The falls

chapter 29

The three of them stood in silence for a moment, still processing the strange clues the dreamscape had presented. Waffle City shimmered and twisted around them, but Lilien broke the silence first.

"Did my mom... ever have adventures like this with Dipper and Mabel?" she asked, her voice low, almost hesitant.

Neomi glanced at her and shrugged. "Kind of. There were a few, I guess, but they weren't exactly... friendly adventures. Usually, your mom only got involved if she wanted to use Dipper's knowledge of the paranormal to get something for herself or prove she was better than everyone else."

Lilien frowned, looking a bit disappointed. "That sounds about right. Mom's always been obsessed with proving her worth."

Neomi continued, "To be fair, Weirdmageddon was the only time she really helped out for the greater good. She actually stood with everyone to fight Bill, and I think that's the one time she really stepped up. Other than that... well, she was still kind of Pacifica Northwest, you know?"

Lilien sighed. "I'm glad we don't have to be like our parents. We can make different choices."

Jessica nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we don't have to follow the same path. You're already showing that, Lilien."

Before they could continue, the air around them grew heavier. The dreamscape shifted again, the waffles and sugary walls melting away into a void of darkness, as if they were walking deeper into the unknown parts of Neomi's subconscious.

"Uh, guys..." Neomi said, eyes wide as the walls became shadowed, their bright colors dimming. "I don't like this..."

Suddenly, a loud clanging sound echoed through the void, and as they turned a corner, they found a sight they hadn't expected: Bill Cipher. But not as his usual floating triangle self. No, Bill was trapped inside a golden, intricate cage, pacing around and shouting angrily.

"You can't keep me trapped here! Angels do not have control of the Nightmare Realm!" Bill bellowed, slamming his hands against the bars. His human form looked enraged, but no matter how much he banged on the cage, it didn't break.

Lilien, Neomi, and Jessica watched, stunned, as Bill continued to shout at some unseen force. The three exchanged bewildered glances.

"Is that... Bill?" Lilien whispered, unable to hide her shock.

Jessica stepped closer, squinting. "Yeah, but... someone's trapped him."

"Who could possibly trap Bill Cipher?" Neomi asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I don't know," Jessica muttered, her mind racing. "But whoever it is, they're powerful. We need to find out more about what's happening here."

The three of them cautiously approached the cage, trying to piece together what was going on. Bill continued to shout into the void, his anger and frustration evident, but it was clear he was stuck.