"It's gonna be okay, man, don't make such a fuss"

Jackie was trying his best to console Anti but the poor glitch was, well . . . . .glitching. They were in a public restroom by themselves at the airport, having just landed in America. However, once Anti spotted Mark and Amy, he dashed away, his nerves getting to him. Jackie had followed to make sure he was okay.

"I can't help it!" Anti shuddered, having the feeling of needing to puke he was so nervous.

"Whoa, just breathe, Anti. You were fine on the plane ride down here"

Anti swallowed, "Well yeah but then I saw Mark and that reminded me of Dark and what if he still hates me? It doesn't matter if he called to warn us about Septic! What if he thinks differently about me because I was too weak to stop him in the first place!? What if-"

Jackie took hold of his shoulders and shook him slightly, "Anti! Calm down! You're making it a bigger thing than it is" he chuckled softly, "Just breathe."

There was a knock on the bathroom door, "Hey, you guys alright in there?" they could hear Marvin's voice, "Can I come in?"

Without giving Anti a chance to say anything, Jackie answered him, "Yeah come on in, Marv"

The magician somehow unlocked the door and locked it again as he came in, "Nerves getting ya?"

Anti could just nod, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"You want a potion to help you relax?"

He shook his head, "No, it's just. . . " he couldn't finish.

"I've been trying to tell him it'll be alright but he just thinks Dark will still hate him."

"Ah" Marvin thought for a moment, "Anti, it'll be okay. Even if he DOES dislike you still and doesn't trust you, it'll be alright because you'll still have us. You're brothers. We won't let Dark or any of the other Ipliers put you down. We got your back, alright?"

This seemed to make him feel somewhat better and he smiled a little, "Thanks guys"

Jackie pat his back and Marvin suddenly seemed to have remembered something, "Also! By the way, I got what you wanted. I'll be able to charm it when we get to the Ipliers, alright? Remember? Dark's present? I'm sure he'll love it"

Anti scratched the back of his head, "You sure? It's not too weird?"

"Nah, of course not. Do you think me odd for having one?"

"No."

"Then it's fine"

The simple logic eased Anti and his glitching ceased, "Okay. I think I'm ready to go now"

Leaving the bathroom, Jackie and Marvin were right behind him as he went back to the others. Mark and Amy noticed his return and smiled gently. Mark was nervous about seeing Anti at first but with a little talk with the others, he was even more sure everything would be fine.

Mark and Sean had talked over the phone about Anti's ordeal but now that Septic had been dealt with completely they were absolutely positive that there was nothing to worry about. Mark knew that Dark would be happy to see him, albeit nervous. Dark told Mark what he had gotten him for Christmas and he was sure Anti would love it.

"Hey Anti!" Mark smiled gently at him, "You doing okay? You looked a little pale before."

"I'm fine." Anti bit his lip anxiously, "Sorry about running off like that"

"It's okay" Amy smiled, too.

"We all ready to go? Everybody got their things?" Sean spoke to his egos and they all nodded. 

It was odd having them all take the plane there. Sean was nervous that somebody would recognize them all and freak out at the sight but with Marvin's magic and the strange field around them disguising them, they just looked like normal people. No one would recognize them as the same looking person in public, especially grouped together as they were.

As they all got in Mark's van, it was a little bit of a tight squeeze but they all managed to fit.

Mark started a conversation, "So why couldn't you guys just teleport to Raspy Hill? Not that I mind picking you guys up. Just curious."

"It would have taken too much energy" Marvin spoke, "If I had done that for them then I'd probably be passed out for a week, especially if teleporting across the ocean. To long of a distance with so many people"

"Ah, got it" Mark nodded.

Amy piped up, "How come we never hear from you guys anymore? I mean I know things have been a bit rough but . . . "

Sean chuckled, "I don't trust them with cell phones. The only ones I do trust with them are Chase and Schneep. Jackie loses shit all the time with what he does."

"Hey!" he argued but didn't press it.

"JJ can't speak anyways, Marvin has his hand-mirror for communication and Anti has actually just never needed one I guess"

Anti shrugged, "I don't really go out anywhere anyways"

"Why not?" Mark asked.

"Uh. . . I don't know. I don't like crowds I guess."

Mark made a face, "You gonna be okay with everyone at Raspy Hill?"

Chase wound his arm around his shoulder, "He'll be fine. He's got us with him. We'll keep 'em off his back" he laughed.

There was silence in the car before Amy spoke up again, "You know, the others are really excited to see all of you again. It seems like it's been forever"

Anti said nothing on the matter but Chase chuckled, "Dude, how's Bing been? Still functioning cool?"

"Yeah, he's alright." Mark shook his head, "A little more security intensive since Actor's hack-in but Google and him are good"

"You didn't tell me Actor hacked them. How'd he do that?" Sean asked.

"I don't know really" Mark furrowed his brow, "Something to do with his strange abilities with the void and such and making objects teleport or disappear. I don't. Don't matter anymore, either."

"Guess not"

It wasn't long until they finally reached Raspy Hill and Anti was tapping his foot like crazy on the floor-board of the van. Chase squeezed his shoulder comfortingly, "Don't worry, bro. I'm here for ya."

Anti nodded and with a deep breathe, he followed the others out of the van and up to the door of the large house.

Meanwhile with Dark, he was panicking just as much, pacing back and forth in his room/office. It had been almost three hours since Mark had gone to pick them up and with time moving more and more, Dark's insecurities were peaking.

Wilford watched him pace. He was unsure of what to do but chose not to speak, knowing anything that came out of his mouth would probably freak him out more than he already was.

Dark didn't even notice Wil, honestly. He had been so sucked into his own mind with worry, his surroundings were the least of his concern.

'What if doesn't even want to be my friend anymore because I pushed him away? I'm a horrible friend! Why would he want to be my friend again? I wouldn't if I was him! Getting that present was a bad idea. He probably won't even use it. Why would he? We haven't spoken in three years! It's going to be so awkward!'

His red aura from Celine was starting to pulse and Damien's blue was vibrating along with it. Wilford watched in a sort of fascination as the room slowly got darker and darker.

He knew his friend was feeling troubled. There had to be something he could do to help him!

Quietly, Wilford popped out of existence briefly to fetch something from the living room. When he returned, the room was completely pitch black save for Dark's auras. It was silent except for Dark's soft mumbling to himself.

'This is sure to help, I hope' Wilford carefully walked up to him and suddenly swat his shoulder.

"Ow! Wilford? What are you doing here?" the room went back to normal and his auras dissipated. It seemed Dark didn't even notice that either.

Wilford rolled his eyes, "You're so uptight Darky-boy. Just relax a bit. Here, take this" he handed him his cane, "You left it downstairs. I know it makes you feel better to have in your hands at a time like this."

Dark stared at it for a moment before taking it and sighing, "Thanks Wil." he twirled the end around in his fingers, "I just . . . don't know what to do. What if he pushes me aside like I did to him? I mean not like I don't deserve it"

"You mean glitch-boy?" Wilford cocked his head, "You worry too much, Dark! You heard what Mark said! Everything's fine! You should be happy they're coming!"

He nodded, "I am. . .but"

The door bell rang and there was a knock on the door downstairs. Wilford bounced up and down, "Oh! They're here! Come on, Dark!"

Dark pulled away before Wil could drag him with him, "Uh! You go on ahead, Wil. Give me a moment?"

Wilford chuckled, "Alright, alright. See you down there!" he took off downstairs by himself.

 Dark could hear the excited voices and laughs as Sean's egos were allowed in the manor. He swallowed before slowly making his way out.

Anti fell behind his brothers at the rear of the ego train as Mark and Amy led them all inside. Anti wore the black turtle neck that Dark had given him years ago for Christmas to cover his neck scar. He felt it best to cover it so it didn't give unwanted anxiety to anyone.

In his pocket, Anti messed with the fidget cube Chase and his kids had given him, clicking and running his fingers along it to soothe him somewhat. His shoulders tense, he stiffened as he shut the door behind him, his brothers blocking his view of everyone else in the room. He couldn't see anyone else and for a moment, that sort of made him feel better.

But as everyone was greeting each other, they were making gaps in Anti's little 'shield' and finally he could be seen.

"Oh hey! It's Anti!" Yandere blurted and everyone hushed as they moved to try and see him. The other Septic egos turned as well and gave him comforting smiles but Anti was so nervous, he couldn't say anything. Chase calmly leaned back to him and took his hand giving him just enough courage to wave at them, "H-hey"

Suddenly Wilford burst down the stairs, "Hey! Anti-boy! How've ya been!?"

He tried running up to him but Anti flinched. Wilford stopped in front of him and smiled, "Oh don't be scared now! We won't bite!" he laughed, "Mark and Seany told us what happened, ya know. We don't blame ya"

Anti looked around the room and the other Iplier egos nodded in affirmation.

Eric scratched the back of his head, "We heard about the monster. Dark told us"

Yandere stared at Jackie but nodded too, "Must have been scary~".

Jackie looked very uncomfortable and leaned on back with Chase and Anti, "See? Told ya it was fine"

King spoke up, "Hey where's Dark by the way? Thought he'd be down here"

Anti tensed again.

"He's up in his room" answered Wilford, "He'll be down shortly"

Bim hummed, "We all felt the aura he was giving off earlier. He's a fucking wreck"

"Oooo!" One of the Jims cooed and the other responded, "Is that possibly a story?"

"No" Wilford shook his head, ". . . . maybe, I don't know. Don't worry about it right now, boys."

Dr. Iplier, standing by Henrik, grumbled, "I suppose I should go check on him. I'm a doctor, after all. I could help"

Henrik rolled his eyes at him. Even though he missed his doctor friend, he could be a bit egotistical about himself.

"No need."

Everyone looked up at the stairs. Dark walked down slowly, his cane in hand. He looked intimidating and for the moment, Anti couldn't tell if it was on purpose or not.

He looked just the same as he had the last time he saw him. Although what was different was his stature was more confident than before. Stronger.

"There you are, Dark!" Mark smiled, "I was thinking on whether or not I needed to come up and get you or not"

Dark merely shook his head and wouldn't even look at any of the Septic egos just yet.

As he came down the stairs the rest of the way, he finally peered his eyes up and out of the way of his black fringe.

"Dark finally arrived down the stairs to greet the Septics' like everyone else, a nervous glint in his eyes." Dark glared at Host, making him shut up. He scanned the Septics' curiously, looking for one in particular.

Finally Dark and Anti's eyes met. 

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Anti shuddered as he looked into Dark's obsidian eyes and he went to scratch at his scar. Dark's eyes widened at the sight of him. He looked thinner than the last night he saw him in the real world. He hadn't paid attention to his physical appearance in the void. Memory of what happened to Anti that night came back to Dark, his power and fear. The demon that had taken control of Anti's body making him suffer as he hurt his brothers.

"D-dark?" Dark paid attention to Anti's frightened voice. He was just as worried as he was.

Suddenly Dark flinched and he dropped his cane at the floor. Everyone was surprised at Dark's actions as he slowly and cautiously made his way over to Anti like a cautious animal. Meanwhile Anti was stiffening more and more with each step he took towards him. To Anti, Dark looked more like a predator stalking over to his prey.

Chase carefully slid him in front of him, seeing the unsure look in Dark's eyes. He knew Dark wasn't going to hurt him.

The air in the room was thick with tension and the silence was deafening. 

Dark was finally about arms width away from him when he suddenly stopped, just barely shaking so only Anti could see it. The glitch saw the pain in Dark's eyes and at first, he couldn't tell if it was because of him or not. They just stared at one another, neither one not really sure on what to say or do.

Suddenly Dark bolted at him and Anti enveloped in a hug. Dark buried his face in Anti's turtleneck, shaking, gripping onto the glitch almost harshly. Anti felt a weight being lifted from him but he was still so confused, "Dark?"

He only hugged him tighter, "I'm so sorry, Anti." he started to cry, "I'm so fucking sorry."

Anti felt himself hugging him back, "Dark. . . .it's okay"

"No it's not!" he wouldn't let him go, "I abandoned you! I was your friend and I pushed you away when you needed me most. I'm so sorry"

Anti hugged him back just as tight and clung to him, tearing up and staining his black suit but Dark didn't care. Anti shook just as much as Dark and the two were oblivious to the awed look of everyone else's faces around them. They were happy they finally got to reconcile with one another.

Finally letting go slowly, Dark moved off of him and Anti could see his tears, "I've never seen ya cry before"

Dark tsked and wiped his eyes, "For good reason" he gave a humorless chuckle.

"I'm sorry Anti. I should have-"

"I forgive ya, Dark." Anti interrupted him, "It's alright. I understand. I didn't know, either, at the time what was wrong with me. Hell I didn't even realize until a month ago what was really going on. No one did. There's no reason you should have trusted me when I didn't even trust myself at the time."

Dark just shook his head, "I was still your friend. I should have been there at least to talk to you. To understand why it happened. You may forgive me but I don't know if I can forgive myself. But. . . are we. . . .are we good?"

Anti giggled slightly before hugging him again, "Course we are. You're my best friend, Dark."

Dark hugged him close again, ignoring the teasing looks some of the others gave them.

Wilford suddenly broke through and hugged Anti as well, "We ALL forgive ya, chap! Group hug!"

Dark rolled his eyes but found himself in a mix of hugs with the Septics' and Yandere broke through to hug Jackie. Relenting, most of the others joined in as well.

Parting away after a while, Dark rubbed the back of his head in apprehension and Anti was so nerve-wracked still, he couldn't look him in the eye.

Mark decided to break the tension, "Alright, alright. Break up the hug-fest guys. Let's help get them all settled in, alright? Come on. Chop, chop"

With the tension shattered to pieces, the Ipliers' helped with the suitcases and bags. Unfortunately with the limited space they had, some of the Ipliers' would have to share rooms with the Septics' but Dark was on the ball now, taking care of that.

"Alright, Host, since you and Marvin get on so well, would you two mind bunking together? I presume Sean is staying over at Mark and Amy's? Yes? Chase, you can bunk with Eric. King, can you share with Jackie? Jameson can maybe go with Bim. Henrik, I imagine you'll be fine rooming with our Doctor?"

"What about Anti? Who can he room with?" Sean asked for him. 

"He can room with me" Dark shrugged, "Before the incident, we shared a room a lot when he was over. There shouldn't be a problem now"

"Dude, are you sure about that?" Chase gave him a look.

Anti blushed, seeing the protective look in Chase's eyes.

"Chase" Anti rolled his eyes, "It's fine. I can room with Dark. We've made up now. Everything's fine"

"Not what I'm worried about" Chase glared at Dark making the whole room uncomfortable but the two were oblivious to what he was suggesting.

"I don't understand the problem" Dark said, "You think I'd hurt him?"

Before Chase could respond, Yandere interrupted, "I don't understand why King gets to share with Jackie. Why can't he room with me?"

Jackie looked ready to run but Dark shut that down, "Because, Yandere, what I say goes. If you have an issue about my decision and want to complain about such a simple thing, I can send you to the void for a time-out."

Yandere shut up but still pouted. Jackie breathed out a sigh of relief.

Anti, meanwhile, just understood what Chase was insinuating and whacked him on his shoulder, "Chase!"

The father, realizing why he was struck, just smirked at him, "Finally get it, buddy?"

"You have such a dirty mind. We're not like that"

"Yeah, yeah. Just be careful" 

Poor Dark still didn't understand what was going on and instead, helped lead Anti to his room to place his things.

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Meanwhile in the void.

A shadow drifted along in the pitch black. It gave no clue to its existence. Like a ghost. It circled around a new form. The being looked around the void displeased, completely aware that it was being watched.

"If you keep stalking around me like an idiot, I'll have to resort to violence. It's my s̵p̷e̴c̷i̷a̶l̶t̶y̷~.̸" it warned.

The shadow came closer and although it couldn't be seen, it chuckled softly, "I see you, too, have been pushed aside and  . . . . omitted. Perhaps we could come to a . . . compromise. Friend."

The being snarled but recognized the voice. Albeit annoyed at being bothered by such a weak energy, it hummed, "I'm listening"

Reminder that this story STILL won't feature a pairing.