The Serpent and The Mermaid Ch 15

Dipper was in his respected room getting ready for the victory feast. At the celebration, Dipper and Pacifica's engagement would be announced; it would then only be a matter of time until they would not only be married, but they would be crowned the new king and queen.

The young hero smoothed out his new tunic made from nothing but the finest silks that royalty could buy. Now what mattered was what would be done for his family. The answer was more than obvious, he would move them all into the palace; letting them all share in his good fortune. He would just have to keep a close eye on Stan. Just so he didn't come up with new schemes with his new wealth; or he started overcharging people with tours of the palace. Then again his grandfather would keep things in check.

Dipper was to lost in his thoughts that he never felt arms wrap around his body... He never realized claws were digging into his shoulders... He never realized that he was no longer alone until it was far too late.

Dipper attempted to scream but the clawed fingers cupped around his mouth, silencing him. The poor boy tried to adjust his eyes but the candles in his room were extinguished leaving him in nothing but darkness with his attacker. He wondered who the being when he heard the familiar chuckle in his ear. Fangs brushing against his neck.

His breathing became more and more petrified as he tried to break free from the siren's grip, but the claws dug deeper into his shoulders. Giving him a strong indication that it would be in his best interest if he didn't move.

"You... I completed the task... My sister is free... You have no more reason to hurt us..." He cried in a tiny voice.

Bill laughed lowly, still driving his claws into the boy's flesh.

"On the contrary, Pine Tree... I have one last trick in my scales."

"But we had a deal!" Dipper cried. "You said if I completed the King's task, that you would let me and my sister go!"

The claws started to lightly trail against his chest, cutting through the silk tunic.

"Did you even realize that we never shook hands?" He purred. "You never sealed the deal with me."

"You promised!" He sobbed.

"I said that I `could` break the contract; but since you never sealed the deal with me, the promise means nothing." Bill laughed.

"No..."

The monster kissed the young man's neck, causing Dipper to cringe in horror.

"Yes..." He hissed, happily. "Now all I can say for you is you better hope that your sister values your life, because if she doesn't, well... Your life is in her hands."

Dipper tried to cry out once more only to be dragged away into the darkness.

Meanwhile in the banquet hall, all the guests were waiting for Dipper to make his grand appearance.

Mabel wore a huge smile on her face as she chatted with the party guests. Proud her brother accomplished this feat; and now he would become a great king with a beautiful queen by his side. Now she hoped that she could a handsome man of her own. But she had all the time in the world for she was free.

Although deep in her heart, she knew that she would that miss the siren a little.

Even if he was evil, she did enjoyed spending time with him. Even if he did constantly tried to drink her blood... Or they that he had tried to trick her into adding more days onto her pledge.

She breathed deeply.

Yeah... She was glad she was free.

She was taken out of her thoughts when the king called for everyone's attention.

"Guests... Thank you all for coming to this feast." He said, looking at all his guests.

The crowd remained.

"Tonight we are here to celebrate the victory of the young man who slayed the minotaurs. Who has also won my daughter's hand in marriage."

The guests murmured in excitement.

"So without anymore delays... I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE HERO AND FUTURE KING OF OUR KINGDOM... DIPPER!" Preston announced, pointing to the hall.

But Dipper Never appeared.

The guests started talking wondering where the young man went.

The king stared blankly.

"I'm sure he'll be here any moment."

Twenty minutes had passed and Dipper still hadn't appeared. Mabel became nervous as she wondered where her brother was.

Preston glared.

"Where the hell is he?!" He demanded.

A servant came into the room, looking like a ghost.

"Dipper is not in his room, but there was only blood."

Mabel felt her eyes widen.

She got up and started running.

"MABEL?!" Pacifica cried.

"Madame wait!" The servant cried.

The maiden ignored him as she ran to her brothers room. To find the servant spoke the truth, nothing was there but a trail of blood. She followed the trail to find a small opening behind a tapestry.

She crawled inside to a small passageway she followed the trail of blood until came to find herself in a dark cavern.

She looked around as her hair stood on end.

"Dip... Dipper?" She called out.

No answered.

She continued looking around until she herself standing in something wet and sticky.

Mabel looked down to see herself standing in a pool of blood. Just like when she had found that slaughtered family.

Her eyes widened at the thought.

Mabel finished scanning the blood until her eyes finally rested what appeared to be Dipper's body.

The young man was barely breathing; covered in blood, claws marks ripped deep into his skin, and bite marks all over his neck.

He would only remain alive for a while longer.

Mabel screamed as she pulled her unconscious brother into her arms.

Blood was staining her dress, but she could've cared less as tears poured from her eyes.

"My poor brother..." She sobbed. "Who has done this to you?"

Dipper just laid there as his body started shaking. The poor boy would die.

The maiden hugged him tightly as she sobbed bitterly.

She continued crying when she noticed a figure in the shadows.

She held her brother tightly when Bill slithered into the dim light. Grinning in a completely inhuman way.

"Poor... poor little Pine Tree..." He laughed. "He became a hero and was about to become king... Too bad he won't live to enjoy it."

Mabel glared through her tears.

"YOU MONSTER!" She screamed. "YOU PROMISED YOU WOULD LEAVE US ALONE IF WE DID WHAT YOU ASKED US TO DO!"

Mabel was pulled away from her brother and into Bill's arms.

He gently dried her tears, staring down at her with his Cheshire smile.

"You never sealed the deal with me... Therefore the promise meant nothing".

Hazel eyes widened in horror. The siren was right, she never shook his hand, meaning he never promised anything.

"Please help him... If you love me you'll help my brother!" Mabel begged.

"But you've been freed from your contract. I'm no longer obliged to give into your wants." Bill said mockingly.

"BUT YOU LIED TO US! YOU NEVER INTENDED ON HONORING THE DEAL! YOU WERE PLANNING THIS THE ENTIRE TIME WEREN'T YOU?! She angrily cried.

The siren laughed.

"You're looking to deep into this... He did complete the task, but even if I had freed you from the pledge, that doesn't mean I'm going to stay away; and your brother will die. Unless..."

"Unless what?" Mabel asked.

"Unless you promise to stay with me... Forever..."

Mabel's eyes brimmed with tears as she let out a sob.

"No... I can't... I can't be with a monster like you... Not after what you did to Dipper..."

Bill grinned evilly.

"You seemed to like spending time with me. Even when you knew what I was; even when you saw what I did to that family."

Mabel looked down in shame.

She was forced to look up when she felt the claws press against her throat.

"Stay with me..." He purred. "I'll give you a beautiful little mermaid's tail. You'll never lose your beauty and will stay young forever."

Mabel shook her head.

"I'll you refuse then you'll watch your brother die."

The maiden looked at her dying brother. No matter what she did, she would lose; but she couldn't let her brother pay for a mistake she had made. She would have to go.

"If you promise to heal my brother and stay away from my family, I will go with you."

Bill smiled.

"Come shake my hand then to seal the deal"

She swallowed as she shook his hand, sealing the final deal.

Bill released an essence from his body; letting it dance on Dipper's wounded one. Within an instant, Dipper was fully healed.

"He'll wake up soon, but he'll have no memory of your existence."

"No memory at all?" Mabel asked, looking defeated.

"Nobody will even remember your name." He said, softly.

The maiden ran to her brother, kissing his forehead.

"I love you Dipper. No matter what..." Her tears soaked his face.

Bill rolled his visible eye.

"Enough!" He ordered. "Come here, child!"

She breathed deeply, looking back at her brother one last.

She walked towards the monster allowing him to hold her in his embrace.

"Let's return home, my love." He purred. "Once we return, I'll turn you into a mermaid.

The two then disappeared into the shadows, forgotten to the rest of the world.