Okay… Deep breath… Focus.

Wilson held his hands out in front of him, summoning shadow flames to them. He nodded, seeing it had worked before starting to manipulate them, making simple shapes at first before making more complex ones.

Okay. Got that. Let's try creating.

He made the shape of a sword, making it start to materialize into a real one but stopping as he felt a small pain in his head. The sword dissipated, Wilson bringing his hands to head.

"Dangit. I was able to do this before. Why can't I now!?" He sat down, running a hand through his hair. "Then again the times I did do it it was in the moment and I had adrenaline going through me… and I honestly don't know if I know what I am doing."

"Maybe you don't, maybe you do or maybe it's fear still holding you back."

Wilson cringed, holding his head at hearing a voice similar to his own, save this one had a more harsh and venomous tone to it.

"I'm… I'm not scared."

"Are you sure? You were pretty scared when I showed up. I know we came to an agreement to try and work together but I can't take you seriously when you're so scared to embrace your other half."

"I'm. Not. SCARED!" Wilson growled. "I… I just…"

"You're what? Figure out so we can get past this. You're smart. Do it!"

Wilson sunk further into his hands.

"I don't know how!"

The voice went quiet as Wilson tried to calm himself down but it just didn't seem to be helping much.

"Wilson?"

The man jumped, looking up, seeing William was standing before him, leaning on his cane. There was a look of concern in the man's eyes at the state Wilson was in.

"M-My apologies. I heard you crying out. A-Are you okay?"

Wilson laughed bitterly, shaking his head.

"Oh, just splendid. Dandy I'd say!"

I'M JUST LOSING MY EVER LOVING MIND!

William flinched a bit, moving back some.

"E-Em… I'm sorry… I…"

Wilson sighed.

"Don't run. I didn't mean it like that. There's just… a lot on my mind. A lot going on."

"Would you care to share?" William sat down in front of him. "If you're comfortable."

Wilson nodded, leaning back a bit though he kept his gaze on the ground.

"... When we first got to this world, I had a very strange dream, where I was fighting with that form I took when I freed you from Maxwell's influence." He sighed shakily. "That form… That voice… was so angry yet so scared. I thought we could work together but… Oh good heavens, I'm terrified I'm going insane now!"

"Take a deep breath."

Wilson inhaled slowly.

"Now, out."

He let it out, running a hand through his hair.

"I hear it now whenever I try to learn to control these powers. Manipulate them like I had back then. But whenever I try I can hear them. They answer back… I… It makes me not want use them."

William frowned, putting a hand on Wilson's shoulder.

"I think I can understand what you're going through to an extent."

Wilson looked up at William, fear present in his eyes.

"I… I really hope I'm not developing some kind of split personality or… something. I don't know but… Okay, I admit it, it scares me. I don't want… I don't know…" Wilson brought his hands to his face. "It hasn't been a huge issue and I haven't really spoken to anyone about it but… I don't know. I just don't know."

William squeezed his shoulder.

"Wilson, what you're experiencing is not what you think it is. Mine was someone talking back at me that wasn't me. What's going on here is something that everyone here has dealt with in the Shadow World and in a sense, we still deal with even here because certain things from the Shadow World don't go away upon leaving. That other you you're describing is a part of you but he's not a separate entity like Maxwell was for me. He is you and you can work with him but the thing is he also carries something else with him. Your doubt and fears, the voices that could be heard in the other world that would try to talk us to go over the edge."

Wilson closed his eyes as he took in this information. He did recall moments such as those. Especially in the first few days of being in that world alone.

"How do I get past it though?" He sighed. "I don't want to be afraid. Yet here I am… and listen to me complaining when you had it far worse-"

"We are not playing the "Who had it worse." game. Your feelings and fears are just as valid, Wilson."

"William I…"

William shook his head.

"Listen. This other you was something I helped create along with the things that tortured me. They really did want you to be king over Maxwell since you were more useful to Them."

"But I thought They respected him?"

"Hardly." William scoffed a bit. "They followed his orders but honestly, They were the ones in charge since Maxwell had to tend to Their needs too. In a sense, They bullied him just as much he bullied me into acting a certain way and being a certain thing and that's how it works. They take the worst in you and amplify it and take something you desire and twist into something dark that will serve Their needs. That's how new kings or queens are created. Your grandmother is quite the exception being someone who took the throne willingly but she is native to the Shadow World so that helps and she still has her battle to fight to not let Them change her and she's doing well for herself. That is what is happening to you since Maxwell did plant the seeds for you to have your personality warped. Getting past it is a matter of both working with it and finding balance. Rejecting it will just make it resent you, though I think you already knew that from your dream."

Wilson nodded.

"Yes… I never knew there was so much behind being the one of the throne or just having powers like this."

"It's complicated and sometimes I don't even understand what I know half the time. I don't think even Maxwell completely understood it either."

Wilson chuckled a little.

"Maxwell didn't even fully understand it. That's… That's honestly rather amusing given how smug he was and how knowledgeable he acted."

"Oh don't I know it. Load of hot air."

"Pfft!"

William grinned.

"I think he was just as confused as I was and he was at it for a long time. I… I have a lot of stories to tell you in regards to him but right now, let's focus on you. I might be able to help since… I have made a recent discovery about myself."

"Hm? That so?"

William nodded, before holding out his hands, summoning shadow flames to them.

"Turns out, I might still have some power left as a side effect of being fused to Maxwell for so long."

Wilson's eyes widened.

"That's amazing."

"It certainly is an experience. Perhaps we could help each other?"

"I don't see why not. You're more so a master than I am… William, do you have a shadow form like mine too then?"

"I'm not sure to be honest." William grinned sheepishly. "Maxwell was technically mine but for all I know, I might have something of my own I never knew about."

"It'd be interesting to find out."

"It would be and… might be helpful in me trying to move on." William had a serious look come to his eyes. "I'm going to be honest, Wilson, I've had my own voices talking to me. Constant reminders of what I did. I don't want to live like that anymore. I know what I did is wrong but I want to make it right and being racked with guilt and moping around isn't going to help anyone. So maybe… I can help you and you can help me get this under control."

Wilson's gaze softened as he nodded. He got a determined look, holding a hand out for William.

"It's a deal my friend."

William took it, shaking it.

"We'll figure this out. Together."

"Together."