The clock on the wall read 7:06, merely five minutes past the last time Shifty had glanced at the clock. The day, like all the others, was passing as slowly as possible. Like time was moving at half speed. It was great if you had something interesting to think or contemplate, but Shifty's life had grown increasingly mundane in the past thirty years.
There had been lots to think about thirty years ago, back when Shifty had been recovering physically from his 'daddy's' abuse of him. Psychoanalysis books would have been useful, if Shifty had had access to a library. But as it stood Shifty was left with himself, strange scientifical technology, dirt, and his own thoughts. The latter of which were mostly spent devising a plan on how to most effectively kill Stanford Filbrick Pines.
Most of the time he stayed in his natural larvae-like form, since shapeshifting was either physically or psychologically painful.
Just thinking about it was giving him a tingling sensation in the left side of his neck. The memory of torture inflicted upon him at quite a young age. The image of Stanford Pines' sneering face flashed through his mind, and he instinctively clenched both of his misshapen hands into fists.
Normally he didn't think of his old captor this much. He had learned coping mechanisms. But ever since his one human relief (Stanford's old assistant, who had always done his best to help Shifty) had returned, he'd been reminded of his old life. It was no fault of Fiddleford's, but there was no separating abuser from abused in this scenario.
Then Fiddleford had brought up the subject of Ford Pines on his own, after a rather quiet (at least from Shifty's perspective) day of doing nothing. He had awkwardly mentioned the fact that the portal had been restarted (something Shifty preferred not to think about) and how that there was only one person that the portal would be trying to bring back (Shifty was starting to feel uncomfortable now), and how that machinery can make mistakes (was it hot in the bunker? or was it just Shifty?) and last but not least, there may, sort of, kinda... be another Stanford Pines in their world, one that wasn't evil.
Yeah right.
There was no separating Stanford Pines from evil. It flowed through him, probably fueled him, was strengthened by him. To separate Ford from evil, and to go as far as to call him 'good', was simply absurd. There was no way McGucket could be serious. He was just... insane. That was it. He'd hit his head and gone mad. That would explain it.
So imagine Shifty's fury when one day his only friend leads him straight into the clutches of Stanford Pines.
"Ford! I wasn't expectin' you to be back so soon... Is everythin' alright?" Upon reaching the door to the inner part of the bunker, Ford and Gideon had knocked, knowing that it wouldn't be a good idea to barge into someone's (however temporary) home. Fiddleford had padded over to the door, stiffened once he had seen Ford, but relaxed once he remembered their situation.
If Ford had possessed a hat (that he would wear) he would have swept it off of his head and twisted it around in his hands. He looked down at his friend, and said, "No. There is something very wrong... Fiddleford... He's back." His expression, which he generally tried to keep pleasant and happy, turned sorrowful and nervous. Fiddleford's eyes widened, and he breathed, "Sweet sasparilla... No..." Ford nodded sadly at him, and added, "I'm afraid so Fiddleford... And... I must ask a favor of you..."
Fiddleford nodded at Ford, who breathed out to steady his nerves. "Fiddleford... Stanley, the children, and I... all need a safe place to stay. I know that he already knows about the place... but..." he closed his eyes, then said, "We're going to the CSO. And I'm letting you know that... Well... If you want to join us... I believe it would be safer than staying here." He watched Fiddleford with sad eyes, and the other man nodded.
"Here's the thing... Shifty needs to come too." Ford said, and it was Fiddleford's turn to nod. "I suggest taking two groups." Ford added, placing his right hand on Gideon's shoulder. For the first time that day Fiddleford looked at Gideon, who shrank back a little. "I'll take Gideon here, and you'll bring Shifty... Hopefully you can calm him down and fully explain everything by the time we reunite."
Fiddleford nodded at Ford, who sighed and looked at Gideon. "Well... Thank you for your time Fiddleford... You've been more than kind to me." Fiddleford was left watching Ford and Gideon walk away from him, nervous looks on their faces. There wasn't time for him to contemplate the seriousness of what Ford had said, all he could do was try to keep himself safe.
Safe.
Fiddleford turned back around and walked in a daze towards the place where Shifty and he slept. It was the only padded part of the bunker, and housed very few things besides the sentient occupants. Fiddleford glanced at the burlap sack he had brought his belongings in from the dump, but didn't even touch it, choosing instead to head towards the place that he knew Shifty would be.
How to explain this to him?
"And he really is good, ya gotta remember that..."
Shifty believed Fiddleford was right that the bunker was no longer safe. Even if it wasn't as severe as Fiddleford was making it out to be Shifty still wanted to get out of that place. But once Fiddleford had begun monologuing about Stanford Pines' goodness Shifty had lost interest. Fiddleford was delusional, any sane person would know that.
The two of them reached the crest of a hill overlooking Gravity Falls. Shifty closed his eyes, and breathed in the fresh air. Fiddleford smiled, and said, "Feels good to get outta that bunker an' into the wild, don't it?" The shapeshifter nodded, and hummed. "Been a while... It feels... open."
There was a moment where the two of them just stood there, basking in the openness of the outdoors. Then Shifty said quietly, "Well, we'd better get going." Fiddleford nodded, looking down at a patch of metal that was raised just above the grass surrounding it. The hillbilly bent down, and slipped his fingers under the metal plate, tugging up on it just as soon as he had gotten a hold of it.
It didn't budge.
Fiddleford chuckled, "Stubborn as a donkey this one." he said, and tugged harder. When still nothing happened he kept pulling, sweat building on his forehead. Shifty watched the scene like someone who wasn't quite a part of it. Fiddleford managed to get the plate to budge half an inch, then yelped as the plate dropped yet again, nearly crushing his fingers in between the sheets of metal.
"Here, Fiddleford, let me do that." Shifty let the human step away from the trapdoor. He slipped his larger hand under the plate, squeezing it into an easier shape to maneuver, and tore it up in a moment. The sheet flew off, landing a few feet awa from him, and making a loud thud.
Shifty and Fiddleford shared a look, then Shift mumbled, "Oops?" Fiddleford chuckled. "We'll fix it later. We'll have time once Stan joins us." He smiled at the shapeshifter, who rolled his eyes. "Don't tell me, you've started calling him Stan now that he's 'not bad'." Fiddleford shook his head. "Ford's not evil, Stan's not either, I'm telling you, he's from an alternate dimension."
"Yeah, and I'm really a pile of ash made from the remains of Solomon." Shifty spat, pushing past Fiddleford and starting to lower his body into the CSO, "I'll believe it when I see proof of it."
Gideon watched Ford pace back and forth. Ever since the two of them had gotten there Ford seemed tense, like he wasn't comfortable in such a small environment. Gideon knew that wasn't true, since Ford liked his room, which was much smaller than this. Ford had also told him a number of stories from when he would raid his own CSO for parts. Ford liked the place, so it must be just anticipation of when Fiddleford and Shifty showed up.
There was comfort in the constant step, step, step that resonated throughout the metal room. Gideon had thought of joining him in his pacing, but decided against it. He had already put all of his clothes inside of drawers that Ford had designated for him, and there was practically nothing else that he could do. At least, nothing Ford had told him to do.
Ford looked deep in thought, and Gideon didn't bother to ask him what he was thinking. Gideon noticed how Ford's good hand kept inching towards his left side, all six of his fingers gently brushing something attached to his belt. Gideon sort of knew what it was, but tried to push the thought of a gun out of his mind. He was safe, extra safe with Ford there, but the thought of a weapon like that... perhaps the Northwests were onto something.
After a few minutes of near silence, Ford stopped pacing. Gideon straightened in his chair, and watched dully as Ford stepped over to the nearest doorway, which stretched far higher than him, and listened carefully.
"I think they're coming." Ford looked back at Gideon, who nodded, and stepped back over towards the boy. "Shifty will be here, there are two sets of footsteps. I hope I won't need to... Nevermind." Gideon raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything to him. Ford seemed distracted, reaching once again for his left side, but choosing instead to grip his arm. Best not to scare Fiddleford and the shapeshifter.
Within moments Fiddleford rounded the corner, with Shifty close behind, looking uninterested. Gideon always forgot how foreboding Shifty looked, with his pupiless eyes, and large bubbling body. Shifty had tried to chase Gideon and Pacifica out of the bunker only a month ago, and Gideon knew what he was like when he was mad.
But that was nothing compared to his reaction then.
At first Shifty stood stark still, eyes staring at Ford, who slowed his movements down tremendously. Fiddleford turned to Shifty and said, "See? What'd I tell ya? He's not-"
Shifty let out a roar louder than any sound Gideon had ever heard. In a flash, before anyone could react, his right arm shot forward and his claw-like hand wrapped around Ford's throat, picking the human up and throwing him across the room like an angry child with a ragdoll. Ford's body made a sickening thud against the wall, and Gideon repressed a scream. Ford groaned however, and began trying to push himself up again, only for Shifty's other arm to reach out and pick him up a second time.
"Shifty no!" Fiddleford cried, reaching for Shifty but dropping his hand before he could touch him. Shifty looked over at Fiddleford and hissed, "Shut up." Ford's face began to turn an ugly purple, and he let out a gasp and Shift shoved him into the wall, his injured shoulder taking the brunt of the attack. Gideon didn't know what he should do, but he decided to at least try to calm Shifty down.
"Shifty!" Gideon dashed towards the only non-human in the room. Shifty's pupiless eyes glanced over at the boy, who did his best not to look at Ford, who was slowly going limp. "Please let him go!"
"He should have done the same." Shifty hissed, "You do not know what this man has done! You do not know what he will do. You are ignorant..." Gideon glanced over at Ford, who had lifted his right hand and wrapped his fingers around Shifty's, his eyes starting to go dull. "Shifty please! Let him go and we can explain-"
Shifty stood perfectly still, watching Ford's wriggling get slower and duller. Just as Gideon was about going to throw himself on top of Shifty in order to try to physically stop him, the sound of a banjo colliding with a hard surface filled the room. At the same time Shifty let out a loud roar, and his grip on Ford slacked. Shifty's head snapped over to look straight at Gideon, but his eyes were squeezed shut and the imprint of a banjo showed on his face. Standing behind him was Fiddleford, holding the dented instrument in his hands.
Much to Gideon's surprise, Ford got up only seconds after he'd been released. "Get outta here!" Fiddleford told him, pointing towards the exit. "Gid and I'll calm him down!" Gideon didn't know how he felt about that statement, but he was glad to see Ford dash out of the room, moving surprisingly quickly for how soon his latest near-death experience had been.
Now to calm the angry monster down.
It's been so long, since I last seen my son, lost to the monster, the man behind the slaughter... Oh wait, that's FNAF.
I have returned to this fic, and I'm going to try to keep updating it. Thanks to smoreyofhyrule, who left a great review (thanks!) I got reminded of this and finished this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it! Also let me know if there's anything you would like to see here!
-BrilliantLight