Chapter Text
[The 1st panel shows a view of Gravity Falls from a near by mountain. A pterodactyl can be seen carrying Toby Determined, who has a paniked expression on his face, in it's talons.]
Narration: This is the town of Gravity Falls in Oregon. From a distance, it looks like every other rural American town, but don't let that fool you.
Toby: And they said taking up wildlife photography would be a relaxing passtime...!
[2nd panel shows a shot of the busy part of town, and the every day people of Gravity Falls. Manly Dan can be seen carrying 10 full-length logs. Each on a single finger. Gideon is standing on the side-walk with a yo-yo in one hand and a book titled '101 cool things you can do with a yo-yo' in the other. His failure to perform a trick has sent the yo-yo crashing into his face. Robbie and Tambry are walking by in each other's arms. Tambry's pregnant. Robbie has his hand on Tambry's belly.]
Narration: The town is far more alive than it looks. The strange and wonderful townsfolk all have a story to tell.
[3rd panel shows a shot of a clearing in the forest. Leaderaur the Manotaur and the Multibear are in the middle having what appears to be a wrestling match. They are surrounded by Gnomes, other Manotaurs and other creatures native to Gravity Falls, including the Hide-Behind, cheering at the match. Shmebulock can be seen wearing a #1 foam finger and Jeff the Gnome can be seen running a betting stand.]
Narration: Mostly of their encounters with the strange and wonderful creatures who live in the forests nearby.
Jeff: 50-1 on the Multibear!
[4th panel shows the exterior of the Mystery Shack. A group of tourists can be seen lining up for a tour.]
Narration: But there are some stories here that stand out from the others.
[5th panel shows the interior of the Mystery Shack. Melody is helping Soos put a necktie on.]
Narration: Stories about two extraordanary children who came to this town two years ago.
[6th Panel shows a shrine to the Pines twins on a wall. We can see Soos' and Melody's smiling faces looking at it from the sides of the panel. At the top of the wall hangs a plague that reads "The heroes of Gravity Falls: The Pines twins". The wall is covered with framed photos and newspaper articles featuring the Twins. On the left side of the wall is a large, portrait sized photo of Dipper, in a frame that has the Pinetree emblem in the corners. On the right side is a equally large framed photo of Mabel with the Shooting Star emblem in the corners.]
Narration: The Pines Twins, Dipper and Mabel, grand nephew and niece to the founder of the Mystery Shack.
[7th Panel is a mosiac of images of the twins' adventures in Gravity Falls, including the Gobble-Wonker chase, Mabel's rescue of Sev'ral Timez, Dipper's training with the Manotaurs, breaking into the Dusk 2 Dawn, exploring Ford's bunker and their battle with Bill Cipher.]
Narration: They came here for summer vacation, but they never dreamed that they would make such a big difference, but they have changed the lives of all who live here forever.
[8th panel shows a moderately sized house by a lake. It looks like it's been recently built.]
Narration: But Dipper changed one person's life so much more than the others and he doesn't even know it.
[9th panel shows the room in the house. It's Pacifica North-West's bedroom. She can be seen sitting at a desk with her back to us.]
Narration: Her name is Pacifica North-West.
[10th Panel shows the view over her shoulder. She's looking at a scrap book filled of pictures and newspaper articles featuring Dipper along with drawings of the Pinetree emblem. We can see the side of her face. A tear is rolling down her cheek.]
Narration: She was once a selfish, spoiled wealthy child who bullied and manipulated everyone around her, but Dipper showed her that was was much more to her than she knew and awakened the good in her heart.
[11th panel shows Pacifica looking at a digital clock next to the book. The date of it reads June 18th 2014.]
Narration: She quickly developed feelings for him, but was too scared to admit it back when the twins were here. Not of the possibility of being rejected by Dipper, but of retaliation from her parents. After she conquered that fear, she decided that she will tell him when she sees him next. But he never returned to Gravity Falls.
[12th panel shows Pacifica closing the scrap book.]
Pacifica: Enough waiting. It's been far too long.
[The next three panels show Pacifica putting the scrapbook in her handbag, putting the bag's strap over her shoulder and then leaving the bedroom.
The 16th panel shows Pacifica walking towards Lazy Susan's diner.
17th panel shows Grenda and Candy chatting as Pacifica walks past the window.
18th panel shows Pacifica approaching them.]
Pacifica: Hi.
Grenda: Whoa.
Candy: [Surprised] Pacifica...!
Pacifica: Can we talk?
[19th panel shows Pacifica sitting down.]
Candy: Sure.
Grenda: What's up?
[20th panel shows all three girls sitting around the table.]
Pacifica: I know this seems weird, but did either of you guys hear from the Pines twins since they left?
Grenda: Dipper and Mabel? Yeah, we've been swaping emails and chatting through video phone with Mabel nearly every day!
Candy: But she stopped contacting us three months ago.
[21st panel shows Pacifica's face with a bemused look from over Grenda's shoulder.]
Pacifica: Three months ago? Why'd she stop?
Grenda: No idea.
Candy: She just went silent so suddenly. The four of us are still worrying.
Pacifica: Four of you? You two and who else?
[22nd panel shows Wendy appearing behind Pacifica.]
Wendy: Me and Soos. Dipper's not been online, either. Soos and I've been playing video games with him since he left. He didn't say anything about going anywhere, either.
[23rd panel shows Grenda shifting over and Wendy sitting next to her. Pacifica's face shows discomfort. She's looking at the book hidden in her handbag.]
Wendy: Why are you asking so suddenly, anyway? You've never talked about them before.
Pacifica: Well.... I'll explain later. Did they ever say why they didn't come back?
Wendy: Their parents didn't want them to because they don't have family living here anymore. Their gruncles left a little while after they did.
Pacifica: Have any of you guys ever went to their place before?
[24th panel shows Wendy, Grenda and Candy over Pacifica's shoulder.]
Grenda: Nope.
Candy: Uh-uh.
Wendy: Don't even know where they live, except it's in California.
[25th panel shows Pacifica standing up.]
Pacifica: Wendy, you mentioned that you and Soos played online with Dipper. Do you think he knows where they live?
Wendy: He might do. No telling what Dipper told him.
Pacifica: Shall we try asking him?
Wendy: Don't see why not.
Pacifica: [To Candy and Grenda] You guys coming?
Grenda: Yeah.
Candy: Nothing better to do anyway.
[26th panel shows the interior of the Mystery Shack. After the large tour group from earlier, the custmoers have gone for the day. Wendy enters with the other three girls in tow. Melody's behind the cash register, Soos is in front of the counter and Abuelita is standing next to Soos. All three have just turned their heads towards the entrance.]
Wendy: Yo, Soos.
Soos: Wendy! S'up, girl-dude?
Wendy: Did Dipper or Mabel ever tell you where they came from?
Soos: California, why?
[27th panel shows Pacifica staring at the shrine to the Pines twins.]
Pacifica: [Whispers] Dipper...
Wendy: I know that. Can you tell us where exactly?
[28th panel shows Pacifica turning around. Her face shows despair.]
Soos: Sorry Wendy. Even if I did know, I wouldn't be allowed to say. Legal reasons and all that, y'know?
[29th panel shows Pacifica running out the door. There is a few sparkles behind her.
30th panel shows everyone looking at the door in confusion.]
Candy: What the...?
Grenda: What was that all about?
Melody: Wait a minute...
[31th panel shows a close up of Melody.]
Melody: Did anyone else notice her crying?
[32st panel shows Pacifica sitting on a log in a clearing near the Shack. She's crying and looking into the scrap book from earlier.]
Pacifica: [Whispering] That's it. [Sobs] I'll never see him again!
[33nd panel shows Wendy, Soos, Melody, Abuelita, Candy and Grenda running to catch up with Pacifica.]
Wendy: Pacifica!
[34rd Panel shows everyone gathered around Pacifica.]
Wendy: What's wrong?
[35th panel shows a surprised expression on Wendy's face.]
Wendy: Why are you so obsessed with...
[36th panel is a close up on the scrap book.
37th panel shows Wendy closing the book. On the front cover is a big red heart with a Pinetree emblem in the middle. The words "MY HERO" can be seen underneath the heart.
38th panel shows Wendy hugging Pacifica. Candy has her hands on her mouth. Grenda just looks sadly at Pacifica. Melody grabs Soos's arm who looks on with his mouth open in shock. Abuelita begins to weep and puts her hand on Pacifica's shoulder.]
Wendy: Oh, Pacifica...
[39th panel shows Melody and Abuelita looking at Soos, who looks back at them.
40th panel shows Soos with his hand behind his head.]
Soos: Well, I have been worried about them. Look, I shouldn't even mention this, but, Mr Pines did leave behind an address book in his desk, but I'm really not allowed to show it to anyone.
[41st panel shows Soos turning around and walking back to the Mystery Shack. He's winking at Melody and Abuelita. Everyone else is looking back at him.]
Soos: But of course, it wouldn't be my fault if someone snuck in and copied from it, though.
Melody: Oh..! Well, I better get back to work. I don't even have time to lock the desk.
Abuelita: And I must ask you to excuse me. It's very warm today. I've even needed to have all the windows open.
[42nd panel shows Wendy with a mischivous grin on her face. The other girls look at her.]
Wendy: I'll just be gone a minute.
[43rd panel shows Wendy running around the back of the Mystery Shack.
44th panel shows Wendy running back with her phone in her hand.]
Wendy: So, ladies...
[45th panel shows the girls gathered around Wendy's phone. There's a picture of a page from the address book on the screen. It reads "Robert and Caskey Pines, 618 Summer Ave, Piedmont, CA, 94618".]
Wendy: Who wants to go on a roadtrip to Piedmont, California?
[46th panel shows Pacifica wiping away her tears. Candy starts to get exited. Grenda pulls out her phone, having just thought of something.]
Pacifica: How can we get there?
Wendy: I got my driver's license last year! Didn't you see the camper van I got for my birthday? It's got a bed and a little kitchen! Getting money for the trip might be a little tricky, though.
Pacifica: I can withdraw some from the credit cards my dad gave me. I'll get as much as I can.
Candy: I'll start researching maps and tourist brochures!
Grenda: I'd better call Marius. Let him know I'll be away for a while.
[47th panel shows a view of the girls from above their heads. They're standing in a circle.]
Wendy: Remember, our families will never let us go out that far or for this long, so if we're doing this, we'll have to sneak out. We'll have to leave our phones behind since they can be tracked. Pacifica, once you draw the cash out, you'll have to leave behind the credit cards. They can be traced, too. And we'll have to leave early. I'm talking before sunrise here. Meet me by the water tower at 5:30 tomorrow morning.
Pacifica: Right.
Grenda: Okay.
Candy: Understood.
[48th panel shows Wendy winking and giving a thumbs up to Soos, Melody and Abuelita, who are looking on from a window in the Mystery Shack. They wave at her.
49th panel is a montage. Only Grenda's picture has any dialogue. Pacifica is using a ATM, Candy is reading maps, Wendy is refueling her van and Grenda's in a video chat with Marius.]
Grenda: Sorry Marius, but I'll be away for a while...
[50th panel continues the montage. All the girls are packing clothes into backpacks.
51st panel shows all the girls' alarms going off at 4:00AM.
52nd panel shows the girls' empty rooms with notes on their beds.
53rd panel shows Pacifica, Candy and Grenda running towards the water tower where Wendy's waiting in her van.
54th panel shows the girls buckling up in the van. Pacifica's in the front and Candy and Grenda are in the side seats at the back.]
Wendy: Everyone ready?
Pacifica: Uh-huh.
Candy: Yep.
Grenda: Good to go!
[55th panel focuses on Candy and Grenda.]
Candy: Will Marius be okay without talking to you for so long? He's very attached to you, you know.
Grenda: Actually, he's coming over by private plane to meet us there. After I explained everything to him, he said he's been trying to plan a fun adventure for me and him anyway, and he thought this would be perfect. He said he'll help us out with money.
[56th panel shows the van driving towards the sunrise. Pacifica looks out the window with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face.]
Wendy: Good. For a trip this long, I think we'll be needing all the help we can get. No telling how long we'll be away.
Pacifica: [In thought bubble] I'm coming, Dipper.
END OF CHAPTER ONE