'What do you mean, I have to go with her.' Dipper said, shocked.

'She said you have to go with her. She doesn't know where to go.' Mabel said, as though Dipper was an idiot.

'I just TOLD you where she needs to go. Svalbard, then Franz Josef Land.'

'Dipper, I've never even HEARD of Franz Josef Land, and I don't know what language they speak there.'

'None! No one lives there! That's the point!'

'Well, she said you have to go. That's the deal, you have any better ideas?'

'I- no. No I don't.' Dipper hung his head.

'Anyway, why are you upset? You get to spend a couple days alone with Pacifica.'

Dipper's head shot up, his face completely red. 'I... I hadn't thought about that. Shit.'

'God you're such a dork.' Mabel laughed.

Lizzy watched, a little ways away, calculating.


With Lizzy and his students gone, Dipper and Mabel drove to the local airfield where the Northwest's kept their private jet. And a couple helicopters, two small prop planes, and an antique bomber, which Preston had won in a card game.

It had not taken Dipper too long to pack; his clothing was simple to make his life simple. Long sleeves, sweaters, jackets, it would be cold, but tolerable, considering that it was still summer.

Pacifica was waiting for them on the tarmac, well dressed as always, though more practically than normal, with loose fitting long pants tucked in to hiking boots, she looked ready for adventure, and... Excited? With her were two men who could have passed for wildlife management, what with the gloves, boots, and everything khaki. They asked no questions, but took the flatbed off the jeep, and hooked it to a four-wheeler which was then driven to the back of the jet for loading.

'HEY PAX!' Mabel yelled, running over to Pacifica to give her a hug. 'Thanks for helping us with this, there really isn't any way we could have done it without you, though it would have been hilarious to watch Dipper try.'

Dipper scowled, pulling his bags from the back of the jeep and marching over towards Pacifica.

'Good afternoon Pacif- uhh... Pax.' Dipper said, catching a bit of a scowl from both girls. 'Uhh, thanks again, for... this. I really appreciate it.' He smiled hopefully.

'You are so hopeless, Dipper.' Pacifica smiled and rolled her eyes. 'Come on, let's get your things aboard.'

Dipper turned to hug Mabel, and she hugged him back more fiercely than he expected.

'Come back sooner this time, okay?' She said in to his shoulder.

'No more than a week, I promise.' Dipper smiled. It was nice to have people who cared.

Grabbing his bags and following Pacifica up in to the jet, Dipper was not sure what to expect; private air travel was a bit beyond his experience.

'So. Where is it you need to take this... thing?'

'Uhh- um, Svalbard. To start with. I can get it the rest of the way myself.' Dipper stammered, trying to take in the extraordinary luxury of the Northwest private jet. 'The rest of the way won't be nearly so comfortable.'

'Nice try, Pines, but if I'm taking you to an adventure, you're taking me on one, understand? I'm not a taxi service, and if I'm going to spend a couple days in the Arctic, I'm at least going to get a few good Facebook pictures out of it, or you and your dragon can find your own way. Capiche?'

'Drake.' Dipper responded flatly.

'What?'

'It's a drake, not a dragon.'

'You are such a nerd. Do we have a deal?' Pacifica finally smiled again, holding out her hand. Dipper liked when she was smiling, she always looked so defensive otherwise, her smile lit up her whole face, her eyes sparkled... He was starting to get butterflies in his stomach again. Enormous butterflies.

'Maybe pterodactyls?' Dipper muttered, staring oddly in to space.

'AHEM. Do we have a deal?' Pacifica repeated, raising her eyebrows.

'Right! Right, of course, yes.' Dipper tried to surreptitiously wipe the sweat off his palm before shaking her hand, and then tried to forget the whole matter and get back to business.

Pacifica shook her head. 'Come on, nerd, it's time to get ready for takeoff.'

Dipper had not noticed the plane being taxied to the gate, but sure enough a fasten seat belt sign came on, and the engines began to heat up. Dipper looked anxiously around for a place he should sit, but Pacifica gestured to a seat across a small table from her, and Dipper gratefully sat down. He was unused to having an option for his seat, and generally sat where he was told whenever he had the luxury of flying. This was nice.


They had been in the air for something like six hours. They had watched two movies, eaten dinner, and drunk copious amounts of champagne. This was truly the only way to fly. They still had another six hours or so, and while Dipper knew he needed rest, he had trouble falling asleep. He was still having strange nightmares, and he wanted to check on the drake. The animal handlers were doing a good job of keeping it sedated enough that it wouldn't thrash, but awake enough to stay hydrated.

There was also the issue of transportation from Svalbard to Franz Josef Land. The archipelago belonged to Russia, and while it was part of the larger Russian Arctic National Park, and no one lived out there, it would still be difficult to get legal passage there. Luckily Dipper had a few acquaintances who didn't ask very many questions, and owed him a favor or two. One such person was Makar Domnin, who used to run fishing boats out of Svalbard. Fishing was the cover, anyway. He, like his father and grandfather before him, had been entrepreneurs in a country that frowned on entrepreneurial activities. Smuggling had made them a tidy income, but had gotten his grandfather sent to the work camps in Siberia, and his father shot. Needless to say, Makar had little regard for the law or authorities. It made him a good person to know. Dipper hadn't spoken to him in quite a few years, but he wasn't difficult to get a hold of, he seemed to be running both commercial fishing boats, and icebreakers that went up in to the arctic for anyone who was willing to pay for the opportunity. He must have been doing well for himself. He wasn't available at the time, it was still the middle of the night there, but he left a message.

Having accomplished the few things he could think of to distract himself, Dipper was still left with the necessity of sleep, and no desire for it, so he did the next best thing: Tai Chi would clear his mind, and might put him in a place where sleep would come easily.

Taking a deep breath, Dipper dropped in to stance, and began the flowing movements of a form that he could complete in the narrow aisle of the jet. He concentrated on each breath, the rest of his body seeming to move of its own accord. Some of the forms he had done so often that they were as natural as walking, as breathing. He found a great deal of comfort in them. Completing the form, he stepped back in to the opening and closing posture and stared at the window, still concentrating on his breath.

'You're going to have to teach me some of those movements.' Pacifica said quietly. 'You seem so much more relaxed now.'

And there went his peace of mind.


Dipper was exhausted when they finally landed in Longyearbyen, but there was still work to be done. The Northwest staff was able to handle immigration issues while they were in the air, and no one was there to question them when they arrived. Makar, however, was.

'Little Bear! You have grown shaggy since last we spoke, da?' He gripped Dipper's shoulders to get a better look at him, then looked over his shoulder at Pacifica. 'Perhaps Little Bear is no longer so little?' He said, eyes twinkling. 'Come! Vodka is in the office.' He led the way.

Makar was enormous. Over six feet tall, with shoulders reminiscent of an ox, he made Dipper think of Manly Dan. They would likely have gotten along famously, if they didn't kill each other. He had an enormous black beard, and close cropped hair, hidden beneath an orange knit cap, a necessity when at sea in the Arctic. His office was warm though, and there was indeed a bottle of good, Russian vodka on the desk, with more than half still in it.

'So. I understand you are needing transport, yes? Transport without much questioning?' He said, pouring out three shots. Dipper took his without question, but Pacifica was more hesitant.

'It's considered rude not to.' Dipper whispered. Makar pretended to take no notice. Pacifica sighed and lifted her glass as well.

'May we have as much sorrow as drops left in our glass!' Makar exclaimed, tossing back his drink. Dipper easily followed, but Pacifica grimaced some.

'Don't try to drink it, just swallow it.' Dipper whispered.

'Not the kind of advice I expected to hear from you, Dipper.' Pacifica coughed, 'something I should know?'

Dipper blushed scarlet, and Makar poured another shot for each.

'And here is to the success of your project, Little Bear.' He said, slamming the second glass back. Dipper was happy for the distraction, and took the shot. Feeling emboldened by the vodka, he leaned over to Pacifica, still recovering from the alcohol of the first one and whispered 'Just don't get any in your eye.'

It was Pacifica's turn to blush, and she took her shot with no more commentary.

'SO!' Makar began. 'You need transport to Franz Josef Land, da? And for large cargo, with no questions? You never do anything like this for profit, you are trying to save the world again, da?'

'Da, bratishka.'

Pacifica's head shot up to stare at Dipper, surprised at how easy it was for him to slip in to Russian.

'We have a young drake, I'd like to get it... home.' Dipper said, staring at his empty glass.

Makar's hard, creased face softened for a moment, showing a tenderness that Pacifica had not previously noticed.

'Da, Little Bear, we will get your pet home.' He patted Dipper's head. 'I have ship coming this afternoon, we will go when it has come, this is good for you?'

'Da, ogromnoe spasibo, brastishka.'

Makar smiled 'Your accent is still terrible. In Soviet Russia you would be known for spy and sent to gulags like that!' He snapped his fingers. 'One more vodka.' He said cheerily, filling their glasses. 'To old friends and new meetings. Next time, not so long, da?' He drained his glass with Dipper. Pacifica was a little slower and already showing signs that the alcohol was affecting her.

'Come on, Pax,' Dipper said quietly, 'Mabel told me you could handle your liquor.'

'Not at eight AM!' Pacifica responded, tipsy and exasperated.


True enough, a small, diesel icebreaker was in the harbor at around three that afternoon. Makar had the drake brought out in a freight helicopter, while he, Dipper, and Pacifica were taxied out in a boat. The icebreaker was not small, by any means. At sixty meters, it was definitely large enough to accommodate them and their precious cargo. Makar set the two of them up in adjacent cabins, but only after some discussion about how they did indeed need two separate cabins, which left both Dipper and Pacifica red-faced with embarrassment, and which Makar found hilarious.

After showering and changing in to clean clothing, Pacifica and Dipper met Makar in guest dining room. It was elegant, but simple, fitting a ship which was designed for people who intended to spend their time outside appreciating the scenery. Enormous picture windows looked out on the picturesque Barents Sea.

Makar had them served traditional Russian fare, mostly of seafood, and ended with black caviar and more vodka. Well and truly drunk, and filled with stories of Makar's exploits in smuggling and adventures in the Arctic, including a few which included Dipper, Dipper and Pacifica stumbled out on to the deck. It was dark, finally, a darkness Pacifica was unused to; the light from the ship seemed strange in that infinite blackness. No cars, no buildings, nothing... except for stars. More stars than she had ever seen, with the Milky Way, bright and obvious, like it was painted across the sky. It was freezing, too; the wind, out of the north, whipped over the ship with such strength that Pacifica thought she might be blown over. Dipper, holding tight to the rails, merely stared out at the horizon.

'It feels like forever since the last time I did this.' He said, quietly. Pacifica stared.

'I love this; the quiet, the emptiness. It feels so nice, so peaceful.' He said it in such a way that Pacifica wasn't sure he knew he was saying it out loud, or that she was even there with him. Her heart began to race, and she could feel heat rising in her face. Thank God it was dark.

Suddenly, there was a glow, low, along the horizon, like some sort of odd cloud. It expanded, waving and pulsing until it filled the sky with its odd, undulating glow. Blues and green and purple and silver, Pacifica gasped. It was the Aurora. It was magnificent, awesome, and Pacifica could barely contain all of the things it made her feel. She lay down on the deck to stare at the sky, happy that she had decided to continue wearing practical pants, rather than the evening gown she had considered. Especially with the wind. In a moment, Dipper silently joined her, feet pointing in the opposite direction so he could better speak to her over the sound of the wind.

'Is it always like this?' Pacifica said, breathlessly.

'The best parts are.' Dipper said after a moment. 'And they're always different.'

That was all. Pacifica wasn't sure how long they stayed there on the deck, whether it was hours or mere moments. Once, she looked over at Dipper, staring up at the lights, and there were tears falling over his face to land on the deck. Once, she thought she saw a shooting star behind the lights. All of it filled her with fear and delight, like a song that wanted to burst from her chest, if only she knew the words.


Pacifica did not remember getting back to her room, or changing into bed clothes. She must have had some amount of help, as there was a Gatorade and a bottle of Tylenol on her bedside table, but her clothes were strewn all over the place, so thankfully, it looked like she had done that much herself.

Dressed for adventure, again, Pacifica made her way to the deck. The crate with the drake in it had been brought up from the hold, and her animal handlers were moving around it cautiously, occasionally jumping back slightly when something from the inside banged against the cage. Pacifica was very curious as to what exactly it was, having yet to see the creature. Dipper stood with Makar, between the opening of the cage and the stern of the ship, talking quietly. They were dressed similarly, both in cargo pants tucked in to boots, and black tee shirts, though Makar wore a light jacket, and Dipper did not, which Pacifica thought was somewhat odd, considering that the temperature, despite it being Summer, was somewhere in the thirties. Pacifica shivered. She began walking over towards Dipper and the cage, but paused when the animal handlers suddenly sprinted away from it, with Makar, laughing hysterically, following at a jog. Only Dipper remained.

'This Little Bear, he is crazy, da?' Makar said, coming to a halt next to Pacifica and turning towards Dipper.

'What is he doing?' Pacifica asked, as Dipper approached the cage.

'He wants to help his pet out of cage!' Makar laughed again. Pacifica looked first at Makar, and then at Dipper. All men must be crazy.

Pacifica wanted to go dissuade him, but Dipper was already reaching for the handle of the cage. Flipping the latch he stepped back. There was stillness just long enough for Pacifica to inhale sharply before the door of the cage burst open, the finally fully awake drake exploded on to the deck. Head weaving back and forth it searched for the source of its confusing imprisonment, and where to run to now, and between the sea and the drake, stood Dipper.

Dipper stood motionless, staring at the drake, until it noticed him. Over the course of a few seconds the drake, too, settled in to motionlessness, opposite Dipper. They stared at each other for a moment, and Dipper raised his hand towards the Drake and took a step forward.

The moment seemed to drag on forever, the entire scene in perfect focus; the wind off the Arctic Ocean, pushing the bright, blue green water into small white caps. It blew across the stern of Makar's ship, throwing Pacifica's hair into disarray, and obscuring her view. A few crewmembers and the animal trainers stood with Makar, staring in disbelief at what looked like a dragon torn from the pages of fantasy. The head of a snake on a fifteen foot neck, leading smoothly in to a body like a mid-size SUV; four short, powerful legs with flexible toes and claws made for climbing, and a tail as long, or longer than its neck. And...WINGS! It sat up on its hind legs and unfurled enormous wings, sixty or seventy feet across, with a snap that shattered the stillness. It brought up its head, almost vertical, and let out a noise that sounded halfway between the trumpet of an elephant and nails on a chalkboard. It was deafening.

Still, Dipper stood, hand raised towards the drake.

Slowly, it brought itself back down, and flattened itself out, to be as close to level with Dipper's hand as it could, stepped forward, and brought its snout in to his hand.

Pacifica let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

In that same moment, the drake retracted back on itself as quick as a snake, and launched itself off the deck and in to the air over Dipper, flying off towards the archipelago of Franz Josef Land. Dipper stood, watching it go. Pacifica had only just begun walking over to him when a second drake, easily three times as long as the one they had just released surged from out of the ocean to fly alongside it, making vocalizing as they went.

Pacifica finished walking to Dipper.

'That was... amazing. Everything about this was... insane.'

'Da! And no one is dying this time! Good job Little Bear!' Makar's interruption startled her, but she only smiled.

'I need to travel with you more often, Dipper.'