Hey, everyone! Do you know what today is? Today is Bonded's first birthday/anniversary. Exactly one year ago on January 18, 2016 I wrote the first chapter of Bonded.
Berrybanana05 has made a beautiful drawing of Ford and Bill's Halloween costumes if you want to check them out.
Thank you to the reviewers of the last chapter: Female Fantasy Freak, Energy witch, Whiteling, Berrybanana05, ImpossibleJedi4, 2021FanGirl, and Marisol777.
Oh, in this timeline I have given the Free Pizza Guy the name Chuck. He has a decent sized role in this chapter, and I'm trying to use more canon characters in this story, so a nameless background character will be given a bit of spotlight in this chapter.
The group moved on from the cul-de-sac and walked down the street. Dipper looked into his bucket at the amount of glistening wrappers just underneath the hole. Despite their buckets quickly filling, they planned to gather until exhaustion.
A little ways in the distance the Northwest manor came into view. Grenda, Candy, and Mabel all stopped. Torrance nearly tripped over Candy's feet and Dipper bumped into Mabel. The girl glared at her twin then turned back to look at the fancy home they had been privileged to receive invites to twice.
"Do you think they'll let the commoners in for candy?" Grenda asked.
"Pacifica will definitely greet us," Mabel replied.
"It isn't Pacifica we have to worry about," Dipper groaned.
Torrance petted Candy's hair. "They'll let this sweet Candy in, that's for sure," he said making the mentioned laugh.
Mabel glared at her friend and the handsome boy. Her stomach twisted at how they openly flirted disregarding public decency in front of others.
Torrance and the girls moved on ahead. With a smile Dipper took two steps and then stopped. He flushed and nervously called the others to wait.
Rubbing his arm Dipper said, "How about we don't go there."
"Are you nuts? They're rich and so is their candy!" Grenda argued.
"Fancy chocolate is so much better than regular," Candy said dreamily. She pouted at Dipper. "Will you really rob us of that joy?"
"I...uh, I um, don't-I mean it's the Northwests," Dipper protested. "What-what if they just turn us away?"
"Then they turn us away," said Candy.
"What do we lose?" Mabel added.
Dipper looked up at the grand home. He knew somewhere inside was the heiress herself. He sighed and shook his head.
"Suit yourself," Grenda said and marched towards the entrance of the mansion. Candy and Torrance followed after her.
"Come on, Dipper, what reason do you have not to..." Mabel began. Her words ceased when she noticed his cheeks were flushed in addition to sweating more than usual. She then grinned and poked the boy in the side. "What's wrong? Are you afraid of Pacifica seeing you dressed in your nerdy costume?"
Dipper's face lit up. "No! No! That's not it at all," he cried.
"Oh, I think it is," Bill said from behind them.
The two looked to see him laughing. Ford scolded Bill for teasing which only made the latter laugh harder. Mabel joined in with Bill which only made Dipper's face burn redder.
"Cut it out," Ford chided.
"Oh come on, it's harmless fun," Bill said and pinched Dipper's cheek. "Right, Soos?"
Dipper slapped Bill's hand away as Bill, Ford, and Mabel turned to discover a member of their party missing.
"Soos?" Bill called.
Ford's heart skipped. "Mabel, did he go on ahead with the rest of your friends?" he asked.
Mabel shook her head. "I don't think so," she answered then turned to look in the direction of the mansion. "He could've, I didn't see."
Bill and Ford exchanged glances. They quickened their strides to catch up with the rest of the party with the twins running close behind. The others looked up as the four stopped in the middle of them. Bill looked to see no sign of their missing member.
"Did Soos come with you?" Ford asked Candy, Grenda, and Torrance to which the three shook their heads.
"You think those women got him?" Bill questioned.
"What women?" Dipper asked.
Ford cursed himself for not noticing his disappearance sooner.
"We're going to have to search everywhere from the circle back," Ford said to his boyfriend.
"We-we can help," Dipper said looking to the rest of his party then back at Ford. The others nodded.
"No, you all stay here. Together," Ford demanded. With that he and Bill took off down the driveway and back out into the road.
Several other trick-or-treaters ducked out of the way of the two men sprinting in their direction. The two sets of leather boots pounded against the pavement.
Ford looked over at Bill whose face displayed a mixture of fear and rage. He checked to make sure the laser gun was still secure in his holster.
"I have a good idea what they are, and if I'm correct Soos is in danger," Bill spat.
Mabel and Dipper no longer felt any desire to trick-or-treat until they heard news of their friend. Nonetheless they walked through the surprisingly open gate and up the pathway. The twins speculated that after the incident last summer, the Northwests were more willing to let in the common folk for special events.
The servants bowed and welcomed yet another group of visitors. Mabel stopped by the fountain to take a look at her reflection and straightened the crooked tiara atop her head.
Dipper swallowed. There was a good chance that Pacifica was out with some of her friends and wouldn't see him dressed as a favorite superhero. His stomach flipped at the thought of Pacifica finding Summerween too childish to partake in at their age.
The five stopped just before the door. For a moment Dipper wondered if this was all an elaborate prank-the instant they pressed the doorbell a bucket of water or pig's blood would dump from the overhang atop their heads. He pushed those thoughts away knowing that the Northwests hated messes of any kind.
Grenda extended her arm and pressed the doorbell. A chilling tone that one would expect to find in a black and white horror movie surrounding a haunted house chimed. The five waited as the door creaked open revealing the butler.
"Trick-or-treat!" they all called in unison.
While keeping his nose high the butler beckoned for the guests to follow him inside. The thirteen-year-olds all looked at each other then followed the hired man's orders.
Memories of the last two events surfaced for the twins as they walked through the grand foyer. Each chandelier was lit. The floors sparkled and exquisite furniture was delicately placed around. There wasn't much time for ogling as the butler cleared his throat reminding them of where they were to go.
Down a long corridor they were led to the dining room that had been set up with various refreshments. Twenty other people that they had met on previous engagements at the manor (the ones who had actually been invited by the Northwests) sipped cider and fruit water while munching on sweet and savory treats left out for their enjoyment.
"Now this is what I call trick-or-treating!" Mabel exclaimed.
"You are here on account of Miss Pacifica," the butler said then bowed before the guests and stepped out of the room, closing the door behind them.
They dropped their buckets on the side table then ran for the longer tables that held the food. Each one snatched a plate which they filled with various delectables.
The group sat down at a vacant table and tore into the fancy treats. A tall shadow fell over their table and the five looked up to see the smiling face of Priscilla Northwest and her husband who did his best to stay calm. The two were dressed as King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
"You must think yourself important to have been invited here a third time," Preston said swirling a glass of red wine in his hand. He tipped the beverage back then placed the glass on an empty tray held up by a summoned servant. The Northwest patriarch crossed his arms behind his back. "Don't be fooled, it's only out of class that I don't have you thrown out."
"What are you talking about?" Dipper asked. "We were brought here." He looked at the others in his party then back to the head of the house. "We thought it was where you kept the candy."
"Yeah, we were just trick-or-treating," Mabel added.
"On account of Pacifica placing your names on the guest list," Preston revealed. "By the time I found out, my presence was needed elsewhere." He narrowed his eyes. "But I'll see that it never happens again."
"My what cheap, tacky, costumes," Priscilla commented.
Mabel clenched her fists.
Priscilla finished her second glass of chardonnay then requested a third. The servant gave the hostess her glass that she immediately tipped back.
To their luck an invited guest approached Preston. Northwest glared at Dipper one last time before greeting the other man with a smile.
"Should've known it was too good to be true," Mabel said.
"Hey, as long as you're here, it's still a good time," said Torrance. He reached over and took hold of Mabel's hand. The girl lit up which caused Candy to frown.
Everyone looked up when yet another person approached. Mabel gasped and Torrance grinned, while Candy and Grenda stared on in awe. Dipper felt heat rising in his face.
The very person who had arranged for them to attend the party stood at the edge of the table. She was dressed in a soft teal Rococo gown with a white satin under skirt. White lace trimmed the upper skirt and the engageantes at the edge of the sleeves. Her hair was curled and pinned up with floral ornaments with ringlets hanging down over her shoulders. Around he neck she wore an elaborate and gaudy silver necklace with a large purple stone in the center. Hanging underneath that was a silver chain with a cross dangling just beneath the purple pendant.
"You look like a porcelain doll," said Mabel.
Pacifica scoffed. "If I had a dollar everytime someone said that I'd be rich...er." She then looked over at Dipper and with a smirk asked, "Are you going to stare at me all night, dork?"
Dipper jolted. He felt himself shrink as he felt five sets of eyes on him. He slipped the mask over his face and then covered his eyes with his hands.
"How can he not, when you are so beautiful, mademoiselle," Torrance said with a wink.
Pacifica lifted a brow. "Charming," she said although her voice spoke otherwise.
Dipper held a hand up to his mouth to hide his chuckling. Mabel kicked her brother's shin underneath the table. He barely contained a howl, hissing instead and rubbed at his throbbing leg.
"Well, I've had enough food," Torrance said and pushed away the plate in which he barely touched the treats. He stood and straightened his cape and bowtie. "Would any of you lovely ladies care for a dance?"
"Me!" Mabel yelled as she jumped to her feet.
Pacifica shook her head. Candy dropped her fork on the floor.
Torrance held out his hand for Mabel to accept. The silver-haired teen placed one hand on her hip and the other held onto her hand. He glanced over at Dipper who gave him a fierce glare.
"On second thought, I think I'll share this dance with Candy," Torrence said.
Mabel's smile instantly vanished and her mouth fell open. At the look on his sister's face Dipper turned to offer Torrence his blessing to have one silly dance with Mabel. It was too late as the boy in the vampire costume led Candy out on the dance floor.
Pacifica grunted. With crossed arms she said to Dipper without making eye contact, "I suppose the proper thing would be to ask you to dance."
"No, Pacifica, I..." Dipper began. He looked over at his sister to see her shaking with tears threatening to spill down her face at any moment.
"Listen, Pines, Northwests don't get refused," Pacifica spat and grabbed Dipper by the hand.
Dipper looked over at Mabel who tried her best to keep her smile. "Go, Broseph," she said. "She invited us, so it would be rude not to dance with her."
"But you..." Dipper said.
"I'll be fine," Mabel replied. She glared in the direction of Candy and Torrance.
Dipper tried to pull away, despite how rude he'd look. However he made the mistake to look her way and melted at just how lovely she looked in the chandelier light. It would be the second time he had been privileged to share a dance with the Northwest heiress. Grateful that his sweating hands were shielded by gloves he took Pacifica's hand in his.
Dipper spun her round. Pacifica's eyes widened and for a moment a smile crept across her face. She quickly replaced it with a look of boredom she had perfected over the years. A few moments of awkward silence passed over the two. It wasn't the first time he held her that close as they had shared a dance once before, but the way his heart pounded it made him wonder if the encounter back in March had been nothing more than a pleasant dream.
"I, um...I like your costume," Dipper said, immediately kicking himself for sounding so lame.
"That's why I wear it, so commoners like you can have something to look at," Pacifica replied.
Dipper held her arm up as she gracefully twirled. After two turns the two locked arms and eyes once more.
"Actually this whole get up was my parents' idea," Pacifica revealed. She glanced over where her mother and father mingled with the invited guests. "They idolize that fancy, aristocratic lifestyle. I'm sure they wished it still existed."
Dipper laughed heartily. "Maybe they should pick up a history book and find out what happened to them."
Pacifica chuckled and Dipper felt himself smile at the sound of her laughter.
After a brief moment of silence Dipper asked, "So why did you invite us?"
"I didn't..." Pacifica began.
"Your dad already told me," Dipper finished.
Pacifica bit down on her lip. She glared in the direction that her father stood talking with one of the more important people in the state. Her blue eyes landed back on Dipper who she silently admitted looked dashing dressed as a superhero. No doubt her father told him as a method of payback for inviting the Pines in the first place.
"I just thought...I mean you lame-o's would be out trick-or-treating," Pacifica said. "I hoped you stopped by." She gasped at her own words and quickly added, "I-I just wanted to have someone to talk to."
"Mabel?" Dipper asked.
The blonde shook her head. "No, you dummy," she replied.
The orchestral music reached a crescendo and Pacifica forced Dipper to spin her once more. She didn't turn a second time and instead slipped her free hand on his shoulder. Were it not for her own racing heart she would have laughed at his flustered expression.
"Your sister is okay and all, but you, you're like way much more fun to talk to," Pacifica confessed.
Dipper smiled. "How come?" he asked.
Pacifica shrugged. Her ringlets bounced along her shoulders. "You're different."
Dipper tilted his head to the side which made Pacifica knit her brows.
"I mean you're like the only one who doesn't treat me like a..." she stopped and indicated her gown with her eyes. Those blue eyes surrouned with lush lashes landed back on Dipper. "Well, what your sister said, 'a porcelain doll.'"
"You don't like being idolized?" Dipper asked.
"I didn't say that," Pacifica answered. "But I also like having someone who talks to me like a human being."
The song ended and the two parted.
Dipper folded his hands. He looked around the ballroom with a smile. "Too bad Grunkle Ford and Soos had to miss this," he said.
His eyes widened when he remembered the reason Ford and Bill had left them at the mansion. Dipper dashed out of the ballroom much to Pacifica's surprise. The blonde glanced over to make sure her parents were occupied then ran after her fleeing guest.
A little ways down Torrance bowed before Candy who giggled and gave a sloppy curtsy. Candy announced her need for juice and the two walked in the direction of the beverage table.
As Torrance poured the two of them a glass of fruit punch Mabel stomped over towards Candy. The raven-haired girl smiled up at her friend; the merriment faded when she realized Mabel didn't greet her with smiles.
"Did you have fun?" Mabel snapped.
"Calm down, Mabel, it was just one dance," Candy replied.
"I can't believe you'd take away my dance like that," the brunette cried.
"Don't get mad at me, he made the choice," Candy retorted. She put her hands on her hips. "I thought you'd be happy for me. Me and Torrance have something."
"We had something first," Mabel argued. She pointed to herself. "We had something at my grunkles' birthday party." She pointed at Candy. "He was going to dance with me, but you did something to stop him."
"It's always about you!" Candy shouted back. She leaned in at Mabel. "You know what you are? You're a selfish friend."
Mabel gasped. Candy clamped her hands over her mouth. Grenda who stood behind them dropped her glass of cider on the floor catching the attention of everyone within a ten foot radius.
"Mabel, Mabel I didn't..." Candy began.
"Ladies, is everything alright?" Torrance asked when he approached with two cups of punch in hand.
Mabel kept her gaze on the ornate carpet. "You know what, Candy, you can have him," the brunette said and ran out of the room.
She yelped when she collided with another person in the hallway. Dipper's cell phone bounced on the floor, but didn't crack. He picked it up and looked over at the tear-stained face of his sister. Guilt consumed his heart.
Dipper pocketed his phone. "Grunkle Ford's not picking up," he said to the two girls. "I'm really worried about him and Soos."
Mabel wiped away the tears from her face when she too remembered that a member of their party had gone missing.
"I'm going to help look for them," Dipper announced.
"Grunkle Ford told us to stay here," Mabel countered.
"And what if he's in danger?" Dipper retorted. "What if whatever trouble they thought happened to Soos happened to them too?"
Mabel thought for a second then nodded. "Bill has a GPS tracker on his phone," she explained. "I can trace him."
"Quick, this way," Pacifica said and guided them down the hall in the opposite direction. They took a sharp left that led to the kitchen.
The kitchen maids looked up at the daughter of the house and two more her age pushing through the narrow space. Now more than ever Pacifica wished her parents had picked a different theme for this year's Summerween.
Pacifica said to the head cook, "If my parents ask, I stepped outside for some fresh air." She slipped the cook a twenty who gave her a thumbs up.
The three exited through the back door and dashed across the yard to the garage. The chauffeur looked up in surprise at his employer's child. She instructed him to drive the red Lamborghini. Mabel sat in the front seat to give the driver directions while Dipper and Pacifica climbed in the back of the vehicle. Pacifica had to squish her dress into the seat.
On Mabel's call the Lamborghini sped off of the Northwest property and into town. The digital map on the screen of Mabel's phone showed Bill heading deeper into the woods.
Ford and Bill searched the streets calling out Soos' name. The only response they received were a few annoyed glares from bystanders.
Everyone they asked either didn't know, or hadn't seen Soos. Bill groaned when they checked any of the areas Soos and those women could have gone. There were only two options left: one in particular neither one wanted to consider. The only place left to search was the forest.
Bill and Ford stood at the entrance of the woods. The two moved through the low hanging branches, receiving a few scratches and pulls on their clothing. Bill tossed the hat and jacket from his body, both pieces of his costume landed in a pile over top a thick, raised root. Ford also discarded his hat and considered ripping the dangling chains from his belt.
"This will take too long," Bill groaned. He threw himself against the trunk of a tree and crossed his arm. "Dammit, Stanford, if you hadn't locked away my memories I could remember how to perform the Locator."
At the mention of the Locator, Ford flipped through the journal until he arrived at the page that held a few spells. One page was dedicated to a finding spell that he had never been able to properly use.
"You have a better chance than me," Ford said and thrust the binder into Bill's hands.
Quickly Bill refreshed himself with the spell he hadn't used since he acquired a human form.
With the journal in hand Bill moved to a small clearing and closed his eyes. The blue flames encased his entire body while he chanted the six line Latin spell. The energy obliterated the eyepatch. He imagined Soos' face behind his eyes and whispered the missing man's full name at the end of the incantation. The entirety of Bill's eyes glowed blue and he lifted his hand which lit up a glowing blue path through the forest.
Bill slammed the journal closed then handed it back to Ford. The two darted down the marked pathway, dodging and swatting at tree branches. The nocturnal animals scurried out of the men's way.
The glowing blue light vanished just as the two men reached another clearing. They heard voices and laughter as they slowly crept up behind the trees just on the outside of the glade. Ford peered around one pine tree and Bill the other.
Just ahead of them sitting on small boulders was Soos. He watched with an absent smile as the two women danced while singing in an archaic language. Bill leaned in closer to see the man who sat next to Soos was none other than Chuck, the man who dated Chelsea not long after they split up.
The women waved their arms and shimmied. Twirled and slithered their torsos like serpents. They snaked around each other then ended with one arm above their head and the other down outstretched in line with their bellybuttons. At the end of the dance both Soos and Chuck applauded. The women bowed then made their way over to their selected prey.
Bill narrowed his eyes as the woman dressed as a French maid sat atop of Soos' lap. The childlike man laughed while his dilated eyes stared into the copper irises of the predator. The woman in the bunny costume leaned forward and let her lips collide with Chuck's. Slowly the woman who had bewitched Soos followed in suit.
It was then Bill moved on into the glade catching the attention of everyone before him. The instant Soos looked upon Bill the spell broke. He yelled in surprise upon seeing someone other than Melody sitting atop his lap. He pushed the woman from his legs then quickly jumped to his feet. The frightened human brushed at his arms and legs in a vain attempt to rid himself of the warmth of that woman's touch.
"Now why did you have to go and do something like that?" the woman in the maid costume shouted as she rose to her feet, brushing leaves and dirt from her skirt.
"Sorry, ladies, but that man happens to be my friend," Bill explained pointing at Soos. He crossed his arms. "So I'm afraid I can't let you have him."
Bill stood in front of the women with hands on his hips. They both looked him over wishing he had been their prey. Ford took his spot next to Bill and hovered his hand over the gun should he find any reason to fire. The four stared at each other for a while until the maid noticed something in Bill's eye which suddenly made everything make sense.
"You're a demon, aren't you?" the woman dressed as a maid asked. She tossed her thick, raven hair behind her back.
"That was why we couldn't seduce you," the blonde in the bunny costume said as she joined her friend.
"Then I am correct and you are succubi," Bill said with a grin.
"Clever demon," the dark-haired succubus replied. "I'm Lili," she said indicating herself. She then fanned out her hand to her partner, "And this is Naa."
"Bill Cipher," he introduced with a bow.
"Hey, I've heard of you," Naa said tilting her head to the side. "From what I've heard you're real powerful."
"Oh, he is," Soos said from behind the two. "So you better not mess."
"Why are you in a human form?" Lili asked.
"That's a long story," Bill replied. "If it was a story, it probably would be in the sequel by this point."
Chuck groaned when he got a good look at Bill. "You're the jerk who broke Chelsea's heart," he snapped.
Bill raised his arms. "What can I say, I had no more use for the girl."
Chuck looked down at the ground. "Yeah, she was clingy."
"So who is this?" Lili asked circling around Bill and Ford. "He's nothing more than a mere human." She stopped and stared him directly in the eyes. "But for some reason we had no power over you."
"Which just makes you more enticing," Naa said not having moved from her spot next to Chuck.
"But I wonder why that is," Lili said and stroked Ford's chin making Bill seethe.
Ford grasped her hand and squeezed. He only released when Lili's face displayed pain and was none too gentle about letting go. Lili cradled her sore hand with the other, her eyes never leaving the gray-haired man.
"I wondered the same myself, but my best guess is that the bond I share with Bill protects me," Ford answered.
"Bond?" Lili asked. She smiled at Bill. "As in you are enslaved to this human?"
Bill gritted his teeth. "He may have captured me, but rest assured I have ample amount of magic that will rip you to pieces."
"Oh?" Lili asked, holding her hand over her succulent lips as she laughed. "I do hope that's a euphemism."
"Don't count on it," Bill spat. "Even I have standards."
"That doesn't say much about me when you talk like that," Ford commented.
Bill shrugged. He then looked back at the succubi. "Well, ladies, my friend's not available, so you'll have to find someone else," he said. His eyes flashed red with warning to which Lili involuntarily backed up.
"Can I still keep mine?" Naa asked and wrapped her arms around Chuck's neck.
"Sure, I don't care about him," Bill said with a shrug.
"Bill," Ford chided.
"Me and Chuck actually had a bonding experience," said Soos. "Turns out we both love pizza and video games."
"Right on," Chuck said and fist bumped Soos.
"Maybe you can offer me a replacement?" Lili suggested. She nodded at Ford. "How about that one?"
"Out of the question," Bill snapped. Flames ignited from his hands.
Lili's lips curved into a wicked grin. "So protective over the one who bound you?"
Bill's glare hardened and the flames expanded. Chuck sat speechless in the grass with the blonde woman holding tight to him.
"Chelsea said nothing about this," Chuck said.
"Yes, I must decline your offer," Ford said, his hand gripping the laser gun.
Bill grinned and the flames died as he suddenly regained a memory. "My memory is a little hazy," he said and touched the side of his face. "But if I'm correct then you can only steal the life force from those who willingly let you." He nodded at Soos. "It looks to me that Question Mark has no want of you."
"It's true," Soos said. He folded his hands. "It was stupid for me even to consider." He shook his head. "No, no, I love Melody. You're gonna have to leave." He scratched at his face. "Or I guess I'm gonna have to leave.
Lili narrowed her eyes. "I've already made my choice," she snapped. "I won't leave until he's nothing but a shell of the person you used to know."
"Maybe you didn't hear me clearly, I said no," Soos spoke louder.
Lili stroked Soos' chin. "Don't think about it," she said. Her face leaned closer to his ear. Sweetly she whispered, "It'll be much easier this way."
Soos closed his eyes as again he longed for the woman. Melody lived miles away and he only had the privilege of seeing her a few times a year. He jolted sharply and reminded himself that he would not let some creature corrupt the memories of the woman he loved.
Brown eyes opened and Soos declared, "My heart belongs to Melody. You can't have it."
Lili screamed as the last of her spell on Soos shattered. She felt what little energy she managed to drain leave her. Soos turned away and the woman grasped for his collar. Soos felt himself being pulled backwards with the collar against his throat. He was only spared when Bill jumped in between him and the succubus.
Bill continued. "You can't have him," he said. Lili moved out of Bill's reach. The demon continued, "You see, I wouldn't've cared except you made the mistake of abducting my friend." His grin widened and he held up two fingers. "So you have two choices. A: Let my friend go. Or B..." Bill snapped his fingers and Lili's arm blazed with hot flames.
The dark-haired succubus screamed and patted at the fire with her other hand. Bill snapped his fingers a second time and the flames vanished. The burnt skin constricted and switched to that of leather and a talon-like claw took the place of her fingers. Naa jumped up from where she had fed enough on Chuck to render him unconscious.
"So which will it be?" Bill asked, his grin growing wider.
With a scream Lili shed her human form. Bat-like wings sprouted from her back. Her face elongated revealing a wide mouth full of sharp teeth. Horns protruded from either side of her head. A long, whip-like tail swished behind her. Both hands in the form of talons reached for Bill. She grabbed him, one claw clutching his arm and the other grasping at his back. Without the jacket's thick fabric for protection, her claws shredded the cloth of his shirt and the skin beneath.
Her wings flapped and the two of them rode into the sky.
Ford aimed the gun at Lili. Naa stepped in front of him and grabbed the barrel of the gun. With a glare he shot and sent a laser beam through both her hand and stomach. Naa's head lowered and from underneath the mess of blonde hair he heard her cackle. She lifted her face to display between strands of yellow a similar set of teeth as her companion's.
"Your mortal weapons can't hurt us," Naa taunted and ripped the gun from Ford's hand. She then smacked him in the mouth with the side of her forearm.
Lili shifted her weight and let gravity pull them back to earth. She slammed Bill against the forest floor grinning wide at the sound of his pain-filled cry. Bill opened one eye then kicked the succubus in the stomach sending her flying into a nearby pine. Her back collided with the trunk and she fell face forward while pine needles rained over her crumpled body.
Bill and Lili struggled to move to their feet. Lili's wings expanded when she finally pulled herself from the ground. Naa stepped up behind Bill. He looked over his shoulder to see the blonde grinning at him.
Soos helped Ford off the ground. The author threw his phone at Soos and instructed him to search it for any possible record of a succubus and their weaknesses. Naa noticed his movement and turned her attention to the human. She swiped her talons at Ford who barely dodged them. He rolled over on his shoulder and grabbed the gun. Partially bent, he hoped it would be enough to damage her until he and Bill discovered a way out of the forest until they were prepared to properly fight.
All plans were aborted when Naa gripped Ford by the throat. She licked her lips then brought his face close to hers.
"It's true I won't be able to absorb your life force, but I can still drain you," Naa whispered. "And since you pissed me off..." She opened her mouth and placed it atop Ford's.
Bill screamed. The power surged through him and the bond marks glowed, once again temporarily releasing him from their bond. His eyes shined gold which gradually switched to a deep crimson. The black slit appeared on his forehead. The lashes split allowing the third eye to open which instantly brought a spell that the bond had locked away deep in the catacombs of his mind to the fore of his thoughts.
In a flash he flew towards the blonde succubus. His hands gripped at her arms causing her to cry out in pain. His left hand released her only to snatch one of the silver chains from Ford's belt then bound the blonde's hands tightly. She struggled against the restraints to no avail. Slowly he uttered the spell in a guttural voice he hadn't used since he was forced into his human body. Naa screamed and thrashed in the chains as she dissolved into gray mist. The skin evaporated along with the layer of muscle and tissue until only the skeleton remained. Slowly the bones crumbled and the spell transported her soul from their realm back to her world, an abyss of darkness.
The rotted chains fell on the ground where Bill's boot crunched it to dust.
Bill smiled at Ford and helped him to his feet. The two embraced. It was a moment short lived as Lili grasped Bill by the shoulder and tossed him to the ground. The third eye shut and the glowing on the bond marks tattooed on his pinky finger vanished. Lili stomped on Bill's head then glared at the human.
"You'll pay dearly for that one, mortal," Lili hissed.
"Mr. Ford, I got it!" Soos called waving the phone in the air.
The succubus' tail wrapped around the phone and snatched it from Soos' hand then threw it against the rocks. The screen busted into pieces.
Ford jumped in front of Soos with the laser gun in hand. He aimed at the woman and shot three lasers through her head all which instantly regenerated. The succubus' talon gripped at Ford's chin. Her middle claw drew a bloody line down the cleft.
"Grunkle Ford!" Dipper cried when he arrived at the clearing. All heads turned to see the thirteen-year-old at the front of the glade with the two girls behind him.
"Dipper! Get out of here!" Ford shouted.
"Is this one important to you?" Lili asked with a smirk.
She tossed Ford against the nearest tree then flung herself at Dipper. Dipper lifted his homemade shield. The succubus' claws scraped against the aluminum tray leaving four thin lines in the metal. He lowered the shield then threw a right cross that would have left Stan with a proud grin for days.
Unfortunately the blow did little damage to the creature. She gripped the collar of Dipper's costume bringing his face next to hers. Mabel and Pacifica grabbed either side of Dipper. Lili swiped first at Mabel, knocking her in the dirt, then turned to repeat the action with Pacifica. Her hand neared Pacifica's throat and abruptly stopped. The succubus backed up and she stared down at the blessed silver cross that dangled from Pacifica's necklace.
Lili gritted her teeth. Pacifica stepped in front of Dipper who had fallen to his hands and knees. Mabel jumped to her feet and stood beside her once nemesis. The two girls clasped hands, both glaring at the demon who backed away.
"I don't understand," Ford said.
"Purity of true love, they can't fight it," Soos explained as he helped Ford to his feet.
The succubus continued to slowly retreat backwards from the girls whose pure energy was too strong for her to pass.
"There's no one here you can claim," Ford said from behind her.
Lili craned her neck to bare her teeth at the human. Beside the author stood Soos who had already defied her spell minutes ago. Judging by the fierce look on his face, he couldn't be taken again.
"Bill's words have transferred onto these pages," Ford said opening to the section of the journal on spells. "Be gone, or I'll banish you with your friend."
"You're bluffing," Lili snarled.
Ford waved his hand and the wind picked up.
Lili recoiled. "You-you don't have it memorized," she cried. With a laugh she yelled, "You can't-you can't bind me and read that spell at the same time!"
The succubus heard a snap from behind her and turned to see Pacifica had yanked the silver chain from her neck. Three broken links tumbled into the grass.
Ford began to speak in a language none of those conscious in the glade understood. The leaves from the surrounding trees rustled in the wind. She heard faint whispers and gripped at her hair.
The speed of Ford's reciting increased. The air grew colder. She could almost feel the arms of the abyss reaching for her.
The succubus jumped into the air, her wings flapped to keep her out of their reach. "I'll go, but you will live to regret this," Lili snapped. Quickly she darted away from the glade. She flew a few yards away and then dove into the protection of the trees where they gathered she resumed her human form and escaped on foot.
With a sigh Ford finished the spell then closed the journal.
"What was that, Mr. Ford?" Soos asked.
"A frightening spell," Ford answered. He adjusted his glasses. "Mostly used for escape, harmless pranks, or in this case..." he stared off in the direction the succubus had ran. "A bluff." He smiled at the childlike man. "It's one of the few spells I'm good with. I'm thankful it worked."
Mabel knelt down next to her brother and hugged him tightly. Dipper smiled and returned her embrace. He then looked up at Pacifica who gave him a small grin and he nodded his thanks.
"That's twice you've saved me," he said as he wobbly stood.
"Well don't get used to it, dork," Pacifica replied.
Mabel put her arm around Pacifica's shoulder and led her away while Dipper went to check on Ford and Bill.
"Soos said purity of true love is what kept her away," Mabel said with a huge grin. "I love him 'cause he's my brother." Her grin widened. "But what about you?" she teased and poked Pacifica in the ribs.
Pacifica became visibly flustered which only made the Pines girl laugh harder.
"Don't worry it's our secret," Mabel said and put a finger over her smiling mouth.
"Pa-lease, I just think he's a cool guy and I like him as a friend, nothing more," Pacifica defended.
"Whatever you say," Mabel sang with her arms bent at the elbow and her hands turned out.
Bill and Chuck regained consciousness about the same time. Ford fell on his knees next to Bill. The demon smiled and not even a second later Ford pulled him into an embrace.
"You're going to be the death of me, Cipher," Ford whispered as he patted Bill's back.
Bill only chuckled and rubbed circles on his boyfriend's back. With a smirk he lowered his hand towards Ford's backside, but Ford stopped him before he had a chance to do any inappropriate touching.
"Man, what happened?" Chuck asked as he rubbed his head.
"Dude, those weird women tried to drug and rob us," Soos lied. "But my friends here saved us," he said pointing his thumb at Ford, Bill, and Dipper.
Chuck's head stung from having some of his life energy drained. A glimpse was passed at Bill and Chuck gasped at the recent dream he had of Chelsea's old boyfriend having superpowers fighting some demonic force. He shook his head believing he must have seen Bill before he passed out and all the superhero games and movies he indulged in of late had influenced his dream.
The three teenagers piled into the Lamborghini. Ford insisted that Bill ride as well and that he and Soos would catch up with them at the mansion in a few minutes. It was a silent ride back to the Northwest manor. The driver parked in the garage and the four snuck back into the party through the kitchen entrance.
The moment Bill stepped into the ballroom he made a beeline for dessert table. Mabel laughed and the three figured he deserved a few sweets after rescuing their friend from a pair of succubi.
Mabel glanced up to see Candy and Grenda approach. The larger girl watched awkwardly while Candy moved closer to her friend. Mabel frowned, but could tell the smaller girl was distressed by the look on her face.
"Mabel, I am sorry for what I said before," said Candy. "A boy is not worth our friendship."
Mabel nodded. "Me too. Even if he is a cutie."
Candy held out her hand. "How about neither of us pursue him and instead let him make his own choice."
"That sounds good to me," Mabel said and pulled Candy in for a hug. As soon as they parted Mabel said, "Though of course he'll probably go for me."
"Keep dreaming," Candy replied.
The two girls laughed a well needed laugh. After all it had been quite a memorable Summerween.
Well, this chapter ended up being much longer than I intended it to. I actually couldn't decide on how I was going to have the crew defeat the succubi. While doing research it said that they are difficult to get rid of, let alone destroy. What more I don't think they can actually die, just be banished, which is why I came up with a spell that could send them back to their realm.
Their names Lili and Naa are actually play on the words for the names of the famous mythological succubi Lilith and Naamah.
A little more on Bill's gradual increase in power. Could there be more? We'll all just have to wait and see. ;)
One more side note, I like the Georgian time period (1714-1830), especially Rococo style dresses, so I had to have Pacifica wear one. Is this just an excuse for me to make a Rococo cosplay for Pacifica so I can wear it? Maybeeeeeeee. :D
Anyway, I hope you all liked this chapter. :)