{A/N: Hello everybody! God, I can't even begin to describe how nervous I was when I posted that last update! I hope you'll tell me if it's rushed or if something isn't grammatically correct, I'd love the feedback and I can ALWAYS improve my writing! Well I don't wanna take up your time (if you're even reading this) because I know you're here for the story! So I hope you enjoy this update! Thank you all and I'll see you in the next update! Author-chan out!~<3 peace! ✌︎('ω'✌︎ )    }

(Y/N)'S POV:

Mark had left the base and I was currently sitting on a stool at his kitchen counter. I watched silently as Jack rummaged through his cabinets. The atmosphere around us was incredibly awkward. I nervously played with my hair as he pulled out a cooked peeper and a water bottle.

"Well, Mark sure is a lot more organised here than he was on Earth!" Jack chuckled a bit and seemed to be trying to break the tension. He had on one of Mark's white t-shirts, I'd made him put one on shortly after Mark left.

I wanted absolutely nothing to do with him.

But... no matter how much I disliked Jack... I knew it'd disappoint Mark if I wasn't at least hospitable towards him. He really was hoping we'd become friends.

I put on a smile and lightly giggle, pretending to be amused by what he said. "Haha.. yeah.. um so.. what was Mark like? Y'know... back on your planet?" He smiled at me, I could tell he was just as uncomfortable as I was, but kindly responded with a small chuckle. "Ahh.. well.. he's pretty much the same. Cheerful, and kind, and always looking out for others, he made the best out of whatever situation he was in... the only difference has to be his housekeeping skills!" He laughed and again I lightly giggle. "Well.. that and how he acts around women I guess. He's a lot more.. nervous now, and a bit more uh... protective... I suppose." I looked at him, slightly tilting my head in confusion. Mark never seems like he's nervous to me....
Nor does he feel like he's protecting me, I mean he looks out for me. And he was there for me when I grew my legs last night.

The deafening silence hung heavily in the air between us. "Would you like me to get you something to eat?" He asked, again trying to keep up the conversation. "No thanks." " Ah.. ok." He sat down in the seat across from me. I winced on the inside, kinda feeling bad for shutting him down like that.

He was slowly eating, I looked out the window at the aquatic world outside. Well, Jack could clearly see I wanted him to leave me alone, but he had lots of determination to become friends. (Undertale? Anybody? Ok .... *shuffles back to my corner*)

He smiled at me from across the counter. "So what's it like being a mermaid? Had you ever seen humans before the Aurora crashed here?" I sharply looked at him, he flinched a bit in response. Maybe I was looking at him too harshly?

I sighed and softened my intense (e/c) gaze. "I don't know how to describe it.... Umm I guess it's alright, I can swim really fast and I don't need to come up for air so..." He snorted as I shrugged. "Well that's cool! But being a human is alright too y'know! We can always count on each other when things get rough."

"Humph, that must be nice... um in response to your other question... yeah. I've seen humans before, but they're all gone now." He looked surprised. "What happened to them?!" Oh shit, I couldn't tell him what I did. I mean how would he take it? And what if he told Mark?!

I put on the best confused face I could manage to fake. "I... I don't really know. They were here one day, they stayed for a couple months. But I began to see less and less of them as time carried on. Eventually, I stopped seeing them completely." There, it's not technically a lie considering that there were some who died without my help. But.. it's not the whole truth either.

He looked a little sad but he still maintained a happy aura about himself. "Well, that's sad. Ok so where's your family? Surely your not all-!" "I don't have a family anymore."

And just like that we were back to square one. "Oh. I'm.. I'm really sorry to hear that." I cocked an eyebrow and sighed, turning to look back out the window. 

"Y'know, you can always count on me and Mark to comfort you. I know we're not the same as your family but... we will try to be there for you." I suppose I should at least give him credit for trying to be nice. "Thanks. That means a lot, Jack."

I turned and smiled at him. It wasn't entirely fake, but it wasn't a real smile either. He smiled back at me. I guess he's not so bad.

We spent a few hours together and got to know each other a little bit. Well... more or less. I learned that Jack was a "YouTuber" like Mark. Apparently both of them are well known on their home planet because of their YouTube careers.

Jack was really sweet and outgoing, he told me all about his personality and what earth was like. I told him a bit about my personality too, not much but just enough to keep up a conversation. He knows I don't have a family anymore and that I've got magic. Seriously, I kinda regretted telling him about it because he kept asking me to do things like making it snow inside the base, creating things out of ice, or making fire that he could touch.

Despite being a little childish at times, he was actually pretty funny and charming.

We were currently sitting in the living room section of the base. The room was shaped exactly like Mark's bedroom was. Two walls that were directly across from each other connected to the rest of the base, you could see down their hallways a bit. All the other walls had windows that looked out at the aquatic plants and animals that lived in the area. There was a bench in the middle of the room, and several large tanks and planters lined the walls, each one filled with a variety of plant and animal life.

I'd allowed Jack to help me walk down the hallways to the room. His hands were warm, strong, and gentle, much like Mark's. But they weren't nearly as comforting.

We were sitting on the bench together and were continuing our conversation about what YouTube was and what all he's been able to do because of his fans.

I noticed he had a bright smile on the majority of the time we were talking, his light blue eyes sparkled with joy. I thought it strange for a man to have so much joy even though he was suddenly taken from his home and stranded on an entirely different planet.

"How are you so happy?" I interrupted his story about what happened at some convention he went to with my question. He deadpaned before giving me a confused chuckle. "What do you mean? Why shouldn't I be happy?" He awkwardly smiles at me as a confused look creeps it's way onto his face.

"Well, I mean, you might never get to go home. You might never see your family, or friends, or any of your fans ever again. You're on an entirely different planet that you know nothing about, with no way to get back, and only two other people to talk to. Doesn't that scare you?" His shoulders slightly slumped down and his eyebrows knitted together as he let out a sigh. His bright but confused smile turned into a bitter smirk as he looked down to his feet. His hands, that were folded together in his lap, tightly clenched each other.

"Heh, yea. I'm terrified. I'm scared and sad that I might never come back home. Hell, I might even die a horrible death here thanks to some monster and my family would never know what happened to me. It'd be so hard for them.... But, I smile because I know I can't let it get me down. It's kinda like... you have to look on the bright side of things in order to survive."

He smiled again and gently placed one of his hands on my shoulder. "After all, I found Mark and I met you. If I didn't get stranded here I'd have never met you and would have had to live my life wondering what happened to my best friend. Wondering if... if he was even alive anymore.... So... I guess you could say I'm this happy because I found him,  and because I made a new friend."

His words touched me and I smiled back at him. The smile was real this time. "You and Mark are very alike, you know that? You're both kind and you both look on the bright side of things."

He just smiled and let out a small, "heh" as he looked out the window.

Oh Mark.... When will he come back?

As though my thoughts had summoned him, I soon heard the sound of him parking his sea moth in the moon pool. I smiled and launched myself off the bench and started running down the hall that led towards the moon pool. Of course, since I still wasn't very good on my legs, I ended up falling down right as I got to the moon pool.

I had landed on my arms with my butt up in the air, thankful that I was able to avoid face planting into the floor. I looked up, expecting to see a happy Mark smiling down at me and offering his hand to help me up, but there was no one there.

"You sure have one fine ass (Y/n)~" I jumped as I heard Mark's voice come from behind me. It was a little deeper than it was this morning though. Perhaps he got sick? I was about to get up when I felt five things lightly drag across my bare bottom. I froze in fear when I realised it was Mark's hand touching me.

They felt different somehow. They were the same hands I'd always known, but they were colder. More... sinister? Well,  there's that and the fact Mark hasn't ever touched me in this way.

"Hmph, that idiot didn't even bother to give you pants? Oh well, it's not like I'm complaining. The view is great and it makes things easier for me~" I shivered under his touch and sucked in a breath as his hand lowered itself towards my crotch. "M-Mark?!" I tried to ask what he was doing but suddenly he was grabbing me by the arms and helping me to stand.

"Hey Mark! Did you find me a wet suit?" Jack came into the room just in time to see me being held to Mark's chest by his arms.

"Yeah I did." His voice came out kinda monotonous when he spoke to Jack, which I guess Jack noticed as well since  he knitted his eyebrows together for a brief moment.

"Ah... nice! Hey.... You don't look like yourself." I could feel Mark stiffen. "Are you feeling alright buddy? Why don't you lay down Mark? Here, I'll take you." Jack started walking towards us but Mark held up one of his hands to make him stop.

"Nah it's ok, I'd rather (Y/n) take me. I need to talk with her about something anyways." Jack looked at me for a second before looking back at Mark. He didn't say anything, he just... looked.

"Are you done?" Mark asked, cocking an eyebrow at Jack. "Uh.. yea...." "Good. Here's your suit." Mark tossed a wet suit to him that looked almost exactly like his own, the only difference was that it had some green on it. I thought it was rather fitting for Jack, and considering his floof of green hair, it matched him perfectly!

"Thanks... Mark...." The way Jack said his name, it sounded like he was questioning if it was really his friend. I didn't get a chance to ask what was going on however, as Mark was soon ushering me past Jack and towards his bedroom. His arm rested on my shoulders.

"Mark, is everything ok? You seem a little off." He smiled down at me and squeezed my shoulder. "Yeah (Y/n) I'm just a little sick is all. It takes a lot of energy to break out of.. of an abandoned submarine!" He chuckles a bit, bringing his other hand to rub the back of his neck.

"You what?! Are you sure you're not hurt?" I began to look for injuries on his body. He smirked at me and laughed.

"Aww look, the little mermaid is all worried for me. How cute~ Yes I'm sure I'm fine. It's gonna take a lot more than a rusty old broken sub to hurt a man like me." His laughter wasn't as light as it normally was, but I brushed it off since he said he wasn't feeling well. Besides, I was more focused on the fact that he called me cute. My cheeks were ablaze as I nervously bit down on my lip and looked away from him. He chuckles and smirks down at me.

"You don't know how crazy it makes me when you bite that lip of yours. Maybe you'll let me have a go at it later tonight~?"

I instantly stopped but the blush on my face only darkened. He starts to grin and he's leaning down towards my face when suddenly he straightens up and looks ahead. I was about to question his behaviour when he spoke.

"Jack, what are you doing?" Huh? Jack wasn't here. I turned around to see him standing at the far end of the hall behind us. I had no clue he'd even been there!

Jack straightened up and brushed aside his green locks of hair. "I was gonna follow you to your room. (Y/n) might be able to walk now but she could still use some help looking after you."

Mark scoffed under his breath and sharply turned around to face him. "I told you I'm fine! I don't need your help. Besides, since I'm here it might encourage that annoying little glitch bitch to try to escape too. And the last thing I need right now is to deal with that ass hole."

What the hell?! Why is he so mad? "What are you talking about Mark? Who's a 'glitch bitch'? What do you mean by them 'escaping too'? What do you mean by 'that ass hole'? Please, tell me what's going on!"

He burst out laughing, although it sounded more like maniacal cackling rather than his typical rumbling laughter.

"Damn, I never expected you to say such vulgar words! Humph I'll just have to teach you to use that pretty little mouth of yours for better and more... pleasurable.. things."

He whispered that last part into my ear so Jack couldn't hear. I shivered in response. Jack, on the other hand, was just staring at Mark. No... more like analysing him. It looked like he was about to say something when Mark continued to lead me to the bedroom. I was a little annoyed with him, he'd completely ignored my questions!

When we got to his room he led me to the foot of the bed and went back to close the door. I went and rearranged the sheets so he could get in bed and rest. He really wasn't acting like himself and I wanted to take care of him.

"Here Mark, get changed and lay down. I'll be right back with some food and something to help you sleep."

He snorted softly in response. "What are you, a nurse? Hah! You know... if you're gonna be my nurse you have to be a sexy one. So why don't you show me just how sexy you can be, hmm? Go on, take off his-my... shirt and we'll go from there~"

I jumped and lightly stuttered. "W-WHAT?? Mark... y-you better behave yourself or else I'll leave and you'll never see me again!"

With that I stepped out of the room, slightly slamming the door behind me. I can't believe how rude he was being! I wanted to slap him but... I don't know. I've got a strange feeling like if I did he'd get really angry and something bad would happen.

I sighed and went to the kitchen, getting out a fried peeper and a bottle of water. I set them on a tray and turned around to make my way back to Mark.

Jack suddenly came out of nowhere and cut me off right as I was about to exit the kitchen. I almost dropped the food but luckily I was able to balance myself. "KYA! J-Jack?! Geez you gave me a heart attack! What the hell are you doing?"

"(Y/n) stay away from him." His face held a grave look, and I could clearly see the determination in his light blue eyes.

"S-stay away from who? Do you mean Mark? Jack... is everything ok?" "No (Y/n) it's not. That man in there... he's not-" "So sick that he'd make a beautiful woman like you wait on him hand and foot! I can get the food, but would you be a dear and find something to numb the pain in my head?"

Jack's face paled considerably as he was interrupted and a strong hand was placed on his shoulder. His eyebrows knitted together as he stared at the ground and grit his teeth, a bead of cold sweat rolled from his forehead to his cheek.

I followed the hand and arm on Jack's shoulder to see Mark standing behind him. He was wearing black boxers and his black shirt. He smiled at me, and it was at that moment that I truly realised something was horribly wrong.

When I looked at this scene, I picked up on three major red flags;

#1.) As Jack trembled under his iron grip, Mark was smiling. Jack was showing signs of real fear and Mark was the cause of it. Why would he be so scared of his best friend unless there was a major problem?

#2.) Mark wouldn't smile if someone was afraid. He'd try to help them calm down, and he'd be cautious about not making the situation worse. I learned that with how he treated me when we first met. Further more, Mark wouldn't enjoy being the fear of his best friend.

And lastly, #3.) his eyes were dead. The smile I'd grown to love so much, had been ruined by those two dark brown abysses. Those two eyes showed nothing but insidious intentions, and an overwhelming amount of malice and anger. Those two eyes, did not belong to my Mark.

I slowly made my way towards the door but suddenly Mark's hand had an iron grip around my wrist.

I gasped and looked up at him, trying to pull away but stopping when I saw him smirk at the ground.

I was just like Jack now, frozen in fear by the evil grip of this.. this thing!

His red hair cast a shadow over his eyes and he began to twitch. His smirk grew into an insane grin as he began to cackle.

"HAHAHAHA!!! Well, looks like the dumb bitch finally figured it out! I almost thought I'd had you fooled." He was still laughing as his grip tightened.

"OW! M-Mark please stop!" His nails we're digging into my wrist and I could see small red spots beginning to form on Jack's shoulder through the white fabric of the shirt.

He shook his head and laughed some more. "OOOH! So you don't like when I hurt your girl huh? Humph, then I'll have to be extra rough when I'm fucking her tonight!"

It was almost like a switch went off, or maybe a bomb, after he said that. Mark clearly wasn't talking to either me or Jack, it was like he'd lost his mind.

I started frantically trying to get away, Jack seemed to snap out of whatever trance he was in, and Mark started to violently shake. A trail of blood ran down from my wrist and a couple of drops splattered on the floor. Jack had now gotten free and was trying to help me get loose too. Mark grabbed at his head with his free hand, tightly strangling the black and red locks of his hair, and began to scream out while laughing.

"HAHAHAHA!!!! WOW! I really hit a nerve there didn't I, Mark?! HAHAHA!! What?! Don't tell me you wanted to be the one who popped her cherry?! HAHAHAHA!! It's still your body isn't it?! You should be happy, I'm going to do what you're too afraid of doing! It'll be great for both of us, and don't tell me you wouldn't want this!"

Jack finally got me free and picked me up before I could protest. With me in his arms, he began to run towards what I assume was his room. I caught one last glimpse of Mark shouting and laughing at himself before we had fled the room entirely.

Jack plopped me down on his bed and slammed the door shut before taking out a strange tool and aiming it at the door.

He did something to it and a blue light shot out from it and engulfed the door. I could hear only the sounds of the door being broken down and the futuristic noises coming from the tool. I watched in amazement as the door was completely demolished, leaving behind only a smooth white wall.

Jack took a deep breath and turned around, his shoulders sagged as he let out that breath in the form of a long sigh. His legs seemed to give out on him as he flopped down on the bed beside me.

"Well I don't know how long we've got, but let's hope Mark can regain control before he can get in." "Regain control? Jack, just what the hell is going on?! T-tell me! Why did Mark say he was gonna f-f.." I couldn't even bring myself to say it and tears were spilling from my eyes. Jack leaned over and hugged me, cradling me against his chest. I couldn't help but think of when Mark had done this.

His heartbeat was a little faster than the steady drumming of Mark's, but overall it was just as strong. It was warm being in his arms, but I still didn't feel quite as calmed down as I would've liked to be.

"Shhh-shhh-shhhh it's okay. (Y/n)... that man in there isn't Mark. That's his alter ego, Darkiplier. He's a demon with an insatiable blood lust. I don't know how Dark managed to break free, but I can tell you that Mark is fighting against him with all his might."

He began to stroke my hair at this point. "No matter what Dark does, I need you to understand that Mark doesn't have any control over it. If he were to.. to.. r-rape you... it would have been all on Dark. I'm here, so I'll try my best to protect you from him."

I nodded against his chest and tried to take it all in. "So, Mark isn't really Mark right now, but a darker demonic version of himself that's just taken over his body?And the real Mark is trapped inside his own mind, being held captive by this.. Darkiplier?" Jack snorted and nodded. "Yeah, that about sums it up."

I pulled away from him and stared at the floor. "Well that makes this difficult. If I were to fight back.. I'd hurt Mark's body, so that means using my magic is definitely out of the question." Jack nodded and seemed to be thinking of ways to fight back as well.

I lightly stroked my hand over the wrist that Dark had grabbed. The (s/c) skin had already started to bruise and I had crescent shaped scabs from where he'd dug his nails in. I looked up and saw Jack looking at his shoulder, his pale skin was turning black and blue and he had small trails of dried blood running from his own crescent scabs. It must've devastated Mark to be forced to watch as that demon hurt me and Jack.

Jack huffed and got up from the bed. He began to make his way towards one of the lockers on his wall, opening it and rummaging through its contents.

I took this time to look around his room. It was pretty much the same as Mark's except he only had two walls with windows. His bed was against the wall next to where the door had been, and beside that was the four lockers where jack was now. All other walls had wall planters that were filled with green plant life and he had a bench looking out through the two windows.

"Here, (Y/n), let me see your wrist." I turned to see Jack come towards me with a first aid kit. I let him doctor my wrist and then I started to work on his shoulder. He had been gentle while wrapping the bandage around my wrist, so I made sure to be gentle while I wrapped his shoulder.

He smiled when I finished and I thanked him for helping with my wrist. "You know, you'd be a good nurse (Y/n). You're gentle and you're very careful when you wrap an injury" I slightly shiver when he says that, remembering what Dark had said earlier. "Thanks but let's not call me that ok?" He smiled and awkwardly scratched the back of his neck. "Sorry."

"How long are we trapped here Jack?" I asked him while he put up the kit. "I honestly don't know, I guess until Mark can regain control." I nodded and looked at the plants growing on his wall planters.

I didn't know what was gonna happen, and I was pretty terrified of what Mark might end up doing thanks to that demon. I just had to hope that he'd be ok, and I had to hope that we'd be ok too. Whatever was going to happen now, I had to stay strong and figure out a way to bring back Mark.