Okay, so I'm writing a second story. This one will be multi-chaptered.
With Weirdmageddon Pt. III coming up, I decided to write my own end to the Weirdmageddon saga. Mainly because I don't want Bill to die. I don't want anyone to die actually, so I'm writing one that has a somewhat happy ending for everyone.
This is takes place after Weirdmageddon Pt. II. This story will eventually turn into BillFord, but it's going to be a slow progress as their relationship will have to heal before it can grow.
Bill sat at the table in the kitchen of the Mystery Shack. Sure he had been in that residence on more than one occasion, but it was always either in the Mindscape, or while he possessed a human vessel. Actually seated at the chair with his own fingers brushing the surface of the table felt foreign. Twenty different smells ranging from the wood floors and walls to days old coffee assaulted his nose at once.
He was still too shocked to speak. It happened so quick: one minute he was on the verge of ruling the world, and the next he was reduced to a feeble human form, unable to harness more than a fifth of his power.
The captured demon kicked himself for unfreezing Stanford Pines. In hindsight he should have waited for a new strategy. After being patient for all those years, he gave into haste and that was where he lost.
Gold eyes glanced out the window. Ford spoke to Stan and the twins; his face in profile, Bill couldn't make out the words. Whatever exchanged between the two irritated Ford's twin. Given the current situation he guessed they discussed his fate. Bill gripped at his own arm for letting those twelve-year-olds to distract him long enough for Ford to make his escape. The nails dug into the skin, not enough to draw blood, but would likely leave a mark for a day or two. Bill inhaled at the sudden sting, the pain brought a smile to his face for the first time since his defeat.
Defeat. How long that word would haunt him. How certain the others from his dimension would mock his name, were they still alive. The rest of the multiverse would guffaw, celebrate, or both once news of the great threat contained reached their ears. Bill now worried what became of his friends. Where had Pinetree sent them? Were they even still alive.
However, at the moment he didn't have the luxury of concerning himself with his comrade's well-being, he had his own fate to face. Again Bill glanced out the window at his captors. This time the young Pines boy met his stare. The boy glared and Bill averted his own gaze instantly. After all he had done to the Pines family over the past thirty years, he figured in a few minutes he'd be face to face with the barrel of Ford's quantum distabilizer.
Bill's attention switched to his own hand. He held it out with his palm facing up. He managed a small blue flame. The fire still caused him no harm, but he felt what little energy he retained after the transformation drain. Closing his eyes he let the flame die. Despite that he never slept, he wanted to wake up and discover this was all a prank from one of the other dream demons. The etching on his pinky finger shattered those hopes.
Gold eyes switched over to the cabinets. The top one contained what the humans called eating utensils. The forks were sharp, but not what he needed. He tried to recall if that top cabinet held the knives. Perhaps with one sharp slice he could sever his pinky and his bond with Ford, maybe. Now with his infinite knowledge locked away in the Mindscape he could no longer access, he knew nothing of the spell that trapped him in that useless human form.
The back door opened which pulled Bill from his thoughts. The man who destroyed him entered with the cautious twin in tow. The boy stood close to his great-uncle and his right arm clutched at the left. The usually chipper one straggled behind; she held a smile, but it in no way resembled the brightness she shined on any given day. Bill would have taken comfort in that detail were it not for the pounding in his chest.
"Bill," Ford said firmly, taking the seat across from him.
Despite the increased heart rate, Bill kept a blank face. He chose to deny the author the pleasure of eye contact.
"You're not doing yourself any favors," Ford continued. Bill squirmed at the harsh tone, but still refused to look the other man in the eyes. Ford paused for a moment and with a sigh continued, "Don't look at me if you wish, but the fact remains this will be your new home."
The words felt strange as they left his lips. Stanley wasn't too thrilled with the idea of the creature who nearly destroyed the world staying under the same roof, but Ford explained to him that it was a drawback of the spell that ended the apocalypse.
Dipper and Mabel stood behind their grunkle, neither one of them speaking. Dipper stared down at the floor. Mabel could only stare with a mix of sorrow, hurt, and fear on her face.
Stan entered the kitchen to grab a Pit Soda. He offered a false smile to the twins, both of whom were too weak to return it. Ford felt his brother's stare on his back, but knew the other would not stay around for the conversation. He refused to acknowledge or interact with their new housemate.
Ford recalled their most recent conversation regarding Bill's new housing arrangements.
"Why don't you just kill him?" Stan grumbled.
"Yeah, before he gets his powers back," Dipper agreed.
"Dipper," Mabel scolded. "That's cruel."
"I could easily kill him," Ford explained. "In this form he's defenseless." Ford showed the group his own pinky finger. Identical black symbols were engraved into his skin. "I confined him to that body. According to the spell he can't hurt another human being ever again."
Dipper grimaced at the thought that he had intended to cast the spell himself. Luckily, Ford would not consent to his nephew being put in that kind of danger.
"Why does he have to stay here?" asked Stan, not hiding the irritation in his voice.
"It's the second part of the spell," Ford answered. He hardened his tone at his brother. "And don't forget that this is my house."
Stan sighed heavily. "Do what you want, Poindexter, but don't expect me to talk to the creep." He scratched at his chin then added, "And I don't want that thing sayin' a word to the kids either."
Stan left the room without uttering a sound. He gave Bill one final glower that the demon ignored.
Ford cleared his throat. "This is going to be different for all of us," he began.
Ford pulled the manila folders out of his jacket pocket. During his initial quest to destroy Bill, a random weirdness wave animated the bell, causing him to miss ending that creature for good. Bill hadn't taken kindly to the assassination attempt and burned Ford's journals as a result. Fortunately Stan held onto photocopies of the journal's pages which Ford now stored in three folders each paper sorted into the appropriate journal.
Ford opened the folder for journal two and flipped through the grayscale copies of his original entries until he reached the one on the bonding spell. Only two pages in total were dedicated to that particular spell. In fact it baffled the author the spell worked so well given he'd never tried it before. At the moment he only knew two effects of the bond.
"It looks like we are now bonded through magic," Ford said. He held up his pinky finger engraved with identical markings to Bill's. "This spell severely limits your powers in general." Ford took a glimpse at the paper then back at the demon who still held his gaze on the wall. "It's limited further in other ways." He folded his hands. "For one you can not hurt another human, especially this family."
Bill rolled his eyes.
The six-fingered hand lifted the page and read. "The bond works the strongest against the human who shares the bond's blood." Ford let go of the page then looked back at the blond. "Meaning the consequences for attempting to harm someone with Pines blood will be more severe."
Bill sent a glare in Ford's direction before looking away from him once again.
"Secondly," Ford said, his voice revealing his own dislike for the second part of the spell. "You cannot step outside a ten mile radius of me."
That news caused Bill to scream in anger. He turned towards the scientist, his golden eyes now crimson.
The humanized demon jumped from his chair, his palms smacked down on the table. Dipper and Mabel stepped back in surprise, Dipper slightly stepped in front of his sister. Ford also moved to his feet, blocking any access Bill possibly had to the twins. Even a fragment of his power was more than any of them possessed at the moment.
Bill shouted, "You're telling me that I'm imprisoned in this horrid shack until you release me?"
"Calm yourself," bellowed Ford.
Bill seethed, his canines had taken the form of fangs, and a faint red aura surrounded his figure.
Ford continued, "I understand you're not happy with these arrangements. To be honest I'm not either." He reached into the top coat pocket, the six fingers grasped the tranquilizer syringe he kept close just incase. His tone hardened. "But you need to calm yourself and sit down. I am the head of this house and you will not behave in this manner."
"Shut your mouth, Sixer," Bill snapped. "I may be stuck with you in this pathetic excuse for a house." He waved his arm above his head then pointed at the old man. "But you're mistaken if you think for a second you can order me about."
The two engaged in a staring contest for a minute. The younger twins exchanged glances and then looked back at the two. Dipper's heart raced and immediately wished his grunkle hadn't approached the monster unarmed.
"No one is too thrilled about you staying here," Ford said. "But that's the way the spell works. And as for releasing you, that's not going to happen, so you best get used to this." Ford turned from the fuming demon. "Now let's go get you settled into your new room."
Dipper stepped in front of the older man. For the first time Ford noticed how dirty and beaten up the child was. The exhuastion was evident in both his and Mabel's eyes.
"Grunkle Ford," the boy said. "Are you sure this is safe?" He trembled and added in a whisper, "What if he tries to kill us in our sleep?"
"He won't," Ford replied. He pointed to the marking on his finger. "If he even tries, I will know before he has time to do anything."
Stan ordered the kids to shower and were sent to an early bed. He stood outside the spare room that once held the body switching carpet. The magic carpet had been thrown out months ago and replaced with boards that matched the rest of the shack. An old bed and beat up dresser were the only pieces of furniture inside. Bill had no complaints, as he found little need for fancy furniture.
Stan watched as Ford dressed the bed with clean sheets and a spare pillow from the linen closet.
"This is where you will sleep," Ford said as he finished with the bed. His eyes met with Bill's. "It's time to lay some ground rules. You may not leave this shack without asking me...or Stanley," he said looking over in his brother's direction.
Bill's eyes followed Ford's to a Stan who stood with his hands on his hips.
"I don't want no part in this," said Stan before turning away.
Ford followed after his brother. He turned to Bill. "Goodnight," he offered before stepping out into the hallway.
Bill slammed the door shut then dropped to the floor. He hugged his knees trying his best to keep from crying. He forced the pathetic emotions back. Ford had robbed him of too much already, he would not let the human steal the remainder of his dignity.
From outside the door Stan waited for Ford.
"Was this really the only way?" Stan asked.
"It's better than the end of the world," Ford replied.
"Can't you just lock him up in a cage ten miles from here?"
Ford looked at his brother for a few seconds then moved on ahead.
Stan followed after his brother. Just as he reached the vending machine Stan added, "The kids go home next week. I don't want them in anymore danger 'til then."
"I'll be conducting research on Bill until then," Ford called. His fingers quickly typed in the numbers that unlocked the hidden door. He said to himself, "I won't let anymore harm come to them."
Hopefully everyone found this chapter interesting or entertaining.
Now that chapter one is done I can say that even though Ford is one of my favorite characters, he's so difficult to write. Hopefully I did an okay job with him.