It was a typical sunny afternoon in the Pines' household. The kind of day that felt perfect for just running around and having fun. Mabel and I were in the middle of a heated game of tag, darting around the living room, our laughter filling the air. I had to admit—I was enjoying every second of it.
Running after Mabel was no easy feat. She was quick, like a squirrel on a sugar high, and every time I thought I was close, she'd slip out of my reach, giggling all the way. I probably could've caught her if I tried a little harder, but I wasn't sure I even wanted to. The game wasn't about winning; it was about having fun—and man, it felt good to just be a part of it all, to be here, in this world that had once only existed in my TV.
But something else had been on my mind while I chased Mabel around the house. Something I hadn't fully realized at first, but that I now couldn't ignore.
I'd developed a strange ability. The power to memorize anything I saw. It wasn't something I'd noticed right away. When I first woke up in the world of Gravity Falls, I was too caught up in the surreal reality of being here, of being Dipper, to pay attention to anything else. But now, after a few days, I started realizing I could remember everything—every detail, every face, every moment. It wasn't like normal memory; it felt more like I had a perfect photographic recollection. And it wasn't just anything—it was everything.
I remember the first time I really noticed it. One night, I was coming back from brushing my teeth, and as I passed the crack in the door, I caught a glimpse of Mabel changing into her night sweater. And... let's just say she wasn't as flat as I'd originally thought.
The memory burned in my mind almost immediately. Not just in the way you remember something, but in a deeper, almost painful way. I could feel it burning in my eyes, like the image was seared into my mind. The sensation wasn't bad, but it was intense, and I had no idea how to handle it.
I quickly turned away and left the doorway, trying to shake off the thought, but the image was still there. The burning feeling, that strange twinge in my eyes—it wouldn't stop. Desperate, I dashed toward the bathroom reaching the sink. I splashed cold water on my face, trying to clear my mind. But when I looked into the mirror, I saw something that made my heart stop.
Light blue, fluorescent eyes. Not just anyone's eyes—my eyes. But they weren't the same. There was something almost... otherworldly about them. It was like I had awakened something new inside of me, something that felt both familiar and strange at the same time.
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I snapped out of my thoughts as I tapped Mabel on the back during our game of tag. She spun around, eyes wide, but before she could react, I dashed off, running through the house with her hot on my heels.
It was all fun and games until our parents, Stan and Susan, stepped into the room. Their expressions were serious, and they weren't looking at us like we were just playing anymore. Something in their tone told me this was more than just a casual visit.
"Alright, you two," Stan said, his arms crossed and his voice serious, "We've got some big news."
Mabel froze, her playful energy quickly shifting to something more curious. "What's up, Pops?" she asked, standing still with her hands folded on top of another.
"Well," Susan began, "we've been talking, and we've decided it's time you two go visit your Uncle Ford for the summer."
The words hit me like a ton of bricks. I blinked, not sure if I'd heard them right. "Uncle Ford?" I repeated, trying to make sense of it. "You mean, like... the real Gravity Falls?"
"Yep," Stan said, clearly in his element. "That's right. Your Uncle Ford wants you guys to come visit him. We think it'll be good for all of us. The summer's already here, and you'll get to see what he's been up to out there."
Mabel's face lit up. "Wait—now?" she asked, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "This is going to be awesome!"
I didn't share her enthusiasm. Something about the idea of Gravity Falls... It felt too familiar, too scripted. I'd seen the show of course, so I knew the town like the back of my hand, but now? Now that I was part of it? My life felt like it was caught in some kind of time loop, like I was living in the middle of an episode.
"Tomorrow," Stan continued, "We'll pack up tonight, and then we'll head out first thing in the morning. Your Uncle's been waiting for you. So go ahead and start packing, kids."
Mabel, of course, didn't hesitate. She sprinted up the stairs in a blur, already thinking about what outfits she'd bring, what activities she'd do, and who she might meet when we arrived. But I... I couldn't get past the feeling that something was off. Something I didn't fully understand yet.
As I stood there, processing the news, I couldn't help but think about the timeline. The original Gravity Falls series had ended, but here I was—smack dab in the middle of it. I was Dipper, but was I living out the same story as before? Would I cross paths with everyone I'd watched on TV? Would I see the same mysteries unfold? And most importantly—how could I use this to my advantage?
I realized I needed to prepare. If I was going back to Gravity Falls, I needed to be ready. It wasn't just about surviving; it was about making my life easier, making it better. I wasn't going to just sit back and let things unfold the way they had on the show. I had the power to change things. I had the power to memorize everything I saw, to learn all the secrets the show had hidden.
And the more I thought about it, the more I realized: This could be my chance to live the life I always wanted. I would prepare for whatever came next, but this time, I'd be ahead of the game. I knew how it all worked. I knew how Gravity Falls operated. And with my new power, I would control my own fate.
As the night stretched on and I began packing for the trip, I couldn't shake the feeling that my life in Gravity Falls was about to change in a big way. I was already part of the story, but I wasn't going to let it just happen to me. I would shape my own path.
Tomorrow, we were heading to Gravity Falls. But unlike before, I wasn't just a spectator. I wasn't just watching. This time, I was going to live it.
And I'd be ready.