With BB back with Sean, Anti was left a little depressed again. He liked having that cat around. He was so affectionate and cuddly, Anti was tempted on stealing him away but thought better of it, knowing Evelien would kill him. He had never met her but watched her videos enough to know she could kick his ass.

He needed something to do but staying inside all the time was getting dull. 

'I really need to stretch my legs. I know they're trying to keep me locked up here but I can't fooking stand it any longer. So what if I run into Dark again? I could take him now!'

His mind was finally easing back to normal but he still had nightmares of the void and the illusions he witnessed. And he couldn't stand the dark but everything would be okay so long as he had the nightlight. 

Stretching with a fierce yawn, Anti finally decided to pick himself up out of bed. He threw a hoodie on and stuffed his favorite knife in his back pocket, the baggy hoodie hiding it from view.

He had proven before how easy it was to escape the house without the others knowing and this tactic was no different from all the other times he snuck out. He jumped out the window and glitched from block to block until he was far enough away from the house to walk  comfortably along the sidewalk.

'Now what to do?' he thought to himself. He was bored and sick and tired of being cooped up all of the time around the other egos. They were suffocating and most of the time, just plain annoying. And he didn't know what to think about Chase at the moment. His feelings on him were always complicated but now it was even more so. Did he really care about him at all or was him coming here just a ploy for something else?

Did anyone really care about him? Was anyone really truthful when they say they care about him or they forgive him for all the terrible things he's done. If it were him, he wouldn't. He really didn't understand why they let him move in to start with. They said what he did was worth giving him another chance but . . . .  Anti still never really understood it all. Why wouldn't he have done what he did? 

He wasn't that much of a monster. . . .

On his trek along the town, he stopped in front of a convenience store. A few months ago, he had robbed a similar looking one down the road just for the hell of it only for Jackie to burst in his room and take everything back. He sort of missed those times.

He missed the times when he was the bad guy and Jackie was the hero. Also stopping him and saving the day. Anti always saw it as a way to bond with Jackie sort of even if Jackie didn't. It was like a game, playing tag and at first, Anti knew the hero hated it. He always went back out after subduing him and fixed the mess he made. 

Part of Anti felt bad but the other part of him was happy. Satisfied. Because at least, then, someone was paying attention to him. No one else ever did. Not even Chase did before he left. After the party, you'd think he'd be more grateful but the tragedy that followed blinded him from the truth.

That was when Anti realized that only Jackie ever really paid attention to him. JJ was around but he was one that always kept to himself, preferring to stay out of other people's business.

'Then with him making me train with him that day. . . ' it finally clicked in Anti's head, 'Wait a second'

He growled, clenching his fists in the pockets of his hoodie, ignoring the strange looks he got from people passing him by.

'Why didn't I see it before?' he really should have put it all together before but honestly, the attention may have blinded him from what was really going on.

'Before the party years ago he hated me. . . .  then he defended me, letting me move in with them all.'

He felt like glitching but he didn't want to cause a scene at the moment in his internal rage.

'Him constantly trying to be my friend, preach his hero ways to me. Always trying to convince me into being someone I'm not. I wasn't created to be good. I'm not evil but I refuse to be some vindicating action figure like HIM!'

His knuckles cracked and his eyes started to glow green but no one noticed yet.

'He was trying to train me like him. Provoke me into getting stronger so . . . so what? He might one day have a little sidekick!? Was he just USING me as well!? Does A̸N̵Y̷O̵N̶E̶ ̸G̸I̸V̶E̶ ̷A̵ ̵F̷U̶C̶K̴ !̷?̴ W̵h̸a̶t̴ ̵a̷b̵o̴u̴t̵ ̶M̵Y̷ ̷f̴e̴e̴l̶i̴n̶g̷s̷!̴?̶'̴

Suddenly he calmed at the sound of store's door bell as someone's left the store.

Anti smiled, "It's time to remind them all who the fuck I really am"

'Not some hero. Not a mistake. Not Sean's pariah or the family monster. Certainly not anyone's bitch or pawn, either. I'm not weak. I'll remind them all.'

Anti walked into the store.

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Dark was staring at the crumpled up phone number again. He hadn't stopped staring at it for a while. He felt a little remorseful for yelling at Wilford like that but his anger for Mark drove him mad. 

'Why now all of sudden would he dare to even try? What's his game? What's he playing at?'

He's trying to get into your head. Don't let him sway you

'I know, I know.' Dark snarled, 'Actor has always been manipulative. I'll have to keep up my guard'

You can't call him

'Why not? I want to hear what he has to say'

It'll all be lies anyways. Why bother when we already know the truth? I don't want him to taint you, too, like he has so many others. You're the only one that can kill him.

Dark froze. He knew that that was always the plan but to have it said so bluntly always made him weary.

What's the matter? Don't let him coax you. Do you believe he is stronger than you?

'Of course not!' Dark argued with the voice, 'Even still. He won't manipulate me as well'

Ignoring the voice inside, he took out his phone and started to dial the number. He could feel the voice inside pulse in rage but he ignored it. He put the phone up to his ear and listened as it rang on the other end.

"Hello?" that familiar voice popped up.

Dark couldn't bring himself to speak. . .but somehow Mark knew it was him.

"Dark? Is this you?" he seemed surprised. Of course he would be.

He didn't answer but Mark just knew. He could feel it.

"Dark. . .  I've been wondering when you'd call. I've been wanting to talk with you for a while now. What made you decide to call me?"

He still didn't answer. He refused.

Mark gave a small chuckle, "It's alright. I understand. You're weary of me. I get it. But. . .  I don't want you to hate me, Dark. You've been trying your damned best to hurt me for years  . . . and I know it's because of him but I just want to let you know it's okay, Dark. I forgive you"

That made him freeze for a second, 'Wait, what?'

Don't listen to him.

"Because of who?" he finally spoke.

Mark, on the other end, seemed confused, "Y-you don't know? Actor Mark, Dark. I'm talking about Actor. He-"

"I know who Actor is, you lying son of a bitch!" he seethed, "You can't fucking manipulate and lie to me like you have everyone else!"

"What are you talking about, Dark?"

"You know, I was going to give you a chance, Actor, but since you insist on always lying and dragging everyone else down to hell WITH you, then you can fuck off! I'll kill you even if it fucking kills ME!"

"Dark, what are you talking about!? I'm not Actor! Actor's-"

"STOP LYING TO ME!!

"Dark, fucking hell, just LISTEN to me! I don't want to fight with you! I'm not your enemy!"

"Not my-What?!" he was just getting even more confused. His heart hurt.

Stop listening to him! Hang up the phone!

'Wait, I want to know what he's talking about. What does he mean?'

He's just using you! Tricking you! It's what he does! Don't fall into his trap!

'What if it's not a trap?'

"Dark?" but suddenly static cut into the line and the phone went dead, the screen having turned red.

'Why did that happen? Why- what?'

Dark blinked and suddenly he was in the void. He didn't bring himself there this time though. What was going on? Not even he knew the answer.

Dark hadn't felt this feeling in a long while but he remembered what it was. Fear.

A man stood before him. He looked far too familiar.

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Anti walked nonchalantly into the store. He didn't want to cause a scene so he acted as just another customer for the time being. He looked around casually at mundane things in the small aisles, watching as more and more customers vacated the building. He didn't want too many people around.

It had been a while since he 'robbed' anything but he knew what he was doing.

Out of sight, he pulled out the knife from in his pants under the hoodie and slid it quickly into his arm's sleeve out of view. He was good enough that the cameras didn't see him nor the mirrors. 

He smirked, his canines showing as he got ready to terrify the clerk.

A man was paying for something ahead in line so Anti waited his turn as to not seem suspicious. As soon as the man left, he'd strike. The adrenaline was pumping through him, exciting him. It was almost just as good as when he used to torture people. But honestly he couldn't stomach that anymore. He couldn't do that after leaving Dark's side. It just wasn't him anymore and he was fine with that.

Anti could feel his eyes starting to glow and he almost glitched in anticipation. He was ready to rough up the store clerk to fuck up his entire day. Maybe even shed just a little blood.

And at that thought, the blood lust rushed through him, making him twitch.

'Just one man wouldn't hurt, right? Just one person? Maybe two? But Sean will find out. . .W̵h̴o̷ ̷f̸o̷o̵k̷i̴n̷g̸ ̴c̸a̴r̵e̵s̶!̶?̴ ̸He wouldn't hurt me again, him and his guilt. I'll bring up Chase again and what he's done. I̴t̸'̵s̷ ̸j̸u̷s̸t̷ ̶o̴n̸e̵ ̶d̸e̶a̷t̸h̵.̸ ̷.̵ ̸.̴ ̶j̸u̶s̷t̶ ̵o̴n̸e̸.̵ ̷.̵ ̶.̸ ̵.̷j̸u̴s̴t̶ ̶a̷ ̶l̷i̴t̶t̶l̸e̶ ̴b̶l̷o̸o̶d̶.̶ ̴.̸ ̶.̷'̶ ̶

"Daddy, daddy!"

Anti was snapped out of it suddenly with a gasp.

A little girl popped out of nowhere from one of the aisles with a toy in hand, running over to show the man in front of Anti.

"What you got there, sweetie?" the man grinned with a laugh, "Don't you have enough of those back home?"

"But this one's different daddy! See!!? It's green! Like that man's hair!" she pointed at Anti, making him blush.

The man looked at Anti also with slight embarrassment, "Sorry sir" he chuckled and whispered to his daughter, "Don't point at strangers, sweetie, it's rude. Tell you what, go put it back and I'll get you-"

Anti stopped listening, regret washing over him in waves as the little girl moped to take the toy back. He wiped his hand over his face with a silent groan, 'How could I have thought about . . . . Fuck, I'm a goddamn monster'

He was about to just leave when he suddenly felt a chill down his spine. He looked over at the door as another man walked in the store. But something was wrong. The look in this man's eyes.

It was too much like Anti's was before.

The man suddenly raised a gun, pointing it at the store clerk, "Give me your fucking money!"

The father looked terrified and tried to run to get to his daughter, "Don't you fucking move, asshole!" the man pointed his gun at him instead.

Anti raised his hands defensively, observing the situation.

The clerk seemed terrified, "Sir, please! Please put the gun down? Please don't shoot"

"SHUT UP, BITCH!" He waved the gun at him again, "This thing's loaded! Give me the money! Now!"

"Daddy?" the little girl appeared from behind the aisle's corner again and the man pointed the gun at her, too, making the father cringe but he couldn't run to her in fear the man would shoot.

"No wait, please! Don't hurt my little girl!"

"Give me your money, too!" he kept the gun on the kid, "NOW! You too, asshole!" he practically snarled at Anti.

But Anti just glared at him, making the man even angrier, "I SAID, give me your fucking money!"

"Why s̷h̵o̸u̸l̷d̷ ̴I̵?̷"̸

"Do you want that little girl to die? Hand over your wallet or the little bitch dies!"

"No! Please! Please, no! Shoot me! Leave her out of this!" the father cried out and the little girl started to cry, too, clearly upset by everything that was suddenly happening, frozen and red in the face.

"Put the gun down" Anti growled at him but the man wouldn't listen. The clerk was almost done pulling out money and the father handed over his wallet but Anti stood his ground, angering the robber. He clicked off the safety, making Anti snarl.

"Don't make me shoot that little princess in the head, mister. Her death'll be on your hands"

"You shoot her and I'll rip your tongue out through your neck, shove it up your ass and watch the light leave your eyes as you b̴l̷e̶e̵d̴ ̸o̸u̶t̸ ̴a̵n̴d̷ ̶s̷l̷o̷w̴l̴y̶ ̵d̴i̸e̶" He let himself glitch and his eyes went pitch black in his anger.

The father flinched but didn't mind his words as much as the robber did. The man shuddered, "The fuck are you!? You fucking freak! The fuck's with your eyes!? Just give me your fucking wallet! I'll kill her! I will! I'll fucking kill them all and then you! You think I won't, monster?!"

"̵Y̶o̶u̷  ̷c̸a̸l̸l̸ ̸ M̸E̷  ̸t̴h̶e̷  ̸m̵o̸n̶s̴t̵e̴r̵?̵"̶ he giggled but the robber wasn't amused. Anti's fists sparked green and he lunged, seeing the man's finger touch the trigger. 

But he didn't lunge for him. He lunged for the little girl.

The father screeched in terror as the robber took the shot.

But Anti was faster. He glitched in front of the little girl quickly, taking the bullet with a sudden pained groan, falling to his knees.

The little girl cried but Anti stayed still and smiled at her kindly as to not freak her out, his eyes glowing green to not scare her, "Hey. . .you okay, kid?"

She sniffled, shaking from fear but cautiously nodded.

"Oh that's good!" he shuddered as the pain from the bullet jabbed at him, "You're so brave, aren't ya, lass?"

Sirens could be heard coming down the road and the robber, snapped out of his frozen state, tried to run but someone else got in his way before he could, holding a harsh grip on his shoulder so he couldn't run off.

The father ran to his little girl, sobbing, hugging her to him tightly and making sure she was okay. Anti smiled softly and held his abdomen, not even realizing the other presence yet.

The father nodded to him, "Thank you, sir! I don't know how you did it. . .but . . you saved my little girl! Thank you both so much" he cried.

Anti swallowed thickly. It wasn't only a few minutes ago that he was thinking of killing him and the clerk himself. He was lucky the little girl was around.

He'd never put a child in danger.

'Wait' Anti just caught something, 'Both?'

He turned his head to see Jackie smiling knowingly at him as the cops rushed in, "Don't thank me, sir. For once, I did nothing except prevent this man from running off. You owe all your thanks to him"

"Right. What's your name, sir!? Are you alright? You took that bullet . . . ."

"̵I̴'̶m̶ ̴f̸i̴n̷e̶.̵"̸ ̶

Suddenly feeling uncomfortable, Anti stood up albeit shakily and held his wound tight so no blood would be shown. He didn't want to freak out the little girl even more. He really was turning soft.

Anti glanced at Jackie, a little bit in shock, himself but he wouldn't look him in the eye right now, "I'm gonna go to Hen's" he mumbled.

Jackie nodded, "I'll see you there when I'm done. Try not to get into any more trouble, brat"

Before anything else could be said, Anti used up just enough energy to glitch out from view.

The store clerk gave a sigh of relief as the robber was handcuffed and taken off to the police car, "How was that guy? He looked familiar. He really saved our asses."

"Yeah, who was he, Jackieboyman? Do you know him?" the father asked as well, holding his daughter now in his arms.

Jackie just smiled proudly, not giving anything away, "I'm glad you all are safe. Sorry I couldn't make it in time but I'm glad a different hero came to your rescue. Hopefully you all are able to stay out of trouble from now on" he laughed and left with a grin.

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"WHO ARE YOU!? WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME!?" 

Dark yelled at the doppelganger before him surrounded in a blue aura. The man had a solemn expression on his face but also seemed angry. But not at him.

"You have to stop listening to her. Before it's too late" he said, his voice already fading, "Please. . .  it's not worth it. You don't understand"

Suddenly the blue man was whisked away in the black void just as another figure appeared. They were in red and stood behind Dark.

"Don't trust him"

Dark whipped around to see the woman glaring at him sternly, "It's just Actor playing tricks on you. Speaking of which. . .  you always do this. You always fall right into his traps! You're a damn fool!"

Dark twitched but couldn't look them in the eye, "I'm sorry. . . . I know what I have to do but. . . nothing bad has happened-"

The red woman slapped him across the face, sending him back a few steps, "This is just what he wants! He WANTS you to play his game and give in! You're just going to let him win!?"

Dark grit his teeth and shook. 

The woman sighed but spoke condescendingly, "Look, Dark it's okay. You don't want to kill him then fine. Let me take over and-"

"No!" He suddenly shouted at her and shook his head, "The last time I let you. . . at the party. And Anti and them. . . .You think I wanted that to happen!?"

"I did what was necessary!" she shouted, "Besides! What's it matter? No one got hurt anyways. If you had just let me take care of your little friend and go forth with the plan, then he would be DEAD by now!"

"I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE!"

Time seemed to stand still and Dark shook. Pain in his heart grew as he remembered their faces. That day. Their smiles turned to fear and horror. He didn't want that. 

"All I ever wanted. . . was to feel. . .. without myself loosing control. Without putting my. . .family. .  in danger. Why can't I have that?"

The woman in the red aura wrinkled her nose at him in disgust, "Because you're weak. You listen too much to your heart. . . .just like him. Perhaps I've been too soft on you. Maybe it's just time I take matters into my own hands"

Dark looked back at her in confusion, "Wh-what? No, but-"

"Tell him I said hi, will you?" 

Dark breathed in as she raised her hand with a smirk, "CELINE, WAI-"

With a flick, he was gone, leaving Celine to run the reigns in his body. 

Coming out of the void, she blinked in Dark's form. Looking about her surroundings, she dusted off his suit and ran her new hands down the wood of his desk. 

Reaching out for his cane, she twirled her finger around the end of the stone. She closed her eyes, taking in a deep breathe and when her eyes reopened, they were scarlet.

"It's my turn now"

Happy Holidays, everyone! :)

The plot thickens and we get closer to the full story every chapter! Anyone got any more theories?