Anti Gravity (S1)

Episode 3. The Hands that Rock the Pines | Part 3

The lights in the room dimmed and a single spotlight fell center stage. The crowd began stirring in the excitement of it all. Music blasted through the speakers, building up until the very moment when Gideon would appear on stage. When he finally did, he did so after a large cloud of smoke had erupted, appearing as though he had magically transported to the spot.

Cheers erupted from the stands and Gideon took a deep bow before beginning his warmup stretches.

Mabel gasped in her seat. Although she had seen him on TV so much lately, she still couldn't seem to grasp the fact that he was no longer the short, chubby 12 year-old that she had grown to recognize.

Even his voice was almost unrecognizable. It was much deeper than when he was younger, the only thing that remained was his obvious southern accent.

"Ladies and gentleman, for my first act, I will be attempting the flaming hoops of fury!" Gideon pointed across the stage to a ramp followed by three giant hoops and another ramp.

The crowd looked bored when they saw the hoops were in fact, not on fire.

Gideon smirked at his audience, then pretended to look confused.

"Oh, what's this? I forgot something? Maybe it's the fire!"

He snapped his fingers and the hoops ignited one by one. The flames at first appeared to be blue, but then faded to an orange-yellow hue.

A few surprised screams were heard as everyone began to whisper and mingle in amazement. Even Wendy jumped in her seat when this happened.

Gideon, seeing this reaction, now had a pleased expression left on his face. He reached in the pocket of his studded leather jacket and pulled on a pair of leather biker gloves.

He clapped his hands twice, causing an explosion of smoke mingled with what appeared to be fireworks in front of the first ramp. When the smoke cleared, a motorcycle was standing in its place.

More cheers from everyone in the room, all except for Dipper, Mabel, and Wendy. Soos, seemed to be having the time of his life while Pacifica looked absolutely star-struck.

Gideon took another slight bow, this time scanning the crowd before him. His eyes seemed to meet with Mabel's for a split second before returning to his bike.

Mabel shifted a little in her seat, feeling uneasy about this whole act. Both her and Wendy could detect that something felt ever so slightly. . . off.

Everyone seemed to take in a deep breath as they watched Gideon mount his motorcycle, on the edge of their seats. The engine roared as Gideon took off, his leather jacket flapping in the breeze. Jumping off the ramp, he sailed through all three flaming hoops perfectly, landing on the other side and skidding to a halt.

The audience whooped and cheered, throwing up caps and various Gideon-themed merchandise into the air. A man sitting behind Mabel hopped up from his seat, spilling popcorn all over her.

Gideon hopped off his bike and bowed for a third time.

"Thank you! Thank you all so much!"

The lights dimmed slightly and everyone slowly fell silent.

Gideon smiled.

"You know, none of this could've been possible without one special girl, she's my motivation. . . everyone, please applaud miss Mabel Pines!"