Histrio just stared at the orb between them, keeping his eyes on it, fully aware of Mira's foreboding energy in front of him staring him down.

He still had this. She wasn't really there. She was still in the orb. She just managed to slip out a little is all.

'I can fix this' he thought to himself, 'I can shove her back in'

Mira glared daggers at him, "You've been fucking around with my family too much already . . . Look around, Histrio . . . . where would you like to be buried?"

The demon's eyes snapped back up to her, fully aware of her and all the others closing in on him.

They thought he was weak now. They thought he was stripped of his power. However, they were also staring at her. Thinking him . . .irrelevant. 

'I'll show them irrelevant'

Anti couldn't believe his eyes. It felt like it had been months since the last time he had seen her.

He wanted to hold her, hug her, kiss her. He never wanted to be apart from her again. He could feel his whole body shaking, his heart nearly pounding out of his chest.

"M-mira . . . ." He couldn't finish his thought, too overwhelmed.

Dark shook his head, letting Actor pull out the knife in his chest, "Gnn . . . Not now. She's not fully here yet. We still have a fight to win. Focus, Anti"

Suddenly, Histrio lunged for the orb on the ground but Mira reacted first, kicking it away, "No you don't! Someone grab it!"

Bing jumped up and nabbed the orb like a football, not expecting Histrio to come rushing at him but before the demon could get to him, a whip snapped in his way, stopping him!

"Toss it, Bing!" Illinois shouted to him.

Bing threw it towards Yandere who caught it with an evil laugh.

"Ha! Come at me demon scum!! I'll slice you in half!"

Histrio was all too willing to end this, though and throw Mira's power at them.

It would have killed Yan instantly if it wasn't for Mira jumping in between them, grabbing Histrio's arms. They both stood in a lock, sizing each other up.

Mira growled, "Piece of shit . . . didn't realize how strong I really was, huh? Fucking coward!"

But she knew deep down in this moment, she couldn't kill him as she was now. They had to finish what they started. She needed more of her power transferred to her before Histrio got that orb back!

Dark held his chest, being still as Henrik and Dr. Iplier patched him and Jackie up real quick, 'She needs help. We need to finish this NOW'

"Marvin!" Dark shouted, "Keep giving her energy! Everyone, remember to keep helping her! We almost have this!"

"NO YOU FUCKING DON'T!" Histrio snarled and in that moment, he looked far too similar to how Anti used to be. Mad and uncontrollable. Insane.

Histrio conjured a knife in his hand and snarled at Mira, "You all forget . . . . what you're dealing with" 

Copying Anti and Dark's powers, his aura and lightning exploded out of his body, making Mira stumble back in surprise.

'I didn't think he could use two powers at the same time' she scolded herself, 'He's powerful, I'll give him that. Like a damn cockroach under my shoe, he just won't fucking die!'

Histrio sneered madly, his teeth showing, "If I have to, I'll vaporize this entire forest!!"

'Well that's not good'

Histiro suddenly glitched behind Mira to Yandere but the school-ego just grinned, "Whoops. I guess I lost it, senpai!"

"WHICH ONE OF YOU HAVE IT?!"

'Why isn't he just doing what he said before?' Mira thought, 'He knows that'd be more effective. . . unless. . . .' 

She locked eyes with Illinois who pat his shoulder bag, 'He has it. . . that's good. Perhaps we can distract him into thinking someone else has it. But I don't wanna use them. He might kill them and-'

"I HAVE IT!!" Jackie caught him off guard and slammed his entire body weight and strength into Histrio's gut, crashing him through some nearby trees, "That's the plan, right?" he glanced to Mira and she just nodded. Good. At least he gets it.

"Alright, everyone?! NEW PLAN!" Jackie called out to them all, "EVERYONE HAS THE ORB! MARVIN!"

"GOT IT, SPARTACUS!" The magician used a side spell to create fake ghost orbs in everyone's hands.

The plan was almost thwarted, though, when Histrio glitched in front of Marvin, ready to go for the kill. No one else was in range of the magician.

But just as quick, Anti glitched on Histrio, grabbing him by the waist, whistling in his ear, "Come with me for a sec!"

 Anti glitched them high up in the air above all the trees in the heavy and dark clouds, "You're in my environment now, bitch" he used the electricity in the air to his disposal and everyone from below watch the display with wide eyes.

"HOW STUPID ARE YOU!?" Histrio fought back with his own lightning, "I COPIED YOUR POWERS, YOU DUMBFUCK!"

"BUT DO YOU KNOW HOW TO USE IT!?"

Using all the air's charge, they both glitched back onto the ground, though, and Histrio saw.

"I see . . . you're little plan. You all think you can trick me?"

"Why not?" Actor snickered at him, "We're not the only ones easily manipulated. You think you're so powerful. You've convinced yourself over a stupid dream that's just not true" he tossed his own orb up in the air and Histrio's anger grew and grew.

Sparks and lights bounced off of his body, darkness overwhelming him. He could feel himself gaining strength and power and the high intensity of new knowledge. 

He was trying to copy EVERYONE'S powers all at once. 

Histrio's eyes glowed, the whites turning black and the pupils changing to a bright red similar to Dark's aura. The energy inside of him pulsated into different colors and it would have been beautiful if it wasn't so terrifying for them all.

Eric considered running but then he knew he'd fail Mira. 

And upon bad luck as always, Eric seemed like the perfect first target. Histrio locked eyes on him and the fake orb he carried and lunged for him.

Mira knew this was gonna be hectic and just shot for him in defense. They locked arms again but this time Histrio seemed elated.

"I know how to tame you down now, bitch"

"What?"

Casting his own spell after copying Marvin's magic, he made all the other orbs disappear and in turn, making Eric's fade away, too!

Histrio smirked at her but glanced all around, seeing Illinois' pack glowing, "I spy with my little eye . . . ."

"ILLY, THROW IT! HE KNOWS!"

Illinois tore it out of his bag and Histrio lunged for him next only for Mira to step in front of him again just in time as the adventurer threw it to Yancy who just barely caught it.

Histrio glitched to him to kill him and take it but Mira was once again there in time to stop him.

Yancy threw the orb, "You gots this Mira! Just keep it up a little bits longer wills ya?!"

He threw it to King and the small cycle continued as Mira saved each and every one of them from Histrio who had every intention on killing them all.

King threw it to Dr. Iplier who then threw it to Host, then Google, Chase, Magnum, Silver Shephard, Ed Edgar, Jameson, Bing, The Jims, Jackie, Henrik, Dark, Actor, Wilford  . . . 

Marvin watched the orb being tossed around like a play-ball, just a little amused by all that was happening, 'I think we almost have enough. Almost there. Just a little bit longer. We can do this. We could-'

"FUCKING ENOUGH! ENOUGH!" Histrio came for Wilford but he threw it almost too quickly to Anti.

Mira's heart raced but she made it to him, too, standing like a rock in front of the man she loved, "You know . . . you know that when I got my body back tonight . . . it's over for you. I'll end you. I'll fucking kill you for trying to take my family away! I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!!!"

Anti had never been more attracted to her now than ever before.

Histrio grinned, "You won't . . . because I'll win and you know it. Deep inside, you KNOW you can't go on for much longer. You're getting slower."

"Don't listen to him, Mira" Anti whispered to her, "You're doing so good and I'm so proud of you. Everyone's here for you. I won't let him win. We won't and you sure as hell better not back down now, love" his voice cracked and she knew he was shedding tears again. She couldn't help but feel his emotions overwhelming inside of her.

'He's never been so outward like this. So full of feelings, especially around other people. He's come so far. We all have. And I won't let this demon bastard ruin it all now!'

Anti threw the orb, 'I'm taking a risk doing this but no one else is in reach anymore! We're all too scattered around now because of him.'

"BIM! CATCH!"

The gameshow host definitely did not expect to be thrown the precious item but caught it albeit clumsily. He seemed nervous. Was this really it? Was Mira's life really literally in his hands right now!?

"Oh shit  .. . "

Histrio tried to glitch over to him, too, and get it but Mira gripped him hard, still, preventing him from escaping again.

But Histrio knew things now. He knew the dynamic. He knew the family bonds.

How loose they were. 

'Especially with this one' he chuckled lightly to himself, confusing both Mira and Anti who were closest to him.

Dark broke free of the doctors, seeing the crazy shit before him, "Bim! Don't let the demon get it!"

"Oh Biiiiim~" Histrio sneered his way, "Give me the orb. You know you want to. I can see RIGHT through you! You don't even want to be here! You hate her!"

Bim shook but held the orb, unsure of what to do next.

Histrio stared straight into his soul, "Hnhhnhnhnn. . . . You never cared for her. So why start now? Join me, Bim . . .  You're unappreciated with all these idiots. But with me, you could be so much more"

Mira struggled to keep him in place, her manifested body started to not be enough to keep him at bay.

Anti ripped out his knife and stabbed Histrio in the back, "FUCK YOU! YOU'RE NOTHING BUT A FUCKING DEMON PIECE OF SHIT!"

The demon was unbothered, of course, though, by the stab and grinned to Bim, "Help me, Bim. Together, we can do so much more. You could be so much more and so could your show. All of your ideas. Everything you've always dreamed of-"

"DON'T LISTEN TO HIM!" Actor shouted not too far away, "He's lying! He's tricking you in the exact same way he did me! You can't trust him, Bim!"

While their guard was down, Histrio rammed his elbow into Anti's stomach and head butted Mira's light form in the head, knocking them both back from him.

Bim still shook, fear paralyzing him, 'But do I trust Actor at all? He has ALWAYS been just as untrustworthy! It IS tempting. . . . the fame, the glory, all my ideas actually being used instead of tossed away. No more critics. . . no more shame.  . . .. '

He started to think about it.

"GIVE ME THE ORB!"

'But would it really benefit me in the long run?' he looked to Mira. She wasn't looking so good.

But Bim did catch something from earlier, 'He said he'd destroy the whole forest. Why hasn't he? And the only thing he cares about is the orb and Mira's powers which are IN the orb'

It clicked.

Bim smiled slowly, "You know, I do love fans. . .  a good crowd who loves my work . . ."

Honestly, everyone thought this would be it. Bim had betrayed them.

Histrio grinned, proud to finally have won. He walked closer and closer and no one had the strength or speed to stop him in that moment.

Not in that moment, anyway.

But Bim's next words stopped everyone.

"But the one thing I hate most in the world is a liar. I want people to love my work because it's good . . . not out of fear or compliance. So then . . What would happen if this orb got smashed?"

"What?"

Mira recovered and just locked eyes with Bim, surprised by the question. But it clicked for her, too, 'I knew it. So I'm not the only one thinking it'

"Give. . . . me . . . . the orb" Histrio suddenly glitched in front of Bim.

"WIL, CATCH!" he threw it to Wilford who caught it but just stared at it, eyeing it strangely.

Histrio growled, "Enough of this fucking game. This fucking game of catch, throwing and going on and on and on again over and over on fucking REPEAT! JUST FUCKING GIVE UP ALREADY!"

"I'm right, aren't I?" Bim smirked, stepping back from him, "Mira's only here like THIS in this form because the orb cracked. . .so what if the orb was completely destroyed?"

"The reason you didn't want Actor destroying it to get you out was because you planned this from the beginning, locking someone ELSE up inside of it!" Mira completed the puzzle, "WILFORD, SMASH IT!"

"NO!!!" 

Wilford blinked and looked up, "Wha?"

Histrio raced towards him while he was confused. Everything moved so slow.

Dark screamed, "WILLIAM, NOW! DO IT NOW!"

Everyone shouted, screaming towards Wilford. Wil had never had this happen before. No one had ever shouted at him with such urgency before. And certainly not everyone at once.

'Smash? Now? Smashing . . . party?' he smiled and before Histrio could get to him, he popped away.

Histrio growled insanely, "WHERE THE FUCK IS HE!?" he suddenly felt weaker but Mira also LOOKED weaker. Where had that man gone that this was happening?!

Actor gulped, "Uh-oh . . . I don't Wil go the memo quite right, guys"

Mira turned to Anti, "Anti, I can't stay here anymore. Wilford went somewhere else completely. I can't-"

Anti felt the air leave his body, "Uh-uh, no, don't you fooking dare. Not now. Don't you dare leave me now! We're so close! Don't you dare give up now!"

"Anti . . ." she started to fade, her light and energy in that dimension leaving, "It's okay . . . you know I'll always love you, right?  . . .All of you"

She didn't have any more time left and in an instant, she was gone.

"MIRA!!!" Anti screamed for her.

Marvin gaped at the scene, "Shit"

In his anger, Anti could feel himself breaking. Cracking at the seams.

His eyes turned black and waves were pulsating off of him like a nuclear reactor.

"MOTHERFUCKER!" He cried out towards the demon and launched himself towards him in a flash.

Histrio managed to brace for the impact, though, and just smirked, laughing, "Don't you remember the last time you fought me? And you still haven't healed yet!"

The demon crashed his fist into Anti's stomach, making the glitch forget how to breathe for a moment. The bruises he suffered from before started to ache once more during all of this and that didn't help one bit.

"Fucking ant"

Anti glared up at him, eyes still crazed, "You're the ant. Manipulating son of a bitch. FUCKING USING MY APPEARANCE!! TAKING MY LOVE FROM ME UNGUARDED!! USING HER POWER AS YOUR OWN! YOU'RE NOTHING WITHOUT THAT POWER AND YOU'RE NOTHING WITHOUT YOUR FUCKING PARLOR TRICKS!!"

Histrio snarled and slapped Anti across the face before shooting his arm up with Mira's leftover light. It made Anti fly across the clearing by Dark.

"Fucking  . . . fucking freak" Anti shuddered, trying to get up to fight him again but Dark stopped him.

"You c-can't do it alone, Anti . . . . ." he said, still gripping his chest, "Just  . . . just stand with me. Come on, get up. Here" he helped him stand up and it was then, that Anti realized he wouldn't be able to fight any more. 

His eyes changed back to their bright green and the small sparks ebbed away from his body.

Histrio still had some power, though. He turned to face them all, practically foaming at the mouth, "You . . . .. Fuck it . . I still have just enough power. . . just enough to kill all of you at once."

Mark and Sean a ways away couldn't believe it. Something had to stop this, right? Something had to happen. 

"It can't end like this" Mark clawed his fingers in the dirt under him, "No, Mira is stronger than that. Wilford . . . he couldn't have . ."

Sean put his hand on his shoulder, "Heh . . . looks like we won't make your premiere after all, huh, bud?"

Mark swallowed but didn't have any emotion on his face, "No. This isn't it."

"The Host stood up, still ajar but able. The story doesn't end here"

Histrio snorted and all of the power he had left inside of him of Mira's cultivated, grouping up into one massive attack. If he had to lose this power by doing this then so be it. At least he could kill off these parasites.

Yancy stood next to Host, "Youse right, Hostess . . . . this ain't it."

"Got that right!" Yandere posed with their katana.

Chase reloaded his gun and Jameson pointed to his watch to show Marvin.

The magician just shook his head, "No, James. . . . not even that would change anything. And you can't go back that far. Let's just . . .give what all we got now. . while we can"

Jackie stood next to them, pulling up Anti to his side, "One last hurrah, huh? Make her proud"

"Of course" Anti snarled to him, "I always will"

Dark held his wound but pat Anti's back softly, "You always have . . . brother. You know she loves you."

Anti let a tear fall. Was this really it?

Every one. Even the doctors, Mark and Sean stood together in front of Histrio who had already collected a massive energy.

Mark and Sean came up closer to the front with Anti and Dark, ready to face this together WITH THEM. They weren't about to leave their egos to die alone.

They all knew they wouldn't be able to dodge that and Marvin, Dark and Anti didn't have the strength to teleport them all to safety.

Histrio grinned, "EVEN IN THIS END . . .I STILL GET WHAT I WANT! WITH ALL OF YOU GONE . . . I WILL BE SUPREME! I WILL RULE AND BE THE STRONGEST BEING IN THE WHOLE FUCKING WORLD!"

He was ready to unleash all of it upon them.

Dark swallowed, holding his chest painfully, 'Dammit, Mira . .  I never even got to apologize to her. Keeping her locked away like a prisoner. Keeping her away from Anti and always ignoring how she was really treated. . . I was her warden when I should have just been her brother. . .  I'm sorry Mira. . . I'm so sorry'

Anti held onto Sean's hand, "I'm sorry . . . for everything"

Sean gripped his hand back, emotions overtaking him.

This really was it  . . . 

"It's okay, Anti . . you know I forgive you. We all do"

Anti stared down the light in Histrio's grasp, tears falling down his eyes, 'At least this way . . . maybe we'll see each other sooner this way. We'll be together again . . and that's okay with me. As long as I'm with you'

All the memories of them together flashed before his eyes. The friendship and love they shared. 

It brought a smile to his face.

Histrio threw the massive energy their way, making the lighting clasp and the winds run wild, the trees all around them starting to straight up vaporize from the sheer power.

"DDDIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!" 

He tossed it towards them.

POP!

"HELLO EVERYBODY, I'M BAAAAAAACK~!!!!" Wilford screamed and smirked towards the demon. In that moment, he knew full well what he was doing.

"LEEEEEEETTTT'SSSS PARTAY!!!!" 

He held the orb over his head and with all his strength, Wilford smashed it hard on top of a rock, shattering it to pieces.

A bright light flashed from the orb.

No one knew quite what was happening just yet, it was all happening too fast.

But all at once, the light from Histrio's attack, the orb and lightening all disappeared.

And Mira took its place, corporeal and all.

Histrio felt all of Mira's power leave him and go back into her own body.

Everyone slowly grinned and smiled, barely able to contain themselves.

Mira clenched her fists and turned her face towards Histrio, locking eyes.

The demon suddenly felt something new. It was overwhelming and weird and he hated it.

Fear.

Mira grinned and faced him fully, the whole of her power breaking free inside and out of her, "Well then, Histrio . . .  have you found it, yet?"

Histrio raised a brow at her, "Wh-what? Found what?"

"Your grave . . . Not that you'll be needing one" she shrugged cockily.

Histrio felt utterly powerless, all the air leaving him. He took a step back, "Now hold on a second-"

Mira appeared in front of him, her light blazing, eyes glowing and the ground under them warbled from the heat.

"That's right" she snarled at him, "I told you I'd vaporize you until there was nothing left."

"Oh shit"

"What's that, Histrio? Is that. . FEAR in your eyes?"

He gulped.

Her face turned serious and she frowned, anger coursing through her, "Good"

Histrio didn't have the time to even utter a word as Mira lifted her hand in front of his face and a searing light blasted off of her, ripping light, fire and energy through the forest and the demon.

But surprising enough to everyone, that wasn't killing Histrio right away. He still gripped to life even being vaporized and obliterated. He still clung onto his human-like form.

So Anti and Dark joined in the sweep and stood side by side Mira, unleashing their own energy and power as miniscule of a help that it was, whatever little they had left to over. 

But it was enough to make her light burn brighter and her strengthen her.

When the light faded and she stopped, there was no trace left of the monster.

Not even ashes.

Silence filled the air. No one moved a muscle.

A large chuck of trees, greenery and rocks were wiped out of the landscape where she had let loose.

Mira breathed out a sigh of relief and turned to Anti and Dark.

But her eyes only locked with Anti.

They stared at one another and everyone swore the air even stilled around them.

Anti blinked and smiled, "Mira . . . ."

He moved quickly and Mira welcomed him in her arms, pressing their foreheads together.

"Anti . . I  . . Anti" tears ran down her cheeks but she was just as surprised to see Anti crying, too.

"I thought . . .fuck, I thought" he took her face in his hands, " . . . I love you, Mira. I love you so fucking much"

She smiled, "You know I love you, too, Anti. . . I love you, too" she teared up and the two collided together in an enthusiastic kiss. 

Earth shattering.

Breaking everything else away until it was just them.

Everyone else, sure it was a little awkward but not too much so. They all expected this, really, if they were to win.

Most even smiled, some fell to the ground, happily reveling in being alive.

Finally, the two lovers parted and they all saw that as their chance.

Mira definitely didn't expect to be group hugged. Dark was first, of course, holding her close but it was just even more surprising as all the other Ipliers joined in!

She was seriously taken aback!

"HUH?!" But she didn't want to ruin it and let them all hug her, apologize and cry.

Anti didn't like to share her but he knew she needed this.

Everyone hugged her individually as well, sharing their fears and happiness at the win and having her back.

They had all taken her for granted and didn't know what they had until she was almost gone.

And then it was Bim in front of her. She expected a curt nod. Not a full on hug. But here Bim was, arms around her, crying in her shoulder and apologizing, "I'm sorry! I sorry, Mira! I didn't mean it! I never meant anything I said! I'm sorry!"

"Bim, it's okay. . ." she hugged him back, "You'll always be my brother. Everyone here is my family and that was never going to change."

"WOW, EVEN ME!?" Actor grinned.

Mira stared at him but sighed, "Well  . . .. yeah, I guess. You've proven your side today. I couldn't have done it without you, Actor!"

"Okay, okay, enough of the sappy shite" Anti gripped, "Can we all go home now?"

Mira kissed his cheek, "Sure. . . let's all go to Raspy Hill. No arguing, Anti"

The glitch mumbled and kissed her back, "Wasn't gonna. Wherever you go, I'm never leaving your side ever again"

"Yeah, me neither" Dark interjected, "Well . . within reason, I guess. We'll discuss it"

Marvin groaned and cracked his back, "Fuck I'm gonna need a week-long coma!"

Wilford started to dance, "LET'S PARTY! COME ON, GUYS! I'LL GET THE DISCO! LET'S GO!"

POP!

All at once, they were all teleported together to Raspy Hill, surprised by Wilford's sudden ability to control himself.

Mira heaved a big and long sigh and yawned, "Nap first. . .party later"

Everyone agreed.

Party later.

So they all just watched Wilford dance by himself with a random floating disco.

Mira cuddled into Anti on the couch. They held each other tightly, refusing to let the other go. Yeah, a long nap was just what they all needed.

It was all they needed as long as they were together.

Not the end of the story but very close! Stay tuned!