15
Pacifica

        Pacifica hated the bitter feeling that lingered alongside the forlorn one. She ended up staying up with Mabel for a few hours while she cried into Pacifica's shoulder, saying the things one can only say in the throes of heartbreak.

        I should've known!

        I'm such an idiot! How could I not see it before?

        I felt forever about her.

        It's like she didn't even care about me at all!

Of all the things that could've happened that night, the revelation of that daunting secret was not what Pacifica had expected. Even though she wanted to scream and cry as much as Mabel was —if not more—, someone had to be the emotional support, and something told her that Mabel had it worse than she did. After all, it was her first serious relationship, and Scarlett was only around for Dipper it seemed.

And knowing what the sleeping arrangements were prior to that, Mabel begged Pacifica to sleep in her room with her, she couldn't find it in her to be that close to Scarlett so soon. Pacifica agreed with her sentiment, seeing as she wasn't super thrilled about being in the same room with Dipper.

Dipper. Pacifica couldn't sleep after everything that happened. Paired with Gideon's snores from the smaller bed in the corner and Mabel's tendency to hog the blankets, it was probably her second worst night of sleep since this all started.

Least to say, Pacifica was wide awake when he slunk back through the door at three in the morning, carrying Scarlett on his back with utmost care.

He silently surveyed the room from the doorway, and in the dark of the room she couldn't see the expression on his face. And then he disappeared into the bedroom that was supposed to be theirs with Scarlett.

Pacifica woke up with sunlight ghosting on her face from a slit in the curtains. She blinked the bleariness out of her eyes and prayed that she hadn't cried myself to sleep. Pacifica glanced around the room and took note of what was going on.

Gideon was still snoring away, but at least he was only sleeping. There was a light coming through the en-suite door and she could hear Mabel's voice speaking very rapidly, but Pacifica could hardly make out the words. It sounded like she was speaking to a pilot. Most likely trying to arrange their flight back to Reverse Falls to happen as soon as possible.

        Pacifica couldn't blame her. She didn't want to stick around the city of love for much longer either. A bitter feeling swelled in her chest as she thought about how she wanted desperately to spend time with Dipper in the most romantic city in the world. Part of her still wanted to, but Pacifica couldn't overlook the fact that he lied to her about his intentions in Paris, and now with everything surrounding him, whether it was magic-based, or the Scarlett Thing (thanks to Gideon, Pacifica got into a habit of naming things), they couldn't.

        Well, laying around moping wouldn't do anyone any good, now would it? Pacifica snatched her phone from the nightstand, groaning when she found that it had died sometime in the night. Given all the hectic-ness of the night prior, she must've forgotten to plug it in.

        Luckily for her, Mabel had a charger plugged into the outlet on her side of the bed. Pacifica would rather borrow Mabel's then go into the room next door where the rest of her stuff was and risk seeing Dipper. Pacifica had no clue what time it was until she glanced at the clock next to her. Just past nine in the morning.

        No doubt about it that Dipper was awake. Pacifica didn't want to run into him and have yet another conversation that led nowhere. Did she still have more to say to him? Of course she did. But Pacifica wasn't ready yet. She deeply wished that she was ready to speak with him again, but she just couldn't find the courage to do so. However, Pacifica did need to figure out where they stood relationship-wise. Given how many times he chased after Scarlett in a five minute span (two), she wasn't sure if there even was a relationship to worry about.

        After Pacifica plugged in her phone, she looked over at Gideon to make sure he was alright. It was courageous of him to take that shot for Mabel, but it was also unnecessary. She definitely needed to talk to him about that. He was just sleeping now, thankfully, and the shock hardly left a mark, but she was still nervous for him.

        Right when Pacifica was about to run and grab breakfast, the en-suite door opened and a frazzled, sleep-deprived, cried-out Mabel appeared slowly. She was clutching her phone like it was a lifeline and hardly made eye-contact with Pacifica when she reentered the room.

        "Morning." Pacifica waved a hand in her direction. She could've said something better, but she couldn't think of anything else to say in that moment. What else could she have said really?

        "Yes." She nodded and pushed her hair behind her ears with a heavy sigh. "Despite the fact that my family's private plane is under my command, you would be surprised to figure out how difficult it was for me to schedule our flight back today."

        "We're heading out today?" Pacifica asked, only half-surprised. After all, if she was feeling awful about spending another second in the city of love, she could only imagine how Mabel felt about it.

        Mabel nodded once. "Yes, there's truly no reason for us to spend another minute in this country, now is there?" She skilfully manoeuvred to where she had placed her suitcase and rummaged around through the items in there. "I mean, this cult thing is kind of out of our hands, right?"

        "What makes you think that?" Pacifica asked again, following after her. "We can usually deal with everything we get dealt with?"

        Mabel didn't look at her for a moment, staring at something in her bag like it was significantly more important than their conversation. "Usually we can. However, I don't have magic anymore, and Dipper doesn't even know how to control his. I'd say we're pretty outmatched here. Considering how we all could've been captured or worse yesterday night if that ass hadn't shown up when he did."

Well. Yeah, that was definitely true. "And you think that if we just leave nothing bad will come from it?" Pacifica placed a hand on her hip and leaned toward Mabel. "C'mon, you probably know better than I do that this is bad news."

"Of course I know it's bad news." Mabel scoffed, quieting her voice a smidgen when Gideon stirred in the corner. "But, I'm being realistic, Paz. There is nothing we can do about this. No training montage from the movies will help Dipper control his magic."

Pacifica stifled a small smile because despite everything, Mabel could make her laugh like no one else could. She would be talking about something completely serious, and then add an allusion to something she knew Pacifica knew about.

"I mean, think about it," she pulled out an oversized sweater as well as a pair of jeans from her duffel bag before she looked at Pacifica. "We tried to train Dipper back before the summer ended. The only time he showed his newfound magical abilities was when he was arguing with our mother over you."

"Yes, well, maybe adrenaline will kick in and he'll be able to learn this time." Pacifica said, offhandedly. "I mean, it worked for him when he was. . .y'know. . .rescuing us."

Mabel huffed a sigh and began stripping out of her clothes. "Yes, it worked then, but I don't want to have to rely on pure chance of his adrenaline going." She tossed her pyjamas with a practised carelessness squarely into the duffel bag before she pulled her sweater over her head. "This is far more dangerous than that creature we dealt with from the summertime, you know that, Paz?"

Pacifica scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "Yeah, Dipper tried explaining that to me yesterday."

"Ugh, of course he did." She rolled her eyes as she pulled up her skinny jeans. Mabel went and bent down to zip up her duffel bag. "Oh, shoot. Did you want to wear something of mine? I'm looking to get those two" —she pointed a finger at the door at the opposite side of the room— "as late as I possible can afford."

"I think I'd like that, Mabel, thank you." Pacifica smiled lightly and bent down to unzip the bag to peer on what was inside. She pulled out a light blue sweater and held it up to Mabel.

"Unfortunately for you, Paz, I don't think my bra's going to fit you." She snorted as she moved around the hotel room to tidy up. It pulled out another point that Mabel Gleeful was the most kind person she ever met. With her money, she could've hired a cleaning crew to clean the hotel room for her, but she didn't.

"Of course not!" Pacifica exclaimed. "Take a look at you, and then take a look at me!"

Mabel laughed, it felt nice to hear her laugh after everything that had happened yesterday evening. There was light in her eyes as she looked at Pacifica, a goofy grin on her face. "I guess you might have to go in that room after all."

"No, please, spare me." Pacifica rolled her eyes and quickly changed into the sweater. She and Mabel were practically the same height, give or take an inch or so. Pacifica hadn't ever really shared clothes with a close girl friend before, it just felt like something normal was happening for once. "I'll sneak in there later."

        Mabel hummed in agreement, strolling right back into the bathroom. She peered at herself in the mirror and let out a scoff of disgust. "Ugh, who let me wake up like this?" She splashed some water on her face and then swiftly patted it dry with a nearby towel. "Well, that doesn't matter. We should probably start to get everyone ready."

        "Right now?" Pacifica winced as she glanced back to the door that led to where Dipper was. "I'm not so sure I'm up to. . ."

        "Focus, Pacifica." Mabel seized her shoulders and looked into her eyes. "Our feelings for those in the other room shouldn't interfere with the fact that there is a very pressing danger in this city. We need to get back to Reverse Falls and figure out a way to keep them away from us."

        Pacifica nodded, her brain kicking into gear. She was right. They were all still in danger, and despite their feelings, they needed to get all of them out of here, safe and sound. "Um, do you wanna go in there and wake them up?"

        Mabel's lips pressed together in a very contemplative line. "I will do it, alright? I owe you for last night." She gave me a light hug before she sped over to the door.

        Pacifica watched as Mabel rapped her knuckles against the wooden door, harshly and fierce. "Up. We have to leave now. Our plane is going to be departing in a little less than an hour. I suggest we head back to Dipper's apartment to grab anything he might need, and to inform his roommate of his reappearance." She spoke so formally and quickly that Pacifica had to wonder how she composed herself. It was something she definitely needed to learn as soon as possible.

        "Mm. . .Hey!"

        Pacifica and Mabel spun to where Gideon was supposed to be sleeping.

        He jumped up, hand to his heart and his eyes darted around wildly. "I'll save you, Mabel!" He bellowed before he blinked. "Wait, where are we?" His eyes widened again and his lower lip trembled. "Oh my God, am I dead?! Did I die down there?!"

        "Gideon!" Pacifica rushed over to him, just as the door opened behind her. She paid no mind to the people who walked in because she needed to make sure Gideon was alright. "You're awake, thank goodness. We were all really worried about you, you know?"

        Gideon rubbed the back of his head, wincing in embarrassment. "I'll be okay, I got enough rest to help with this whole thing anyway." He rubbed his eyes and squinted across the room. "Wait a minute. Dipper?! Is that you?!"

        Right. Gideon had already lost consciousness when Dipper came to their rescue.

        Gideon jumped out of his bed, rushed over to where Dipper was standing, and tackled him in a hug that no one was expecting. "Damn, you look great, man! Where in the world have you been? Paz and everyone else has been worried sick about ya, y'know?"

        Dipper grunted and tried to pry Gideon's arms off of him. "Yes," he winced, "it has been mentioned to me." He finally succeeded in getting Gideon off of him, with Scarlett's assistance. "Now, this reunion is quite lovely, the best reception I've gotten all day, but we need to leave now, Gideon." He looked up to meet Mabel's eyes. "I'll take it you already have the private jet ready for our departure?"

        "Yes." Was Mabel's tight-lipped reply. "Finish getting dressed everyone, pack up, we're leaving this room together in three minutes on the dot."

        After their three minutes passed, they carried our luggages into a car that Mabel had procured once again, and made their way back to Dipper's apartment. Pacifica felt bad that she hadn't gotten Matthew's number, she would've texted him last night or this morning about finding Dipper. The poor guy seemed to really care about Dipper.

        Like before, Scarlett got them into the building, seeing as Dipper didn't have his keys with him, and her picks were buried underneath her own clothes in her duffel bag, they had to also resort to knocking on the door, praying that Matthew was up.

        After a minute of standing in the hall, the door was slowly opened, revealing a wide-awake Matthew who looked as though he'd just downed three shots of espresso. "Ah!" He exclaimed, opening the door wider. "Paz and company! You are back! And all in one piece!" He beckoned them in, but froze when he saw Dipper standing in the back. "D-Dipper!" He exclaimed, backing up just a little bit. "Oh my gosh, I am so sorry!"

        Dipper cast a confused look toward Matthew. "I beg your pardon?"

        "Ah, I guess I should probably elaborate." He rubbed the back of his neck and exhaled slowly. "I wanted to apologise for not realising you were in danger. I'm just glad you and everyone else is alright. Pacifica was quite worried for you, you must know."

        Oh, right. Scarlett, for some reason, decided that they couldn't trust Matthew when they first met him. So Pacifica was Scarlett now, and she was her. A more bitter feeling exploded in her stomach. Did Scarlett want what Pacifica had? She made it very clear last night that she did love Dipper, but not in the way that everyone thought. Was that a lie as well?

        "Yes, I know." Dipper murmured, ducking his head. "I extend my own apologies to you, Matthew. I pray you understand that I cannot stay here anymore. I will continue to send money to pay for my portion of the rent, so you can continue to live here."

        "O-oh, I understand and thank you." Matthew nodded. "And thank you all for coming back here to let me know you are all okay. I was so terribly worried when I didn't hear anything from you. The Krefezen cult is so dangerous."

        "Yes, before you say anything, he knows, Dipper." Mabel clarified for the group. "We're just here to gather Dipper's most important items. Then, I have to schedule a good meeting place for our jet to take off."

        "You need a place for your jet to take off?" Matthew asked.

        "Wait, Mabes, I thought you already figured that out." Pacifica interjected.

        "The central airport is too public." Mabel confessed. "I'm still a little nervous about the cult finding us before we can escape."

        "You, my friend, have been watching too many spy movies." Gideon joked, butting shoulders with Mabel, earning a small smile from her.

        "Better safe than sorry." She explained.

        "Wait a minute, my friends!" Matthew exclaimed. "I know the perfect place for your jet to take off! You won't have to worry about it being illegal, or the cult getting access to you guys!" He clapped his hands together and moved swiftly over to Mabel. "Tell your pilot to land the jet at these directions I'm going to give you."

        "You know a place?" Scarlett asked. "Shit, I need to spend some time with you, if you know all about secret places."

        "Ah, as much as I'd love to spend some time with you, I'm sure Dipper might be jealous." Matthew chuckled, earning a small laugh out of everyone except Dipper.

        "I beg your pardon?" Dipper asked once again.

        Oh shit. Without a second thought, Pacifica grabbed Dipper's arm and began to drag him down the hall to his room. "Well, no time to waste, we should grab your things, now shouldn't we?"

        As soon as they were behind a closed door, Pacifica leaned against it and heaved a sigh. She was half expecting Dipper to quip back with can't wait to get me alone, now can we but he stayed silent. "Listen, Scarlett was suspicious when we first met Matthew for some reason, so she claimed herself as me and I'm her. Matthew thinks Scarlett is your girlfriend, Paz." Pacifica explained harshly. "I don't want Matthew to be upset that we lied to him, so we are going to continue this charade until we leave, understand?"

        Dipper stared at her, mouth agape. "Yes, ma'am." He nodded and began searching his room for his most important items. "Pacifica," he started.

        "Not now, Dipper." Pacifica groaned and rubbed at her temples. "I dunno what to say to you right now. Can we please just not talk yet? I need a moment."

        "I understand." Dipper nodded as he tossed items into a duffel bag. "Just know that, I do want to speak with you, but I won't engage with you until you are ready."

        Pacifica didn't say anything else to him while they were in there.

* * *

        Matthew led them to the spot he instructed Mabel to send to their pilot.

        "I know this looks suspicious," he glanced at the darkened cavern in front of them, "but I promise it is far from it. See?" He pointed above the cavern to something in the distance. "That is an abandoned racetrack, it's been used by numerous people over the years. And, if my eyes do not deceive me, I can see the exhaust fumes of your private jet floating into the air."

        Pacifica peered over, seeing the same thing as he did. "Sure enough. Thank you, Matthew. You've been too kind."

        "Of course, Scarlett." He smiled politely. "Anything for friends of Dipper's."

        As they walked through the cavern, using phones for flashlights, despite the lights at both ends of the tunnel's entryways, no one really made conversation. Pacifica went to assume that everyone else was still super exhausted over everything that had happened, and their adrenaline was the excuse behind their actions last night.

        Truth be told, she was also exhausted. With her lack of sleep last night, paired with the near death experiences, she wanted to lay around in bed for a week after they returned to Reverse Falls.

        Although, as soon as we were back safely, Pacifica was going to perform some of her own research, to see if she could find out anything about the Krefezen cult. She had a bad feeling that, despite their easy escape, that they were still going to come after all of them.

        Using them as bait to catch who they really wanted; Dipper.

        Pacifica couldn't help the smile that started to form on her lips at the thought of her damoiseau in distress. He had a horrible knack for getting himself into serious trouble, even if he had only the purest of intentions. It was going to get him killed one day, Pacifica was sure of it. And she didn't want that to happen.

"Scarlett," Matthew sidled up next to her, turning off his phone's flashlight, "I must say, you are one of the most bravest women I have ever met!"

"Oh, I dunno about that." Pacifica ducked her head, embarrassed at his praise.

"I truly mean it." Matthew continued as they strolled along, they were only a quarter of the way through the tunnel after all. "After everything you went through down there, the almost getting captured, I'm sure most people would be too scared to move!" He laughed lightly as he smiled. "I can only hope to become as brave as you."

"Thanks, Matthew." Pacifica smiled in return and it froze on her face. She stopped in her tracks and he stopped just right behind her.

"Is everything alright?" He asked.

"Hey! You two okay?" Gideon called from up ahead where he was walking side by side with Mabel. "What's the hold up?"

"Matthew," Pacifica said, feeling the words dry up in her throat. "How did you know that we were almost captured?"

Matthew cocked his head to the side. "I do beg your pardon?"

Pacifica took a step away from him, "just now, you mentioned that we were almost captured. How did you know that?" Her heart skipped beats as her brain started to panic. How in the world did Matthew figure out?

"Oh, that?" Matthew shook his head. "Dipper texted me back, finally, about what happened down there! I was so scared for you all!"

"No! That's wrong." Pacifica pushed him away with enough force to cause him to stumble backward. "Dipper hasn't had his phone in over a month. He ditched it the very same night he disappeared. He has had no means of communication with anyone via phone."

"What is going on back here?" Dipper was suddenly at her side, radiating the very same protective aura she had come to know so very well.

Matthew held his gaze for a moment before bursting out into fits of laughter. He clutched his sides with his hands as his laughter started to take a more maniacal tone. "Oh, my goodness. Failed by my own mouth, who would've ever predicted an outcome like this?"

Pacifica was frozen still in fear. She wanted to get away as soon as possible, but she also was stuck in the same place, watching as Matthew tried to compose himself.

"I think I've stalled enough, don't you think?" He asked to the surrounding walls and before Pacifica knew it, he whistled long and loud. So loud that it echoed fiercely throughout the tunnel.

Swiftly from the shadows, figures peeled off the walls and started zeroing in on them. Pacifica recognised them instantly. With the darkened clothes they were wearing, the masks with hoods pulled up over the tops of their heads. It was the members of the Krefezen cult.

"Everyone, start running!" Dipper bellowed back toward the others who were also frozen still. "Get to the plane!"

Matthew snapped his fingers and the members charged on them.

Once again, Dipper grabbed Pacifica's hand and pulled her along through the darkened tunnels. Her hand connected with his wrist and she felt the rapid building of his own pulse. Maybe it was her own pulse echoing onto him, because despite the adrenaline pulsing through her veins, her brain was still a lot slow on the intake.

Matthew. He was one of them? Was he working with them? Did they pay him? They didn't threaten him, clearly. He seemed to be willingly working with them.

"I fucking knew it!" Scarlett screamed. "You fucking bastard!"

The end of the tunnel was getting closer and closer, but so were the members of the cult. With each step they took, Pacifica knew they were taking three. It would either be another close call, or they would all be done for this time.

"Dipper!" Pacifica shouted at him when she saw Mabel and Gideon exit through the end. "You have to use your magic to block off the tunnel!" They were so close. "It worked for you last night! It has to do with your fear level! It responds to your own adrenaline!"

He looked at Pacifica like she was crazy.

Pacifica wasn't sure if that was how his magic actually worked, but they were never going to be able to take off unless the tunnel was barricaded off.

"This whole thing could collapse on us, Pacifica!" He yelled back, sparing a second to glance behind him. Whether he was looking at her, or the cult members, Pacifica wasn't sure. "I can't be responsible for you getting hurt!"

"We are all going to die if you don't do something now!" Pacifica screamed back at him. "Whatever happens, I love you!"

That seemed to spark something within his eyes. He closed them briefly and thrusted his hand at the nearest wall. Palm outstretched, he then clenched it into a tight fist.

The rocks above them started to creak and groan with dangerous noises. Slowly but surely, they starting falling at an even more dangerous rate.

"Watch out!" Gideon shrieked from ahead of them.

Pacifica felt another hand snatch her wrist, yanking her backward until she was out of Dipper's reach. "Dipper!" She screamed as she was pulled backward.

"I got one!" The person who grabbed her called to the rest.

"Pacifica!" Someone shouted from in front of her, but she couldn't tell who.

Her own fear was building as she struggled against her captor, kicking at their shins, trying to wrench herself out of their viperous grip. Hot tears streamed from her eyes as she continued to struggle, getting even more tired with each pull she made.

She was going to die. Holy shit, I am going to die.

"Get your fucking hands off her!"

Pacifica was suddenly pulled free and she tumbled against the dirt-covered ground, breathing rapidly and manically. She blinked the tears out of her eyes in time to see Scarlett kicking the person who'd grabbed her down to the ground and stomping viciously against their neck.

"Don't let go, Dipper!" She shouted back to where Dipper stood at the edge of the tunnel, using his magic against the falling rocks.

"I am trying!" He spat back. "I can't hold it for much longer, hurry!"

Scarlett stopped her attack on the already fallen cult member and rushed to where Pacifica was struggling to get up. "You gotta get up, Paz, come on, we have to get the hell outta dodge." She rushed her to her feet and pushed me forward.

"Pacifica! Scarlett!" Mabel screamed from the exit.

"You have to hurry! I don't think Dipper can hold it any longer!" Gideon yelled.

Pacifica heard another large crack from the ceiling above them, and watched in fear as a huge boulder came tumbling down with intense speed. We aren't going to make it. It's over.

"Pacifica, I'm sorry, for everything!" Scarlett shouted before shoving Pacifica past the tumbling boulder.

Pacifica tripped and rolled to a halt just as she heard the boulder hit the ground with a devastating sound. Not a second after that, the rest of the ceiling caved in, building a perfect barricade between the cult members and them.

When the dust settled the cult members, Matthew included, were nowhere in sight.

And neither was Scarlett.

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If you have made it this far, have a cookie and a tissue before I take them all for myself. 🍪🤧🥲