Anti wasn't too sure what was going on after he woke up but everyone seemed a little more excited than before. Except for Dark.

Henrik 'fixed' him up some cereal as soon as he woke and they all either sat or stood around the dining room table, clearly knowing something he didn't.

It was anxiety-inducing.

"So uh . . . . what's going on? I miss something?" Anti asked, not liking the stares he was getting even if they weren't negative.

Sean practically bounced in his spot, "We're going out today!"

'To the mall!' Jameson signed.

Anti's heart stopped and he paled, "Uh . . . what?"

Henrik seemed to catch his hesitance, "Unless you do not vant to? In which that is perfectly fine"

"Yeah" Marvin joined in, "We just thought that since you haven't been out at all really since you've been here. . . . you could use some fun is all"

"I think we all could, honestly" Jackie snorted.

"Up to you, man." Chase reiterated. 

Anti swallowed and sunk a little lower in his seat at the tension in the air, everyone waiting on HIM to make a decision, "B-but what about Puppeteer?"

"Don't you worry about him" Sean winked, "He dares to show his face, I'll erase him on the spot. You can count on it, Anti."

Anti still felt unsure but looked over at Dark who was still sipping on coffee looking as bored as ever, "What do you think, Dark?"

The Iplier ego was surprised that Anti asked him but recovered gracefully, "It's your decision. Sean and I will be on the lookout for anything suspicious so you won't have to worry"

"But do you think it's a good idea?"

"I think it's very stupid." Dark deadpanned, "But they're right. It's very unlikely that you've been out anywhere to have any sort of fun since gaining a physical form. We're certain puppeteer has probably kept you hidden under his watch most of the time"

"So I've never. . . seen a mall before?" Anti honestly didn't know. He thought he knew what a mall might be but he wasn't sure. He instinctively knew what a lot of things were like hospitals, stores or casinos. But for some reason, a mall doesn't click in his mind.

Jackie shrugged, "Don't know. Probably not. You want to check one out?"

"What's it like?"

Sean grinned from ear to ear, "How about we all just go and you can find out?"

Anti still felt odd about the decision of going out but wasn't opposed to it, "Okay."

Everyone seemed to light up at the response despite their own hesitance and Sean clapped his hands, "Alright, it's settled then! Let's get ready!"

"Get ready?" but he didn't have any time to think, really, before Jameson grabbed his wrist, pulling him upstairs with Henrik and Marvin behind them, "You need good and clean clothes to go out in public. I am not sure you have any so you'll have to borrow one of ours."

'We can get you new clothes at the mall, too!' Jameson seemed excited about clothes shopping.

As they ran up the stairs, Dark finished his coffee with a roll of his eyes. He didn't love the prospect of going out and risking their lives for a little fun but like it or not, he knew Sean was right. Anti needed this.

He felt his lips curl into a small smile until Damien teased him in his head, "Shut up, Damien. Mind your own business"

"What?"

Dark looked up and Chase, Jackie and Sean were still in the kitchen with him, "Uh. . . nothing."

Sean caught on and gave a small reassuring smile, "Don't worry, Mark's told me all about it. You don't have to be embarrassed."

Dark snarled at him, "There's nothing to be embarrassed about. Fuck off, McLoughlin" he pushed himself off from leaning on the counter and trudged off to the living room to wait, ignoring the other's confusion.

It took a good half hour for everyone to get prepared before they all piled into Henrik's van, squished together like some clowns.

Anti was wearing one of Marvin's neon shirts and nice black jeans while Jameson lent him some nice cologne so he smelt proper for going out. Chase said they went overboard but laughed about it anyways, telling Anti he really did look nice, especially since Henrik was able to forcibly brush his hair.

Once they drove up to the large building and picked out a parking space, though, it was time for a collective agreement.

"Alright now everyone needs to stick together. If one of us ends up split up from the others, then we need to all have each other's phone numbers" Sean told them all, "And since you guys kept blocking me over the years, I need all of your numbers. Now"

They all grumbled but did as they were told except for Anti. He didn't have a phone.

"Anti will stick by me all the time anyways" Marvin threw his arm over the glitch, "If we run into trouble, I at least can take some magic from him and teleport us home."

"Good idea" Sean agreed, "And Dark, you said you'd be in the shadows in case Puppeteer tries anything from a distance?"

He merely nodded and Anti looked downcast, "You're not gonna join us?"

"Someone has to makes sure you idiots don't get yourselves hurt by this reckless adventure of yours. I'll be watching"

Anti pouted a little but didn't argue. He stopped listening to the group as they made plans and just stared out the window. The building seemed so large. Would they be able to cross through all of it? His curiosity was building as he wondered what sort of things would be inside.

He was shoved out of his thoughts when a hand nudged his back. Marvin, who was next to him, motioned for him to open the car door and they shuffled out, Dark already slinking away to watch them all from a distance.

As they neared the building, Anti craned his neck up at how high the building was. None of the other buildings in the area were so tall or large. As they all walked inside, Anti gaped seemed all the different stores inside from left to right. It was like a street with stores except inside in the cool AC. And then Anti noticed the second floor, "Whoa. What all's in this place? What are all these stores?"

Jackie pat his back, "The mall's got any store you could think of like clothing, candy and games. This mall's also got a movie theater, food court and an arcade-"

"What's an arcade?"

They all seemed dumbfounded at first but quickly recovered after thinking it over. Chase snorted, "Of course he wouldn't know"

"An arcade is a room filled with old-school and new-school games" Sean provided, "We can go there first if you want and then look at all the stores?"

Anti hated that he had to make the decision but nodded to show that he wanted to go.

"Alright!" Chase pumped his fists, "Dude, you're about to see the master in action. The trick-shot guru! Let's go!" he took Anti's hand and led them off towards the direction of the arcade. It seemed he knew where he was going so he let Chase drag him off with the others behind them. 

Anti took the chance to gawk around at all the other stores, mentally picking out which ones he wanted to stop by after the arcade.

After walking for what seemed like forever, they finally stopped in front of a large 'store' with a neon sign above the entrance reading 'Arcade'. Chase was about to rush in when he suddenly stopped, "Aw shit. Anyone got coins?"

Henrik sighed heavily and rolled his eyes but made his way in front of them to the greeter, handing them a wad of cash in exchange for quarters in which he divided them up between them all. Well. . . . except for him. Henrik was never really a gaming sort of person. He'll sit back and watch the others waste all the money.

Marvin handed Anti his share, "What game you want to play?"

Anti's senses were overwhelmed, though, and he could barely think. All the noise in the room was so loud and there were so many people, mainly kids, shouting and laughing. 

"It's okay!" Chase noticed how worked up he was getting and went to distract him, "Follow me to this one!"

Anti was led off to a large game that supplied foam balls and at the end were several circles inside one another, "All you do is throw the balls and try to get them in the holes. The smaller the circle you get it in, the higher your score. Here, I'll show you."

Chase put some coins in to get some balls and threw one, immediately nailing the smallest one scoring big. Anti stare in awe but Chase gave him a ball to throw. Blinking in confusion, he didn't really understand the point of the game but tried his best to throw it anyways.

"Hey, good throw! Fifty isn't too bad!" Chase shook his shoulder gently.

"But you got a hundred"

"Don't worry about it. Try again" he handed him the last ball and Anti threw it again, this time nailing a seventy-five. He bounced in place with a smile and Chase cheered him on. All of a sudden, a few tickets popped out of the machine and Chase took them, handing them to him, "Here. If you collect enough tickets with a high enough score, you can get a prize from over there" he pointed to the prize stand.

Suddenly, Anti understood the games and his eyes lit up in excitement. He wanted to win something. Running over to the prize stand to see what they had, Marvin and Chase were right behind him while the others split off to the other games. Really this place had everything. It was like an actual old-style arcade mixed with a Chuck E. Cheese or something similar.

Anti looked over the prizes until his eyes locked on a neon green lava lamp. Marvin chuckled, seeing his child-like wonder, "Want the lava lamp?"

Anti nodded and Chase seemed worried at first seeing the price, "Five thousand tickets. We only got fifty from that last game"

Anti suddenly realized the big difference and his smile faded, "Oh. Yeah, I guess you're right. We'd never be able to-"

"Hey I didn't say that!" Chase rolled up his sleeves, "We can do it for sure! We just might need to con Hen out of a little more money but it'll be worth it! Let's do some more trick-shots!"

Anti hummed and stared at the arcade machines, thinking. He vaguely remembered something he used to be able to do before losing his memory. Something with an ATM to make it pop out more money.

Maybe he could do the same to the arcade machines and make them spit out more tickets?

With the light-bulb lit in his head, he grinned and walked off to a machine with no one else around and put in a coin.

"Whoa there, Anti" Marvin followed him, "You know how to play that?"

"Of course he'd know how to play. Everyone knows how to play that" Chase snorted, "And even if he didn't, it's easy to figure out. It's an Atari game, after all. Go for it, Anti."

The machine read as Pac Man and at first Anti was struggling but read the movements quick enough. When he was close to getting caught, he concentrated hard and softly glitched himself.

Suddenly, the game was over, blaring colorful letters telling him he won and a bunch of tickets spewed out of the machine. Chase laughed, "Whoa! What is that, like three-hundred tickets? Way to go, man!"

Marvin crossed his arms, though, with a smirk, knowing what Anti did, "Might want to move on to another game, though, if you're gonna do that, Anti. Don't want anyone to get suspicious"

Chase caught on quickly, understanding what Marvin just said and what Anti actually did, "Aw, he's right." he grinned, though, ready to cause some trouble with them, "Good thinking, though. Let's find another game!"

As soon as Anti had glitched, Sean had felt it. He knew what was going on, though. He knew it was sort of a crime but let it slide, hearing his laughter throughout the arcade. He had never heard his genuine laughter before. It was so bright and lively.

Jackie, Jameson and Henrik felt the glitching in the air, too, but when they saw Chase and Marvin with him helping him scam the machines, they all just rolled their eyes and turned a blind eye.

Even Dark found amusement in their antics but stayed in the shadows, keeping a lookout for anything suspicious.

Once in a while, Anti would laugh sadistically like a murderer or something seeing the other kids gawk in envy at all his tickets or he'd have a wild look in his eyes when he glitched a game, but it wasn't too weird. Some of the Septics were a tad worried about Anti's mental stability getting drunk on power but put it aside, knowing he was just excited and happy for a change. It was new for him.

After a good hour, Anti walked out of the arcade holding his prize with a grin on his face, hugging it to his chest proudly.

"Man, I didn't know you could do that!" Chase was still laughing, "You guys should have seen the look on the guy's face when he handed him all those tickets! It was so good! Way to go, bro!" he swat his back affectionately and the others snickered. Anti's heart lifted when Chase called him that, squeezing the lamp box tighter.

Jackie groaned with a smile on his face, "It's technically a crime to scam like that but I'll let it go. You earned it, glitch"

Anti stuck his tongue out at him like a brat, "You're just jealous I won something and you couldn't beat that Street Fighter game!"

"Oh, you little-"

Henrik pushed Jackie back lightly from 'attacking' Anti and spoke up, "Hey don't you ruffle his hair! I spent too much time brushing it! Vhere should we go next? Do we need to drop off zhe lamp in the car?"

"How about Marvin teleports it to the van and we all go to the food court next to get some lunch? Going on noon already" Sean suggested.

"Are you sure it's a good idea for me to teleport right now?" Marvin asked, "I might need that energy for later"

"It'll be fine" Sean waved it off, "You'll come right back to Anti anyways, right? It shouldn't be a problem"

"I guess you're right"  taking Anti's lava lamp, he disappeared out of thin air.

Jackie breathed out loudly, "Man, I'll never get used to that. All this time, I thought Marv only did card tricks and fake magic stuff. Or I guess. . . that's what he made us 'remember'. Seems weird that he's an actual magician, you know?"

'I know what you mean' Jameson signed, 'Never thought Marvin could do such a thing as manipulate our memories like that. Makes me sad to think he couldn't trust us'

"It's not like that" Anti defended Marvin, "He was just scared is all. I think . . . I think I understand how he feels. And I know he regrets it."

"You knew what Jameson said!" Henrik pointed out, "You are remembering, aren't you?"

Anti blushed red, seeing them all staring at him in surprise, except for Jameson, but he nodded, "A little. It's nothing, though. Just instinctual" 

"Right" Henrik nodded in agreement although he was still unsure about that. They all knew Anti had been having nightmares more and more frequently and with these nightmares came memories of his past. He's just never came up yet to that one memory puppeteer wants. Whatever it was, Anti dreaded it. He didn't want to remember something that could drive him away from everyone. 

He shook his head, 'But it won't. I won't let it. Even if it's really bad, they care about me now. Everything's different. I just have to remember that'

Marvin reappeared next to them all, "So where we eating?"

Dark watched with a growling stomach as they all arrived to the food court but he refused to admit he was hungry. He had to keep watch in case something happened. He wouldn't be unguarded like before. He failed to protect Anti once already. He wouldn't let it happen again.

They all got different things at the food court like subs, burgers, Mexican or Chinese food but Anti wanted pizza, having found a love for the greasy cheese and multiple different toppings. Marvin went for pizza as well so they just ended up splitting a whole one. 

But Anti suddenly remembered Dark and felt bad.

"You think we should get him something? Dark, I mean?"

Marvin hummed, "I guess you're right. What you thinking?"

Anti just shrugged though, "I don't know. I don't know what he likes"

"Well everybody likes plain pepperoni pizza, right? How about we try that?"

Anti nodded and they ordered Dark some food as well along with a drink. When it was done, Marvin escorted Anti back to the others where they found a large booth and he teleported to Dark who was off in a corner by himself practically invisible to others. He flinched only slightly at Marvin's appearance next to him but rolled his eyes, "What do you want?"

"Anti wanted to get this for you. We thought you might be hungry. You sure you don't want to come sit with us?"

Dark shook his head but took the pizza, "I need to stand watch since you idiots aren't.  . . . . Thanks" he mumbled the last bit quietly but Marvin heard him.

"No problem" he teleported to the booth without anyone seeing him and they all munched on their food together happily. 

It was weird to Anti to be all scrunched together like this in a booth with all their favorite foods but they were all so happy, it was a good kind of weird. He never wanted to forget this moment.

After eating, they had to go shopping for clothes per doctor's and creator's orders. It was less exciting but Anti managed to get some clothes and accessories he liked. He felt bad that he couldn't pay for them himself and contemplated taking money from the ATM like he did for tickets at the arcade but thought better of it.

Jackie didn't like that he did that anyways. He'd probably be really upset if he took actual money. So instead, he let the others spoil him, buying the clothes and shoes for him that he needed along with some chokers and necklaces he liked.

Finally finished with all the shopping, Sean brought them all to a nice little ice cream shop for a treat where they sold Gelati.

"What's Gelati?" Anti asked a very good question and Jameson was excited to explain it. It was his favorite, after all.

'Gelati is where they have frozen custard on the bottom, Italian Ice in the middle and even more custard on the top! You can choose different flavors as well! Try it'

After careful consideration, Anti chose some Gelati with vanilla custard and cotton candy flavored ice. And finally, Dark actually caved in and joined them. Something none of them really knew was that he had a big sweet tooth and got a Gelati as well. Chocolate custard with cherry flavored ice. Anti was happy Dark joined them, letting loose a little to finally enjoy himself. But it WAS really weird to see Dark smiling whilst devouring the frozen treat.

When done, they finally made the trek back to Henrik's van, carrying all their shopping bags along with them.

When they got situated in the car, Sean smiled at seeing Anti's expression, "Did you have fun today?"

The glitch nodded, finishing his treat, "Can we go again sometime?"

They thought back to all the money they just spent and Chase coughed, "Yeah sure, man. Maybe just not right away though, you know?"

Anti nodded and looked out the window just as he had on their way there. All in all, it was a pretty good day.

It was the best day of his life, he was sure, and he wanted to really cherish it. He didn't know how many more he'd have.

On that somber thought, Anti stayed quiet the rest of the trip home. Dark and Marvin noticed Anti's sudden somber state but didn't say anything in front of everyone as to not make Anti uncomfortable. Besides, they were sure Anti was just reflecting and it wasn't anything bad. Dark actually wished he could have joined in the fun seeing as puppeteer was nowhere to be found. He felt like a fool hiding around but they couldn't be more careful.

When they got back to the Septic house, they unloaded everything and merely loafed around the rest of the day. Oddly enough, Anti found himself in the middle of a cuddle pile save for Dark of course who loathed physical contact.

'I wish every day could be like this' Anti thought to himself.

But it was a fool's wish. He could hope all he wanted but in the back of his mind, he knew all good things had to come to an end.

He knew Puppeteer was still most likely watching through Henrik's eyes or from something else. He'd always be watching and be ahead of them. They all knew that. It didn't deter him from spending him around the doctor but Anti knew that he was there. He knew that the man was seeing him happy and that creeped him out. 

Anti knew that the man could use this all as some sort of advantage for himself, seeing Anti so happy and the others care about him so much now. 

The only question was how would he hurt him next? When Anti finally remembered what he wanted him to . . . .  what would happen?

Anti no longer cared about the true identity of the man and he was sure the others thought the same. He just wished he would leave them all alone.

'But that won't happen' Anti cuddled into Jameson's chest, 'He wants us all dead. Why, I don't know but does it really matter anymore?'

Anti could feel his eye lids growing heavier as time slipped past. His breathing became deeper and the noise of the Television grew fainter.

Even still . . . . . today was good day with the others. The only time he's ever spent with them all and they were all happy. 

Anti felt truly loved like family for the first time in his life and no one could take that from him.

Not even that bastard puppeteer.