Chapter Text
Ford often wondered how things could go so wrong. How could your twin brother become a stranger? How could your best friend lose his mind? How could your muse turn out to be a demon who wanted nothing more than to take over the world and make you watch as the place you once called home burnt to the ground?
That one was currently the biggest issue.
Ford banged his fist against the console of his biggest mistake. Sometimes, he wonders what possessed him to make a gateway into interdimensional space. And then he remembers the demon he summoned who basically did exactly that.
He was slightly hysterical at the moment. Somehow his list of things that could go wrong only got bigger in magnitude.
He had called his twin, the stranger, to take the last remaining part of the blueprints to his mistake. He had hoped for a quick transaction, perhaps an exchange of brief pleasantries after things were sorted and who knows, maybe even a reminder to call and stay in contact. Bury the hatchet that was ten years of separation.
Instead, they’d shouted out each other and had a fistfight in front of Ford’s mistake (he was going to have to start capitalising that in his mind),
Then one thing led to another, Ford may have branded his brother and said brother may have gone hurtling through the portal. After realising there was irreparable damage to the portal and that his brother was now gone, Ford did what any sensible person would do and threw a strop.
By which he means cried quite an embarrassing amount, throwing things around and cursing every single thing that led to this moment.
Hence the slight hysteria.
But it was fine, it would all be fine, perfectly, wonderfully fine, absolutely brilliant.
Is what he thought until he realised that he had no idea what he was doing. And so he stood by one of his favourites of the phenomena to be found in the town of Gravity Falls.
The Bottomless Pit.
He probably jumped in with a tad too much eagerness, too quick to want to fall to what could be a fairly horrible doom. Somewhere in his mind, he thought that he might land where Stanley had ended up.
Of course, luck had never been on the side of either of the Pines twins so he shouldn’t have been surprised when he was spat back up at the end. And that was when it clicked. It was silly really. A stupid solution. But a quick glance at his watch told him time hardly passed in the Bottomless Pit. In fact, whilst it felt like he was falling for approximately twenty-one minutes, it did not mean he had been. Time did not exist.
For many this would be a reason to have an existential crisis - time not existing usually being something that scares people. But for Stanford Pines, it was a solution. A solution.
And so he jumped back in.
He closed his eyes and began to meditate and felt the familiar landscape of his mind come into view. And as expected, his muse turned demon was there.
“Well, well, well, well, well , well, well! Gotta say, wasn’t expecting you to be here Fordsy - changed your mind?”
“Time doesn’t exist.”
“Say what?”
“Time doesn’t exist! HA, IN YOUR FACE, CIPHER!”
Okay, so the hysteria was still there, he couldn’t help that.
“Sixer, loving the insane laughter, really it suits you, but you mind explaining? Seriously you - buddy you gotta stop laughing.”
“Don’t you get it, Cipher? C’MON BILL YOU GET IT DON’T YOU?”
“Stanford, seriously, what the fuck is wrong with you? Oh wait - oh shit.”
Ford fell to his knees, the laughter almost painful. That was probably because he was crying. Aching sobs that wracked his body. Oh God, it was over, it was over, it was-
“From now until the end of time.” He whispered under his breath. But time didn’t exist here.
The deal was void.
The foolish words he’d made finally weren’t a sea otter on him. A burden on him.
He looked at Bill and God, he wished it didn't hurt so much.
“The deal's off, Bill. I won’t be your puppet anymore.”
“NO!!”
Bill was furious.
It would have been a strange sight.
A thirty-something year old researcher laughing through his sobs painfully and a bright red triangle donning a bow tie and top hat screaming his hypothetical lungs out.
The context of love, manipulation, betrayal and sacrifice didn’t make it much better.
That was when the pink salamander decided to get involved.
*
As an extra-inter-mega-ultra-dimensional being, The Axolotl had seen so many strange things. They had watched creatures of various limb-ownership repeat the same mistakes, over and over again. That was especially irritating in timeloop dimensions. But he’d also watched so many different loves blossom. Usually, it gives them hope, watching creatures find solace in companionship. However, they were honestly a little sick of this particular multi-dimensional commonality.
Bill Cipher was basically the only being that had the scope to be as powerful as them. The Axolotl was really glad they had put the deal clause on Bill a few millennia ago.
Stanford Pines was, unfortunately, special. Not because of an innate oddity he possessed, or his six-fingers, but because of how close he had gotten to Bill Cipher.
Needless to say, The Axolotl had often wondered how this egotistical human was the one to make Bill Cipher more introspective. There were a few aspects to it that they had observed. Especially since the last bout of Weirdmaggedon they had observed, they could boil it down to a few, which on their own, weren't particularly spectacular. But together it was interesting, to say the least.
Stanford Pines considered himself a freak of nature. Bill Cipher did as well. There was something for them to bond over. The people who had loved them tried to brush it off as no big deal when they very much saw it as that. The people who hurt them treated it like a deformity - something they feared but knew wasn’t the truth.
They were so lonely. And they felt guilt for that loneliness. There was an innate sadness to them that they both ignored so valiantly. But it was there.
They both wanted to love so desperately, often not noticing the destruction they left in their wake.
They both had surprisingly malleable moral codes. One often didn’t notice when his morals started slipping. The other forgot he could truly be better. It was the perfect brew for chaos.
Denial was a drug to them. They truly could not see the consequences until it was too late.
They both wanted to reach the stars. But they forgot that the stars burned.
The Axolotl had observed and understood these things. They had also understood that they were doomed. The partnership they wanted was not on the cards. They would both destroy each other. Bill ignored the screaming pleas of his home dimension. Stanford had forgotten the beauty of ocean waves crashing and the fondness he held for the twang of a banjo.
Yet, separating the two was helpful to nobody. The Axolotl had come to this conclusion from observing the last Weirdmaggedon. Stanley Pines always got the brunt of whatever was left in their aftermath.
It was rare for so many of the same family to belong on a zodiac. The Pines’ were an odd bunch and The Axolotl appreciated that. Mackerel, also known as Stanley Pines, was stubborn and was managing well considering how hellish everything was. It was nice to see when the brothers reconciled. The Axolotl had been especially pleased with the last Weirdmaggedon as they were afraid the end would be more grisly. Seeing into the future was a choice for them but that time they had chosen not to. Now the brothers were preparing for their boat trip which was good. It was good there.
This dimension's Stanley was surviving off of spite (or rather hope), stubbornness and a sprinkle of Axolotl blessing. He would manage - The Axolotl knew he would take more hope in the friends he came across instead of the last Stanford who moved too fast from friendships. This Stanley Pines would come home. And maybe not get punched (though it was really dependent on Stanford's ego on any particular day on whether that would happen).
Then there was Pine Tree, or Dipper Pines. Not yet born in this dimension, but in the other one, was a boy to be proud of. He had made similar mistakes to Stanford but key differences including the fact that he was a child as well as an inherent dislike for Cipher, had played to his advantage. He was stubborn and logical - he too had the hope of one Great-Uncle and the ambition of the other. He was his own person and The Axolotl was glad to see it. He would unfortunately face some challenges in this dimension's timeline without his sister. But he would manage. Stanley would make sure of it.
Speaking of sisters, Mabel Pines was a lovely change from the men of the Pines family. She stubbornly retained what they were always trying to lose - a whimsical love for life, the expectation that if she did good, the universe would reciprocate. And whilst that wasn't always true, it didn’t make her any weaker. Bill Cipher had commented on how she was similar to him and The Axolotl could not disagree. The only other Pines who could compare was Caryn Pines, affectionately known to most in the family as Ma Pines. But unlike Ma Pines, Mabel had the strength to do what she wanted and not just hope for it. Like her brother, she had core similarities to her Great-Uncles - a certain naivety and grit that went under-appreciated. Stanford would either love her and hate her. And it would be love that won.
The Axolotl smiled.
The two most doomed entities in the multiverse looked at him in shock.
“FRILLS? YOU REALLY GOTTA INTERRUPT US NOW?”
“Frilliam?”
Ah yes, he had attempted to live with Stanford under the guise of being a pet but Bill had sniffed it out immediately.
“IT WAS NEVER FRILLIAM, DUMBASS, THE PET YOU HAD WAS AN INTERDIMENSIONAL GOD WHO HATES ME!”
“Upset, Bill? But you have yet to hear my will?” The Axolotl asked, unable to help teasing. It wasn’t everyday you met with a fellow being of your power. They wanted to make the most of it.
“Shut up, Axo. The only will I want to hear is the one when you’re dead and have left control over this universe to me.”
The Axolotl raised what one may consider an eyebrow.
“I think we know why you are annoyed. A version of you has been destroyed.”
At the Stanford Pines’ eyes widened.
“You-you mean there are worlds where he doesn’t exist? Really? Who defeated him?”
A man of science asks so many questions. The Axolotl sometimes wished he wouldn’t.
“I think Bill will know this rhyme. How did it go again? Oh yes:
Sixty degrees that come in threes.
Watches from within birch trees.
Saw his own dimension burn.
Misses home and can't return.
Says he's happy. He's a liar.
Blame the arson for the fire.
If he wants to shirk the blame,
He'll have to invoke my name.
One way to absolve his crime.
A different form, a different time."
Cipher looked terrified and rightly so. The Axolotl let Ford and Bill’s shared mindscape takeover the blank white they had started in.
“How many more me’s left, Axo?”
It was a tired tone, one rarely heard from Bill Cipher. The Axolotl wished they had more sympathy.
“This form has been worn. Only you remain and I ask that you atone for many lifetimes of pain. Invoke my name and perhaps you can know true peace.”
Every other projection of this Bill Cipher was dead. Defeated by the Pines’. Only this one remained and The Axolotl couldn’t help but hope Bill would see the opportunity here. He needed to find himself- only then could he begin to heal.
“Why not chuck me in the Theraprism by force, huh? C’mon Frills, you’re dying for it.”
Stanford piped up again.
“Could I please have an explanation? Last I knew I was falling into the Bottomless Pit and holding a meeting with Bill Cipher. Now my old pet, who was never my pet it seems, is hosting a reunion with my former muse in my mindscape. I really just wanted to get over this in peace but if that isn’t possible then can one of you please explain what the devil is going on here?”
The Axolotl shared a look with Bill. It wasn’t their story to tell - if the last Euclidean wanted to explain then he would have to do it himself. Bill sighed, the equivalent of a thumb and forefinger on his frustratedly shut eye.
“Alright kid, you wanna know what’s going on? Frills here is threatening me - he wants me to go rot in the medical care violation known as the Theraprism.”
“Ah. Then please, take him away.”
The Axolotl shot Bill a look. That was a poor explanation of the situation and Cipher should know better.
Unless…had he not realised?
“Stanford Pines.”
The human looked at them in surprise. Had they not spoken to him yet? Apparently not.
“I am aware of the feelings that underpin your relationship with Cipher. And Bill I am aware of the way you see Stanford.”
“Wow, not rhyming for once.” Bill muttered. The Axolotl decided to ignore that. Every interdimensional being had their style choice. Some wanted tacky top hats and bows, others talked in soothing tones and rhymes. They knew which they preferred.
“Tell me, who’s mindscape are we in?”
“Mine.” Ford replied. Bill’s eyes widened.
“No, no, no - Axo you gotta be kidding me - I haven’t made that mistake since Jhess. C’mon Frills, don’t tease a guy.”
“What? What are you on about Bill? It’s my mindscape - I know it is.”
Already uncertainty had crept its way into Stanford’s voice. This was going to be a lot more messy considering neither of them had realised it. No matter, it was still workable, still a solvable issue. There just may be a lot more…emotion than The Axolotl had expected to deal with.
“Tell me, Stanford, are you aware of the significance of the stars in your mindscape?”
Stanford blinked owlishly.
“I always thought they were a reflection of my driving motto - ad astra per aspera.”
“Do you recognise the stars?”
“Some but not all - but it’s the mind, I hardly expected it to be accurate.”
“And what about you Bill? Do you recognise the stars here?”
Bill was rather small now. Not the red raging beast he was earlier but a small, small being, pathetic in size. His eye was wide, eyes transfixed on the stars around him. His hands were in front of him, shaking. Just behind Stanford, the ghosts of blue and red triangles had appeared but they crumbled as Bill spoke.
“N-no, stop it - there’s so much blood-”
A horrid static overtook the quiet hum of the mindscape. Stanford slammed his hands onto his ears but The Axolotl watched on. Bill’s quiet mutterings continued on.
“I just wanted to show them what they were missing…I didn’t- I can’t bring them back-”
“STOP IT!”
Stanford’s shout interrupted the static. And more surprisingly the scientist’s glare was fixed onto The Axolotl themselves. The feelings must run deeper than they had assumed.
“I don’t think whatever mental torture you are putting him through is doing anything other than giving me a migraine. And I hardly need more health issues to deal with.”
The Axolotl gave a nod of concession.
“Have you realised yet? The sky you see is the one of Cipher’s home dimension, Euclydia - unseen by everyone there apart from Bill. The sky he destroyed his home for.”
“But…you told me it was a monster.” Stanford whispered, somehow still believing Cipher after everything.
“I told ya, Sixer. I would eat you alive. I never meant to-”
“He wanted to show them the stars. It resulted in more bloodshed than he could have ever imagined.” The Axolotl finished.
Bill was too shaken to continue. It was not often that happened.
“It ended in destruction. However, the night sky he so loved exists in your mind. A part of him is now a part of you. You are seeing something no one else has seen.”
Stanford seemed hushed into silence. His adam's apple bobbed up and down.
“His mind and yours have been tethered together. A rare occurrence but not impossible. As such, Cipher will never heal fully as long as you both are tethered. Nor will you. Your deal may be void but your connection will last. It is not a fate I envy. I could take Bill now but it would not result in any healing. The prophecy I recited however, is not a list of instructions. It will occur no matter what. However, I believe that you both are the last hope for true peace to happen between a Stanford and a Bill.”
“A different form, a different time,” Stanford murmured, “Is that regarding reincarnation?”
“Heh, yep - could be a moth you hammer to your wall, Fordsy.”
Ah, Bill was talking again. Good, that was a sign of progress.
“I think I would just step on you.”
“Sure you would.”
“Technically,” The Axolotl interrupted the potential banter, “This here is a different form and a different time for the last aspect of you Bill.”
“I never invoked your name Frills.” Bill drawled.
“Yes, but one of your projections did. This could be for him. You would still have to reincarnate. But it would be a lot more calm. After your stint here is over, it would be final. There will be no more Bill Cipher. Wouldn’t you rather do it in peace?”
“How does this affect me?” Stanford asked.
“Redemption for him starts with you, Stanford. Your tethered mind means we need your cooperation. His peace will grant you peace. You will never have to fear him again. Nor will anyone else.”
The Axolotl watched as Stanford and Bill considered each other. There was so much in those stares. They had both lost so much. Family lost to their mistakes. Friends they may never get the chance to reconcile with. The connection to each other, the shadow of a fondness that ran deep - it was all they had left.
Without speaking, Stanford lifted up his hand. There was no happy sentimentality in his gaze - simply a grim determination fuelled by grief. Bill clasped it, no blue flames. For a minute they could only look at their hands. Then a glance at each other before they dropped it.
The Axolotl closed their eyes.
There was much work to be done.