The Nightmare Realm was a hub of activity. It was a twisted and demented place unbound by rules, reason, and logic. There was a gaggle of entities that had been gathered into the Scara-myid. These were the Hench-Maniacs; Bill Cipher had gathered these criminals, terrorists, and misfits by foiling the Time Police and traveling the multiverse making deals. In the Scara-myid, the Hench-Maniacs had their rooms, but they all came together in one big room for a neverending rage party. Bill would pop up occasionally to work for the crowd and prepare them for the incoming Weirdmaggedon. The Hench-Maniacs worshiped him because he gave them everything they could want. They could do whatever they wanted. But, The Hench-Maniacs were destructive, and this world was dying. One day, things were about to change.

Sandy had been working on her hamster wheel portal. She was working on the button panel when There was a knock on her tree dome door. She stopped working and went to the door. On the other side was SpongeBob SquarePants wearing a water helmet.

SpongeBob chirped, "Hey Sandy! I came as soon as I could."

Sandy said, relieved, "Oh, thank goodness you came so fast."

SpongeBob came inside and said, "Your Muse sounds like a fun guy to meet. But I don't understand why you want me to go to him directly."

Sandy said, closing the door, "I figured that if anyone could get a better handle on his situation, it would be you."

They both walked to her portal. Sandy closed up the panel and began working to activate it.

SpongeBob asked, "And you're sure this thing is safe?"

Sandy said, "It's as safe as an egg in a dozen!"

It whizzed to life, and the portal opened.

SpongeBob said, "I guess I'll see you later, Sandy!"

Sandy called, "Good luck, SpongeBob! Be careful!"

He stepped through the portal and looked around. The sky was a mess of reds, yellows, and greens. It was filled with colored bubbles, and a black pyramid was in the center of it. There was some ground SpongeBob was standing on, but it was unstable. SpongeBob quickly blew a bubble around himself before the ground beneath his feet crumbled away. He floated up and into the black pyramid.

Bill was busy DJing and shouted, "When I say Domination, you say Liberation! DOMINATION!"

The Hench-Maniacs shouted back, "Liberation!"

Bill shouted, "DOMINATION!"

The Hench-Maniacs shouted back, "Liberation!"

Bill shouted, "DOMINATION!"

The Hench-Maniacs shouted back, "Liberation!"

SpongeBob's bubble popped, and he carefully entered the rowdy crowd.

Bill then shouted, "When I say Total, you say chaos! TOTAL!"

The Hench-Maniacs shouted back, "Chaos!"

Bill shouted, "TOTAL!"

The Hench-Maniacs shouted back, "Chaos!"

Bill shouted, "TOTAL!"

The Hench-Maniacs shouted back, "Chaos!"

SpongeBob climbed to the stage and shouted, "When I say Teamwork, you say Harmony! Teamwork!"

Bill stopped the music, and the Hench-Maniacs froze in shock.

Hectorgon shouted, "Harma-Oh."

SpongeBob was embarrassed and said, "Sorry, I got caught up in the excitement!"

Bill asked, a bit upset, "Now, who do you think you are?"

SpongeBob said nervously, "My name is SpongeBob SquarePants; I'm here on behalf of my friend, Sandy Cheeks. I'm looking for her Muse. She said that he seemed like he needed help with something. She upgraded her portal to his specifications and sent me here to help!"

Bill laughed evilly. The Hench-maniacs demonic laughter reverberated throughout the room. SpongeBob also laughed nervously.

Bill's voice boomed, "WELCOME TO THE NIGHTMARE REALM SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS! I'M YOUR LITTLE SQUIRREL FRIEND'S MUSE!"

SpongeBob squeaked sweetly, "Oh, I see. What might your name be?"

Bill replied in a booming voice, "MY FRIENDS CALL ME, BILL CIPHER!"

Bill stared at SpongeBob with intensity.

SpongeBob chirped, "Nice to meet you!"

He very cautiously offered his hand to Bill. Bill and the Hench-maniacs once again laughed in a twisted way at SpongeBob.

"You're so silly," Bill said, calming down. "I won't do that until you earn it, SquarePants."

SpongeBob was confused but put his hand away and said, "Uhm, okay."

Bill asked, "So, you came directly to help me. What are you offering exactly?"

SpongeBob thought for a moment before he replied, "Oh, I have many skills that might be useful! I can cook in a short order style, fight Kar-a-te, catch jellyfish, and blow bubble art!"

Bill asked, "Bubble art?"

SpongeBob blew a bunch of bubbles in the shape of a swarm of jellyfish, and they swarmed around the room. For the first time in eons, the Hench-maniacs stood still to appreciate the bubbles.

SpongeBob said, "Ta-Da!"

Bill, curious, went up to one of the bubbles. He made one of his fingers into a claw.

"Oh," SpongeBob said, "Careful! You're too close!"

Bill popped the bubble, and its soap splurted directly into his eye.

Bill screeched in agony, and all the bubbles popped. The Hench-maniacs also screamed as the bubble soap stung their eyes. SpongeBob was saddened.

"Oh my goodness," SpongeBob said, "Are you okay? That wasn't supposed to happen! I'm so sorry."

Bill rubbed his eye, and it was restored. He started chuckling unhingedly, and so did the Henchmaniacs.

Bill said, "Woo! What a thrill! I haven't been in that kind of pain before! What an experience!"

The other Hench-maniacs shared similar sentiments. SpongeBob was confused and a bit disturbed.

Bill came to SpongeBob and said, "Oh, you were worried. Don't be. I think we like your painful bubble art! Right guys?"

The Hench-maniacs cheered.

SpongeBob said with a chuckle, "Oh, I see."

Bill said, "In fact, you can stay here and enjoy the party with them forever! Well, until it gets even more fun when I cross into your world!"

SpongeBob said, "Oh, umm, I don't know. I already have a job, a home, and friends I care about back in that world."

Bill said, "Ah, but this is better! You'll get to do whatever you want, be immortal, and you'll be helping me a lot!"

SpongeBob chirped, "I do like helping. Okay, as long as I get to say goodbye!"

Bill made a flame appear in his hand and extended it to SpongeBob, saying, "It's a deal!"

SpongeBob took it eagerly and shook it. SpongeBob then let go.

"I should get going," SpongeBob said, blowing a bubble around him, "See you later, Bill!"

SpongeBob floated off back to Bikini Bottom.

"Sandy," SpongeBob said, "I just had the most incredible experience!"

Sandy said, turning off the portal, "Oh yeah? Tell me about it."

SpongeBob then spoke excitedly about everything he saw. Sandy was a bit concerned but didn't say anything.

SpongeBob concluded, "And now Bill wants me there forever!"

Sandy said, "Wait, what?!"

SpongeBob said, "Well, he says we're coming into this world eventually. But I doubt it's anytime soon. He is giving me time to say goodbye."

Sandy said worriedly, "Oh no, SpongeBob. Your life is so good and full here in Bikini Bottom; why would you want to throw it away?"

SpongeBob said, "Well, frankly, I think that's just it. My life has gotten so peaceful; I don't have anyone left to help here. But now I can help beings from another world."

Sandy asked, "But you're the only one who makes Krabby Patties the right way."

SpongeBob chuckled and said, "Don't be silly, Sandy. Mr. Krabs can always find a Fry-cook that's just as good as me eventually."

SpongeBob then left the dome and took off the water helmet. He went around town, saying farewell to all his distant friends. He came to the Krusty Krab. Mr. Krabs was there on the outside, locking up for the day.

Mr. Krabs said, "Ahoy, lad! Nice work today!"

"Thanks, Mr. Krabs," SpongeBob squeaked and then said sadly, "But I have some bad news."

Mr. Krabs asked, "Oh?"

SpongeBob took out his work hat and said, "I have to quit."

Mr. Krabs asked, taking the hat, "But why?"

SpongeBob answered, "It's just not the right fit for me anymore. I have a higher calling elsewhere."

SpongeBob hugged him and said, "Thank you for being the best boss a sponge could ask for."

He let him go and rushed off. He came to Patrick's house and knocked on his rock.

SpongeBob shouted, "Patrick, are you home?"

The rock opened, and Patrick groggily woke up and said, "Oh, hi SpongeBob! Thanks for waking me."

SpongeBob said, "You're welcome! Can I have one of your signature post-nap bear hugs?"

Patrick said, "Oh, sure thing, pal."

He scrapped himself off the rock and landed on his feet. He then stumbled onto SpongeBob. He nearly crushed him with his body weight as he wrapped his arms around him, but SpongeBob didn't mind.

"I think I'll miss you the most," SpongeBob muttered as he hugged back. Then he let Patrick go, who was still a bit too tired even to register what was happening. He went back under his rock, letting SpongeBob go. SpongeBob then went to Squidward's house and gave the door a knock.

Squidward opened the door and saw Spongebob, who was a bit sad.

Squidward asked, "What's gotten into you?"

SpongeBob answered, "I have to leave soon. I came to say goodbye."

Then he left Squidward's front porch. Squidward took a moment, and then a big grin spread across his face.

"oh, goodbye, SpongeBob," Squidward feined sorrow; he then closed the door and started celebrating.

SpongeBob then went to his home and cuddled Gary. He then set him on his head.

SpongeBob said, "I'm sure Bill won't mind if I bring my beloved pet along."

He put on a watch and packed up a suitcase with a few things he might need. He packed his toothbrush, toothpaste, some clothes, his karate gear, a spatula, Gary's food bowl, and a technologically advanced device. He left the rest behind.

SpongeBob then took the key to his house to lock it up and hid it under the mat.

SpongeBob said, "Let's just hope the house is still around for Bill's Weirdmaggedon party."

Gary replied, "Meow."

SpongeBob chuckled and returned to Sandy's dome. He put on a water helmet, being careful to have enough for Gary as well. He went back inside.

SpongeBob said, "Okay, Sandy, turn it back on."

Sandy said, "Wait, I think there are others who want to say their goodbyes."

SpongeBob raised an eyebrow and asked, "Others?"

Sandy pointed to the outside of the tree dome, where there was a crowd of SpongeBob's friends. SpongeBob came outside, took off his helmet, and said goodbye to The Flying Dutchman, Mermaid Man, Barnacle Boy, Bubble Bass, Kevin the Sea Cucumber, The Dirty Bubble, Manray, Plankton, Princess Mindy, and, of course, King Neptune.

Plankton was upset and sniffled, "Scheming isn't going to be the same without you to oppose me."

SpongeBob smiled and said, "Don't be sad, Plankton; a new hero will take my place that you'll despise just as much."

Neptune noted, "You will always have a home waiting for you here in the ocean."

SpongeBob smiled and said, "Thanks, Neptune!"

Then, Bubbles appeared. He was distraught.

SpongeBob said, "Oh hey, Bubbles! Good to see you!"

Bubbles whined and whistled, and tears fell from his eyes.

Bubbles said as soon as he centered himself, "It would seem that your life is starting a new chapter without me or any of your friends. I'm going to miss you so much."

SpongeBob said, "Aw, Bubbles. I'll miss you too, all of you! This life was the best a sponge could ask for!"

Bubbles then took off his pendant and gave it to SpongeBob.

SpongeBob asked, "Why are you giving me this?"

Bubbles said, "So you'll never forget where you come from, and to show you'll always have a friend in me."

SpongeBob pinned it to his tie and said, "Thanks, Bubbles!"

Then he waved as the crowd scattered. Then he put the helmet back on and into the tree dome. He picked up his suitcase, and Sandy turned on the portal.

SpongeBob said, "Goodbye, Sandy, thanks for everything."

Sandy said, "Farewell, SpongeBob."

SpongeBob entered the portal, and when he came to the Nightmare Realm, Kryptos greeted him.

Kryptos asked, "What's with the snail?"

SpongeBob said, "Oh, this is Gary! He's my pet!"

Kryptos said, "Oh, okay. Follow me; there's one more thing you need to do."

SpongeBob blew a bubble around himself and floated behind Kryptos. He led SpongeBob to the center of the group. Bill was waiting; he seemed pleased with himself. SpongeBob landed on the ground, and the bubble popped.

Bill said, "It's initiation time! Set aside your baggage and your pet. Only you have to go through this."

SpongeBob blew a bubble and put Gary into it. He set him down on the suitcase and put some distance between himself and the things."

Bill looked at SpongeBob and tapped the pendent on his tie, "Ahem, all your baggage."

SpongeBob said, "What? No, this is a parting gift from one of my friends. I want to wear it for this."

Bill crosses his arms and says, "You're in way too deep to be making more demands."

SpongeBob sighed, "Fine."

SpongeBob unpinned the pendent and set it on his bag.

Bill then lifted SpongeBob off the ground with his magic and said, "The first step is to unbind you from the logic of your world!"

He yanked off SpongeBob's water helmet, and SpongeBob absorbed the water, but he lost his breath quickly. Bill then made his finger into a claw and stabbed SpongeBob in the chest. SpongeBob felt pain surge through his body, so he stopped breathing, and his heartbeat stopped. It was like those things weren't needed anymore. Bill stabbed SpongeBob again, and SpongeBob couldn't feel his stomach anymore. Again, it was like he didn't need those things. Bill stabbed SpongeBob one more time, and all the pain in SpongeBob's heart from saying goodbye and the lingering guilt he felt disappeared. The Hench-Maniacs applauded, and SpongeBob was getting excited himself.

Bill said, "The second step is to answer three riddles."

The Hench-Maniacs started clapping rhythmically.

Bill asked, gesturing to himself, "Who has one eye, three sides, a big top hat, and a bowtie?"

SpongeBob chirped, "Oh, that's easy! It's you, Bill!"

Bill said, "That's right! But say my full name."

SpongeBob chuckled, "I think I know this game. Bill Cipher!"

Bill asked, "Who sees all, knows all, and has all the power?"

SpongeBob said, a bit unsure, "Uh, Bill Cipher?"

Bill said, "Yep! One more, and you'll officially be initiated."

SpongeBob said, "Okay."

Bill then asked, "Who's the only friend you'll ever need? Who will be the immortal host of the party that never ends?"

SpongeBob was a bit uncomfortable but replied quietly, "Bill Cipher."

Bill said, "Shout it out for the whole of the Nightmare Realm to hear!"

SpongBob shouted, "Bill Cipher!"

The Hench-maniacs cheered.

"That's right," Bill said, "Congrats! You passed with flying colors!"

He shot a corrupted rainbow from his hand to show off.

SpongeBob asked, "Um, so what now?"

Bill said, "The third and final step! This part is important. I'm going to change your physical form so anyone who sees you will understand you roll with us! I'll give you whatever change you want, but something about your appearance has to change."

SpongeBob gave it some thought, looking around.

"You know," SpongeBob said, "I've always wanted to try to have different eyes. I want to turn my right eye into something different!"

Bill turned his whole hand into a claw and made a flame in it. Then he gouged out SpongeBob's right eye, and before it could regenerate, he filled the hole with a golden substance. When SpongeBob's eye grew back, it absorbed the substance, and it resembled Bills, except for the blue iris.

Bill said, "There you go! All done; welcome to the Hench-Maniacs, kid!"

Bill dropped SpongeBob back onto the ground. SpongeBob pinned the pendent back on his tie.

SpongeBob said, "Thank you, Bill; I'm truly honored to be a part of something so much bigger than myself."

Bill dismissively scoffed, "Yeah, Yeah. Everyone, Back to partying! Except you, 8-ball. Show the newbie his room."

8-Ball sighed, "Alright."

The other Hench-Maniacs want back to partying hard. SpongeBob picked up his things, carrying Gary's bubble under one arm and his suitcase with the other hand. He followed 8-Ball into the bowels of the Scara-myid. He made a metal door appear in the hall.

"Here," 8-Ball said, "This will transform into your ideal room when you enter."

SpongeBob chirped, "Thank you!"

8-Ball said, "You can drop the act. You're already in the most exclusive club in the multiverse."

SpongeBob was confused and asked, "What do you mean?"

8-Ball sighed, "Never mind."

SpongeBob opened the door and gasped. The room arranged itself almost exactly like his old house back in Bikini Bottom. SpongeBob noticed that the pastel colors he was used to seeing had been changed into darker tones, and the neon was glowing very brightly. He came inside and closed the door. He reached for the light switch, but it wasn't there. He looked up, and the light bulbs in this room were replaced with dark lights and didn't shut off. It was a bit hard to see, but his eyes quickly adjusted. This lighting was the same for every room in this odd copy of his house. He looked at all the pictures he had taken over the years, and they had been changed. The books in his library were now all written in reverse. Even his diary! He tried to write forwards, but it came out backward. He tried to force it to be forward, and it felt so bizarre that it flipped itself right before it bugged him too much.

SpongeBob took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He could taste the air for the first time—his senses were confused as to what just entered and left his body. He definitely didn't need to do that, but he had to; this was getting weird. SpongeBob shook it off. He heard Gary's bubble pop, and he panicked, rushing to his snail's side. Except Gary was fine. In fact, he seemed unbothered by the room. SpongeBob sighed in relief. He had to get used to this new reality's rules. There was a pain in his left eye, and as soon as he covered it, he saw Bill waving towards himself. The pain subsided, and the vision cleared.

SpongeBob said, "I think Bill is trying to get me to come to him."

SpongeBob left the suitcase in the living room and left his room.

"See you later, Gary," SpongeBob said.

Gary replied, "Meow."

SpongeBob closed the door and headed back to the dance floor. He came to Bill excitedly.

"Hey, Bill," SpongeBob said, "The room is great! I'll have to get used to the new lighting, but it's otherwise wonderful!"

Bill said, "Glad you think so!"

SpongeBob asked, "Did you need me for something?"

"Yes," Bill said, "I need you to get rid of that pendent!"

SpongeBob was saddened and asked, "But why?"

Bill sighed and unpinned it from Spongebob's tie. He pointed to the little triangle with an eye on it and then himself.

Bill asked, "Notice any resemblance?"

SpongeBob said, "Yeah, but that's just a coincidence!"

Bill laughed, "No, it's not."

SpongeBob asked, "Well, why does it matter anyway?"

Bill explained, "I can see through every image of myself. And this is undeniably me! I don't exactly feel comfortable having to watch myself."

SpongeBob thought for a moment, and he asked, "Can't you just ignore what one particular eye shows you?"

Bill thought for a moment and replied, faking exhaustion, "No, I'm forced to see everything no matter what."

SpongeBob thought for another moment and asked, "What if I just wear it whenever You're not around, or I have to go elsewhere? That way, you won't have to see yourself, and you'll be able to keep an eye on me when I leave the Nightmare Realm!"

Bill asked, "Why would you ever want to leave the Nightmare Realm?"

SpongeBob took a deep breath and explained, "Well, my friends and I, the Nicktoons, are part of a prophecy to banish the Mawgu back into a place called the Void forever. But Jimmy isn't convinced that the Mawgu is really going to be imprisoned for that long. He's keeping an eye on it, but he fears that one day he will break free."

Bill said, "Oh, I see. Hmmm. I'll have to look into this."

SpongeBob said, "In fact, The Nicktoons and I unite to protect the multiverse every summer. We're quite the team! Jimmy is super smart, Danny has his awesome ghost powers, and Timmy has his wish magic! It's quite the sight to see!"

Bill asked, "Protect the multiverse from what exactly?"

SpongeBob answered, "Oh, mostly the Evil Syndicate and especially their leader, Dr. Calamitous. But he isn't very good at seeing things through to the end. Although, I did meet a giant booger created at the beginning of the multiverse and, of course, the Mawgu."

Bill turned away from SpongeBob to think. He saw it all to be accurate, and he sighed. Bill then took a deep breath.

"Alright," Bill said, "You convinced me, kid, you can leave the Nightmare Realm to help these Nicktoons protect the multiverse. I guess I just never noticed those sorts of things were happening."

SpongeBob asked, "Can I have that pendant back?"

Bill stared at it for a solid minute before giving it back to SpongeBob. SpongeBob then put the pendent by his door. Then he went about putting away his things. SpongeBob rubbed on the places Bill stabbed. He had healed there, but now his insides were completely numb.

SpongeBob sat down on a chair and whimpered, "What did Bill do to me?"

He glanced at his watch, and it looked normal enough. He sighed; again, his breath didn't feel right. It wasn't a necessity; he knew it. SpongeBob then took out his emergency Krabby Patty puck and cooked it. He was cautious and precise when cooking and assembling it. He ate it, and as soon as the last bite entered his stomach, all the feeling was restored to his insides. SpongeBob sighed in relief. Except it was just the good feeling of being full and no other sensation.

SpongeBob said, "Oh, I bet Bill prevented my body from feeling pain anymore. I don't need to breathe because I no longer feel the pain of holding my breath. That might also explain why the Hench-Maniacs are so eager to feel a new form of pain. They couldn't before!"

Gary said, "Meow."

SpongeBob said, "You feel the same, Gary? interesting."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

SpongeBob asked, "Now, who could that be?"

SpongeBob opened the door and said, "Hello there!"

Hectorgon said, "Hey, little Sponge-guy! It's good to see you again. My name is Hectorgon."

SpongeBob said, "Nice to meet you! My name is SpongeBob!"

Hectorgon said, "Come on, you should join the party! Live a little!"

SpongeBob said, "Okay!"

SpongeBob turned as he left to say, "I'll be back, Gary!"

Gary said, "Meow!"

SpongeBob closed his door and followed Hectorgon back to the dancefloor. SpongeBob looked around and saw everyone had their groups. One group was guzzling liquid from a fountain; it was clear until a spoon or a cup scooped it up, and then it transformed into a different color depending on who scooped it. SpongeBob came over to this odd fountain. He took a cup from the stack and scooped a bit of the liquid into it. It transformed into a brownish color. SpongeBob took a sip. Hectorgon noticed that SpongeBob got sidetracked and stopped to wait.

"Mmm," SpongeBob said, "Kelp Cola, my favorite!"

He drained his cup and then returned to Hectorgon's side.

"Sorry," SpongeBob said, "I just had to find out."

Hectorgon chuckled and said, "Don't worry about it; this place is all about decadent indulgence and hedonism. Just let me know next time."

SpongeBob said, "Sure thing!"

Hectorgon led him further across the dance floor again, and SpongeBob listened to the music. It was mostly an upbeat mess of sound as he moved.

SpongeBob asked, "What sort of music is this anyway?"

Hectorgon answered, "If you listen close enough, you'll hear your favorite songs on a loop. I suppose it's still trying to get a handle on what you like to listen to."

SpongeBob said, "Oh, I don't have any particular set of songs I like. I like every genre of music a little bit. If anything, I think I can learn to appreciate even this."

Hectorgon was a bit annoyed but didn't say anything. He led SpongeBob to an open kitchen where lots of people were eating and cooking.

Hectorgon said, "Here we are; this might be more your speed!"

SpongeBob admired it, "Ooh, look at all of this!"

Hectorgon said, "I have to get back to my group, but I'll see you later, SpongeBud!"

SpongeBob replied, "Okay, Thank you Hectorgon!"

He looked around at the chaos of the kitchen. He found a lone grill that didn't have anyone by it. SpongeBob tried to turn it on, but it didn't turn it on. He turned it off. He opened it up and did his best to try to troubleshoot what could be wrong.

Paci-fire came to him and asked, "What are you doing there, SpongeBud?"

SpongeBob replied, "Oh hey, you must be Paci-fire. I'm not sure how I know that, but It's nice to meet you regardless!"

Paci-fire chuckled and said, "Ah, you really are a newbie. Your mind is being filled with the same collective knowledge we all share as Bill's friends."

SpongeBob said, "And to answer your question, I'm trying to fix this grill. I turned it on, and it just didn't work, so I'm double-checking what could be wrong."

Paci-fire raised an eyebrow and asked, "Did you flip the switch, or did you command it to turn on?"

SpongeBob said, "Oh, I just flipped the switch."

Paci-fire chuckled and said, "That's not how it works here; the machines here only answer to verbal commands."

SpongeBob closed the grill and said sweetly, "Um, Turn on to 180 degrees Celsius, please."

The grill activated immediately, and SpongeBob got excited.

SpongeBob said, "Thanks, Paci-fire!"

Paci-fire asked, "What are you making SpongeBud?"

SpongeBob chuckled and said, "I wanted to make some meals. But I guess I don't really have any orders to fulfill, huh?"

Paci-fire went quiet in thought.

SpongeBob then said to the stove, "Turn off, please."

The grill was deactivated.

Paci-fire asked, "Why are you still pretending to be so nice? You're on the top of the cosmic food chain!"

SpongeBob replied, a bit flummoxed, "Because I'm a nice guy, and besides that, it's called minding your manners. Which I like to do, unlike some people."

Paci-fire went quiet and rolled his eyes.

SpongeBob took a deep breath and said, "I'm sorry, I'm not sure where that came from."

Paci-fire walked away, waving SpongeBob off. SpongeBob rubbed his head, trying to center himself. Bill glanced over at SpongeBob. He chuckled as he watched the sponge try his very best to settle the sheer volume of cynical, depressed, and miserable thoughts that were surely bombarding his mind. Bill floated over as SpongeBob sat on the ground, trying to meditate.

Bill asked, "Something wrong, sponge?"

SpongeBob whined, "I can't seem to quiet all the intrusive thoughts invading my mind. It isn't very nice! I know better than all these awful desires filling my head. It's getting to be too much."

Bill said, "Aw, poor SpongeBud. Let me help you."

Bill offered SpongeBob his hand, and SpongeBob took it. Bill entered SpongeBob's mind and was almost immediately bombarded with an intense sweetness that kicked him out with just how strong it hit him. Bill was surprised and let SpongeBob's hand go.

SpongeBob asked, "Did you see what's wrong?"

Bill gave himself a moment to process what just happened and answered, "No, but I wouldn't worry too much. Your mind is already adjusting to being a part of the collective."

SpongeBob finally calmed his mind.

SpongeBob chirped, "Thanks, Bill!"

Bill was intrigued and noted, "But I didn't do anything."

SpongeBob said, "Yes, you did! You eased my fear."

SpongeBob left Bill's side. He explored the Scara-myid a bit, but he felt that he was tailed. SpongeBob turned around, and Teeth grinned gleefully at him.

"Hello," Teeth chirped, "You must be SpongeBud!"

SpongeBob smiled back and said, "I am! Nice to meet you, Teeth!"

He offered his hand to Teeth, and the Hench-Maniac grabbed him and bit down on it. It squeaked like a squeaky toy under the incredible bite pressure. Spongebob popped off his arm with a chuckle. He grew a new one as Teeth chewed on the other one.

Teeth stopped to say, "You taste delicious!"

Then he went right back to gnawing.

SpongeBob nervously replied, "Um, thank you."

SpongeBob then felt lifted off the ground and his arms in the midst of an incredible heat.

SpongeBob shouted in surprise, "Woah!"

He looked up and saw Pyronica with a twisted grin. She had SpongeBob by the arms.

Pyronica said, "Hang on, you're in for a bumpy ride!"

Spongebob held onto Pyronica's arms and asked, "Where are you taking me?"

Pyronica answered, "I don't know; Bill didn't specify; he just wanted me to take you flying."

SpongeBob looked down at the party, and Bill was watching with an approving look. SpongeBob then looked ahead and saw a group of Eye-bats hanging about. Pyronica's flames were so bright it woke them up, and they scattered. Some of the Hench-Maniacs cheered. SpongeBob chuckled; it was entertaining to fly up so high. Pyronica then made a few loop-de-loops. SpongeBob could hardly contain himself, and he started laughing. His squeaky, high-pitched laugh echoed across the hall. Suddenly, Pyronica recoiled and accidentally dropped SpongeBob.

SpongeBob's pores whistled as he dropped, but then he closed his eyes and focused his mind. Suds came out of his body, and slowly, a giant bubble formed around him. When it was finished, SpongeBob opened his eyes and took a deep breath. He stood up in the bubble and turned to Pyronica with stern disappointment.

"Sorry, Sponge," Pyronica said, coming to meet him, "I never heard a laugh like that before! That was exciting!"

SpongeBob said, his face softening, "I forgive you, just be more careful next time."

Bill came up to the giant bubble and said, "That's enough of that. Pyronica, you're dismissed."

Pyronica flew back down to the rest of the dance floor, and Bill popped SpongeBob's bubble. He was quick to catch Spongebob and blink to shield his eye from the soap.

SpongeBob asked, "Something wrong, Bill?"

Bill stared at SpongeBob and wordlessly held him close to his chest in a sort of hug. SpongeBob hugged back, a bit confused, but was still riding the high from the excitement. Bill took SpongeBob away from the party, much to the collective confusion of the Hench-Maniacs.

8-Ball asked Pyronica, "What just happened?"

Pyronica shrugged.

Kryptos said, "Bill has been acting off ever since that Sponge joined the collective. I wonder why."

Hectorgon chirped, "Oh, don't be so sour. He's probably just excited about the new addition to our crew!"

Kryptos hissed, "That's not what it is, and you know it."

Kryptos closed his eyes, focused his mind, and was immediately bombarded with wholesome thoughts. Thoughts of a life he knew he didn't live, he saw a warm sunny day at the beach. He saw, among all the beachgoers, himself sitting on a chair holding a cherry vanilla ice cream cone. He immediately refocused his mind on the present before he tasted the treat.

Kryptos explained, "I think SpongeBud is sharing his happy place with us!"

Everyone gasped in shock.

Xanthar boomed, "BILL ISN'T GOING TO LIKE THIS!"

Keyhole asked, panicking, "What are we going to do? What are we going to do? What are we going to do?"

The other demons were equally afraid.

Kryptos said, "Everyone, calm down! If this is really a big issue, Bill will probably fix it before it becomes too much to handle."

SpongeBob looked away from the scene to the present. Bill had brought SpongeBob to a room. SpongeBob was sitting on the living human skin couch. He wasn't too bothered by it.

SpongeBob said, "They seem rather frightened."

Bill chuckled, "Well, you are the first innocent mind they've ever connected to."

SpongeBob looked around and asked, "Where are we?"

Bill answered, "The top of the Pryamid! The penthouse suite, my room!"

SpongeBob said, "Oh, it's nice!"

Bill chuckled as he took a seat in a comfy chair, "Thank you."

SpongeBob asked, "So why did you bring me here?"

"Well," Bill explained, "I want to come clean about my intentions for your squirrel friend and your world."

SpongeBob asked, "What do you mean?"

Bill answered, "When Weirdmageddon descends upon the world, your universe as you know it will be utterly destroyed."

SpongeBob chuckled and said, "I mean, it makes some sense. I did leave my old life behind for this new existence. If what you told me is true, then it would make sense for your party to change my dimension irreversibly. But I don't see any problem with it."

Bill looked at SpongeBob blankly and said, "I don't mean metaphorically. We are going to destroy everything you know and love. With no mercy."

SpongeBob said, "Oh, I understand that!"

Bill asked, "So you know you'll lose everything? Your home, your family, and all the friends you've made?"

SpongeBob said, "Yep!"

Bill asked, "And you're not bothered?"

SpongeBob retorted, "I mean, is it any different from what happened to the second dimension?"

Bill froze in shock for a few moments. His pupil shrunk down to barely a dot as he finally squeaked, "How did you know what happened to the second dimension?"

SpongeBob explained with a smirk, "Well, Bill, YOu came into my mind, so I figured it was okay to get into your mind. I was able to look into your memories since I arrived, but I held back since I knew that if you knew I was digging around in there, you'd kick me out. However, the more time I've spent connecting to the collective, the more I feel my aggressive niceness becomes stronger. I knew, eventually, your curious little eye would peek inside my cotton candy brain. You wouldn't stay out of it forever. Honestly, I knew that it was only a matter of time before you came clean to me. I figured that if you could justify watching as your own home and loved ones burned, there's no stopping me from doing the same. I mean, after all, they've been liberated!"

Bill was so surprised that he went quiet enough that SpongeBob could hear the thumping rave music five levels down.

SpongeBob asked, "Are you okay, Bill? Didn't expect that from just a little Sponge, huh?"

Bill took a deep breath and said, "Yeah, I guess I didn't."

SpongeBob chuckled.

Bill asked, "I guess my only question is, why are you still so nice?"

SpongeBob answered, "Well, to be honest. Ultimately, it doesn't matter if I'm nice or mean. But I'd rather be nice. It's a lot more productive that way."

Bill then began laughing maniacally. SpongeBob joined him in a twisted and unhinged way.