Later, Mabel told Standford everything she had experienced. Dipper collaborated with what he saw as well. Stanford gave it some thought. He spoke with Stanley in private.

"I think we should keep the barrier up," Stanford said, "I don't care how changed Cipher says he is. Until he proves he's good now, that barrier stays put. In the meantime, he can stay outside."

Stanley was cross and said, "The way I see it, Lownie was unnecessarily kicked out of the house. The barrier must go down, or at least not around the entire house. Maybe just the upstairs or your room."

"He doesn't even live with us," Stanford argued, "And that is not how the barrier works. It just proves Cypher is still as evil as ever."

Stanley sighed and muttered, "If you say so, Sixers."

Stanford snapped, "What did you just call me?"

Stanley was startled and said meekly, "I'm sorry, but I called you Sixers."

Stanford's expression softened. He could see the fear in Stanley's eyes. They had spent a year trying to rebuild their bond, but it still felt like an unspoken ravine had opened between them. Stanford did truly trust Stanley, especially after so many times Stanley showed Stanford how wise he was. Stanford took a deep breath.

"Bill Cypher is dead," Stanford murmured, "And he can't hurt me or anyone I love."

Stanley calmed down a bit.

Stanford asked, "Do you remember when we traveled in Russia, and you protected me from an obvious attempt to get us into a rebel prison camp?"

"Yeah," Stanley said, then chuckled, "You fell for the old 'Random Body Cavity Search Mid-tour' gambit."

Stanford asked, "Remind me, how did you figure out it was a scam and not genuine again?"

"The scammer's hat was a furry earflap thingy," Stanley said, "Definitely not up to the standard uniform of the Russian army without proper badges or tags."

Stanford said, "I think that's what's happening with Bill. He's just not wearing the right hat, metaphorically, anyway. His act is convincing. He almost looks the part, but I don't believe he is on the side of good now."

Stanley thought about it and said, "I think I understand. Until Bill can prove he is good, the barrier stays up."

Mabel had been eavesdropping and thinking. She then got an idea. She went into town to look for her friends; she met up with Candy and Grendell at the local diner.

"Mabel's back," Grendell shouted with glee; she wrapped her arms around Mabel tightly, "Grendell HUG!"

"Good to see you too," Mabel said breathlessly, "Grendel!"

"Let me have a hug," Candy insisted. Grendel dropped Mabel. Candy very gently hugged her. Mabel hugged her back. After a moment, they let each other go.

"I missed you guys so much," Mabel said, and then she asked, "You got any plans for the summer?"

Grendel said, "Deadlifting!"

Candy replied, "Homework."

Mabel said, "Well, cancel them; I have a better idea!"

The girls cheered.

Mabel said, "We will help Bill Lownie prove he's a good guy!"

The girl's excitement quickly evaporated.

Grendel asked, "The pizza delivery guy?"

Candy asked, "Why would he need to prove he's good, Mabel?"

Mabel was about to reply, but then she thought about it.

Mabel replied, "Well, I guess because he's new?"

Candy and Grendel cross their arms.

"Or because," Mabel admitted, "He's the reincarnated Bill Cipher."

The girls gasped, uncrossing their arms.

"That evil triangle man who tried to destroy the world," Candy asked, "What is he doing back in Gravity Falls?"

Grendel asked, "And why would you want to prove he's good?"

Mabel said, "Honestly, I don't know about that first one. But I know He's probably a very different person from Bill Cipher. Bill Lownie isn't the same kind of person."

Grendel and Candy thought about it.

"It will be our most difficult challenge," Candy said.

Grendel said, "This is beyond just us three."

Candy said, "We should enlist some help."

Mabel asked, "Yeah, but who would agree to help us?"

Candy retorted, "Does Lownie even have Cipher's powers?"

Grendel suggested, "We can test him!"

Mabel asked, "How do you test Weirdness?"

Candy said, "I have an idea."

Candy pulled a notebook from her pocket and pulled a piece of paper from it. Then she put away the notebook and carefully folded the page into a paper crane. Then Candy pulled a pen out of her pocket and carefully drew a cross on its wings. She put the pen away and handed the paper crane to Mable.

"Give this to Bill the next time you see him," Candy said, "If he still has his power, it will burn in his hands. If it doesn't, we'll know Lownie isn't Cypher."

Mabel took the paper crane into town to the pizzaria. Bill was sitting at a table outside, he had an open pizza box with the pizza halfway eaten. He was texting on a phone.

"Hey Bill," Mabel said.

Bill replied, "Oh hey Mabel!"

"I wanted to give you something," Mabel said, offering him the paper crane.

Bill took the paper crane and said, "Uh, thanks! It's lovely!"

There was a bit of an awkward pause as Mabel kept an eye on the paper crane. Bill wasn't sure what to say himself, it was a very odd yet sweet gesture. Then he felt it grow oddly warm in his hand, the paper touching his hand seemed to singe a bit. Before he could stop it, the paper crane was set a blaze. He panicked and threw the paper crane to the ground and stomped on it to put out the fire.

In the distance, Gideon stifled a chuckle. He held a magnifying glass in his hand.

"My plan worked beautifully," Gideon said, "I will do what I can to keep my Mabel from that Nightmare Demon. If I can't have her, then nobody can."

Bill said, "Oh Mabel, I'm so sorry. I have no idea what happened, but I do know how to fix it."

Mabel opened her mouth to speak, but then she watched as Bill took out some chalk from his pocket. Bill drew a circle around the paper crane.

Mabel asked, "What are you doing?"

Bill answered, "I taught myself one of my ancestor's spells, a Phoenix Circle."

Bill said in a commanding voice, "Spirit of the Phoenix restore this object upon invoking its true name! From the ashes, resurrect this paper crane!"

Mabel was in awe as she watched an orange dome wrap itself around the little pile of ash. Then, it looked to be burning, but in reverse, restoring the paper crane to normal.

Gideon was infuriated, "WHAT?!"

Mabel heard him shout and turned to him. Gideon panicked and ran away, leaving Mabel confused.