A/N: Still no reviews... bleh. I'll stop commenting on it. You guys will review when you can. Anyway, here's Chapter Twenty-Seven, a relatively shorter chapter than the one before it! I hope you still enjoy it!

A Triangle in the Stars
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Beware of Falling Boulders

The Henchmaniacs and their triangular leader kept marching at a fast pace along the path to the looming Zodiac Temple in the distance. There came a point, of course, where a rock stood precariously close to an edge above them all. It began to fall just a few seconds before Bill passed under it, so it would fall directly on top of the triangle. One of the demons, Kryptos, saw this, and grabbed Bill before it was too late, much to the triangle's displeasure before he saw the rock fall right where he was about to step. He gasped, while the others started murmuring amongst themselves, a bit frightened and confused.

"Okay, what was that?" Bill asked after the shock was over. He knew exactly what it was literally. But the area wasn't falling apart that badly, was it?

A certain demon stood up there, panting, terrified. He had heard Bill's voice ring out and grew even more terrified. His plan... had failed. He had to think of something better...

Hectorgon shrugged, but he was a little worried, if the frown in his mustache was any indication. Pyronica hopped up onto the rock and looked around, "I don't know... I think perhaps they already know we're here. Perhaps we should fan out."

"Strength in numbers, Pyronica..." the triangle sighed. "Remember what happened last time we split up?"

Though they didn't have a choice then. Still, it resulted in Steven getting poofed and captured. This time, it may result in more gruesome, permanent fates for his friends. The camouflaged demons exchanged glances, wondering if they should split up, and wondering what Bill was talking about. They weren't there like Pyronica was.

"Perhaps it will be different this time," she stared at the structure in the distance, and could see eyebats flying around it protectively. This was going to be harder than they thought.

"Eh..." Bill frowned a bit.

Kryptos sighed, and decided to do it like this, climbing atop the rock as well so he could properly look at all of them, "Alright, all who are in favor of splitting up, raise your hands."

8-Ball raised his hand, and so did Xanthar, with a bit of difficulty, so the former had to help. Teeth looked rather nervous. Bill simply crossed his arms, narrowing his eye. Pyronica frowned and raised her hand, before she thought better of it and decided to lower it. Hectorgon didn't raise his hand at all, humming slightly. Kryptos counted, not bothering to do the opposite case. He figured all the people who didn't raise their hands were against this given option. So it was two against six. He voiced this, "Welp, guess we're not splitting up after all," climbing down from the rock.

Bill smirked a little; Teeth sighed of relief. 8-Ball groaned a little, "That was kinda unfair. Pyronica raised her hand! that should've still counted. It should be a tie!"

The rhombic demon shrugged, which somewhat exasperated the green, ape-like creature. Xanthar grunted, not really caring how things went, even if things didn't go in his favor. Pyronica shook her head, "It's a bad idea."

"A very bad one," Bill supplemented. 8-Ball was about to argue, but the triangle interrupted, "Let's get a move on, guys. We've wasted enough time as it is!" and hopped over the rock, continuing along the path to the Temple. Pyronica jumped off the rock and followed. Kryptos did the same, and Teeth as well after comforting 8-Ball, who sighed, and, along with Xanthar, just plowed right through the boulder.

They all then continued their merry way until a bigger, scarier-looking boulder began to fall. This was Keyhole's plan—and he was afraid he'd be caught. And this time Hectorgon caught Bill, and the boulder smashed into the ground in front of them all. Said demon was starting to get exasperated, brow furrowing, because this was cutting into whatever time they had. He growled out, "What is with these godforsaken boulders?!" really wanting to curse hardcore.

Kryptos looked up to where the boulder had come from, eyebrow raised and arms crossed. Xanthar scratched at his head, and 8-Ball frowned. Teeth wanted to go back home, but didn't express it. Home was a mess anyway. More like wanted to go back to the school. But none of them could turn back now. Keyhole stared down at them, for just a few moments, realizing this plan was a bust. He'd have to think of something better.

Pyronica caught a glimpse of the blue demon, and pursed her lips, realizing what he was trying to do. Kryptos also caught a glimpse. He frowned. This must have been him trying to assassinate Bill. He didn't say anything though. They had bigger problems, and Bill wouldn't want anything to sidetrack them. Said triangle demon grunted, and climbed this boulder too, mumbling and cursing under his breath. Hectorgon and Kryptos followed, Teeth too, and 8-Ball jumped over it this time, while Xanthar just bulldozed it, crushing it.

Nothing could have prepared them for what happened next—another rock fell. This one being a mere pebble. Everyone blinked, and then frowned, the pebble plunking rather lightly onto and then off the top of the triangle demon's hat. Bill would have laughed at this, but he was far too busy seething, and it even added onto his anger a little bit, for he grumbled even more. They kept going. This one was a complete accident, however. Pyronica picked the pebble up and threw it back where it came from, with a psychic message—Would you please cut that out?

But there wasn't really an answer...

A/N: And there's another cliffhanger. Hehe. So you're gonna have to wait till next Thursday for the two-part "conclusion". Ace had Pyronica, Keyhole, and Hectorgon. I had the rest of them. I hope you enjoyed this.

What Could Have Been: the title was going to be a Wizard of Oz reference - "Pebbles and Rocks and Boulders, Oh My" - but I decided it was too long. And it would have clued in to the fact that a pebble was going to be one of the objects that fell. So you have "Beware of Falling Boulders" instead. XP

With that said, please leave a review. I'm kinda starving for them and a discussion. And I really am missing you guys and hoping that you're okay and handling yourselves well. So, without further ado, if you have no reviews to place, and if your reviews are anonymous, I'll see you next Thursday!