Time Flop

Chapter 23

"He hasn't spoken since he woke up." Pacifica said, watching Dipper chop wood via magic axe. "I'm beginning to get worried, Mabel." She said, turning to her friend. She sat on a wooden bench on the porch, Bill beside her knitting. He held up his masterpiece, a woven blanket with a mosaic design depicting a small child decapitating women and other children. He smiled at his creation with pride.

"It's for the kids." He said, stuffing the blanket into his vest pocket. Mabel turned back to Pacifica.

That man is not qualified to raise children. Even so, I doubt he even has children. Jewel whispered to her. Mabel nodded as Pacifica continued to fret over Dipper. Soos came out the front door with a plate of nachos.

"Sup, dudes?" He asked, as Dipper pulled his bicep. He growled in anger and promptly threw his axe into woods. It dissolved into teal mist before it collided with anything, and Dipper slumped, dissatisfied. He walked back towards his friends.

"Gideon wasn't in the corner when I woke up this morning. Did somebody move him?" Soos asked. Mabel shot a glance at Bill, who moved to stand. He forced a smile.

"He left while the twins slept." He explained. Dipper jumped, just now noticing the demon.

"I...I'll be right back..." he said, hurrying into the house. Pacifica moved to follow him, but Cipher stopped her.

"Let me talk to the boy. Man to man." He said. Something in his golden eye prodded Pacifica to obedience. A chill ran through her lungs and heart as the man stepped inside the Mystery Shack.

~<>~

"What are you doing here, Bill?" Dipper asked, closing the door behind Cipher. His arms and legs contracted as he returned to his demon form, a yellow, one eyed triangle with a top hat and bowtie. He clasped his hands behind his back.

"Hello, Pine Tree! Just checking up on some business of mine. You know, the usual." He cackled. Dipper shook his head.

"You're lying! I know why you're here! You followed me here to stop me from getting Wendy back! You only want me miserable!" He yelled. Bill held up his hands defensively, then summoned a monocle and a teacup filled with blood to sip.

"Quite the contrary, Tree of Pine. I am here to aid you in whichever shenanigans we are gallivanting in this morrow." He retorted in a British accent that was almost as terrible as his Canadian. "Actually, I have no idea what we're doing here. However, your cause apparently is against The Overlord, like mine. So, for now, I'm just here to help." Dipper remained suspicious, regardless of the demons reassurances. Bill rolled his eye.

"Oh, fine. If I have to prove it, allow me to." He said, flicking two fingers to the side, flinging Dipper across the room. A large tree smashed into the room behind him, Soos impaled on it's end. The man screamed as the pine needles jabbed into his insides.

A large mechanical claw reached into the room and grasped around, shattering glass figures and wooden objects. Bill morphed into human form and summoned a golden cane. He brought the cane down with a wicked grin.

"This will teach you!" He screamed. The cane beat against the metal appendage with a clank. Bill stepped back, aghast. His face curled into frustration. His eye began to glow as he summoned a great golden clamp to hold the claw.

"Run!" Bill compelled. Dipper used his jewel to construct a teal chainsaw, and cut the tip from the tree inside of Soos. The man cried as the limb twisted and shook inside him.