AN: I'm still cooking up on this chapter as i'm writing. Although, there is something that some of you guys are familiar with the bold sentence/phrase.


Chapter 3: The Raid Part 1: The convention.

The day was sunny, with a windy breeze. Almost every section of Fresno was peaceful during the weekends. Despite little news of the recent shooting, police security was spreading across the city for safety and protection under the order of Mayor Terry. So far, not a single violence has occurred.

Over at the fairground, there were nothing but people walking around the area. Some have come with their regular clothes, while others were dressed up in cosplay, like DragonBall characters, FairyTail, One Piece, DC/Marvel heroes/villains, Transformers, video game characters like Halo Master chief.

Today is the convention of Nerds of CON. Most of the buildings were used for video game contests. Others for costume contests and autographs with people. Insanely, most cosplayers and fans went to Marcy's stand for Amphibi-Anne. They asked for autographs, some asked for a photoshoot.

In line, Luz and Amity, dressed up as Azura and Hexate, had already gotten their autographs from Marcy.

"Thanks again, Marcy," Luz and Amity joyfully said together as they begin to leave.

"Anytime, sisters," Marcy happily said. Lumity then goes over to the costume contest.

Molly and Libby, with Molly dressed as Mario while Libby dressed up as princess Turtle, were in line, close to Marcy. Libby was very anxious as she was shaking her book copy. Libby had a thought in her mind. She has read her stories for months, but she never thought she was actually meeting the author of Amphibi-Anne. Molly noticed this and decided to cheer her up.

"Libby?" Molly asked, "feeling nervous?"

"Y-y-yeah," Libby answered shakingly, "I'm almost close to Ms. Wu. What if she's mean? What if she gives me bad advice?" Libby felt her hand like she was grabbed. She turned and saw Molly grabbed her hand.

"Libby, it's okay," Molly assuredly said, "you may never know what might happen." Libby smiles at her, knowing she is right.

"Thanks, Molly," Libby said. Yet, something had occurred between them. Libby stares at Molly's eye level, igniting her heart to beat three times fast and causing her cheeks to go red.

Molly stares at Libby with her hand holding her best friend's hand, causing her heart to beat three times faster and her cheeks go red.

The lines moved as the person in front of them had finished his visit, signaled Libby it's almost her turn.

Molly and Libby decided to release their hands, but were still blushed. Libby sees a person finishing up with Marcy. She was super nervous, but she felt calmed as Molly was standing next to her. She took a breath before facing Molly.

"Do you want to wait for me at the food bar?" Libby asked.

"Are you sure, Libby" molly curiously asked.

"I'm sure," Libby said, "I'll meet you there once I'm done."

Molly was gonna add something yet…

"Sure thing, bestie," Molly said, "I'll get you a drink then. I'll be over there, then. See ya."

"Okay, I meet you there then, buddy," Libby replied back as Molly begin to walk over to the food bar, leaving Libby alone. She took more breath before a person in front of her walks away. She sees Marcy, signaling it's her time. She walks up to her stand with her book in hand.

"Hello, there," Marcy said, "a photograph, autograph, or both?! It'll be $30 each." Libby begins to think before she speaks.

"Hello, I'm Libby Stein-Torres," Libby said, "and I enjoyed your work so much, that…Will you sign my book?" She showed Marcy the book, startled Marcy.

"Oh sure thing, Libby," Marcy said, happily accepting the offer. Libby handed her book to Marcy, who signed it and returned it back to her. Libby pulls out her money and gives it to Marcy. Before she goes, Libby has one thing to ask Marcy.

"Ms. Wu," Libby said, "I actually have a question for you."

"Oh," Marcy surprisingly said, "nobody ever asked me any question before. Go ahead Libby."

"As a fellow writer," Libby said, "I always wanted to be a horror writer, but I get so nervous for anyone to read my stories. Yet, you seem to be fine with yours. How do you overcome your fear of rejection from peers?"

Marcy looks shocked as she hears this question for the first time. Everyone in line was also surprised. After a moment, Marcy took in what Libby asked. She understood it though, so she decided to answer Libby's question.

"To answer your question, Libby," Marcy said, "to overcome my fear is to embrace it. Sure, I had some anxiety about my work, but I realize that I need some feedback from people around me, like my friends. You just need to open your work to show someone of your progress. Just take whatever notes they provide to you. That'll make you a great writer if you embrace your work by showing the progress."

Libby ponders for a moment, hearing what Marcy said. In her mind, she recalls her childhood as she once wrote a story of herself as a princess to her classmates, including Andrea. They rejected her story as they thought it was dumb. She felt rejected and isolated.

At least until Libby met Molly McGee.

At first, she thought Molly wasn't being honest in terms of her friendship and such, like being a bad singer, hiding her homeless status and hiding Scratch due to the Chairman. Yet, Molly was being honest in terms of Libby's work, like performing her hanukkah story, wrote a horror script for their attempted feature film and even made a fanfiction of her own story with her as a knight. Libby realized that Molly had been for her, hearing her feedback and compliances. It made her blush as she recalled these memories. And so, she turns to Marcy as she is about to leave.

"Thanks Mrs. Wu," Libby said, "I'll keep that in mind and thanks for the advice."

"Anytime, Libby," Marcy said, "and please, call me Marcy." Libby happily grinned as she began to leave.

"See ya around then, Marcy," Libby waved her hand goodbye as she entered the crowds. Marcy waved back at her before she went back to give an autograph to her fans.

Libby was walking over at the food bar, where Molly was standing by the pillars. Molly, with two drinks in her hands, then sees Libby coming towards her. Unaware that Libby was bumped by a cosplayer, as imperial Officer. He wore a black

"Sorry, my bad," said the cosplayer.

"It's okay," Libby said as they walked past each other. Libby makes it to Molly as she was happy to see.

"So," Molly said, "how did it go?"

"I think it went well tbh," Libby stated happily, "I asked her for writing advise and i believe it may be worth a try." Molly joyfully squealed as she heard of this. She was so proud of Libby, that she hugged her lightly tight. Libby saw this and blushed. For a moment, Molly realized that she hugged her crush, made herself blushing. They soon released each other, standing awkwardly as both of them still blushing. the moment was broken when the speaker begin to announce.

"Attention, cosplayers," said the speaker, "The contest for best costume will begin in ten minutes. Any cosplayer wishes to participate report to room 99. I repeat, all cosplayers, report to room 99 for contest. That is all."

Molly and Libby begin walking through the crowds, headed to the contest. on the way, both had simultaneously thinking of each other, in lovable way.

An imperial officer cosplayer walked towards the room. He heard his phone rang, pulled out and check the message from group chat:

Nsg os xpcj yvrts gjs qgjves'f ncpchvqb.

The cosplayer replied back:

Tctgf, Pcdgcwa.

The cosplayer placed his phone back to the pocket, heading towards the contest.


At the other side of the convention, Mabel, Dipper and Pacifica were walking around the gaming area. Dipper was shocked to see everything flashes in his eyes. Marco was stocked to see a convention in person. They saw other nerds, either dressed up in their favorite fanbase franchise, even the video games.

"Holy crap," Dipper said excitedly, "Never thought I would get to witness this!"

"Same with me," Marco joyfully said, "it felt amazing!"

"I wonder if there'll be something for Gideon," Mabel said as she looks around.

"Well, good luck with this," Pacifica said, "I'll just look around then."

"You're sure, honeybun?" Dipper asked, "You can come with me."

"It's okay, Dipper," Pacifica assured, "Besides, go crazy to this convention with your old friend." She and Dipper looks at Marco talking with Star, possibly having the same topic.

"You haven't seen him for years, Marco," Star said, "Maybe you spend time with him. And don't worry about me. I can take care of myself." Marco took it in from Star's statement. He felt happy to reunite w/ his old friend.

"Okay," Marco said, "I'll have fun with Dipper. If anything's happened, let me know." He and Star shared a quick kiss on the lips before he went over to Dipper. Star felt happy to see her boyfriend get to catch up with Dipper. Pacifica felt happy that she just unleashed her nerdy boyfriend, just to spend time with his old friend.

Marco and Dipper goes around the convention, getting autographs from Marcy Wu, Bill Nye, and Guillermo Del Toro. They then went over to the gaming convention where they played with other players, and they had met everyone, including Anne and Sprig, in his human clothes. They went over to the auditorium, full of crowds, almost a full house.

Inside is where a few scientists presented their works. The person, Dr. Stein, just finished his work; a weapon consist of tracking moving targets until it hits. Air-row. Up next, it was an elderly man in his 60s, wore his white suit and had pince-net sunglasses. Combed gray hair. He seems to be 5'6". He bring over his podium with cloth cover it as he brings it to the center stage. He positioned as he face the crowds.

"Good afternoon, everyone," the elder man said, "I am Doctor Ivan Shawn, lead physic engineer of CART. I stand before you with this device under this cloth for today. Prepared to be amazed. I give to you…"

He pulled the cloth out, revealed a a device, consist of a forearm shape, with strap underneath. It had a clear monitor on top. Dr. Shawn then place it on his left forearm.

"…Locator," Doctor Shawn said, "This device may look nothing, but it does more than you see. For this can locate the purest treasure from your heart's desire. Here let me show you." He typed in the monitor, which activates a projector above. This caused everyone to witness this in awe.

"Now, I need a volunteer for this demonstration," Doctor Shawn said, with one hand was raised from the audience. It was Dipper Pines. "Come up, young one," Doctor Shawn said. Everyone clapped their hands as Dipper makes his way to the stage. He stand next to the Doctor. "Now, what's your name, pal?" The Doctor asked.

"My name is Dipper Pines, Dr. Shawn," Dipper replied.

"What's your heart desire the most, Dipper?" Doctor Shawn asked, "let's find out, shall we?"

Doctor Shawn pointed to Dipper with Locator as red laser shoot to Dipper's chest, scanning his heart for a moment. It then vanished and a projection came from the device, imaging a female, Pacifica. The projection then pinpoint her location with a map. It tells him that she's over at the coffee bar, along with three other figures. They seem to have conversations among each other. Dipper was surprised to see his purest treasure of all; his girlfriend. The projection then goes out. The crowds gave the duo an applause, including Marco, for the demonstration.

"Now," Doctor Shawn said, "Thanks to Dipper, we can now try out many options." Everyone were still awe to see this. Yet, a person, dressed up as the evil Winnie the Pooh, grabbed his phone and began typing a text message before sending it. Moments later, It received back, revealing a message:

Uq'yj sb Y119 ua rtecq zgzhrqf.

The evil Winnie the Pooh cosplayer nodded his head before reply it back:

Ctskfzchvxs

He sends it to unknown person before he puts it back to his pocket.


Half an hour prior.

Star and Mabel explored the convention, stared at the wonderful stand and stuff. They were so psyched that they had gone through everything, purchased mechs, posters from animes, taken selfies of themselves and some other celebrities, such as Roger Craig-Smith.

"This is so fun!" Star said, "it's better than what Marco told me about!"

"I know, right?!" Mabel said, "hey, you wanna check out the costume contest!?"

"Oh heck, YEAH!" Star replied. Both girlfriends went to Room 99. There, they saw all the cosplayers, prepared themselves for the contest. Star and Mabel stare at them like they were flirting in high school. Then, they came upon Mario and a turtle princess cosplayers. It's Molly and Libby

"Woah," Mabel said, "Now that's an awesome costume."

"Why, thank you," Molly said, "I'm that happy adventure plumber, Mario. Wah-hoo." Molly posed the iconic Mario jump.

"And I'm the Turtle Princess, head of the library in the land of Ooo," Libby said.

Mabel and Star squealed joyfully for their costume with their eyes shines like a glitter.

"THAT'S AMAZING!" Both said joyfully. Molly saw them, and started to join.

"I KNOW, RIGHT?!" Molly said joyfully. They all hugged and hopped while Libby stands there happily. They released themselves for a moment.

"Sorry," Star said, "I'm just excited."

"It's okay," Molly said, "I usually get excited to see new faces."

"Yep," Libby said, "she's usually an enhappifier."

"Oh!" Star and Mabel said, "Is that a word?! It's amazing!"

"You think so?!" Molly surprisingly said, "wow, then it's official then." She chuckled. "I'm Molly McGee and this is my BFF, Libby Torres-Stein." She hugged Libby to introduce. Libby waved.

"Sweet," Mabel said, "I'm Mabel Pines and this is my friend, Star Butterfly."

"Glad to meet you two," Star said.

"Alrighty, cosplayers," the announcer said through the speaker, "it's time for the contest to begin."

Meanwhile, Pacifica was sitting down at the coffee bar. She had her cappuccino. She took a sip.

"Wow," Pacifica said, "who knew this was good!"

"Tell me about it," said a voice, startled Pacifica. She turned to the voice. It was Amity Blight.

"Oh sorry if I scared you," Amity apologized, "I didn't mean to-"

"It's okay," Pacifica stated, "It's happens occasionally."

"Yeah," Amity said, "So how's the convention for you?"

"Oh it looks cool tbh," Pacifica said, "what about you?"

"Ah," Amity said, "I'm here with my Luz." She points out to Luz, who was in line for coffee.

"Well, she looks wonderful," Pacifica said, "I'm sorry, introductions first. I'm Pacifica Northwest."

"Oh, I'm Amity Blight," Amity replied, "Nice to you, Pacifica."

"It's nice to meet you as well," Pacifica said, "How did you met Luz?"

"Well, it's actually a funny story," Amity said like she was somewhat embarrassing, "I used to despise her due to her reckless actions, got me in trouble, humiliated me in front of my former idol, my siblings, my dreams, my old job.

"Woah," Pacifica shockingly said, "Damn, that's huge. You must have hate her back then."

"I know," Amity said, "I should stay mad at her more, but a part of me was glad she did like she freed me from my pathetic life as a bully. It's because my mom expects me to live up our name, like taking more studies, get into the emperor's coven, and be the best abomination master. Yet, when Luz came to my life, everything changes like I'm improving my life better. I was technically a jerk before."

Pacifica heard this, like she felt her similarity. Unaware that Sasha, dressed as Winery from Fullmetal Alchemist, was behind them, listening to them.

"I know how that feels," Pacifica sympathizes, "sounds similar to me. I mean I used to bully my boyfriend a few times when we were teens, like insulting his class, his dorkiness, fashion, and his family. In a way, I was a jerk as well."

"And me," Sasha unexpectedly said, behind Pacifica and Amity, startling the duo.

"What is it with people standing behind others and scaring them?" Pacifica asked as she holds her heart while Amity just stood there holding her heart with both hands. Inhaling in and out.

"Sorry about that," Sasha apologized, "I just over heard you two and thought-"

"That you have some connection with us?" Amity calmly said, "join the club." Sasha grabbed a chair from behind the duo. She sat down with them.

"So what's your story?" Pacifica asked Sasha.

"Well, I used to be this jerk friend," Sasha replied, "I had two friends to be in my shadow. It's because I was considered a popular student since I was a kid. I did maintain control of them under my flavor. At least until I learned a lesson that helped me realized that…I was a bad friend and I took them for granted because I was so sacred of being alone." Amity and Pacifica share their sympathies to Sasha.

"That must been hard, huh," Amity said.

"It was," Sasha said, "until I became a new person. Someone who's more open minded and open to everyone."

"Same with me," Pacifica and Amity said simultaneously.

While they talked, a cosplayer, dressed up as classic Dr. Eggman reached his goggles, leveled to his eyes and turned the knob clockwise. Inside was a scanner, scanning through the crowds with the Panda symbol above it.

To be continued


AN: This was inspired by my first experience of going to the conventions, like Amine Game, and TFcons. It was fun, so I decided to use it for this story. Just to get somewhat experience as some of us had been to the conventions before. It would be fun to see where this might be before something occur.

I hope enjoyed this first part. Part 2 will come around.