(A/N I just realized there's no Chapter 24... Oh well, here's the next update! BTW: Sorry this is so late. I couldn't
come up with any ideas for this chapter. Massive writers block— still have it! Not happy with this chapter, but whatever!)

The blonde captain stared down at the much smaller boy, his eyes narrowed and annoyed. Yellow pupils met the boys blue ones, scanning each other for any reaction. He had arrived way too early, his plans would have to take a quick detour.

"Bill... save her!" Dipper growled once again, both fists clenched tightly in anger.

His eyes gleamed golden, opening his mouth to reply, "No." he said simply, staring at the youth passively.

The cool breeze drafted against the ship, rocking the hull back and forth. The crew was bustling with life once again. Some attempting to lower a boat for the redhead, but Bill shot them a deadly glare which made them second-guess their decisions.

Dipper grit his teeth, and turned away from him, "Then... I'll save her..." he declared weakly, rushing to the edge of the ship. He had never stepped in the water before, and he was swallowing his fear just to say those few words.

He only got as close as lifting a leg over the railing, before being hoisted back up, his feet dangling helplessly in the air.

A pair of hands grabbed him, lifting the boy up effortlessly, "Bill..." Dipper growled in a daring tone, his eyes flashing with anger.

Bill's lips curved into a frown. He liked this side of Dipper, but right now, he really wanted to lock his puppet in a room and keep him there.

"Relax." the captain warned jokingly before taking another glance at the screaming redhead.

The kid struggled less, trying to rationalize in his head, "Why are you doing this? Wendy's apart of your crew!" he argued angrily.

Bill huffed, making sure Dipper was paying attention to him, "I don't like her. The captain gets to choose who's aboard and who's not." he said simply, attempting to shrug, but realized Dipper was still struggling in his hands.

The boy uneasily shifted his eyes from him to look at the girl struggling in the water, but something compelled him to pay attention to the man in front of him.

"It's still not right." the brunette spat, eyes narrowed.

Bill gave one of those toothy grins that irked Dipper immensely, "Pine Tree. Pirates aren't 'right'. We're not good people here." he snickered, eyes glinting cold and murderous.

The boy shivered, twisting his body awkwardly to get out of Bill's grip. The blonde easily let the teen fall, relieved he didn't have to hold the boy any longer. His toy probably understood by now. Dipper had been living in his own little world, filled with justice and fairness. But, that's not what it's like here. Here, it's every man, or woman for themselves... and Wendy got the short end of the stick.

"Hah. We're not good people? Sure, that may be true for you..." Dipper spoke, taking a subtle step back, "but not me." he added, diving off the ledge of the boat, heading face first into the dark waters that clashed below him.

He watched Bill's flustered expression as he jumped over, hearing curses in some languages he hadn't even heard before.

The captain tried grabbing him with his magic, but he was falling too fast.

Bill's expression made Dipper strangely satisfied.

When the teen hit the water, it wasn't only comforting, no. It felt like he was gliding, a rather freeing feeling. Then came the rounds of water, filling his lungs and making him choke back on his happiness.

He had to get out of this substance before he suffocated. The teen wasn't going to die here, he was going to save someone.

Having absolutely no experience, the movements in the water came naturally and he was able to move his arms and legs effectively. After a while of pathetic dog-paddling Dipper was able to bring his head above water only to be greeted by a huge wave that smashed down on his head.

Dipper gasped, getting whatever air he could before being submerged once again. He could almost picture Bill's surprised face, stricken with fear.

However, that's not what he saw. The captain was leaning on the edge, watching the boy with passive eyes, a small smirk barely noticeable.

That made Dipper's triumphant attitude sink.

"I'm not helping you, just so you know." Bill added, loud enough for the drowning teen to hear before another wave crashed into him.

He couldn't reply, but he would've said some witty insult in reply.

Dipper was getting the feeling for swimming in the water, scanning for Wendy's body all the while.

Not in sight. Dipper's heart sank, she wasn't anywhere. (no pun intended)

He absolutely refused to give up, though.

Dipper resurfaced, much to Bill's surprise and took a deep breath before diving deeper.

Bill was worried and amused at the same time. A part of him wanted him to bring Wendy back so he could finish the job, and another part of him wanted Dipper to drown and he could tease him eternally for him having to save him. There was also the possibility Dipper would get back his siren counterparts. Bill didn't want that. It was still too early, and he hadn't manipulated him nearly enough.

Only time would tell, he guessed.

-

The boy growled, which came out more like a gargle, but he was frustrated. The water was much colder now, and his ears were starting to give out on him.

He was getting better at holding his breath, and was feeling no urges to take a deep breath of air. The teen's shirt was constricting him, so he ripped the thing off, watching it sink into the depths. Good riddance.

That's when he saw it. A mop of red hair floating just a bit off. She wasn't moving, eyes closed. Probably unconscious. Dipper swam over to her, putting his arms around her waist and began to hoist her up. He found her! Bill's going to be so pissed. It's funny that was the first thing that came to mind.

The boy had become strangely accustomed to everything now, his swimming had advanced from grade school skill level to an experienced swimmer in less than five minutes. Dipper found that kind of strange, but he sidetracked the thought. His first concern was saving the person in his arms.

When Dipper's head popped out of the water, he hoisted Wendy above him first. Making sure she had plenty of air in case she tried to take another gulp of air. However, she hadn't moved, or breathed once in his arms. He refused to believe she had died, she couldn't have.

When Dipper practically threw the redhead on board, the boy collapsed beside her, heaving large gulps of air.

"So, you actually did it." the captain cooed, coming over to inspect Dipper.

He was soaked, his clothes covered in salt, his hair astray and messy.

Dipper glared, "Shut it." he growled, before coughing up water that had filled his throat over time.

Bill watched the boy carefully, Dipper hadn't noticed the gills that had stretched along the sides of his stomach and waist.

Bill had to think of some kind of excuse for those, but he'd worry about that later.

Wendy had stopped breathing minutes ago, he knew she was dead. The thought of how this would break Dipper excited him. He'd rather let his friend figure it out himself and then... act upon it.

After the boy had recollected his bearings, Dipper made his way over to the girl, using his fingers to feel for a pulse of some kind.

Nothing.

He started pushing her stomach.

Then harder.

Still nothing.

He was worried, the girl wasn't dead. No way!

She was the first and only sane person aboard this hectic ship. Without her, he'd surely go crazy.

"...don't you dare stop breathing." Dipper said weakly, watching the non-moving corpse. He put way too much force on her gut, trying to get some sort of reaction. He was probably squishing her insides, but he didn't care.

Her eyes were glazed over, mouth hanging open, "Wendy..." Dipper trailed off, burying his head in his knees.

Dead. She's dead.

Failure. He was too slow.

Bill kneeled next to him, whispering in his ear, "You know, kid..." he said slowly, "I'd say this was your fault." he laughed, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Dipper's eyes widened, his fault? No, no it was Bill's fault.

He pushed her off, not him! But... she wouldn't have been there if Dipper had never became friends with her.

"It's your fault! Don't push this on me!" the teen retorted, tempted to punch the hell out of the captain before him.

Bill snickered. Dipper was conflicted, unsure if this was truly his fault.

"No harm done, though. I never liked her anyways." the captain laughed, flicking a wrist.

Dipper was silent for a while, but managed to collect the words in his mouth.

"Bill, I hate you." Dipper spat, not looking at him, his eyes were too shamed to even look into those obnoxiously coloured eyes.

"And, I've just begun to like you." Bill giggled, absently poking Wendy's body with the heel of his boot.

Dipper was too depressed to do anything, he was soaked and tired.

Bill was ridiculous, he was so giddy when there was a corpse inches in front of him.

Some crewmen came by to hoist the body away during Bill and Dipper's 'moment'.

Some time had passed and Dipper still hadn't moved or reacted. Bill was now poking Dipper with interest, trying to grab his attention one way or another.

After about the fiftieth poke, Dipper slapped his hand away angrily. "Just stop!" he shouted, feeling the tears on his face slide down his face.

"Ah." Dipper said, wiping away the tears quickly, but Bill had already noticed.

"Aww, you're crying? That's cute." the captain teased, once more poking the boy teasingly.

Dipper shot him a glare. "I said don't. do. that." he said slowly, his breath uneasy.

Bill smiled even wider, he loved this part of Dipper. He could look so threatening, and evil. He'd make an amazing demon.

"What, this?" Bill laughed, poking the boy again, egging him on.

Dipper screamed. Downright screamed while tackling Bill, the captain laughed whole-heartedly.

The two fought it out, all the anger that had welled up inside came out on the captain in front of him. He was in a blind rage, punching till he couldn't feel his fists anymore. The gills on Dipper's stomach had receded, leaving thin lines in its wake.

Bill stared at him, with that confident grin, "Niiice. You almost hit me!" he lied, pushing the boy off of him.

Dipper groaned, looking away. His anger was mostly tuckered out, exhaustion taking the large gap where his anger once resided.

Bill was a horrible person, but nonetheless, his captain.

(I just- couldn't STAND to post this chapter! Sometimes I'm tempted to rewrite this entire story, I think I'll do it after the book is... complete. Anyways, yeah. Vote, comment, flag. Thanks, fellow readers..)