Dark's smile unnerved Mia and in that instant, she immediately wanted to just leave. Chase was with her but she felt this overwhelming sense of paranoia from what Anti had said before. Was this what he had felt, too?

"What can I do for you two?"

Mia was still put off by his aura but Chase nudged her to bring her head back down to Earth.

"O-oh . . . .uh . . . . . . who were you talking to up here just now?"

Chase gave her a sharp look but Dark didn't seem perturbed, "I was just on the phone with Mark is all. He was talking about perhaps making a change in the Cloak ad"

It wasn't an entire lie. Mark and Sean HAD been trying to make changes so they wouldn't have to use Mia anymore and Mark was completely fine with that. They both had an entirely new amazing idea anyway that no one else knew about.

"Oh" she nodded, "Okay. Well . . I can see you're busy. I'll just come see later and-"

Chase tried to stop her before she bolted but Dark's aura suddenly diminished and it was like the whole air around them decompressed. It was so much lighter to bear.

"Mia, please! Just wait . . . ."

She hung her head but turned to face him again with Chase's help. She was glad he was there at least to help her through this. Otherwise she would have most definitely ran off.

Dark's eyes practically bled with sincerity, "Mia, I'm sorry for what happened the other day. I wasn't in control over myself. I was stressed and just not . .myself and I really do apologize. Please stop avoiding me. I can't take it anymore. Please. I'm sorry" his eyes sparkled with light tears forming.

Mia didn't know what to think. What just happened? It was like he had transformed into a completely different person. She looked into his eyes.

'Maybe he really just stressed out after all . . . . I can't just hang on Anti's every word. I mean maybe he THINKS Dark is up to something . . but this is my friend we're talking about. I've known Dark for like . . . I think it's been about four or five years now . . .'

She sighed heavily and nodded, "Okay . . . . I forgive you, Dark"

Dark's shoulder's dropped, seemingly deflating from another load of excess stress he had been carrying with him, " . . . good . . . that's good. Thank you Mia. I promise nothing like that will ever happen again. I swear it"

"Okay" but she couldn't take it anymore. This was just too much for her, "I'm gonna go back downstairs now. See you later"

Dark just nodded, understanding. He knew she could really awkward in these kinds of situations.

"I understand" he spoke differently just as Mia and Chase were leaving, "Take good care of her for me, Brody, will you?"

Chase hesitated at the sudden change in tone but just nodded. Dark was just weird, was all and he always knew that. But was that maybe just a little TOO weird? Did Mia feel it, too?

As they went down a couple floors, Mia finally exhaled, "Glad that's finally over. Thanks for coming with me, Chase"

"Don't mention it" he pat her back softly, "You know you can always count on me for anything, kid. Anyway, what was that with Dark? Kind of weird, right?"

She just shrugged, "I guess. He's just stressed though, is all"

"I don't know. I'm starting to think maybe Anti might be on to something" he joked, "That mood change was quick!"

But Mia didn't comment on it. Truthfully, she was too afraid to. Everything in her life was too close to falling apart and she just wanted to hang on for as long as possible and keep those relationships how they are like this forever.

That's all she wanted.

But sadly, everything eventually must change.

As soon as Mia and Chase left, Dark shook and gripped onto his own desk for support.

'Good boy' the voice in his head laughed at him, 'Now get back in the void where you belong. We're not finished yet'

"Your promise . . . . . Does it still hold?"

'Oh of course! Certainly . . .All you have to do is exactly everything I say, remember? And if things go as planned . . . . We'll BOTH get what we want'

Dark hated this. This living nightmare he had to go through but he couldn't tell anyone or else Actor would kill everyone he cared about using his own body.

He had to hand it to Anti, he was close but he just wished he would have gone further. Made a scene again. Whether the glitch realized it or not, he was Dark's last hope.

"You're fucking kidding me" Anti was on the verge of murdering both Mark and Sean, "Your BIG MASTER PLAN! Is to swap Jackie for ME!? You can't be serious!!"

Jackie was pissed, too, mind you and actually stood at Anti's side, "Yeah, I mean, come on! Wasn't the stuff between Dark and I good? We could still roll with what he GOT"

Sean shook his head, "Without another full shot of the fight scene, it just wouldn't make much sense, Jackie. I'm sorry."

Jackie turned to Mia who was sitting with Eric and Yandere, "Mia, please! Come on and just do me a solid here, will ya?"

She looked very uncomfortable being put on the spot but Anti growled at him, "Leave her be! For fucks sake. Fine, I'll do it!"

"Fuck off, Anti!" Jackie shoved him, "This was supposed to be MY big return to YouTube through Sean's vids! I haven't been in a video for fucking years! One game he fucking played YEARS ago!"

"Not my problem" Anti shrugged.

Jackie was close to attacking him until he realized he didn't have the strength to do so.

"Look" Sean pushed them apart, "Jackie, it's fine. You can still be in one of the Cloak ads. Mark and I will do a few more with one of the others, too."

"Jackie, please" Mia practically begged him.

Jackie glanced back at Mia but sighed, "Fine . . . . Whatever" giving one last glare at Anti, he backed off and went to go sit with Marvin.

The hero was pissed beyond belief but he tried not to show it as much. He didn't understand. All Mia had to do was give him his power and they could just finish the scene they had before.

'But no' he wrinkled his nose, 'She has to play the victim card now all of sudden. She's never had a problem doing it before. Why now?' he glanced towards Anti.

He knew Anti didn't like doing this either but the more he watched the glitch, the more he caught him looking off set. He followed his eyes and low and behold . . . . he was watching Mia.

'Why's he looking at her so much? I don't like it' Granted he didn't like Dark, either but Anti was also a big no-no in his book for Mia to get in a relationship with!

He felt jealousy build up inside of him but tried not to show it.

'No way Mia would like him. She thinks of me as her brother so why would HE be any different? I should just be keeping her and Dark apart. Just relax, Jackie. Chill out'

He couldn't help his feelings. He loved Mia even if she didn't return his feelings. There was no force on Earth that would stop him from protecting her.

If only he realized that his own ego was the problem . . . It'd ruin everything if he wasn't careful.

Anti glared at Dark but the Iplier just smiled at him. He hated that smile.

'Maybe this is my chance to beat the fuck out of him and get away with it' he did like the idea but he knew he had to keep a lid on his temper in order to stay within the Septic group and good graces. Nothing extreme.

'But who said I couldn't slap him around a bit?'

Mark spoke up, "Now just so you guys know . . . I know you guys have history but this is going to be a light fight. Nothing extreme. Faking hitting and kicking and what-not. Alright? The doctors got enough to worry about as it is"

'Well there goes that'

"I disagree" Dark popped up, surprising them all, "I don't think it'd look real enough. And I'm all about authenticity. I say we go all out. I can just tell Anti's ITCHING for a fight. I am too."

"Uh . Dark?" Mark stopped him, "I don't think that's a good idea. I mean-"

Dark cracked his neck with a loud pop, "We can handle each other, Mark.. . . don't you worry about that"

Mark fell silent and turned to Sean but he just shrugged, "I can't control Anti anyway. I say just let them go for it unless it goes too far"

Mark nodded, "Alright, then . . . . hash it out"

Mia swallowed but she couldn't take this. It was way too much for her. Seeing two of her friends about ready to fight like mad dogs. No thank you. She knew she should probably stay just in case she needed to have Jackie or Marvin stop the fight but she also . . . . her anxiety was destroying her.

She managed to sneak out of the studio right before they fought.

So much had changed with her these last couple of weeks. She didn't like it. She never wanted to come to start with, knowing it'd be a chore.

She loved the Ipliers but she hated this. Being used. Guilt-tripped. Manipulated. Some days she wished Sean had never created her.

Wandering off, Mia found a chair in the hallway. They were using a large auditorium for the fight scene. Mark had rented it out especially for this one since Dark and Anti's powers are so much more . . . .. destructive against each other.

Her stomach ached and rolled and briefly she wondered if she shouldn't run to the bathroom at some point but it wasn't that kind of rolling thankfully. She was just nervous. She cared about Dark but he had been acting so different lately. And she was beginning to care about Anti but also . . . every time she looked in his eyes, she remembered that day he nearly killed her. Not to mention the many times he had tried to kill her brothers.

She didn't think of Anti as family yet . . . . but he was sort of a friend.

Mia groaned to herself.

"What's with you?"

"GAH!" Mia nearly fell out of her chair seeing Marvin just standing in front of her suddenly, "JAYSUS CHRIST MARVIN! What the fucking hell!?"

Marvin flinched but grinned wide, "Easy there! Sorry! I thought you heard me walking up to ya! I do just love it though when your Irish Accent comes out, you know"

"Fuck off . . . ." she crossed her arms, "Why'd YOU leave?"

He shrugged, "What good am I when I have no power to come between them? That's what you're for. Or are you HOPING they'll kill each other? Would solve a lot of our problems, I guess"

She shoved him but stayed seated, making room for him on the bench letting him sit next to her, "I'm tired of being looked at like the solution to everyone's problems. Oh just use Mia! She won't mind! Not strong enough to open this jar? Ask Mia! Need magic to make potions and random ridiculous spells we don't need? Ask Mia! She won't mind one fucking bit. She has nothing else to do"

Marvin stared at her, "uH . . .. Are . . are you feeling okay? If this is about the time I-"

"No, Marv . . . . it's not . . . . It's about everything. Every little thing. And I'm getting tired of it. Most of all, Jackie. It's getting really fucking annoying him wanting me to make him strong every single day for nearly EVERYTHING. Do guys even know what all it takes out of me?"

Marvin sagged a bit, "I guess not . . . I'm sorry, Mia"

"It doesn't matter. That's all I am, aren't I? A steroid"

Marvin thought for a moment, "Anti's words . . . . . you know that's not how we feel about you, right?"

She shrugged, "No . . . .apparently Jackie has other feelings for me. I'm not stupid. His apology the other day was meaningless. I can see right through him."

"Huh?"

"When he said he was just under a lot of stress and didn't mean to say he liked me more than a sister. That he doesn't love me like that. It's all bullshit. I'm not stupid. I was just PRAYING and hoping he wasn't lying . . . . can't have everything, though"

Marvin didn't expect this when following Mia. He knew she had been feeling weighted lately but this was overwhelming. He didn't know what to say.

Suddenly a ceiling tile moved and Camera Jim popped his head down.

Mia and Marvin looked up at him and Camera Jim stared back looking near tears and full of emotion.

"That was beautiful!" he cried and suddenly tossed a tape at Mia's feet, "You should . .. you should watch that!" he sobbed and put the tile back, effectively hiding himself again.

But you could still hear the crying.

Mia and Marvin looked at each other confused.

The magician leaned down and picked it up, "I hope he hasn't been filming me again. I know he's been sending things to Yandere. You know anything about that?"

Mia blinked at him, "uH . . . . N-no . . ." she took the tape, "What do you think is on it?"

Marvin shrugged, "I don't know but he tossed it to you. . . . maybe watch it later tonight or something?"

She shrugged, "Honestly don't know if I even want to. Kind of afraid to see what's on it"

Suddenly the sprinklers when off and the fire alarm was blazing. Mia quickly stuffed the tape in her shirt to keep it dry, "Dammit, they went too far already, didn't they?!"

Marvin sighed, "I'm guessing yes. You good to intervene with me?"

Mia held onto the tape under her shirt but nodded, "Yeah . . . yeah, I guess. What other choice do I have?"

Of course the two had overdone it but Mia didn't expect what she saw. From what everyone else had said, Dark was the one that grabbed Anti by the hair and flung him into the Fire Alarm switch, setting it off. Anti had a large bruise already forming on his back that hurt to the touch.

"Fucking asshole. The fucking hell was that?! That was a cheap move!"

Dark just snorted, "Or maybe you're not as quick on your feet as you used to be. Perhaps staying with your enemies as domesticated you, after all"

"wHY You!-" Anti went to charge at him again but Marvin stopped him with Mia's help.

Sean groaned, "That's enough! You know what, I think we got what we needed anyway! Let's stop for the day, huh?"

Mark nodded, "We need to all just relax. Who wants to go out to eat tonight?"

Everyone cheered at full volume except for a select few.

Especially Mia.

They just all kept doing things to just piss her off, didn't they?!

They couldn't go out without assistance or else people would recognize them or see they all looked similar. They would have to rely on Marvin's magic which relied on . . . . 'drum roll please' . . . .. Mia.

Mia flinched, though, when she felt a hand hold her own and she looked up at Marvin who gave her a small smile.

"You know you can talk to me any time, Mia. If you ever wanna rant again . .. I'm here" he squeezed her hand, "Don't worry. I'll try and convince Mark and Sean to pick somewhere isolated"

She nodded and smiled back at him, "Thanks, Marv."

Chase seemed to hear their conversation, too, but kept quiet to himself, giving them their brother/sister moment.

'Mia really isn't doing good. I'll have to talk to Sean. And maybe Evelien and Stacey can help, too'

To stop the fight, Mia had to give power to both Marvin AND Jackie and they seemed to forget he had super hearing while amped up, too. He felt bad. He did. He Always seemed to be selfish at the wrong times.

'I shouldn't be like this . . . . but I just can't help it sometimes. It's like a drug' Jackie bit his own lip and his eyes flitted over around the room.

And then he saw Anti staring at Mia again and his blood boiled.

'Why are you staring at her so fucking much? What do you want from her?' he hoped there wasn't a reason similar to his, 'You stay away from her'

He knew it was petty but he just couldn't help it. But he saw the look in Anti's eyes.

Curiosity.

'What are you curious about? What are you feeling? Why? You don't deserve her'

He knew he didn't, either, but he'd be damned if Anti used her like some fucking plaything or toy. Same for Dark. Jackie was just rolling in so much anger, he didn't even notice when his power left him.

'I'm watching you both. Something's not right here with either of you and I'll find out what'

That night, Mark ordered from a local pizza joint and they all left to the park to eat where no one was around so Mia didn't have to do anything. It was a nice gesture and she was grateful for it. It took a load off of her.

Apparently not enough, though, for her to see Jackie coming up to her in time. She would have ran if she had noticed him ahead of time. Why? She wasn't sure. She still just felt a bit awkward around him. Knowing he had been lying before . . .. she just didn't want to be around him for a bit yet. It felt weird, to her.

"Hey Mia" he rushed up to her with a drink in his hand. He had been drinking quite a few with Chase and Magnum and a few other Ipliers.

"Can I . . Can I t-talk to you in private, please . . . for a moment?"

She wanted to recoil. He was drunk and it bothered her. But the look in his eyes was still enough to lure her. He was still her brother, after all. Whether he accepted that or not.

"Sure . . "

"Oh g-good . . .Let's go by the . . by the lake, huh? Jus' the two of us. Gotta say somethin' to ya"

She didn't like where this was going. She looked around but didn't see anyone paying attention to their conversation. Why should she be afraid of him, though? He was her brother.

He'd never hurt her.