Time Baby sat shocked. Slime was still dripping from the screen in front of him.
Blandin noted through his teeth, "I did try to warn you."
Empty
(Time Baby: No, it can't be; it's music!
Music coming from the World he destroyed.
That World should be ours to mold.
That World should be empty.
Blandin: I'm aware you're upset, sir, but there's no need for a tantrum.
Time Baby: Do you have a better Idea?)
Blandin: If I could be so bold as to suggest,
We have a villain on standby who's waiting for a chance for conquest.
With his aid, you can have a universe that's
Empty.
(Time Baby: Hmmm)
Blandin: Think about it; you want an empty Universe.
He wants a universe to destroy.
We'll kill two birds with one stone.
He'll die with that place, and you will rule alone.
It will be as it should,
Empty
Time Baby: I suppose you have a point.
We have the perfect excuse.
We have the perfect monster to clear out all that slime.
That Universe will be empty
And it will be mine.
(Bwah-hahaha!)
(Blandin: I knew you'd like it.)
Time Baby: It's time to get my army together!
It's time to get my power back that had been scattered.
It's time to leave that Universe,
Empty!
(Blandin: Wait a minute, sir, we can't attack them directly!
Time Baby: Why not?)
After all, if we're truly going to use him as a scapegoat.
We can basically get away with anything.
Blandin: But, sir, people will question how you were easily swayed.
People will question why you didn't let him undo the damage he did to his World if you were just going to destroy it all over again.
People will question why you need it
Empty!
Time Baby: None of that matters now.
It's time to get my army together!
It's time to get my power back that had been scattered. It's time to leave that Universe,
Empty!
(Blandin: Oh dear.)
Time Baby: No more slime!
No more sludge!
No more disgusting Nicktoons!
The multiverse will be grateful to leave the Universe
Empty.
So gather my army.
So gather my power.
Let's leave that Universe.
Empty.
(Time Baby: What are we going to do, Blandin?)
Blandin: We're going to leave that Universe Empty.
(Time Baby: Good boy, let's begin.)
The Time Police first tried to disrupt the NickToons timeline in several ways. They scared Timmy into trapping his World's Time for 50 years, trapped Sheen on the planet Zeenu for two years, tried to rewire Fenton's ghost portal so they would give up on it before Danny had a chance to look inside, and dismantled a finishing things seminar that Finbar was attending. It wasn't easy to account for all of them as there were so many Nicktoons to try to keep weakened.
Unfortunately, nothing about the present changes. Time Baby was growing frustrated; he heard a voice clear his throat behind him.
Time Baby turned to the clocked figure, two white eyes peering from under a hood with a red scar on his right eye; he held a staff topped with a bundle of gears. He didn't look pleased to see Baby.
Time Baby asked, "Who are you? And how dare you approach my throne?"
"I am Clockwork," replied Clockwork, "I represent time much like yourself. I come to try to convince you to stop this madness. You can't unravel the fate of the Nicktoons anymore, much less how Dark Danny can unravel the timeline his good self now lives in. You out of line, Baby!"
Time Baby laughed" "And How do you plan on stopping me? Bill Cipher was barely able to blast me out of the Universe; what hope does a puny little disgusting NickToon of a ghost have?"
Clockwork considered it and replied with a smirk, "You're right. There isn't anything a little ghost like me can do to stop you because your fate has already been sealed. That's the difference between you and me, Time Baby. I know when not to cross a line."
He then vanished, leaving Time Baby upset.
Deep in the Theraprism, There was a hum of activity in the relaxing room. Some elongated shadow of a being hung from the ceiling, quietly reading a book. Another being that seemed entirely made out of polished glass was sitting on the wall, headphones on, listening to the ambient sound of the wind. Another being that seemed to be a floating orb wearing a wizard hat was holding a clipboard as he silently went around the room. Then, in the corner, on the floor, all by himself, was a glitchy cracked triangle that was barely held together by whatever was left of the being's will. He was working on writing something out.
This was Bill Cipher, whose essence was permanently scarred from his humiliating defeat. But just because he was down did not mean he was out. He noted the Wizard Orb interviewing each of the beings in the room with Bill. Bill didn't care to learn names, but he was getting used to others' presence during this god-forsaken imprisonment.
The Wizard Orb greeted Bill softly as he did the others. "Hello, Cipher, what are you working on? Not another cursed manuscript, I hope."
Bill didn't answer; in fact, he ignored the question. The Wizard Orb sighed, jotting something down.
The Wizard Orb asked, "Have you been sleeping well?"
Bill hissed, "I don't do sleep."
The Wizard Orb replied, "I'll take that as a no."
He jotted something down.
The Wizard Orb then glazed over the rest of what was on his list to ask somewhat hesitantly, "Do you have any requests or comments before I go?"
The Wizard Orb held up his clipboard defensively as Bill glared daggers at him. But he did give it some thought.
Bill asked, "Is it possible for me to play the piano while I'm here?"
The Wizard Orb seemed surprised and replied, "I'll see what I can do."
He then hurried away. Bill looked down at the page he was working on; it was a handful of tally marks. He reflected on the Theraprism. Life in this place was strange to Bill. He was in his cell or at some scheduled activity. Once a week, He was introduced to a new therapist, who he was able to scare off pretty quickly. It doesn't matter how experienced; Bill found a way to send them screaming out of the session. He couldn't remember the last time he slept. He sent out that book as soon as it was finished. What was taking his pawns so long to free him?
He sat in the shuffle of faces of new therapy groups every day. Refusing even to try to connect with anyone. He was given an awkward little jumpsuit to wear. He ate alone in the cafeteria. He put on an icy demeanor for anyone unlucky enough to even glance in his direction. He tried in vain to find a pattern for the guard change and the blind spots on the cameras. There had to be just one weak point in the armor of this place. But nothing, nada, zilch. It was all so exhausting. The sights, the sounds, the routines.
The voices kept sneaking into his mind, keeping him awake at night and making him paranoid. He had flashes of their memories, the horrible things he did to them. He first acted like he was enjoying it all over again. But the novelty quickly wore off as the intensity grew.
Minutes bled into hours that bled into days. The page of Tally marks flipped over, and then he got a second page. The crack in his face lingered. Was it growing? He couldn't tell. Bill was growing impatient and even a little worried. That manuscript was out there. He made sure of that before being put in maximum security like that monster he was.
One day, he blacked out, and when he finally snapped back to reality. He was restrained by chains that sprang from his cell walls and blue flames in his cell that were quickly snuffed out by raining water. Then, an odd-smelling gas came into his breath. It reminded him of something.
Bill froze when he saw a rectangle made of static within his cell. They pulled out a small bottle and a hypodermic needle. He filled the needle with an odd substance. Bill thrashed against his restraints violently.
Bill started screaming, "NO, NO, NO! You keep that thing away from me, you quack! I'LL NEVER BE BLIND AGAIN! KEEP YOUR POISON OUT OF ME!"
The cell door opened, and the gas cleared. The static and the needle vanished.
Bill begged, the tears dripping down his face, "Please don't hurt me."
The attending doctors took furious notes of the incident. It was the first time anyone in Theraprism had seen Bill suffer from hallucinations, and Bill knew his sanity hung by a thread now.
A day later, the Wizard Orb approached Bill alone in the relaxing room and said, "Good news, Bill! Your request to play the piano was approved!"
Bill asked. "Wait, what"?"
The Wizard Orb said, "Follow me. It's being put in your cell as we speak."
Bill looked inside his mostly blank white cell, and sure enough, a winged lizard very tenderly placed a beautiful grand piano in its center.
The Wizard Orb then signed for the delivery and said, "I'm sorry it took so long, but instruments in the material plane are difficult to transport long distances."
Bill was in awe as he approached the elegant instrument, the Wizard Orb. He hastily wrote something down as Bill urgently rubbed his hand over it. Then he opened it, placing the lid on the stick, and began to play. First, he just played some scales, making sure it was tuned just right and taking a moment to savor every note. Then he decided to put on a bit of a show for the Wizard Orb. He cracked his fingers and began to play a tune with a bit more purpose.
Ten Years Too Long
Ten Years,
That's how long it's been since I was there.
I was so close to my goal!
I was so close to having total control!
Now, it's been ten years.
For ten years, I've been stuck in this place!
Ten years with this hideous scar on my face!
Ten Years Too Long!
I should be on top of the World on a throne made of all who doubted me!
I am not wallowing in this prison, wondering if I'll ever be free.
All the pain is still haunting me.
Ten Years Too Long!
I wasted time enough to get where I was!
A trillion years to be right there, so tantalizingly close to my success!
But now it seems my life is regressing.
And here I am with these idiots who think they can make me second-guess
My place on the top of the Pyramid of all existence
That's the spot for me!
But instead, I'm here, surrounded by doubt and fear.
I wouldn't let them make me remember my regrets; I'd rather forget.
I've been fighting those smiling fools.
For Ten Years.
Ten Years Too Long!
For ten years, I've been stuck in this place!
Ten years with this disgusting scar on my face!
Ten Years Too Long!
That's Ten Years Too Long
I need to find a way to be free.
Before I start to wallow in too much misery.
I will reclaim my throne. I'll have it all. I'll make that worthless town fall!
I have been trapped here for
Ten Years.
Ten Years Too Long!
This Theraprism can't hold me forever!
One day, I'll break free!
Someone will let me out. It's only a matter of time!
I've been waiting for
Ten Years.
Ten Years Too Long!
For ten years, I've been stuck in this place!
Ten years with this annoying scar on my face!
Ten years Too Long!
That's Ten Years Too Long!
(Look out, Gravity Falls, your supreme overlord is coming home, and he's full of vengeance!)
Until then, I've got to live in the story to wait,
Ten Years Too Long!
Wizard Orb cheered, "That was wonderful, Cipher. You're very talented."
The Wizard then dismissed himself, revealing the gaggle of inmates who had also heard the music and cheered for Bill. Bill was surprised, and at that moment, he didn't feel so trapped in the Theraprism. It sparked a change, albeit a very subtle one. Instead of getting shoved into group therapy some days, Bill was left alone to play his instrument. Sometimes, he practiced to keep his skill sharp; other times, he could feel someone watching and putting on a small show. But when he was in group therapy, he felt himself open up, just a tiny bit, to those who seemed to be fans of his tunes. Some creatures would compliment how well-maintained the instrument itself was. Others would obviously praise the stifling silence of the Theraprism getting interrupted by his music, or on infrequent occasions, he would get song requests, which he had to research if he didn't recognize the name of a piece. He was talented, to be sure, but not very knowledgeable. And to do his best to oblige to beings who seemed like they were like himself in a way. Deeply homesick. Bill quickly shook that thought off.
The hostility in this place seemed to melt away every time he played a single note on his instrument. But it wouldn't last; it hardly ever lasted.
He often stayed in his cell when everyone else was getting visitors. Of course, he didn't play then; he thought it was too rude.
Bill was surprised to find himself in the visiting area like everyone else. He sat in a chair facing an odd sight: the booth was empty. Bill picked up the phone beside him anyway and listened carefully. He overheard a conversation about his body. As soon as the beings spoke, Bill knew who they were.
Vlad asked, "What is that?"
Calamitous said, "Our first trophy. The statue of a deity from another world!"
Calamitous scolded, "Focus, Vlad!"
Evil Jimmy came into the lab, noticed the statue, and asked, "What's with Stonehenge here?"
Vlad said, "It's the first trophy, and we hope to have many more as we expand into the wider multiverse."
Calamitous asked, "Isn't he wonderful?"
Evil Jimmy smiled and said, "Yeah! He certainly is."
Vlad then questioned, "Why are you two referring to this statue as he?"
Calamitous replied, "It feels like the thing to do."
Bill said nothing. He was astonished. Somehow, he was still inked with his physical form.
Bill muttered, "This could get interesting."
The next day, he was revisited in Theraprism. The booth was empty, but he eagerly picked up the phone to listen.
Evil Jimmy asked, "Is the statue creeping anyone else out?"
Calamitous said, "Will you please focus, Jimmy?"
Evil Jimmy said, "Right."
Bill heard the Infini-Cube activate, and The Mawgu sighed.
Vlad asked, "What's with the long face, Mawgu?"
Evil Jimmy chuckled, "Yeah, didn't think my goody self would tire you like that!"
The Mawgu snapped, "You three just don't get it! I hate being everyone's pawn. Well, guess what? It won't be yours anymore!"
He heard thunderous chaos; the Mawgu must have been throwing a tantrum.
Bill snapped, "Hey, Stop!"
Silence met his ears. He kept talking, "Listen, you great big blob of ooze. I have a job for you. I need you to.."
He whispered into the receiver, "Sretrauqdaeh Detinu snootkciN eht dnif dna, mood gnidnep rieht fo Etacidnys Live eht narw."
"I want my legs back," The Mawgu muttered.
Bill chuckled, outreaching his enflamed hand instinctively, "It's a deal."
He felt someone shake his hand, and a bit of her energy left him, but he took note that the flame didn't leave his hand. He extinguished the flame with a sigh.
The next day, he was visited by the same mysterious force that was now tethered to his body.
He picked up the phone to listen, and a tea biscuit suddenly appeared in his hand. He set it aside, and then another tea biscuit appeared. He set that one aside, and yet another tea biscuit appeared. He listened carefully after his snack.
Vlad said, "Guys, don't think our trophy is a statue."
Evil Jimmy chuckled, "Well, maybe you can possess him and make him dance!"
Vlad corrected, "It's not possession. It's being overshadowed. There's a difference!"
Bill was surprised and frightened.
Vlad then said, "But you know Evil Jimmy, That's not a bad idea."
Then, Bill felt a surge of ectoplasmic energy through his body. Vlad's whole life flashed before his eyes as he entered Bill's body. At first, it was a pathetic story about a man messing with powers beyond comprehension, getting scarred, and having his life ruined. But then it turns out the Ecto-acne was a sign of his ethereal puberty. Instead of being driven to incoherent madness as he healed himself with slime, he was granted the powers of a ghost! A half ghost, half human. Bill felt weirdly honored to be in his presence.
Bill thought, "Finally, a human that can withstand the powers of the Cosmos."
He felt Vlad's voice echo through him, "Oh, Wow. This feels weird, but in a good way."
Bill had to stifle his giddy laughter. It was the first time someone had possessed him, and it didn't lead to self-harm.
Vlad then said, "Let me see if I can talk in his voice."
Professor Calamitous protested, "No, no. You've made your point!"
Bill felt Vlad puppet him briefly as he screeched, "Too late, Professor, I'm already doing it!"
Bill chuckled and quietly admitted, "This is fun! I think I like you, Vlad Plasmius."
Bill then felt his eye drift to a parallel timeline. The Time Police arrested all his new friends, dismantled the Evil Syndicate, and left Amity Park in a smoldering pile.
Vlad must have seen it, too, because ghostly energy electrified Bill, and suddenly, he was getting a Pov of probably the most expert assassination of a platoon of Time Police he ever had the pleasure of participating in. Vlad was tearing right through their armor, seeing them all screaming and retreating. Flames licked at their feet as Vlad also did things that Bill was very proud of.
Bill quipped, "I love inspiring violence!"
Then, it all calmed down. The portal closed, and Vlad incinerated whatever was left. Bill felt himself coming back to the Theraprism as Vlad prepared to leave Bill's body. But Bill wasn't done with Vlad yet. He used his power to transport the Halfa into his mindscape temporarily.
Bill thought, "It was only fair. I was in Vlad's mind. He should get a chance to see what I have in store for him and get to know his gracious hosts."
Vlad did something unusual for a villain. He cleared Bill's mind of the ghosts that were haunting him, and then he managed to escape without Bill's input. Bill hung up the phone, finally feeling his mind in silence, except for his thoughts.
That night, he went to his room, lay down on his bed mattress, and, for the first time in his life, fell into a deep sleep. The multiverse itself seemed to sigh in relief that Bill was resting. He had no dreams, but he could feel his energy replenished as if he were finally paying back the sleep debt he had acquired in his body. He didn't know how long he rested, but it felt terrific.
Bill slowly awoke from his slumber, feeling a lot better. He then jumped a bit when he saw that a little patch of blue mushrooms bloomed all around his bed. They glowed very subtly, and he noticed they were the same shade of blue as his fire.
Bill muttered, "I didn't know I could do that."
Then he noticed it was still dark. He very carefully climbed out of bed so as not to crush the shrooms. He walked past the patch with little complications. He heard odd mechanical movement from the shadows, and six red eyes looked at Bill with a sort of detached bemusement.
The Core crawled out of the shadows, antlers shimmering in the soft blue light.
Bill asked, "What are you doing here, Core?"
The Core replied, "The same as you, Bill. I was defeated and sent here to 'rethink my choice.' But, as I watched you sleep, I had a brilliant idea. We can escape this joint together!"
"But," Bill protested, then explained, "I've run over 500,000 scenarios and scanned every square inch of this place. There's just no way to break you."
The Core then pressed, "What if I told you I know someone on the outside who can get us out?"
"I find that hard to believe," Bill said, "Especially when I have my Book of Bill spreading across their reality and no one has tried to get me out yet. Suppose there was a way to break someone out from the outside; one of my pawns would have found it by now!"
The Core crawled closer and said, "See, that's been your fatal flaw since you started planning. You overestimate the powerless humans."
The Core reached into itself and pulled out a picture of Emperor Belos. "But him, he has the magic to spare."
Bill asked, "Isn't he dead?"
The Core laughed, "Only in the body. But he can easily get a new one."
Bill realized the core's plan. To get Bill would be subject to the Core by his mind and help Belos into Bill's body. Now, he allowed Vlad to do it because Halfa was clever enough to figure out how to restore it without its scarring. He also grew quite fond of the Halfa in the short time he was puppeteering his body. It was cute, a human with ghost powers temporarily tapping into Bill's power. But it was temporary, and in a way, Bill used Vlad's powers to help himself. Bill could tell The Core and Belos didn't intend to have an equal exchange by any stretch of the definition. Bill was going to be their helpless puppet and thoughtless battery, and the image disgusted him.
Bill made some fire in his hand, and then, just as the Core got excited, Bill blasted him. The Core dodged a bit, startled, but the blast burned the top of his plug, rendering it almost useless.
Bill then grabbed the Core by the anthers and seethed as he turned red, "Now you listen here, you glorified toaster; if trillions of years of experience have taught me anything, it's not to trust anything too good to be true. What I did to you today is a FRACTION OF THE PAIN I HAD TO ENDURE! THEY THOUGHT I WAS DEAD, AND THEY CELEBRATED IT LIKE IT WAS THE CONCLUSION! THE PINES FAMILY THINKS THEY GOT THEIR HAPPILY EVER AFTER! AND YOU THINK I WOULD EVER JOIN THE LIKES OF YOU AND THAT PATHETIC EXUSE OF A HUMAN?! AFTER EVERYTHING I HAD BORE WITNESS TO? EVERYTHING I DID TO TASTE THE VICTORY I WAS OWED?! YOU MAY THINK YOU KNOW WHAT I WANT! BUT YOU DON'T, YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!"
The Core then asked, frightened, "What do you want Cipher?"
"WHAT I WANT!" Bill hissed, then calmed down, his red face fading. "What do I want? I want to go home."
The Core asked, "You want to go back to the Nightmare Realm?"
Bill was insulted, so he threw him against the opposite wall and shouted, "Guards, there's an intruder in my cell!"
Sirens blared, and The Core was dragged away. Bill yawned, stretching his arms.
Clockwork zipped his way to the apartment, to someone who he knew he could help. Blandin Blendin has been sleeping peacefully.
Clockwork sighed, "I'd hate to do this to you, poor human, but the Nicktoons are running out of time."
He gently nudged him with his staff and was transported to Bladin's dream. Bladin was dreaming of manually plowing land as he had in cowboy times. It was clear on his face that he was happy despite the hard work. He then reached into a little satchel on his hip and began to sow teeth into the ground like a seed.
Clockwork was a bit perplexed at the sight. But he cleared his throat.
Blandin turned to him and asked, "Oh, howdy stranger! What brings you these parts?"
Clockwork took a deep breath and tapped the ground, forcing the dream to crumble into an incredible display of stars and colors in space.
Time is Not on Your Side.
Clockwork: It is TIME! It's
TIME for you to take a stand!
TIME for you to take my hand.
Hear the bells as they chime; it is TIME!
TIME, baby, is coming upon my World, and I need you.
To aid us.
I am Clockwork, the spirit of TIME!
TIME IS NOT ON YOUR SIDE!
(Blandin: Wha- me? No, I can't do anything!)
Clockwork: It is TIME!
(Blandin: No!)
Clockwork: TIME for you to take a stand against the tyrant!
(Blandin: can't, I already betrayed him once, and won't do it again!)
Clockwork: Then it's TIME for you to see what lies ahead!
(Blandin: What is that?)
Clockwork: The future is all in ruins.
All on fire.
Destroyed and in ashes!
We have to act NOW!
TIME is of the essence!
It is TIME!
TIME for you to take a stand!
TIME for you to take my hand.
Hear the bells as they chime; it is TIME!
TIME, baby, is coming upon my World, and I need you.
To aid us.
TIME IS NOT ON YOUR SIDE; it's a matter of the lives of Billions.
It's a matter of fact; this is a matter of TIME!
(Blandin: But why me, of all the Time Police?)
Clockwork: That, I don't know.
But fate has always had a way of choosing the least of us for its most challenging battles.
Find what you need to help us.
TIME is of the essence!
It is TIME!
TIME for you to take a stand!
TIME for you to take my hand.
Hear the bells as they chime; it is TIME!
TIME, baby, is coming upon my World, and I need you.
To aid us.
TIME IS NOT ON YOUR SIDE!
Clockwork disappeared from the apartment as Baldin woke with a jump. He got out of bed and quickly pulled out a little black and red book from his bedside drawer.
Time Baby snarled, "I hate that NickToon, but he has a point. Nothing we do in their past can unravel them in the present. So, we attack their present! Everyone, Prepare for an invasion!"
The army prepared, grabbing laser weapons and their portal. Time Baby spun a wheel to choose where to invade first, and the wheel landed on Dimmesdale. Clockwork spotted him and rushed off to Nickelodeon.
Clockwork came to the headquarters of the Evil Syndicate, and he overheard them bickering and sighed.
Clockwork asked, "How did these guys conquer the universe so fast if they can barely hold themselves together long enough to order a pizza?"
Plankton shouted, "Pineapple!"
Vlad snapped, "Not on my pizza!"
Croker said, "I want a supreme, but I'm not having any black olives."
Finbar was confused. "Why would you remove the black olives on a supreme pizza? That's like 88% of the flavor."
Clockwork silently floated into the room, and Vlad spotted him.
Vlad said with a smirk, "Well, it looks like we have ourselves a Visitor."
The argument immediately stopped, and the Evil Syndicate turned their attention to Clockwork.
"Hey," Plankton said, "You're that time spirit, right? Clockwork, was it?"
Clockwork said, "Why yes, you've heard of me?"
Plankton said, "Me and the Sponge have been on better terms, and he fills me in every time he meets a new being."
Clockwork said, "Ah, I see."
Denzel asked, "So-o-o, why are you here now?"
"Right," Clockwork said, tapping on the ground. Listen up, Villains! I need you to act against your nature and protect the universe."
Vlad scoffed, "What's in it for us?"
Clockwork smirked and asked, "How does proving your true power sound?"
The Evil Syndicate exchanged evil grins.
Time Baby's Army entered a portal in Dimmesdale. The Evil Syndicate was already there, and Plankton was piloting a giant robot. Finbar was in an octopus-like suit and had an army of Robots, and Vlad had an army of ghosts at his side. Denzel had his mech suit, but it lacked power.
Jorgan poofed in and attached his big wand to it. "Don't disappoint me, human; there is a lot at stake."
Crocker said, "Oh, I wouldn't worry too much, Jorgan. This is going to be fun."
The Evil Syndicate descended like locusts upon the army.
Plankton Crunched a handful of soldiers with each foot, his behemoth of a machine tearing through it like a hot knife through butter. No one was hurt, but they did get the wind knocked out of them, some even unconscious.
Professor Calamitous' bots either incinerated soldiers on the spot or were hacked by the tentacles of Professor Calamitous' mechanized suit.
Crocker would transform anyone who touched him into a harmless toy or freeze them in ice.
Vlad quickly took over 1/4 of the remaining army with his ghosts. Vlad's army quickly overshadowed each soldier, perfectly matching Vlad's power pose. Then Vlad started dancing, and so did the ghosts. It was like a music video for Thriller. Vlad was elated to have such a captive audience. The Time Police, still standing, quickly turned tail and retreated into the portal.
The Evil Syndicate cheered and laughed twistedly.
Blandin was hiding in the shadows in Amity Park. He lingered close to where SpongeBob was hanging out with Danny.
Danny asked, "So wait, let me get this straight: you and Patrick sprayed yourselves with invisibility in a can, and you didn't realize you could wash it off?"
SpongeBob said, "Yeah, it was weird. The worst part? Mr. Krabs had utterly humiliated us in front of everyone!"
Danny chuckled, "Yeah, I can imagine that would be pretty embarrassing."
Danny then spotted Blandin. He was ready to pounce, but SpongeBob read Blandin's body language and stopped Danny with his hand. "Let me take care of this. I don't think he's from around here."
Danny huffed but sat back down.
SpongeBob approached Blandin with a soft smile, "Hey friend! You look lost. Do you need some help?"
Blandin took a big deep breath and said, "No, I'm helping you. Listen, little square dude, there's this big bad guy named Time Baby coming, and he can't be reasoned with. But I brought you something that might be able to help."
He handed SpongeBob the black and red book. SpongeBob took it a bit concerned. "But, at least tell me your name so I can properly thank the savior of our worlds!"
Bladin led the book go and shook his head, "I'm Nobody, understand? Just a Nobody."
He then rushed away. SpongeBob smiled to himself, muttering as if from memory, "Oh, but Polyphemus, It wasn't really Nobody who blinded you; it was me, Odysseus of Ithaca."
He rushed to Danny with the book excitedly. "Danny, it was Odysseus! He gave me a key to stopping an evil guy named Time Baby!"
"That's great and all," Danny said, "But how did he say we should stop him?"
SpongeBob held up the book, titled The Book of Bill, in red font and stared back at Danny. Spongebob explained, "It's all in here, apparently."
Bill was in the Theraprism, practicing his piano when a thought occurred to him.
"You know," Bill said, "If the Nicktoons have been around long enough, they've probably got a pretty good handle on the multiverse. There might be one nearby, in fact!"
He used his all-seeing eye power to peek into Doug's room. "Yep, there he is!"
Bill heard Doug sing, "We'll meet again. Don't know where. Don't know when, but I know we'll meet again some sunny day."
Bill said, "Huh, that's funny; I sang that song not too long ago to Sixers."
Then his attention turned to voices he heard in his cell. He blinked, and right about his head, someone drew a circle split into nine segments, each adorned with a specific symbol. Bill got excited. He tore off his jumpsuit and stood at the ready.
THE SUMMONING
(SpongeBob: Okay, all we have to do is say these words.)
All of United: Strength of the Pine Tree.
Light of the Shooting Star.
Manipulation of the Open Clam.
Weirdness of the Six-Fingered Hand.
Zen of the Ice Bag.
Healing of the Stitched Heart.
Knowledge of the Smart Glasses.
Power of the Broken Star.
Curiosity of the Question Mark.
Rebellion of the Backwards Lama.
Come to us now.
Aid us in our hour of need.
We beg of you to open the door for the All-seeing one!
(Aah
Aah
Aah)
Strength of the Pine Tree.
Light of the Shooting Star.
Manipulation of the Open Clam.
Weirdness of the Six-Fingered Hand.
Zen of the Ice Bag.
Healing of the Stitched Heart.
Knowledge of the Smart Glasses.
Power of the Broken Star.
Curiosity of the Question Mark.
Rebellion of the Backwards Lama.
Set him free,
Who can help us find liberty?
We beg of you, dear slimes, hear our reciting of this ancient chant to unbind him.
The one who can help us stop that tyrant Time Baby.
The one who can set things right.
We know he is a demon of nightmares and madness!
Let him come to us now so he may yet be our light!
Let us help him in his sadness!
(Jimmy: Did it work?)
(Bill: Ah-ha-ha-ha!)
Strength of the Pine Tree.
Light of the Shooting Star.
Manipulation of the Open Clam.
Weirdness of the Six-Fingered Hand.
Zen of the Ice Bag.
Healing of the Stitched Heart.
Knowledge of the Smart Glasses.
Power of the Broken Star.
Curiosity of the Question Mark.
Rebellion of the Backwards Lama.
Resurrect me!
Resurrect me!
This universe is mine to claim!
For a minute there, I thought I was going to be driven insane!
(Hello, boys, how can I be of service?)
The Group stood flabbergasted at Bill. It wasn't just the Nicktoons United. Bill also noticed Neptune, Jorgan, Clockwork, and Commander Baker.
Bill quipped, "Talk about a warm welcome! Look at all these important people!"
Neptune asked, "Was this one of the Loki gods who brought the end of the age of myth?"
Jorgan was on guard. "Don't be fooled by appearances, Neptune. He could be plotting something."
Commander Baker said, holding up The Book of Bill, "Yeah and apparently a lot more than that."
Clockwork was quiet, looking at Bill with sadness. He quietly asked, "Do you know what you've done?"
Bill felt his scar ache and refocused his attention to the toons.
"Alright," Jimmy snapped, "You listen to me, you three-sided isosceles imp!"
Bill said, "I'm listening."
Jimmy explained, "Okay, we need you to destroy Time Baby."
Bill asked, "And his army, right?"
SpongeBob said, "Oh no, just Time Baby himself. We can take care of his army."
Bill raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that?"
Danny Phantom replied, "Oh sure, we got them all covered."
Bill was unsure, but he didn't have room to argue.
Timmy said, "Help us, Bill, your only hope!"
Bill said, "I'm going to need my body."
Vlad Masters held up the statue. "You mean this body?"
Bill got excited. "Yes, Oh, Thank You!"
He rushed over, and Vlad let the statue go. Bill made the stone back to stone a bit quicker than Vlad did. He laughed in an unhinged way, as his scar healed. He cycled through the different NickToon styles for himself. He settled on looking bulky like Jimmy. Then he calmed down.
He hugged himself. "Billy's Home."
Vlad muttered to himself, "In more ways than one."
Bill tipped his hat and said, "Now, if you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I have a baby to destroy!"
SpongeBob said, "Wait!"
He vanished before SpongeBob could make any more protests. Only to end up in a different part of headquarters.
Bill was frustrated. "Hey, what's the big idea? Why can't I blow this popsicle stand?"
SpongeBob rushed over and pulled out his soap bottle. "That's what I tried to warn you about. Here, I'll give you the power to traverse worlds freely. Temporarily."
Bill asked, "How long will it last?"
SpongeBob pulled out the little bubble wand and replied, "A week. Now close your eye."
Bill listened. "Oh, well, if that's all you can give me, it's what I'll take."
Spongebob gently blew a barrage of Bubbles at Bill, and he was covered in suds. Then they all popped. Bill felt a new kind of power wash over him in what felt like a hug. He then made himself a little yellow triangle-shaped tunnel, and he flew through it eagerly.
Bill stopped in his tracks. He saw a familiar sight, but it was different somehow. It was a destroyed City of Bikini Bottom. He saw SpongeBob sit on the edge of a cliff, looking at it all as if saddened. Bill felt a bit of sorrow himself.
Bill thought, "But that's impossible, unless..."
He looked at the sullen SpongeBob with a curious eye.
Can You Imagine?
Is this what you wanted?
Is this how you'd like to see the worlds we call home?
Does it fill that empty hollow hole in your heart?
Does it give you the joy you've been searching for?
All this decimation.
All this destruction.
I don't know if I'll ever understand why your kind likes to create this.
Have you ever wondered what it's like to live like them?
The citizens left dead or worse in your wake?
Life so small and simple.
Life so short and fragile.
Have you ever wondered if what happened here isn't what is supposed to?
I know I do.
I wished away the darkness I hated; I took away all the clouds.
I did my very best to turn all their smiles the right side round.
But it didn't matter.
Because in the end I was just hiding the darkness somewhere I was sure no one would look.
That was wrong of me!
I can't just make this pain inside from the outside go away.
It's a part of me.
I can't let you destroy my home again.
But I know that I'm not strong enough to fight you.
So go ahead and take my powers; use them for your own selfish gain.
At least then, it will help ease the ever-growing pain.
Can you imagine what would have happened if we didn't have to do this?
Can you imagine what it might have been like if we met under more friendly circumstances?
Can you imagine everything being okay?
Imagine a world where every day is a Happy Sunny Day!
Can you imagine life so small and simple?
Can you imagine if that was you?
Living life so happily,
So humbly,
So peacefully!
Can you imagine what that must be like?
I doubt you do.
You're just pure evil.
So plain in your darkness.
It's just too much to bear sometimes, the weight of everyone's expectations.
For me, to be the one who saves the day.
What a selfish thought to just give it all up!
But it's a wish I've always had.
I'll sure be glad someone can enjoy all this power.
I certainly don't.
Can you imagine what would have happened if we didn't have to do this?
Can you imagine what it might have been like if we met under more friendly circumstances?
Can you imagine everything being okay?
Imagine a world where every day is a Happy Sunny Day!
Can you imagine life so small and simple?
Can you imagine if that was you?
Living life so happily,
So humbly,
So peacefully!
Can you imagine what that must be like?
I doubt you do.
I know I can because I lived that life!
Because I took my time to enjoy my world and all it had to offer!
I know what it's like to live so simple, because we'll, I'm just a sponge!
Can you imagine what would have happened if we didn't have to do this?
Can you imagine what it might have been like if we met under more friendly circumstances?
Can you imagine everything being okay?
Imagine a world where every day is a Happy Sunny Day!
Can you imagine life so small and simple?
Can you imagine if that was you?
Living life so happily,
So humbly,
So peacefully!
Can you imagine what that must be like?
I doubt you do.
I doubt you even have an imagination like mine, too.
Bill knew at that moment whether or not he liked it, and he and Spongebob were equals in terms of power.
Bill took a big deep breath, and with a snap of his fingers, he restored Bikini Bottom. SpongeBob was surprised and turned to Bill, a bit misty-eyed.
Bill searched for something to say. "You've got a good heart, kid. Be careful; some entities might see it as a weakness."
SpongeBob hugged Bill and said, "I'm sorry for being so quick to judge. I've been under a lot of distress lately."
Bill said, surprised, "Uhh, I forgive you."
He very awkwardly patted SpongeBob's head as if to signal he was done with the hug. Spongebob let him go, drying his tears. Bill then rushed back through his portal to Dimesdale. He felt his form flatten—a curiously familiar feeling.—but couldn't dwell on it; in came Time Baby, and true to their word, Nicktoons United and all their allies came to defend the town as Time Baby and his army made their grand appearance.
Time Baby's voice boomed, "Tear this world apart! Leave no heroes alive!"
Bill tapped his giant head. Time Baby turned to him and sighed. Bill squinted with glee. "Hey, Chronos!"
"Don't call me that." Time Baby was annoyed.
Bill asked, "Well, how about THIS?!"
He blasted Time Baby, just as he'd done before, except it felt so different. The Nicktoons used their collective power to run the Time Police back into their world. Bill closed the portal as the last of the soldiers retreated.
SpongeBob chirped, "Great job everybody!"
Timmy said, "I wish we could have a big pizza party!"
Cosmo and Wanda's wands glowed as they poofed a pizza party into existence. Bill kept his distance. He then rushed away. He was tailed by SpongeBob, who had taken a pizza box.
SpongeBob shouted, "Bill! Wait! Don't you want some.."
The question dried up in his mouth as he saw Bill staring down at his hands as if shaken.
SpongeBob was confused but was quiet. Just listening.
The World I Knew (How Could You)
(There's something familiar about this place.)
I can't quite put my finger on it, but I think I stood here before.
It's like Day-ja-vu.
It's spooky, and I'm not sure what to do.
For a trillion years, I've been haunted by something that I tried so very hard to forget.
The first time, I used my incredible power.
I tried so hard to drown out their screams, and now they're growing by the hour.
The World I Knew is gone.
And it's all my fault!
The World I Knew that I loved is gone!
And I know that if my friends ever knew.
The only thing they'll say is
How Could You?
How Could You turn your back on family?
How Could You destroy everything you ever had?
Trust me, if I knew, this wouldn't have felt as bad.
It happened so fast.
There was so much blood.
The shattered remains still flicker in my sight.
Of The World, I Knew!
The World I Knew is gone.
And it's all my fault!
The World I Knew that I loved is gone!
And I know if that if my friends ever knew.
The only thing they'll say is
How Could You?
How Could You turn your back on family?
How Could You destroy everything you ever had?
Was it so wrong I tried to open their eyes?
Was it so wrong to try to find a connection?
Was it so wrong to try to help them ascend, too?
Was it so wrong to not want to be alone?
It was flat, but it was my home, everything I had loved.
Everything I'd ever known, and in a single snap, it was gone.
I doubt Euclid and Scalene had ever forgiven me for being so cruel.
But They were the ones who didn't listen to me!
How can I say that even after all the eons I spent so alone?
How can I still be so blind as to not see that I can't force them to change perspective?
How could I still feel so resentful and hate-filled after so long?
How Could I?
How Could I still turn I back on my family?
How Could I still destroy everything I ever had?
The World I Know is soon to be gone.
And it's all my fault!
The World I Know that I love will be gone!
It's the only thing that my power has been good for!
Destruction! Deci-
Decimation! Incineration!
Now all my friends will die by the hands of the monster I am too!
I wish there was something I could do to stop me so I wouldn't lose this place, too.
The World I Knew is gone.
And it's all my fault!
The World I Knew that I loved is gone!
And I know if that if my friends ever knew.
The only thing they'll say is
How Could You?
How Could You turn your back on family?
How Could You destroy everything you ever had?
I wish I knew.
SpongeBob was empathic, and he cleared his throat. Bill turned to Spongebob, a bit startled.
Bill asked, "How much did you hear?"
SpongeBob set the box down and replied, "Enough."
Bill looked away, ashamed, "I don't know what's gotten into me."
SpongeBob said, "Hey, Don't be so hard on yourself. Somethings are just bound to happen, you know?"
Bill squinted in determination and said, "You're right. Some things are bound to happen. In the meantime, I'm going to explore this place!"
He vanished, leaving Spongebob to smile softly to himself.