Heartless, right?

Chapter 29

Ford frowns in annoyance when Bill enters the lab, "You're late."

"Oh, forgive me for taking an extra two minutes to check the perimeter." The demon retorts.

"Two and three quarters."

Dipper gives him a sharp look, so he drops it. Of course, it only takes a few minutes for them to start arguing again when Bill accidentally let's it slip that Dipper was stabbed by a cursed blade.

"Hey, as much as I love fights, we have company." Stan interrupts, though his disappointment's obvious. Pacifica stands in the elevator staring in shock.

"Stan, keep an eye on them." Dipper says as he pushes the up button, the elevator door closing.

Ford turns back to Bill, "I want an explaination now. Why was Dipper stabbed? How did he survive?"

Something flashes in Bill's eyes, but he keeps his usual cocky attitude, "Well, you see, when someone wants someone else dead, one of the many ways to achieve that goal is through stabbing. As for how he's alive, it's the same answer as always, the stars blessed him. Any more idiotic questions?"

"Idiotic quest- I think I'm entitled to answers when my nephew's life was almost taken!"

"No, you're just entitled. Always have been, especially when it comes to your gods damned research. I don't need the mindscape to know what's going on in your head, Stanford."

Ford narrows his eyes, but he knows Bill is right. It's rare for the stars to bless humans, and giving the amount immunity and power they've given Dipper, it's unheard of. But Ford isn't the only one who's entitled.

"And what about you?" The older Pines twin counters, "The only reason Dipper's even alive is because you want him to destroy Phaelox. Sounds pretty entitled to me."

Bill hums in frustration and takes a step forward, his voice dangerously even, "The only difference is that I'm openly entitled, but you hide behind righteous excuses, saying it's for family and the greater good."

"That's not-"

"Shut up." Bill interrupts, walking to one of the computers, watching the fluctuating readings. "Shit."

●●●●●

Dipper takes Pacifica to the kitchen, knowing she's going to freak out. He explains the prophecy, the blessing, his frozen deal with Bill and the Phaeloxians, of course he leaves out the complications of their current... whatever's going on between them.

"How much does Mabel know." The Northwest girl asks.

"Everything."

"Good, because I don't want to be the one giving her second hand information. Can't have anything normal with your family, huh?"

"Guess not." Dipper shrugs, laughing bitterly.

There's a knock at the door and he starts to go to answer it, but he starts to get a bad feeling. He looks at Pacifica and motions for her to go upstairs. As soon as he hears the door close he pulls out his dagger and approches the door, stopping when he feels a familiar hand on his waist. Bill gently pushes him back, shielding him from the obvious danger and opens the door.

"Abyss, what brings you here, a death wish?" Bill asks, a patronizing smile on his face.

The Phaeloxian woman doesn't react, simply handing him a blood red envelope, "You have two weeks. Surrender the boy or we will invade."

The chaos god laughs darkly, "Always so eager for war, aren't you? See you in two weeks."

He slams the door in the Phaeloxian's face and runs his hand through his hair, eyes flashing red.

"What do we do?" Dipper asks softly.

Bill sighs, "I'm still in contact with a few of the henchmaniacs, but I highly doubt they'd be up to fight Phaelox no matter what I threaten them with."

"We don't need anymore demons here." Ford adds, clearly having heard everything, "Our best bet is to evacuate the town, including Dipper."

"That's not how it works. The barrier only works for demons tied to the Nightmare Realm. The Phaeloxians will hunt him down the minute they find out he's gone. Everyone else goes, they few who can fight will stay and help fend them off."

Dipper nods in agreement, "And if they keep loosing troops, they might give up for a bit. The prophecy is bound to happen at some point, so maybe they'll wait for me to go to Phaelox."

Ford shakes his head but doesn't argue, he just goes back to the lab, mumbling angrily.

AN: I know I'm over a week late. Writer's block, beginning of the semester, and my shitty work schedule has been kicking my ass. Hope y'all enjoyed!