Welcome back. Yes, I am back.

So, these few chapters until Chapter 20 should be "short and sweet."

After the Reverse Fight mini-arc, I want the story to relax well.

Feel free to let me know what you want to see next.

(By the way, the title is a hint.)

Chapter 17: Triple Timing

"I cannot believe we're doing this."

"Well, it IS your fault. You did it."

"It was NOT a kiss."

"True."

"But you better owe me next time!"

"Says the boy who let me do it."

"Says the girl who dared."

Pacifica sat on a picnic table...or more like a fancy version for VIPs. For some reason, after what they "did" a few days ago, their friends wasted no time in reserving a special spot for the two of them.

Now, they were in a spot that was both lovely and...awkward.

"This is your taste!" Dipper groaned. "I am not used to this type of luxury!"

"For me!" Pacifica retorted. "I am NOT used to this level of freedom."

Dipper and Pacifica sighed, as they sat down to enjoy the view. They were at a lake resort, which was a part of the city. Although it was miles away from the actual Groom Falls City, the lake resort was officially a part of the city. Surrounding the resort were numerous walls, both obvious and hidden. Hundreds of security guards patrolled the walls, ensuring that multiple families in the resort could enjoy the natural beauty.

"I have to admit," Dipper said, drinking a glass of protein shake. "This is beautiful."

"Why are you enjoying that?" Pacifica asked, as she ate a chicken sandwich.

"Says the girl who eats a plain chicken sandwich," Dipper grunted, gulping down the shake.

"This is no ordinary chicken sandwich," Pacifica said. "It's from that restaurant called Chick-fil-A, which apparently...I actually like."

Dipper stared, as he managed to finish the last of the shake.

"I wonder where Mabel is," he remarked. "I haven't seen her for hours."

"Me neither," Pacifica said. "She said that she had business to deal with."

"What business?" Dipper asked.

"Dunno," she replied. "I thought she's at the treehouse, doing her 'matchmaking' missions and kind of crazy stuff your sister does."

"True," he sighed. "At least she's far away."

"Ehehehehe," Mabel smiled, watching them from behind a bush. She was NOT at the treehouse, as she was only about 100 meters (or about 300 ft) away from where the two were talking. Unknown to even the duo, she got permission to secretly come over at the lake resort.

Plus, she was not the only one there.

"I am so amazed," Papyrus said, spying with her. "That they are finally dating."

"Finally," Mabel whispered. "Right? And please quiet down."

"I cannot believe it!" a girl with ginger hair squealed. She was rather tall for a human, with what look like a military uniform on.

She was Saori Takebe, who was one of the five members of the "Anglerfish Team." Apparently, some of the girls in the Groom Falls City originated from a dimension called "Girls und Panzer," in which highschool girls and above drove tanks for sport. It was apparent that her team was the leader of some other groups, especially at the Cafe Ooarai.

"Love is in the air~" Mabel whispered. "And Saori, please quiet down."

"So how did this happen?" Saori asked, smiling as wide as her.

"I guess it worked somehow," Mabel answered, as she spied on the two go about their business.

"What do you want to talk about?" Pacifica asked. "I mean, we have nothing to do here, except just to watch the lake and chill out for once."

"Good question," Dipper admitted. "Things have gotten so crazy that I am not in the mood to think much."

"How about the very beginning?"

"Dunno."

"What?"

"Look," Dipper said, getting up to stretch. "Ugh, when I asked for adventures, I was NOT anticipating this kind."

"Like," Pacifica said, posing herself. "How you and Mabel took time to impress your parents. You and Mabel went to this place called Groom Falls, all just to prove your worth. Instead, you ended up in another version of Gravity Falls, except very different. This rabbi of yours..."

She paused, as Dipper's eyes twitched.

"I guess he has not really given you a good impression," Pacifica noted.

"I haven't seen him in a while," he admitted. "And I am glad."

"So this rabbi," Pacifica said. "Was a friend of your parents, and somehow they found him and got him to connect with you all. Then, this rabbi somehow got you in the hands of this suspicious organization named the ISPC."

His eyes twitched at that.

"But I have seen neither now," Pacifica noted. "Ever since we've been freed, the Groom Falls City has treated us quite well. I am actually surprised at how they treat everyone here. From Skullmageddon to Miho, they've been so nice to us."

"Don't forget the cops," Dipper said. "Unlike the cops back in Gravity Falls or in Piedmont, these cops actually are both friendly and effective. They not only take their jobs seriously, but also know how to bend the rules."

"You mean bend the rules to honor the spirit of the law," Pacifica remarked. "Rather than just the letter of the law. I appreciate these cops knowing what to do. When they saved us from getting arrested, they knew that not all laws are fair. That law of prohibiting faith healing is stupid. Look, I am not religious, but if I hear of an apparently free method to heal, like how that lady Mary Melanchthon did, then I am willing to save money on that.

"And there is another thing: many of these people seem to love life a lot. Eating, drinking, talking, just enjoying life. I mean, even when this world is crazy, well above that is, there is something to do here. And...I really like that attitude."

"What do you mean?" Dipper asked.

"Haven't you noticed?" Pacifica groaned. "Like how we are supposed to be census takers, but other than taking numbers, we don't really do anything?"

"And how," Dipper chimed in. "We meet friendly skeletons, weird people, tall girls who seem to hide something-"

"Hide something?" Pacifica asked.

"You know those girls?" Dipper asked. "Miho and her group? They seem to hide something, like as if they like to ride on something."

"How do you know?" Pacifica asked.

"I've honed my skills in investigation," Dipper replied. "And they seem to have that air...of wanting to do something with their lives. I think that being workers at restaurants is really to hide their true motives."

"And?"

"But not bad," Dipper said. "I can tell that it's not some sort of dark secret, just...something. Unlike those Psychic Twins."

Both shivered. It had been only days since the incident, but they remembered it well. From the revelation of their true identity to the whole fighting, it was a crazy time. Although they knew that they were no longer in danger, the fact that the Psychic Twins could exact revenge was a real issue.

"But the good news is," Dipper said. "That they and their associates cannot enter Groom Falls City. Apparently, the people in this city cast some spells that ensured that none of the Psychic Twins, or their allies, could even enter the city limits. That also includes this resort."

"And what's going to happen next?" Pacifica asked. "More crazy adventures that I do not want to be a part of?"

"Why?" Dipper asked. "Are you afraid?"

"No," she retorted. "I want to make sure that you're not in trouble."

"Says the girl who is not as cold."

"Says the boy who risked his life."

"Says the girl who actually cares."

"Says the boy who...whatever."

Both sighed, as they leaned on their chairs. In the distance, numerous flocks of birds flew about, singing and squawking in their own languages. Below, numerous boats rocked back and forth, with the people onboard fishing and lazing about. Further away, distant shouts and blasts rang out, as the guards regularly dealt with the denizens of this brave new world.

"You know," Pacifica said. "We should really think about this."

"Huh?" Dipper asked.

"You should know by now," Pacifica growled, getting up to stare at him. "That we, the two of us, are not just 'mere' friends. I have a feeling that when Mabel set us up like this, she's telling the truth."

"You don't say," Dipper said, raising an eyebrow (he also leaned a little away).

"Either you take this seriously," Pacifica said. "Or we stop this right here, right now."

Dipper gawked, staring at her.

"Are you kidding me?" Dipper asked.

"I think we should," Pacifica said. "We've hinted this one too many times. It is time."

"Time what?" Dipper asked innocently, blinking.

Pacifica groaned, her face frowning. However, she realized that Dipper might have not realized it yet, just like her. She knew what she had to do, but it felt weird.

"May I kiss you?"

She blinked. She thought that she said it, but it was not.

Dipper said it.

She blinked again, then breathed.

"Let's..." she spoke, as she drew her face near his.

"OK..." he spoke, as he drew his own face near hers.

The smell of books and pens from Dipper...

The smell of champagne and flowers from Pacifica...

Their lips drew close, very close...

"MYSTERY TRIO!" a voice boomed.

Dipper jumped, as he got up to dust himself. Pacifica tilted her head up to the sky, her face twisted into a deep frown. The bushes shook, as Mabel, Papyrus, and Saori jumped.

"WHERE ARE YOU?!" another voice boomed.

"Oh please," Dipper and Pacifica both groaned.

"Oh come on!" the trio in the bushes groaned, getting up.

They knew what it was: Mr. Black and Mr. White was looking for them, in order to bring them to an "important meeting" of sort.

Oh come on! both Dipper and Pacifica thought. That was almost a kiss!

"Well," Mabel said with a smile. "It looks like the fun is ruined, but we can still keep going at it. Sorry friends, we have to go so bye!"

She jumped out of the bushes, waving at the duo.

"Hey bro!" she shouted. "Let's go to that meeting of theirs!"

"Mabel?!" Dipper gasped. "What are you doing here?!"

"Explain later~" she teased, skipping away.

Dipper groaned, putting his hat back on, while Pacifica fixed herself.

"I guess she's here too," Pacifica remarked. She and Dipper already guessed correctly that Mabel was there the whole time. While the trio moved towards the two men, Saori and Papyrus watched.

"I cannot believe it!" Papyrus groaned. "That was almost an epic finale! Only for them to ruin it!"

"Oh bother!" Saori groaned. "I can't even tell Miporin about this!"

"Miporin?"

"Miho," she replied. "That's my nickname for her."

"Miporin," he repeated. "It sounds awesome! How about me as 'Paporine'? That's great!"

Saori's mouth dropped.

"Uh," she stammered. "Not...what I expected."

"Sans!" Papyrus called, as he hopped away. "How about a nickname for me?"

"OK..." Saori trailed off. "I am...going my way then."

She clicked something, which was hidden behind her right ear.

"Miporin," she called.

"Yes?" a voice replied.

"I think they are the ones," she replied.

"You sure?"

"Positive," she answered. "If they are able to do that, then we can trust them."

"Saori-san," the voice replied. "Are you sure that those three are the key to our issue?"

"I think that we can try," she said.

"Hmm," the voice replied. "I think you're right; even I had the feeling too. Miho out."

"Saori out."

Click.

Click.

Miho checked on what looked like a video game console station, but with three screens. She then pressed certain buttons, and each screen showed four security camera screens.

"Hmm," she noted, as a black limo zoomed past one of them. "It makes sense, after all. If they are willing to let the trio do that...OK."

She then pressed some codes in, and a button appeared, shaped like a pink flower. She pressed it, and the screens showed three faces, all of them pixelated, as if to hide their identities.

"I am good with it," she replied. "They are good to go."

"You sure about this?" the person in the middle screen asked.

"I trust you," the person on the left side spoke. "I've seen them."

"It's your call," the person on the right side declared. "I am with you."

"So it is then," Miho replied. "Call it in. Start the Operation Admit It."

"Where are we going?" Mabel asked.

Mr. Black and Mr. White drove into Groom Falls City, as the trio rode inside of the black limo.

"Here is where you never knew existed," Mr. Black spoke, as he drove the car.

"Where are we exactly going?" Pacifica chimed in. "I mean, you seem to hide this from us."

"To a place," Mr. White spoke. "That is illegal even for the residents here."

"And why?" Pacifica asked.

"We have secrets," Mr. Black answered. "That we're not sure of sharing. But after a series of events, in which you three seem to get involved and resolve for some reason, we think that you're the ones."

"The ones?" Dipper asked.

"As in the chosen ones?" Mabel asked with glee.

"Yes," Mr. White replied. "Which is why you're even inside with us now."

After a long time of driving, they soon ended up in a rural countryside, although it was still within the Groom Falls City. Vast acres of farmlands and wild forests surrounded the lone road, as the limo zoomed by.

Dipper yawned, while Mabel slept. Pacifica drowsed, trying to stay awake. However, her head kept going towards...Dipper's side.

"Here we are," Mr. White spoke, waking everyone up.

The trio stared. They were at what appeared to be a dilapidated barn, its red walls falling off. However, Mr. Black pressed on what looked like a remote control. Inside of the barn, a huge portal appeared, swirling in colors of blue and white. The trio gasped.

"Where are you taking us?" Pacifica asked.

The men did not answer. Instead, Mr. Black pushed the pedal, accelerating into the portal. Soon, they appeared on what looked like an island, with a variety of palm trees and other strange trees. A clean, black road with fresh white paint snaked through the beach, as the limo zoomed by. Soon, they came upon a city.

"Welcome to the Fusionfall Sanctuary," the men replied.

A mysterious figure watched, as the limo disappeared into the portal. The portal then disappeared, and the barn was the same as before.

"We've found them," the shadowed figure spoke in a gruff, masculine voice, talking into a high-tech watch. "I've found the base at last."

"Excellent!" a shrill voice boomed from the watch. "We've finally found a way to get at them! How did you find them finally?"

"Honestly," the shadowed figure spoke, scratching its helmet, which was somewhat cylindrical with stripes of white and purple. "It's because I assumed that the trio caught the interest of Mr. Black and Mr. White. It's obvious that they are more than interested in them."

"Then we have no time to lose!" the voice from the watch hissed. "Or maybe not."

"Let's just get ready to attack them," the shadowed figure said, streteching. "It's been too long, since we villains had to avoid attacking anyone."

"You mean the heroes," the voice corrected.

"I am coming back," the figure said, as it stepped into a clearing. "Monkey Minion! Get your jetpack ready!"

"You have to be kidding me!"

Another shadowed figure watched, as a strange simian creature took off, with what looked like another monkey with a jetpack. Both had green skin, but their clothing had themes of white and purple.

"Nishizumi-dono!" the figure spoke into what looked like a walkie-talkie.

"What is it?" a familiar voice spoke.

"Both sides of the Fusionfall dimension are here," the figure replied.

"Both of them?" Miho's voice gasped.

"The bad guys found them," the figure spoke. "Both the trio and the hideout of the Fusionfall heroes."

"That is...quite crazy," Miho admitted. "Yukari-san, please keep watch. Follow the villains, but don't get yourself caught!"

"They flew away though," Yukari admitted.

"Then we have to switch to plan B," Miho said. "Come back, and we'll take off in our Starlifter."

"Roger that," Yukari replied. "Yukari out."

Click.

"Zon," she groaned. "This is a crazy world now."

So, as you can see, this is just a short chapter. I decide to keep things lighter, except now adding in the potential conflicts of three factions:

1) The Fusionfall Sanctuary, a reference to the shutdown of both Fusionfall Retro and Fusionfall Legacy (I will go over their history later)

2) The villains of Fusionfall

3) Miho's "Girls und Panzer" side

If all goes well, I will try and have a story arc for each. So, wish me well.

FYI: please let me know how I am writing. I want critique on what I am doing well, or not. That way, I can start focusing on what to write next.

This is my first story into the "Gravity Falls" fandom, so I hope that this writing is worth your time. Thank you.

Next stop: Chapter 18: Stranger Stuff (Reference to "Stranger Things")