Misguided Adventures and Magical Attachments (Completed)

Chapter 21

It wasn't too much longer before both their tattoos were done, leaving behind a dull but endurable ache. Bill stepped out of the shop after paying. His designs had taken considerably more time than Dipper's, allowing the younger boy more time to recover. Bill just didn't seem to mind the extra pain.

"So, Pine Tree, did you like mine?" In the middle of his back was his Cipher Wheel with all its symbols. Underneath it was a code. An eye was on the back of his neck. Another code ran along the back of his arm. All of that took multiple hours to complete. "The code underneath the wheel is my name and the cipher on my arm translates to 'King of Dreams'. Fitting, huh?"

Dipper gave a chuckle, grinning at the blond. It certainly appeared stunning when he looked at it, though anyone else would call it strange. Now the blond was covered up enough that no one would notice unless they really tried to.

"That's probably the best tattoo I've ever seen in my entire life," he said, struggling not to rub his own, which wasn't concealed in the least. "The artists here are shockingly talented. And fast. I love mine, too! Sad that I'll have to keep it hidden most of the time with that spell . . . It's so cool." He marveled at the design on his arm, letting every line sink into his memory. Like it wasn't already there after staring at the journal.

"They sure are something," Bill nodded. "I'll teach you the spell soon, but first . . . I need to tell you what I saw in the shop. " The blond male paused for a moment, making sure he knew what he was going to say. "I was watching Ford, Stan and Mabel out of my eye in the attic. They were talking and Ford knew you were the one that performed the human transmutation spell. And now . . . well, he wants Stan to keep me out of the way. Ford has a rift between dimensions that I need to take from him before he can destroy the universe. It's the only thing I know that will stop him, but I can't get it easily with Stan in the way. I promised you I wouldn't hurt him, and I won't."

"A rift? Like, a physical rift?" Dipper asked, panic rising up within him. "How did he get ahold of one? This is bad. This is bad . . . He could be preparing to use it at any moment! We have to hurry!" He looked around frantically for the entrance they used to get into the mall, wanting to sprint to the golf cart but not being able to.

"Calm down, kid. He won't get rid of it right away. We have a few days until he takes it to the place he needs to. On that day we'll follow him and retrieve the rift. But I'll need your complete dedication to stay quiet about this and follow directions. You can do that, right?" Bill looked at Dipper seriously, even though he wanted to grin evilly. This plan was perfect! A few more days 'till his long-awaited apocalypse. "As long as Stan will let me out of the house that day to follow Ford, we should be fine. Or . . . better yet . . ." Bill smirked, a brilliant idea coming into mind.

Dipper caught on as well, not being able to hold his emotions in when he realized what the plan would be. "You want to take that chance?" he blinked, blanching a little at the prospect. It was a little scary, but it just might work. "I'll help you until the end, but . . ."

"But what?" Bill asked him curiously. The demon's plan might work if they could do it right. He needed it to work.

"But . . . I mean," the brunet said carefully, mind tracing the possible outcomes. It had tight odds, then again, pulling it off would hold huge benefits. He decided it would be worth the chance as long as Bill stayed along with him. "N-nevermind. We'll do it. We'll save the universe together. Tonight."

"Alright. Together and tonight," Bill agreed, smiling. "Let's go back. The sun will be setting soon. I'll teach you the spell in the woods near the Shack." Bill happily took his hand, walking the rest of the way to the golf cart.

By the time they had the cart started up, most of the activity on the streets had thinned. Dipper drove at a reasonable speed, carefully taking them to the edge of town. He ignored his hunger from skipping lunch until it was hardly noticeable. "Is that all you need to do?" the boy double-checked, determinedly keeping his eyes on the road.