Warning: At this point, I feel like I should address that there might be themes of child abuse and homophobia. I do not intend to offend or trigger anyone, all I ask is that you read with caution.

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"Bill!"

"Dipper, slow down, you might fall," Mabel chastised, as her brother practically sprinted down the stairs.

They finally reached the living room. Instead of seeing Bill sitting on the sofa, it was their uncle, Stan.

"Hey, kiddos," He smiled. "What's the rush?"

Dipper looked at him seriously. "Where's Bill?"

"In the kitchen. Why are you asking?"

"We found out he's been keeping secrets from us, and we need an explanation from him," He said, firmly.

Stan's eyes widened, but then turned blank, as he said. "Is that so? What kind of secrets?"

"For one thing, Will has powers!" Dipper exclaimed. "And apparently, Bill has been hearing voices in his head. And, he chose not to tell us."

"You don't know that," Mabel argued. "He could've forgotten to tell us. Which is why, we're going to ask him ourselves."

Stan scrunched his brow. "Let's say, Bill did mean to keep these things hidden from you, what would you do with him?"

"Grunkle Stan, you know the answer is obvious," Dipper told him, ominously.

The old man nodded thoughtfully, then he stood up from the sofa. "In that case..." He started, before blocking his nephew's path. His golden eyes pulsed slightly. "You're not going anywhere near him."

Dipper stared up at him, his face riddled with disbelief. "What are you talking about? Didn't you just hear what I--"

"Kid, I always knew."

It was like time froze, and both Mabel and Dipper regarded him in shock. Finally, Dipper mustered up the will to speak.

"You what?"

"I knew about Will's powers," Stan admitted. "And I know Bill isn't far behind."

"You knew!" Dipper snapped, suddenly angry. "And you didn't say anything!?"

"Because it was not my place to say," The Day Guardian said, defiantly. "Just because Bill is regaining his powers, doesn't mean his past self is regaining control--"

"That's exactly what it means!" His nephew shouted. "If Bill gains back his powers, he'll be one step close to repeating what he did to our home!"

"I don't believe that," Stan said, firmly. "Why would Bill destroy everything he cares for?"

Dipper narrowed his eyes. "Oh, I see. Like Mabel, you are choosing to think with your emotions, rather than your head."

"And there's nothing wrong with that!" Mabel scolded. "It's good to think with your head, but we're only showing remorse to our friend. Instead of accusing Bill of treachery, we should help him through what he is going through."

"He is beyond help, you should realize that by now," Dipper said.

Mabel gritted her teeth, and shouted. "You are so insensitive! I thought you cared about Bill!"

"I do care, Mabel," He said, his voice cracking. "I care about him so much, it hurts! But...I also care about my family, too. I can't lose you guys like I did with Ford, I can't..."

Stan regarded him with sympathy, and a hint of guilt surfaced in his eyes. "I know you're hurt, kid. But, there are other ways..."

Dipper's expression darkened. "No. There isn't," He said, then glared in Stan's direction. "Get out of my way, before I make you."

Stan sighed heavily. "Kid, if you do that..." He lit his hands on fire. "I won't hold back on you."

Dipper's eyes flashed with anger. However, before a full on fight broke out between nephew and uncle, the front door to the shack opened. Wendy and Will stepped inside.

"Argh, sucks that the arcade closed when we arrived," Wendy complained. "Sorry about that, Will."

"It's fine," Will reassured. "Thanks for trying to make me feel better."

The two entered the living room, but then paused when they saw the Pines before them. Will directed his gaze to Stan's flaming hands, and he sighed.

"Mr Pines, I thought I told you not to commit arson inside. It may be fun in your universe, but it's basically a crime here."

The flames ignited from Stan's palms, immediately extinguished. "My bad," He chuckled, like nothing happened.

"OK, just don't do it again," Will said.

Dipper turned the boy slowly. "Will, is it true that you have powers?"

Like that, the blue haired boy froze like a statue. His face painted with disbelief. "W-what are you talking about?"

"There's no point in lying anymore," Dipper told him, firmly.

Mabel gave Will a pleading look. "If you have powers, you have to tell us right now."

"Will, what's going on?" Wendy asked, frowning.

There was a long pause on Will's part, and it was like time stopped, and waited for his response. Then, Will's mouth dipped into a frown, and he said:

"Yes, I have powers," He responded, gingerly.

Dipper crossed his arms. "So, were you going to tell us about this?"

"....No."

"Oh, and I suppose you were also gonna hide the fact that Bill hears voices and something about a mysterious note."

"No, we were going to tell you that," Will insisted. "But, we couldn't find the right time..."

Dipper narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "And, by we, you really mean Bill?"

Will didn't respond, but Dipper already knew the answer. Mabel quickly intervened.

"See? They were going to tell us eventually," She told her brother.

The male brunette was silent, his face unreadable. Then, he turned on his heels. "I need to hear Bill's side of the story."

Dipper moved forward, and this time, Stan didn't stop him. Though, he did send his uncle a glare, before entering the kitchen. Mabel settled beside Stan, frowning.

"Does he hate us now?"

"Don't think like that, pumpkin," Stan reassured. "You know your brother, he just needs time to cool off. He'll be alright..."

Mabel still held a deep frown, and her eyes shone with doubt.

Thud!

The group froze, as they heard the crash coming from the kitchen. Will was panicking inside. Who knew the things that Dipper was doing to Bill now. Not in full control of himself, the boy pushed past the Guardians, and rushed into the room.

What he saw terrified him.

Dipper was knelt on the floor, he was leaning over a form that laid before him. It was Bill, and by the looks of it, he was unconscious. Will rushed forward without a second thought, kneeling beside his brother. The rest of the group stepped in, and they looked in horror.

He turned furiously towards Dipper. "What did you do to him!?"

Dipper was dumbstruck for a moment, then snapped out of it. "I-I didn't do anything! I saw him sleeping against the counter, and when I tried to wake him up, he dropped to the floor!"

Will directed his worried gaze to Bill, then he noticed something. A soft glow emitted from the blond's forehead. Will was appalled, and he reached out and pushed back Bill's hair that was covering his eyes. Burned in the center of his forehead, was a glowing red mark the shape of a triangle.

"Kill's symbol," Dipper breathed, disbelief.

"I don't get it, what's happening to Bill?" Will demanded, his desperation showing.

"His mind is being invaded," The male brunette said. "I can't believe it. How did they get their hands on that spell?"

Wendy knelt beside Will. She looked down at Bill, before turning urgently to the Pines. "How do we fix this?"

"Kill is probably halfway in," Stan chimed in. "We have to go in after him."

"What is he even planning to do?" Will questioned.

An emotion flashed across Dipper's face, something close to fear. "If anything, Kill might be trying to somehow bring the old Bill back by regaining his old memories."

Will's eyes widened. But then, he narrowed them determinedly. "In that case, I'm coming with you."

Stan shook his head. "Kid, it's too dangerous--"

"I know Bill better than anyone," Will countered. "If anyone should come with, it's me."

"I agree with Will," Wendy said, firmly. "It'll be a mistake not to bring him."

The Pines looked at the two with uncertainty, then Dipper stood up and said. "Alright, we'll do this together," He said. "All we have to do, is stop Kill before he reaches the memories."

Will had a question, but he dreaded asking it. "Dipper...what if Kill gets the memories, and it's too late to save Bill's mind?"

Dipper looked him in the eyes, his face was dead serious. "I'll do what I must," He said, gazing at his sheathed sword. "To protect this town."

Mabel frowned at him. "If you do that, you'll be no better than Gideon."

"It is my job as a Guardian, Mabel," Dipper shot back. "You of all people should know that."

Mabel didn't reply, her expression seethed with anger, and her eyes shined with disappointment.

"Now," Dipper started, addressing. "Everyone, circle around Bill, and I'll recite the Demon incantation. Remember, we might have a time limit, so we need to act quickly."

Listening to Dipper's instructions, the group sat around Bill. After they surrounded him, the male brunette lifted up a hand, and placed it on Bill's head.

"Get ready, everyone," He told them, before chanting. "Triangulum, entangulum. Vene foris dominus mentium. Vene foris videntis omnium!"

Immediately, Will felt a icy chill pierce his body. Soon, him and the others, had their eyes glowing an eerie blue. They were blinded, and could only see white. Then, the light cleared, and they were laying on hard ground. Will sat up, and rubbed his head, groaning as he was inflicted with a headache. Once his eyesight was cleared of it's fuzziness, he realized that the ground beneath him was a pavement. He looked around, and saw that the world had turned a dull grey. He saw apartment buildings lined beside each other, a cold realization poured over him. Will turned frontwards, and as expected, a grey building loomed over him like a nightmare.

"Where are we?" Mabel asked.

Will sighed. "It's our old place."

The group stared at him, and Will moved forward. He climbed the apartment's steps, and felt anxiety raise in him slowly. Will paused before the front door, and hesitated, as he looked at the doorknob. The thought of seeing his father's dead body laying on the floor, haunted his mind. Or worse, the thought of his father being alive, and waiting for him on the other side of the door.

Will's heart paced in his chest. He suddenly felt dizzy...

"Will!" Wendy screamed, and he faintly heard footsteps running towards him.

Will was surprised when Wendy caught him in her arms, when he was seconds away from falling down the staircase. He felt ashamed of himself.

Get it together!, He scolded himself. You're here to help Bill, you can't choke now.

The redhead helped him balance. Wendy gave him a look of concern. "You don't have to go in, you can wait here--"

"No, I'm coming with," Will said, then gave her a look of reassurance. "I'll be fine."

Wendy frowned, and it was clear that she didn't completely believe him. However, she stepped aside, so Will could reach for the doorknob. He had some courage now, and he opened it. What was revealed on the other side, almost blew his mind. Instead of the familiar interior of his apartment, it was a vast space, with hallways stringing along every corner. Various doors of all sizes littered across the grey space.

Dipper pointed to one of the doors. "Those doors must lead to Bill's memories." He turned to Will. "Kill is looking for lost memories. Tell me, when Bill loses something, where does it usually end up?"

Will looked like he was racking his brain for an answer. "He usually loses pennies between the sofa seats."

"In that case, I'll keep my eyes peeled for sofas," Stan grinned, then added. "For Bill's memories, of course."

Dipper gave him a look, before addressing everyone. "In the meantime, let's look around and find Kill."

"Looking for me, Blue Pine? That's sweet of you."

The group froze, and then they jolted, when a red light materialized before them. The light took form, and Kill Cipher was in it's place.

"I knew you guys would come sooner or later," He said, tiredly. "You're really annoying, by the way."

The Guardians immediately took their battle stances, Dipper and Wendy took out their weapons, while Mabel conjured her bubbles, and Stan ignited his hands. Kill only chuckled at this display.

"Have you forgotten where you are right now?" Kill hissed. "In the mindscape, my kind has all the power."

To demonstrate, Kill snapped his fingers, and the effect was instant. Dipper and Wendy's weapons disappeared in thin air, and both Mabel's and Stan's powers were shut down. Will could only watch in horror, as Kill laughed manically.

Dipper stared down at his empty hands, before clenching them into fists. He glared at the Red Demon. "I advise you leave Bill's mind, before I do something I'll definitely won't regret."

Kill smirked. "I always loved that fire in your eyes. Remind me, why did we ever break up?"

Dipper's glare hardened. "Because you were an entitled jerk, who didn't take no for an answer."

"Wait, you guys were dating?" Stan questioned.

"Yep, and Dipper just admitted it," Mabel grinned.

Dipper ignored them, and then said to Kill. "We know what you're doing here, and it's not going to work."

"Oh, really?" Kill laughed. "Without your powers, there's no chance you can get to Bill's memories in time. See you later, Blue Pine!" In a flash, Kill turned into a red ball of light, before entering one of the doors.

Dipper ran up, and opened the door he entered. It only showed the memory of the time Bill was in an arcade, but there was no Kill in sight. He closed it, and turned to the others.

"Quickly, split up and search every memory you can," He told them. "We have to find Kill."

The group obeyed, and each one of them scattered around. Will was walking alongside Mabel, and the brunette looked excited.

"Yes!" Mabel beamed. "My chance to play with doors without getting yelled at."

Mabel rushed to the nearest door, and opened it. Will was struck with fear, when he recognized the memory. It was the time of his father's death, and it currently showed the man strangling Will, before collapsing to the ground.

Mabel's eyes widened. "What the..."

Will slammed the door shut, before it showed anymore. Mabel was shocked, and Will didn't know what to tell her.

"What was that?" She asked.

Will rubbed the back of his neck, trying to act casual. "Our father died from a heart attack. It's not something Bill and I like to bring up in a conversation..."

Mabel seemed like she understood, but her eyes were clouded with concern. Will could tell that she wanted ask him why his own father was strangling his son, but he couldn't bring himself to talk about it right now.

"We should move on," Will said, hoping the brunette would move past this.

Eventually, Mabel made a small smile, though it looked forced. "OK, I'm going to see if Dipper found something," She decided. "Call me if you need anything..."

Will nodded, and watched as she walked away. After she left, Will was alone with his thoughts. He knew that she wouldn't let go of this anytime soon, and it will later bite him back in the butt. He sighed, before directing his gaze to the doors. He was reluctant to open anymore, but he had a task to do. So, he opened another door, and of course, immediately regretted it.

He recognized the scene before him instantly. He saw himself kneeling on the floor beside a staircase. He saw his nose dripping blood onto his sweater, and the bruise on his neck. Most importantly, he saw the monster of a man looming over him like a living shadow. It felt like forever since Will last seen his father. The man still had the same heartless glare. The blue haired boy knew that this memory took place when he was 14 years old, and like most times, his father was in a drunken angry state. The worse combination.

Will winced, as he watched his memory carry out, he heard his father's rough bitter voice speak:

"Unbelievable," He hissed. "Bullied again, William? When are you going to grow a pair?"

Will wiped the blood from his nose, his eyes pricked with tears. "They were in a grade higher than me. They were bigger, I couldn't--"

"Nobody cares," His father spat. "The reason they pick on you, is because you're an easy target. Have you ever thought about how this would effect me? People will question my ability to raise a son, because you're too pathetic to swing a punch. Do you want to embarrass me?"

Will shook his head. "No...I'm sorry."