Alrighty-roo! First person UwU.
(Gore warning near the end:)
Steven
I know they saw them. I know they saw my scars. I hate them (my scars, not the Twins and Wendy). I slip my shirt over my head quickly and wince. The scars are still fresh and it hurts to wear clothes. Pearl says they're from corruption, just like other gems having horns and markings. I disagree. I basically tore myself inside out, and I didn't keep my horns and have stripes. And if I'm correct, the markings don't hurt on other gems.
People look at me weird if they see my scars. I know Dipper already saw the little ones on my face, he kept staring at where they are. I let out a light sigh. It's time to track down a monster, or maybe a corrupted gem.
"Ok, so Soos's boat is super cool!" Mabel gushes and points towards the dock. The dock is really rickety and there's a board missing, which I almost fall into. The wood panels creak with every step, I swear someone's gonna fall in.
We get to the boat (which looks a lot like Yellowtail's fishing boat) and Soos greats us excitedly.
"You guys ready to party!?" He holds out a hand to help Mabel and Dipper onto the boat. I watch Wendy heave herself up and into the boat easily, and I take an easy jump in.
"How can you jump so high?" Dipper looks me up and down and I feel really awkward.
"I dunno." I shrug and Dipper turns away clearing his throat.
"Alright." Dipper stamps his foot down, "Last time I bought seventeen disposable cameras." He inhales deeply (I think he's frustrated) "But that was just for Mabel, Soos, and I. This time there are two more people. This time I bought twenty five." That's a lot of cameras "And I would like at least one picture."
"Alright bro bro!" Mabel gives Dipper a thumbs up and sticks out her tongue. She reminds me of myself when I was a kid. So does Dipper. I like these kids.
"Try not to lose these." Dipper's voice is pleading as he hands Steven five cameras.
"I'll do my best." I smile a genuine smile and glance over at Wendy. We make eye contact and she shrugs with a smile.
"We should all take a selfie on one and keep that camera safe in the boat!" Soos steps away from the wheel and scoots everyone close together. "Say 'Monster hunt'!"
"Monster hunt!" Everyone smiles and the flash goes off. I blink a few times. Ack, the buzzing sound is back… I rub my eyes and try to ignore the high pitched whine in the back of my mind.
Soos pulls us up close to the island in the middle of the lake. Fogg lazily rolls over the tall pine trees and sharp rocks. The boat crunches against the shore and I almost slap my palm to my forehead, (I don't because that'd be rude).
"How are we going to get the boat offshore?" Wendy groans.
"I dunno, we figured it out last time." Soos shrugs and picks up his four cameras (he kept one hidden away, the one with our picture).
A shiver runs up my back and my face feels cold. This place is creepier than Mom's moss pond. They jump off the boat landing with heavy thuds. I float down, but not so slow where it's noticeable.
The island is really hot and humid and my hair sticks to the back of my neck. I should really get a haircut soon. I take the hair tie on my wrist (I always carry one one me, usually in case Connie breaks hers or if anyone needs one) and pull up my hair. At least it's off my neck now.
"We'll walk along the edge of this island, and if we don't see anything we'll go behind the waterfall." Dipper's voice echoed. He seems stronger and more confident on a monster hunt, like when we were looking for the Gremloblin.
"Yessir!" Mabel lifts her hand into a salute, Wendy and Soos copy. My hands automatically take the "diamond salute" position. Dipper gives me a weird look and I snap my arms down to my side.
Dipper
I really hope this monster is actually real, that'd be so cool. I explain the plan to patrol the island first and they jokingly salute. Except for Steven, who does something really weird with his arms, but only for a second. Steven's hiding something. Mabel says that his gem is probably just a statement, but it has to be something else.
I don't want to share this theory with Mabel, but I think Steven brought Bill back, and I think he's working with Bill. Like what was that whole fusion thing!? Can Bill do that with anyone? Or can Steven do that with anyone? Uhg it's so confusing and wonderful!
I have something original to research! I'll do as much research as I can without asking direct questions. I don't want to scare him away.
"There!" Wendy's voice snaps me back to reality. She's pointing at a long snake-like tail whip out of the water.
Steven
I gasp as a huge tail whips out of the water.
"Quick! Get to the boat! We've got to chase it!" Dipper shouts and we run back to the boat. This could be dangerous, chasing a monster on a boat. I hope Dipper knows what he's doing.
Dipper
I have no idea what I'm doing!
Steven
We stop dead in our tracks at the boat, stuck on shore.
"See, Soos? You gotta anchor it out!" Wendy snaps.
"It's ok!" I hold out my hands, "Get in the boat."
"But-" Dipper started, but I cut him off.
"Trust me." They heave themselves into the boat, and once they're all inside I start pushing. I place my hands on the metal and start stepping forward, gritting my teeth together. The boat inches back into the water. The lack water is lapping around my feet now, and I hear the engine start.
A bead of sweat rolls down my forehead, but I continue until I no longer need to push. The boat is free and I can hear the shouting from the people on board. I hadn't heard them before, but I know why they're screaming now. The monster has lifted it's green head out of the water and is swimming straight towards me.
It's pitch black eyes are fixated on me (I think.) I bend my knees to jump onto the boat, but there isn't time. The monster rams into me, dragging me underwater.
Mabel
How is he so strong? He's pushing the whole boat into the lake. Something catches the corner of my eye and I gasp.
"It's back!" I shout and Dipper's eyes widen.
"Look out!" Soos sketches. Wendy runs to the control panel and switches the engine on.
"We're so close! Just a little farther." She's gritting her teeth. I lean over the edge and scream.
"Steven!" He looks up startled and I point to the beast. He rams his shoulder against the boat.
"Ok, we're free!" Wendy shouts. Dipper grabs a rope to toss down to Dipper, but it's too late. The monster shoves our boat out farther and latches onto Steven. A scream escapes my throat and the beast disappears underwater, with Steven. I turn to Dipper, my heart feels like it's going to beat its way out of my chest. What do we do?
"B-bring us to the cave behind the waterfall!" Dipper's trying to sound strong, but his voice is shaking. I place my hand on his shoulder. Wendy pushes the boat forward and straight through the waterfall. Sure enough the evil thing is there. It's head snaps up and it lets out a horrid scream.
I put my hands over my ears and glance around for any sign of Steven. I don't see him, but I notice that the monster is hurt and bleeding. There's a deep gash along its face that's oozing thick, dark green blood.
"Steven's not here!" I wail and spin around. What do we do? What if he's drowning, or hurt, or dead!?
Steven
I think I might be dead.