The Cipher twins stood in confusion.

"Red, mind telling me what's going on?" Bill asked.

Wendy grinned in his direction. "Like what you see?"

"How can I, when I don't even know what I'm seeing?"

A few minutes ago, Wendy had dragged the brothers into town, where they came across a surprising sight. They seemed to have gone back in time, since Zero Gravity Town looked way more old timey. Everyone were dressed in odd uniforms, a few even dressed as Guardians. Barrels, stands, and carriages filled the streets.

"It's Pioneer Day!" She announced, joyfully. "A day celebrating when this town was first founded."

"So, what's with the cosplayers?" Bill asked, pointing to a little girl dressed as Wendy.

"This is also an important day for Guardians, which is a plus for me, since I don't have to wear my disguise, everyone will think I'm wearing a costume."

"Welcome to 1863!" Toby Determined exclaimed, before passing them.

Bill grimaced. "I dunno, something about these yahoos dressing up like lunatics seems weird."

"Bill, this is our home," Will told him. "The least we can do is embrace the weirdness."

"And that's exactly what I'm planning to do," Wendy said, before turning away. "If you need me, I'll be squeezing a maple tree to produce fresh syrup."

"And you're just going to leave us in the midst of this ridiculousness?" Bill snapped.

"And you're going to enjoy it!" She called back, before disappearing amongst the crowd.

Bill was about to complain, but then Will tugged on his arm. Eventually, the blond decided to pause his whining for now, and follow his brother through town. After a while, they came across a huge stage, where people was starting to huddle. Curious, the twins pushed forward, until they were almost in the front of the crowd.

Will looked at the stage incredulously. "I wonder what's happening here?"

Before Bill could reply, someone bumped into his side. He was about to scold the one responsible, when he paused. Standing behind him, was Dipper. Not one of those cosplayers, but the real thing. The brunette looked down at him, and a ghost of a smile tugged on his mouth.

"Hey, Bill," He greeted, placing a hand on the boy's head.

Bill flushed, and prepared to snap at him, when another form barreled into him. He was lifted off his feet, when Mabel gripped him into a large embrace.

"I was hoping to see you two here!" She exclaimed.

"Shooting Star, put me down!" Bill scolded, struggling in her grip.

She obliged, and placed him back on the ground. Bill grumbled under his breath, Dipper chuckled at him.

"Are you here to celebrate too?" Will asked the Guardians.

Mabel nodded eagerly. "Of course, the candle dipping, the outfits, the legally marrying woodpeckers."

"What was that last part?" Bill questioned.

She didn't answer, instead, she smiled towards the stage. "Ooh! It's starting!"

Before either of the brothers could ask what was happening, Mayor Soos suddenly appeared on the stage wearing a pioneer hat. He cleared his throat, and gave the crowd a friendly look.

"Here-yee here-yee! Ye olde commencement ceremony has commenced!" He announced, gleefully. "Introducing: the Goddess of Beauty and Riches!"

"Pacifica?" Mabel breathed.

The person in question stepped on stage, and she wasn't alone. The Cipher twins were surprised to see a llama walking beside her. The animal seemed well tamed, because when Pacifica paused, it settled behind her with it's head slightly raised.

"Hello, everyone," She smiled, revealing white teeth. "As you all know, this very town was founded by the Guardians, me being one of them of course."

The audience applauded, and she rose a hand to silence them.

"Now, if you have pioneer spirit, come up here and introduce yourself," Pacifica said.

Mabel gasped. "Audience participation? I'm in!"

Will frowned. "Mabel, don't you and that girl have a shaky relationship?"

She waved his concern off. "No way, any bad blood between us is water under the bridge now."

With a confident bounce in her step, she climbed up the stage. She arrived beside Pacifica, only to be faced with sideways look from the blonde.

"And what do you think you're doing?"

"Joining in the fun," Mabel grinned, oblivious to the sneer on the other's face. Then, she turned to the crowd. "Let's get this Pioneer Day started! USA! USA!"

The audience chanted with her.

"Excuse me," Pacifica chimed in, sharply. "But, Pioneer Day is for earthbound Guardians, AKA: the ones that actually care about this town."

Mabel's eyes widened. "What? Of course, I care about this place. Just because I wasn't raised here like you, doesn't make me care any less."

Pacifica rolled her eyes. "Please, you space-freaks think you're so much special than the rest of us," She spat. "You're wrong, and don't think you're above people like me because you're prett-- powerful."

"That's enough, Pacifica," Dipper snapped, defiantly.

Will nodded in agreement, and managed to climb onto the stage. "Yeah, what's your deal with Mabel?"

"I don't need judgement from you," Pacifica retorted. "Also, since you're not doing anything productive, you might as while babysit Lavender for me."

He blinked. "Wha--"

He was cut off, when the llama stepped beside him.

"She likes long walks, fresh sushi, and you have to comb her coat every 10 minutes," Pacifica instructed. "Be gentle with her, she's a delicate lady."

Lavender started chewing Will's hair. "Ah! Help!"

She ignored him, and turned back to Mabel nonchalantly. "If you're done here, I have a ceremony to run."

Mabel frowned, and climbed off the stage, followed by Will and the llama.

"Now who wants to hear more about me?" Pacifica giggled, and the crowd cheered.

Dipper regarded his sister in concern, when she paused before them. "You okay?"

"I need some old timey butterscotch," She sighed.

"Let's get out of here," Bill said, then turned. "Will, are you coming?"

The younger twin was trying to move Lavender forward. "In a minute...C'mon, Lavender!"

Lavender yawned in return.

❇❇❇

The group settled on a bench. Mabel was unwrapping some candy, before plopping it in her mouth, and chewing with a miserable expression on her face.

"Mabel, don't listen to a word Pacifica said," Dipper told her, seriously.

The female brunette shook her head. "But, what if she's right? Do I really care about Zero Gravity Town, or is it just my imagination?"

"No it isn't... I think," Bill said, awkwardly. "Will, can you help me out here?"

Meanwhile, Will was struggling as Lavender chewed the back of his sweater. "How about you help me!?"

The blond groaned. "Dang it, Will, you're no help!"

Dipper patted his sister on the back in reassurance. "Pacifica is just jealous of you, that's all. She thinks earthbound Guardians are superior to ones in the realm, because they discovered this place."

"Actually," Bill started, taking out the journal from his backpack. "I read somewhere, that's not the case."

The Pine twins watched with baited interest and confusion, while Will finally freed his sweater from the animal's teeth. Bill flipped the pages in the book, before coming to a complete stop.

He pointed to the page. "Here: In my investigations, I recently made a discovery. The Guardians may not be the true founders of Zero Gravity Town! I believe this secret is buried somewhere on the enclosed document. If only I can crack the code..." He opened the letter glued to the page, revealing complex series of letters, symbols, and words. "Oh man, if this cover-up is true, it'll surely bring Pacifica down a peg. My thirst to inflict needless backlash will be quenched once more!"

"Wait, if I come along on this investigation, I'll prove I care about this town by finding out the true founder!" Mabel exclaimed, happily. "Come on, Bill, let's go."

She grabbed the blond's arm, and dragged him off. Dipper only looked at her incredulously.

"Mabel, our powers won't work if we're separated--"

"Sorry Dipper, bye!"

The male brunette huffed in annoyance.

"Since it's just you and I, you wanna help me comb a llama?" Will asked.

Dipper shrugged. "I suppose. Speaking of which, where's Lavender?"

Will stared. "What do you mean, she's right..."

He paused, when he saw no signs of the animal.

"Oh dear."