In the last Chapter, Mabel headed town to a fair in Gravity Falls alone. On her way, she was snagged by something mysterious and dragged into the woods. She emerged from the woods and continued walking, but something seemed different about her after the matter.

Mabel arrived at the fair. It was honestly a pretty lame fair. There was a cotton candy stand, typical rigged carnival games, lame rides, and even a lame Tunnel of Love boat ride.
"Wow, this fair really sucks!" Mabel said with discontent. "Literally nothing of worth whatsoever."
Mabel peered around and spotted a boy trying to win a prize. "Ooh, maybe there is something of worth here after all." she said.
She walked up to the boy who was at a booth throwing balls a stack of bottles. The boy threw the ball, it ricocheted off the back wall and hit Mabel square in the face. "Oh my gosh are you okay?" the boy asked.
"I'm perfectly fine. I've got a hard head." she said unphased.
"Phew that's a relief." said the boy. "Say, want to hang out and buy me snacks?" said Mabel.
"Hmm, my mom said not to spend too much money, but what the heck."
Mabel and this boy she just met who she didn't even know the name of hung out for a few minutes. He bought her popcorn, and twizzlers.
"You're a nice guy aren't you?" Mabel asked.
"Uh... I try to be the best person I can. That's really all anyone can do." said the boy.
"Isn't that so noble sweetie." said Mabel.
"I suppose..." he said confused.
"I like you, let's kiss." said Mabel.
"Uh... hang on let me consult my mom first." said the boy. Mabel didn't listen and proceeded. Mabel and this boy she just met touched lips. The boy at first enjoyed it, but then it started to sting, quite badly. Then he couldn't breathe, and then he fell to the ground unconscious.
"Poor soul. Trying to be a nice guy in this day and age. tsk tsk. Nice guys finish last." said Mabel with a sinister tone.
There was definitely something up with Mabel. She was not quite acting her usual self. She cracked her neck once more, and wandered around the fair to find more victims.

Mabel's next victim wasn't nearly as nice a guy.
"Ooh a bad boy." she said. "Let's show him real bad." Mabel yelled out to the other boy. "Hey there bystander, how's it hanging?" greeted Mabel.
"What do you want pipsqueak?" he said.
"My my, someone's a grump. Tell me about it. I think you're just mad cause you're single."
"Hey!" the boy yelled. "My relationships are my business and I don't need a little squirt telling what to-" he was interrupted by Mabel who leapt forward and kissed him. Before he could react he ran out of breath just like the last boy and fell to the ground.
"You earn points for being assertive. But you lose them all for being an big fat jerk. Disappointed." said Mabel. Something was definitely up with Mabel.
"Now then... who's next?" she said.

Meanwhile at the shack, Dipper was wrapping up his time with Ford. The two were laughing over nerd stuff.
"Wow Great Uncle Ford, I can't believe I didn't see the answer in front of me. Lesson learned: if something seems off, that's probably because it is." said Dipper.
"Precisely Dipper, it is important to keep a keen eye out for anything uncanny in Gravity Falls." explained Ford. "You may think you're looking at a large mountain lion, or maybe a tiny mountain lion that's up close, or maybe it is a large mountain lion after all and it's just perspective."
"Yeah." laughed Dipper. "I've learned all about perspective in the past."
"Say, where is your sister?" asked Ford. "I know she isn't as big on the whole science thing, but I'd love to share with her some of the things I've learned in my years of research."
"Oh wow, I can't believe I haven't mentioned yet, she left for the Gravity Falls carnival some time ago, and I'm supposed to meet up with her around-" Dipper looked at the clock and was shocked by the time.
"Good grief it's already 8 o'clock?" Dipper said shocked. "I promised Mabel I'd meet up with her much sooner than that. Ugh I'm such a big jerk yet again."
"Dipper, no one's perfect." Ford said to comfort him. "We all make mistakes, I've certainly made more than I can count. But the best we can do is move forward and correct our mistakes."
"You're right!" Dipper assured. "I'm heading over right now, and hoping she hasn't had too rough of a time."

"Oh and Dipper, before you go." Grunkle Ford called out just before Dipper exited. "Remember, if anything seems weird or strange or off, that's probably because it is. Just a recap of what we discussed that's all."

"Okay, we'll be back no later than 10." promised Dipper. And with that, Dipper put on his sleeveless jacket, and signature cap, left the shack, and headed for town to meet with Mabel.

Dipper made his way the fair hoping he wasn't too late. There's something funny in the air though. He noticed that there were a lot of sick boys on the ground. Some unconscious, others gasping for air, others holding their stomachs in pain. Either the food here was that bad or something more sinister was at work.
"I have a very bad feeling about this." Dipper said.
Dipper approached one of the boys hoping for some answers.
"Hi, um, can you tell me what's going on here?" he asked a random boy.
"AHH! It's you again! Please leave me alone!" the boy screamed.
"What are you talking about?" Dipper asked in confusion.
"Oh, never mind. Sorry." The boy apologized. "You look so much like her, I mistook you for her for a second."
" Mistook me for who? Who's this 'her' you speak of?" Dipper asked.
"I didn't catch her name, but just imagine you but as a girl, and also really really mean." the boy said in fear.
"My sister Mabel? She sure looks like me. But mean?" Dipper was concerned. "Tell me more! What'd she do?" Dipper asked.
The boy just coughed, and collapsed before he could explain any more.
"I have a very, very, very, very bad feeling about this." Dipper said. "I better go find Mabel and-AH!" Dipper turned around and was startled that Mabel stood right there behind him.

"Oh hi... uh..." Mabel paused for a moment to think. "Dipper! My dear old brother. So glad you could make it tonight." she said in a cheery mood.
"Hey Mabel." said Dipper. "Listen, I'm so so sorry for being late, I would have been here sooner, but I lost track of time and-" Mabel interrupted.
"Shh" she said putting her finger against Dipper's mouth. "It's okay, I forgive you. No hard feelings whatsoever at all." she said slowly. "I forgive you 100%." she removed her hand.
"Phew, well that's a relief." said Dipper.
"Mmm hmm, say, since you're my dear brother and I love you so much." Mabel said in a somewhat phony tone. "Why don't we take a ride in the Tunnel of Love. It won't be awkward or anything." Dipper wasn't sure what to make of the situation. Mabel was his sister but it wasn't typical of her to be so absolutely nice unless she wanted something from him. Not to mention all the other red flags.

Don't do it man. Something is not right. Dipper thought in his mind. This is probably a trap, do not get in the Tunnel of Love with her. It's a confined space within a tiny boat surrounded by water with tight seat belts in a dark tunnel with no witnesses. Don't do it. Finally Dipper spoke aloud his answer. "Sure Mabel why not?"
"Hmm, excellent choice Mason." Mabel said. "You won't regret it." The two held hands and walked to the tunnel of love. Mabel almost never referred to Dipper as Mason, there was definitely something up.

Along the way, Dipper face palmed himself with his free hand. Oh dear... He thought. What did I just get myself into? What did he get himself into indeed.

To address the questions on everyone's mind; What in the heck is up with Mabel? What trouble did Dipper just get himself into? Just what exactly happens in socially awkward love tunnel? Find out next time. In Chapter 3!