Check out my new speedpaint above. I also have a new animation coming out tomorrow with Wilford Warfstache so stay tuned and subscribe! Please? lol

Actor felt the presence of the demon outside of the house and knew then that Anti and the others were in the backyard.

The magician had led him back into his room and cuffed him to the bed while he played around on his phone until Google arrived.

At first, he had to admit he was a bit worried the demon would kill him off immediately when seeing him for trying to get in its way. But he realized that it was a good thing Marvin was there. That was his plan, after all. The demon didn't want to be exorcised again and with the magician around, the demon's plans were halted.

He just had to figure out how to keep Marvin around Anti. Maybe if they found out on their own, they'd be able to do something about it without him intervening at all! Kill the demon? Sure, go for it! As long as he, himself, didn't get in the way, he should be golden.

He just hoped nothing bad would happen again like that night. He already lost too many people that night. Celine, Damien, Wilford, the Detective, the District Attorney . . . . the others were still around but the DA. . .  the demon literally destroyed them, turning them into a husk for Dark.

In a way, he still loathed Darkiplier but he knew internally that it wasn't HIS fault. The demon just had a sick sense of humor. 

And he missed his friends. The way he was now . . . he knew he could never rekindle any friendship. He was just glad they were half-assed alright. Not that he'd ever say that to their faces.

'What would it all matter anyways, though?' he thought to himself, 'The demon will do as it pleases. If it actually fears the magician at the moment then good. That gives us a little time at least. Time for what? I don't know. Who even am I any more?'

Anti didn't understand. He was just thinking about killing all of these people. And yet here he was now, with a gun in his hand NOT shooting Wil or Chase.

He didn't really want to though, did he?

He had a headache.

This thoughts were confusing him. He couldn't differentiate his feelings.

No, he cared for them all, didn't he? Why would he ever think about hurting any of them? 

Except maybe a Septic ego.

'No, we made up, didn't we? We're forgiving each other?'

'Do you really think they forgive you for everything you've done? They're just trying to play nice in front of everyone else. They still hate you'

He was reminded of what Dark said in Dr. Iplier's office. He said then that he had a bad feeling about Chase in particular just up and 'forgiving' him. Wanting to be friends all of a sudden after he nearly killed him.

Anti then thought about Dark. How he constantly used him to take care of his problems like Actor or any other scuffle between the Ipliers.

But Dark was always there for him, wasn't he? He saved his life on multiple occasions. 

Anti sighed and went to sit at the bench.

Wilford seemed to notice his strange behavior again and popped in at his side, "How ya doing now, scout? Better than earlier?"

Anti just stared up at him, "Am I crazy, Wil? Am I a bad person?"

Wilford huffed, "Now I don't know why you'd go and ask that sort of thing. You may be a tad wonky like me but of course you're not a bad person! You're a SWELL fella!"

Anti didn't know why he asked Wilford of all people but he felt like in this moment, he understood him the most.

Wilford meanwhile had been watching Anti the whole time. It was hard to forget a fight like that and Anti had never charged at him before. Whatever was going on in his head was important but he'd try his best to help his friends.

"You wanna blow some bubbles with me!?"

Anti just stared at him but it wasn't an abnormal question.

It was an hour later that Mark and Sean arrived at the mansion. By that time, it was Google looking after Actor and Marvin was hanging out with the others much to Actor's relief.

Was it relief?

He could hear Sean and Mark talking amongst themselves as they were nearing the room.

"I feel so fooking bad for Anti. Did you see him outside?"

"Yeah" Mark sighed, "Looked like a kicked puppy blowing those bubbles but at least he has friends to help him through"

"I guess"

Google looked over to the door  and opened it just as they were about to knock, "Greetings." he merely said.

"Oh hey, Googs" Mark grinned, "Any trouble today so far?"

"None besides his incessant bitching. I wanted to crush his skull with a hammer but Marvin said that that would kill him."

The two human paled and Mark laughed lightly, "UH . . . Y-yeah, buddy. That would usually happen."

"Hm"

Mark walked the rest of the way in and came up by Actor's bed, "So I hear you're being a shithead"

"Shouldn't come as a surprise to you. Plus I AM handcuffed to a bed and only allowed out to piss."

"Well we can't take any chances unless the demon comes back to join with you. Sorry"

"And whose fault is that?" Actor quipped with a snort, "If it wasn't for you then the demon wouldn't be a problem. Your deal fucked everyone over but as long as you're happy I guess"

Mark snarled at him, "You keep your mouth shut, Actor!"

Google raised a brow, "I would like to know about this deal he speaks of. It doesn't seem to be in my databanks"

Mark shook his head, "It's nothing. Don't worry about it, Google. And Actor, don't you dare tell a SOUL. That knowledge practically might as well be labeled as classified."

"Oh you mean not everyone knows?" Actor was just being a little shit now, "Well isn't that just a shame? Makes sense, though I suppose. Protects you and Sean, doesn't it? Now if only there was something you could do to prevent me from talking about it. Because we both know you won't just . . .  get rid of me yourself"

Sean looked equally as upset but more worried if anything. Mark just looked livid but tried to calm down as to not alery Google. Although the android wasn't stupid. He knew something was amis here.

Seeing Actor's stubborn smirk, Mark finally gave in, "What do you want, Actor?"

Knowing he got his way, the man just grinned devilishly, "I want to be able to walk around. Maybe go outside and enjoy some fresh air. Stretch my legs. That isn't too much to ask, is it? Besides, your little magician can take safety measures, correct? These cuffs are already giving me a rash"

Mark wanted to refuse point blank but honestly. . . . he had some leverage on him.

"Just do it, Mark" Sean sighed, "Marvin can do a spell or something. And Jackie could probably take him down, too. Not to mention Anti."

"Not exactly what I'm worried about. But fine, Actor. You get your wish. Remove the cuffs, Google"

Google was uncertain and weighing his options but rolled his eyes and did as his creator asked of him.

Actor hopped up from the bed, rolling his wrists with a wide smile but then noticed Mark smirking a bit, too, "What are you so smug about?"

Mark snorted, "Oh nothing. Just realized that there's gonna be a lot of Ipliers looking for any excuse to kill you. You could have been a lot safer stuck in here, Actor. Oh well. Your choice. Let's go get Marvin, hm?"

Actor, of course, knew about that problem but he was doing this for a reason. 

Not that he'd tell them that, though.

This way, he could keep a better eye on Anti and manipulate some strings to go his way if need be. If Anti started to act strange, he could alert the magician in some way.

Yes that was the plan. It was a good plan. . . . . right?

Meanwhile, Amy and Ethan were outside trying to cheer Anti up, blowing bubbles with him and Wilford. But it wasn't really working. He just let Amy's bubbles land on his face with a dull expression. It was really disheartening.

"Ah chin up, bud" Ethan tried, "Even Spencer's sad for ya"

The small dog scratched lightly at Anti's knee for attention. Anti just sighed and lightly pet him but it wasn't really for him. He knew the puppy and his friends appreciated him trying.

He just . . . . wasn't feeling the best.

And he felt tired after what happened this morning.

So freaking tired. Like something was weighing on him.

He assumed it was because of Dark's absence of everytime he thought of Dark now, he just felt bitterness. Cold. And he didn't know why. 

Just barely he heard Amy trying to talk to him but he couldn't be bothered to listen to either of them anymore. He didn't feel like himself.

That night, Actor was introduced in the dining room. Let's just say no one was really taking it well. Especially Wilford. The man, normally happy and calm about everything, glared at Actor, wanting nothing more than to drive his knife into his skull.

But Mark wouldn't let him.

Everyone expected Anti to argue with his usual colorful language but that was an odd moment as well. He just. . . .stared at Actor. Not saying a word.

When everyone was finally somewhat quiet and no longer arguing, Mark finally brought up a long-awaited question, "Since you can't get Dark without the demon, Actor and we have no way as of yet to get to him . . how long does Dark have, do you think?"

Everyone was on edge. Yandere had a few throwing stars in their hand playing with them like figet spinners and Yancy edged his hand towards his pocket for his shiv.

Not that they could do anything with Mark there.

"I don't know, honestly. Really, I figured he'd be wasted away by now" Actor picked at his food, unwavering of all the eyes on him, "He's tough, I'll give him that. .  .  ." he sighed, "From now though . . .. I'd say a few more days. Maybe a week."

Everyone was silent and still.

"There's gotta be something we can do" Sean glanced over to Wilford, "Maybe Marvin could help Wilford get to Dark? Like a collaborative effort?"

"Wil's ability to teleport through the void is random. No one would be able to just control it. The demon is the only thing that can, really and none of us want it around" Actor droned.

"Vhat if I built something that could-"

"Absolutely not, Hen" Sean stopped him right there, "This is no time for experiments that could get any of us killed"

"Maybe I could try and find a spell?" Marvin suggested, "Normally I'd refrain but perhaps black magic could-"

"No" Chase was the one who said it this time, "Not after what happened to you last time. Took weeks for you to heal and left scars behind."

"Those were for battle magic, though" Marvin argued, "And against Anti! Maybe there's something less-"

"NO" Sean's voice boomed over them, "Let's think of another way."

"Perhaps Anti could be the answer" Actor looked over at the glitch.

Anti gulped as everyone stared at him. Thinking over what Actor could mean.

"Anti can't travel in the void" Mark stated, "Dark said so himself. It's not safe. It drains anyone else's power too quickly"

"Ah but he's done it before, has he not?" Actor smirked, "I recall one time when Anti and Dark weren't on good terms and he tried to fight Darkiplier in the void"

"And he failed" Jackie didn't want to sound so mean but it was to protect him from this stupid 'plan', "The void took a lot out of him as well. He's lucky Dark pushed him out"

Anti knew the real reason, though and didn't want to tell anyone. Yes, the void would drain his power exponentially but also. . . .it was terrifying in there. It was literally the demon's domain. He didn't know how Dark and Wil were a part of it at all. After being there for such a short amount of time to 'attack' Dark long ago, he never wanted to go back. He was lucky Dark took pity on him.

It was so dark and vast. So cold and lonely. You could hear and feel every mistake you've ever made and the guilt would wash over you a hundred-fold. He'd never be able to take it. It was no wonder Wilford was insane because of it.

"-ti. . . Anti!"

He was suddenly jolted out of his thoughts by Mark. Everyone was looking at him again.

"Hey. You zoned out there, bud. I was trying to ask you where you put Dark's cane? Thought you'd have it with you" he put on a light smile.

Anti felt that bitterness again, though and shook his head, "I. . . . I don't want to carry it around as if it's mine. I'm . . . keeping it safe."

Mark nodded, "Fair enough." he wanted to say more but could tell Anti wasn't in a talking mood.

"Anyways" Mark carried on, "So I had Marvin put a protection charm on Actor for now so none of you could kill him but the demon could still come back to hi-"

'BANG!'

"JESUS FUCKING CHRIST! WILFORD WARFSTACHE!" 

The man just shrugged, getting a good feeling from Actor's pale face, "What?~ I was just checking the charm. That's all~" he smirked.

Actor gulped but didn't say anything.

Mark just sighed into his hand and the others looked disgruntled.

"No more weapons at the table! That goes for all of you!"

There was suddenly a collective groan from everyone except for the obvious more innocent egos.

After dinner, Mark, Sean and Amy were driving back to Mark's place while Ethan had driven home himself earlier.

"You think Actor will really tell anyone?" Sean asked.

"Nah. I don't think so. He gave his word"

"Since when does his word mean anything?" Amy was unusually crude about it, "I mean . . .I guess I didn't know him back then. Not like you do"

Mark shook his head, "It's fine." he sighed, "It's just. . . . I didn't expect things would turn out like this, you know? I don't know what to think"

"I know what you mean. That deal was both the best and the worst thing that's ever happened to me" Sean chuckled, "I don't know if you feel the same, though"

Mark shrugged, "Honestly, I don't know anymore. Sometimes, I think about it and know that everything would have been so much better if it didn't happen. But then I never would have met such great people. This fucking 'gift' . . . . sometimes I wish I could just give it back"

Sean hummed, "Same. But then again, I didn't make the deal. You did. I was just dragged into it. Just happened to be there, I guess"

"Sorry"

"It's fine.. . . . . . They're family. Wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for them"

Mark swallowed but felt somewhat more at ease as Amy took his other hand and held it soothingly.

He smiled softly, "Me too. That's why all of this hurts so much"