12A/N: I don't own Gravity Falls or Sparkles & Gloom.
Signing the Deal
Pacifica took a deep breath. Trying to muster as much courage as she can. For she knows that this is the point of no return for her. "So are we doing this or what?" Robbie smirked. Earlier Pacifica asked him and his team to meet her at the school plaza to discuss something important. In his mind he's got a pretty good idea of what it is she wants to talk about.
"I'm just waiting for someone," she explained. That's when they saw Dipper's team approaching them.
"Dipper!" Robbie growled.
"Did someone mention my name," Dipper entered in with a chipper mood. "Robbie!" Dipper mood quickly soured. Obviously he had the same impression that Robbie did.
"Good you're all here," Pacifica making sure that their teammates were present as well.
"Hey what's this all about?" Robbie demanded.
"I'd like to know that too," Dipper said.
"It's exactly what you think it is," Pacifica simply said. "I've decided on making a Pancho!"
"Huh?" every getting a bit confused. "I think she means Pacito," someone corrected.
"Potatoes, tomatoes," Pacifica brushed off. "The point is I want to do it! The only question is who?"
"I think the answer is obvious," Robbie stood up. "After all I'm on the top 10 of my class, masters over a dozen poses, and the best looking guy here," Robbie going into his sexy pose.
"Well..." Dipper trying to think of a better counter argument. "We have better compatibility!"
"I don't care about any of that," Pacifica made clear. "I just want someone who can help me with this," Pacifica showed them a registration sheet with her name already singed on it.
"You want to enter Globnar? But you're just first year student. You should wait until you get more schooling under your belt." Robbie advised.
"Yeah I have to agree with Robbie on this one," Dipper throwing up in his mouth at the mere thought that he and Robbie are on the same page. "I mean it will take time for you to develop a team dynamic with who ever you choose," Dipper pointed out.
"But I want to do this now," Pacifica whined.
"Sure why not, I was planning on doing the Globnar this year anyway." Robbie said confidently looking over the application. "Wait a minute, this is for the Deathcathlon!" Robbie revealed causing everyone in the room to gasp.
"What's wrong?" Pacifica asked.
"The Deathcathlon has the 10 most deadliest events in all of Globnar! Only a handful of people survive it and even fewer won!" Robbie explained.
"I guess that's why the prize is the time wish," Pacifica smacking her head. She should have realized that a high prize would have high stakes.
"Again I hate to agree with Robbie on this, but he has a point." Dipper preached. Again his face turning green at the fact that he's supporting Robbie. "Even some of the best students failed and died in the Deathcathlon. Those that survived only did so by quitting half way. Maybe we can enter the go cart battle race? The prize is a magic scepter that will greatly enhance your powers."
"No I need that time wish!It's the only thing that can help me achieve my goals." Pacifica yelled.
"There are other ways to reach your goals," Dipper trying to be supportive.
"Not for me," Pacifica whispered. Using a slice of onion she had hidden in her hand, Pacifica got her eyes to tear up. After all she knows that these hero types just can't resist a sad sob story. She then regaled them a tale of how her 'evil sister' down in Deep Dungeon stole some of her powers and how there's no known way to get it back.
"Your sister? You mean that Mabel girl we met in detention?" Robbie asked.
"Yes," Pacifica sobbed squeezing more onion juice into her eyes.
"Why would she steal your powers, when she obviously got her own?" Dipper wondered.
"Who knows what she has planned. She couldn't never stand that I was our parents' favorite so she's always stealing things from me. My toys, my birthday presents, she even took my forest friends to a BBQ!" Pacifica lied.
"That last one doesn't sound so bad."
"She wanted to roast them," Pacifica clarified. That caused all her guest to gasp in horror. "That is why I need to get my powers back. Who knows what she plans to do with them. What if she finds a way to steal all of my powers?"
"I understand," Robbie said sympathetically. "But the deathcathlon is a kind of a deal breaker, and I'm sure it's not just me." Robbie shooting a glance over at Dipper. "But if you wise up and pick a different event. I'll be more than happy to pacito with you." Robbie then departed with his team.
"So what about you?" Pacifica asked Dipper.
Dipper was hesitant. As much as he wants to win in Globnar he has no delusions of his and his team's abilities. Looking over to his friends he could see the fear and terror in their eyes, practically begging him not to do this. At the same time, Pacifica is still using her hidden onion to make fake tears. Making it very difficult for Dipper to refuse. "Alright," he finally decided. Causing everyone in the room to gasp in shock. Even Pacifica wasn't expecting him to agree so soon.
"But Dipper," Mermando began pleading only to be cut off by Dipper's hand.
"But only I will join you in the Deathcathlon. My teammates will sit this one out." Dipper decreed.
"We-we can't let you do this alone! We owe you too much!" Gage spoke through one of the puppets on his hand. Trying to sound brave but at the same time his face revealing his true feelings.
"I won't be alone. I have Pacifica with me." Dipper trying to sound confident, but unable to keep his legs from shivering.
"We won't just abandon you. Not after everything you've done for us. And us, and us, and us!" Norman dividing into copies of himself.
"If you haven't saved us from him, who knows what would have happened to us." Mermando reminded him. Perking Pacifica's curiosity of their past.
"I thank you my friends. But I won't risk your lives on this. This is my own selfish desire." Dipper looking lovingly at Pacifica. Which caused her to cringe a bit. "If I survive, I would gladly have you all as part of my team again." Dipper assured them. The arguments, pleading, and debating with counter offers continued for a several minutes but it all ended with Dipper and Pacifica forming a Pacito.
Outside the room, Robbie was eavesdropping on the conversation. Silently cursing how his plan was ruined. He was so certain that Dipper would chicken out as well. It would make Pacifica desperate enough that he'd be able to negotiate for a far less hazardous Globnar. One that is within Robbie's abilities but still way out of Dipper's league. Ultimately making him look like a hero in the eyes of the other students and at the same time Dipper a fool. Plus if they'd succeeded a sweet mystical weapon/item for a bonus. Now Dipper gained his partner! And even if Dipper was to die in the deathcathlon he'd still become something of a local legend just for attempting it. Making Robbie the goat of the story. He needed to fix this. He needed a way to show everyone that he's still the top dog.
"Having a crisis of identity?" a familiar voice mocked him.
"Wendy!? What's the Queen Bee of Cloud Castle doing here?" Robbie asked.
Wendy quickly shushed him and led him somewhere more private. "It should be safe to talk here."
"Okay so what's this all about?" Robbie getting more and more suspicious.
"Globnar," Wendy smiled. "The Deathcathlon to be precise. I can help you with that."
"Another one? Is all the girls in this school want a death wish or something?" Robbie groaned.
"Not quite. I don't have an interest in dying but I do have an interest in participating." Wendy said cryptically.
"Oh and what would that be," Robbie eyeing her curiously.
"Let's just say that there's a bit of a family feud between me and the Knightwitch," Wendy sneered.
Robbie could respect that. After all he is also in a feud with Dipper's clan. "Even if I was to believe you, what makes you believe that I'd be stupid enough to enter the deathcathlon?"
"Imagine it. You and me, the rising knight and the top princess facing off against Dipper and Pacifica. Of course I have no delusions about winning but all we have to do is outlast them and our fame and vengeance will be satisfied." Wendy offered.
"I can imagine quite a bit actually," Robbie stated. Knowing already that just by having Wendy on his team would dramatically increase his school cred. "But what guarantee do I have that you won't stab me in the back?" Robbie asked cautiously.
"A soul contract," Wendy showing him a parchment signed with her blood. "I will be cursed for all time," Wendy read but at the same time covering up the last bit in the contract.
"I was only holding out for some money but this will do," Robbie signing his name on the dotted line as well.
And thus two Pacitos were made that day. Signed in blood but forged in deceit, what tragedies will these alliances bring.
Breaking the Deal
Mabel smiled as she walked to her class. Thanks to her new friends, the Deep Dungeon doesn't seem as bad as it used to. Although it is kind of disturbing for her to realize that she's getting used to living here. Still as she's always preached, 'good friends can make any hell feel like heaven'. A philosophy that Candy and Grenda are proving to be all too true. As she continued on she was greeted by a familiar voice. "Hey there Mabel. Haven't seen you in awhile." It was Gideon.
"Hey Gideon," Mabel responded nervously to the hunchback. She has been avoiding him ever since Candy and Grenda warned her about is past.
"Haven't seen you in awhile," Gideon twitching uncontrollably while at the same time forcing himself to smile.
"Oh I've been busy you now. Lots of homework and trying to survive and all. You know busy, busy, busy." Mabel tried to play it off.
"So you don't want to help me fix my machine and getting you your powers back?" Gideon asked.
"I do...it's just that..." Mabel trying to come up with a good excuse. "I don't want to steal anymore," she confessed deciding to stick to the truth. Some of it at least. "Stealing is wrong no matter what the reason. So I'm hoping to find a another way. Maybe a better way."
"I understand," Gideon sighed in disappointment. While Mabel is sighing in relief. "But do you honestly think your new friends are going to help you?" he sneered. His normally seemingly friendly smile was replaced with a sinister grin.
Candy and Grenda's warning about Gideon echoed in the back of Mabel's mind. "Friends? What friends? You know there are no friends in Deep Dungeon." Mabel tried to laugh off.
"DON'T LIE TO ME!" Gideon snapped throwing pictures of Mabel hanging out with Candy and Grenda, as well as a few of Mabel sleeping in her room.
"When? How did you take these pictures?" Mabel demanded blushing with embarrassment.
"Oh my little peach blossom. You should know by now I own this school. There's nothing and nowhere you can hide from me." Gideon warned. "Besides those two morons couldn't form a single brain cell if you smashed their heads together. So there's no way they'd be able to help you.
"Don't call them morons you moron!" Mabel snapped. Only to realize that by defending her friends, she pretty much prove that they are her friends.
"I see," Gideon lowering his head in disappointment. "After all I've done for you, you'd choose them over me. Well I guess there's no reason for me to play nice any more, so you better keep up your end of the bargain or else!" he threatened.
"Or else what?" Mabel wanted to know. She's heard people making that threat before but they could never tell her what else they're planning to do to her.
"Or else...um I think of something really terrible to do!" Gideon finally said. "But I promise that it won't just be you. Your friends and your sister will suffer my wrath!"
Hearing this, Mabel ran as fast as she could to her class. Trying desperately to block out Gideon's demand that she return to him. Finally realizing why Candy and Grenda told her to stay away from him. Speaking of which, after arriving at her classroom, she was greeted by the pair.
"Mabel have you seen the school paper!" Candy asked.
"Uh no I just got here," Mabel answered. In truth she doesn't really read the paper.
"Look at this," Candy showing the list of participants entering Globnar. One of whom is Mabel's sister Pacifica.
"What is Globnar?" Mabel wondered.
"It's a tournament held by Headmaster Time-baby. Those who win can get some sweet prizes. Like an invincible fortress, some powerful weapon, sometimes a cauldron that brings back the dead." Grenda counted off.
"What prize is my sister after?" Mabel asked.
"The time wish," Candy answered.
"Time wish? As she can have any wish she wants?" Mabel asked.
"Not quite. The time wish allows one to go back in time and change one event for good or ill." Candy explained.
"So if Pacifica gets that wish she can make it so that we never switched powers?" Mabel smiled. Thinking that she doesn't have to do anything and just let Pacifica fix everything.
"That or she can go back in time make sure you're never born," Candy pointed out.
"She wouldn't! She couldn't!" Mabel gasped in shock. Though truthfully she knows that her sister would if she could. "We can't let her get that wish," Mabel concluded.
"Don't worry. To get the time wish you have to win the deathcathlon. 10 of the deadliest challenges in all of Globnar. Even I'm not crazy enough to enter that." Grenda admitted. "So she'll probably die before the first event."
"Wait so my sister could die?" Mabel gasped.
"Oh yeah people die all the time in Globnar. Especially if they are trying for the bigger prizes." Candy confirmed.
"If Pacifica dies, then that means I'll never get my powers back!" Mabel realized. "That's it I'm joining Globnar!" she decided. Causing Candy and Grenda jaws to drop.
Deep in his secret lab, Gideon was watching the evens in transpire. "My darling Mabel in the Deathcathlon! No! I can't let my sweet pumpkin pie endanger herself! But what can I do? Even I can't manipulate Globnar." Gideon paced back and forth trying to come up with an idea. That's when it hit him. "Time to call in a few favors," Gideon laughed maniacally as he walked over to his desk. Where there's a picture frame of him, Gabe, Norman, and Mermando. All of them smiling as if good friends.