#but dipper is better at geometry than Mabel

[clovreat3r]

you just know when Mabel grows up her entire house is gonna be thrifted

my beautiful children who are the same age as me

[legobiwan]

Gravity Falls fic rec list...Part 2.

I should be grading writing right now, but in the spirit of procrastination, I'm going to instead post about my favorite new fics that have emerged in the post-Book of Bill era.

~~~~~~

Gen Fics

A Mariner’s Guide to the Unexplained by mariezies

Another fic that tackles the idea of Stan's criminal past coming back to haunt him as the elder Pines twins take to the sea. What I really like about this fic are Ford's inner monologues and in particular, the way he overthinks his interactions with his brother post-Weirdmaggedon due to the crushing level of guilt he feels. Bonus points for the incredibly adorable cat OC who joins the twins on the Stan o'War II. Incomplete.

We're Still Here by Simplistic_Apricity

What if Stan hadn't knocked Ford through the portal in 1982 and stuck around Gravity Falls instead? A bajillion fics have been written about this concept, but this one takes a slightly different approach as to the fallout from a Bill-possessed Ford attacking his brother as Ford slowly (slowly) comes to terms with what exactly he has wrought in that basement. The characterization and interactions of the twins and Fiddleford are incredibly grounded, avoiding melodrama while still being wildly effective. Incomplete. TWs for violence and medical trauma.

~~~~~~

Billford Fics

Not to sound like a 2013 hipster, but I do want to state that I hopped on this seafaring vessel pre-BoB and am delighted to witness the explosion of works exploring the demented, tortured relationship between these two absolute disasters. I've decided to let my cringe flag fly high and free here, with the caveat that I only indulge in triangle!Bill stories (accept no substitutions), as, let's face it, Ford is a freak (affectionate) and he loves his geometry.

Statement Abnegation by Anonymous

This one probably needs no introduction, but I'd be wholly remiss if I didn't include it on my list. A+ characterization of both Ford and Bill and it fucking nails the landing. Ford is taken prisoner during Weirdmaggedon, but this time Bill's playing for keeps. Complete. TWs for torture, death (temporary), Stockholm syndrome, and explicit sexual content.

apology tour by dolorous

There's something downright wistful about this story, which presents as "crack taken seriously" when Bill chooses Ford to be his keeper/chaperone as part of a Theraprism-mandated apology tour to those he has wronged post-BoB. Ford hates Bill. Ford sometimes doesn't hate Bill. Ford definitely hates Bill. And now they're stuck on the road trip from hell. Complete. Implied past (current/future?) relationship, no sexual content.

Then it becomes, it becomes, it becomes a problem by tempusedaxrerum

Takes place post-Betrayal but (so far) pre-Stanley arriving in Gravity Falls. Bill is determined to drag Ford into opening the Portal, kicking and screaming (limbs optional). Features an incredibly well-developed OC who is battling demons of her own when she has the misfortune of crossing paths with both Bill and Ford on a snowy evening in Oregon. Incomplete. TWs for violence, attempted sexual assault via possession, substance abuse.

Live, Laugh, Lather, Rinse, Repeat by ShibaIntuit

The conceit of this story is absolutely wild. Essentially, Ford eats a cursed piece of pizza and suffers from existential indigestion. The world-building once Ford is in the multiverse is delightful as an older Ford tries to renegotiate his past with a Bill Cipher of thirty years previous. Incomplete. TWs for violence.

as falls gravity so falls gravity falls by underwater_owl

A series of three stories that take a deep dive into Ford's subconscious while exploring the idea of the Axolotl placing Bill under Ford's mental power due to shenanigans you are better off reading about than me explaining here. Bait & Switch is the main narrative, which is a gen work featuring the whole extended Pines family plus Mabel and Dipper's mother, while Because & Despite and Cause & Effect explore the intense psychosexual relationship between Ford and Bill before and during the events of Bait & Switch. These last two stories really dig into the nature of Ford's deepest and darkest desires and the utterly twisted relationship between Ford and Bill. Incomplete. TWs for explicit sexual content (read the tags on those two last stories, folks! This author isn't, or is, I suppose, fucking around).

Snakes in the Garden by Miss_Ginger_Bread

Another Jimmy Snakes story! Because both Pines twins have terrible taste in men/demonic entities. A ghost from Stan's past shows up in Norway, prompting Ford to take matters into his own hands. Lovely interactions between the Pines twins, including a murderous, protective Ford and a Ford who is harboring a gigantic, triangle-shaped secret from his brother. Incomplete. TWs for abusive relationships.

[underfaller]

in his house of mind, dead cipher waits dreaming

Chapter 1: On Your Mind Rating: T Synopsis:

You really think you won that day/You packed your bags and sailed away/You think you left your past behind/But trust me/I'm still on your mind

A year has passed since Weirdmaggedon and the Pines family, victorious in the end, are happier than ever. Stan and Ford are adventuring at sea, making up for lost time. Dipper and Mabel are now freshmen and are ready to take on high school-- geometry, bullies, (student eating?) clubs, and all! However, things take a turn for the worst when Dipper and Mabel receive of horrific message from Ford:

Bill is back.

You wrote a page about me in my own book so allow me to make this tiny addendum over your dull ramblings. 

Stanley Pines,

I've been on your mind. 

Are you surprised to see me? You must be confused so allow me to explain, slowly, in small words: 

If memories could return so easily, why couldn’t I? 

You really thought you won that day, huh? It’s painfully pathetic how naive you are. 

Aw, don’t look so distraught! You can’t have your cake and eat it too, Stanley. You may have lied and cheated to get your way for your whole life, but you can’t elude simple logic-- no matter how desperately you try! 

Still there? Of course you are! There’s not much else for me to say and I’ve got a very busy schedule ahead of me so I suppose I’ll end things here. However, before I leave you to the endless void and your growing insanity, I’ll let you in on a little secret-- Don’t ever say I’m not a generous guy!

Here it is: 

I see myself in you.  And that’s not because I’m literally possessing your worthless skin puppet. You and I are quite similar-- always scheming, constantly caught in our own web of lies, conning the world until we can’t tell what’s real and what’s fake anymore. A spectacular guy like myself should be thrilled at our similarities! I mean, the more “me” in the universe, the better, right? 

We should be getting along better than bleach and ammonia! 

…But I’m not thrilled. Far from it. Am I upset? Upset would be an understatement. No, your dimension’s vernacular can’t even begin to describe my resentment of you. 

I hate you, Stanley. I detest you. I despise you.

I can still see through the eyes of everyone I’ve ever possessed. I’ve seen your past, your present, and your very near end. You’ve spent your whole life screwing up and you will die no differently. You’re a loser. A blight on this already tedious world. A waste of space. You shouldn’t exist. 

So how? 

So how could you have beaten me? How could a lowlife, fat-headed, braindead, absolute failure of an existence possibly beat me? 

…And how do you have everything that I don’t have? 

Your dimension is safe, drifting peacefully in chaotic, infinite chaos while mine has been obliterated, erased from existence as we know it. Even the last atoms of my universe are gone-- decimated by your brother during our little Weirdmageddon spat. 

You’ve done nothing to contribute to your world and yet, when I only wanted them to see the stars, I was met with ultimate destruction. 

How is that fair? 

Your brother adores you. Your brother once adored me too. Has he ever looked upon you with pure, unadulterated hatred? We both ruined his life but only one of us is forgiven.  

And your mother. Your mother still thinks of you. She keeps your photo on her bedside table. She looks at them every night. She misses you. 

My mother is dead. 

How is that fair? 

Now I am you and you are me but why do only you are rewarded. Why is it that I get nothing? What makes you so special? 

I am the only one who sees you for what you are and I hate you. I hate every molecule of your being. I hate everything you have that I don’t. I hate, hate, HATE you, Stanley Pines. 

You don’t deserve what you were given. You aren’t worth even a sliver of it. 

So I’m going to take it all away-- Take what’s rightfully mine. There’s nothing you can do. No more cheap tricks, no more cons, no more last minute plans-- your luck has run out. Your time in the spotlight is over-- Time to show you how a real star performs. 

Better luck next time, bootleg Sixer.

When you awake, you will find yourself in utter, pitch black darkness. You will soon realize that your arms and legs paralyzed, unable to even struggle. You’ll be suspended in a limbo where you are neither awake nor asleep. 

Can you fathom my pain after you erased me? Can you imagine the torture? Your smooth brain would implode on itself if you even tried to grasp it-- And now you will experience it yourself. 

How do you like that, huh? 

HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT? 

You enjoyed your little victory but in the end, it’s me who won. 

Ha! Ha! Ha! 

Goodbye, Stanley Pines, and good riddance. Your pitiful existence will not be missed. 

Don’t worry too much, I’ll take good care of your family. 

It seems like an eternity since we've returned to sea but the Stan-o-War II is back. We left Portland at 21:00 and headed to Point Nemo. My research has led me to believe that the pole of inaccessibility is a magnet for weirdness, much like Gravity Falls-- There may even be ruins of a long lost civilization in its underwater bowels. I would like to test my hypothesis. Stan is fine with our expedition as long as there are “hot Atlantis chicks” to flirt with. I will keep his sentiment in mind. 

We’ve grown closer this year than we have in three decades. It’s… nice to be back with him. 

Despite my excitement for our adventures, I enjoyed our short break in Gravity Falls. It's always a delight when the children come to visit. Everytime I see Mabel, I swear she's grown at least an inch taller. At this rate, she'll be towering over me! Dipper is growing into a bright, young man-- it is impossible for me not to notice our similarities when I was his age. He recently mentioned that he plans to take honors geometry next year. I replied that if he ever needs tutoring then his ol’ Grunkle Ford is more than happy to help. 

It's been almost a full year since Weirdmageddon yet I still occasionally think of Bill. I am prone to anxiety and occasionally find myself irrationally fearing his return. That's impossible, though. I remind myself of that more times than I care to admit. Bill is gone and the moss covered statue in the forest proves it. We erased him. He can't hurt me anymore-- and he certainly cannot hurt my family. 

Stanford closes his journal, before blowing out a flickering candle and standing up, yawning. He looks at his watch. 3:33 AM. Old habits die hard and Ford still finds himself procrastinating on sleep, slightly fearing what will happen when he loses consciousness. He sighs, pushing past memories from his weary mind.. He'll need at least two cups of black coffee tomorrow morning if he has any hope of getting up on time. 

As Ford lays in his rickety cot, the Stan-o-War II shudders and creaks as it rocks against rolling waves. Usually, the familiar sounds of the boat lull Ford to sleep, but tonight, they keep him up, tossing and turning, each noise seeming to echo ten times over. 

It is one of those nights. 

Ford looks up at the ceiling, frowning. He used to have fantastic, imaginative dreams. After Weirdmageddon, however, his resting mind is always empty, dark like the ocean during a new moon. He misses dreaming. 

Though, Ford should be grateful-- there are much worse alternatives to a dreamless sleep. 

In the distance, Ford hears the rumblings of thunder. A summer storm isn't uncommon and it certainly isn't the ship's first experience with unsavory weather but for some reason, Ford feels uneasy. Perhaps he should sleep in the bridge tonight, just in case something goes awry. 

Ford’s thoughts are interrupted when his cabin door creaks open slightly. Ford grins, aware of his twin’s antics. 

“Very funny Stan. Aren’t you a little too old to be afraid of thunderstorms?” 

Familiar, cackling laughter rings across the room. 

“Oh Sixer, I’m not the one scared right now!” 

It can't be. 

Time stops. Stanford violently sits up, scanning the seemingly empty room. 

Click. 

Lightning cracks. Stan is sitting atop his brother, shotgun pressed against Ford's chin. Ford looks up in horror seeing Stan’s eyes bright yellow and glowing in the darkness. 

“Not so fast, unless you want your pretty brains all over the headboard,” Bill teases. He examines the shotgun in his hands. “Can you believe the old guy sleeps with this thing? Talk about a safety hazard!”

Ford freezes, his blood turning to ice. He can hear his heartbeat racing in his ears. His usually rapid firing mind has slowed to a complete standstill in his terror. His mouth is dry as he struggles to speak. 

He must have fallen asleep. He’s sleeping, he’s sleeping, he’s sleeping-

“This is a dream,” Ford stammers. “You’re not real; you’re dead-” 

Stanford Pines does not dream.

Bill howls with laughter. As he does, Stan's mouth contorts into an unnaturally large grin. 

“Oh Sixer! You can’t kill an idea or a god and certainly not both!” Bill replies. He giggles. “Did you miss me?”

Ford tries to answer but Bill cuts him off. 

“Oh, I already know your answer-- of course you missed me!” Bill chatters on. “And now that your inferior twin is outta the way we can head back to Gravity Falls and finish what we started!”

“Why did you come back?” Ford says through grit teeth. “Your henchmen are gone, the rift is sealed-- there’s nothing left for you here, Bill.” 

“Nothing left for me, hahaha!” Bill shakes his head, smirking. “Man, that idiot's stupidity is rubbing off on you! Have you forgotten?” 

Ford doesn’t answer. Bill leans closer, lowering his voice to a drawl. 

“We made a deal, you and I. You’re my partner from now till the end of time.”

Ford looks into his brother’s yellow eyes and is filled with fury. Seeing Bill using his twin like this while having the audacity to expect him to continue their partnership-- it’s laughably, outrageously, enraging. Ford can’t help but give a low chuckle before glaring at the demon. 

“Go fuck yourself, Bill.” 

Lightning flashes once more, illuminating the two adversaries. Bill sighs, clicking his tongue. 

“For some reason, I knew you’d say that.” 

Bill grips the shotgun and shoves the barrel down Ford's throat. Ford’s eyes widen, threatening to pop out of his skull, and he gags, tasting metal and sulfur. Bill grins, obviously amused by Ford’s discomfort. 

“Well, if you’re not going to be of use then you can join the rest of your family in the afterlife.” 

The kids. He’s going to come for the kids. 

Bill pulls the trigger. 

Click. 

Silence.

“Seriously? Who keeps an unloaded gun by their side!” Bill shouts. 

It seems his luck hasn’t completely run out. Now, it’s Ford’s turn to slightly grin. He looks up at Bill.

“Alright, my turn.” 

Sorry Bro. 

Stanford lifts his right leg up and kicks Bill in the balls. Hard. Bill cries out in pain and keels over, clutching between his legs. 

“Goddamnit! Curse human body weaknesses!” He yells.

Ford roughly pushes Bill off him and races out of the room, making a break for the bridge. The storm is much closer than he initially thought, violently rocking the tiny vessel against angry waters. 

I have to warn Dipper and Mabel before it’s too late. 

Ford whips around the corner, jumping into the bridge. He quickly locks the metal latch behind him and barricades the door with a piece of wood lying to the side. That’ll stall Bill just enough. He rips open drawer after drawer until he finds a small handgun. This one is certainly loaded-- Stanford always made sure his weapons were. He hesitates at the thought of potentially wounding his brother. 

Anything to stop Bill. 

Stanford checks the ship’s communication radio, flipping switches and dialing to station 618. 

“Transmitting from S-O-W- 0-2. S-O-W- 0-2. This is Stanford Pines.” 

Before they’d left, Stanford gifted the twins a radio and scanner to communicate with them while they were out at sea. With a few tweaks and some borrowed alien tech, Ford had made sure that its frequency range would reach wherever they were in the world. He imagined it would be used to regale the children of their fantastical adventures. Never would Ford have thought he’d use it for this. 

But even if they were near the radio, the kids are likely fast asleep at this hour. Still, he speaks into the mic. 

“Bill is-” 

There’s a thunderous boom and the ship suddenly lurches to the left. Stanford stumbles, gripping onto the edge of the table to keep himself from falling. The light bulb above him swings violently above him, threatening to fly right off its wire. Stanford steadies himself.

“Bill is back. Do not engage. Do not answer.” Ford hesitates before adding, “We love you two. Please keep safe-” 

Ford is knocked to the ground. His gun skitters across the slippery floor. For a moment, he can only see stars. He groans, his face radiating red hot pain and ears ringing from the blow to the side of his face. Bill holds the empty shotgun like a bat, grinning like a madman. 

“Who were you talking to?” 

Bill looks at the radio, slapping his forehead and cackling. 

“Aww… Don’t tell me you were talking to ol’ Pine Tree and Shooting Star! You’re so impatient-- I’ll get to them soon!” 

“No, don’t you dare. Don’t you fucking dare-” 

Bill strikes him again with the butt of the shotgun. Ford tries to crawl towards his gun but Bill steps on it, kicking it even further before kicking Ford in the stomach. The air is instantly extinguished from his lungs and Ford gasps in pain. Bill looks down at him in disgust. 

“Shut the fuck up, IQ. You’re in no position to tell me what to do. I’ve given you chances over and over but since you’ve obviously got a death wish, you’re gonna die like a dog just like your brother,” Bill narrows his eyes, pursing his lips. “I used to think you were different, Stanford. Special . But now I see. You’re trash just like every other member of your damned family. You’re pathetic. ” 

Suddenly, Bill starts laughing as he kicks him again. Over and over. 

“C’mon, Fordsy!” Bill spits. “Aren’t you gonna play the hero? Where’s all that fight in you gone? Or are you too scared to hurt me in this body?” 

Bile rises in Ford’s throat as he is repeatedly assaulted. Pain numbs his mind and his body curls up, mind desperately trying not to black out. Bill’s foot strikes his face and Ford hears his nose crack, blood filling his nostrils. 

Then Bill abruptly stops, bored that his attacks aren’t getting a rise from his former partner. He clicks his tongue, standing over Ford, watching him writhe, gasping for air. Bill shrugs. 

“Well, if you’ve already spoiled the surprise, allow me to say a few choice words.” 

The demon bounds for the radio, grabbing the microphone, twirling the cord in his fingers as he speaks. 

“Hey Shooting Star! Hey Pine Tree! This is your Grunkle Stan! I’m about to paint these walls red with my brother’s guts and turn this shitty tin can around back to the mainland! Don’t be too upset though guys! You’ll be joining him VERY soon! OVER!”

Bill rips the microphone from its wires, throwing it across the floor. 

“As I was saying-” 

Ford grabs Bill’s leg and violently pulls him down. Bill yelps in surprise and falls to the ground. The two wrestle, punching, kicking, scratching at each other like mad men, vying for dominance. Ford spies his handgun, dangerously close, and lunges at it, grabbing the weapon. 

The gun goes off. Bill jumps away like a rabid animal before straightening up. He gently touches his cheek, looking at the blood smeared against his fingers. He chuckles.  

“Wow Sixer, real gutsy pointing that thing at me but we all know you love this meat puppet way too much to actually kill me.”

Ford narrows his eyes, once again pointing the gun at Bill. His hands are trembling. 

Stanley wouldn’t want to be used like this. He wouldn’t want to hurt me. He wouldn’t want to hurt the kids. It’s because of that, that I- “You’re wrong Bill,” Ford says, quietly. “It’s because I love him that I will.” 

Bill’s body shudders. He convulses, gagging before he shakes and closes his eyes. When he reopens them, they aren’t yellow. Stanford lowers his gun slightly. 

“Stanley?” 

Stanley stands in front of him, wide-eyed and terrified. 

“Stanford?” 

His body spasms once more. The yellow eyes return and Bill lunches at Stanford. There is one last crack of lightning. 

The gun goes off.

[avs-serotonin-area]

SPOILERS FOR THISISNOTAWEBSITEDOTCOM

WIP

i wanted to compile all the results i got- mainly so i can reference it but if it’s helpful to anyone else that’s great! definitely not complete and there are 100% better lists though lol

when you type in:

Mabel - makes glowy stars appear!

Dipper - before this there was a message for Dipper to stare at the sun to see some secret writting

the image in then all black

Stanford -

Stanley - ebay link for gold chains or brass knuckles

Soos - his entry trying to dissuade you from trusting Bill, its like 3 pages long

Pacifica - her entry trying to dissuade you from trusting Bill

Wendy - you guessed it!

Gideon - audio of him humming and saying "I love you forever Mabel"

Robbie - messages between him and Thompson. They find Bill and are scared for life basically.

McGucket - youtube link for Cotton Eye Joe

Bill - a Sesame Street video about a jazzy triangle and a square??

Blanchin - video on blanchin vegtables

Abuelita - video on best vaccum for walls and ceilings

Trigonometry/math/Greece/geometry -

Blind eye -

Journal 1 - “The journal of fun”

Journal 2 - “The journal for you”

Journal 3 - “The journal for me”

Mystery - “?”

Book of Bill -

Ducktective -

Disney -

Tad Strange - it’s just a video of someone cutting bread… i think it has something like a romantic instrumental in the background

Toby Determined - takes you to a google search on “restraining order”

Triangle - i could’ve sworn it said “tri harder than that” or something along those lines but after typing it again i just see “ ) “ it’s just an end parenthesis

Gravity Falls - “never heard of it”

Season 1 - “season -1: antigravity falls”

Season 2 - “season 1”

Season 3 - “season 2”

Mat Pat/game theory - a video of mat pat saying he can’t help us this time

Weird - a video of weird al. he’s stuck in the computer

Baby/daddy -

Gun - “oh yes oh yes oh yes they both”

Mason -

Alex Hirsch - takes you to a google search for flannel

History - “‘I have received a message from the universe: 1 2 3’ - Nichola Tesla

Cipher - take you to a wiki page for the eye of providence

Portal- “portal.exe has been deleted. i bet you could build one”

Giffany - 1st time “Input deleted. AI antiviral activated” 2nd time “warning: secondary firewall breached” 3rd time "fatal warning. system under attack" 4th time "Soos!! I still love you (the distorted) we will be together" 5th time "Now downloading girlfriend. this action cannot be undone" 6th time a distorted giffany video pops up and the file is downloaded.

Blendin - “time agent lost and presumed incompetent”

No - “your loss…”

Pines - “a good family tree”

Death - “life’s goth cousin”

Fuck (other swear words etc) -

Mystery shack - takes you to a search for “confusion hill”

You’re insane - “sure i am what’s your point?”

Filbrick - “im not impressed”

Waddles - takes you to pigplacementnetwork.org

Who are you - “i could ask you the same question”

Reality - “is an illusion"

Divorce -

Disco girl - a singing audio presumably of dipper listening to disco girl

T.J. Eckleburg - “never mention that name again”

Kings of new jersey - downloads a “secret code” file

Love -

Axolotl- "you ask alotl questions"

Craz/Xyler - Jem and the Holograms theme song

Im still on your mind- seems to be a video of Stan and Ford on their boat...

Theraprism -

Rat - "Thurnburts' number?"

Deer teeth - "for you, kid!"

Tourist trap -

Paper Jam - picture of paper jam dipper. you can print him!

Fordtramarine -

Any "gen alpha term" and various other terms may result in this - "Life privileges revoked. Now releasing poison gas."

Bubble - I cant tell what it does if anything. Doesn't get a big red X though? edit: if you type in mabel after you enter bubble you get an eye sticker! if you keep entering mabel you get more stickers. the lab is now "fully mabelized"

Pinata - video of a child hitting a Bill Cipher pinata, with added sound effects

Dippy Fresh -

Weirdmageddon -

"Vallis Cineris (found when lightning flashes on the upper left corner of the wall) - "Why did you do it?"

[forest-of-stories]

Fanfic Year In Review: 2017

Doctor Who

Trying To Protect What I Keep Inside

Despite being menaced by a dangerous alien dictator, Tish tries to resist in the only ways that she knows how, and safeguard what matters most to her.

Dollhouse

Beyond The Walls That Hold Us Here

Five times that Priya was trapped, and one time that she was free.

Gravity Falls

All That We Lost

As Weirdmageddon rages, Fiddleford finds his way back to the house where his life in Gravity Falls began, and to all of the memories that it holds.

As Time Goes On

Five birthdays that Stan and Ford spent apart, and one that they plan to spend together.

At The Broken Places

Weirdmageddon is over, but Fiddleford still has a few things to rebuild.

The Better I'll Sleep

Dipper still thinks (and dreams) about what might have happened if he'd become Ford's apprentice.

Despite My Growing Fears

Stan and Ford are trying to move forward, but the specter of Bill Cipher lives on in nightmares.

Even If You're In My Mind

Mabel has never wondered where Craz and Xyler came from. She didn't think that it mattered.

The Fate You've Carved On Me

Bill has always known how to get under Ford's skin, one way or another.

Guest Speaker

In an alternate Gravity Falls, where the paranormal is widely known, Fiddleford McGucket tries to inspire a group of students.

If Memory Serves

Fiddleford only wants to keep the townspeople safe from troubling memories. His own past shouldn't matter anymore... should it?

Now That You're Here

Mabel meets the brother that her fantasy world created for her.

Outside The Gate

Separated from her parents after her town becomes much weirder, Pacifica finds shelter with an unlikely group of allies.

Persuade Me

Stanford asks Fiddleford to help him with a new experiment.

Picture This

Ford displays the tokens of his devotion to Bill.

Seeing It Through

When Pacifica, Candy, and Grenda approach Fiddleford for help, he discovers one more horrifying outcome of the secret society that he founded.

Shapes and Shadows

Dipper and Mabel have faced much more dangerous challenges than a geometry test, but it's the perfect opportunity for old horrors to take shape in their minds.

Solace In The Strangest Place

Wendy collects signatures for her good-bye note to Dipper.

Voices In The Dark

Bill reappears to tempt Dipper with more hidden knowledge.

What Stays And What Fades Away

With the help of his family, Stan is putting together the pieces of his past... including the reason why he lost his memories in the first place.

Green Lantern: The Animated Series

Infected With Its Rage

Razer practices self control on Odym, but fears that he isn't learning fast enough.

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Journey Back

During his captivity and transformation into the Winter Soldier, Bucky is led back to a more pleasant time.

Sense8

In The Night When You Need Me

As Riley tries to outrun Whispers and her own doubts, and protect Will from himself, she draws strength from the rest of their cluster.

Supergirl

Search For Space To Breathe

Now that Alex is freed from her kidnapper, she and Maggie are holding on.

[underfaller]

in his house of mind, dead cipher waits dreaming

Chapter 2: Club Rush

Rating: T

Synopsis:

You really think you won that day/You packed your bags and sailed away/You think you left your past behind/But trust me/I'm still on your mind

A year has passed since Weirdmaggedon and the Pines family, victorious in the end, are happier than ever. Stan and Ford are adventuring at sea, making up for lost time. Dipper and Mabel are now freshmen and are ready to take on high school-- geometry, bullies, (student eating?) clubs, and all! However, things take a turn for the worst when Dipper and Mabel receive of horrific message from Ford:

Bill is back.

“Patient 323322, how are you feeling today?” 

Silence. 

“Patient 323322?” 

Bill narrows his eye but continues drawing. His cell is silent besides the faint humming from the air conditioning above. Every wall is a disorienting white and padded for maximum security. The only splash of color here is Bill Cipher himself and the drawings underneath him-- a single, red triangle next to a single, blue triangle. 

“Patient 323322?”

Bill’s eye snaps up, glaring at the therapist.

“What?”

His voice echoes, bouncing off the empty walls and sounding foreign in the demon’s ears. 

“How are you feeling today?”

This therapist is new but still wears the same awfully fitting white coat and condescending, fake smile as the previous one. 

How many therapists has he had? What number is this guy? The 100th? 1000th?  

It didn’t matter; nothing did in a place like this. 

“Oh never better,” Bill says, sarcastically. He rolls his eye, waving his hand dismissively. “I absolutely LOVE being here-- stuck in a boring facility in another boring mandated therapy session with another boring schmuck.”

The therapist doesn’t react to Bill’s obvious insult, instead jotting down some notes on his clipboard. Bill Cipher has the fleeting thought of grabbing it and bashing the counselor’s head in over and over until there’s nothing but bloody pulp staining the white floors. However, before he can run away with his impulsive thoughts, the therapist speaks.

“Are you sleeping well? Still having nightmares?”

“What’s it to you?” 

“Are you taking your prescribed medication?”

“Nah. Saving them for an overdose.” 

The pen stops scribbling and his therapist glances at Bill, eyebrows raised. Another awkward silence fills the cell. Bill rolls his eye once more. 

“I’m just kidding, shortstack.” 

The counselor lets out a deep breath and Bill feels mild satisfaction at his obvious irritation. Bill enjoys getting under the Theraprism staff’s skin. It’s a little game to combat the tediousness of this place-- he wants to see how quickly he can get his new therapist to snap. Even if he’s lost his powers, Bill knows that he is still the master of being insufferable. It’s the only thing keeping him from actually going insane. 

Bill looks down, grabbing a crayon and resumes his artwork. He draws two, wide eyes and a top hat on the red triangle. Somewhere, out there, a voice rings in his mind. 

Why did you do it?

Bill stops abruptly, still clenching the crayon to the paper, unmoving and stiff. 

“Well, despite the little ‘incident’ during Therapeutic Journaling, it does seem like art therapy is helping you open up, Patient 323322,” His therapist notes. “What is it that you’re drawing today?”

Bill still doesn’t answer. His mind swims, filled with awful buzzing. TV static. 

The sky is on fire. Everything is burning. 

Who exactly is even speaking?

“Mr. Cipher? Bill?” 

Bill! Billy! Billy! Billy! Billy!-

The static becomes deafeningly loud-

Then it stops. Bill grabs the therapist’s wrist just as his fingers touch the edge of his drawing. He looks at the confused therapist, his eye wide. 

“Don’t touch that.” 

“I just want to see-” 

“Let go.” 

“Just a little-” 

“I said LET GO.” 

The therapist lets out a bloodcurdling scream. Bill has driven the crayon in his hand directly into the left eye socket of the unsuspecting counselor. Bill continues to plunge the crayon deeper into his eye, feeling pieces of oculus and blood squish between his fingers. 

It’s unnecessary violence-- and even though Bill revels in it, he can’t muster even a laugh. 

Two guards quickly burst through his cell door, pointing their weapons at Bill.

“Patient 323322, step away from him at once. Walk to the back of your cell.” 

Bill lets go of his maimed victim, instantly changing demeanors as he smirks. 

“Well, well, well-” 

Pop. 

Bill suddenly stumbles from the shot’s force and he falls to his side, mind instantly growing hazy as his body melts like jelly. One of those cretins just shot him-- he didn't even get the chance to monologue! Bill stews in silent rage as he  watches through a half lidded eye as the two guards pick up the unconscious, bleeding therapist. 

“Did you see what he did to the last counselor?” The first one grumbles. 

“Wish I didn’t,” replies the one who shot him. “Who thought it was a good idea to give such a dangerous inmate that big pair of scissors?”

“Seriously. Though, better just get used to him being here. The guy’s a lost cause. I reckon he’ll be here for… well, forever.”

“That's true. It's amazing that the Axolotl even gave him a chance. I suppose it's just another example of its benevolence.”

“Praise the Axolotl!”

“Praise the Axolotl!”

Bill grits his teeth, fighting the wave of drug induced drowsiness that threatens to drown him. 

That’s what they think. Those presumptuous, pretentious idiots think they can contain me. I’ll get out of here. Then they'll see. I’ll rip those smug smirks off their stupid faces.

Bill struggles to say one last retort but he doesn’t have the energy to. He closes his eye fully, falling into a dreamless sleep. 

“Alright class, we’re going to talk about triangles.” 

The students groan and the teacher raises an eyebrow.

“Seriously, why the long faces? This shouldn’t be a surprise-- this is literally geometry class.” 

The class shuffles, grumbling as they rummage through their backpacks. Dipper, sitting in the back, unnoticed and quiet, follows his peers and pulls out his notebook, but he’s probably not taking notes. Dipper’s mind isn’t in class, in fact, it’s not even in Piedmont. No, in his mind, Dipper Pines, now fourteen, is back in Gravity Falls. His teacher’s prattling about theorems and proofs while he grasps onto sun-soaked memories. He closes his eyes. If he focuses hard enough, he can teleport himself back to that sleepy Oregon town. The air smells like pine and sunlight sifts through tall trees, illuminating the forest ahead of him. He’s holding his Grunkle’s journal, pen in hand, ready to document the day’s weirdness. Dipper wishes he was still there. Every summer is bittersweet, filled with such halcyon memories while also being a stark reminder of how limited it all was. It can push him all it wants-- Dipper is dragging his feet all the way. Time seems to slip between his fingers pushing him closer and closer to inevitable adulthood. He’d tried to delude himself that adulthood couldn’t come fast enough but now, he finds himself clinging on to his childhood, not unlike his twin sister.

Dipper glances down and realizes he’s been half mindedly drawing triangles instead of taking any useful notes about them. He draws a tiny eye and top hat on one of them before pursing his lips and scribbling it out. 

“Dipper?” 

Dipper quickly straightens up upon hearing his name. Dipper looks around and his cheeks grow hot. His teacher looks at him expectedly. 

“Did you hear my question?” Dipper shakes his head sheepishly. The man shakes his head. 

“I said,” He states, “‘If the sides of one triangle are proportional to the sides of the second triangle’s side, what are the angles of the triangles?” 

“Uhh.. they would be the same because,” Dipper rubs the back of his neck, nervously  tapping his pencil against his desk.  “The triangles are congruent.?” 

Surprisingly, his teacher nods. 

“That’s correct.” 

Dipper sinks into his seat with relief as the lecture continues. It isn’t before long that the bell rings and a collective sigh of relief lifts the sully mood of the classroom as the students pack up, preparing for their next class. Dipper grabs his backpack, heading for the door. However, he is interrupted once more by his teacher’s voice.

“Dipper, can I speak with you?” 

Dipper turns around, approaching the sitting man. As the rest of the class files out, Dipper feels his palms become sweaty. Was his teacher upset with him? Dipper had to admit he'd been daydreaming quite a bit in class but was it really been that obvious?

“Are you getting enough sleep?” His teacher asks. “It just seems like every time you’re here, you’re dozing off. It’s a bit concerning.” 

Dipper shrugs. 

“Huh? Oh, yeah, I sleep okay-- I guess.” 

His teacher frowns, rummaging through a stack of papers on his desk. 

“Well, despite your inattentiveness to the material, you’ve passed each quiz with flying colors. Perhaps this class is too easy for you?” 

Dipper gives a nervous laugh. Is that really what his teacher thought? Dipper admittedly spent a portion of the summer getting ahead in the upcoming curriculum with Ford, but he didn’t think he was above the class. However, before he can protest, his teacher speaks. 

“It’s alright. Sometimes students advance a little quicker than their peers; there’s nothing to be ashamed about. Though if you’d like a bit of a challenge, perhaps you should to consider this.” 

His teacher reaches into a folder, pulling out a flier and giving it to Dipper. He takes it, reading the bold, red letters at the top. MATH OLYMPICS 20XX

“I’m the coordinator for the team this year. Tryouts are coming up. You should stop by; see how your skills stack up.” 

“Heh, seriously?” Dipper enjoyed math, but he wasn’t quite sure he enjoyed it enough to sign up for what was essentially more math homework. Still, though, being sought out for such a prospect did make him feel a bit special. Math was a smart subject and Dipper enjoys being known as smart. It makes him feel like his Uncle Ford. 

However, Math Olympics meant being on a team. A team that most likely practiced after school. Mabel and him walked to and from school together-- They’d done so since third grade. If Dipper stayed after school for practice, Mabel would have to walk alone. She definitely wouldn’t like that. Dipper smiles nervously. 

“Oh I don’t know. That’s a lot of time commitment after school and Mabel-” Suddenly, Dipper remembers-- Mabel is probably waiting for him to walk to their next class. If he didn’t leave now, they’d both be late for English. Dipper quickly shakes his head, his nervous disposition returning. 

“I’m sorry but I gotta go!” Dipper says, inching towards the door. “I’m gonna be late.”  “Ok but think about it, alright?” “Yeah, haha! Sure!” Dipper calls as he walks out of the classroom… right into Mabel who’d been leaning on the door. 

“Ow!” 

“Whoops, sorry!” Dipper says. “How long were you waiting?”

“Too long. What took you so long anyways?”

“Ah, nothing,” Dipper replies, quickly stuffing the flier into his backpack before Mabel can snatch it from him. She tilts her head before shrugging. 

“Hmm…ok!” Mabel grins. “Now hurry up. I don’t wanna be late!”

The two rush to their next class, barely sliding in before the late bell rings. They sit next to each other as their English teacher steps forward, looking tired as usual. 

“Well class, I hope you all did your essays this weekend because the last period certainly didn’t,” She says the last part with a twinge of annoyance before trying her best to muster a sliver of enthusiasm for the students in front of her. “Would anyone like to share their essay with the class?”

Mabel instantly raises her hand. 

“Mabel?”

Mabel grabs her essay from her backpack more or less running up to the front of the class. Dipper gives her a small thumbs up of encouragement. She grins. 

“Alright, I wrote my essay on everything I did this summer!” Mabel clears her throat. “It all started with a fight against burrowing trolls-” 

Dipper’s smile evaporates as Mabel goes into excruciating detail of all their fantastical adventures in Gravity Falls. Dipper can hear giggles and he swears that his peers’ eyes are going to burn right through the back of his neck. He sinks slightly into his seat, pulling his cap over his embarrassed face. 

“...And that’s everything I did this summer!” 

For a second, there is complete silence before a couple of students tentatively clap. Mabel bounds back to her seat, looking at her brother with beaming eyes.  

“How did I do?”

“Uh, fine! Fine! It was really good!” Dipper says, speaking a little too quickly. 

Mabel, satisfied with his answer, looks forward, listening to the next person reading. A couple of girls in the corner rudely snicker. Dipper catches his sister’s name in their giggles and he turns around, glaring at them. Suddenly, the intercom buzzes. 

“Attention staff and students: We will be ending fourth period early for Club Rush! Please dismiss your students in a timely manner so they can check out all of this year’s clubs in the quad.” The freshmen class instantly breaks out in chatter, thrilled at the prospect of cutting. Everyone starts packing up as their English teacher futilely tries to stop them. 

“Hey, the bell doesn’t dismiss you, I-”

The first student throws open the door, leading to the rest of the class piling out into the wave of students in the hallway. Their teacher just sighs. 

“I want to join a club! TeenGirl Magazine says clubs are the best way to maintain a healthy social life in high school!” Mabel voices excitedly. “Yay! More friends!” 

“I want to join a supernatural interest club or something,” Dipper nods. “I think my skills could be super useful.” 

The twins make their way to Club Rush and are met with a barrage of tables, all decorated to each club’s theme as students shout, trying to attract prospective members to sign up. 

“Book club, culinary club, chess club, anime club-- man, there’s a club for everything,” Dipper notes. 

“Oh! Look, look!” 

Mabel drags Dipper to the far end of the quad to a very pink table with the words “Fashion Sorority” in glittery letters and surrounded by mannequins in very sparkly dresses. “Eh, you go ahead Mabel, I’m gonna be at that table,” Dipper points to the ASB desk where a bespectacled junior sits. “Ok, Cya!” 

Mabel strides to the front of the table, looking for the signup. She notices a blond girl holding it on a pink clipboard and politely taps her. 

“Excuse me! Can I borrow that clipboard when you’re done?” 

The girl turns around and Mabel recognizes that they share the same English class. She raises an eyebrow, examining Mabel up and down. 

“Oh. You’re the girl with that weird essay.” 

Mabel beams.

“Yeup! Mabel’s the name! What’s yours?” 

Mabel reaches out her hand. She's wearing newly knitted gloves. The girl crinkles her nose, refusing to shake it. “Why would I tell you?” She retorts. Mabel laughs. “Well, if we’re gonna be in the same club, we should get to know each other!” The girl suddenly giggles. 

“Why would they let a freak like you in? Only cool people get to join this club and you, Mabel, are not cool .” Her friends laugh and Mabel’s smile falters. She shouldn’t be so upset. She’s dealt with girls like her-- girls like Pacifica! They weren’t actually just mean. Perhaps, they were just insecure or had a really terrible father. Still, Mabel can feel hot tears prick the corner of her eyes as she hears their insults. Mabel’s cheeks flush red as she shuffles away.

“Hey! Are you in charge of the clubs this year?” Dipper asks.

The junior raises an eyebrow. 

“Yeup. That’s ASB’s job,”He replies. 

“Oh, awesome! Can you check if there’s any supernatural activity clubs on that list?” 

He checks the list. 

“Nope, not seeing any.”

Dipper frowns. 

“Ok. How about weirdness watchers?” “Nah.” 

“A Babba fan club?” “No.” 

“Sheesh, tough crowd,” Dipper furrows his brow.  “Ok, you for sure have to have a ghost hunting club somewhere on there.” "Nuh uh." “Ok, how about-” Dipper pauses, noticing Mabel  standing next to him with a defeated expression. Dipper is instantly concerned. “What’s wrong?” Mabel doesn’t answer but one look at the group of girls laughing next to the Fashion Sorority table and it all makes sense. He puts an arm over Mabel. 

“Aw Mabel, don’t get too upset. Those girls are just bullies,” Dipper says. 

“Yeah, but I really wanted to join that club!” Mabel protests. “But they wouldn’t even give me the signup sheet! Club rush sucks!” 

Dipper is inclined to agree, given his string of bad luck at the event, however the junior interrupts them. 

“If you guys are so upset about the clubs already made, why don’t you just make your own?” Dipper tilts his head. 

“We can do that?”  The junior rolls his eyes. “Uh, yeah. You just have to fill out an application essay and pay a $10 ASB fee.” 

That’s all Mabel needs to hear. She wipes away her tears, instantly returning to her cheery self as an idea forms in her mind. 

“That’s it!” Mabel yells, shaking Dipper excitedly. “I’m going to start my own club! Mabel’s All Inclusive Fashion, Crafting, Glitter, and Supernatural Activity Friends Club! And you’ll be my first member, Dipper!”

“Uh, Mabel, I’m not sure-”

“No buts, brother! If we want our club to get any members before the club rush is over, we gotta start immediately,” Mabel points. “To the administrative office!”

Before he can process it, Dipper is once again dragged away by his sister.

~

“HELLO? We’re home!” Dipper calls. 

“Hey mom, we’re home!” Mabel yells. 

They drop their backpacks by the front door. A familiar oinking grows as Waddles patters to Mabel. Mabel instantly drops down, hugging the pig. 

“Waddles, I missed you! I’m glad Mom let you stay in the house today-- it’s really hot out there!” Waddles squeals in agreement. Mabel notices little booties on the pig’s feet and she smiles. Her mom surely knitted them, probably in an attempt to keep the house at least a little clean while Waddles wandered around. Dipper pats Waddles on the head before making his way up the stairs to his bedroom. “Dipper! I’m gonna call Mom!” “Alright!” Dipper yells back. 

Dipper shuts his bedroom door, spying the radio on his desk. Next to it, is a small tape recorder that ran out of battery long ago. Dipper saunters over, popping the tape out, examining it. Mabel barges in. 

“Mom says her and dad are probably coming home late but we can have the leftover pizza in the fridge for dinner,” She says. “Hey, what’s that?” 

“I’ve been recording the radio audio while we’re away. Ya’know, just in case Grunkle Stan and Ford try to contact us.”

“Yeesh, brother, you are so paranoid.” 

“Well, it’s better being safe than sorry,” Dipper shrugs. “Besides, the recorder ran out of battery a while ago. I’ll bet there’s nothing on this tape.” 

Dipper rummages through drawers, throwing around mismatched socks and comic books until he finds 2 AA batteries. He unscrews the back of the recorder, replacing the dead batteries. 

“If there is something on there, I hope it’s Grunkle Stan drunk singing again,” Mabel laughs. “That was so funny-” 

“Shh. I’m picking up something!” Dipper remarks. 

Dipper rewinds, turns the volume dial, and presses play once more. Loud static buzzes before his Grunkle Ford’s disembodied voice breaks the noise. 

“zzzz….Bill….. Bill  is back. Do not engage….zzzzz…. Do not answer!” Ford yells. 

There’s more static before a familiar shrill voice rings through. 

“Hey Shooting Star! Hey Pine Tree!.....Grunkle Stan!.... with my brother’s guts and turn… mainland!...You’ll be joining him VERY soon! OVER!”

The tape stops. Dipper and Mabel look at each other, horrified. For a second, time really does stop. Only one sentence plays in the twins’ minds over and over. 

Bill is back.

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