Heartless, right?

Chapter Nineteen

When Dipper enters the kitchen, Stan and Ford are arguing. What could it possibly be this time? He frowns at the broken coffee pot, yeah, that checks out. Thankfully, Wendy tosses him a Monster.

"You have classes today?"

Dipper nods, "What about you?"

"I decided not to go this year. College is such a drag." She grins. "You know, it's not too late to drop out."

Dipper laughs, grabbing the keys. "I'll keep that in mind."

Ford stops him, "Dipper, before you go," he hands the boy a small dagger. "Keep this on you at all times."

He accepts the weapon, though he doubts it'll stop a demon. Just thinking about it reminds him of the prophecy and Phaeloxians

"We'll talk more about the situation when you get home." The man adds as Dipper walks out the front door.

Dipper turns on the Bluetooth as he pulls onto the street. Maybe the Phaeloxians will wait to attack, at least until he has a plan to keep everyone safe.

●●●●●

The confusion that follows their interaction is fun to watch.

"So, do you guys want to tell me what the hell that was about?" Wendy asks.

"Don't know what you're talking about." Stan grunts.

"So Dipper is just taking a weapon to school for no reason? Does he even know how to use it?"

"Red has a point." Bill coos in the doorway. "Best case scenario, they pretend the kid has the upper hand before slitting the his throat."

The chaos god laughs when two of the three idiots before him try to process, while the third almost looks embarrassed.

"Who the fuck are you?" Wendy demands.

"I almost prefer you as a triangle." Stan huffs.

"Wait, fucking Cipher?!"

"Stanley, Wendy, will you two please leave for a minute?"

They oblige, not without arguing for a few minutes. When they finally do, Ford pulls out a new weapon.

"After everything you've done, you have audacity to come back and taunt us? This device can kill you once and for all."

Bill shrugs, "Sure. Kill me and all hope for your nephew. No matter what happens, I'll get something I want."

"There's no hope for Dipper if you live."

"Against me, absolutely not. But, I know the Phaeloxian's weaknesses."

Ford's face scrunches. Now he's starting to get it.

"Why would you protect him?"

"Phaelox has been a thorn is my side for centuries. Who better to take care of it than the Dimension Destroyer." Bill smirks, adding, "And who knows, maybe I'll spare him in the end."

"For a price." Ford frowns.

"Obviously." He continues when the man nods, lowering the blaster. "I was forced to tie my soul to this body. Figure out how to free me, the kid lives. I'll let you think about it."

Bill snaps his fingers, appearing just in time for Dipper to enter the college. He doesn't need the mindscape to hear the blaring music through the boy's headphones. Fortunately, Llama Sweater saves his ear drums from bursting. How the hell is the kid supposed to destroy anything if he goes deaf?