Wilford was getting more and more worried the more time went by. He had tried calling Dark, hoping he was just out of the house but there was no answer.

'Now I KNOW something is wrong. He always answers me no matter what.'

He paced around his office. He had stopped all meetings and interviews for the day, putting up all of Dark's notes on his bulletin board. If his suspicions were right, then Actor was behind this. Even some of the others this morning like King and Bim had noticed Dark's disappearance. And Actor had said nothing. Hell, Actor didn't even blink, not looking troubled at all. But why would he? They hated each other.

He was trying to his best to think about what to do next and had tried getting a hold of Abe, the detective but he wasn't having any luck.

'Dammit all, do I have to go fetch him myself?'

He heard a laugh outside of his office and went over to his office window, peering through his blinds curiously. He saw Actor laughing with the Jims. Probably something silly but it was bothersome. Actor was still trying to get the other egos on his side. Trying to get them to like him. And while Dark was gone, he probably saw this as an opportune time.

'Master of manipulation and fake faces.' Wil was thinking more clearly than ever and he had to stay that way if he were to figure this out.

'Bullocks to it all. I need the detective!' with that, he teleported out of his office just as the Jims were knocking on his door. They opened it to see Wil wasn't there.

"Weird" one of them stated, "He was just in here a little bit ago"

"Yeah, sorry, Actor. Looks like we missed him"

Actor just chuckled lightly, "It's quite alright. I'll talk to him later. I'm in no rush"

Wilford teleported to an apartment complex on the more rougher side of town. The area had a different feel to it completely and where he was, it seemed like it might rain at any moment. It was so gloomy and Wil wasn't one for that kind of mood.

Walking up to the stairs, he clicked the buzzer on the appropriate room and waited for a response. Nothing. He tried again. 

And again. And again. And again. And again.

"Son of a bitch! Stop it with the buzzer! The fuck do you want!? Who are you!?" a crude voice sounded.

"Abe, old pal! It's me, Wilford! I need in!"

There was a moment of silence before Abe grunted, "Fuck off, Wil! I let you go before but you better leave me alone before I shoot your damn face off!"

Wil didn't seem bothered by the threat, "Aw Abey, don't be like that! I need your help."

"Go find someone else's then. I want nothing to do with you"

"Abe, really! This is serious!" Wil groaned, "Let me in!"

"No!"

"Well fine then, you leave me no choice, buddy" he mumbled before teleporting in Abe's apartment.

Abe flinched back suddenly at his appearance, "How the hell did you get in here!? You know what? Nevermind, I'm beyond trying to understand you. Just get out!"

Wilford took in Abe's appearance and he looked that of a classic detective who had given up on everything. He had a bottle in his hand, he hadn't shaved in a while and there were bags under his eyes as if he hadn't been sleeping right.

"Abe listen to me!" Wil was getting upset, "It's important and I know you'll want to help"

"Oh yeah? Why's that?" he took a swig from his bottle.

"Dark's gone missing."

"So then file a fucking missing person to the police, you numbskull"

"You know I can't do that. He's an ego of Mark's. If I did that they'd be suspicious. Even though we're protected by some sort of magic for others not to recognize us, seeing more than one Iplier at a time that look the same will rise questions!"

Abe stared at him, "Wow, you actually sound like you know what you're talking about. You were much more insane the last time we talked."

Wilford scoffed, "Abe, dammit, please! There could be a time crunch! I know you'll want to figure out this mystery if you'll just let me explain. You see, Actor came a few weeks ago and-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! You said the Actor!? Actor Mark!? But he's dead!"

Wil waved his hand, "Nah, nah. He's an ego, friend. He can't die. I guess I should explain that first, eh?"

Abe stared at him shocked, "Maybe. Explain. It doesn't mean I'll help but I'll listen. . . "

Wilford went on to explain, "You see, Mark created us egos. You are different along with the DA and Celine but you're a apart of Mark, too, all the same. You see it was sort of Actor Mark's mansion that made us live but also it's because of Mark. The good Mark. He created us and our stories, you see. All that we are. Anyways, Actor, had set up the whole thing you know, the party from back then. He had tried to kill himself that night but failed, having been the first to realize he was an ego and he then  . . . . .  killed them" Wil was remembering that day.

He remembered that he had been the one to kill Abe and the DA but he shook it off, trying to concentrate on the matter at hand. He had never been so sane this long.

"He killed Damien and Celine, sending them into the void. That's where I found Dark after our little meeting again, remember? Anyways, Dark had said Celine was gone. . . . . sleeping. Damien was gone. Actor destroyed him"

Abe didn't know what to say, he just listened on, putting the pieces together.

"Dark was created from the fragments of Damien with Celine's help and Mark's imagination. Dark was made to be Actor's enemy and hunter. He's protected us for years but then. . . Actor just up and came back a few weeks ago. And now Dark's gone! I know Actor had something to do with it! They never got along! Really Actor didn't get along with anyone!"

"Why did Actor come back?"

"He was beaten up head to toe. Said it was because of some sharks or rather he owed money to"

Abe thought for a few moments, "What evidence do you have to claim Actor is responsible for Dark's disappearance?"

"Oh I have a bunch of notes! Dark wrote them all down last night. I found them on this bed this morning. He's usually a neat and organized fellow so he never leaves things just lying around"

Abe went over to a whiteboard he had in his living room for no apparent reason, "What was on the notes?"

"Does this mean you're helping me!?" Wil jumped up and down in excitement.

Abe groaned, gritting his teeth, "It means I want to know what was on the notes!"

Wil went on to tell him what all Dark had written down and Abe wrote them all on the board, "If what Dark wrote was true then something's definitely up. If Actor could heal that fast like no other ego then he shouldn't have had to worry. Plus, I have a feeling maybe he hacked into Google and Bing's mainframes to delete the footage. Probably to erase suspicion but instead, he caused it. Suddenly liking books isn't a crime but it is weird. Maybe he hacked into that, too somehow to make a looped recording. You say you haven't seen anything about the people that were after him?"

"Nuh-uh" Wilford shrugged, "Not a peep nor hair of them."

"I have a feeling he was lying about it then"

"But he took a lie detector test."

"Oh please" Abe scoffed, "Anybody can fool a lie detector. And plus it's in his freaking name! Actor! He's an actor. He must have been acting like it was his truth. You with me?"

Wilford nodded, "Yeah, yeah. So do we got him then!? He's got to be the culprit, then, right!?"

"Not necessarily." Abe sighed, "He's good at covering his tracks because even with all this speculation, there's no concrete evidence that it was him. Even if he did cause trouble at your little Thanksgiving party, that doesn't mean he's responsible for Dark's disappearance."

Wilford stomped the ground, "Oh bully! Well what do we do, then!?"

Abe grunted before going to clean himself off real quick, "We're going on a stakeout. If we want to prove Actor is guilty, then we're gonna have to watch his every move. You know where he is now?"

Wilford grinned and slapped his back, ignoring his snarl. He was happy to have the detective on his side in this hunt.

-888888888888888888888-

Dark listened in the blackness. He knew he heard a voice that time and it wasn't going to escape him again. He had to follow where it came from. But that was harder than it seemed.

"Hello!?" he called out, "Where are you!? Are you looking for Damien!?"

His voice carried out in an echo but no one responded.

"Hello!? Is anybody out there!? Can you hear me!?"

Still nothing.

'Maybe I was just hearing things?'

He was about to turn around to go back to Host's room when suddenly the environment around him changed. 

Suddenly water surrounded him and he was suspended in it. It carried him around like he was in a hurricane but yet it felt so calm. He could breathe, which was weird, but he didn't question it.

'Is this another of Actor's tricks?'

Opening his eyes, Dark could see in the water. 

It looked like a cabin. 'This is the cabin Damien and Celine were stuck in!'

The water was sucked out as fast as it came and Dark fell to the ground, grunting at the force and now soaking wet. He looked around anxiously, wiping his wet hair from his eyes.

Dark stood up with caution, a bit out of balance at what just happened to him. He was so used to the pitch black as his environment, he was squinting at the light around him.

He walked around the room. The cabin was small but enough. There were two bed cots, a desk, a couple of chairs and a fireplace. In the corner of the room, he noticed a bloodied ax and flashes of Damien's memory reminded him of when Celine had swung it at Actor in a rage.

'Why am I here?' he thought, 'Did Actor bring me here? Did he find out I was talking to Host?'

Shuddering a little, he went over by the fire to dry and dry off. Whatever the reason, he didn't like being wet. On the fireplace shelf, there were pictures and Dark looked at them as he started warming up. The pictures were of Celine and Damien growing up. There was one of them as kids, with parents, Celine's wedding with Actor and even a more recent looking one. 

He knew it wasn't real and it was from Mark's imagination of them but it sure felt real. 

He stared at Damien's picture and he suddenly felt horrible. Dark felt bad that he was there instead of him. It wasn't his fault but he felt guilty that Damien was just gone forever leaving Dark in his place. Celine had helped make him with Damien's broken fragmented soul. Just as Actor had planned.

'He looks so happy in all of the pictures' Dark thought.

"But I'm not him."

"You're right"

Dark turned quickly at the sudden voice behind him. He stared in shock, completely taken aback. He couldn't even speak.

"Well I guess you're not too different from him" they chuckled, "You both have the same insecurities for one"

Dark still didn't speak. This had to be a trick. It had to be Actor messing with him!

"What's wrong?" they asked, "Don't you remember me?"

"You're not real." Dark shut his eyes tight, "This is all a trick. Actor's just taunting me is all. Pull yourself together, Dark!"

"It's not a trick, Dark" she came over and placed her hands on his shoulders to steady him and Dark looked into her eyes to find nothing but the truth.

"It's really me. Celine."

-88888888888888888888888-

Wilford and Abe had been watching Actor most of the day, keeping out of sight. Really, Abe was surprised at how well Wilford was doing. The last time he saw him, he was more intent on having a good time doing whatever he pleased with no regrets. Now he was quiet and serious, almost lost in thought, just trying to find any excuse to pin Actor.

They were now following Actor across LA. He had taken an Uber and at first, Wilford thought he was just getting a ride back to Raspy Hill but he was wrong. They drove for a while before coming up to a remote area with hardly anyone around near the old abandoned theater. Abe made sure to stay far enough away so he wouldn't get suspicious.

"What the bullocks is this place?" Wilford muttered, "And here the Actor whined about the attic"

"Shhh" Abe shushed him, "He's going in. We got to see what he's up to. This could be our evidence"

He got out of the car and Wilford narrowed his eyes in disbelief, "Don't you need a warrant?"

Abe just waved for him to follow, "This is public property, so no. You got my six, nutcase?"

Wilford pulled out his favorite gun and came up behind him happily, "I dare say I do, old pal"

Abe looked at the gun, " . . . . . . Isn't that my old gun?"

"Nah" Wilford went ahead of him and the two snuck inside. The place was barren and there were plenty of messy forgotten rooms. Wil and Abe moved slowly as to not make any disturbances until they reached a dressing room that was colorfully decorated with pictures of Actor and his name big and flashy. They heard mumbling and laughter from inside.

'We need to get in there' Abe thought, 'Can you still hear my thoughts like before?'

'You're so loud, it's hard not to.' Wil responded through their mind-link. It was another of Wil's strange abilities. However, he could only read the minds of people who weren't egos or his host so it never worked on Dark, Damien or his ego brothers.

'Good. Got any ideas on how to get in there without being noticed?'

Wil thought to himself for a moment before suddenly teleporting them both in a closet. He held his finger to his lips so Abe would remain still. They had moved into Actor's dressing room closet and could see through the panels of the folding door.

Inside, Actor chuckled to himself, "It's finally happening! My plan is finally in the works. With Dark gone, everything can come into play"

Wil and Abe glanced at each other apprehensively.

The Actor whistled and twirled a cane in his hand. Wil recognized it as Dark's and he snarled in anger. Abe held his shoulder in hopes to calm him down and it worked for now.

Actor came up to a board with notes and pictures and plans galore, "Ah yes. I can't wait! First thing tomorrow morning, I'll call Mark. Perhaps I shouldn't call as myself though. I should call as another ego. Yes, perfect. I'll say 'Mark! Dark's gone missing! It's horrible!'" he flaunted his voice in a silly manner, "'We don't know what happened! There's a mess in his room and the Actor's missing, too! We think he may have had something to do with it!'"

Actor snickered at his own words, "He'd believe that. Then when he arrives, he's as good as dead! I'll end him. I'll throw him into the void just as I did Dark and then no one will be able to stop me! I'll rip him apart in there and make Dark watch his suffering! I'll take control and everybody will love me! It'll be just like the old days! I'll be a star again!"

Abe busted out of the closet, gun in hand, "Oh no you won't."

Wilford teleported behind Actor so he didn't see him yet. Actor, however, didn't look surprised, "Detective! It's been a while! How've you been, old friend?"

"Oh I'm doing just peachy no thanks to you, you son of a bitch. Put up your hands! You're coming with us!"

Actor chuckled and leaned on the cane, "Oh and how's that? You gonna take me into the police? We both know how that'll turn out. I dare you to. You'll just hurt Mark, that way."

"No." Wilford shoved his gun into Actor's back ready to shoot, "I'll just end ya right here"

"Wil" Abe warned but Actor just laughed, not perturbed at all. He glanced behind him at Wil with a sick smile.

"Only Mark can kill me and even now with how powerful I've become, not even he will stand a chance against me. You're welcome to try, though"

Wil suddenly pulled the trigger but nothing happened. He looked down to see that the gun was just gone. Vanished.

"What the devil!?" Wilford jumped back. He pulled a knife from his back pocket and went to stab him but that, too, vanished from his hands, "What's going on? How'd you-" he practically whimpered.

"Poor Wilford. Ever the foolish one" Actor grinned and snapped his fingers. 

Suddenly Wilford and Abe were tied up back to back in chairs, "Don't you remember from the notes Dark made that I can teleport objects?"

"You knew we-?" Abe gaped and Actor just stepped with the cane humming slightly.

"Of course I did. This was part of the plan, after all. With a few modifications, that is. I came into your office earlier today, Wil, planning on knocking you out. It'd be so much easier with you out of the way, as well."

"Knock me out? Why not kill me like you plan on killing Mark!?" Wil shouted at him furiously, "Oh wait, that's right! You can't!"

"Actually" Actor came up in front of him, leaning his chin on the top of the cane, "I can now. You see, I've gained so much power from the void that nothing can stop me now! Not even Dark stood a chance. He was so easy to defeat. He's stuck in the void now. Just as the DA was. It won't be long until his whole being is completely wiped from existence just as the DA's. The DA was strong but they weren't really an ego and their soul perished, eradicating them. Dark will take a bit longer but he'll definitely lose his sanity with no way out."

"You monster!" Wil shouted at him, "I knew Mark should have destroyed you when he had the chance!"

"He should have. I was pretty weak at that point but I counted on his stupid, naive softness. All part of the plan. There were no sharks, Wil."

"I knew it!" Abe growled.

"Who did it, then?" Wil asked, "The wounds? If what you said was a lie then how DID you end up that way!?"

"I did it myself" Actor gave a toothy smile and the two stared at him in shock, "I'm an Actor, after all. I had to make it believable! I knew I'd heal quick, anyways, with the void giving me power. Using it to my advantage, I fooled you all!"

Wil was even staring at him like he was insane and to Wil's credit, Actor really was, "Actor. . . . but why? Why do all of this? Why hurt everyone in this petty revenge of yours? Why go to so much trouble?"

The mad-man hummed, "Why not? I deserve it. I deserve it! First Celine leaves me for YOU of all people! Then my career dives! Nobody cares about me anymore and the mansion I lived in . . .. oh don't even get me started on that fucking place! I had to get my revenge! I had to be the hero once more! I tried to kill myself first, you know. I wasn't going to hurt anyone else! But then that's when I discovered the horrid truth"

Wil and Abe listened to Actor's monologue with rapt attention. They were getting everything from him, even if they couldn't stop it.

"I was an ego. Damien was an ego. YOU'RE an ego! Mark, that freak, had created us from his sick imagination. Gave us all sad and tragic backstories! He was the REASON my life was in shambles! I was in the void then for a while until I came through stronger than before and killed Damien and Celine. Trapped their souls in the void with me. Celine was strong, though and set up an illusion for her poor little brother" he scoffed, "She tried hunting me, knowing I was the cause but I found Damien first. Celine's illusion starting to fail on her." he laughed, "I told Damien the truth. The idiot still thought he was alive! He didn't even know what was happening and he thought he'd been there for months in a winter cabin trying to survive!"

Actor tightened the ropes around the two suddenly making them grunt as he continued.

"I told him my plan. Celine's power was failing. She was exhausted from the power she was using. And when that happened, I would mold him into my very own villain! I would be the hero of the story! I would control it to MY vision! However, that didn't quite turn out, did it? Celine found us and axed me but Dark still appeared. I thought he'd be the embodiment of evil, my creation. But once again I was fooled and the Mark's imagination corrupted him, making him who he is today. Sorry. . . . was. You know the rest and now that you know everything, I'm afraid I have to keep you detained until my next phase is complete."

"You think you can detain ME!?" shouted Wilford, "I'm Wilford motherloving Warstache, you psycho reject and I don't take no shit from-" suddenly Actor whacked him with the cane and he fell immediately unconscious.

"I knew he could teleport so it was really foolish of him not to when he could have at any point" Actor snuffed

"Wait, you're keeping him alive? I thought you wanted him dead, too?" Abe questioned him.

"Oh I do. However, it would be so much more satisfactory if I got to tell him how I kill his brothers. See that last little bit of sanity leave his mind before I end him. Beautiful, don't you think. Quite poetic to me. Anyways" he rolled his eyes dramatically, "I'll see you later, Detective. I'll be back to kill you both once Mark is taken care of."

"How do you know it'll work, though?" Abe asked him, "You underestimated Mark's mind before."

Actor just smiled, "Yes, well. This time, I have complete control over the void. And the void is everything. You can create anything from it. I've spent a lot of time there. Nearly four years in and out. Learning from it and gaining from it. Dark was stronger than me, I'll admit, but now that he's been dealt with. . . . .nothing will get in my way."

With that, Actor fixed his red suit and hair and sauntered out of the room with Abe glaring after him.

He locked the door behind him and spoke through the door teasingly, "See you later, friend. I've got a show to perform"