My name is Morgan, and this is my story. When he came to my house, Princess Mindy had tasked me to take care of SpongeBob SquarePants. She gave me a unique water pump to turn regular tap water into ocean-like saltwater. It will act as SpongeBob's lifeline when he cannot be submerged in water. I was also given a detailed file on SpongeBob's life myself. Mindy had planned to have me guide the Sponge back to what he needed to be when evil corrupted him to an unrecognizable degree. I would be there to hold SpongeBob away from the ocean long enough to refresh his mind if needed. I was to live in a house distant from the ocean. He must be separated for his power to grow outside Aquarius' natural reins. I worry this might be borderline torture for the little guy, but Mindy reassured me that although the process will be uncomfortable, it will empower SpongeBob.

I was tasked with watching and waiting for the powerful reality bender to be sent my way. Monthly, I was delivered the necessary supplies by a third party to survive. It was the day after one of these deliveries when he arrived.

I heard a crash in the front yard. I rushed to see the Sponge unconsciously sprawled out in the yard among pieces of a spaceship. I gently removed the Sponge from the tangled mess of metal. I checked his vitals with my magic, and he was alive, but his mind was nearly gone. I brought him in and hooked him up to the specialty water pump. I changed him out of his odd costume into his regular wear. I allowed him to rest peacefully for six days, then I took an air horn and used it to mimic his alarm clock. He slowly woke up, a bit disoriented. His eyes seemed to be glazed over, and the blue of his irises was almost entirely gray. I was quick to help him sit up slowly. His hands clasped over the mouthpiece, pumping the saltwater into him. He pressed the center of the tube close to his nose and mouth as his breath grew deep, and he closed his eyes.

"Take it easy," I softly spoke beside him. He opened his eyes, and his breath returned to normal. He let the mouthpiece go. I turned off the pump, and after he drained the tube, I removed the mouthpiece. I looked at his eyes; they were still glazed over, but some of their blue was restored.

I asked, "Can you see me?"

He shook his head meekly.

"That's okay," I said, taking his hand in mine, "I'm here to help."

He gripped my hand gently and smiled very softly.

"I'm going to start breakfast," I told him and then asked, "Are you hungry?'

He nodded and let me go.

"Stay put," I instructed, "I'll be right back."

I went to the kitchen to make the meal and listened carefully. I heard Spongebob yawn but not much else. Once I finished cooking, I led him from the guest bedroom to the kitchen. I served him an aromatic plate of bacon and eggs. He was able to eat on his own. Once he was finished, he rubbed his eyes. I oversaw him. He pulled out two foggy lenses from his eyes, and then the glaze disappeared.

I asked, "Can you see me now?"

SpongeBob turned to me with a sweet smile and nodded. I took the foggy lens from him, and with the clothes I had removed from him when he came, I put them in the fireplace to burn them. There might have been dark magic draining the kind Sponge.

For the next six days, I took care of him. He was taking notice when he started doing things on his own. The blue of his eyes slowly grew more vibrant. He hadn't spoken a word yet, but he was very expressive. They almost resembled the ocean when he started cooking on his own.

I asked, "What are you making?"

"I'm not sure," He replied softly, "some kind of patty, I think."

His voice was hoarse. He had a spatula in his hands and was indeed cooking a burger patty.

I asked, "Do you remember what you put in it?"

He thought a bit and pulled out a bottle with rolled-up paper inside from one of his pores.

"This appeared near me this morning," he explained. "I think it's for something important."

I knew what it was, and it filled me with hope.

"It's the Krabby Patty secret formula," I explained, "You used to cook these all the time when you lived in Bikini Bottom."

I tried to take the bottle, but he held it close to himself.

"Promise me you won't read it," he said, his already sore voice cracking with worry.

"I promise," I reassured him; he hesitantly gave me the bottle. I put it up inside a safe I had and locked it tight. He ate the patty after putting it on a bun. Then, I started treating SpongeBob's sore throat. It was three days before his voice sounded normal again.

I had to teach him everything he had forgotten: his family, friends, and life. Piece by piece, His memories returned to him. It took another week for him to recall who he was. The blue in his eyes fully returned. He was all back now, but something told me he needed time before returning.

He only needed the water pump at night. The day after, all the blue came to his eyes. However, he suddenly started gasping for air. After turning it on, I rushed to grab the water pump tube and put his face into the mouthpiece. He breathed hard, and his eyes started glowing a bright blue. Aquarius must have been calling to him; I knew the time was coming for his return. I let him catch his breath and calm down a bit. The glow ebbed away with each breath. Then I shut off the pump once I was confident he wouldn't collapse. I took the secret formula from the safe and gave it to SpongeBob.

"You're going home soon," I explained, "Your body is getting ready to return to the ocean."

"So soon," SpongeBob asked, "Are you sure I'm ready?"

"I do," I reassured.

That afternoon, a ship landed in the front yard. I lead SpongeBob to the yard, and from the ship came Patrick Star.

"Patrick," SpongeBob exclaimed excitedly and rushed to hug his friend.

I waved goodbye as SpongeBob left; my work was done. But something was off about Patrick. I could keep track of him on my enchanted television.

SpongeBob was sitting with Patrick on the ship.

"So," Patrick asked, "what have you planned for your revenge, Emperor?"

"Emperor," SpongeBob chuckled, "Come on, Pat, you know my name."

Patrick was confused.

SpongeBob then asked, "Who am I even getting revenge from?"

"Plankton," Patrick said, "The rebels' leader."

"The rebels," SpongeBob asked, "Am I a bad emperor?"

"Of course not," Patrick reassured.

They soon landed out front of an extensive manor.

"Here we are," Patrick said, coming out of the ship, "This is your home."

SpongeBob looked around as he stepped out and said, "This doesn't look like my house."

Patrick walked past him and up the steeple to the mansion's front doors. He stopped and stood at attention as SpongeBob followed him, a bit confused. Patrick opened the door for SpongeBob, who went inside very cautiously. He looked around and spotted a statue of himself in the cloak he came to me in. I knew burning it was a good idea. His statue was also welding a staff that didn't look familiar to me. SpongeBob then turned to the great hall in front of him. His friends were standing in the foyer. He rushed to greet them but then paused to take a moment to look at them.

Sandy put a lab coat over her diver suit to look more scientific. Mr. Krabs was dressed in navy uniform and standing with a salute. Squidward was dressed in a red hat and cloak. Now that he was looking for it, he noticed Patrick wearing a general's uniform.

SpongeBob asked, "Why is everyone dressed so weird?"

Squidward countered, "Whatever do you mean?"

"Well," SpongeBob answered, "I remember you guys dressing a bit more casually than this."

The group exchanged looks that were a mixture of confusion and fear.

SpongeBob gasped, "I have been a bad Emperor! Oh no, this is terrible!"

Squidward came to SpongeBob's side and smiled.

Squidward tried to reassure him, saying, "Don't you fret, my liege; if you would like to change things, just tell us how."

SpongeBob was still panicking, "How did this happen? How did I turn to evil so quickly?"

The gang thought momentarily until a low, quiet rumble from SpongeBob's belly interrupted them.

"Of course," SpongeBob said as if he had just realized something, "A lack of Krabby Patties!"

Now, everyone else was confused.

Mr. Krabs asked, "What are Krabby Patties?"

SpongeBob asked, concerned, "You forgot your greatest invention?"

Mr. Krabs nodded.

SpongeBob explained, "Well, it's the most delicious food in the ocean!"

Squidward was skeptical and asked, "What's in it that makes it so great?"

"That's a secret," SpongeBob said," Luckily, I was able to recreate it just in case."

He pulled out the Secret Formula, and his belly gave another soft grumble.

"I bet I stopped eating them one day," SpongeBob said, "And the withdrawal made me snap."

The group was perplexed by this explanation.

"I'll cook us all up a batch," SpongeBob said excitedly, "Hopefully, fresh patties will help clear your heads."

Squidward sighed, "Follow me to the kitchen."

SpongeBob didn't just hand over the formula to the chef already, who was there. He cleared out the kitchen staff. So, he can make the Patties in secret. Twenty minutes later, a heavenly sent wafted from the kitchen. Squidward stood by the Kitchen door, keeping guard where the smell was the strongest. Just the alluring perfume of the juicy burger was enough to empty his stomach. It was another five minutes before SpongeBob finally served the Krabby Patties. Every one of his close friends got one. He made one for himself as well.

Squidward resisted eating him, no matter how much he wanted to taste it. He forced himself to throw it away in secret.

"I will make sure the emperor is restored," Squidward vowed privately, "He has lost his mind."

The others ate theirs out of curiosity and gratitude. Of course, they fell in love with the taste.

SpongeBob asked, "See? Doesn't everyone feel better?"

Patrick nodded.

Mr. Krabs said, "Aye, lad."

Sandy cheered, "You bet!"

Squidward feigned agreement, "For sure, definitely a lot better."

SpongeBob chuckled, "I see yours is restoring you already, Squidy!"

Squidward was caught off guard, and his stomach ached a bit. I could tell some of him regretted not eating his Krabby Patty earlier.

SpongeBob then cautiously gave the formula to Mr. Krabs.

SpongeBob said, "Promise me you'll keep it safe this time."

Mr. Krabs gently placed a claw on SpongeBob's hand and said, "I promise, SpongeBob."

SpongeBob let the formula pass from his hands into Mr. Krabs' claws.

"We have a lot of work to do, gang," SpongeBob said, "But if we work together, we can set things right again."

Patrick held his head with a hand and said, "I still don't quite feel like me yet. I don't know if I'm ready."

"Let the patty settle inside you," SpongeBob advised, "It may take a bit before it kicks in, and you're free from whatever awful brainwashing I forced you through."

Sandy said, "I'll start planning to dismantle the empire."

SpongeBob said, "Good idea, Sandy."

She dismissed herself.

Mr. Krabs said, "I'll put this in the vault for safekeeping until the Krusty Krab is up and running again, lad!"

"You don't need to tell me," SpongeBob reassured him with a chuckle.

Mr. Krabs apologized, "Sorry."

He then scuttled away.

SpongeBob hugged Patrick and said, "I'll jog a bit of your memory; we can catch up with each other. You'll be right as rain in no time."

Patrick gently hugged back.

SpongeBob said, "I'm so sorry I did this to you. I will say a lot these coming weeks, but I feel you needed to hear it the most."

"I forgive you," Patrick said, "After all, it seems like you've changed."

Squidward asked, "Mind if I tag along?"

SpongeBob asked, "Wouldn't you rather go home to practice painting or playing your clarinet? You know, reignite your artistic spark and all that."

Squidward insisted, "Those old hobbies of mine can wait; I sincerely want to help you."

SpongeBob said, "Alright, come along, then we will have a lot of fun."

SpongeBob took them to Jellyfish Fields and handed each one a net. He also had one for himself.

SpongeBob explained, "Jellyfishing is our favorite activity in the whole wide world."

He put on his glasses and said, "Follow my lead and watch for stingers."

He rushed through the fields, making a silly noise, next aloft. Patrick was right behind him.

Squidward hesitantly followed them and asked himself, "What have I gotten myself into?"

SpongeBob ran around, chasing jellyfish with Patrick by his side. They almost caught a few, but they all swam away. The duo didn't care; they were having fun. And after a solid hour of chasing jellyfish, they accidentally ran into each other. Collapsing to the ground, they both laughed uncontrollably.

Squidward snagged a jellyfish in his net and brought it to SpongeBob. The two friends calmed down from laughing when Squidward approached.

Squidward said, "Look, I caught one."

"Great," SpongeBob said, "Now let it swim free again!"

Squidward was confused and asked, "Wasn't the whole point of chasing these things to catch them?"

"Yep," SpongeBob said, "but then you let them go; you can't keep a jellyfish as a pet. They're too wild! Trust me, I've tried."

Squidward released the jellyfish back into the ocean. He watched as it flew away. He was admiring the way the light of the surface seemed to make the jellyfish glow. It was beautiful to behold. There was a low growl from his belly; he shook off the adoration.

SpongeBob asked, "Did you eat your Krabby Patty, Squidward?"

"Of course I did," Squidward said somewhat defensively.

Patrick suggested, "Maybe we should take a snack break anyway."

"Of course," SpongeBob said. Then he pulled out three candy bars. He handed one to both of them and kept one for himself.

Patrick ate his quickly and eagerly. Squidward took some time to enjoy the chocolate. SpongeBob finished his quickly.

"I just thought of something," SpongeBob said, "You two should probably change into your regular clothes."

Patrick said, "Yeah, we should return to the old neighborhood."

Squidward raised an eyebrow but followed SpongeBob to a street. Three structures stood on this street. There was a rock with a weathervane attached to it. What appeared to be a Pineapple was converted into a house. In between stood a tall stone face with a door where its mouth was supposed to be. I could see how relieved SpongeBob was to see his home was intact.

He led Patrick to the rock; the starfish was initially confused. Then the rock opened into a pit with a soft chair, TV, and nothing else. Patrick was eager to jump in and closed the rock behind himself. SpongeBob giggled.

SpongeBob led Squidward to the stone face. Squidward opened the door and went inside. He flicked on the lights and looked at the elegantly decorated living room and kitchen. Their beauty enraptured him for a moment. His stomach churned painfully again, and I figured the chocolate did nothing to soothe it.

He turned to SpongeBob to ask, "Are you sure this is my house?"

SpongeBob retorted, "Are you sure you ate your Krabby Patty?"

Squidward sighed, exasperated, went inside, and closed the front door. He went to the kitchen to make himself a meal when he spotted his Krabby Patty on the counter, much to his shock and horror. His stomach ached as the delicious smell of the patty wafted into his nose. He acted quickly and put it in a glass case.

SpongeBob went into his own house. He sighed heavily in relief as he came into the living room. Nothing had changed here, as far as I could tell. He flipped on the lights. He closed the front door behind him.

"Gary," SpongeBob called for his beloved pet, "I'm home!"

SpongeBob waited a few minutes. Slowly, Gary inched his way from the kitchen to SpongeBob's feet.

"There you are, my Gar-bear," he said sweetly. He picked up the snail and gently petted its eyestalks. Gary purred softly. SpongeBob put Gary on his head and brought him to the kitchen. He opened some snail food for the little guy and fed Gary. Gary slid down SpongeBob and ate the snail food gratefully.

Soon after, He heard a knock on the front door. He went to see who it was.

"Hi, SpongeBob." Patrick greeted his friend warmly. SpongeBob gave him a once-over and saw he was finally wearing his regular clothes—a pair of floral swim trunks.

"Hey Pat," SpongeBob chirped, "I see you doing better already."

Patrick chuckled as he rubbed his belly, "Yeah, you were right. I can already feel myself restoring to normal."

He stopped rubbing his stomach to give SpongeBob a concerned look.

"You're not planning to do anything crazy and self-destructive," Patrick asked, "Right?"

"Of course, I'm not planning anything like that," SpongeBob quickly reassured, "Once I topple my empire, I'll let the people decide how to punish me."

Patrick sighed in relief.

"Speaking of," SpongeBob said, "Let's see what kind of plan Sandy made."

They returned to the mansion, and Sandy was in the foyer, now without the lab coat.

SpongeBob asked her, "So, what did you come up with to undo my awful empire?"

Sandy replied, "Follow me, and I'll show you!"

She led them into a room with a big map on a table. There was a faint glow of red in the middle of it.

Sandy pointed to it, "This was your Empire, SpongeBob. The first order of business should be to restore this map to what it looked like before."

She pressed a button on the side of it, and at once, the red vanished. There was simply Bikini Bottom County with four counties surrounding it.

SpongeBob asked, "How does this change anything?"

Sandy pressed another button, and the red scar was superimposed onto the map of the county lines.

Sandy ordered, "Patrick, tell the army this is how we're dividing the empire."

Patrick saluted and said, "Yes, ma'am!"

He rushed off. SpongeBob looked concerned.

Sandy said, "Don't worry, sponge, this will work."

SpongeBob said with a smile, "I trust you, Sandy."

The army moved quickly to enforce the new borders.

SpongeBob then suggested, "We should hold an election for new mayors!"

"I was thinking the same thing," Sandy said.

I could see the fish folk in the area were a bit confused as the previously iron-fisted Emperor was holding an election for new mayors in the counties he restored. I could tell that they were suspicious of SpongeBob's intentions. None more so than Plankton, SpongeBob's enemy. In the odd reality, this Tyrant Emperor had shaped in SpongeBob's absence; Plankton had become a good guy rebelling against the ruler. Plankton was surveying the scene SpongeBob was crafting from the Chum Bucket with his telescope.

"What the," Plankton muttered. Then he shouted clearly across the restaurant, "Karen! Come in here for a minute!"

Karen wheeled in and asked sarcastically, "What is it now, Plankton?"

Plankton took his eye off the telescope and gave it to Karen, instructing, "Take a look at this."

Karen used the telescope and noted, "It looks like the emperor is yielding control back to the people he subjugated."

Plankton asked, "Do you realize what this means?"

Karen looked away from the telescope to look at Plankton. She said with hope in her voice, "SpongeBob is back."

Plankton smiled, "We should visit our dear old friend."

Karen replied, "Of course."

They started the journey to the manor.

In the meantime, SpongeBob was signing necessary documentation reinstating the institution of democracy to help further topple his old Empire. Squidward was reluctant to be present, but he was the Emperor's messenger to the people. I could see him gag before he recited SpongeBob's new laws. I saw the people once under the miserable tyranny of the Empire rejoice as their rights were returned to them. But I could also tell that Squidward was trying to find a way to undermine SpongeBob's efforts. He was loyal to his Emperor, after all, not SpongeBob.

Squidward paused to look at the giant statue of his Emperor. He seemed to be in thought. He gasped at the realization of something before rushing away. Even though I was worried about what he realized, I was distracted by Plankton riding Karen into the mansion.

SpongeBob rushed to greet them. They looked relieved to see SpongeBob so happy.

"Plankton," SpongeBob chirped, "I'm so proud of you! You took the initiative when you needed to."

Plankton gushed, "Aw, thanks."

SpongeBob looked around and said, "We should destroy that statue; that's not me anymore."

Plankton said, "I was thinking the same thing."

Sandy lassoed the top of the statue, and they all pulled on it to try to pull it down.

"Wait," said Squidward, holding up staff, the same stick SpongeBob is depicted holding in the statue. Oh no.

Squidward said, "SpongeBob if you've indeed changed from the Emperor into a lowly fried cook, you must pass the test."

SpongeBob, confused, asked, "Test? What Test?"

Squidward answered, holding one end of the staff to Spongebob, "Overcome the power of your staff, and you will have proven yourself to have changed."

I shouted, "Don't do it, SpongeBob! It's a trap!"

But he couldn't hear me; we were too far apart. So, SpongeBob did indeed take the scepter.

SpongeBob said, "Okay, Squidy, if that's what it takes to convince you."

Then he collapsed, holding the scepter close. I used my magic to see into his dream.

SpongeBob stood in the manor's throne room and looked around. It was empty, and there wasn't even anyone on the throne.

"Hello," SpongeBob called out, "Hello! Is anyone here?"

He wandered around; there were no doors or windows. There were torches, archways, and flags, but no exit.

SpongeBob kept calling, "Sandy! Patrick! Mr. Krabs! Plankton! Squidward! Anybody?"

He searched the room, becoming increasingly distressed.

SpongeBob approached the platform the throne was on and asked, "Am I alone?"

"No," a high and raspy voice boomed, and a copy of himself appeared sitting on the throne, "your Emperor is here."

Emperor was different from SpongeBob in many ways; his eyes were glazed over, he wore a black cape with a popped collar, and he held the stick tightly in his right hand. SpongeBob approached him.

SpongeBob politely greeted, "Oh, hello! I guess I didn't notice you before."

Emperor said, "So here we are again, the sunniest being in the universe versus the embodiment of tyranny itself. How do you wish to die this time, hmm? In the arms of your friends who abandoned you and condemned you to this fate? Of old age, alone and sad? In some sunny field, falling asleep peacefully as your body slowly gives into a poison running strongly in your veins, put there by the friend you thought you could trust?"

SpongeBob was horrified and asked, stepping back, "Why would you want that?"

Emperor answered, "It's all your kindness has earned you across timelines in other worlds. The staff showed me all of it, all the betrayal, the backstabbing, and the disloyalty despite all the years you tried to be nice and kind! Nobody has loved you the same way you gave away your love so freely!"

He tapped his staff on the ground, and the orb projected many horrific images of SpongeBob in terrible situations, his life ending in many terrible ways. SpongeBob came close to looking at it all, then looked at Emperor.

SpongeBob asked, "How long have you been seeing these things?"

Emperor replied, "Long enough to ask the scepter to blind me so I don't have to bear the pain of seeing it anymore."

SpongeBob gasped, stepping onto the platform, "Oh, you poor dear!"

Emperor hissed, "I don't need your sympathy."

SpongeBob said, reaching for the staff, "I think you need some time away from that scepter."

Emperor snapped, shirking back, "No! This stuff is my only friend! It shows me the hard truth and doesn't condescend because I'm a silly sponge. What would I know about the universe?"

SpongeBob asked, "Is there something you wanna talk about? Seems like you're holding something in."

Emperor scowled, "You wouldn't understand."

The images disappeared, and SpongeBob went quiet, thinking.

SpongeBob said, "You mentioned that a version of us died because a trusted friend poisoned him; that was oddly specific."

Emperor said, "I don't want to talk about it."

SpongeBob asked, "Did that happen to you? Did somebody poison you so you would die slowly and peacefully?"

Emperor said, "I don't want to talk about it."

SpongeBob gasped, "That's what happened. You put your trust in a friend, and they repaid your kindness by basically putting you down. That's awful!"

Emperor hissed even more intensely, "I don't need your sympathy."

SpongeBob asked, "Who was it? Who hurt you so painfully it turned you into this?"

The Emperor tapped the ground with his stick, and it projected an image of a friend I didn't recognize. He was a triangle with a single eye, a bowtie, and a tall top hat. They looked so sad as they held their hand over SpongeBob's chest as he slept.

SpongeBob gasped in recognition, "That's Bill Cipher! He did this? But why? I thought I freed him into a better life! I thought he had changed."

Emperor growled, "Apparently not. He murdered us and didn't have a hint of remorse."

SpongeBob looked at the image; I suspect he's noticing what I noticed.

SpongeBob said, "That's not true. Look at his eye; he's practically drowning in regret. Someone forced his hand, I don't know who, but they held something over him that made him do this."

Emperor growled, obviously insulted. The image vanished.

SpongeBob met Emperor's eyes and sighed, "Oh, that's right, you blinded yourself."

Emperor said, "That shouldn't matter; his love for us should have been more important than some deal he made with whoever."

SpongeBob said, "This is Bill we're talking about; he doesn't prioritize the same things we do. Maybe he discovered some new prophecy that would make him feel more fulfilled if he completed what it outlined. Yeah, I died, but maybe in the long term, it was meant to be a positive."

Emperor said, "Look around you since you can see. My Empire has caused more pain and suffering than whatever long-term gain he sought. I only want to reclaim some of the innocence he forced me to lose."

SpongeBob asked, "By becoming the same monster he was before he was our friend?"

Emperor growled, "You just don't get it!"

SpongeBob chuckled, "You're right, I don't. Because you're not me. I wouldn't jump to the conclusion you've diluted yourself into believing is the truth."

The Emperor gasped in shock.

SpongeBob angrily explained, "I know Bill; he wouldn't kill me without a good reason. He's been through enough pain! He doesn't need the only real friend he's had in eons hating him for an action he was forced to take!"

Emperor snarled, "Don't raise your voice at me, you naive imbecile! You clearly can't see how little he cared about us! You're just as blind as me if you can't see Bill was never our friend! He said so himself!"

SpongeBob went quiet, sad, angry, and deeply upset. SpongeBob took a deep breath and looked at the stick.

"Show me the truth," he snarled. If you care that I'm not condescended to, show me who or what forced Bill's hand."

The staff was inert. SpongeBob looked at Emperor with a whimper. He tapped his staff on the ground with a sigh. Then, the orb projected an image of this Bill Cipher character with a dark snake-like being.

SpongeBob asked, "Who is that?"

"Master Void," the staff cooed affectionately and reverently. SpongeBob gasped in disgust.

SpongeBob said, "Emperor, let me heal your eyes so you can see this yourself."

Emperor snapped, "No, just tell me what you're looking at."

SpongeBob said, "Well, I see Bill and the Void; they're talking about something. Turn on the audio."

The Emperor tapped his staff, and the projection restarted when the sound flipped on.

Bill said nervously, "Oh hey, Void! What can I do for you?"

The Void's voice boomed, "You owe me Cipher."

Bill said, "Hold that thought, let me check."

He snapped his fingers, and a giant scroll appeared. He put on a monocle and looked over the scroll.

Bill said, "Let's see, Victor Freeman, Voilet Borgard, ah-ha, here you are!"

He pointed to the scroll and said, "Void Blackheart, nice to see my old partner in crime! It says here that my deal with you, as originally outlined, was that you would yield to my world domination during Weirdmageddon if I, in turn, agreed to give you my soul in servitude for the rest of eternity."

The Void hissed, "Exactly."

The props vanished, and Bill said, "Sorry pal, but that deal was nullified because when I originally came upon the third dimension with my Weirdmageddon, I couldn't go global with it. Therefore, I owe you nothing."

The Void asked, "What about the second Weirdmageddon?"

Bill asked, a bit afraid, "What about it?"

The Void said, "I distinctly remember that one going global. And the deal never specified how many Weirdmageddons it would take to get your domination. Therefore, you still owe me your soul in servitude for the rest of eternity."

Bill sighed, "Very well, you clever snake; what do you need me to do?"

The Void hissed, "Kill SpongeBob SquarePants."

Bill was shocked and asked, "What? That sweet and innocent little Sponge, why?"

The Void sighed, "I see he's gotten to you first."

Bill asked, "What do you mean?"

The Void laughed twistedly and mocked Bill's concerned tone, "Oh, why would you want to harm such a kind little Sponge, Void? Can't you see he's completely blindsided me with the promise of something more?"

Bill's eyes widened in shock. SpongeBob and Emperor both gasped in horror. Even I was in shock.

The Void said, "Sound about right to you? Was it Exactly what you were thinking? That's why he took you and many more from me with his disgusting innocence! It must come to an end one way or another. I will make you suffer for however long it takes to break you again if I need to. But you will destroy him."

The Emperor tapped the staff's orb to pause it. I could tell SpongeBob could see Bill frozen in fear, hate, and sadness.

SpongeBob said, "That's why the Void threatened to hurt Bill even more than he's already endured. How much will you bet this was his way of tormenting Bill? Watching as the sweet little Sponge, he grew to love to become the very monster he feared he still was."

The Emperor went quiet, tears in his eyes. I sighed in relief; it was clear that SpongeBob had passed this oddly revealing Test.

SpongeBob woke up and immediately smashed the orb into the ground. Squidward was surprised; all the color drained from his face when SpongeBob turned to him with an upset and hurt look.

SpongeBob said bluntly, "I know you never ate your Krabby Patty. You've been resisting its pull since I made them."

Squidward was afraid, but SpongeBob surprised everyone by hugging Squidward.

"Please, Squidward," SpongeBob begged, "Find yourself, I just want my friend back."

Squidward's belly rumbled, and he tried to push SpongeBob away. Squidward struggled; I could tell he was trying to keep himself at bay. Eventually, I could see that whatever was left of his loyalty to the Emperor faded in SpongeBob's arms.

Squidward whimpered, "SpongeBob, I missed you so much."

He hugged SpongeBob back. It was so cute!

"I'll eat the patty when I get home," Squidward said reassuringly, "Thank you."

SpongeBob let go of him, and he rushed away. He and his friends, not including Squidward, pulled on the statue and brought it down.

SpongeBob said, "Nice work, gang. But I think there's one more friend I need to help."

Patrick asked, "Who would that be?"

SpongeBob said, "Bill Cipher. I need to find him and convince him to break off his deal with an evil snake called the Void."

"Great Idea," Plankton said, asking, "But how would you find him?"

SpongeBob thought for a moment. I also began thinking. This was the first time I had ever heard of this friend. Mindy hadn't precisely given me an up-to-date list of SpongeBob's friends.

SpongeBob said, "I'm not sure. But I think I know a few people who can help."

He closed his eyes and focused his mind. His eyes opened, and they were a dark green.

"SpongeBob," he said, his voice rather deep, "My homemade loaf; what do you need?"

SpongeBob replied in his normal voice, closing his eyes again, "Hey SpongeGlob, good to hear from you again! I need your help. I'm looking for a friend named Bill Cipher. You can search my memory if you need to see him for yourself. Have you seen him while traveling the universe?"

His eyes opened to a dark green, and SpongeGlob replied, "Ah, sorry little one, I have not. But I'll keep an eye out for you!"

SpongeBob closed his eyes and said, "That's not necessary. But thank you anyway."

Then he opened them to his usual blue.

SpongeBob said, "Well, that narrows it down."

Patrick asked, "Can we help?"

SpongeBob answered, "You guys still need to rebuild Bikini Bottom. I can do most of the investigating on my own. But I'll let you know what I find."

He then left for his house. He drew a little picture of Bill.

"Don't worry, Cipher," he said to the drawing. I'm okay now, and I'm coming. That Void isn't going to hurt you anymore."

Then he put the drawing in his pocket and looked in a chest. He pulled out a technologically advanced device I didn't recognize.

I wondered aloud, "How much of SpongeBob's life has Mindy been missing out on?"

"Jimmy," SpongeBob said, fiddling with the dials, "Come in, Jimmy Neutron!"

"Jimmy Neutron here," a human boy chirped, "Oh, hey, SpongeBob."

SpongeBob said, "Hey Jimmy, can you search your database for anything about Bill Cipher and Void Blackheart?"

Jimmy said, "Certainly!"

He typed on his computer and waited a few moments. Jimmy gasped in shock as a wall of text presented itself.

SpongeBob asked worriedly, "What is it?"

Jimmy replied, "According to my database, Bill Cipher has terrorized humanity since dawn."

SpongeBob sighed, "Well, I knew that."

Jimmy was a bit flummoxed but didn't want to say anything. He typed repeatedly, waited a few moments, and an error message popped up.

Jimmy said, "Well, that's odd; I don't have any information on anyone named the Void Blackheart."

SpongeBob said, "Aw man, thanks for trying anyway."

Jimmy asked, "How did you know those names anyway, SpongeBob?"

SpongeBob replied, "Let's just say it's been a very eventful half a year for me."

Jimmy disconnected, and SpongeBob went back to thinking.

SpongeBob paced the floor and muttered, "How to reach Bill. How do I reach Bill? Think, SpongeBob think."

Gary slithered into the room and said, "Meow."

SpongeBob said, "Oh, right! I can reach him in the Dreamscape!"

He laid down in bed and fell asleep rather quickly. I once again used my magic to view his dreams.

He dreamed of a black pyramid in the middle of a sunny field.

SpongeBob called, "Bill, are you still in there?'

He approached the Pyramid and blew a bubble into the wall to cut his way inside. He went inside the Pyramid, where there was the bow of a cruise ship and an empty hammock.

SpongeBob said, "I guess not."

He pulled the picture from his pocket and said to it, "Where could you have gone, Bill?"

He then thought for a moment and gasped, "Of course!"

He left the Pyramid and his dream and entered a new dream. An unfamiliar six-fingered man was facing away from SpongeBob. He looked to be doing crucial scientific research.

"Hey, Dr. Pines," SpongeBob chirped, "Did Bill happen to pop in before me?"

"Salutations, Robert," He said, turning to him and replying, "No, I haven't seen him since he apologized to me earlier this year."

SpongeBob said, "Ah, Sorry for the intrusion."

Dr. Pines asked, "Wait, isn't he supposed to be with you?"

SpongeBob answered, "He is, but he ran away after my heart stopped suddenly. He must have forgotten I can regenerate myself."

Dr. Pines asked worriedly, "You mean you had a heart attack?"

SpongeBob said, "Oh, yeah. But I'm fine now!"

Dr. Pines said, trying to change the subject, "Now that I think about it, He might have returned to the Nightmare Realm."

SpongeBob said, "Thanks, Dr. Pines! Sweet dreams!"

He left the dream and returned to his dream before waking up. I looked away to call Mindy and tell her what was happening. She was shocked and rushed over to visit SpongeBob.

SpongeBob bowed and said, "Princess Mindy, I'm so sorry this happened."

Mindy said, "That's not important right now."

SpongeBob asked, "It's not?"

Mindy retorted, 'What are you doing? Are you trying to contact a Nightmare Demon, psychically communicating with some universe wanderer, and connecting with humans without letting me know?'

SpongeBob said, "I thought I explained all this to you in my letters."

Mindy said, "Ah, I guess I should catch up."

SpongeBob asked, "So, what should I do?"

Mindy replied, "I'm afraid there is nothing to do. That Nightmare Demon is too far gone, even for someone as sweet as you. He made his choice, and now he has to live with it. Perhaps some other version of him somewhere isn't so easily swayed by the machinations of evil."

SpongeBob sighed, "I guess so."

I turned away. I couldn't help but feel like there might have been someone in my mind watching this unfold alongside me.