I made a speedpaint of Jackieboyman above. Please check it out? It's only five minutes! You may also like the video and subscribe to my channel if you want :)

"Why can't we just teleport there?" Chase was groaning for the millionth time.

Sean snorted at him, "Why can't we just do things the normal way every now and then? Come on, didn't you take some meds before getting on?"

"Forgot them at home" he shrugged, "God, I fooking hate flying"

The Septics and Sean were in the air in first class. They were flying first class because god be damned if Marvin was going to tolerate being squished in between strangers in this day and age.

Plus it helped with disguising since there wasn't that many other people in first class. Marvin could easily make it seem like they DIDN'T all look alike.

"Preaching to zhe fooking choir" Henrik mumbled with his sleeping mask on. He'd at least get some peace before they got to the manor.

"Come on, Chase." Jackie nudged him, "You're just still huffy because Anti's gonna be there"

"You guys better play nice" Sean warned them, "Unless he's an ass to you, don't go looking for a fight, please. Remember, we're going there to be professional and do a job filming with Mark. We're going to behave ourselves. Right?" he spoke to them like they were his children.

"Whatever"

"Why you always gotta be so pessimistic?" Sean flopped the front bill of his hat over his face but the father figure was not amused.

"You know why"

Jackie rolled his eyes.

"Why the fuck did you roll your eyes at me?" Chase narrowed his eyes at him, catching the action.

Jackie huffed, "'You know why'" he mocked him, "Geez, Chase. Two years. He could have changed. I mean look at us. We're all different from what we were two years ago. Even Sean. And it's not like Anti was created evil. He couldn't have been."

"Nope" Sean agreed, "I mean I don't REALLY know but I agree with the statement"

"Right. Maybe he's just always been a little shit and we did something to-?"

"You're saying it's OUR fault he tried to kill all of us?"

Jameson knew he shouldn't get himself involved in the argument but he felt he had to say something, 'Anti could have killed me that day but he didn't. Mind you, a possession isn't exactly comfortable but he didn't hurt me'

"Lucky you" Chase snorted.

"Guys, enough. Chase isn't gonna budge. He's gonna be Mr. Sour until all of this is over and that's that" Marvin checked his nail polish meticulously, "Best just let the two hash it out themselves"

"Marv" Sean warned him, "You lot will NOT hash anything out. Behave yourselves"

Chase grit his teeth and took out his phone to play a game on airplane mode, headphones in so he didn't have to talk to them anymore, "Tch. Whatever. This is all bullshite anyway"

Jackie hated seeing Chase like this but he had high hopes that things would work out. They always did, right? His brothers weren't too convinced.

"Shouldn't you be helping the others clean up the place? I bet your room is a fucking mess, Anti"

The glitch rolled his eyes, "As if I care. And I helped put up the dishes. Isn't that enough?"

"No."

"Pft. Why aren't you doing anything?"

Dark looked up from his work to glare at him, "Excuse you? I'm making sure things are in order. Schedules still have to be kept and-"

"Blah blah blah" Anti interrupted him, "I'm Darkiplier and I'm a boring sack of dust and papers and I'll die working BLAH"

Dark blinked with a sigh, "Are you quite finished?"

Anti stuck his tongue out at him.

"You're so childish sometimes. I don't know how I put up with you"

"I don't know either. What time are they coming here again?"

"They'll be arriving at four-o'clock tonight. A couple hours from now. Perfect timing to get settled in and have dinner if they're up to it"

Anti squinted at him and rocked his chair back slightly, "You better not fooking expect me to-"

"You can eat in your room tonight if you must"

"Thank fuck. Wait, why am I even- I wasn't ASKING! Fook off"

Dark snorted, "My house, my rules. Your subconscious just knows better"

Anti whined loudly but Dark didn't respond to it. A few minutes of silence later, Dark finally commented to him.

"You would have done it better, by the way. Just wanted to let you know"

"Hm?" Anti knew what he meant but he wanted him to elaborate to make sure.

"The ego video" Dark went on, " . . . . . Even if it was just a moment. . . your presence would have made it better"

" . . . . . . Thanks Dark." Anti smiled at him, "I mean usually you're shit at giving compliments but that was actually pretty good. You're getting better, dude!" he jokingly made fun of his friend.

Dark rolled his eyes but chuckled at him, "Will you go do a headcount for me? Make sure everyone is home in time for their arrival? I want everyone here so I only have to explain the rules once"

Anti hummed, "You just want me out of your office again. I know how you work, old man"

"I'm one year older than you. I'm not old"

"You talk like it" he got up an slowly trudged his way to the door, "But fine! I'll go do your bitch work like I always do!"

"You're so dramatic"

"Fuck off" he slammed the door behind him but Dark knew he didn't mean it.

Even though he was VERY worried about how things would go tonight, he smiled. He'd make sure his friend and family would be okay above all else. He knew Anti wouldn't cause trouble in his home if he could help it.

Anti wasn't organized. He couldn't care less about the work Dark asked him to do but that didn't mean he wouldn't do it. He never said he'd do a good job.

He lazily knocked on each door as he passed in the halls, "Headcount! Sound off!"

The other Ipliers were so used to his antics, they'd just reply, "Here!" some would sigh beforehand, though or answer the door to have a quick chat.

As far as he knew, everyone was home except for the Jims, Bim and Wil but they were at the office finishing up their show. He finally came up to the last bunch at the end of the hall on the upper floor where the younger egos stayed. Well . .. Eric and the ones from Heist. Derek , Eric's father, didn't live there anymore and they were all fine with that. He was an asshole anyways.

Anti knocked on Yancy's door first and the jailbird ego was quick to answer, "Yo hey there sparky! Sup?"

"Just doing Dark's headcount. He wants everyone here for when 'they' get here"

Yancy snorted, "Eh. I guess I'll come out. Not one fer crowds, you know, but I guess I can make an exception fer you. I'll be yer shadow, ya know?" he grinned dangerously.

"Yeah thanks but I think I can handle myself. I know the fucks. They wouldn't start a fight out of the gate. Not a physical one, at least"

"Ey, whateva ya say, sparks" he winked, crossing his arms, "Long as there ain't no funny business, we're cool"

"Cool" Anti nodded, "And stop calling me sparks, Yance. I'm aint' no dog!"

"Ya sure do bark like one"

Anti shoved him back in his room, ignoring Yancy's laugh as he shut the door.

"Fooking dick" he went to Captain Magnum's door next. He knocked but no one answered. He could hear heavy snoring on the other side, though, so he safely assumed the pirate ego was just napping.

Then he went to Illinois' door. Of course the suave explorer opened in a perfectly timely manner, "Oh. Hey there" he raised his brow at Anti expectantly.

The glitch didn't really understand him but liked him well enough, "Dark's doing a-"

"Headcount? Yes, I figured. Gotta hand it to that man, he sure is proper. Made in the wrong era"

"You're telling me." Anti huffed, "Spends more time in his office than he does outdoors. No wonder he's so fooking pale"

Illinois chuckled, leaning on the door frame, "You gonna be okay tonight, sweet stuff?"

And Anti suddenly realized why he didn't talk to Illinois more often, "Don't call me that. And yeah, I'm fine. I don't have to talk to them"

"Good way of thinking I guess but you can't run from them forever" he scratched at his scruff, "They'll be living here for at least a month probably. Gotta talk to some of them sometime"

"Betcha I don't" Anti was too stubborn for his own good sometimes.

Illinois chuckled again, "You do you, sweetheart. I'll see ya down there later. Get ya out of danger if need be"

"I told you not to call me-" before he could finish, the adventurer shut the door in his face, making him glitch out a tad.

Finally wandering off to the last door, he breathed out calmly and knocked softly, "Hey Eric. It's me, Anti."

He heard a crashing sound and muffled cries but that was pretty normal. Finally Eric opened the door a crack, peeking out, "Oh, h-hi Anti"

"Hey Eric. Dark wanted me to do a headcount. You gonna be down there tonight?"

He opened up the door all the way and gave a small smile, "O-of course! I w-wouldn't NOT be there."

"Kay. I just know you don't like crowds. You good on your medicine still?"

"Oh . . . my inhaler? Y-yeah . . .yeah it's fine. And uh. . . I'll b-be okay. Yan will be with me." he grinned knowingly, "E-even if they h-have eyes on their 's-senpai'"

Anti cracked a smile. He always liked Eric. He was always so sweet and chill. Perhaps he was getting soft with the kid hanging around him all the time. Why did he hang around him, again? He honestly didn't know but wasn't going to complain.

"Good. Good. Okay then well I'll just se-"

Suddenly there was knocking on the door downstairs and he tensed up, glitching.

"Uh Eric? W-what time is it?"

Eric pulled out his phone and gulped, "I uh. . . it's four, Anti"

He groaned, "Ah FUCK!"

Eric didn't flinch but he softly pat Anti's sparking shoulder, "It-it's okay Anti. . . I'll come d-down with you if you want?"

Biting the inside of his cheek, Anti heaved a big sigh. He didn't say anything but Eric knew. Together, they started to make their journey to the front door.

"Must have been doing the headcounts longer than I thought"

Eric smiled, "M-maybe it was Dark's plan all along. To d-distract you"

"I guess. Bastard. I'll get him back later."

They could start hearing the racket downstairs near the front door but suddenly Anti had cold feet and froze.

He could hear familiar voices, "On second thought . . . why don't you go on ahead, Eric? I think I hear Yan down there already"

Eric looked at Anti full of concern but he new better than to pry. Anti needed to boost and hype himself up. He was scared.

"O-okay. Mm. Just don't be too long, okay, Anti? E-everything will be okay. You have so m-many people here that . . that are on your side. Don't be scared, please"

Anti swallowed hard and nodded, "Thanks, Eric. I'll be fine. Won't be long"

Eric was reluctant on leaving him but went down anyways. He hid behind a hall when he heard the Heist egos coming from behind him. He didn't want them to try and force him down. He knew Captain Magnum would gladly hang him over his shoulder if need be.

He just needed to take a breather.

'I'm not ready for this, though' He shuddered, 'I'm not ready to see them again. The last time I saw them, I. . . .' he shook himself out of it.

'I deserved what I got. I know that. They kicked me out for a reason and I understand that. I'm learning how to control my anger and all that shit. But what if they. . .'

He didn't want any of them to bring it up. Pin all his flaws on the wall for everyone to see.

Everyone here cared about him for some reason and he didn't want to lose that.

He was starting to panic and he knew that but before he could go full-blown glitch and shut the power down in the whole manor, silence filled the house.

Anti opened his eyes and stopped shivering.

Everyone had gone quiet downstairs except for footsteps. He knew those heavy footsteps. So full of confidence and order.

Dark was going down to greet the Septics.

For some reason, that put Anti at ease.

He stopped panicking and his breathing calmed. Above everyone, he could always count on Dark. He chose to keep thinking on that. He knew Dark wouldn't let them hurt him in any way.

Dark was his best friend. He'd be there for him through thick and thin.

Straightening up, Anti stopped glitching and turned back towards the steps. He pepped himself up and just started walking. He wouldn't look like some scared child.

Mark and Amy had been the ones to pick up Sean and all of his egos from the airport. They got their bags, made small talk and carefree jokes to lighten the sour mood that hung in the air.

Chase's to be exact. Everyone else was just fine with what was happening but the single father still wasn't up for it.

When they all got in the car, Mark noticed the odd atmosphere and put two and two together, "Dark's super excited to have everyone at the manor. Told me he was getting everyone ready."

Sean chuckled, "Oh god. Everyone? I can never get used to how many egos you fooking have"

"Yeah, I'm a dumbass but a responsible one." Mark remarked, "Or at least I have an ego that does that for me. Dark's even gonna have Anti on his best behavior, I'm told"

"Tch" Chase snorted, "As if his 'best behavior' is anything special"

Mark looked confused but Marvin spoke up, "Some of us have our doubts on Anti. Not looking forward to . . .. seeing him again"

"Oh" Mark said, "Well he seems fine to me. Nice guy, actually, I'd say"

Jackie grinned, "Really?! You sure you're talking about Anti?"

Amy giggled, "He can be . . . . stubborn and whiny but he's not too bad. At least from what I've seen."

"Everyone there loves him" Mark smiled, "I'm convinced he was supposed to be an Iplier, really. Fits right in"

"You can keep him" Chase growled.

Once they stopped at a stoplight, Mark turned to face Chase, "We aren't going to have a problem, are we?"

Everyone felt the warning in Mark's voice but Chase wasn't having it, "Of course not. I don't plan on starting trouble but if he-"

"Anti is under my protection. And ALL of the Iplier ego's." Mark told him, "Any of you lay a hand on him, you're gone. I don't care what you think about him or what you say he's done. He's more than proved himself. That clear?"

Even Sean was surprised at Mark's threat and looked shameful even if he was the one to tell them to give him the chance. It was clear Mark wasn't going to take any bullshit from them. Anti really was family to the Ipliers. . . .. And that sort of burned him.

Chase didn't know what to make of Mark's threat but nodded in submission as did the others. They didn't know exactly what they were walking into now but they'd best be careful where they step.

Soon enough, they finally reached the manor and Sean laughed, "Has it gotten bigger since the last time I saw it!?"

"Yeah" Mark laughed as well, "Dark does this thing with the void that whenever a new ego is made, the manor makes a new room for them. He's added in a shooting range in the back yard, too. Chase, you'd probably like that"

Having not forgotten the death threat from just a few moments ago, Chase could only hum in acknowledgment.

They broke out of the vehicle and got their bags out, filing up to the door. Mark gave the door a hefty knock that could probably be heard all throughout the house.

There was quick and heavy steps rushing up and they all stepped back a tad when Yan was the first to answer, fire in their eyes, "HI!"

Mark snorted, "Hey Yan. Wanna help us in?"

"Of course!" Yandere clearly wanted to impress someone and helped them all with the door and bringing things inside. Soon enough, though, more people started to rush down and into the entrance. It got louder and louder and the group had completely forgotten about the tense mood from before, talking to old friends and catching up.

Wilford wanted to shoot his gun in the air in celebration but Yan was quick to stop him, not wanting to be embarrassed. Henrik and Dr. Iplier conversed as well as Chase and Bing. Marvin and Host had always gotten along good as well as Jameson and Wilford and Jackie and Yan. More egos joined the group such as Google, King, Bim, the Jims, Eric, Illinois, Yancy and Magnum.

Everyone was perfectly content and happy chatting and catching up with small talk. Completely forgetting about two other egos that resided in the house.

Until they heard his footsteps come down the stairs.

Everyone went quiet.

They all looked up to the stairs respectively to see Dark making his way down. It was really demeaning to see him slowly making his way down to them, really. The Septic egos and Sean had the sense to pale at his dominating aura as it filled the room.

He clearly was the strongest there. A true leader.

He made his way down, his cane in hand, stepping it in front of him, "Hello there" his voice was deep but not dissimilar to Mark's.

Mark and Amy broke away to come greet him, Mark even daring to hug him! Dark rolled his eyes at the 'audacity' of close contact but gave a small smile anyways. He nodded politely to Amy and Sean.

"Now then. . . .now that MOST everyone is here. . . . I want to clearly state that there will be NO misdemeanor in this house." his voice practically boomed, "If I hear of anyone making someone uncomfortable, hurting them psychically or emotionally, I will not hesitate in kicking you out. Do I make myself clear. . . Septics?"

The Septic egos visible gulped but cohesively nodded in understanding.

"Good. You do not live here. You will follow MY rules. Behave properly without animosity and there will be no problem"

Dark then grunted and turned to look up the stairs with a sly smirk, "It's about time you came down here, Anti. I was beginning to think you had locked yourself away!"

Anti looked visibly shaken still but snorted at him, "Fook off. You and your damn headcount bullshite"

And then Anti and Sean locked eyes.

Then him and the rest of the Septics locked eyes.

He suddenly wanted to run back upstairs to his room and hibernate until they all left.

(It's my birthday today :D)