"I need your help."
"You're the worst."
*SLAM*
Ok, that still stung. Pacifica thought back to later that day, reminding herself that Dipper would later show confidence in her ability to change.
And five seconds later, he would die.
"Shut up, me!" Pacifica scolded herself as she knocked again.
"You think it's easy for me to come here? I don't want to be seen at this hovel! But something is haunting Northwest Manor. If you don't help me, the party could be ruined!"
"And why should I trust you?" Dipper said skeptically, exactly the same way he had before. "All you've ever done is try to humiliate me and Mabel."
"Well how would Mabel like three tickets to the world's greatest party?"
"Why are we sneaking through the window again?"
"Because, my parents don't know about the ghost, so they can't know you're here!" Pacifica had recruited Dipper an hour earlier, so that by the time Archibald launched his attack, she would still be in range to stop the curse. She had not informed Preston & Priscilla of this, and with any luck, she wouldn't have to. "You get in, get rid of it, get out."
"Pacifica Northwest, going against her perfect parents? Remind me to build Waddles a runway when I get home."
"Do you understand the mission Mr. Blandin?"
"Sir yes sir! I am to locate the unauthorized time traveller, recover the missing tape, and if necessary, submit the rogue to the time-authorities!"
"This is your first mission since your reinstatement." Time Baby thundered. "A chance to prove yourself. Do NOT Blendin this up or it will be time-sheep duty for the next 10,000 observable years!"
"Wait, 'Blendin it up?' Is that a thing people are saying?'"
"GO!"
"Yes sir!" With that, Time Anomaly Removal Agent Blendin Blandin activated his trusty time tape, and warped heroically back to the last Northwest Fest.
"AHH! My brand new hair!"
"This is the main room where it's been happening." Pacifica recited. Predictably, Dipper pulled out his book and started rambling about categories, floating plates, and her hair. She shuddered, remembering how wrong he'd been about the ghost's power. "Thirty minutes." She reminded herself, "Thirty minutes and it will all be over."
"It would be over a lot quicker if you told him the truth about the curse." her conscience needled her.
She pushed the thought away. If she tried to open the gates now, there'd be no telling what her parents would do to stop her. Plus, technically the party hadn't started yet, so it probably wouldn't count.
"Right, and the fact that you're scared of how he'll react has nothing to do with it."
"Uh, Pacifica?" Dipper spoke up, pointing to the now empty painting, prompting Pacifica to step back from the mounted deer heads.
"Here we go again."
"Stop! We can't go in there!"
Just as she had 12 hours ago, Pacifica grabbed Dipper by his collar and dragged him back from the white room. "If you track any mud in there, my parents will realize I snuck you in!"
"Why are you so afraid of your- wait…" Dipper realized, "If your parents don't know I'm helping you, how is Mabel supposed to go to the party?'
"Uh-"
"You weren't actually going to let her come, were you?" Dipper glared at her with an intensity he wasn't supposed to exhibit until 12:50 that night.
"Dipper-"
"Aaagh! I can't believe I actually trusted you! All anyone in your family ever does is lie and cheat and-"
"Found you!" The ghost said darkly as he lifted the boy into the air.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
In the blink of an eye, it was over. Dipper Pines clattered to the ground, a lifeless statue once more.
"Now that the boy is out of the way, my revenge shall have its day!" Archibald recited as Pacifica ran blindly for the gates. Praying to whatever weird lizard god probably ran this insane town, Pacifica pulled the lever, throwing invitations at the waiting townspeople for good measure. The cheering started just as the clock struck 10:09.
Dipper remained motionless.
"I've got you now!" Blendin said triumphantly. He made it to the manor property just as the flash of light signalled the culprit's departure.
"Oh, give me a time-break!"