Into The Depths [BILLDIP]

•11•

A light breeze flowed through the island as Ford began his long trek back to the ship.

He stepped over the branches he had cut down on his journey in, careful to avoid tripping on them, though his mind wandered elsewhere.

Bill had tricked him.

They had conspired against him.

But more importantly:

Dipper had betrayed him.

And that was unforgivable.

Ford always knew the boy was foolish. He had hoped his plan to allow Dipper and the siren grow closer would succeed, he had hoped that he could manipulate both of them to fall for one another, then reveal the siren's dark nature after Bill had given Dipper the cure.

But he never expected Dipper to hide the fact that he had gotten the cure.

Ford supposed it only made sense, Bill didn't trust Ford, so why would Dipper trust him after the two had gotten close.

It was a slight mistake on Ford's part.

A small miscalculation.

It wouldn't happen again. Ford wouldn't let it happen again.

Ford stopped halfway through his journey back to the ship, a plan forming. He smirked to himself, then pulled his sword, as well as his dagger. He wiped Dipper's blood off with a rag, pocketing the rag for later. Blood was a rather strong spell component after all.

Using his sword as a mirror, he raised his dagger to his cheek, making four close cuts in his cheek, not too deep, but definitely noticeable. Smearing the blood on his cheek.

He then messed up his hair, smudging dirt and mud on his clothes, cutting through his shirt and jacket, making scratch like marks.

Once he was satisfied with his appearance, he pressed onward to the rowboat.

He did his best to clear his head, wipe his face of his dissatisfaction, hide his true emotions. Replacing them with ones of loss and dismay.

He approached the rowboat, stumbling slightly, to sell the act of course, then began pushing the rowboat out far enough into the water before climbing in, rowing back to the ship. His Ship.

Once he got close enough to the ship, he heard the sounds of the useless crew stumbling around, whispers on the wind. They had noticed the siren's absence, and more importantly, Dipper's absence.

He saw the ropes descend, once they were in arms length, Ford grabbed them, faking the shaking in his hands as he tied each of the two ropes to either side of the rowboat, purposely fumbling with the knots.

Once they were tied off, he felt the crew pull the rowboat up, back to the deck of the ship.

Ford covered his face with a look of distraught as the rowboat reached the deck.

Once the rowboat was tied off, he fumbled to climb out, tripping slightly to add to his act.

Soos ran forward to meet Ford.

"C-Captain Ford...what happened? Where's-" Soos began but he was cut off.

"Where's the kid? What did you do!?" Stan asked angrily.

"Stan...I..." Ford began, trying to seem at a loss for words.

Stan's face grew angrier.

"What did you do!?" Stan demanded again.

"The siren...he attacked us! I told him I'd release him if he gave Dipper the cure...and if he gave me what he stole from me...I'd give him back the shell...I had my guard down...I thought we made a deal, then he attacked me and he..." Ford paused, as though he was trying to find the words.

"He...he took Dipper...and pulled him into the depths to drown...I tried to go in after them but he swam too fast. The siren...killed Dipper." Ford said, tears now falling from his eyes. He secretly smirked in his head. Lying to these fools was so easy after all.

Stan was at a loss for words.

"You were right brother. I...I should have never brought that creature aboard. I should have never got involved with it. And to avenge young Dipper, I'm going to hunt the siren down and kill it once and for all." Ford said.

Stan stared at the island for a long time.

"Captain Ford....where is Dipper?" A voice asked. The crew that had surrounded Ford turned and saw Mabel coming up from below deck.

She looked around, not seeing her brother's face among the crew she had grown to love.

"Did he already go below deck?" Mabel asked.

"Mabel...I'm sorry." Ford said. Mabel looked confused for a minute. Then realization dawned on her.

"No...no, this can't...no...I." Mabel stuttered. Then tears began falling from her eyes. Wendy began to console the crying girl.

"Mabel. I promise I will avenge him. I will stop at nothing to kill that siren." Ford said sincerely. He wasn't lying then. He was going to kill the siren. As well as the one who betrayed him.

"Where is the siren now?" Stan asked.

"What?" Ford said, genuinely confused.

"I said, where is the siren now? I'm going to help you find it, and I'm going to avenge our fallen comrade." Stan said.

"Probably at the bottom of the ocean. Recovering. He has his shell now, he's likely back to his full power now." Ford said.

Stan nodded.

"Then we'll have to summon him here." Stan said.

"What do you mean?" Ford asked.

"Simple, we set a trap for him and summon him. Dipper summoned him once before. We can do it again. And slay that monster." Stan said. Ford shook his head.

"No. That won't work. We would need the shell to summon him. I have to console my notes, once I have a solution, I will inform you. I won't stop until I have it." Ford said. Stan nodded, turning to address the crew.

"A vile beast has taken one of our own. Young Dipper was one of our smartest and bravest. Tonight, we will do as pirates do and drink for the fallen! And tomorrow we will hunt for the beasts head!" Stan announced, raising his sword inspiringly.

The crew all shouted, "Kill the beast!" Raising their own weapons as well. All but one, going unnoticed by Ford.

Wendy.

>>>>>>
How was the change of pace? Honestly, I wasn't going to do a chapter from Ford's pov but I'm glad I did. I really like how this one turned out.

Anyway, new chapter soon(ish)