Chapter 10: The Return of Magum

QUICK THING! Once again the chapter ended up way too long, so it was split!

Layla shouldn't have stayed in that dimension, she should've made Ford move long enough to get out to a safer one.

STUPID! I'M SO STUPID!

Layla watched in horror as Ford gripped a hand with Magum's red flamed covered hand, them sealing a deal for Ford to go and steal something for him. But Layla wasn't allowed to go with Ford… instead she was back into the horrifying trap of being forced by Magum's side.

"Excellent," Magum's voice silkily said as he flamed hand gripped Ford's. "You're one week begins – Now."

Once Ford shook let go it was as if Layla and Magum were then teleported to a different area. Layla felt dizzy as she nearly collapsed, but she was caught by her wrist before she slammed her head to the ground by no other than Magum.

"Hello, my dear Layla Amelia," he purred.

"Let me the hell go you bastard!" Layla growled through clench teeth.

He ignored her statement. "You've grown your hair much longer… it's flattering," he commented. He then lifted her back onto her feet, his new face baring down to hers. The new face was translucent, seeing his new victim's veins and blood vessels just beneath the skin. His eyes were still a soulless white, them staring intently into her electric blue. "And those eyes are still those beautiful blue…"

"Oh, I assure you if I was able to I'd make sure they weren't," she lowly muttered, her eyes almost an icy flame.

Magum gives a slight shrug. "You probably can in this part of the multiverse…" he began. "But it might be extremely painful due to extraction of the eyeballs to be sold on the Black Market and you'd probably receive a pair that was from some diseased monster that was put on Death Row due to horrendous crimes."

"Nothing beats your horrendous crimes," the raven-haired woman said with such a casual tone that it seemed she was giving praise.

He lowers his face close to hers. "And what would that be, my dear Layla Amelia?" he asked her softly.

Vomit rose to her throat. She did not want to speak about the crimes he had committed to her. Layla swallowed, a noticeable gulp. The acid burned her throat, but she ignored it.

"Besides… I'm a demon," he whispered to her, his breath brushing against her face. "There is no judicial system for me."

"The Axolotl," Layla snapped.

Magum's body involuntary twitched. "What… was… that?" he growled.

Layla gives a smirk. "The Axolotl, it is your judicial system. It is a being that has control over demonic entities, a being that has such power that it can strip a demon's physical form," she explained, her smirk widening as she noticed Magum's eye twitch.

"Someone has been reading over the course of the years…" Magum commented as he gripped tighter around Layla's wrist, causing her to grimace. "And… what should I do to this clever girl…?"

"LET ME GO!" she screamed as she threw her head forward, her forehead colliding with Magum's new victim's nose, the nose cracking as blood spilled, ignoring the sudden pain the exploded on her forehead. Magum roared in a mixture of pain and anger as he let go of Layla's wrist, setting her free.

The raven-haired woman ran as fast as she could, running out of the small room that she was in, but was running in what seemed like a maze. Dead end upon dead end she ran into, her breaths coming in gasps of breathlessness from running and from panic. She couldn't be caught… she refused to, she had to find Ford and slap him from making a stupid deal.

As she turned around she ran into Magum, her grunting as she bounced off of him and crashing onto the floor. While she sputtered her gasps and held at her side, Magum towered over her, his soulless white eyes seemingly turning black with red lines spider-webbing with the dark voids.

"My… did you really think that would work?" he questioned her in a demeaning manner, as if talking to a child.

Layla sat up and gave a weak shrug. "Honestly, it was a good try," she commented weakly.

"'A' for effort," the demon scoffed as he bent down and lifted Layla by her neck and lifted her from the ground, her oxygen cut off. "Now… I think we need a better reunion don't you think?" He saw that her face was turning blue, her barely kicking anymore as her eyes began to flutter shut. "Oh… I think you do…"

Layla's vision went black.

When she woke up a few hours later, she was lying in a bed that was so soft around her she thought she was on clouds. Being on the streets have really made her uncomfortable, so a real bed felt like a blessing. But Layla knew that it wasn't a blessing, it was a curse.

As she sat up, she saw that she was in a bedroom that was decorated with red and black, like the way Magum had always done for his personal quarters. Layla groaned in pain, feeling that there was a bruise forming in her neck. But what she really noticed was what she was wearing.

Or lack of.

Her long trench coat was stripped from her, as was her pants and undershirt. They were nowhere to be seen, her boots disappeared too. All she wore was a silver colored bra with matching underwear, them both metallic and reflected whatever little light touched it. With a groan of annoyance she got out of the bed only for her to collapse to the floor with weak legs, her body entirely sore.

The realization hit her to the point of tears. She was used once again. Vomit rose to her throat and she expelled it, a mixture of acid and tears as she cried. Her breaths came in gasps between vomiting, her stomach churning painfully.

"Well, hello there, my dear Layla Amelia," Magum's voice amusingly greeted as he entered back in the room. "Did you sleep well?"

"Go to Hell!" Layla spat.

An irritated sigh escaped Magum. "Now, my dear, what have I told you about that phrase?" he asked her lowly, his voice turning hard.

All Layla did was stare hard at him as she stood up from the vomit soaked ground. Her long black hair was cleaned and brushed, it looking a bit longer than she was used to, so it covered her almost like a veil as her hair wrapped around her down to her waist. She was uncomfortable, not really wanting to expose herself because of what Magum had done to her in the past.

"We do have to get moving soon, your 'friend' should have failed my test by now," Magum announced, himself getting ready. He made no move to get Layla any clothing, so she stood there and watched as Magum dressed himself.

Ford…

Layla then looked around, searching for clothing. She glanced at Magum expectedly, her blue eyes wondering. When Magum glanced back, he gave his infamous wolf-like smile. Shivers were sent up Layla's spine, she hated that smile, no matter what body he took possession over.

"You really think I'm getting you clothing?" Magum amusingly asked. "No, no, no, after the stunt you pulled being on the run all these years think of this as a… extended punishment."

"Extended?" Layla replied, clearly baffled. "I'm not an animal you stupid demon."

"Humans are animals if you think about it, my dear," Magum began, him finishing dressing up in his suit. "Just because humans have a higher level of thinking than, let's say a snake, doesn't mean humans are less than an animal than the snake."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"I'm saying one day, when I rule, humans will finally be forced on the same level in which they were created to do."

"You're not making any sense…"

"I don't have to," was his only reply. "Now, wait here, I shall retrieve you momentarily." He suddenly vanished, leaving Layla alone once more.

Layla felt like she should look for a means of escape, but she also felt like she shouldn't. If she found a way to escape, what would that mean for Ford? He could end up dead…

Or worse… Magum's next victim.

The thought of that made her heart race painfully with anxiety and fear. She would not let that happen, Ford will not end up as Magum's next victim. So, Layla stood there, waiting patiently for her captor to retrieve her, her tapping her foot nervously.

Suddenly she was next to Magum in a completely different surrounding. Before she could react to feeling ill or to comprehend where she was at, she heard a very familiar voice.

"Damn, Layla Bartek, gotta say, puberty did you right and you got hot."

Finally her vision cleared and saw both Ford and… Rick Sanchez?

"Rick Sanchez!?" Layla screeched, her face turning red with embarrassment and anger. She was practically naked, and she remembered clearly when the two were teenagers in her cabin home in the woods of Gravity Falls that Rick would once in a while try to peek at her. But what was really embarrassing was that she was also in front of Ford. "You're here too!? GOD DAMN IT!"

Rick gave a grin and clicked his tongue. "Can't get rid of me, Layla!"

No… but you can run away like you always do.

She then heard Ford's voice, who she saw was avoiding staring at her but still had a gun aimed at Magum, "Aren't you married, Rick?" she could tell that he was a little angry, at truly what she couldn't tell. "And you have a daughter yourself!"

That made Layla almost want to laugh. "Oh, what sane woman married and bred with you!?" she snapped in disbelief, trying to keep her anger in check. Never had she known that Rick would actually getting married, him often commenting that marriage was like a funeral with cake.

There was a loud snap and a red fire surrounded both Ford and Rick. "Enough of your annoying human banter!" Magum snarled, his voice almost sound reptilian. Layla felt her arm get grabbed by the demon as he tightened his fingers around her forearm. She was then forced to stand in front of him, making her extremely uncomfortable. "Do you still want to shoot, Stanford?" the demon silkily asked.

With his eye contact still avoiding Layla, Ford lowered his gun. He then dropped it to the floor and kicked the gun towards Magum, his hands raised in surrender. Once the gun had reached Magum, the demon snapped his fingers and the gun burst into red flames.

"I made it easy so I can see what Bill Cipher was dealing with," Magum continued smoothly. "I may not like that damn triangular bastard, but he and I stroke a deal.

"He lets me keep Layla if I deliver you, Stanford, and a completed portal device."

Rick then interjected, "W-w-w-w-wait a sec!" he had then raised his arms in a stopping motion, some gun-looking objecting in his one hand. It must've been the portal device that Magum was talking about. "You're giving up power, power over the entire universe and multiverse, complete domination, for a chick?!" He had then gestured to Layla. "The girl is hot, but damn! W-w-w-what is your d-d-d-d-demonic boner t-t-t-taking the b-b-b-blood from your brain!?"

Layla almost made a strangled sound, it catching in her throat. She automatically felt uncomfortable, did Rick really say that about her? She noticed that Ford then glared at Rick, and even Magum looked at him oddly.

"H-h-h-hey, that's how I'm married, damn it!" Rick then snapped, finally noticing all of the glares. "Being a man sucks with th-that kind of shit!"

"Give me the portal device, Rick Sanchez." Magum then ordered, him holding out his hand, him pushing Layla slightly away.

Rick gave a smirk. "And y-y-y-you can go screw yourself!" Rick shouted as he reached into his lab coat with his free hand and grabbed something that resembled a laser pistol. Rick then aimed at the light fixtures about Magum's head and pulled the trigger. The lights shattered out, putting everyone in the dark.

Layla could not see a thing, her eyes trying to adjust to the darkness. All she heard was Rick's gun and the small amount of light that illuminated from the gun. Another light illuminated, Magum's body glowing red out of fury. Layla tried to back away from everything, her back hitting a table. Suddenly, she felt her left hand get grabbed, causing her to gasp.

She then threw her hand in a general direction, hoping that she will hit something. Her hand collided with someone, the person she slapped the groaned in pain.

"Ford!?" Layla hissed, but she had suddenly felt relieved that it was him.

"Yeah… ow…" Ford replied with a groan of pain. "We need to get out of here and help Rick-!"

Layla was annoyed that Ford would want to help Rick. He obviously didn't know him like she did… but then again Rick seemed so much different from when they were teenagers. Rick had talked so drunkenly… like he had become an alcoholic…

Just like me…

"No, we're not helping him!" Layla growled angrily. "He's a complete asshole! Besides, he's fine!" Her gesturing to Rick who was still shooting his gun but also aiming his portal device behind him for a means of escape.

Ford had gripped her wrist tighter and started moving, gently pulling her so that she would follow him. Layla followed willingly, her happy to finally leave Magum once again. She bumped into a few things along the way, and she could hear Ford grumble under his breath as he bumped into a few things from the lack of light except for the laser blasts and Magum's glowing form.

They had managed to escape, Ford leading Layla to what she recognized as a Biker Pod, or basically a motorcycle that hovers from the ground. They were both huffing and puffing, trying to catch their breath as they heard a furious roaring from within the building. Layla recognized that roar… and she didn't want to be on the receiving end of it.

Suddenly, Ford's coat was being handed to her. His brown gaze was still averted to not stare at her. Her heart caught in her throat, why was he being so nice to her when she was so rude to him before? Hesitantly, she grabbed it and pulled it around her like a large blanket, her feeling instantly warm from the coat and his leftover body heat that was trapped within the fabric.

"Thanks…" she breathed.

He was glancing around, looking for a means of escape. "Yeah… no problem," Ford replied absently.

Out of curiosity, she had to ask, "Why… weren't you looking at me before?"

Ford was now glancing at her, able to meet her in the eye now that she was covered with his coat. "What do you mean?" he questioned, his facial features contorted with confusion.

"I mean, Rick was staring, but you weren't." Layla pointed out. Over the years she did get stared at a lot, a few commenting on her looks. Of all the compliments, the number one thing was about her eyes. Second was her breasts and figure, which made her extremely uncomfortable and got her into more fights in a bar fueled with alcohol than she had liked.

"Because that's rude," Ford explained simply, and also hinting with his voice that it was a little obvious. "A woman should not be forced to wear something like that. She should only to it if she feels comfortable herself or do it by her husband."

A bubble of laughter built from her chest to Layla's throat. "You're very old fashioned, aren't you?" she laughed.

Ford then gives a slight shrug. "Grew up in New Jersey raised by a phone psychic and a tough pawn shop owner," he explained almost shyly. "Dad was a little strict and Ma always made sure my brothers and I were respectful to women." He then grabbed something form his pant pocket and started the engine of the Biker Pod. He sat on the bike, waiting for Layla.

"You did mention that you had a twin before," Layla recalled, her trying to pry a little about Ford's past. She knew he had mentioned countless times about a twin, even said his name a couple of times, but Ford seemed to forget that he ever mentioned it. She then sat on the back of the bike, her leaning into Ford so that she could wrap her arms around him, although she barely did since her arms were shorter.

Instantly she had felt Ford stiffen. Layla couldn't tell if it was from her sudden closeness or her question. "Yeah… I have a younger twin brother…" Ford barely whispered, his voice laced with sadness. He had then began driving the Biker Pod, him going at a decent pace as if following a speed limit.

"What's his name?" Layla asked after a moment of silence.

"… Stanley."

Layla grinned at that. The twins had such similar names! It baffled her! "So… you two are Stanford and Stanley Pines?" she laughed, not even bothering to hide the amusement.

That would explain why he was called "Ford"… Stanley must be called "Stan".

"Once again that was from my Dad," Ford explained almost jokingly. "He's not a very creative man… I mean, he did give my older brother the name 'Sherman'. It could've been worse."

After a few minutes of silence Ford had driven to a small abandoned building. The two went inside and Ford started a small fire, getting the items from the bags that was on the Biker Pod to set up some sort of bedding. He had only one set, so he offered it to Layla. She gave him a small smile as she sat on the blankets and lifted her hands to the fire to warm them.

Ford then interrupted the silence. "We'll get you some new clothes tomorrow," he offered. "That can't be comfortable," he then added.

"Well… the clothing is comfy," Layla admitted, which wasn't a lie as it was made of silk and went with her figure nicely. "It's just… not my taste." She continued to warm her hands, a question bubbling in her mind as she secretly glanced at Ford's six fingered hands. "Does your twin brother have polydactyl too?" she finally asked, her truly curious.

"No," Ford replied curtly, his voice taking on a sour tone.

If that's the case… Layla thought as she thought back to the medical books that were her father's. A few books explained about multiple births in humans, the most common multiple birth being fraternal twins as it was two different eggs being fertilized by two different sperm.

"So… definitely fraternal twins then…" Layla assumed, but she knew deep down that she was correct.

"Yes." Again, his answer was short and curt. That was irritating. "But..." he continued. "We looked eerily similar still. As kids all Stanley had to was put on my glasses and put on one of my coats to hide his hands and he could pass as me." Layla saw that a small smile played on his lips from a memory, his brown eyes softening from a hard wood to a warm chocolate.

"Are you two close?" Layla then asked gently.

"We were close," Ford replied sourly, hinting that he did not want to talk about it.

The raven-haired woman blinked a few times, unable to understand why he didn't want to talk about it. "Oh… okay. Um, I'm just gonna go to sleep… you can wake me in a couple of hours and I'll take over."

"Okay."

"Night, Ford."

"Night, Layla."

Layla was going to end it there, but she couldn't. Her chest felt tight as she added, "Oh, and Ford?"

"Yeah…?" Ford replied, him sounding a little confused.

"Thank you." Her heart pounded as she said it, as she was very thankful that he had helped her. She had once escaped Magum and it was with his help.

She once again noticed a small smile and his warm eyes. "You're welcome, Layla..."

A/N: I am trying to update this story more often since I cannot complete "After Cipher's Reign: Short Stories" until this is done. Trust me, it will all connect in some way with a sort of plot twist!

But yes, once again the chapter even though being split the first time was getting too long. So, I once again split it to help the flow of information. In this part we really see Layla looking a Ford differently, seeing him as more warm with his eyes and taking comfort into the trench coat.

Thanks for reading as always and the support!

~Skye Hendersen~