Chapter Title: Ogygia and Calypso

"Journal Entry Three: An Island and a Nymph

Picking up where we left off, I woke up on the beach after assuming I was going to die. Considering what I saw with the Siren's song, I wasn't completely sure I wasn't actually dead. But my body hurt too much for it to be Heaven. And it was too nice and missing Pa for it to be Hell. Purgatory was also an option and coming up the winner.

The pain wasn't awful. I had all my limbs and could walk. I was horribly sunburn, was scratched and bruised, but not roadkill. So I got up and did some exploring.

I was on an island. Looking towards the sea there wasn't much else but water as far as the eye could see. The sun was shining, the waters were calm, no cloud in the sky. It felt like it was the perfect day. So naturally, it just felt off.

I've had good days, I've had exciting days, but never have I had a perfect day. Especially not at sea. Moments, sure but this seemed to be the whole day. The island itself didn't seem too big. It had plant life and vegetation. Enough that I didn't immediately worry about food or water. I went through all of my training to not panic at the thought of being stranded.

Instead of panicking I went into survival mode. I went to look for shelter, water, and food. Once I at least had two out of the three I began to explore and take notice of the island. I can't really explain why it was bugging me so much being there, but it did. That sense of impending doom was just constantly on me. The hairs on my arms and the back of my neck were standing on end and everything in me was telling me to grab something to use as a weapon.

"You have that face again."

"It really isn't my intention. This isn't like reading a storybook or listening to a myth about someone from long ago. This is my brother! My twin who was in peril and I'm only just now learning about it." Ford defended himself.

"Fair enough. But you're never going to get through the whole journal if you keep staring off into space like that." Fiddleford told him.

Ford knew he had a point but for once Ford didn't want to speed through. Sure it built up the suspense and he couldn't be certain that at this very moment Stanley was safe in some Navy facility, but he didn't want to read through too soon. Before he could find the courage to go back, he heard the rumblings from below. He shared a concerned look with Fiddleford.

The last couple of days the portal has been acting up. Ford couldn't be one hundred percent sure Bill was still putting things in motion from either realm. He's stopped working on it, but it had been mostly complete. Neither he nor Fiddleford has touched it as they came up with a plan of how to take it down. They needed to be very careful with the rifts that could remain behind. The machine has begun to randomly fritz on. Never for long but enough to leave both scientists on edge.

After they went to make sure everything was secure...for a moment anyway, Ford tried to read more of Stan's journal. For some reason, the activity in the basement became more frequent so he really skimmed over. Considering the contents, he wasn't missing much. Sure he felt a weird jealousy of someone stealing his brother away since even when it came to dating, Stan always ended up choosing their familiar bond over a romantic possibility.

"After a whole day think I was alone, I literally walked into a trap and learned I wasn't alone."

"Ford these instances are happening far more frequently." Fiddleford shared his concerns.

"I know." Ford didn't know what else to say because he didn't have any other solutions.

"Should we try to place in more security measures?" Fiddleford asked.

"Without the journals all being in one place, Bill can't get what he needs. Stan's taken number One across the seas and I've hidden number Three very well. But if there's anything else we can find, I wouldn't be opposed."

"I'll start looking in your notes over here," Fiddleford said.

Ford grabbed a few of his notes but kept Stan's journal open to keep skimming.

"Apparently I crashed into her island. She lives here alone as a punishment or something. She's hella crafty. It's insanely impressive all she can do. She fixed up my clothes! Also with some weird magic of hers or her weiving made them fireproof and like...so they'd instantly dry and be practically indestructible? Imagine the money I'll save! She's a real doll! And this place ain't half bad. And it looked like I'm kinda stuck...

No boats passed near or far for weeks. After a month I lost track.

Time is weird in these places so it might have been longer despite the fact-checking I did when I got back.

"I think I found something...if we can get our hands on some unicorn hair, we might be able to secure my house in full," Ford said as he showed Fiddleford the notes on unicorns he had.

Fiddleford frowned, "Finding a unicorn might not be as easy as some of the other stuff, Stanford. I helped you catalog a lot of the creatures in Gravity Falls but we ain't ever seen hide or tail of any unicorn."

"They're elusive, that's for sure. But unless you have any other ideas...it's our only lead."

"I'll pack us some lunch," Fiddleford said with a defeated sigh.

Ford nodded to him and began to pack for a hike. He had go-backs ready so it didn't take long. While he waited for Fiddleford he finished reading the entry.

"The guys would bust my chops if they ever heard I actually sorta like those stupid rom-coms.

But what can I say? I dig romance. No matter that it never dug me back.

But this time...well it wasn't like any time before.

I've met dames, before and after becoming a SEAL.

Before becoming a SEAL I was young so it didn't matter much that they lost interest. If they couldn't be nice to Ford than, heh, they weren't worth it.

I've met girls across the world too. Some that were damn interesting but after a night, there wasn't much reason to come back.

Calypso was different though.

She could kick my ass and look magnificent doing it. I didn't have to worry about being too much of a brute or a wimp. With her...I had balance.

I'd accepted I've live the rest of my days there with her, and in the end...that wasn't a bad deal. I told her as such.

I thought she'd be happy.

She wanted to be. But she told me she was also cursed.

It would have been stupid if I told her I didn't believe in curses, but I tried to spin it in a romantic way anyway. But then she told me exactly how she was cursed. Every 'hero' that came wouldn't stay. This was the gods' way of punishing her for something her dad did. Which is totally bogus!

Sadly I could imagine having to carry the burden of Pa's past actions easily enough, and it wasn't fair. I got it. I understood. And I wanted to try and fight it. To be the one who broke the curse. To defy the gods and be with her!

And just as I did...Rainbow popped his head above the water.

He was the first creature I've seen bigger than a bug. And the way he was looking at me...I didn't speak Magic Horse but I somehow understood...he was here for me.

Calypso smiled sadly at me and I felt gut-wrenching guilt. Before, the chances of getting off the island seem impossible without a boat or a plane.

I didn't know far away I was from other shores and it didn't seem likely that Rainbow could get me anywhere safely.

She told me our time was up and I had to go home.

I asked her to come with me.

She kissed me and told me it was time to conquer the demons of the past. I could stay here...or I could brave the sea and go back home.

Go home and apologize to Ford.

It's so weird...years and so much experience later, making me choose between something and my brother...I still choose him.

Heh, guess I still love that nerd.

"Ford?" Fiddleford's voice was quiet.

Ford looked up but his vision was blurry. Wiping his eyes he realized with embarrassment that he was crying. He sniffed as he wiped the remaining of his tears away and closed the notebook. "Did you pack enough snacks? We might need some to lure away or appease something we come across."

To his credit, Fiddleford didn't comment on his tears. Ford saw him smile sympathetically but he didn't want to get into another 'emotions are normal' talk with Fiddleford.

"I did. We're completely covered on the snack department." Fiddleford said.

They grabbed their gear after triple checking they had everything and deem themselves ready to head off. Ford led the way and opened the door and then froze. On the other side of the door stood Stanley, fist raised to mid-knock.

"Ford? Wha-...oh."

"Stanley?"

"Hey Sixer...uh, this a bad time?"