Dark weakly sat up, clearly looking defeated. He didn't think Actor was still alive, let alone could take him down so easily.

Anti sat by his side, "What happened? How did he get to you?"

He sighed, "I was weak. He took advantage of that, the bastard."

(Flashback after Dark's nightmare)

Dark exited the room, leaving his cane behind. He had to get some air. That's all he needed. He needed to forget the nightmare. Forget everything he saw. Everything had looked SO real.

'Dark!'

He stopped and heard a familiar banging up above him.

'The attic.' he thought, 'Not this time. You're not fucking with me again!'

Dark bolted for the attic but as soon as he stood in the small, dark room, he regretted it immediately. 

He felt a cold breeze in the air and the hair on his neck stood. He saw a mirror on the wall on the other end of the attic that wasn't there before.

Without even really thinking about it, he ventured cautiously over but his stomach flipped when he saw Actor staring back at him.

"No. . . .how? I killed you"

Actor just smirked, "You thought." his smirk faded into a snarl, "And now. . . it's my turn to dispose of you."

Dark tried to lunge to break the mirror but Actor's hand shot out and gripped his fist before it could collide, "Looks like you made the wrong move" a dark red smoke glowed around Actor and all of a sudden he felt tired.

"W-what are you doing?" he almost dropped to his knees but Actor caught him, gripping his shoulders with his hands. He leaned in out of the mirror and whispered into Dark's ear, "I don't owe you an explanation."

Suddenly Dark was on the other side as if they had switched places. He was now the one in the mirror. He tried bursting through only to be held back and thrown to the pitch ground. 

Dark looked up and saw Septic above him with a grin on his face, "Don't worry, Darky. You'll have a friend in here with ya soon."

Then he just passed out.

(End of Flashback)

"Fuck" Anti cursed, "This has all turned in to one big fucking mess"

"I'm sorry"

The glitch took his shoulder, "No. It's not your fault, Dark. None of this is your fault. We just underestimated them is all. We need to find a way out of here"

"There isn't." 

"What do you mean?"

Dark sighed, "I can sense Celine's energy around us. The red aura? Actor's using it to keep us locked in this 'cage'. I can't use my aura to get out of here because it also requires Celine's energy along with Damien's. I can't fight her energy with her own and her brother's."

"Double fuck" 

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Actor fixed his tie in the mirror and spruced up his hair to make himself look more like Dark. If he was going to trick them all, he had to look convincing. Septic threw on Anti's 'Glitch' hoodie Jackie had gotten him and let Actor use Celine's power to mellow his energy so Marvin wouldn't be able to sense the difference.

"Alright mister man with a plan, what now? I thought with those two idiots out of the way, we'd kill everyone while we had the chance."

"Not so soon, friend. Be patient. It's going to take a lot of energy and power to take them all down at once. The ones we especially have to prepare for are Wilford, Google, Marvin and Jackie. They'll be a handful so we have to make sure we're ready before just charging guns blazing."

Septic scoffed, "Whatever."

"Look just stay in here. Don't make anyone suspicious. Should just take about three days or so to gather the power we need and then you can kill Sean's egos however you wish"

"Hm. What about Sean and Mark themselves?"

"You can surely handle your creator. Mark is mine to kill. I'll save that bastard for last."

Septic rolled his eyes, "Whatever. I'm fucking hungry" he went to leave the room when Actor stopped him, placing a hand on his chest.

"What did I just say?"

"I heard you" Septic's eyes went black, "Need I remind you I fooled the idiots before? I can do it again."

"You didn't for long"

"Neither did you." he slapped Actor's hand off of him, "D̷o̷n̷'̴t̵ ̵f̷u̵c̸k̷i̷n̵g̵ ̸t̷o̴u̸c̵h̸ ̵m̸e̴. Now if you excuse me. . . I'm gonna go get me some mother-fucking poptarts, your h̸i̶g̴h̴n̴e̸s̶s̵.̶" he mocking bowed at him before leaving the room.

Actor glared after him but followed reluctantly. He had to make sure Septic wouldn't blow their cover too soon. Until he was stopped by Bim, that is.

Septic had made his way into the kitchen and was sneaking through the cupboards when someone barreled into him. He was about to lash at them when he stopped himself, "Get the fuck off, man!"

His captor just laughed, "Aw come on, Anti!" it was Chase, "You love surprise hugs! Just hug me, ya doof"

Hesitantly, Septic hugged back, glad Chase couldn't see his disgusted snarl.

Chase chuckled and let him go, "What? Been hanging around Dark too much? He put that stick up your ass, too?" he suddenly looked like he regretted what he said, "Fuck, nevermind. Forget I said that. Gross"

Septic giggled, actually finding it funny. 

Chase shook his head, "Where's he at anyways? You two have been attached to the hip since we got here. Haven't been able to spend any time with ya really these past two weeks."

Septic shrugged, "He was following me. Must have gotten stopped along the way. I came down for poptarts."

Chase slapped his hand when he went to reach for the cupboards again, "Nuh-uh! You'll spoil your appetite for dinner! We're ordering out pizza for everyone. Maybe you can have a poptart for dessert later."

Septic was about to snap at him but contained himself, "Whatever" he sighed.

The father smiled, "You wanna take a walk with me? Dinner won't be for a couple of hours. We have some time to hang out if you want"

Septic wanted so badly to tell him to fuck off but he figured that Anti wouldn't say that so instead he just nodded, "Sure".

They went to the door and Septic was about to just walk out when Chase grabbed him, "You might have a hoodie on but that's not enough. Get back here, ya dork." Septic let him force a coat on him, a scarf and some mittens to keep him warm, "There ya go. Don't want you getting sick, bro"

Septic grumbled through the scarf but followed after Chase as they walked down the sidewalk. 

The day was fairly nice. There wasn't any snow of course in California but it was still a little chilly out. It was around 50 degrees Fahrenheit and Septic had never really experienced cold weather so he was sort of glad Chase dressed him up for it.

"There's a nice little cafe down the road. Serves the best hot coco if yer into it. Then you can tell me all about how much Jackie snores compared to Dark, huh?" he chuckled at himself.

Septic kept quiet but hummed. He really wasn't sure on what to say. He didn't want to say anything that might give him away. He had to think more about what Anti would say in these situations.

"Man, I've missed hanging around you, bro. I mean I get it that you needed some time to catch up with Dark but I guess I can't help but get slightly jealous."

"You don't need to be" Septic just thought about Actor at that moment. No fucking way would he willingly spend any time with the asshole.

"I know but  . . ." Chase sighed, "You're right. Besides, we'll have plenty more time to hang out again once we get back to Brighton. That is, if you're not on the magic hand-mirror all the time with Dark."

Septic rolled his eyes.

"You're quiet today, Anti" Chase commented, "You feeling alright?" he placed his hand on his forehead, making Septic flinch a little. He wasn't used to being touched.

"I'm fine."

Chase hummed, a little concerned as to why he flinched away from him, "Okay. . . . not gonna give me an explanation then?"

"I guess I'm just tired" Septic shrugged, "I feel fine" he tried softening his features but his trademark glare couldn't be wiped away. Chase just nodded.

"Alright. Fair enough. You did sleep on the couch, after all. With Jackie. Surprised you got him to cuddle you, actually. He's not really a cuddler."

He shrugged again. They walked the rest of the way in silence before finally reaching the cafe. Shuffling in, Chase led Septic to a small booth to sit in. 

He chuckled at him, "You can take off the mittens and scarf in here you know."

Reluctantly, Septic did and rolled his shoulders out of the winter coat, as well, "Fucking hot in here"

"I guess it is a bit warm."

The waitress came over and asked them what they'd like to order.

"Just two hot chocolates please"

Septic had heard of this hot chocolate through Anti's memories but had never experienced it for himself. He was curious.

When the waitress came back with their beverages, Septic was cautious, looking at the strange liquid. It was brown, presumably because of the chocolate. It had whipped cream on top and hot fudge drizzled over it. It looked delicious.

He watched Chase take a sip, "Oh that's so fucking good."

Septic copied him and sipped the liquid and shuddered on the spot. He had never tasted anything so good before! He loved poptarts but this was even better! What if he were to dunk the poptart IN the hot chocolate!? Not wasting time, Septic practically chugged the drink.

Chase snorted at him.

"What? The fuck is so funny?"

"Your face" he chortled, "You got cream all over your upper lip, dude"

Septic licked his upper lip a bit and sure enough, there was some cream there. He wiped it off his mouth with a slight blush and licked it up with a hum, "Shut up."

Chase just laughed at him.

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Meanwhile with Actor, Bim had stopped him in the hallway, "Hey there Dark! I need to talk to you for sec!"

Actor grumbled but nodded, "Very well. What is it?"

"The docs wanted to see ya and make sure you were doing better. They told me if I saw you, to let you know. You better go see them now or else they'll hunt you down. You know how they are"

He rolled his eyes but nodded, "Alright. Thank you." he walked off towards the doctor's 'office', hoping Septic wouldn't screw everything up.

He was making his way to Dr. Iplier's room when Host was walking by. Actor tried not to visibly flinch, knowing what this ego was capable of but the Host merely walked on by as if nothing happened. He didn't even greet him. 

Actor knocked on the doctor's door and walked in, "Ah, Dark! There you are!"

"Yes. I'm doing better now. Is that all you needed from me?"

"Not so fast. Come have a seat."

He wanted to refuse but he knew he couldn't so instead, he sighed and did as the doctor asked. This was going to be a long wait for him.

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Marvin was in Host's room fooling around with his books when Host walked in unexpectedly and slammed the door. Marvin flinched and nearly dropped the book, "Geez! Y-you okay there?"

Host was quiet though for a few moments before speaking, "The Host answered Marvin as quietly as possible and asked for him not to go into a panic attack. What Host was about to reveal to Marvin the Magnificent could surely startle him. He would want to attack at the soonest chance he'd have."

Marvin suddenly sucked in a breathe, "What's going on?"

"The Host walked over to his desk and fiddled around with some paper before properly answering. He was unsure of how his friend would react but he decided it would be best not to stall."

"You THINK!?"

"The Host flinched slightly at Marvin's shout and calmly explained that everything was okay for now and no one was injured or dead . . . .yet."

Marvin raced over to him and clutched his coat forcefully, his eyes glowing, "You better tell me what the hell is going on now before I force it out of you, Host. No beating around the bush!"

Host paled at his friend's fierce attitude, "It seems as though Actor and Septic did not perish. In fact, the Host has just discovered upon walking by 'Dark' that he was most certainly not 'Dark' but Actor himself. That and Host noticed beforehand that 'Anti' was not himself either."

Marvin shuddered, "But if they're not dead and they took over Dark and Anti's bodies then. . . . what happened to Dark and Anti?"

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Dark was still laying down on the pitch floor, tired from having his energy being constantly removed from him to keep up the 'cage'. Anti was concerned for his friend but even more so for his brothers. He could just barely see through Septic's eyes what he was up to if he concentrated and currently, he was out with Chase at that cute little cafe he liked. Anti was a bit surprised, however, that Septic was hurting him. He was merely drinking Hot chocolate.

'Weird.' Anti thought, 'They must not want to kill them right away. They're waiting for something. More time for more energy perhaps? They're sucking out as much as they can from Dark and here and there I can feel Septic taking more from me as well. They must both have a link to this cage thing.'

"Anti"

He looked down at Dark who could barely keep his eyes open, "I'm trying to conserve some energy. Trying to keep it away from Actor but. . . . I don't know how much longer I can keep it up to where he won't find out. We need to warn the others somehow."

"Yeah but how? We're stuck here. Not even you can break free out of your own space"

Dark blinked a little, "But you can. Like you did before when you were in the void and the mirrors and Marvin. Remember?"

"Yeah but" Anti stopped in realization, "Dark. . . . I left my hand-mirror in your room last night"

". . . . .Okay"

Anti rolled his eyes, "Do you have yours on ya?"

He nodded and slowly reached into his pocket to take it out. Anti took it and opened it up.

"What are you doing?"

"This is our gateway. Just relax, Dark. We'll get out of here. I'm sure of it. We have to."

-888888888888888888888888-

"I fail to see how this helps anything" Marvin chastised Host, "We have to warn the others."

"The Host realized his friend was worried but right now, caution was key and they had to tread lightly. We didn't know what measures both Actor or Septic took."

"So what are we looking for?"

"The Host reminded Marvin that the only place Actor and Septic could possibly have hidden Dark and Anti would be the void and there was only one way to communicate through it"

"The hand-mirrors. But they always have them on them, right? They would just either be with them or on Septic and Actor themselves."

"Wrong" Host smirked as they broke into Dark's room and shut the door behind them, "The Host knew many things and could read the world around him like a book. Some things come to him a bit later than others but Host knew for a fact that Anti had forgotten to take his mirror with him last night. He had left it on the-"

"-table" Marvin finished and bolted over to the bed-side table Anti and Dark shared temporarily. The hand mirror was just sitting there untouched, "Right! You're a damn genius, Host!" he grabbed the mirror, "We should go back to your room to contact them. Don't want any unwanted visitors catching on that we know, eh?"

Host nodded and followed Marvin out.

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"You better be careful there, Anti" Chase cleaned up Septic's face with a napkin, "This is your second hot chocolate and your last. Don't want you spazzing and glitching all over the walls when we get back. Remember Halloween?"

Septic rolled his eyes and pushed Chase's hand away to just wipe off the excess mess on his face himself, "Whatever. Can we get one to go?"

The father raised a brow at him, "We can come back either tomorrow or the next day. Don't want you crashing. . . .  OR jittering yourself awake in the night. You want to be able to sleep, right?"

Septic grumbled but agreed nonetheless. Chase smiled, "Good. Now come on, we should bounce. Sean, Mark and Amy are coming over tonight to have pizza with everyone. What kind do you want?"

Septic was at a loss. He really didn't know what kind he'd like, honestly, "I don't care"

"How about we get a Hawaiian one? That's you and Sean's favorite!"

Septic didn't know what this 'Hawaiian' pizza was but he was interested so didn't make a remark about it.

He had to admit, he loved food almost as much as killing. He couldn't wait for dinner!

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Anti was trying to concentrate on watching Septic and Chase. He almost chuckled that Septic was so excited to try pizza, it almost made him forget who and what he really was. 

What he's done.

Suddenly there was a flash. He had kept the hand-mirror open just in case but he didn't think he'd really get a hold of anyone, especially so soon.

"Anti" someone whispered through it, "Anti, are you there? Hello?"

Anti bolted for the mirror and looked through it to see Marvin, "Marvin! You figured it out!"

"With a little help" Marvin pointed to Host.

Dark snuffed, "Decided to actually help this time, huh?"

Anti ignored him and spoke to Marvin, "So you know, then? That those fakes walking around are actually-"

"Actor and Septic. Yeah, we know. Haven't told anyone else yet, though. What do we do? Is there a way out for you two?"

"Unfortunately, no."  Anti sighed, "They're keep us locked up in a caged void made of Celine's power so not even Dark can break through it. They keep taking our energy too, so I can't bust my way out."

"Fuck"

"Yeah"

"Hm" Marvin thought for a moment, "Well it seems for now that they're not planning on hurting anyone just yet. They've taken your place for a few hours now and haven't tried anything."

"Yeah, I figured they were waiting on something"

"The Host thinks that they are waiting to gather enough energy. They couldn't possibly fight everyone with the power they have now. Especially not Marvin or Wilford."

"Should we tell the others?" Marvin asked.

Anti bit his lip in thought, "I don't know."

"Not the Ipliers." Dark stated, finally able to sit up leaning on his arms to keep himself up, "One of them would try something stupid and get themselves killed. Yours, however, are more collected."

Anti nodded, "Okay. Marvin, did you hear that?"

"Yeah. But we need a plan. Should we let Septic and Actor know we know? Do we fight them? What do we do?"

Anti thought for a moment, "I think we should play their game for a bit. Lead them into a false sense of security that your all fooled. We can't let the Ipliers know, however, like Dark said. Wilford would attack in a snap and everyone else would follow. I say we wait it out until we find an opening."

"Got it" Marvin agreed and smirked, "You know. . . this would be the perfect time to fuck around with them both. Septic especially."

Anti chuckled, "Give them hell. Just don't blow your cover" he winked.

"You got it, prankster. Mission on"

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As soon as Chase and Septic came back from the cafe, Marvin spotted him, "Hey Chase! Can I talk to you, man?"

Septic was a bit anxious about the magician coming near, he knew how powerful he was compared to him at the moment. But he just smiled at him.

"Yeah, sure, bro, what is it? We were just thinking about ordering the pizzas for dinner."

"Alright well come with me first. Anti, why don't you go find Dark? I bet he's just throwing a fit not being around you!" he teased.

Septic rolled his eyes but nodded, "Whatever." he walked off to Dark's room where he presumed Actor would be.

Meanwhile, Marvin dragged Chase with him to Host's room, "Easy there, man! What's the hurry?"

They got in the room to see all the other Septic egos there, "I-is this a meeting or something? Why we hiding from the Ipliers?"

Marvin sighed, "Because ti was discussed that this should stay just between us for now"

"Vat should?"

"I wonder if we should wait for Sean, though"

"Dude, what the hell is happening?" Chase crossed his arms.

"Yeah, you interrupted King and I during a game" Jackie complained.

"Actor and Septic are alive and have taken over Dark and Anti's places" he just decided to blurt out. Everyone was silent.

"WHAT!?" Jackie shouted and Marvin whopped him upside the head.

"Shut up, they might hear you"

"We need to stop them!" Jackie said, "What have they done to Dark and Anti? How long? How in the HELL is Septic ALIVE even!?"

"Shush!" Marvin halted him, "They're fine. I spoke to them through the hand mirror. Anti left it behind on accident."

Chase bit his lip, "So it wasn't Anti that I was spending time with today? It was Septic? But he seemed so legit. I thought he was just tired like he said" he shook his head, "My god, I'm so stupid"

Henrik sighed, "No blaming anyone. Vhat do we do? Iz there a plan?"

"Anti wants us to act like we think it's still him. We need to wait for an opening without giving it away that we know."

Jameson wrote down on his white board, 'What about the Ipliers? Shouldn't they know that Actor is actually Dark right now?'

Host shook his head, "The Host stated that Dark specifically said not to tell them. They are too brash, especially Wilford and Yandere."

Jackie nodded, "So what do we do then? There has to be something. Can we get Dark and Anti out of whatever they're trapped in?"

"They don't have the energy to do it themselves." Marvin shook his head, "Actor is taking their energy to power up is what Anti said. Anti told us we should behave as if they are who they are portraying. He also said we could have a little fun with it"

"Little devil" Jackie snorted, "Alright" he nodded, "I can get into that. I owe Septic some payback, anyways."

Chase sighed, "Okay then. We'll do what we can for now. Marvin, keep us updated on Anti and Dark. Don't tell the Ipliers but we should tell Sean. He has the right to know. Don't take a prank too far. We need them to still be fooled that it would be how we would naturally behave around them."

Everyone nodded and hummed in affirmation.

"Hey Marvin" Jackie smirked, "Bring any joke potions with you?"