Dark suddenly disappeared from view and reappeared in front of Jackie, practically shoving him out of the way to get a closer look at Anti.

Jackie tried to gain back his position but Dark held his hand out to stop him, a force of power preventing the hero from intervening.

Anti's heart raced and he cowered before the man, terrified. It was obvious he held great power. Stronger than his indefinitely.

"You really don't remember anything?"

Anti blinked. He knew?

"N-no. Sorry"

It was Dark's turn to give a confused expression, raising his brows and leaning back, "Hm. I read your files. Google got them for me. The fire. Your Amnesia. You've been through the ringer, haven't you?"

Chase calmly walked up to them as to not antagonize Dark, "He has. He really doesn't remember anything, Dark"

"Fair enough." The man shrugged and let go of Jackie, allowing him to resume his position in front of Anti.

"What the fuck do you want!?" the hero was losing his patience. He couldn't just barge in like this and demand answers. Anti hadn't done anything to him.

"Answers" Of course. 

Dark turned and walked into the living room to take a seat in the couch, "All of it. I think I deserve that from Anti's little breaking and entering of my office. Otherwise. . . . well. I have other forceful methods of getting information"

Chase bit his lip and ushered the kids closer to Stacey, "Take them to the kitchen and stay there." he told her and without question, they left the room.

Wilford flopped next to Dark, putting his arm around his friend, "Well come on then, boys! Don't be shy! Take a seat!"

Host sat in a chair next to Dark and the other Septics slowly sat in empty places as well, Jackie placing Anti in between him and the others. Whatever Dark had up his sleeve, it was never good so they'd be sure to protect the glitch. He didn't deserve what Dark might be planning.

"Alright . . . .  so?" Dark's deep voice practically growled out, "Answers"

Anti didn't like the tension, glitching apprehensively and he burst out unable to contain himself, "There's another Septic ego that's after me and wants to kill everyone"

Dark blinked in surprise. Well, he certainly wasn't expecting that, "Have you notified Mr. McLoughlin?"

"No, and he won't need to know about it" Marvin spoke up, "We can handle the bastard"

"Bastard" Dark took note of how they spoke of this stranger, "I'm assuming that perhaps he is the reason for Anti's ailment?"

Henrik nodded, "Yes. We know he started the fire in Anti's apartment and concussed him against a table. It seemed he planned on leaving him to die. The firefighters found him and he was rushed to the hospital where I treated him"

They might as well tell Dark everything. He'd find out anyways.

"And why is he after Anti?"

"He uh" Anti looked away from Dark's coal gaze and tried remembering everything he could, "I think I . ..  used to work for him or something. Jackie took me to my apartment the other day but the man was waiting and kidnapped me. He  . . . said some creepy and bad things about wanting to kill everyone with my help. But I refused. He got mad and threw me in his basement in chains"

Dark almost had a look in his eyes of pity. He knew what it was to feel used and chained to something he had no control over.

"And then?"

The others let Anti tell the rest.

"I escaped. I didn't know I could go through power lines and stuff but I was desperate and found out. But I couldn't figure out how to get home. I made a few stops along the way that felt familiar. One being your office, I guess. Sorry"

"It's fine" Dark was being unusually polite and the others couldn't tell if it was genuine or not which was frightening, "But how did he overpower you? You all seem afraid and overly defensive about this whole situation. Surely even Jackie could take him down?"

"Wrong. The guy has magic." Jackie provided.

"Well shit! Looks like you lot are in quite the pickle!" Wilford shouted with a grin.

"He's strong." Anti nodded, "He healed my head wound to try and sway me but . . . I couldn't just give into him. I guess that's all I've done before and I'm tired of it. I won't be his 'puppet' again"

Dark and several others flinched at the word usage but no one commented on it.

"Magic, hm?" Dark sighed and leered his gaze only briefly onto Marvin as if thinking of something,"Are you not a magician yourself?"

Marvin blushed but carefully shook his head. Luckily being a professional manipulator himself, he was good at lying. And at least for now it was somewhat the truth, "Not really. Slight of hand stuff is more my thing"

"Ah" Dark nodded and narrowed his eyes, shifting his gaze back over to Anti, "Host, what do you say about this whole thing? You've been rather quiet"

"The Host does not know. Usually he would be able to tell the entire story of any and all situations but for some reason . . .he was blocked. It seems as if there is a shadow over the answers, leaving a mystery of who the strange Septic could be. I see, however, they are right. He is rather powerful. I see their reasons to be so afraid."

"Hm" Dark hummed again, staring back at Anti with a sigh. It seemed he was deep in thought and really, Dark didn't know what to do. He got his answers but it wasn't what he expected.

Anti was so reclusive and shy, completely the opposite of who he used to be. Or rather . . . was it really the mystery Septic all along? He didn't know what to think. He thought that maybe Anti had just been faking it all to get the Septic egos to trust him but that was clearly not true.

Dark could see him clearly. Right through him.

"Can . . . can you tell me about you? How you knew me?" Anti's question threw him off guard and at first, he was a little uncomfortable about it. Should he really explain to him their relationship? That they were enemies? But he knew the others most likely told Anti of the things he did to them, otherwise they wouldn't all be so close and trusting.

"I uh . . .  we were rivals. Although we never encountered each other often. Perhaps twice or so back in the day"

"Jackie says you're an evil manipulator who's only after his own selfish gain" Jackie wanted to die right there, "But I bet we could probably be friends!" Anti gave a small smile.

Dark was again floored by Anti. Surprised again and again.

But he couldn't just say no to him and he gave a small smirk, "I'd prefer the term frenemy for now if that's alright with you"

Wilford nudged Dark with his elbow with a sly grin and a wiggle of his eyebrow but Dark ignored him.

Anti gave a hopeful smile, "Okay"

"Now then" Dark coughed out, trying to hide his embarrassment, "What's our plan for this mystery Septic?"

Now it was everyone else's turn to be confused and Chase crossed his arms, "I'm sorry, what?"

Dark stood up and fixed his suit, "I said . . . what's the plan? You lot can't possibly go up against a magic being on your own. Obviously you need someone more powerful at your side"

"Oh hell no!" Jackie shot up, too, "There's no way in hell that I'd ever work together with you! You're just playing us! I know it!"

"Untrue. I merely want to help. If this man is successful in killing you then who's to say he won't try coming after me and my own as well? It makes sense to team up"

"I hate to admit it but he does have a point" Chase rubbed his neck.

"Are you kidding me!? You wanted this from the beginning, Chase! You don't get a say in it! You're just throwing it in my face!"

"I am not! I really think Dark could help!"

"Jameson, what do you think?"

The mute suddenly had all eyes on him and he blushed red, ' . . . . . . . . .  I agree with Dark?'

"Dammit!"

Anti reluctantly pat Jackie's shoulder, "Please calm down. I'm sure it won't be that bad."

"Yeah, it's not like we'll kill ya!" Wilford's words weren't helping. Especially when he put them in quotations.

"The Host agreed with Wilford and Dark. Putting a stop to this mystery Septic was the only thing that mattered at the moment"

"Yeah, come on, Red. I won't bite" Dark teased him and Jackie was about to go off again.

"Fook off and don't call me that. As far as I'm concerned, you're not to be trusted. The others may be fine with you for now but I'll be watching your every move"

"So I assume it's a truce then?" Dark gave him a teasing grin and the hero just glared at him.

Henrik sighed, "We do not have any other choice. Tis over-ruled as I see it. His help vould be very much appreciated and you know it, Jackie"

"Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you all"

Anti grinned, excited to have more people on the 'fight'. Until Dark spoke again, that is, "Wil. Host. You two may leave. Let the others know I won't be home again for a while. Host, you're in charge."

"Aw why aren't I in charge!?"

"The last time I put you in charge, Wil, you set all the curtains on fire and everyone's shoes were missing! Host is in charge!"

Wilford pouted but agreed to the demands.

"Wait, wait!" Chase waved his hands in protest, "You're staying here!? But we really don't have any extra rooms!"

"That's fine. I'll bunk with Anti"

"Oh no you won't!" Jackie was definitely putting his foot down at that.

"Who do you think could protect him the most when you all aren't around? Odds are this mystery man knows where you all live and if he so easily kidnapped Anti before in plain sight, who's to say he couldn't do it again while he's sleeping?"

But even Anti wasn't comfortable with Dark's suggestion, "I can glitch away again? And besides, he's waiting until I get my memories back for some reason. It's why he healed me"

Dark rolled his eyes, "Fine. I'll take the couch then"

Everyone let out a breath of relief. It seemed they finally had a sort of plan and another ally to help them through it. Although some of the Septics weren't happy it was Dark, it was better than nothing.

Kallie peered out from the kitchen, having heard some of the chatter, "Is that man Anti's boyfriend? That why he can't sleep over with him?"

Everyone went red and Chase ushered her back into the kitchen. The only one who seemed to find humor in the question was Wilford, who bust out in laughter at the implications.

"Oh shut up Wil! It's wasn't even that funny! Get out of here!" Dark crossed his arms, still just as red as everyone else, his aura not helping the situation, making him a tad redder.

Anti didn't understand the implications but knew what 'boyfriend' meant. He wasn't that innocent.

When Host and Wil finally took off, the others were a bit weary of Dark staying with them but was polite enough when Chase introduced him to his kids and ex-wife. There really wasn't any way to get around it but Stacey was getting apprehensive and pulled Chase aside to speak with him alone.

"You really think this is a good idea? Jackie's right. What if Dark changes his mind about helping? What if he changes sides to try and help the enemy?"

"That's the thing, Stace. Dark doesn't choose sides. But I do know that his family is important to him. Wil especially. Everyone knows the story about them. It'll be fine, Stace. Don't worry"

There was a sudden squeal and they looked back over to see both Kallie and Sammy hanging on Dark's cane with their hands. Dark held up the cane like a small monkey bar for them with a small smirk on his face. 

Chase sighed in relief, "It seemed the rumors were true. Celine's love for children passed down through Dark after all. See? Everything will be fine. He's not that bad"

Meanwhile, even though Anti was excited to have a new ally, he was raring to go back with Marvin to his room again. They had to start figuring out this magic stuff and the sooner the better. But with Dark around now, it might be a bit more difficult. What if he caught them and got the wrong idea?

But somehow seeing Dark playing with the kids didn't scare him like it should have. He's heard about the way Jackie's spoken about him and the things he supposedly did but seeing him like this, there was no way he could ever believe it.

Then again, a master manipulator could hide his emotions and thoughts pretty easily right? He said his intentions were to help them against the enemy. But who's to say Dark could be any different from the mystery Septic?

The Septic man growled in distaste. This wasn't a part of the plan. None of it was! 

He watched Host and Wilford leave the house and disappear, leaving Dark inside. 

They all were right about one thing. Having Dark on their side was a good move and he was pissed about it. The last time he had Anti go up against him, he was taken down immediately. Dark was obviously too strong for the glitch and he knew that Dark had powers of his own that would match against his.

Things were getting in the way of what he wanted . . . . . .  but he'd find a way around it.

He'd make sure of it. Then no one will be able to get in his way ever again. 

Antisepticeye was HIS.