So, as far as Dipper's name goes between the poll and the comments, it seems to be half and half. I think Dipper's real name has been used a total of five times throughout all ten of my Bonded timeline stories, so I might just go ahead and switch it to his canon name. Very rarely will his real name be used as everyone pretty much calls him Dipper.
Thank you to Energy witch, ImpossibleJedi4, BILL CIPHER, Firefox, Berrybanana05, Christina730, Ella Le Hissy, Mosaic Mouse, Guest, Skyrah the Crazy Fangirl, and Invader Ash for your reviews on chapter eight! I appreciate all your feedback.
Mosaic Mouse: That is a great idea. I think I might actually do that as it gets closer to Kryptos' return.
Guest: I do actually. In fact I'm considering writing a romance between them in my other story Pacifica at the Shack which takes place three years after this one.
The passenger door to the truck opened. Bud watched his puffy-eyed son climb into the seat. He threw on his seatbelt then looked down at his lap. It took all of the child's strength not to weep in front of his father.
"Did ya get everything done you needed?" Bud asked as he put the vehicle in reverse.
Gideon only shrugged. He sniffled then wiped away a falling tear, hoping that his father didn't see. Bud stared at the front door of the Mystery Shack. It wouldn't take much effort to push it open. He and Stan never made up after last summer's conflict.
Bud decided against barging in on the Pines. He didn't want to upset the kids as he had over the past summer for their great-uncle's crimes, and there was something about that new resident that caused hesitation.
"Well, let's go get you some ice cream," Bud said. Gideon only sighed. The older man put the car in drive and pulled away from the Pines brothers' property. "And anything else ya might want."
Anytime life had denied Gideon anything Bud went out of his way to accommodate for what he felt his son deserved. Members of his family, and plenty others from town who finally felt free to criticize his methods of raising children after Gideon was arrested, informed him that his tendency to give Gideon any and everything he wanted would only hurt him in the long run.
Once Gideon was pardoned, Bud tried to not spoil him as much, but old habits die hard. At the very least Gideon no longer had any interest in the psychic business. It would mean a profit loss for them, but overall the child wasn't nearly as stressed or mean as he used to be.
"Dad," Gideon said softly. Bud looked down at his child, the last time Gideon used that tone was at age five after his grandmother passed away. "Do you think I'm a horrible person?"
"Of course not, son, what would give ya that idea?" Bud asked. Although he had a strong feeling it was that crook Stan Pines who put those awful thoughts in Gideon's head.
Gideon opened his mouth, but quickly shut it. He still saw Mabel's angry face staring back at him. It would be too long a story to tell his father, and no doubt Mabel would hate him even more if he leaked the information of Bill and the journals to another living soul.
"It's nothin', I was just thinking," Gideon said. He leaned his head against the back of the chair and put on a false smile. Although he was no real psychic, no one could deny his acting talents. "I want mint chocolate chip."
"Anything you want, son," Bud said.
He turned onto the street that would lead them to the best ice cream parlor in town. In a few moments Gideon would be drowning his heartbreak in sweets. However a nagging voice in his chest pestered him with the truth that he didn't deserve any ice cream.
The following morning Dipper woke up by seven thirty. He only bathed because Wendy was coming along for the adventure. Even though he knew there was no chance for the two of them, he found that the affection he felt for her would take a longer than he expected to fade.
Dipper stepped into the kitchen to see Ford already there drinking a cup of coffee with the journal open on the table. The thirteen-year-old scooted a chair next to his grunkle. Ford wanted to review his notes on the bunker before they headed out.
The author turned the page and he suddenly looked down at the top of his nephew's head. Brown eyes fell back on the page with the drawing and description of the baby shape shifter. The memory of how he cared for such a tiny creature surfaced, but the smile faded when he remembered that Shifty also betrayed him in the end. For a moment he considered ordering the boy to stay behind, if need be he could ask Stan to tell Dipper he needed extra help in the gift shop after all.
Ford decided against it. He wouldn't make his brother the bad guy. Besides he would need an extra body in order to ensure his plan's success.
"I'm sorry he turned out to be a monster," Dipper said when he reread the part where his grunkle once considered Shifty a pet.
Bill stopped outside the doorway when he heard Dipper's comment. His empty stomach could endure a little longer as he waited to hear what else the boy had to say.
"Apparently I was young and naive," Ford replied. He chuckled. "I thought I was so smart, but I suppose I was as easily fooled as everyone else in this town."
"But to be tricked by someone you actually cared for," Dipper commented and waited for Ford to turn the page. A larger more accurate drawing of the Shapeshifter Dipper remembered stared back at him. The brunet wondered if he still waited for their return. "What if he tries something?" Dipper asked.
"Well, I'm not a young fool anymore," Ford answered. He scooted the binder over to his nephew. "I'm aware of what he's capable of, and I won't be fooled again." Ford stood from his chair. "And if need be I'll use any method possible to take him down."
"But won't it be hard?" Dipper asked. "I mean you did care for him."
"True," Ford replied. He put his hand on Dipper's shoulder. "But this family is more important than my feelings. I promise you that, my boy."
Bill sighed. He didn't know why he hadn't expected anything less than the man who bound him to human form. Even if he could, he wouldn't do anything to hurt Ford, but he had hoped Ford would know that. Perhaps his lover had not learned to fully trust him again.
The blond peered around the doorway. Ford rinsed out his coffee cup then placed it upside down in the drainer. He couldn't hurt Ford or the boy. But he could always destroy his lifelong research. Bill grinned. If Ford still considered him a threat, and couldn't trust him after all they had been through, then he would give him a real reason.
"Good morning, Sixer!" Bill greeted as he walked through the door with a cheerful voice and a grin to match. He turned to the child who despite their newly formed truce back in March, still found it slightly uncomfortable to be in the same room with him. "Morning, Pinetree."
Dipper grimaced at the nickname.
"Grab you some breakfast, I don't want you passing out," Ford instructed.
"Oh, does my Fordsy really care for my health?" Bill asked. He leaned across the table and took a good chunk of his boyfriend's cheek between his fingers. "That's so precious," Bill said as he squeezed the other man's cheek.
"Of course I do," Ford said and swatted Bill's hand away. "And pick something nutritious. If by chance you need to use your magic, I don't want you hurt." We can't take the risk of you needing to see a doctor, he added in his head.
"He doesn't want me hurt, do you hear that, Pinetree?" Bill asked with a laugh. Bill snatched an apple from out of the refrigerator. He twirled the fruit twice by its stem then took a bite. He licked the juice from the corner of his mouth. "I suppose Fordsy really cares after all." He grinned at the older human who decided not to bother with Bill's games so early in the morning.
"Wendy's going to meet us there," Dipper said. "She's got camping gear out in the woods, so if anyone is watching it'll just look like we're camping."
"She's a smart girl," Ford said.
They finished breakfast, took one final bathroom break, and each strapped on a backpack with items needed for a pretend camping trip. The trio passed by Stan and Mabel on their way out.
"Be careful, Dipper!" Mabel called. "If you see me in the bunker, remember it's not me."
Dipper nodded then waved at his relatives.
The three hiked through the woods for half an hour until they picked up on the red tent in the distance. A few feet down Dipper watched Wendy hack at a few logs with her trusty hatchet. She hacked until the log split into two pieces. The redhead wiped away sweat from her brow. She waved at her approaching friends.
"Wow, Red, you're manlier than anyone I ever met," Bill said.
The girl laughed. Dipper offered to help carry the firewood. Wendy held out her hand to stop him, but realized that she might as well get used to it since those who chose to still talk to her once the news leaked out would all do the same.
"Have you already eaten?" Wendy asked.
"Yes, we had a healthy breakfast 'cause Sixer is boring," Bill answered.
"I only want what's best for you," Ford answered.
"Aww, isn't my Fordsy the greatest man in existence?" Bill cried in a sugary tone that caused the others to flinch.
Ford turned to his boyfriend. The way Bill had his hands folded next to his cheek and that obviously false grin caused him to frown. The author quickly thought over anything he recently said or did to possibly offend his lover, but came up short. Once again he chose to ignore Bill's passive-aggressive act. He only hoped Bill wouldn't put his emotions ahead of the group's safety.
Dipper put his, Ford's, and Bill's backpacks inside the tent. Wendy twirled her hatchet twice then secured it to her belt. The four walked on ahead, chattering loudly about how much fun they would have hiking in the woods.
They slowly approached the hollow tree.
"Bill, do you sense anyone nearby?" Ford asked.
The demon closed his eyes. He took in the sounds of the forest: twittering birds, rodents scurrying across the terrain, and a couple of manotaurs out for their morning run. Overhead he heard an airplane pass by.
Meanwhile Wendy scaled up the tree as she had before. She pulled the pair of binoculars Ford offered her before the climb. The redhead held onto the tree with one hand and scouted out around their surroundings. Finding nothing out of the ordinary she shook her head.
The binoculars were tossed back down to Ford. Ford waited to receive confirmation from Bill that the forest was clear from prying eyes and ears. On Ford's word, the girl pulled the hatchet from her belt and hit the lever. The opening appeared at the base of the tree. Bill and Ford helped Wendy down and the four descended into the underground bunker.
Ford suddenly stopped. He held his hand against the wall and took a deep breath.
"Grunkle Ford, are you okay?" Dipper asked.
Ford slowly nodded. He looked up at the three confused faces and offered them a smile.
"It felt like I stepped thirty years back in time," Ford said. He looked around the entrance room. "It even smells the same." For a moment he wondered if he should have brought Fiddleford along with him. There's no telling how many memories the very sight of the bunker could return to him.
They passed into the security room. After stepping over the trick button he turned to warn the others, but Dipper stepped on it causing the walls to close in. Just like last time the beams moved towards the intruders one by one. Fortunately Ford never forgot the four symbols he was forced the memorize for each visit to the bunker thirty years prior. The author instructed everyone on which buttons to press, and they all quickly followed the directions.
The secret door swung open giving the explorers their exit. Ford, Wendy, and Dipper all hurried through. Bill stopped to take in all the closing walls. For a moment he wondered how it felt to be crushed like a pancake.
"Bill, come on!" Ford yelled.
"Hurry!" Dipper cried.
The more he thought about it Bill wondered if his human body died could he be released to his true form. He stared down at the markings on his fingers. If he regained his full powers he could take out Kryptos with little effort. Sure being crushed would be painful, but he never let something as insignificant as pain stand in his way before.
"Bill!" Wendy shouted.
"Grunkle Ford, what is he doing?" Dipper screamed.
Ford reached for his laser gun. Dipper gasped as the weapon whirred. On Ford's order the boy ducked out of the way of the laser, while the author aimed for the six beams closing in on his boyfriend. For his plan to work he would need to shoot swiftly and carefully. It would destroy the entrance, but he never cared for Fiddleford's design in the first place.
Wendy glanced at the others. One wrong move and Bill would be seared. She glared at Bill and dashed back inside the security room despite both of the Pines grasping for her. Ford's hold instantly slipped as the redhead dashed into the death trap. She snatched Bill's arm just before his head was pinned against the wall and dragged him out of the room.
Wendy glanced up just in time to avoid another beam aimed for her head. She ducked then threw Bill out the opening against the wall. Her left arm barely squeezed through.
Both Dipper and Ford released a captive breath. Ford glared at his boyfriend, ready to scold him, but the teenager beat him to it.
Wendy slapped Bill across the face. "Are you stupid?" she yelled and slapped him on the other cheek. All the frustration from the past week went into her assault as she struck Bill one final time. A large red mark covered his left cheek and a fainter pink one on his right.
"Oh, no, I was just thinking," Bill said and laughed at the severe sting on his face.
"Hell of a time to be thinking," Wendy spat.
The redhead moved further ahead in the observation room. Ford stopped to give his lover a fierce glare before following after Wendy.
Bill laughed again. "Oh, don't pretend like you were scared, Sixer," the demon said. Ford sharply turned to be greeted by a sly grin. "Admit it, it would've been perfect."
The words baffled the scientist, but he didn't have time to deal with whatever occupied Bill's thoughts at the moment. He had a more important task to concern himself with.
Only Bill and Dipper stood by the security room's secret exit. Billl glanced down at the boy who looked pale as a ghost.
"Were you really worried about me, Pinetree?" Bill asked.
Dipper was taken aback by the question. He looked away for a moment as the image of a bloody, mangled mess of the human form of his former enemy slowly left his mind. "I don't want to see someone crushed," Dipper shakily replied.
"You didn't seem to think the same thing last summer," Bill said. He placed a slim finger next to his chin. "You would've been fine with leaving me to to fall along with the fearamid."
"That's not fair," Dipper argued. "That-that was then. You-you just destroyed the whole town and turned everyone into your own personal chair."
Bill chuckled. "Oh, don't try to act all innocent, Piney boy," he said with a grin. Bill poked the side of Dipper's head. "I can't read minds anymore, but I know what you think." With that Bill sauntered off in the direction of Ford and Wendy leaving young Pines confused.
The observation room was the only place in the bunker not ransacked by the shapeshifter. Again Ford had to commend his former assistant for building the doors to the observation room strong enough to withstand any of Shifty's attacks. What little research was left behind had been spared from the creature's hands.
Dipper moved closer to the others. The place looked the same as his last visit, although still a bit disheveled.
Over by the observation desk Ford picked up a few papers that had been left during their last experiment back in 1981: The Shapeshifter. Ford switched on the lights that illuminated the containment area. Dipper shuddered at the memory of when he and Wendy first stepped in that room after Mabel locked them in the closet.
Ford sighed at the memory of how Shifty managed to escape the cage and stole Fiddleford's identity. It was pure luck that Ford managed to hear his assistant before he made the mistake of giving the creature access to the journal. Fortune smiled on him again that he was able to capture the creature in the tube.
From the looks of the damage within the containment room it was safe to assume Shifty managed to escape. Fortunately he couldn't leave the heavily fortified room, and he couldn't figure out how to escape the bunker.
The author leaned in and let out a sigh of relief at the sight of the shapeshifter still frozen in one of the cryonics tube. There was always the chance it could be a trap. Ford glanced down at the control panel to see the machine read the tube was frozen.
"Grunkle Ford, how are you going to find anything in here?" Dipper asked.
"Nothing in this room will help us with Weirdmageddon," Ford answered.
The boy looked over at Wendy who shrugged. He then glanced over at Bill who looked equally clueless to Ford's reason for returning to the bunker.
"Then what are you looking for?" Wendy asked.
"My experiment," Ford revealed.
He walked over to a cabinet secured with a combination lock. The researcher turned the lock until he heard the click. From there it was yanked off and Ford threw open the door. The others heard heavy objects moved aside until the older man stepped back with two tranquilizer guns in hand. One was given to the older teenager and he kept the other for himself.
"I take it your aim is good?" Ford asked.
With a proud smile Wendy nodded. Ford beckoned for Bill and Wendy to follow him to the decontamination closet. Dipper hurried after, but Ford held out a hand to stop him.
"I want you to stay in here," Ford instructed. Dipper tried to protest, but Ford explained before he had the chance. "I'll need you to unfreeze the holding tube on my command."
Dipper looked over at the control panel. With a sigh he agreed then walked over to his spot. He watched in envy as the others made their way into the storage room.
The place looked a mess. Ford groaned at the tube he froze Shifty in three decades ago. Somehow he managed to escape leaving the tube in shambles. Now Ford wondered why the creature who's intelligence was only second to Bill didn't destroy the other cryogenic tubes when he had the chance.
Ford stopped directly in front of the tube that restrained the creature he once considered a pet. The author took a quick glimpse at Bill before returning his gaze to the object of their mission. He glanced back at Dipper and gave him the okay to unfreeze the tube.
Wendy and Ford took position with the tranquilizer guns. Bill grinned with the hope that the shapeshifter woke up wanting to fight. The ice slowly melted. The shapeshifter blinked twice then fully opened his eyes. He inhaled deeply and released what sounded like a mix of a moan and a growl.
The creature moved its arms. It locked eyes with the man he barely recognized from thirty years ago. He still had the same glasses. And although the years had been kind to him, whatever happened over the span of that time left a stain of bitterness.
"Stanford," the monster hissed.
"It's time to wake up," said Ford.
What could Ford have in mind that requires the aid of Shifty? (That's the nickname Ford gave him in the journal.) Just one little thought that came to me last night when writing this chapter, if the journal has four pages dedicated to the shapeshifter, then shouldn't Dipper have known he'd be down there before they went into the bunker? And even if he forgot, shouldn't he have remembered when he and Wendy saw the busted up tube? Well, maybe Dipper never got that far in the journal.
Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed chapter nine. :)