Heartless, right?

Chapter Fourteen

Stan glares at the blonde in the lab. How the hell is he even in here? Why the hell is he in here?

"You're sure Dipper won't come down?" Ford asks for the fifth time.

"Yes, Ford. I slipped a bunch on Ny-Quill in his drink. There's no way he'll make it past his bedroom door."

"You drugged him?!"

"Well, someone has to help him sleep! That asshole has been making it pretty fucking difficult." He yells, pointing at the demon. "Why the fuck would you even let him in here?"

"Because I am willing to cut you two a deal. Unless you want warrior demons to kill Pinetree." Bill smirks.

"What?!"

Ford manges to hold Stan back as the demon shares.

"Twenty-five years ago, Ford was stranded in a dimension called Phaelox. A hellscape full of ruthless warriors. While Sixer was biding his time, he uncovered a prophecy. Care to share with the class?" Bill's sadistic grin makes Stan sick. After a few moments Ford speaks.

"Two children in the mother's womb, one be destined for the tomb. The stars shall bless what once was dead, a constellation upon his head. Adventures and hunting he shall enjoy, until this dimension he'll soon destroy." The man recites guiltily.

Stan pales, he was there when the twins were born. The umbilical cord was wrapped around Dipper's stillborn body. Their mother, Mary, was devastated. Then, as soon as the doctor was about to leave the room with him, he started screaming his little lungs out. A few days later, his birthmark showed up.

"Phaeloxians are obsessive. Ever since you found that prophecy, they've been pestering me. Now that the bastards found the kid, they're trying to steal my kill." Stan stares at the demon as he speaks in exasperation, clenching his fists. "Of course, if you two fix the rift, I'll ensure they don't get the kid. And I'll make his inevitable death by my hand as painless as possible."

The audacity of this mother fucker.

"We'll think about it." Ford states.

"What? No! We will not think about it! The answer is no! You can take care of those assholes yourself!" Stan pulls Ford aside, leaving the demon to process their answers.

"What the hell are you thinking, Ford?"

"Stanley, those demons will find Dipper and tear him apart if Bill doesn't help us."

"Bill is the enemy." Stan ennunciates each word. "We killed him before. We'll kill him again along with the other guys. But I refuse to put my nephew's fate in that monster's hands."

"You don't know what the Phaeloxians are capable of." For the first time in decades, Stan sees pure terror in his brother's eyes.

He sighs, "I don't know what happened when you were there, but you can't let it get to you. Making this deal will kill Dipper. We'll find a way that doesn't involve anyone dying."

Ford nods, the shame written all over his face more than enough evidence that he knows Stan is right.

"I assume you know how to close rifts?" Bill nods in amusement. "Good, now stop wasting our time and fix your own problems."

Bill shrugs, "I should probably mention that the Phaeloxians wanted me to kill the kid for them. Of course, I initially refused because I hate sharing victims, but they offered me quite the reward. There's still time to change your minds, though."

The demon disappears before either man can argue. It's fine. They'll find a way to keep Dipper safe. They have to.