Little Dipper

F

"Okay, so we're in a creepy underground cave. What if we get lost?" Dipper asked as they walked.

"Well, maybe there was a map in that room, if you'd all let me look around for warnings and notes." Bill said pointedly. "I know there's something in the bunker, but the pages about it are ripped out."

"Is it dangerous?" Pacifica asked.

"It broke out of a cryo pod, so I'd say 'yes'." Bill huffed. "This is why you let ME lead, okay? No more running on ahead without a plan."

"Oh, come on. Where's your sense of fun?" Wendy grinned at him.

"Red, I know you're still sore about what happened, but please don't risk Pine Tree's life going wild. Trust me, I've DONE the 'going wild' thing, it never ends well." Bill put his hands on his hips. "And right now we're in an underground cave with no map and a monster on the loose, so can you please get your priorities straight?"

"I've got my axe," she held it up, "and you've got your magic, Grenda can pack a punch and Candy's got a tazer. We can handle any monster."

"My, what an impressive lineup!" A voice said cheerfully as a young man in a labcoat approached them. "You just might survive down here, after all!"

"Who are you?" Dipper asked, frowning a bit. Why did this guy look familiar?

"You can call me Professor F!" The man held out a hand.

Bill laughed a bit. "You're not F."

"Oh?" F looked at him.

"F is an old man now. You're one of The Author's experiments, aren't you? And you haven't seen F in all these years." Bill approached him, moving between him and the kids. "30 years, I'm guessing. Who are you really?"

"I should ask the same question of you." F said coolly.

"Bill Cipher, demon." Bill held out a hand cheerfully. "Your turn!"

"I am exactly who I said I was. I don't know what you're talking about." F turned to go, offended.

"Yeah, sure." Bill handed the book to Dipper and threw a punch. The man let out a clicking sound as he was struck to the ground and then turned to glare at him, his eyes no longer human. "Whoa."

"Oh, so the great Bill Cipher just has to expose me? Do you really want to see how I really look?" The man said, little clicks after every other word.

"Actually, I think we're good. You can keep looking like that." Pacifica said, gripping Bill's coat.

F turned to look at her, his gaze narrowing for a bit. "Why did you bring all these children down here? Do you have any idea what kind of things The Author did down here?"

"No, actually. He ripped out the pages." Bill gestured to the book. "Who, or what, are you?"

F chittered a bit and approached them again. "May I see that book?"

"Uhh, no. You might not give it back, and we're very attached to it." Bill moved his coat so it was blocking F's view of the book.

"Please, let me see it? He never let me see it." F reached his hands towards Dipper greedily.

"Back off!" Bill shoved him back. "I think he had good reason to not let you! Why do you look like a young F?"

"It's all I know." The creature admitted. "I'm a shapeshifter. The Author hatched me, all I know is him and his research. All I want is more forms to shift into, let me see it!" The creature swiped at Dipper again, who moved behind Bill with the book. "LET ME SEE IT, CHILD!"

"He told you to back off!" Wendy moved forward with her axe, Grenda pounding her fist into her palm aggressively. "Leave us alone, you creep!"

"I will get it..." F growled, but stepped away and ran off.

"He's not done. May I suggest we get the fuck out of here?" Bill suggested.

"But...which way is out?" Candy asked, looking around.

"...Fuck. Me." Bill groaned, slapping a hand to his face.

Grenda looked like she was eager to fulfill that request but decided Bill was in too foul a mood for her to volunteer, even as a joke.

–

"Should I be worried? I'm not getting through to their phones." Mabel said anxiously.

"They are underground." Gideon placed his hand on hers. "I think they're okay, Bill would never let anything happen to them – especially not your brother."

"If you think so..." Mabel hung up and put it in her pocket.

"You trust Bill, don't you?" Gideon smiled. "Come on, let's enjoy the night. Your uncle and Susan are waiting." He gently led her towards where they were waiting by the water for a romantic boat ride event.