"Just like that. Perfect, Wilson."

Wilson kept his eyes narrowed as he manipulated the shadow flames in front of them, causing them to burst out like a firework before dissipating.

William clapped.

"Nicely done. You're catching on quick."

Wilson smiled, giving a bow.

"Thank you."

"And the voices, if I might ask?"

"Not as bad. I actually rarely hear from the other me. When he does speak up though, he's just mainly telling me how to improve. It's… strange but seems we're… getting along?"

"Well, better than arguing if you ask me." William rubbed the back of his neck. "Though um… off the subject but… you sure you want to perform with me still? I know stage performance isn't really something you take interest in."

Wilson fiddled with his fingers, giving a sheepish grin.

"I think Willow would like the shadow-works as I've started calling them."

William got an understanding look as he smirked.

"Oh, I see how it is."

"W-What?"

"You want to impress her, don't you?"

Wilson blushed, turning away as he made a few sparks in his hands, a far off look coming to his eyes.

"Just… She's amazing, she's fiery, she's gentle when she wants to be, she's a fierce fighter, she listens to me and she always has had my back ever since I met her. Always. I…"

William tapped his shoulder, pointing to his hand as Wilson realized he had made a silhouette of her with his flames.

"UWAH!"

William chuckled.

"Careful, magic tends to reflect feelings too. Nothing wrong with wanting to impress someone or at the very least, entertain, something I think the village could possibly use since everyone has been working so hard."

"Definitely. And I know the kids have gotten rather bored lately. Going a bit stir crazy."

"And we can't have that."

"So…" William picked up a top hat he had lying nearby. "Let's give 'em a show."

oooooo

Wes had everyone gathered around the fire pit area where a small stage had been set up. It wasn't anything fancy, just a simple plank made platform with a wall behind it that had curtains draped over it but it was good enough.

Wes held up title cards as soon as everyone was seated.

"Ladies and gentlemen, presenting, The Amazing William Carter and The Gentleman Scientist Wilson Higgsbury as they perform illusions that your eyes have never seen with the help of me! Wes the Mime!"

Everyone chuckled at the last card before Wes set them down, hurrying on stage, cueing the two men on stage. They ran up on stage, both giving a bow as everyone clapped.

"So, what you think these two are up to?" Willow whispered to Charlie. "I would think if William was ever going to do magic shows again he would ask you to be his assistant instead of Wes."

"I'm not sure. I thought so too." Charlie giggled. "But we'll see."

William gave his best confident look to the small crowd before them.

"Thank you everyone for coming to our show. We hope you enjoy." He whistled as Wilson stepped back,, the two men giving each other smirks.

"You know I think there's not enough room on this stage for us both." Wilson remarked bringing his hands together as a small ball of shadow magic appeared in them. "CATCH!"

William reacted quickly as Wilson threw the ball, catching it in his hands.

"Oh dear, must you be so brash?" William chuckled. "There's plenty of room, right Wes?"

Wes nodded, giving a thumbs up.

"But if you want to play that game." William tossed the ball back to him, the ball shifting into a small hound that knocked Wilson over. "We'll play that game."

The survivors had stunned looks on their faces. The children cheered and Charlie… was just surprised.

"He still has it." She whispered.

Wilson got up, dusting himself off.

"How dare you!" He grinned, changing the hound into a ball again throwing it as it morphed into a phoenix made of shadow flames that flew around William's head.

Willow let out an audible squeal.

"YES!"

William ducked but couldn't avoid the phoenix pulling at his hair.

"Gah! No fair!"

"How? We have no rules!"

William laughed.

"Alright, alright, try this then." William brought the phoenix down, changing it back into a ball before throwing it as it morphed into Chester, though instead of knocking Wilson over it just bounced over to him before bouncing up high enough to lick him on the cheek. "... I did not mean for it to do that but okay then!"

Wilson laughed.

"Of course!"

Chester who was sitting with the twins gave a whine.

"No need to be jealous old friend!" Wilson assured, tapping the shadow copy before getting an idea as he grinned. He shifted the ball around before tossing it as a shark formed from it, its jaws snapping…

Albeit it was quite small and instead hung onto the rim of William's top hat, its tail squirming around.

"... I intended for that to be more dramatic."

Everyone burst out laughing at this.

William chuckled before making the shark dissipate.

"Alright, enough dueling. I believe our assistant would like to participate." He waved for Wes to step forward. "So, my dear mime, have you ever dreamt of flying?"

Wes nodded a grin coming to his face.

"Well then, let's make him fly!" Wilson smirked.

"Oh this is gonna go well." Charlie whispered to Willow. "These two are hamming it up."

Wilson and William started making the same motions with their hands, moving in perfect synchronization before summoning shadow flames that worked their way around Wes before forming a pair of wings on his back that attached to him through a shadow flame harness. Wes grinned as the wings flapped, bringing him into the air. Wes struck a pose once he was high enough, everyone cheering.

Wes flew around them a few times before coming back to the stage, taking a sweeping bow and blowing a kiss to Wigfrid.

Wigfrid chuckled, cheering.

"That's me husband!"

Wes bowed again before letting Wilson and William take center stage.

"And now, our finale." William said. "Ready, Wilson?"

"Yes." Wilson smiled.

The two moved in synchronization again, manipulating shadow flames, bringing them together. It took a moment before they formed a flower with long petals and leaves, making it look like a sun of sorts. Everyone stared at it in amazement, then took note of the two men. Their eyes widened as they saw their forms shift.

Wilson's attire changed to that of his shadow suit, his hair becoming wild like fire and his ears elongated. The same happened to William. His attire was now something more fitted for a showman. A nice fancy black coat with long coat tails with silver accents to match his silver grey vest under and the rose adorning his black and red top hat. His ears were elongated as well and his hair, while not wild like Wilson's, now had silver streaks in it.

"Behold!" They both called out as everyone started applauding.

"Wow." Willow breathed. "They really are amazing, aren't they?"

Charlie looked William over, surprised.

"They really are.."

The made the flower dissipate before taking a bow. There hearts were pounding but despite that, they felt great. They looked to each other with grins before being taken aback by the appearances they now had.

"W-When did you change?" William asked. "I-I don't remember that being part of the act."

Wilson felt his hair and looked over himself stunned.

"I don't remember doing it. I don't recall you having that form either."

William got a confused look before looking at himself, gasping a bit. This had never happened before. He touched his ears, feeling they were elongated.

"H-How…?" William wasn't sure what to make of this.

Wilson put a hand to his chin.

"... We were in perfect sync."

"And it felt well… Good."

Wilson gave a small shrug.

"I suppose it's just part of getting control of it."

"I suppose so."

So this… this is the other half of myself. Just like Wilson has. This is… Me.

The twins were the first to come running up to the stage, hugging Wilson, Willow soon joining them.

"Papa you were amazing!" Wendy squealed. "Both you and Uncle Will!"

"Yeah!" Abigail hugged him tighter. "You were just like a real performer!"

Wilson chuckled, hugging the girls close.

"Why thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoyed it."

Abigail looked to William, holding an arm out to him.

"You deserve hugs too!"

William smiled, walking over as he brought his arms around them.

"Thank you, girls."

"Anytime! You were just like you were before but better!"

"Yeah! And that new suit looks good on you!"

William blushed, glancing at himself again.

"I-If you say so."

"So modest." Willow chuckled before looking to Wilson. "Hey you."

"Yes?" Wilson grinned sheepishly.

Willow kissed his cheek.

"Amazing show. Can you do this again sometime?"

Wilson turned bright red, his ears standing up.

"Y-You would wanna see this again?"

"Oh yes! Maybe even see some solo performances too."

Wilson grinned.

"If the fair lady wishes."

"We shall make plans then." William looked over to Wes, seeing the mime was currently being smothered in kisses by his wife. "Cute."

William pulled away from the group, dusting himself off, sighing in relief.

That went better than I thought it would.

He looked to the audience, seeing Charlie approaching the stage.

"H-Hey." William smiled sheepishly.

Charlie smiled warmly, taking his hands into hers.

"Look at you. Quite the change."

His ears folded down a little.

"I-Is this okay? I.. I don't know how to change back yet but I'll figure it out-"

She silenced him with a kiss. After a moment, she pulled back, giving a grin.

"I love it."

William was bright red, his ears twitching and a silly grin on his face.

"Y-You do?"

"Yes!" She squealed throwing her arms around him. "You're so CUTE!"

William's ears twitched again, bringing his own arms around her, smiling a bit.

"Well… I'm glad you like this. I was trying to figure out how to tell you and the others about the power situation I just… didn't want to scare anyone."

Charlie nuzzled him, bringing a hand up behind his head, stroking one of his ears.

"You're not scaring anyone. I'll always love you no matter what. This is just… amazing."

William smiled, nuzzling her hand.

"Thank you, Charlie."

Charlie smiled, kissing the tip of his nose.

"You're very welcome. I'm so proud of you." She gave a puppy eyed look. "But next time, can I be your assistant again?"

William grinned, bringing her closer, kissing her head.

"I'd love nothing more."

She sighed happily, keeping close.

"Then it's a date."