So yesterday marked my one year anniversary here on Fanfiction. Woo Hoo! I want to thank everyone for reading my stories and even more to those who have reviewed, favorited, and alerted the stories. I appreciate every one of you.
A special thanks to the reviewers of the last chapter: Energy witch, Berrybanana05, Fantasy Female Freak, CornChip, ImpossibleJedi4, Guest, and Marisol777.
The king finished his speech earning him applause and cheers from all his subjects. The guests from oceans also showered their host king with respectful clapping. Dipper, Wendy, and Soos also applauded.
Elias moved back inside the castle and the rest of the population dispersed to indulge in the various activities and foods offered free of charge.
Soos took his place inside the gated arena for the spear throwing contest. Dipper and Wendy waited on the other side of the gate to watch. Often Dipper would look behind him and check his surroundings for any sign of a face nearly identical to his.
The announcer swam down the line, stopping to give each contestant their spear. Soos held the weapon close. He looked over his shoulder to see both Dipper and Wendy give him a thumbs up. He noticed a member of their party missing. Soos turned his attention back to the announcer who began listing the rules. Mabel would be there for the contest-she promised.
The merman who won the last round smirked as he examined his competition, already certain he'd be taking home yet another redstone. He then looked over at Soos who stood to his right and chuckled.
"Have you ever held a spear before?" the merman asked.
Soos ran his hand across the spear. "In real life, no," Soos answered. He laughed and added, "But I have plenty of times in video games."
The other contestant lifted a brow while Soos laughed.
"What a shame they don't hold preliminaries," the winner of the past round said and wiped at his nose. "It's almost unfair that I'm not even challenged anymore."
"I don't see no reason why I can't try," Soos said. He pushed away the bit of anger and instead held out his hand to his opponent. "Let's keep it friendly."
The other man scoffed as he smacked Soos' hand away. "Entering on luck, what a joke." He pointed his nose to the sky and said, "Don't get your hopes up. You won't win."
Soos frowned, but turned his attention back to target before him. Behind him he knew his friends cheered him on.
"Oh, man, Mabel's gonna miss all this," Wendy said. She leaned over the gate and folded her hands.
"Where is Mabel?" a voice called from behind.
Dipper and Wendy turned to see Ford and Bill floating behind them.
"She got upset when she saw Mermando with his wife," Dipper answered. "She told me she wanted some time alone." Dipper pointed towards the entrance gate.
Ford sighed. "It's not safe for her to be out here in the ocean by herself," he said. "She could get carried away by a current, or run across a shark, or other predator."
Dipper's heart swelled. "I-I didn't think about that," he said.
Ford put a hand on Dipper's shoulder. "It's okay, my boy." He glanced back at Bill and said, "Bill and I will go look for her." Ford put his other hand on Wendy's shoulder. "You kids stay here until we get back."
"But-but I can tell you where she went," Dipper argued.
Ford looked over at Bill who shrugged. The older man agreed and the four set out after Mabel.
Dipper led them through the gate-the shadow of the arch passed over each one. Dipper glanced behind him to make sure the other three followed closely. He took a sharp left and guided them to the pile of rocks where he left Mabel. A little ways down Ford spied the shallow sea cave.
"This is where I last saw her," Dipper explained. He stared off at the vast ocean in all directions. He rubbed at his arm and asked in a softer tone, "You don't think she got far, do you?"
"Let's split up," Ford said. He pointed at the teenagers. "You two look out that way, and Bill and I will go the opposite." Ford swam over to the cave. He patted the stone and said, "This will be our meeting place. Go until you can no longer see it, then come straight back."
Dipper and Wendy exchanged glances then agreed. The two pairs split off.
Bill swam ahead of Ford. He checked in every direction for any sign of the Pines girl. The blond gritted his teeth then with a push of his arms directed himself upwards. Ford chose to look low while his boyfriend scouted from a higher viewpoint.
"I don' see her!" Bill yelled.
Ford swore then picked up speed. Mabel should have known not to venture out too far on her own. If he found Mabel he promised himself he'd give her a good scolding for worrying him.
Meanwhile Wendy tried to keep up with Dipper who proved to be a quick swimmer. They called out Mabel's name in intervals then waited for any verbal response. Dipper gripped at his arms and moved even faster. Wendy looked behind her to see the cave slowly vanishing from sight.
"Dipper, we need to go back," Wendy said.
Dipper pretended not to hear his friend and continued on. Wendy bit her lip and followed close behind. The last thing they needed was for both twins to go missing.
A look over her shoulder and Wendy could no longer see the cave or the grand gate of Aquatica. She quickened her speed and blocked Dipper's path. With knitted brows he moved around her. Wendy grabbed Dipper's arm for him to yank away.
"Mabel's gone, Wendy, and it's my fault," Dipper cried. "I left her alone and she..."
Wendy released him and Dipper landed on his knees. He looked down at the sand while his hair and fins swayed with the current. The last time he left a distressed Mabel all on her own it nearly caused the end of the world.
"It's okay," Wendy said as she sat down next to Dipper. "She's probably already made her way back to the castle. Let's go check."
"Just go on without me," Dipper argued.
Wendy shook her head. "You know I can't do that." She smacked Dipper on the back. "We can't have you lost too."
With a sigh and heavy heart Dipper agreed to the other teenager's terms.
Wendy and Dipper made it back to the cave before the others. Dipper leaned his head against the cave wall and prayed that his great-uncle and Bill found her. The hope vanished when the other two members of their party showed up bereft of Mabel.
Ford suggested that they go back to the castle courtyard to see if Mabel returned. If not then he would ask Mermando, Rafael, or possibly even Elias to help form a search party. The four swam silently back towards the grand gate. The entire way back guilt coursed through Dipper's body.
As soon as they passed through the gates a set of guards blocked their paths. Without words they ushered the group to the interior of the castle. Wendy wrestled against the hand that held onto her arm, but that only caused her captor to tighten his hold.
The guards marched them through the main hallway towards the throne room. Several nobles watched and whispered. It took all of Wendy's strength for her not to break free from the guard and knock out one of the mermaids who pointed at her with a smirk.
Two strong doormen parted the gold doors that led to the throne room. Statues of famous kings from the past and plenty of shell tapestries decorated the room. Guards were stationed all along the pathway that led to the king. Sitting in the plush chair was none other than King Elias who's face bore a mixture of anger and concern.
Accompanying the king was the queen, Mateo, Rafael, Mermando, and Lena. The manatee queen stared at the boy who held a striking resemblance to the girl that once (and according to rumors currently) held her husband's affection. On his knees next to the throne was Soos with a guard on each side, both pointing spears at him.
The four were thrown before the king. Mateo moved ahead to help Wendy up, only to be halted by his father's hand.
Elias glared at Ford. Without giving eye contact Elias hissed at Rafael, "I warned you these land people would bring us trouble."
"What?" Wendy cried.
The guards jumped into action at the girl's sudden movements. The four outsiders were met with spears inches from their faces.
"We didn't do anything," Wendy said.
Ford lifted his head. The guard behind him poked him in the back with the spear. Bill's eyes flashed red and Ford held a hand out to calm his boyfriend before he made the situation worse.
Kneeling the author said, "If we committed any crime, I promise you it was done out of ignorance of your laws."
"He's right, Father, they don't know our ways," Mateo interjected.
Elias' cold eye landed on his son. "Interfere again and I'll have you locked in the tower," the king threatened.
Mateo glared at his father, but backed away without a word.
The king snapped his fingers. The guard in front of Ford dropped his weapon and hoisted the captive up. Two other guards pointed spears at Ford's back. Ford was led to the throne.
"Maybe you can tell me why moments after we receive a message from the Mako Riders, you all return from outside the gates," Elias spat.
Ford gasped.
"We didn't have anything to do with that!" Dipper cried.
The guard behind him turned the spear then smacked the boy over the back with the coral handle. Dipper yelled out in pain and fell on his face.
Ford returned his gaze to the king and with a glower responded, "The boy is correct. It's mere coincidence."
Elias narrowed his eyes. "You must think me a fool."
"I assure you, we were only looking for my niece," Ford explained. "Mabel, she's gone missing."
"Mabel," Lena hissed.
Mermando clenched his fists.
Ford continued, "We were on our way back to ask for your help to find her." He motioned to each of the royals.
"Another coincidence?" Elias asked. He gripped at the chair handle with one hand and pointed at Ford with the other. "Don't try to hide the truth from me." He stood and lowered himself down to be on the ground level with the captives. "The Mako Riders can't get into the kingdom, so they hired you land people to do it for them."
"Your claim is ridiculous," Ford retorted. "We've never met these riders."
From where he lie on the floor Dipper winced as the bruise on his back swelled. "We-we only want to find my sister." The guard behind him raised the spear again and Dipper braced himself for the second strike that never came. Dipper opened his eyes to see the king motioned for the guard to stop.
Ford's eyes met with Elias'. "Please, help us find Mabel and we'll leave and never come back."
"Uncle, please," Mermando pleaded. "I know Mabel and she's not like that."
Lena glared at her husband. "Of course you'll stand up for that land girl," the manatee spat.
"It's not a trap," Mermando confessed. "I brought Mabel here. I brought them all here."
Rafael gasped and quickly looked over at the manatee queen. Lena stood there quietly for a moment. She then lifted her flipper and slapped Mermando across the face. The manatee swam away with Rafael called after her. The manatee queen slipped out into the adjacent corridor. Rafael glowered at his son, the rare expression of anger caused the young merman to back down.
"Your sponsorship means nothing," Elias said to his nephew. He glared at Ford then at the other three behind him. "They could've dealt with the Mako Riders while they supposedly were looking for their niece." He folded his hands. "It's a perfect cover story to a perfect trap." His cold eyes stared into Ford's. "I believe that this Mabel's capture is all a part of the ploy."
"Capture?" Ford and Dipper asked at the same time.
"What are you talking about?" Dipper asked as he jumped out. He was punished with a hard blow to the back of his head. The male twin clutched at his throbbing skull while he slowly floated back to the ground.
The four captives stared at the youngest merman. Mermando turned to the group. "The Mako Riders have taken Mabel."
"And you're telling me this now?" Ford barked. He shoved the guard off of him and reached for Mermando. Rafael jumped in front of his son while the three guards wrestled Ford to the ground.
Bill snarled. The markings on his finger glowed gold and he was given the strength to push the guards assigned to him away. In a flash Bill snatched one of the soldiers who held tight to Ford by the face. The merman's eyes widened as they stared into the red ones of the visitor while Bill gripped at his face, his claws on his thumb and index finger forced their way into the merman's cheeks.
Another guard charged at Bill. He turned his head and threw a punch that sent the merman against the wall. His spear fell to the stone floor with a loud clank. The other guards moved towards Bill with their weapons out in front. The demon smiled as he felt their fear in the air.
Ford pulled himself off the floor. He swam towards Bill with one arm out in front of him.
"Bill, stand down!" Ford shouted, but Bill didn't hear.
Two more were pushed away with energy waves. Ford winced at the sound of broken bones when the smaller guard collided with the floor.
Ford grabbed Bill from behind. The blond snarled and tried to struggle when Ford whispered in the demon's ear, "Bill, it's me." Slowly Bill's eyes resumed their default color. The glow on both his and Ford's fingers diminished.
The guards who still stood shook as they kept their weapons on Bill and Ford. Bill held his arm out in front of Ford with his teeth bared displaying the wires.
"He chained his mouth," one guard whispered to the two next to him.
"Of his free will, or as a precaution?" asked a second.
"What kind of monster is he?" a third inquired.
From behind Elias said, "He's a threat and you've all overstayed your welcome." Ford turned his head to see Elias making his way off the platform and hovered just above the floor.
Ford turned and lined his eyes with the king's. "I assure you I would never put my niece in danger," he hissed. "We are not your enemy."
Elias didn't falter.
"Please, uncle, we can settle this right now," Mermando argued. He called for one of the guards to fetch the baby dolphin who relayed him the message.
Dipper, Wendy, and Soos looked at each other then over to Ford and Elias. Five minutes of silence passed. Dipper didn't dare move lest he receive another blow from the coral rod. He glanced over at Wendy and hoped she had the sense not to endanger herself or her unborn child by futile retaliation.
The door opened for the guard to escort the tiny dolphin inside. The creature still shaken from his encounter with the Mako Riders slowly made his way back to Mermando. The young merman approached the dolphin and gently caressed his face.
"It's okay," Mermando said in dolphin tongue. "You're safe here. I won't let anyone hurt you."
"What's he saying?" Ford asked.
Rafael acted as a translator.
The dolphin calmed in Mermando's hands, but still slightly shook. The merman groaned at the visible bruise on the dolphin's back. He gently pet his head as he spoke in the sea mammal's language to try and coax him to answer his question.
Once the young dolphin had calmed enough Mermando asked, "Was a girl with the Mako Riders when they took you?"
The dolphin shook at the mention of the Riders. It took another minute for Mermando to calm him enough to ask the question a second time. The dolphin confirmed that Mabel was not present during his abduction.
Mermando then asked, "When you were instructed to come to me, did the Mako Riders have a brown-haired mermaid?"
The dolphin answered, "They hit her and made her sleep."
"Are you telling me the truth?" Mermando asked in a firm tone.
The dolphin replied, "I swear. I swear." He then started to cry.
Mermando consoled the baby dolphin until his tears slowed. In Spanish the nephew of the king ordered one of the guards to escort the dolphin to the infirmary to have his wounds treated.
"There you have it," Mermando said to his uncle.
Elias knew there was still a chance that the words the dolphin spoke were fabricated by the Riders and the outsiders alike. However the creature was too young to give that convincing of a performance.
"If we don't do something, Mabel..." Mermando stopped when the thoughts entering his head of what the Mako Riders were capable of became too much to bear. "I shouldn't have brought her here."
"Yes, that was a terrible mistake," Rafael said. "One that may cost us our alliance with the manatees." He glared at his son then looked upon the visitors with compassion. "But since we are hosting her and her family, she is our responsibility."
Ford said to Elias, "You say they have my niece, so we share a common enemy." Ford clenched his fists and demanded, "If you don't want to help me find Mabel then please at least tell me where I can find her."
"You plan to take the Mako Riders on by yourself?" Elias asked with a chuckle.
"Perhaps I didn't make myself clear," Ford spat. "I will rescue my niece with or without your help." His eyes met with everyone in the throne room. "But without will be more difficult."
Elias groaned.
Mateo looked over at Wendy then swam over to his father. "If I may?" he asked. Elias granted him permission. Mateo turned so the others couldn't hear and said in their native language. "This could be our chance to take them out. You saw yourself how powerful that one is." Mateo stole a glimpse in Bill's direction.
"I agree," said Rafael.
"Very well," Elias said.
Dipper, Wendy, Soos, and Bill all met each other with smiles.
"But it will be on my terms," the king said. "They have already set their terms and will be expecting us." He snapped his fingers. The guards grabbed hold of Wendy and Soos.
"What are you doing?" Dipper cried.
Elias ignored the boy. He lifted himself higher above the others and demanded of the guards, "Put them in the dungeon."
Dipper called out after his two friends and dashed after them. Mermando grabbed hold of the other boy and held his struggling form while the guards tried to carry off two of their party.
Wendy jerked free of the guard. She grabbed his arm and pinned it behind his back. Another tried to grab her from behind. Wendy spun and punched him in the face. Two grabbed her right arm and a third took hold of her left one. Together they managed to subdue the thrashing teenager.
"Please don't hurt her!" Dipper cried. The guards holding onto Wendy glared at the approaching boy. Dipper bit his lip. "Please, she's..." He lowered his face. "She's pregnant."
Wendy gasped. Ford's eyes widened. Although he turned Wendy saw the look of disappointment on the old man's face in that half a second-one that she would soon come to accept as normal.
Bill nodded and Soos verbally confirmed the truth behind Dipper's claim. The lead guard instructed his subordinates to not jostle her during the relocation. The head guard took his spot at the front and ordered the doormen to give them an open path.
Dipper called her name, but the redhead wouldn't look at him. The guards dragged Wendy off through the now open corridor along with Soos. Dipper watched with a breaking heart.
"I will send you with a small army," Elias said with his back to Ford. "But hear me out, if you do plan to betray me, I will have your friends executed."
Fifteen nautical miles past the outskirts of Aquatica rested the Ship Cemetery. A collection of sunken ships from the past two hundred years littered the ocean floor. It was almost considered a curse to travel over that one path of ocean as too many had mysteriously fallen to their deaths.
It used to act as a home for various fish, but in the last decade the Mako Riders took it over as their secondary hideout. The bodies of deceased sailors had long since rotted away, or provided food for carnivorous sea creatures; the bones once lay untouched were now arranged as decor.
Mabel stirred and woke to find herself locked in a rusty, metal cage. She grabbed the bars only to release and back up where she stared at the orange stain on her hands. A shadow passed over and Mabel looked up to see a mako shark brush by the cage. She grabbed her arms and shuddered scolding herself for being so stupid as to run off on her own.
The brunette looked out to see the figures of a group of mermen just beyond her view. Almost certain they were the ones who took her and locked her away she was wary to let them know she woke.
Mabel nearly shrieked when a shark stopped directly in front of the cage. It swam off then circled around to gnash at the bars. The girl screamed and cowered in the corner. A second shark attacked from the side.
"Help!" Mabel shouted. She coiled into herself with her hands atop her head. "Mermando, help me!" she yelled louder.
The girl gulped and backed up when a particularly large merman approached. He hovered just outside the cage with a fierce glare. Mabel backed up against the wall safely out of his reach. She watched as the Mako Rider's second in command ordered the sharks away from the captive. One mako snapped at the other then both swam away.
Mabel inhaled the water through her gills then shakily moved closer to the bars. "What-what do you want with me?"
"Nothing," the merman answered in a deep voice. "We don't want nothing with you."
"He's correct," came a second, higher-pitched voice.
Mabel gasped as the man who initiated her kidnapping came into view. He grinned showing off a set of shark-like teeth, although she had a strong feeling that the merman before her was not there to be her friend. What intimidated her the most was his absent black eyes.
The leader of the Mako Riders gripped at the cage door. His left hand slid down a rusty bar, slicing his palm of dull protrusions in the metal. A cloud of crimson wafted towards the prisoner. Mabel moved out of the way only for part of the blood to follow. The girl screamed as she swatted at the red that eventually evaporated in the water.
"Who are you?" Mabel gasped.
"I am the one who leads the Mako Riders," he answered with a chuckle. "But you may call me Milo."
"Milo," Mabel repeated. She coughed into her hand then moved closer, although careful to be far enough away should he choose to grab for her.
"My friends scared you," Milo said with a laugh. A smaller mako brushed against the hybrid. Milo pet the shark's body then dropped a piece of crab meat that the young shark gobbled up. "You can't blame them, they're hungry." Another hunk of crab was given to the mako. "They survive on what they can find out here, and it's rare for a mermaid such as yourself, or in their eyes, a fresh helping of meat to enter their home."
"So I'm here to be their lunch?" Mabel cried.
Milo laughed. "Ridiculous." He smiled at the girl. "You're much too valuable for that."
"Then wh-what do you want with-with me?" Mabel stammered.
Again the hybrid laughed.
Mabel narrowed her eyes and began a new strategy. "Look, I'm good friends with Mermando, and when he finds out what you've done he won't be happy." Mabel's confidence drained as the Rider's smirk increased. In a voice of forced bravado she added, "So-so it's in your best interest to-to let me go."
"Little girl, that's exactly what we want," said the leader with a laugh. "Mermando and King Elias have received news of your capture by now." His jagged teeth gnashed off the crab's claw and he slurped out the meat. Mabel's stomach turned. With a chuckle Milo added, "Soon they will bring us what we want."
"And what do you want?" the girl questioned.
"The king knows," the leader said. With a laugh he slowly swam away from the cage.
A curtain was drawn over the entrance leaving Mabel alone in the dark. She huddled into herself and shut her eyes while the sounds of sharks swimming about tormented her ears. Every minute or so one would bump against the cage causing her to hug herself tighter.
All she wanted was for her brother to be there by her side. She prayed that Mermando acted the instant he received the message. That was enough to give her hope to smile-Mermando would come. She told herself she had to stay positive.
Elias led the group to the room at the center of the castle. The door was bound in chains enchanted to never rust. Thirteen guards stood at the post at all times.
The lead guard stepped forward and asked a series of questions that the king correctly answered. Upon receiving confirmation that the man before him was indeed their leader, the guard pressed a button that disarmed all booby traps.
King Elias floated ahead. He held his hands out in front of him and spoke the incantation the sea wizard placed on the place long before his birth. The password allowed the clasp on the chains unlock and the metal links fell limply on the floor, clanking. The door opened sending a plethora of bubbles at the group.
Elias moved on ahead. Ford followed after with Bill right by him. Dipper glanced over at Mermando who nodded then the two swam into the secret room along with Mateo and Rafael.
None other than Elias had ever been given the privilege of entering the locked room; they were all surprised to see the interior was barely large enough to comfortably fit them all inside. Elias spoke another spell to keep the chandelier of spikes from falling on their heads, impaling them all the way through.
Cramped, the seven huddled around a small table with a metal platform in the center. Encased in an invisible forcefield sat a sky blue sphere with currents of white swimming inside.
"It looks like the rift," Dipper commented.
"It's The Sphere," Elias corrected.
Mateo and Mermando were equally mystified having never seen the object until now.
"It's what the Mako Riders covet," Elias continued.
"Does it contain magical properties?" Ford asked.
Bill nodded, sensing the power that pulsed inside the item.
"Your magical friend is correct," Elias said frowning at Bill. He lowered his gaze to the Sphere. "After the war with the Mako Riders, King Camilo commissioned a trusted sea wizard to create this sphere. As long as this sits in the center of my castle, it puts a forcefield around my kingdom. Anyone with shark blood can't enter the borders of Aquatica."
"So that explains why they want it so bad," said Dipper.
Bill lowered himself down to be on eye level with the Sphere. He grinned as his elbows rested on the ledge of the table while watching the white currents move like clouds through the round object. His heart raced at the possibility of merely touching the Sphere would transfer a portion of its magic to him.
"Are you going to give it to them?" Mermando asked.
Elias glared at his nephew. "That's not an option."
"But that's what they demanded!" Mermando cried. He looked over at Dipper then moved closer to his uncle. "If we don't, you know what they'll do to Mabel."
The fins on Mermando's tail touched the forcefield surrounding the Sphere. The teenage merman yelped as the forcefield seared him and he fell to the ground clutching the wounded fin.
"What is your plan?" Ford asked.
"We recreate the Sphere and hand it over," Elias answered. "They will be expecting a trick, so it'll have to contain magic." Elias cold eyes landed on Bill. "Perhaps your friend can transfer some of his magic into the fake."
"Yes, and we'll have Mabel before they realize they've been tricked," Mermando added.
Ford turned to his boyfriend who still stared at the Sphere. Bill glanced up and his smile faded when he realized what Ford wanted him to do.
"My magig is alrea'y limi'ed," Bill argued. With that he turned and exited the small room. Ford glanced over at Elias who's frown increased then back to Bill. Before he could react Dipper dashed from the center room.
Dipper grasped hold of Bill's arm. He squeezed until he visibly watched Bill wince.
"Are you seriously doing this?" Dipper snapped.
"Piss off, Pinetree," Bill spat.
"No!" Dipper yelled. He tightened his hold on Bill and yanked him closer so that their faces were only inches apart. "After everything Mabel's done for you, you're going to just abandon her?"
"Of course not, Pintree," Bill answered. He pulled, but Dipper's hold proved strong. "I'm goin' affer her."
"And do what?" Dipper yelled. "You don't even know where she is, or what they'll do to her." It took all of his strength to keep from striking Bill. "Even if you take some of them out, they might kill her." He gripped Bill's chin, ignoring his injury. "Is that what you want?"
Bill glared at Dipper. The two engaged in a staring contest for a few moments, not a word spoken.
Dipper released Bill. With an arched back and clenched fists Dipper moved a few paces away from Bill. "You want to know something?" he hissed. "I never liked you. And everytime I said something bad about you Mabel would always stand up for you. She said you deserved a second chance, give you a chance, you've changed."
Bill gripped at his arms throughout Dipper's tirade. He closed his eyes, but all he could see was the girl who had willingly befriended him when the rest of the Pines family looked upon him with disgust and loathing.
Dipper scoffed. "It looks like I was right all along." He turned, his eyes burning with rage.
Bill smirked, despite the pulling in his chest. He fought to keep his smile as he rationalized it's what they deserve for believing he could change.
The guards moved out of the way for Dipper who swam back into the cramped room. Ford stood at the king's side suggesting that he could try and transfer his own energy into the false sphere.
"I have had some success with magic in the past," Ford said. He glared at the door where Bill had fled. "Although I am not a natural mage."
Elias thought for a second. "I'm not willing to risk my kingdom on a poor attempt," he finally said. He looked Ford directly in the eyes. "I can't guarantee your niece's safety if there isn't an exchange."
"Can't we just attack?" Mateo asked.
"The girl will be in too much danger," Rafael countered. "Until Mabel is safely in our hands, they have the upper hand."
From the door Bill listened. He cursed his humanity for giving him that new emotion: guilt. The other six all looked over at him.
Staring down at the floor Bill muttered, "I'll do it...for Shoo' Star."
Bill glowered as he moved back over to the table. How much he wished he could grasp that Sphere and place it directly into the Mako Riders' hands. How much magic he still had he didn't know, but he hoped that when he was all dried up Mabel would appreciate what he did for her. Another wave a guilt washed over him as he recalled too much she had done for him.
Bill waved his hands and with eyes closed summoned the magic from within. The others stared on as a flash of light appeared between the demon's hands. Elias gasped as floating in front of Bill's chest, just above his hands was an exact replica of the Sphere.
The king of Aquatica reached out his hand. Bill allowed the merman to take hold of the fake. He smiled at the orb that not only looked like the magical item that kept his kingdom safe, but also emitted magic enough to possibly fool the Riders long enough to rescue the land girl.
"This could actually work," Elias whispered.
An hour passed since Susan noticed the rest of their party's absence. She rose from her chair earning her attention from her fiance. The woman made her way to the ocean. Her bare feet stepped onto the damp sand and let the cool, foamy water pass over her toes.
She held her hand over her eyes and squinted as she tried to make out the figures of the people further out in the ocean. She never was much of a swimmer and wouldn't risk going out deeper than needed.
From behind she felt the presence of another body she already knew to be her fiance. Stan stood with his hands on his hips as he scouted for any sight of his brother or the kids. They wouldn't have gone out far due to the fact that Bill couldn't swim. If they had left the beach he vowed to smack Ford over the head for not giving him a warning beforehand.
The two made their way back to their chairs. Susan reached into her bag to grab her cell phone and pressed Ford's number. The two looked over in the direction of Ford's chair to hear the muffled ringtone. With more urgency Susan called Bill for them to discover his phone also in the bag.
Stan groaned. As soon as he saw Ford he would give him a blow to the face.
"Stanley, they're not here," Susan stammered. "Where-where can they be?"
"I don't know, but Sixer is going to hear it from me," Stan grumbled.
With a sigh the conman made his way to the lifeguard stand. The lifeguard listened to the man's complaint then looked through his binoculars. Upon seeing no one who matched the description of the party he called the report in on his walkie-talkie.
Stan and Susan waited as an older lifeguard drove over to the stand on a four-wheeler.
Stan handed over a photograph the group had taken last summer on one of their camping trips in the woods close to the shack. Stan stood with his foot on a small rock and his hand grasping the top of his eight-ball cane. The twins smiled up at the camera while Soos waved and Wendy sat on a rock.
"There's two more with them," Stan explained. "My brother looks just like me. Then there's a blond thirty-something. Real skinny and has wires on his teeth."
The lifeguard examined the picture and handed it back to Stan. "I'll survey the beach and see if I find 'em. We got another checkin' the water on a jet ski right now." The couple watched the lifeguard drive off on the four-wheeler.
The lifeguard on the stand said to the two, "It's okay. We'll find them."
Stan quietly stared out at the ocean. Susan put a hand on his shoulder. He gave her a smile just to relieve her concerns. If the worst report came back Stan promised himself he'd use that journal to rise his brother from the dead just to knock him into oblivion.
The last two times she had stepped into Bill's room the place looked ransacked. Therefore she had no concerns about accidentally leaving something out of place. It took Avery nearly an hour to search the entirety of Bill's room. She checked each inch for any sign of that journal, or something she could use for her case.
Hands on her hips the woman blew angrily at the loose curls that hung over her face. She kicked the comforter out of the way and decided to look through the rest of the shack.
The next room she checked was the storage room. First she peeked through the loads of smelly laundry, certain she had caught a glimpse of blood on Bill's shirt that one time. By the time she finished the pile her hands twitched as she could nearly feel the germs wriggling over her fingers. A drop of cucumber melon sanitizer squirted in the center of her palm. She rubbed her hands and moved further into the room.
Avery checked each inch of the walls for any possibly weakness that could lead to a secret room that housed the laboratory. In the end she found no leads, only cracking wallpaper, loads of cobwebs, and plenty of false attractions she wished she could charge Stan for passing off as legitimate exhibits. It made her question just how stupid were the people who paid regular visits to the Mystery Shack.
The parlor had a few extra summer exhibits that Stan actually charged the guests to pay an extra five dollars to view. Caroline sneered at the taxidermy bear-fish. She crawled into the fireplace and coughed at the soot that flew up when her knees collided with the bricks. She reached up and pressed against the sides only to find nothing out of the ordinary. She crawled out of the fireplace and huffed at the amount of soot that covered her hands and knees of her pants.
She stopped in the bathroom to wash the soot down the drain. Her pants would be fine as long as she didn't kneel anywhere else in the shack.
Frustrated Avery stopped in front of the stairs that led up to the attic. She tapped her chin-the attic was rarely the place where one would place a secret laboratory, which made it the perfect location. Molecules of soot fell on the creaking steps as she made her way upstairs.
Caroline pushed open the door and her smirk fell when she saw two beds with opposing decorations on either side. No doubt it was where the twins slept. She made a mental note to write down safety complaints of the living space.
The bed on the left belonged to the girl. Mabel was an interesting one, but she was more interested in the boy.
On Dipper's shelf rested mystery books. Lying on his sloppily made bed was a magazine written by paranormal researchers. Avery's lips curved. How fortunate she had yet to officially meet the Pines boy. She picked up the magazine to see a thicker book hidden beneath. The social worker sat down on Dipper's bed as she held the book in her hand. A burgundy cover with a gold pine tree symbol in the center.
Avery smiled at her reflection in the shiny emblem. She pulled back the cover to read the first page in which Dipper claimed ownership of his journal. Caroline smirked as she read through the pages. She took a picture of each page on her iPhone.
Upon finishing she slammed the journal closed. It wasn't the one she wanted, but it was the clue she needed that led her to her next lead. The journal was placed back on the bed and the magazine thrown haphazardly overtop.
Laughing the woman stood and made her way back to the door. Down the stairs and out the door. She locked the door from the inside then descended the steps. She smiled all the way back to her car. Her best resource had been there all the time: Dipper Pines.
Elias readied a small army to accompany his guests to the ship cemetery where the Riders would be awaiting the exchange. The soldiers listened as their king informed them not to attack until the hostage was rescued.
Mermando watched from the balcony as his uncle forbid him and the crown prince Mateo from joining the mission. He waited for the right moment Elias turned his head where he would blend into the army.
Mermando felt a presence behind him and turned to see his wife greet him with a scowl and flippers on her hips. She eyed the gold helmet and sword set down beside him on the balcony.
"It's foolish the king is risking his men's lives for that girl," Lena spat.
Mermando ignored his wife and fit the helmet over his head.
The manatee glowered. She moved closer and added, "If the sharks kill her it will do us all a favor."
Mermando snatched up the gold sword. He unsheathed the weapon to discover the blade to be in perfect shape.
Lena snatched Mermando by the arm. "I forbid you to go after that land girl," she snapped.
Mermando yanked his arm free. "Look, your majesty," he said with venom. "It's only for our kingdoms I married you. I was forced to give you a handful of redstones and gold as it's part of our custom, but don't let it cloud your feelings. You hate Mabel and for good reason. Mabel has something you never will: my love."
Lena sneered as Mermando swam away. Unnoticed he slipped in with the army. A few soldiers stared over at their new aid, but Mermando put his finger over his lips. The soldiers smiled and kept their attention ahead where they followed their king and the visitors from the lands above.
The team moved in a diamond formation with King Elias at the front. Behind him swam Ford, Bill, and Prince Rafael. In the third row swam Dipper with two soldiers on each side of him. Dipper already knew that Mermando swam along on the left of the row behind him.
A twenty minute swim led them to the ship cemetery. Dipper shuddered at the look of the place, expecting the souls of deceased sailors to jump out at any turn. From behind Mermando assured him that the dead was the least of their worries.
"They're here," Elias said and held out his hand to halt the rest of his troupe.
A hoard of makos circled ahead of them. The sharks stayed at least a yard away from the mermen.
"They want us to follow," said Ford.
Elias nodded and cautiously the group swam through the beginning of the cemetery.
The place was desolate with no vegetation and little sea life, only jagged rocks and sunken ships. The few fish who braved the grounds were quickly consumed by a mako.
"Apparently this is where the Mako Riders first combined their blood with sharks," Rafael said. "Now this area is cursed and so many land people have lost their boats when they crossed."
"That's legend and superstition," Elias countered.
The group stopped when the met a Mako Rider atop the shark who guarded the entrance to the ship that housed Mabel. Dipper looked up in the open porthole in the ship to see a blur of pink he knew to be his sister floating next to another.
"Mabel!" Dipper yelled and dashed ahead.
Ford grabbed his nephew who thrashed in his arms. Ford held tight. Dipper threw his head back which bashed against Ford's chin. The shock of the sudden pain caused him to release his hold on the boy who swam ahead. Bill extended his arm and placed a weak forcefield on the Pines boy.
Bill leaned into himself as he already felt his stomach twist. He was careful to keep the magic at a minimum and cause no harm, for he knew the dangers of vomiting with a wired jaw. His other arm held tight to the fake sphere.
Dipper stopped struggling just as Bill's magic gave out. The demon took deep breaths in trough the limited space in between his teeth. His head spun, but caught himself before he dropped the orb.
From inside the ship Mabel looked out through the porthole with Milo next to her. On the other side stood his second in command. The leader had given the girl a spyglass they stole from one of the sunken ships.
"Who's out there?" Milo asked.
Mabel shakily brought the spyglass to her right eye and shut the left one. She leaned forward and contemplated purposely launching herself outside the window.
"The king," Mabel said. The Mako's leader lowered his spyglass and nodded as he already saw him. "Grunkle Ford!" she exclaimed. "And Bill! And Dipper!"
"That one can do magic," the Rider on the other side of Mabel said. He had the rare ability to see far distances. "I saw him use it a minute ago."
Milo nodded. Nonetheless he asked his prisoner, "Is that true?"
Mabel shuddered. She lowered the spyglass then looked from one Rider to the other. "Yes, but-but he's harmless," she pleaded. "He can't use his magic to hurt anyone."
Milo put his hand on the other Rider's shoulder and whispered, "When they enter. Take him out." The other merman agreed.
Mabel continued to look on through the glass. "Mermando!" she exclaimed. She recognized the face beneath the helmet. Both Riders hurried back over to the porthole and looked out into the crowd to confirm the girl's claim.
"It looks like your friend came for you after all," Milo said with a laugh. He snapped his fingers and ordered a message be relayed to the rescue party.
Outside Dipper floated next to Ford who kept a hand on his shoulder. On the other side of Dipper was Bill. All eyes looked up when another member of the Riders exited from the main ship.
He stopped next to the guard and announced. "The hostage Mabel is safe. Only five of you are permitted to enter." He called out the names: King Elias, Ford, Bill, Dipper, and Mermando.
Elias spun around the instant he heard his nephew's name. Mermando removed the helmet and shook his long hair causing gasps and muttered talking among the rest of the soldiers. Mermando dared not to look into the fuming eyes of his father and uncle. He took his place in the front with the rest of the party ordered inside.
"I invited Mabel here," said Mermando. "It's my place to see her return home safely."
The messenger continued, "Enter with the Sphere." He narrowed his eyes and pointed at the named five. "If any of you dare to betray us, you will pay with your lives and the life of the hostage."
Ford, Dipper, and Mermando's hearts all dropped. Ford and Elias both looked over at Bill who held the false Sphere. All they could do was hope the fake was convincing enough to fool the Riders. If not Mabel and the entire kingdom of Aquatica would pay the price.
This is now the longest chapter I've ever written. It's over 8,000 words, but I hope it was all interesting and entertaining.
In other news, a couple weeks ago I joined the Gravity Falls Amino app. It is so much fun. If you wish to follow me on the Amino, I use the same user name I use on DeviantArt and Youtube: AmberAmethyst.