The Green Flash

Chapter 1

Reposted from FanFiction.net, originally posted March 25, 2015

For Gravity Falls, this story takes place between "The Love God" and "Northwest Mansion Noir." For Steven Universe, this story takes place after sometime after "Full Disclosure."

An alternate timeline is created by the events in this story for both shows. It isn't an "alternative universe;" assume the events in every episode up to this story took place exactly as they did in the canon. The plots for each show also continue canonically as they would have after the events detailed here; with whatever interference is implied by the events in this story.

"Green flashes are real (not illusory) phenomena seen at sunrise and sunset, when some part of the Sun suddenly changes color (at sunset, from red or orange to green or blue). The word "flash" refers to the sudden appearance and brief duration of this green color, which usually lasts only a second or two at moderate latitudes."

-Andrew T. Young, "An Introduction to Green Flashes"

-1: Dipper-

Plenty of weird stuff went down in Gravity Falls. I mean, "weird" was basically the definition of the place. But out of all the oddities Dipper Pines had witnessed; the disturbed gnomes, the triangular demons, the body-swapping carpets, convenient store ghosts, and the whole wicked supernatural conspiracy; this one was something different.

"Come on, Mabel. You just gotta wait a liiiittle longer. It's worth it." Dipper implored of his sister, who was sitting upside down on a rock, lifting her pet pig Waddles into the air and mimicking airplane sounds.

They waited in an unassuming clearing, surrounded by tall pine trees and the sound of a clear day that was winding to a close. Warm orange light soaked the forest as twilight approached. "But Dipper, this is so boooring," Mabel replied. "We should have least brought some snacks or SOMETHING." Dipper was unmoved, but also hungry. He turned to his sister. "It happens just as the sun sets, but it's not exact, so-

"DIPPER!"

Mablel's eyes sparkled as she dropped Waddles with a sequel and slid off the rock, transfixed by the sight before her. Dipper turned his head with a gasp, but he was too late. The glimpse of the beach- the gorgeous soft yellow, orange and pink beach, so alien a sight in the dry red and green forest, was gone.

"DANG IT, Mable, I missed it. But..." his excitement made him breathless. "Did you see it?"

"The BEACH!" Mable cried in wonder, "Dipper, you're right! Right there in the forest was a beach!"

-2: Steven-

Rosy sunlight bathed the shoreline, the ceaseless waves humming along as they always did, every night, in Beach City. The many arms of the goddess statue seemed to reach out to cradle the sun, a sight that would been bizarre on any other beach in the world, but was ordinary for this one. Two children where rushing away from the house embedded in the goddesses torso, sprinting towards the water.

"We can't miss it!" Steven cried, his sandaled feet kicking up dust.

"But Steven," his companion replied evenly, "Can there even be an exact "time" for the sunset? I mean, you have to know that."

Steven was unfazed by her logical observation. "This... thing, it's sooo cool! It's amazing." He turned to Connie, wanting to express the depth of his sincerity. "I really want to show you."

The pair made their way down to the beach, until Steven stopped at an unassuming spot right on the shore. "Iiiiiit's HERE!" He stopped running, holding out his hand. "At least, I hope so."

The two of them sat down, facing the water. The act of waiting seemed to crush any notion of idle chit chat, and in truth they enjoyed each other's company well enough without words. But waiting also makes one anxious. Steven started to fidget as the air grew colder, and Connie's gaze had wandered down the shore to-

"Hey Steven" she whispered. "Look at that." "Ohhh" Steven whined, still looking forward. "I guess we WERE too late..." Connie slipped her fingers around Steven's wrist and gently pulled him up, guiding him to the object she had noticed."

"WHaaaaaat?" Steven cried. "What is THIS doing on the BEACH?"

Laying partially exposed in the sand was a ratty old journal with a golden hand that had a large "3" written on it.

The object had a certain air about it, like an ancient tome. Steven slowly leaned down and picked it up, brushing off the sand respectfully. "WOOooooowwWWW!" he exclaimed. "This is so cool!" Connie and Steven brought their heads close, examining the cover of the journal. Steven had just worked up enough bravery to turn the first dog-eared page when Connie gave a start; the phone in her pocket was vibrating.

"Ohmigosh Steven, it's so late! I gotta get home before curfew." The trance of the journal was broken, and Steven looked up, the excitement of the find masking the usual disappointment he expected when Connie was called home.

"Aw man. But ok. Connie, you have to come over tomorrow! I still want you to see the forest that appears on the beach! And... we hafta look at this book closer."

Connie smiled. "Steven, you know I have school. I'll try to get my homework done early and make it in time tomorrow, ok?" Steven nodded.

"Buuut" Hesitatingly he held the journal out to Connie "You found it. Y-you should keep it."

Connie looked tempted for a second, but pushed the journal back into Steven's grasp. "You can look over it while I'm at school. Besides, who knows what my parents would say if they saw that."

For a second Steven considered what Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst might think of the weird book, but he quickly decided. They wouldn't care about it unless it pertained to Gem-stuff, and if it did, they should know all about it! The thought of the journals origins made his heart race.

"This is so awesome." He said, lifting his prize to the evening sky. "It's... a real mystery!"