Anthony first glitched them off to Marvin and Evan's and although the magicians were a little irritated about it, they went off to go grab Jackie, Henrik, Jameson and Chase in their respective universes.

Anti sat down in one of Marvin's couches he had gotten for himself. While Evan preferred firm furniture, the Septics preferred more soft and cushy furniture you could sink into. Anti nabbed one of Marvin's soft blankets and wrapped himself him in the couch.

Anthony rolled his eyes, "Comfy?"

Anti nodded, "Marvin has the best taste in this kind of stuff"

"I'm gonna tell Gab you said she had horrible tastes"

"NO, Don't!" Anti whined, "She's already pissed off with YOU! Don't get her mad at me, too!"

"Who's mad at who now? Tell me everything" Marvin returned with Henrik and Jameson. Marvin sat next to Anti and pulled him him for a side hug to cuddle.

Anti graciously accepted the affection, laying his head on his brother's shoulder.

But in the next moment, Evan almost appeared with Chase and Jackie. Chase immediately went to Anthony first and they bumped fists.

Anti felt a little sting at that.

'They've gotten a lot closer lately'

Was he jealous? It was GOOD that Anthony was close to them now, right?

But he couldn't help but feel a little angry. They were his first, after all.

Marvin could sense Anti's tension and hugged him a little tighter, "You okay? You seem rather . . . dependent today. You only grab that blanket on a bad day"

Anti situated himself in a more comfortable position on Marvin, "I'm fine. . . ."

Evan smiled, "I'm gonna go get some tea and coffee ready. Tell them what happened this morning, dear?"

"What happened?" Jameson asked.

"Well" Marvin sighed, "So about the wedding. . . we might have to cancel it for now"

"Vhat?! Vhy?!" Henrik yelled, "I already have zhe catering all set up, damn you!"

Marvin snapped his fingers and a letter popped in his hand, "Evan and I got this today. A letter from the Council of Magicians. We were wondering why they hadn't done anything yet for Evan and I's obvious dark magic usage. Now we know why. They planned a court hearing for the day of our wedding just to be douchebags"

"So don't go" Anthony snorted, "Easy. Want me to kill them all just like I did in your universe?"

"Not funny, Anthony" Marvin rolled his eyes.

"It's kind of funny!" Evan called from the kitchen, "Keep that idea in mind! Just no decapitation!"

"Anyway" Marvin sighed, not finding Evan funny, "We're being held accountable for our actions which could result in either our magic being put on lock for an extended period or . . . . death."

"Oh well at least they're reasonable" Jackie said sarcastically, rolling his eyes, "Death? Seriously? Do they not realize you helped save millions of universes fighting Anthony and THEN fighting Mark? Are they out of their mind?"

"Well to them, breaking a rule is still breaking a rule. And I have broken. . .. hundreds. Evan says I should count myself lucky they haven't sent an assassin to kill me when I first started to delve into dark magic with the OTHER Evan before you came into the picture, Anthony"

"As if they could have killed YOU" Chase snorted, "You're smarter and stronger than that"

"Thanks" Marvin smiled, "Either way, though .. . we're at an impasse until the court hearing next week. And I JUST picked out my wedding colors, too! Silver and Purple"

"I thought you told me you went with Gold and Purple?" Anthony asked.

Marvin shrugged, "No offense, honey but when I ran it by you and you said you liked the gold and purple, I realized your fashion sense was lacking and I should change it"

Anthony huffed and rolled his eyes, "Okay, then. Glad to know I was useful"

"Wait" Anti seemed confused, "The wedding was going to be next week? I thought you guys picked a later date again?"

"Shit, no one told you?" Was all that was said.

Anti felt a little hurt, ". . . . no"

"Hey, it's okay. Mix-ups happen. Besides, it's not gonna happen now anyway" Marvin tried to comfort him, "Are you sure you're doing okay, Anti? I could have sworn I told you"

". . .. I'm fine" Anti knew no one had, though.

Jameson sighed, "We all know you're not fine, Anti."

Anthony coughed, "He finally admitted he and Dark are together."

Everything got quiet.

Anti glared at him, "Seriously!? I never said I was gonna tell everyone all at once like that, Anthony!"

Anthony shrugged, "It's fine! You're making too big of a deal out of it! I told you already we all knew about it!"

Chase nodded, "We did"

"Yan told me you and Dark were together months ago" Jackie snickered, "Congrats, by the way. He's a nice guy"

Anti blushes, burying his face in Marvin's shoulder.

The magician was just as unrelenting with his teasing, though, "There WAS a bet for how long you guys have been having sex. So how long? I had dibs on Jameson's wedding night"

Anti leaned away from Marvin and instead favored the arm of the couch. Marvin just snorted with a smile and rubbed Anti's back to let him know they were just teasing him.

"He's good to you at least, right?" Henrik asked, "Not. . . overbearing? Clingy?"

"I already asked him if Dark was keeping him from us" Anthony explained, "He said no. That's why I suggested the get-together"

Chase nodded, "Ah. It's THAT kind of hang out, huh? We gotta remind Mr. Paranoid here again that we all love him?"

He didn't mean it in a harsh way but to Anti, it sounded a little coarse.

"I didn't wanna bother anyone . . ."

Jameson could sense the tension and decided to change the subject, "Anyway back to a little bit ago. Why is Gab angry with you, Anthony?"

Chase looked startled, "Gab? Angry with YOU? You guys are usually attached to the fucking hip when I see you two together. Like you're in your honeymoon phase CONSTANTLY"

"What's that?" Anthony shook his head, "Nevermind . . . I don't know . . she's just been so moody lately. About every little thing"

"Like what?" Jackie asked.

Anthony shrugged, "Weird things like me not taking out the trash or keeping an area clean or sometimes she'll cry over not having her favorite ice cream in the freezer anymore. She's been really clingy lately, too, which sort of puts a weird hang up in the . . . mood swings. I mean sometimes I DON'T want to cuddle, especially since she's been sick lately"

Henrik blinked and bit his lip, "Been. . . sick? . . Uh . .. Let me guess. . . is it usually in the morning?"

Anthony seemed surprised, "Uh yeah . . . yeah, it is, how'd you know that?"

Chase breathed in and looked up to the heavens, hoping Anthony wasn't REALLY that stupid.

But he was.

"Uh . . ." Chase started, "Have you noticed her belly getting a little bigger do you think?"

"I mean, she's been eating a lot more lately so I sort of expected that but I'm not NOT into that. I'd still fuck her even if she puts on a few pounds"

"Oh my fucking god" Marvin muttered.

Everyone but Anthony knew what was happening.

How did he seriously not know?

Anthony didn't sense the change in the air, "Her boobs have gotten a little bigger, too, I noticed. . . . . . but my god, the puking . . . I can handle blood . . .. but puke? I almost puked on her this morning when she ran to puke in the bathroom. That's why we were arguing and-"

"OH MY FUCKING GOD, ANTHONY!" Henrik yelled at him, "Gabriella is PREGNANT!!"

Silence.

.

.

.

.

.

Anthony squinted his eyes at the doctor, "Shut up. No, she's not"

Chase sighed, "Dude. . . .yes, she is. . . you've literally been describing pregnancy symptoms"

.

.

.

.

.

"Hey, congrats, man!" Marvin snapped his fingers and confetti fell on top of them.

Nobody moved a muscle.

Anthony looked like he was going into shock.

Anti didn't know WHAT to think.

But something in his heart burned.

Yet another brother that wouldn't have time for him anymore. . . .

"I'm . . ..uh . . .. " Anthony felt like he was going to faint. This wasn't happening.

"I'm gonna to be. . .. a . . .. a. . ." he couldn't finished the sentence, feeling a little dizzy.

Chase pat his back, "Hey easy, there man. It's gonna be okay. Parenthood isn't so bad. Besides, you LOVE kids!"

'So do I' Anti thought bitterly. It's like they were forgetting all about him and it was all about Anthony.

He knew why. It was fair.

He just didn't like it.

"But I never wanted kids of my own" Anthony rubbed at his forehead, "Fuck . . . that's why Gab has been so pissed. . . she knew I didn't want kids . . . she's afraid of how I'll react"

"How. . . ARE you going to react?" Henrik asked.

Anthony sighed heavily, ". . . . . I don't know. Maybe it's a good thing I left today. It'll give me time to think"

"Congratulations, regardless" Jameson said, "No matter all the thoughts in your head, remember, you'll be a fantastic father. We all know it"

"It's true, man" Chase pat his back, "Having your OWN kid . ... it's something special. I know you love your nieces and nephews but trust me. . . . once you have your own kid. . . you'll love them like you've never loved anything before. I'm excited to see the look in your eyes when you hold them for the first time"

"You're not going to tell Gab to get rid of the baby, right?" Jackie brought up the big question.

Anthony blinked and shook his head, "What? No, of course not! Even if I don't want kids right now . .. I'd never make her get rid of it. That's HER decision and hers alone . .. and I know she wanted kids. . . . . . anyway, let's change the subject again. Anti, you never answered Marvin's question. When did you and Dark-"

Before he could finish the question, Anti bolted up, throwing the blanket aside and started to glitch out, lightning snapping around him, "FUCKING DAMMIT, WILL YOU STOP WITH THE FUCKING QUESTIONS!? WHAT DARK AND I DO IS NOBODY'S FUCKING BUSINESS!"

Anti was breathing hard and shaking.

Everyone was startled at his sudden anger. Anti never got angry at them like this.

Anti looked around and saw a little fear in their eyes.

His whole body tensed, "I. . . .. I'm gonna to go to the bathroom"

With that, he took off out of the room, leaving the others to wonder what that was all about.

Did they go too far?

Evan came back out with the tea and coffee but seemed confused, "Uh . . . what was with all the yelling? Did I miss something?"

Anti slammed the bathroom door behind him, "Fuck!" he hit the counter with his fists.

He wasn't angry with THEM.

He was angry that he lost his temper like that.

'Why did I yell at them like that?'

He just felt so secluded lately. And it was all his fault. He knew it was. He never wanted to bother anyone. It was always his worst quality.

And he always ended up feeling horrible about it and missing out on things.

Anthony and the others have gotten along so wonderfully lately. . . .

It was like Anthony was replacing him.

He knew he shouldn't feel this way.

He knew it wasn't true.

But he couldn't stop this BURNING anger in his heart.

Suddenly, he felt something strange and wet on his shoulder.

In the mirror, he could see it on his shirt. It was green and slimy looking.

"What the. . . . .?" he went to touch it to wipe it off and he thought about where it came from.

He looked up at the ceiling where the bathroom vent was.

He wished he hadn't.

Suddenly another drop of the liquid fell down right into his EYE!

"UGH!" Anti shut his eyes and turned on the sink, "Ew! What the fuck!?" he tried to wash whatever it was out of his eye.

When he was done, he looked at himself in the mirror and couldn't see anything in his eye so he felt relieved. It didn't burn, either, so that was good.

'Whatever it was, it's gone now'

But the longer he stared at himself in the mirror. . . .

The more he didn't like what he saw.

Jealousy.

Fury.

Loneliness.

Anti swallowed, feeling . . . strange. Like he wasn't himself.

'They don't like you anymore. You're just a third wheel'

'That's not true.'

'You know it is. They love Anthony now more than you. You're nothing to them now'

'You're wrong. . . . they care about me'

'They care about their bets more than they care about your feelings.'

He couldn't say anything to that. It felt right. It was right.

Suddenly, Anti felt sick.

'You don't look so good. You should go home'

'I should go home' he agreed.

Anti went back downstairs to the living room where they all were waiting.

Anthony stood up, "Anti, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. We won't mention it again, I -"

"I need to go home" Anti stopped him, ". .. . I don't feel good"

Henrik stood up and walked up to him, "Vhat is wrong? Do you feel sick?"

"Do you need a potion?" Marvin asked him.

Anti let Henrik feel his forehead. Somehow, he didn't feel they needed an answer, "I. . . I just need to go home. I don't feel good"

"Wait, Anti-" Jackie tried to talk to him.

But it was too late and Anti teleported.

They all stared at each other.

Chase looked around, "We're gonna agree that was weird, right?"

"Yeah" Marvin nodded, "Yeah, that was weird."

"Maybe he was just upset about all the news?" Jameson suggested, "Perhaps he just needs a little time"

Anthony narrowed down his eyes, "He hadn't seen us all in three weeks. He HAD time away from all of us. Something's not right"

"I'll visit Dark's place tomorrow morning" Marvin contemplated, "Maybe he'll be better in the morning and we can just talk"

They all agreed. Perhaps that would be best.

Dark grabbed the shiv from Yancy, preventing him from giving it to Eric, "He doesn't need to know how to hurt someone! And you don't need that here, Yancy!"

Yancy rolled his eyes, "Hey, youse don't know that, you see? Anythings could happen"

Dark groaned, "Just please. . . stop trying to teach the egos about shivs? The last thing we need are egos attacking each other with sharpened toothbrushes."

Yancy from waved it off, "Eeeeehhhh"

"I'm sorry, Darkiplier, sir" Eric apologized to Dark, "It won't happen again"

Dark just pat his head, "Go find Yan, Eric. I think they were outside with King"

Just as Eric ran off, Wilford popped in front of Dark.

"William, we've talked about this" Dark blinked, "I almost walked right into you face first"

Normally Wilford would have had a joke about kissing. Dark knew he walked right into it.

But Wilford looked. . .serious.

"Oh yeah. . . sorry about that, Dark. Lookie, something's come up"

Dark crossed his arms, "How do you mean?"

Wilford stimmed his hands, waving them around a little, "I don't know . . . but something's wrong, Darkie. Something's very wrong. I can feel it. Can't you?"

Dark shook his head, "N-no. . .. I can't. Are you sure, William? You're not getting sick, are you?"

"No, dammit, Damien, something is WRONG!"

Dark knew Wilford only cursed and used that name when he was REALLY serious.

"Okay. . . okay. We'll figure it out, William"

Wilford seemed to calm a little at this but his face still looked full of worry, "It's here"

Dark shuddered at William's ominous warning, "What's here?"

William took a step back behind Dark just as someone opened the front door.

Anti returned to Dark's and made his way into the manor.

For some reason, he felt a LITTLE better now. Why did he leave so quickly again?

Whatever.

It didn't matter.

They had ANTHONY now.

He didn't really know where he was wanting to go in the manor but he found himself walking by Dark and Wilford.

Wilford muttered something to Dark.

Dark wasn't really listening, though, "Anti! Anti, you're back already? What's wrong? You don't look so good. Did something happen?"

Wilford grabbed Dark's shoulder, pulling him back, "That's it. . . . . it's him"

Dark looked confused, "William, it's just Anti. You KNOW Anti."

Anti stared back at Wilford. He looked worried.

'Why is Wilford worried?'

'He's afraid of you'

'Why would he be afraid of me? I'd never hurt him'

'He can hear all your thoughts. He doesn't understand you'

Wilford took another step back and tried to usher Dark with him but he wasn't having it.

"William, what's gotten INTO you, lately?" Dark shook his head to turned back to Anti, "Anti? What happened, sweetheart?" he touched Anti's shoulder.

"I don't feel so good. . . . . . I think I'm going to go home."

That was . . . an odd response to say the least, "Go . . home? I mean you practically live HERE anymore. Would you like to just go up to the bedroom and lie down for a while?"

Anti forced Dark's hand off of him, "It's your fucking fault anyway!"

Dark flinched at his sudden hostility, "What? What are you talking about, Anti?"

Anti's eye twitched and he rubbed at it, "You . . You fucking. . .. You fucking kept me away from them! Your fault! I. . .. I don't . . . .I don't feel good. .. around you"

"Anti. .. ." Dark didn't like where this was going, "Anti, just talk to me. You KNOW I've never kept you from your family. I always ENCOURAGE you to go see them! Why are you acting like this?"

"I need to go away for a bit" was all he said.

He just felt so CONFUSED.

Dark was confused, too, "Wait. . . Anti!" he grabbed his shoulder, stopping him from leaving, "Was it something I did? You can't just say stuff like that and go away. I need answers, here!"

"I don't need you . . .. I need. . . . to go home" Anti just felt an overwhelming urge. He NEEDED to get away from EVERYONE.

He needed. . . seclusion.

And Dark's heart-broken face wasn't helping.

"Anti, please, wait-"

But it was too late and Anti slapped his hand off of him and teleported.

Leaving behind a very confused and devastated Dark.

Wilford let out a breathe he didn't know he was holding, "Okay. . . it's gone for now." with that, Wilford pat Dark's back gently before running off.

'Why?' Dark just didn't understand what just happened, 'Why did he do that?'

Was it something he did? Everything seemed fine this morning.

'What happened with Anthony today?'

Anti was home.

He was alone.

His eye was bothering him.

'Why did I snap at Dark like that? He looked upset'

'He'll get over it. You need some time to yourself'

'I always feel so alone'

'You're not alone. You have me'

Anti shook his head, 'Wait. . . .' suddenly he finally realized something was really wrong and he ran to the bathroom.

He turned on the light and looked in the mirror.

He gasped, staring in horror.

His eye. . . . it was turning . . . green?

"What the fuck!? What was in that vent?!"

'I have to get back to the others. I need Marvin'

"YOU DON'T NEED ANYONE!!!"

Suddenly, Anti couldn't move his body. He felt powerless.

Green veins popped up on one side of his face with the green eye.

'What's. . . . . what's HAPPENING!?'

Anti watched as his mouth moved but he wasn't the one talking.

"You wanted answers . . . . You wanted to know where you came from. . . . dear Antisepticeye . . . ."

Anti stared back at the mirror, terrified.

The monster that took over his body smirked.

"You came from ME"