JQ: Hi, everyone. This is my first story. Just a heads up, I'm used to writing graphic novels, so any errors that you would like to point out are really helpful. This is strictly a Gravity Falls fanfic...no crossovers or anything. I do not own Gravity Falls at all, and If I did, it certainly would not be finished :(

Anyway, happy reading!

Chapter 1: Summer Rain

Piedmont, California

The year is 2016, where we find our favorite pair of paranormal investigators at the tender age of 16, getting ready to head back to the adorably uncanny town of Gravity Falls Oregon. The summer has just arrived and Mabel practically begged her parents to let them revisit their friends at the Mystery Shack. Dipper was still packing whilst his sister was scrambling around the house, trying to get a hold of Waddles. After running passed his room, Mabel peered in, distastefully. She walked in and picked up one of his pillows, off of the ground.

"Dipper, quit being a butt and help a sister out!" Mabel proceeded to toss the pillow at her twin brother, and he cringed. Mabel now towered over her brother at the height of 5'7. Dipper was only 5'5. "I need waddles to stay still, so I can put the collar on him!" She held up a shiny orange and pink collar. It almost appeared to be made entirely out of glitter.

"That can't be comfortable." Dipper deadpanned. His heart was full of sympathy for the large animal. "He won't need it. Besides, who else owns a 200 pound pig?" Dipper picked up the pillow that had previously assaulted him, and threw it back at his sister. Unfortunately, his athletic ability had not improved since he was 6.

"Ha, ha! Beta twin!" Mabel teased. "Anyway, hurry! We have to catch the bus in, like, one hour!" Hearing a familiar grunting behind her, she quickly spun around in an attempt to grasp Waddles, but he was too quick and she fell on her face. Dipper snickered and she groaned.

"Who's the beta twin now?" Dipper said triumphantly. At least as triumphantly as he could manage before Waddles ran passed and he fell on top of his sister. Entering the hallway was their father. He rolled his eyes, affectionately, at his teen children.

"You kids might wanna get a move on. The bus leaves in…" The tall pepper-haired man glanced at his wrist watch, "…about 49 minutes." Mabel gasped.

"Well, pops, saddle up the Chevy and let's get going!" Mabel said, tugging on his sleeve and pulling her luggage simultaneously. Waddles, hearing Mabel run out the door followed suit. The middle-aged man chuckled at his daughter and adjusted his shirt, once she released him. Before grabbing his keys, he turned to look at his son.

"You ready kiddo?" he asked, hardly recognizing the true weight of his question. Dipper had remained in contact with Soos and Wendy, after Weirdmaggedon. Nothing too eventful has occurred since then. Occasionally, he received letters from Stan and Ford's travels. Truthfully, as excited as he was, Dipper was nervous to head back. He knew that there was always going to be something new, something peculiar, something dangerous, to explore. Dipper took one last look around his California home. He inhaled deeply and picked up Wendy's woodsman hat. Wendy would probably not be there, as she went away for college. He began to experience heavy nostalgia and forgot about the man in front of him.

"Son?"

"Oh, s-s-sorry." Dipper replied. He quickly shoved the hat onto his head and gave his father an attempt at a 'not at all nervous' smile. "R-ready when you are. Ha, ha." The man eyed his son suspiciously before shrugging it off. Gregory Pines did not share his Uncle Ford's sense of curiosity.

"Come on then," Gregory grasped Dipper by the shoulder, as they walked out to the driveway. "Let's get to the car before Mabel steals the aux cord, and plays her 'Sev'ral Timez' playlist". Dipper's eyes widened in horror.

"MABEL, DON'T YOU DARE!"

"La, La, La! Can't hear you over how SLOW YOU ARE!"

God save the Mystery Shack, Gregory thought to himself, as he got into the driver's seat.

Piedmont Cross Regional Bus Terminal, Piedmont, California

"Dad, don't worry," Mabel told her father, "Dipping Sauce and I will be just fine. Look how good we turned out after last time!" Mabel gestured between herself and Dipper, repeatedly. Their father rolled his eyes.

"You realize you brought a pig back, right?" Gregory challenged, although he could never argue with his daughter. It was impossible. Her smile was too contagious.

"Details, old man." Mabel said.

"We'll be fine, pops." Dipper reassured him. "Promise. I'll keep us safe." At these words, his father and sister burst out in an uproar of loud, obnoxious, laughter. People started to stare at the family, possibly wondering if they were on any sort of narcotics. Dipper crossed his arms over his chest and let out an annoyed sigh.

"Bro-bro, I'LL be the one protecting us." Mabel corrected him. "Oh, you're a riot today!" Mabel slapped him on the shoulder too hard and he almost fell over, causing the hat to fall off his head. She then apologized, half-heartedly, and gave him his hat back. Mabel played various sports, since her entry to high school. She played soccer, softball and rugby. Basically, she was Shaquille O'neil compared to Dipper. Of course, in addition, she was also a part of student council, the drama club, and the knitting club.

"Whatever," Dipper said, "we'll be fine dad. Trust us."

"Yeah!" Mabel began to chant, "Trust us! Trust us! TRUST US!"

"I do," Gregory explained, "I'm just going to miss you guys." He admitted. "In a couple more years, you'll officially leave the nest." The man was visibly upset so Mabel snaked her arms around her brother and her father.

"AWWW! Look at all these feelings!" Mabel exclaimed.

"We'll miss you too, pops." Dipper told him. A few moments later, the three of them huddled around Gregory's phone, speaking to their mother, who was away on a business trip.

"Promise to write back and e-mail me often!" Debra Pines shouted through her phone, not realizing she didn't need to do so.

"We will, ma." Mabel promised.

"Oh, there's the bus." Gregory exclaimed, pointing at the large silver and navy bus, as it screeched its way to the bus stop. Gregory gave his children one final bear hug. Dipper could barely breathe. He supposed that's where Mabel got it from. "Be good for Soos." Their father instructed. "And don't go around, causing Armageddon." he added, playfully. The twins laughed nervously. There was no way for him to know anything, they knew this. But his joke was not taken lightly. The twins were still having nightmares about their last visit to Gravity Falls. Sensing the tension, Mabel took one for the team.

"HA, HA! Armageddon." She playfully swatted her father on his arm, pretty hard. "GOOD ONE POPS!" Dipper face palmed at his sister's antics. Thankfully, Gregory learned to just go along with Mabel and her…ways.

"Ow," He winced, "alright, kids. Be careful. Be safe. I Love you."

"Love you too!" the twins replied, as they turned toward the bus. They gave their father one last wave, before stepping onto the bus. Waddles, Dipper and Mabel took their seats at the back of the bus. The bus was just as empty as it was a few years ago; hardly anyone visits Gravity Falls. Mabel and Dipper were seated across the aisle from where Waddles was, since he took up a whole two seats himself. The bus driver started up the engine, and the whole bus roared to life, in a fit of vibrations. Mabel turned to her brother.

"You ready, bro-bro?" Dipper glanced at the horizon, through his window. The beach, the sun…it was his home. But his heart was definitely within the confines of weird old Gravity Falls. He turned back to Mabel.

"Definitely." Dipper replied, with determination.