Ford's Apprentice

The Opening of the Portal

13-year-old Canis blinked slowly and looked around. It was dark in the basement but, his mismatched eyes easily took in the scene. He made a silent list of facts in his head.

*Three possible enemies
*Two males
*One girl
*They didn't have weapons
* The place was wrecked
*One doppelganger
* His guardian was glaring at the doppelganger
* The doppelganger looked overjoyed and shocked

Canis snapped to attention as the doppelganger walked up to his guardian with his arms open wide. He instinctively drew his gun, taking careful aim. One word from his master and the man was dead.

The two began to fight, but Canis could tell that Ford wasn't really going to hurt the other one.

"Um... Hi! Mabel here. Quick question, who are you?!"

Ford let go of the man. "Stan, you didn't tell me there were children here." he muttered.

Canis opened his mouth to speak, but, decided not to annoy Ford. If he was in a good mood he was more likely to tell Canis what the heck was going on.

Stan looked at Canis. "You didn't tell me that you had an assassin with you.". Canis realized that his gun was still aimed at Stan; he dropped his arm somewhat sheepishly.

Ford introduced himself and shook hands with the kids. The girl, Mabel, was odd, but Canis decided that she could be trusted. The other though, Dipper... Canis wasn't sure about him.

"Who's that?" asked Mabel pointing at Canis. "I'd like to know, too." added Stan.

Canis walked forward, he footsteps silent even in the rubble of the portal. "I'm Canis," he said, carefully shaking hands with the two. "Neat!" said Mabel. Dipper looked wary. Good. The boy had sense.

Canis nervously ran his right hand through his dark black hair. He didn't trust Stan. He had brought them here. Was that good? Bad? Both?

Canis didn't know, and he hated not knowing.

Mabel hinted that she wanted to hear the entire mysterious back story of the two and Stan began to tell about his past.

Canis was swept away into the story of Ford.

And what a story it was.