(A/N Heyo, kids. Another update, enjoy! I think chapter updates will be on Friday/Saturday from now on. Sunday if I'm lazy. Monday if I'm realllly lazy. This was three days early, too! I'm on a roll today.)

I huffed at the unconscious man on the ground, watching his stomach rise up and down. His breathing was steady, and he looked much more relaxed than before. The hooting and hollering from
the rest of the crew had calmed down by now and I hadn't noticed Bill had made his way to stand between him and I.

He cleared his throat, addressing the crowd, "Aye, mates. Was this an official fight?" he asked the mass of people.

It took a while for anyone to speak up, "Aye Cap'n. Official as daylight." one replied quite sadly.

Official fight? What did they mean by that?

Bill smiled knowingly, "Well then! Rules are rules." he said, striding over to me, "Finish 'im off, Pine Tree." he said simply, handing my his sword..

I must've choked on air, because I backed away nervously, pushing the blade away.

"No, I uh..." I mumbled, trying to think of something to say.

"Aww, don't be shy, kid!" he laughed, grabbing me by the shoulder and pushing me closer to the mans body. I don't know when Bill did it, but the hilt of the sword was now in my hands.

Dropping the blade with a clatter, I retorted, "I can't do that..!" I shouted, staring at the unconscious crew mate nervously.

I wouldn't kill my own ally! Official or not!

Bill clicked his tongue in annoyance, tired of my heroic persona, "Oh c'mon. Do it, kid." he whispered, almost threateningly.

I looked to the crowd for backup, but they just stared at me fearfully. Some of them were signalling me to follow Bill's orders.

What were they so afraid of?

I looked up at Bill's friends, expecting actual advice, but they looked concerned too. Pyronica was making hand gestures, dragging her finger across her neck. I could tell what she was trying to relay.

I shouldn't make Bill angry.

Despite that, I decided to do it anyways.

"...I won't kill him." I said bravely, stepping closer to stand inches away from Bill.

His eyes darkened, "You're disobeying me for a mere human?" he asked slowly, confirming my absolute denial.

The intimidation Bill gave off was making my hairs stand on end, "T-that's right." I replied finally, trying my best not to stutter— to no avail. He was much scarier than the drunk man sleeping obliviously on the ground. He just had to pick a fight with me!

The captain rose his hand to strike, and I closed my eyes waiting for impact, but instead he clapped his hands together in joy.

"...Ha-ha-ha-ha! O-okay! W-whatever, Pine Tree!" he said, his tone was so fake I almost cringed.

He sounded like he was battling himself, trying to stay optimistic and it caught everyone off guard.

The crowd began to mumble, and the captains reputation was taking a beating.

Bill was twitching and attempting his best smile, but I could see the seething anger behind his grin.

Bill's crew were downright laughing, talking about him going soft or something.

The blonde shot a glare at them, his golden eyes gleaming and they immediately went silence.

Well, except Hector who got slammed into a wall yet again.

"N...o regrets." Hector gagged, brushing the debris off his curled moustache.

Bill then cleared his throat, testing his voice to make sure it sounded normal. "Ah..em!" he spoke to the crew, "Pine Tree..." he began, looking at me passively, "has refused to kill his opponent." he paused, the redness in his face fading, "What do you lot suggest we do about it?" Bill asked.

"Clean the entire ship!" one yelled, "Make him go for a lil swim!" another added, "I've killed thousands." Paci said slowly.

The ideas halted, everyone glanced up at Paci who was staring at the crew threateningly.

Bill broke the silence, bursting with laughter, "Ahaha... AHAHAHAHAHAHA!" he cackled, blue sparks crackling in his fingers.

He noticed his powers were showing, and immediately put the flames out. I scanned the crowd, some didn't notice and some were stunned at what they just saw.

"It's just a simple gunpowder trick." Bill coughed, trying to convince his crew that what they just saw was a fluke, "...anyways. We're discussing Pine Tree's punishment! Ideas, people. Ideas!" he barked, ready to burn something on site.

"Make him study the maps from our last haul!" someone shouted, cupping their hands together to get their voice across.

Bill nodded in agreement, "That's right... Pine Tree! You're a smart lad, ain't ya?" he thought aloud, looking impressed.

Dipper shrugged, "How should I know?" he groaned.

Bill didn't give him much of a reply, but scanned the group of people, failing to find the owner of the marvellous idea, so he just shouted to them as a whole.

"Whoever said that just moved up a rank!" the blonde yelled, watching an individual persons eyes light up.

"T-thank you, Captain!" they beamed, smiling enthusiastically.

Everyone seemed proud of the person, but someone interrupted his happy dance.

"No, he's lying! It was me who said that!" another person with a similar voice shouted.

"What are you talking about?! I came up with that!" the person argued back.

The two started to scream at each other in frustration. Other crew members had taken sides, insisting that it was their guy that came up with the idea.

They were arguing over such a petty thing. Bill would be able to solve this kind of dispute in a flash.

Or at least, I thought he would. He just stared at the chaos happening before him, grinning happily. He looked oddly accomplished.

I walked over to him, "Bill, aren't you going to stop them?" I inquired curiously.

"Why would I do that?" he laughed, like my question was silly.

"Because your crew is falling apart!" I retorted, waving my arms around hectically.

"Heeh. They'll be fine... probably." he snickered, not holding back any laughter.

How did this guy even become a captain in the first place?

Maybe he'd tell me the story sometime... when he's less hyperactive.

"Dipper!" a familiar voice shouted, coming towards me.

I turned around, grinning when I saw her, "Wendy!" I beamed, greeting her with a handshake.

The redhead chuckled, "Sorry I had to cut our conversation so soon after I greeted ya." she apologized, clasping her hands together.

We walked off a bit to lean against a wall, distancing ourselves from the hectic events that were occurring. I hadn't even noticed all of Bill's friends had joined the brawl, excluding a few individuals like Xan or Eight.

"So, you've befriended the demon cap'n..." Wendy laughed, patting me on the shoulder, "honestly, I thought you were dead meat when I first laid eyes on ye."

"Yeah... uh... Surprise..!" I responded, trying not to sound sarcastic, "He's not that bad y'know. I don't know why everyone is so scared of him." I said, glancing at her.

She looked at the ground, tapping her fingers together, "Well... y'see, Dipper. Bill used to be all friendly 'round me too." she sighed, her eyes droopy, "And now... he doesn't even bat an eyelash." she said sadly, avoiding eye contact with me.

I frowned, making an apologetic expression, "Gee... I'm sorry, Wendy." I said, wanting to comfort her more, but I couldn't find the right words.

Wendy wiped at her eyes, then looked at me, "I don't want this to happen to you too..." she murmured, "'cause I have nowhere to go. I left everything and everyone behind for this... and now..." she faltered.

Her words gave me an intense feeling
of deja vu. For a split second my head pounded, but not enough time for me to yell in agony. I saw an image of a girl with long, brown hair standing next to Bill, looking at me with a sad expression.

Who is that?

"Dipper..? Dipper! Are you listening?" Wendy shouted, waving her hands in front of my face.

I snapped out of my momentary trance, and I looked at her with confusion, "Do you know any girls with long, brown hair?" I asked out of the blue, hoping to keep the image in my head.

Wendy looked surprised, but answered honestly, "Not since I left home. The only girls here are me 'n Pyronica. Why?" she asked.

I shook my head in disappointment, "Ah. I think I saw some sort of memory." I muttered, sighing in frustration.

The girl reacted quickly to what I said, "Before it fades! Tell me everything you can remember!" she shouted, pulling out an old, woven cloth and ink feather from a leather sac that hung from her belt.

I panicked a bit, "Uh, brown hair... Pink pearl ring... Bill standing next to her..." I mumbled, the image was hazy in the first place, so I couldn't really see any detail.

I couldn't see the entire lower half of her body either... weird.

Wendy nodded as she scribbled on the cloth, handing me it after. I looked at the rough surface that contained many ink blots that were shaped into letters, "This is yers now, Dipper. Keep these memories safe, and one day... it'll just click into place." she said encouragingly, smiling brightly.

I looked at her hopefully, "Yeah. I sure hope so." I smiled.

She then came closer, whispering in my ear, "Do not trust Bill, Dipper. I sense something sketchy from 'im, I can feel it." she warned.

I nodded. There was a lot of things to think about here. However, I felt a eager feeling all over. This was like... like a mystery!

"I'll be careful." I promised, looking at her with a smile.

Wendy grinned, "Good." she said simply, "On another note... Dipper, I'll show you the stars tonight. Meet me here in a few hours." she laughed, getting up to stretch.

That was when Bill noticed we weren't participating in his little brawl.

When he got here, it was as Wendy said. Bill didn't even acknowledge her.

"Pine Tree! You're missing out on the fun! I've decided to make the five weakest crewmates get their hands and feet tied up and thrown to the bottom of the ocean!" he said, quite descriptively making Wendy gag in disgust.

"Five? You're crazy!" I shouted, staring at him in disbelief.

Bill shrugged, "Not really. It's just a shrewd way of discipline." he said, in an uncaring tone.

The redhead decided it was time for her to leave. She tipped her cap, winking at me, "Later, Pines." she said, walking off into the crowd to get back to work.

The moment she was out of sight, Bill clutched my shoulders, "I told you not to talk to her!" he whined, staring at me angrily.

I looked away, "She's not bad at all, I also feel comfortable around her." I replied neutrally.

Bill sighed dramatically, "That's the POINT! She's too nice!" he shouted, shaking me a bit.

Okay, he's confused me. However, I could confirm one thing. Bill is hiding something, and I think Wendy knows it. He doesn't want me to talk to Wendy, so she must have some sort of connection... right?

Bill... what are you hiding?

(A/N Dipper's getting pretty close to solving the mystery, and remembering his heartbroken family. It'd be a shame if something were to... happen. Have a great Easter!)