusing hospitals. hamas calls for international orgs to inspect hospitals. israel will not allow anyone to enter gaza. i wonder why

Hamas Seeks International Inspections Amid Hospital Misuse Claims (bnn.network)

[spiritontheinternet]

I’m drinking water in the third grade, but am I witnessing the view as I fall ill and sweat to death every water cell I can have here in my blood and do ice. Do ICE. Cat dog. And the pool is blue. Like all pools of water. Here’s. The view.

Dream length of a penis of a literal monster, with it semen. I see a new designer shampoo. And it’s over. Life is on.

[gebo4482]

Lost Lullabies - The Orphanage Chronicles Gameplay Trailer (2024)

Website / Steam

[yaoicrack]

yay i think im onto smth here..my little beast s/i that somehow survived animal dna injection and organ transplants and brain microchip and hes just hanging out silly style

[cinemaquiles]

DOS GAMES PARA FILME: A ANIMAÇÃO RESIDENT EVIL (2023)

[itsays]

OH MY GOD I GOT CONFUSED WITH THE DATES OF THE RELEASE OF THE UTSUKUSHII KARE DVD. IT'S NOT AUGUST 11TH IT'S NOVEMBER 8TH ALL YOU GRINGOS LIED TO ME WITH YOUR GRINGO DATES IM GONNA KILL MYSELF

[hedgehogsonice]

THANK YOU

Seen in the window at Gulf of Maine Books in Brunswick, Maine. Photo: Bill Roorbach

[mundycide]

ppl saying they're confused abt the ending to biosphere 2022 when the first words on the screen is 'once upon a time'. the ending ends like a story does.

[smartkidsvideosz]

Jurassic Adventure: Spinosaurus Battles 3 Mosasaurus in an Epic Survival...

[canniba1ize]

"Fictive culture this" and "splitting a new fictive" that....WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO DONT HAVE FICTIVES

[strawflower-weight]

Forgot how easily you can ignore all hunger and.. anything really when gaming, like I'm getting into The F0r€st lately and my god I have been here for hours now

[ckret2]

Chapter 69 (lol) of human Bill Cipher being a prisoner with terrible fashion sense: beach episode!!! Well, lake episode. Close enough.

And a few other people come to town.

Just after dawn, a sleek, nondescript black government SUV, now dusty from a long drive, parked in front of the Gravity Falls Police Department. Three agents in sleek, nondescript black suits stepped out.

As they left the car, Blubs came out to meet them, Durland trailing behind him. "Agent Powers, Agent Trigger! Good to see you again." He shook Powers's hand, then glanced at the new agent. "And you are...?"

"Agent Dale!" The rookie shook Blubs's hand next, beaming. "Very pleased to meet you. I was just saying in the car—you have a beautiful town here, just beautiful."

"Wouldn't stop talking about it," Trigger muttered.

Blubs chuckled. "Why, thank you. We're quite proud of it ourselves."

Durland said, "Say, Agent Dale—don't you agents usually have tougher-sounding codenames?"

"Agent Clyde S. Dale. Like the horse."

"Ohhh. Yup, that'll do it."

"Sheriff Blubs," Powers said. "I trust you have the requested materials?"

"Right inside," Blubs said. "We've got the readings on last week's gravity anomaly from McGucket's scanners, and reports on this weekend's power surge."

"No overlap between the incidents?"

"None anyone here detected."

"Hmm. Has anything else strange happened since we were last in town?"

Blubs hesitated. "Well—never mind all that." He quickly shifted topics, "Say, I like your 'honk if you want to be arrested' bumper sticker." ("Oh is that what it says?" Durland asked.)

Agent Powers said solemnly, "I can get you the contact information of the shop where I bought it. It's a very nice small business run by art students."

"Would you? That'd be delightful."

Powers paused before following the cops and his agents into the police department, glancing out at Gravity Falls' town square—the modest little main street shops, the town hall, the statue of the town founder, the distinctive water tower with the faded muffin graffiti, and the familiar mountains surrounding the little valley town.

And then he let out a long, frustrated sigh.

"Fine," he muttered grumpily, glaring at the town as though it were an old rival as annoyed to see him as he was to see it. "Let's just get this over with."

He followed Blubs into the police department.

####

"Attention, everybody," Stan said, standing in the entryway with his fists on his hips, Soos beaming behind him. "I've got some great news!"

Abuelita and Bill glanced up from one of Abuelita's soap operas; Mabel and Dipper craned their necks to see Stan from where they were having dinner at the kitchen table.

Stan announced, "It's finally time!"

Dipper and Mabel blinked. Bill said, "Great. I'll get the ritual daggers, you can set up the blood red candles. Dolores?"

Abuelita said, "I will put out the good sacrifice altar." Bill laughed in delight.

"Yeah, yuck it up, you two," Stan said. "We're going fishing tomorrow! I've got the bait, I found everyone's rods, Soos and I patched up the old boat, I even—" He paused at the sound of the vending machine opening. "Hey! Ford!"

Ford ducked in from the gift shop. "What?" 

Stan chucked a hat at him. "I made you a fishing buddy hat! See, it's got your name! That's pretty good!"

"Oh." Ford inspected the letters haphazardly stitched onto the hat. "Why?"

"Fishing tomorrow! Half the summer's gone by, and we haven't gone fishing once! The guys from the lodge probably think I'm too ashamed to show my face. But it rained this weekend, the weather's just cleared up, now's the perfect time for fishing!"

"Oh," Ford said again, trying to drag his thoughts from magical tapes to fishing. "If you'd let me know earlier, I'd have built another fish-summoning beacon like the one on our boat." (Bill glanced curiously at Ford at the mention of an invention he didn't already know about; then stubbornly refused to be interested and dragged his gaze back to the TV.)

"No beacons! This isn't fishing for survival, this is about the sport! Asserting our manhood! Just the skill, strength, and patience of three men—and some women and children—against the lake!" (Soos beamed at being included amongst the men.)

Ford considered that. He didn't assert his manhood very often; usually he just sort of let his manhood hang around minding its own business, like an old cat that wants to be in the same room as you without socializing. It sounded like an intriguingly novel experience. "Okay, great. What time?"

"I want everyone on the road tomorrow morning! By six thirty at the latest."

The kids groaned.

"C'mon, dudes," Soos said encouragingly. "It'll be fun! After about three hours, once you're awake enough to think."

"No griping, we've gotta be there early to get a prime fishing spot," Stan said. "Tomorrow's a lodge fishing day. We're going home with a haul so big they'll be embarrassed they kicked me out!"

Dipper asked, "You mean the lodge for the Royal Order of the Holy Mackerel, right? Why'd they kick you out?"

Stan sighed, "Once the town found out about Ford, they realized I'd spent the last thirty years attending lodge meetings under his membership. Since I'd never undergone the—" He rolled his eyes and made finger quotes, "'sacred angler initiation rites,' they booted me. And they said I can't try to join again, just because of that one dumb little white lie! And my extensive criminal record."

Ford hurriedly crossed the living room to avoid blocking Abuelita's TV view. (Bill looked through him like he wasn't there.) "Stan got a lot more out of my membership than I did—once I'd finished my initiation I probably only ever attended three meetings. I tried to petition the Mackerels to let him rejoin."

"How'd they respond?" Mabel asked.

"They kicked me out too."

Bill scoffed. "Big deal! The Fishmasons and all their subordinate organizations are just a big boring social club that got you hotel discounts three hundred years ago. The mystique around them is more interesting than anything they actually do."

"Figuring that out is why I stopped attending after three meetings," Ford said. "I joined to learn about the dark secret underbelly of Western politics—not sit around eating charcuterie and fancy nuts while everyone talks about baseball and makes fun of me for not knowing what a fly ball is. It's a stupid term! Doesn't the ball always fly?"

"Really, they aren't even worth joining," said Bill Cipher, the only person to have ever been kicked out of seventeen separate Masonic lodges in seventeen separate bodies.

Reminded of the fancy nuts he was missing out on at this very second, Stan set his jaw in determination. "Yeah, well, they're a big boring social club that'll rue the day they kicked out Stan Pines! Out the door, six thirty, on the dot!"

"I don't have an alarm," Bill said. "Hey star girl, wake me at five."

Mabel shuddered at the thought of setting an alarm that early. "No way. You can borrow my radio."

"Hold on, I didn't say you're invited," Stan said. "We've already got a full boat! Me, my brother, the kids, and Soos and his girl. Nobody wants to sit on the lake with you for eight hours."

"I wanna sit on the lake with Bill!"

"Nobody but Mabel wants that."

"Relax! I don't want to sit on a boat with you underpainted clowns either," Bill said. "I just want to sit on the beach! I miss sunlight! Sunlight without being forced to hike through half the valley on no food or sleep."

(Ford decided that was his cue to make himself scarce. He scooted into the guest room.)

"Well," Stan said, "we're not staying thirty feet from the shore, we're not leaving anybody behind, and we don't trust you to stay put on the beach without your dumb magic bracelet—so how do you expect that to work."

"I'll just stay with Dolores."

Stan and Soos stared at Abuelita. Soos said, "Abuelita? Do you want to come?"

Abuelita considered it. "Sure. The weather is nice. I can catch up on my reading."

"Yes!" Bill hopped off the couch. "Then it's a plan!"

"Hey, hold on," Stan said as Bill breezed past him, "I didn't agree to—"

"Hey star girl!" Bill leaned into the kitchen. "Need your fashion services! I need a swimsuit before tomorrow."

Mabel gasped in delight. "What kind?"

"Whatever exposes the most skin without getting me arrested. I'm absorbing as much sunlight as possible."

"With sunscreen, right?" Soos said.

Bill turned and gave him a blank-faced stare.

Soos hopefully repeated, "With sunscreen?"

"Don't need it."

"You totally do, dude. Not many people talk about this? But having more melanin doesn't totally protect you from sun damage, it just slows it down," Soos said. "Trust me on this. When I was like eight, I went to this water park—

"Uh-huh, and three days later you were peeling off flakes of your own dead flesh," Bill said. "It's cute how you think you know more about humans from 23 years of passively being one than I do from 500,000 years of actively studying them."

"Oh."

"C'mon, star girl! No time to waste!" Bill grabbed Mabel's hand and tugged her off her chair.

"Wait, my sandwich—!" Mabel grabbed the rest of her dinner off her plate and shoved it in her mouth as Bill dragged her upstairs.

Abuelita shot him a dirty look as he passed, but turned back to her soap opera.

####

Just past five in the morning, Bill crept by the guest room door. He glanced through the wall as he passed; good, both of the Stans were in bed and sound asleep. Bill wouldn't have had a chance to get up to his mischief if Ford had decided to sleep downstairs.

He snuck behind the vending machine; paused to squint toward the future and confirm that when he looked at the stairs, he could only see himself using them anytime soon; then down to the elevator; and down, down to Ford's study.

Bill sighed in relief when the elevator slid open and he saw that Ford had left his study door ajar. He crept into the room, feet socked, hands gloved—Ford was the kind of paranoid to actually check for prints if he suspected anything, and Bill's triangular whorls were very distinctive—and looked through the objects piled on the shelves and furniture for any concealed sensors or cameras. The coast was clear.

He idly scanned the nearby shelves for any sign of his stolen time tape, didn't find it, but didn't expect to. That wasn't what he was here for.

He knelt in front of a half-disassembled filing cabinet, flipped through the files in the removed bottom drawer until he found several folders together about curses and hexes, and flipped through them until he found the one labeled "Curses & Hexes (w/ ingredients)". Good old Sixer, left everything exactly where Bill remembered it.

He rifled through the pages—"aha!"—until he found the paper he was looking for and pulled it out. Handwritten at the top of a ragged-edged piece of notebook paper were the words "Reverse Sunscreen". Bill read through the list of ingredients—"Oh, pepper juice, not pepper flakes, right."—then put the paper back.

He glanced back and forth between the past and present to ensure he put the files back exactly where he'd found them—again, considering Ford's paranoia, he might notice any difference.

And then he returned to the elevator and headed upstairs.

The whole time he was in the study, Bill didn't let himself glance at the back of the room where Ford's shrine to him used to be.

####

"Heya, pal," Bill said. "It's been a while! Where have you been hiding all summer?"

Gompers blinked up at Bill.

"I guess we both look different than we did the last time we met, huh? I think your makeover went better than mine, though! You didn't fall as far as I did." He didn't have as far to fall.

Gompers accepted the backhanded compliment with utter indifference.

"But hey, why talk about the past! Let's let bygones be bygones. Here." Bill knelt, pulled one of Ford's nutrition pills from the folds of his beach towel, and held it out. "A peace offering! A little snack for you."

Gompers eyed it warily.

"Come on, you've eaten worse things than this."

He delicately ate the pill out of Bill's hand.

"Thaaat's right. Tell me how you like that thing later."

Leaning on his car, Stan—the only other person who'd actually been ready to go at 6:30—looked over Bill's shirt and trout slippers, and asked warily, "You didn't forget that humans need to wear pants, right?"

Bill got to his feet, shoved his makeshift umbrella-cane under the same arm as his beach towel, and pulled up the hem of the puma shirt he'd stolen from the gift shop to reveal his bikini bottom. It was teal with little puffy gold triangles painted on. "Cover-up dress. Your arbitrary fashion rules are different for beaches."

Stan considered whether a t-shirt counted as a dress, decided he didn't know enough about dresses and he might as well give this one to Bill, and grunted. "Fine, you're legal."

"Am I free to go, officer?"

"Never compare me to a cop again."

"Stop acting like one!" Bill trotted off to his ride to wait for the other humans to assemble.

There wasn't room for all eight beachgoers in one vehicle; the Pines piled together in Stan's car, while the Ramirezes (including Melody—honorary future Ramirez—and Bill—magic braceleted to Abuelita) took Soos's truck. So that Abuelita didn't have to squeeze past the front seats into the back, Bill and Melody were assigned the back bench; when Bill greeted Melody and she only responded with a vague mumble and an averted gaze, he scooted closer to the middle of the bench, spread his knees to take up more space, and smugly pretended not to notice how Melody squeezed herself against the door.

By the time the Ramirez vehicle parked at the beach, the Pines family was already out of their car: Stan was glaring up the beach with his fists on his hips, the kids were unsuccessfully searching Mabel's supply bag for Dipper's sunscreen, and Ford was lingering back at the car, pretending to check the contents of their tackle box but actually trying to shake the sudden memory of weightlessness and water in his throat. As Bill passed, Ford muttered, "I'm surprised you wanted to get this close to the lake so soon. Considering." It had been less than a week since their joint near death experience.

"Why not? Nearly drowning was the most fun part of that hike." (Ford wondered whether that was a red flag, an underhanded comment about how unfun the rest of the hike had been, or just Bill being Bill; and, for his own peace of mind, decided it was probably the third thing.) "Looks like you got something fun out of the trip, too." Bill snapped the shoulder strap of Ford's waders.

Ford shoved Bill's hand away. "As long as I have them, I might as well use them."

When everyone caught up with Stan, he was scowling at four men, ages ranging from 50 to 80, wearing fishing vests and hats with the Holy Mackerel's distinctive stylized fish symbol. "Eugene," Stan muttered. "Eugene and his goons wanted to kick me out of the lodge for years. Just because I have a grating personality and am generally unpleasant to be around! And tried to get the lodge to pick a local affordable housing fund as our charity for fundraising one year!"

Ford gave Stan a surprised look. "You never mentioned you worked with an affordable housing charity."

"Yeah. The Compassionate Angel's Fund For Gravity Falls Tourism Business Owners Who Are Behind On Their Mortgage Payments."

Ford snorted. 

Bill said, "I think you should've gotten away with it just for being funny."

"Don't even look at them," Stan instructed the group. "These jerks aren't worth it." The collected group studiously avoided looking at the Mackerels, except Bill and Abuelita, who didn't care.

As they walked up the beach toward the pier and veered around the Mackerels, Stan suddenly stopped, turned straight toward them, and said loudly, "Why, Eugene! What a coincidence! I almost didn't notice you!"

A tall, elderly man with a fishing rod over one shoulder and a black wooden cane in his other hand glanced over at the Pines/Ramirez party. "Oh," he said, with a voice like he'd found a fly stuck in gum on his cane. "Hello, Stan-ley. We haven't seen you out on the lake this summer."

Stan laughed loudly, as if Eugene had told a hilarious joke. "Oh, that! I was just waiting for perfect fishing weather! I'm not about to waste my time out on the lake on a bad fishing day!" He gestured behind himself, "Besides, I had to wait until my whole family was free to come along."

(Soos elbowed Melody and whispered excitedly, "He called us his family!")

Stan clapped his hands proudly on Dipper and Mabel's shoulders—who looked like they hoped the sandy beach would swallow them whole—and said, "I don't see your family, Eugene, where are they?"

"Dead." With mournful dignity, Eugene said, "I outlived my wife and all three of my children. Remember? You ate potato chips during my daughter's funeral."

Stan opened his mouth, shut it, and said, "Was that the really boring one that went like an hour?"

Ford, who didn't always have the best social instincts but could tell when Stan had screwed up, started shooing the rest of the family away from the scene, elbowed Stan, and said, "Let's get to the boat. You wanted to get a prime fishing spot, right?"

Eugene looked at Ford. "Ah. You must be the real Stanford Pines?" he said. "So I'm assuming, anyway. Apparently it's hard to tell you two apart."

Stan scowled; but before he could retort, Bill pushed past him to butt into the conversation. "Is it ever! Listen, take it from someone who's made this mistake—you've got to count the fingers on these two, every time."

Eugene huffed sardonically. "So it seems." (Ford self-consciously hid his hands in his pockets and shot Bill a dark look as he shuffled off with the rest of the family.)

"Say, while I've got your attention—name's Goldie, by the way—I couldn't help but admire your cane!" He tapped the tip of his umbrella against Eugene's cane. "I'm in the market for an upgrade from this substitute I've been using! That's no blackwood, right? That looks like true ebony."

"Good eye," Eugene said, surprised. "Yes, genuine Gaboon ebony."

"Must've dropped a lot of gold on this thing," Bill said appreciatively. "You've gotta tell me where you got it."

"I'm afraid I don't remember off the top of my head..."

"That's fine! Look it up—" (he twisted around to speak over his shoulder as Stan grabbed his arm and dragged him away) "—I'm sure we'll meet again!"

About fifteen feet away, Stan growled, "What was that?"

"Networking. I've got plans for that guy," Bill said. "Hey, did you hear him? Gaboon ebony?" He laughed condescendingly. "Easiest way to make a guy look like a moron, start talking about 'true' ebonies. Didja know the word 'ebony' comes from Egyptian? And when they talked about 𓍁𓈖𓏭𓆱, they were talking about African blackwood. Wood so hard it sinks and you have to tool it like a metal! Gaboon ebony is a flimsy usurper!"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"But you don't pretend you do, and that's what makes you better than that guy." Bill tugged Stan down by the shoulder. "Listen, Fisherman. I can't tell you where the fish are biting but I can tell you where they're swimming. It'll give you an advantage, but you'll need to do the rest."

Stan squinted mistrustfully at Bill. "What's the catch."

"The catch is you have to accept my help. Do you want it or not?"

"And why are you offering?"

"Because I think these lodge guys are a bunch of snobs. And they should've chosen your charity. It was funny."

That, plus Stan had been the most reluctant to let Bill live; Bill had to convince him he'd made the right choice.

Bill gave Stan directions to a bunch of fish he could see underwater by the Island Head Beast's right earhole; and then, his good deed for the day done, he headed off to claim a spot on the beach.

Ford had gone into Tate & Backle's to properly purchase the clothing they'd borrowed after the eclipse, and Soos was helping set Abuelita up with a low beach chair and a large umbrella. Bill smoothed out a patch of sand about ten feet from Abuelita so he could lay out his beach towel and dump his supplies for the day beside it. While Mabel and Melody got the boat ready, Dipper wandered around looking for sunscreen to borrow. He saw Bill's tube, snatched it without asking, and generously coated his arms, legs, and face. Bill fought back a grin and pretended not to notice.

He tossed aside his t-shirt and fish slippers, settled down on the towel in his bikini, carefully squeezed several horizontal lines of reverse sunscreen across the front of his abdomen and thighs, and drew a few vertical lines in between to break them up.

Ford trudged over from the bait shop to tell Bill, "I thought you'd like to know those ridiculous fish slippers were thirty dollars."

Bill laughed. "Whoa! Seems like a lot of money for some cheap novelty shoes! It's too bad you decided to trap me in a position where I'm too destitute and powerless to make my own purchases, isn't it?"

"All right, all right." Ford's gaze caught on the bruise-blue line discoloring the skin from Bill's left shoulder to his right hip—had he gotten injured during one of his hikes the past week? Or had that always been there? Ford didn't think he'd ever seen Bill's body shirtless, maybe it had always been here—but then he noticed Bill's lines of sunscreen and barked a laugh. "I suppose you're not planning to rub that in."

"Brilliant observation." Bill began smoothing down the lines with a finger, maintaining the pattern he'd drawn.

"You wanted to come out here to suntan? I'm sure you're already aware of the cancer risks from tanning."

"If I'm in this body long enough to get cancer, I'll welcome it." Bill lay down, laced his hands behind his head, and gave Ford an obnoxious smile. "Anyway, basal cell carcinomas are delicious. There's something kinda romantic about them, you know?"

Ford ruminated on that with thoughtful bafflement, shushed the voice in his head trying to point out that Bill was waving ever more red flags, and concluded that perhaps humans weren't meant to comprehend the romanticism of skin cancer. "Fine."

"What's everyone standing around for?" Stan asked, trudging up to Soos and Ford. "C'mon, we're burning daylight! Let's..." He trailed off, staring at Bill.

His bikini top consisted of two triangular red cups. Each cup had an enormous staring eye.

"See something ya like?" Bill asked dryly.

Stan quickly looked away. "Ugh. That's indecent."

"What is?"

"That—design!"

"What's indecent about eyeballs?"

"It looks like...!" He gestured vaguely but emphatically.

"What? What does it look like? Tell me what it looks like, Stanley."

"Never mind!" He turned away with a huff and muttered to Ford, "Can you believe him?"

"I honestly didn't notice anything until you pointed it out." Ford waved back at Bill dismissively as he followed Stan toward the boat. "Enjoy your sunburn."

"I will! I haven't had a good sunburn in centuries! That's one of the best features of earthling bodies!" Bill got comfortable and shut his eyes.

Soos finished getting Abuelita settled, headed toward the boat—but hesitated as he passed by Bill. Bill opened an eye a crack to glower up at him. "What?"

Soos mumbled, "You could've just told me you wanted to get sunburned. I mean—yesterday."

"But you didn't ask if I wanted a sunburn," Bill snapped. "You just assumed I didn't know how they work. And that's the point: you assumed I was stupid instead of considering that maybe you didn't know my plan."

"Oh. Uh... sorry." Soos rubbed the back of his neck. "I didn't mean to make you feel stupid."

Bill's irritation flared higher. He sat up. "I didn't say you made me feel stupid," he hissed, voice low, talking fast. "There's nothing that you could do to make me feel stupid. But that doesn't mean you aren't treating me like I'm stupid, does it?"

"Whoa—!" Soos raised his hands defensively. "Chill, dawg. I didn't mean—"

"What's the phrase, do ut des? 'Do unto others'? Your species's phrase. Don't treat me like I'm stupider than you and I won't have to return the favor—sound like a fair deal, Question Mark?" Bill stared up at him challengingly, brows raised.

"But th— I w— You..." Soos's protests that he'd been doing nothing but trying to do-unto-others Bill got jumbled all around under the force of Bill's spotlight glare. His shoulders slumped. "Sure," he mumbled. "Sorry."

"Good." Bill lay back down. "Get out of my sun."

Soos trudged away; and Bill took a deep breath, tried to get in a meditative mindset where he could shut off his mind, and focused on the feeling of sunshine on his body.

He'd just about managed to drop into a proper trance when Abuelita called sweetly, "Bill? Would you grab a bottle of water for me?"

His face twitched toward a frown as he was dragged back to full consciousness. Hadn't Soos left them close enough for her? Some grandson. 

"Bill?"

He tried to think of an excuse to stay where he was; then growled in irritation and sat up. "Okay, okay." He couldn't afford to offend the chef with access to the poisons.

The bag with the water bottles was right behind Abuelita's elbow; but maybe her joints were stiff. Bill knelt to unzip the bag. "Another bodice ripper?" he asked, glancing at her book. 

"A powerful sorceress queen has been captured by her enemies. She just learned they are led by her former apprentice."

"I can sympathize with that." Bill dragged the bag up next to Abuelita's knee so he wouldn't need to grab another bottle for her later. "Who's the love interest—guileless guard? Heroic rescuer?"

"The apprentice."

"Sympathy's gone." Bill glanced toward the boat to see what the rest of the household was up to.

They'd already reached the spot Bill had indicated and started fishing. Soos was excitedly reeling in his line; the boat listed to one side as everyone crowded around him to see what he'd brought up. Stan dipped a net in the water to scoop up his catch.

It was a boot.

Everyone's faces fell in disappointment.

Except for Ford's, who gleefully snatched up the boot he'd kicked off during the eclipse when he fell in the lake. He dumped the water out of his boot, switched places with Soos, and began fishing the same spot.

Abuelita said, "My grandson has been very nice to you."

Bill looked at her warily.

"Hasn't he?" She had a polite smile and daggers in her eyes.

He had the oddest feeling that this was going somewhere dangerous. "Yeah yeah yeah, sure he has," Bill said. "Nothing but nice. I think I'll take a little stroll, stretch these legs! See ya!" He stood to escape.

He only got a step away before the enchanted bracelet pulled tight around his wrist. He turned around to stare in amazement.

Abuelita had wrapped the slack of the bracelet thread around her hand.

Bill had made a severe miscalculation.

"So," Abuelita said. "Why are you being mean to my grandson." It was a trap all along. She'd agreed to be handcuffed to him so she could corner him for an interrogation.

"Whaaat," Bill said. "Me? No way! I'd never!"

Abuelita stared at him patiently.

"I don't even talk to him," Bill said, trying to think of a conversational escape route.

She raised a brow.

Got it. "He's just too nice, you see! I don't know how to talk to a guy that nice," he lied. "Makes things awkward!" How could any grandmother complain about her grandson being called too nice? "Yeah—not Jesús's fault at all. I don't hold it against him."

"Ah," Abuelita said, "you aren't used to people being nice to you?"

Sure, they could go with that, try to get him some pity. "Yeah! You know how it is. King of Nightmares, scourge of the multiverse—I'm not a popular guy."

"But you have friends, don't you? The scary ones you brought with you to town last year? Are they not nice to you?"

Bill hesitated, trying to figure out his story now. "Sure—they're nice to me. They're my friends! They love me! They'd do anything I say!"

"Oh. So, you're only comfortable with people being nice to you when you can control them." Abuelita smiled sweetly.

Swift, efficient, and brutal. Bill gaped at her.

"I'm glad you have nothing against Soos," she said. "And that you won't be rude to him."

Bill snapped his mouth shut. "Of course not." He gave Abuelita a tight smile. Played like a fiddle. Even though he'd been lying, she still managed to make him look like a loser. How embarrassing. "If you don't mind, I've got a sunburn to get back to."

"I'm not stopping you." She let the extra thread on the bracelet cuffs unwind from her hand and drop to the sand.

Bill trudged back to his towel, snapping as he went, "I hope this is one of those books you hate where the couple only gets hitched because they've got a baby coming."

"The sorceress has magical birth control."

"Course she does."

Bill flopped onto his towel again and stared at the sky. Ouch.

####

(I've been promising Agent Powers AND a beach episode for ages, and we finally get to them both at the same time. Let me know what y'all think so for!)

[twelvebooksstuff]

This post and the tags make much a fantastic point! The intwntal lack of information causes everyone to be confused…except Malcolm who knows how this is going to end, from prior experience!

Love how fucking no one in The Lost World has any idea what is going on. They don’t understand how dinosaurs work. They don’t understand how InGen works. They don’t generally understand how being outside or using technology work either.