Five years ago,

2017

Dark snarled at all the work Mark was wanting him to do. Papers and paper just piled up. He really needed to invest in a computer.

'Why does he have to have so many plans with the other egos? And getting them to go along with it? My god, this is an absolute nightmare. He's lucky I'm even considering doing this stupid video with that vulgar buffoon this weekend.'

He accidentally tore a piece of paper in his anger, "Dammit all" he pulled at the roots of his black hair and let out an agonized and loud sigh.

'I'd rather hang myself by my own tie than work with the idiot but I suppose I don't have a choice. I do owe Mark, after all. . . . . but I do wish he'd just forget HIM and do a video with the others. Who cares if the fans will love it? It'll end up killing ME'

He knew he was whining but he couldn't help it.

He hated Antisepticeye with a burning passion. Yes, the Septic ego was rather new but it didn't excuse him for being an insane murderous and annoying freak. Granted his own brethren were sketchy but that was different. They were murderous towards OTHERS, not each other.

'I just have keep her from coming. She's always wanted to go to a convention but I'm afraid this time will just have to wait. Can't have him trying to kill her, too.'

He yawned and rubbed at his eyes with a small groan, "This is my day from hell, I just feel it."

Anti would be meeting up at the Iplier mansion to go with Dark and a few select Iplier egos to the convention.

Anti wasn't excited. Not one bit.

'Fucking stupid. Why'd I agree to this stupid idea? I feel just . . . .fucking stupid' he cracked a small smile but snarled it away again.

'All because Seany-boy thinks it'll help me "make friends" and make me more "sociable". Fuck that. I'll kill Dark if he even glances at me wrong. Fucking pompous prick'

He was riding in the back of an uber. Honestly, he was thinking about killing the guy, too, if he didn't shut up. Not that Anti was listening. He was tuning him out rather hard.

But thankfully it didn't take much longer to get to the mansion.

'Let's get this shit over with. God, I hope we don't have to sit next to each other throughout this whole ordeal getting there'

He knocked on the door rather harshly, expecting maybe Yandere, Host or even  Google to answer it.

Mira was a peculiar girl.

A resurrected idea from Celine's character. Powerful and strong and badass.

And maybe a tad to innocent-minded for her own good.

And mischievous. We can't forget that.

She was shy and reserved at first when meeting anyone knew but once she got to know anyone, she was anything but with them. It just took a little bit to be able to be herself. Like testing the waters.

She learned that very quickly living here with the others. They all had their own personality and it was like she had to be a different person around each and every one of them so they wouldn't turn on her.

Not that they could. She just wanted to be friends.

The only problem was, that none of them really wanted to be around her except Dark. She knew why that was. A piece of Celine lived inside of him as well. They might as well be true siblings by every right and he treated her like it, too. However, more like a baby sister than anything. To him, she was fragile and to be kept out of all danger. She needed to be protected at all costs!

Currently she was lounging on the couch in the living room. There were a few Ipliers there earlier but once she joined them, they left. It broke her heart but she knew they were just weary of her.

She was newer to the group, after all. It might take some more time for them to warm up to her. Maybe another year.

'I can't stand being here any longer. It's so dull. Maybe I could convince Dark to let me tag along to the convention. Could be fun.  . . .if he lets me'

Mira knew Dark would be playing a role with Septic ego while there and she was very curious. She had never met any of the Septics egos before yet. Maybe she could make him her new friend instead of one of the Ipleirs.

God, she was lonely and desperate.

She went over lines in her head, practicing for what to say to Dark that might make him let her go.

Until the doorbell rang, that is.

"Fuck, he's here!" she tossed herself over the couch, only to slip and fall onto the floor.

Dark warped to the door and for a moment, looked over and saw Mira on the floor but just shook his head with a heavy sigh, proceeding to answer the door.

Anti growled, seeing Dark, "Ready or what, asshole?"

Dark rolled his eyes, "We're not leaving for another hour yet. You're early"

"Fucking damn it!" Anti seethed, "Well hurry your ass up! I don't like waiting!"

"How about you hold your damn tongue and have some fucking patience, BOY"

"The FUCK did you just call me!?" 

Anti was about to wreak havoc on him when something caught his eye.

His gaze was lured over to a girl watching them, sitting on the floor looking rather perplexed. Until she realized he caught her staring and she forced herself up, running off at Anti's hostile glare.

Anti snarled, 'Better run. Fucking stare at me, I'll rip her damn eyes out' he scoffed and shook his head, being properly distracted.

"Whatever. Fuck it. Get out of my damn way, prick" Anti shoved past him, going into the living room where the girl had been.

He'd admit he was curious.

But not that curious.

He soon found the TV remote and flicked on his favorite channel.

Mira hadn't left completely. She watched him from behind the door frame from into the next room. Naturally, she felt his prickly attitude from a mile away but his eyes are what fascinated her. And his body language. 

He talked a big game and spat remarks in a frightening manner but he had his hands in his pockets, defensively. Anxiously. And his glowing eyes were vicious but it seemed to scream out something else to her that she recognized all too well.

Loneliness.

But no matter how much she wanted, she couldn't bring herself to go greet him, her own nerves attacking her.

'Should I still ask Dark if I can go? . . . .'

Present Day,

2022

"You sure about this, Mark? I can't guarantee your safety in there, especially around Wilford" Dark tried to stop him again but he was determined.

They were all in the Iplier living room and Dark kept Mark in the foyer until it was time and they settled down enough.

"No, Dark. One of them HAS to know something and I'm not going anywhere until we have a lead. Maybe they'll talk more with me around? Who knows?"

"I know." Dark scoffed, "They don't care, Mark. It's even worse since Actor Mark refused your call. They'll just think you're him"

"You don't know that! He still might show!"

"Doubtful" Dark swallowed and clenched his fists, "Maybe HE did it and doesn't want to face the consequences"

"I don't think so" Mark shook his head, "Nah . . . he'd wanna gloat and brag"

"True, I suppose. You ready then?"

"Let's do this!" he walked on in and the room hushed seeing who it was.

"Hi guys!" Mark tried to be friendly and smile as to not antagonize them but on the inside, he was sort of freaking out.

Luckily, he locked eyes with Yancy, though, and he grinned, "Eeeeeyyyyy!!! Youse!"

"Heyyy! Yancy! How are ya!?" he went to greet him casually until Dark stopped him.

"Yancy, put that shiv away this instant!"

"Aw, youse no fun, Dark! Why we all here anyways!?"

Mark was momentarily stunned that Yancy was going to try and kill him like that but Dark took over, thankfully.

"This is Mark as in 'Markiplier', not Actor Mark! He is a friend and none of you will kill him! Are we clear!?"

Some of them looked like they wanted to argue but settled for glares instead. Markiplier was on their shit-list, too, for not paying a lot of them attention anymore. It was all about the new and out with the old except for a few main egos like Wilford. But others like King, Silver, Ed Edgar, Bim, Yandere, Eric, Host, Google and Bing? Yeah the were sort of livid with him for ditching them.

But none of them made a move while Dark was there and Dark's word was law.

"Right . . ." Dark kept Mark behind him, "Mira is missing. Some of you already knew this but now you all do"

.

.

.

.

Dark was unsettled by the amount of silence there was, "Well!? Does anyone know if she was kidnapped or killed? Or did she just run away? Someone has to know something!"

Dr. Iplier scratched at his own neck, uncomfortable, "Well Dark . . . I'm sorry to say but none of us really cared much for her. We know she was like a blood-born sister to you though so I'm sure none of us hurt her. Right, guys?"

Silence filled the room again but most of them were shaking their heads, clearly just wanting to leave.

Dark couldn't believe this. He hated it. Feeling so powerless and weak. Stupid.

'She can't just have vanished. She would have said something to me if she were leaving, right?'

"Heyo! Hey~! I gots an idea!" Wilford suddenly jumped up on the table with a wide grin, "Why not just leave a trail of bubbles and candy everywhere!? She'd be sure to follow it if she was lost!" he thought his idea was so fantastic.

But Mark and Dark were beyond Wilford's shenanigans at the moment, "No, Warfstache, I don't think-"

He continued, "Of course, then again uh . ..  she might be with that fella AN-ty or whatever! He was over a while ago and took off with her! Oh, young love!" Wil grinned.

Dark started to seethe, "Hold on . . . . . WHAT?!"

Mark sort of smiled but pat Dark's shoulder, "Did you try getting hold of the Septics, yet? Maybe she's with them?"

"You said Sean didn't know a damn thing!" Dark shoved him, "Or were you lying!? HE could be lying! It could all be a lie! Anti kidnapped her!"

"Now we don't really know that-"

Dark's aura was leaking like radiation from his body and the room vibrated, "Young love!? Hah! Antisepticeye is a blood-thirsty psychotic killer who doesn't care about anyone or anything!" he suddenly fell into an empty chair, leaning over feeling sick, "Oh god . . . .  he could have . . . . . he could have . . ."

"Dark" Mark stopped him from finishing his thought, "Just take a deep breathe. We'll figure this out. Good news is, we have a lead, right?"

Suddenly the doors burst open and a man walked through elegantly and full of dramatic flare, "AND I AM THAT LEAD!"

Everyone stared at him. They were shocked he was even here at all.

But here he was alive and well, annoying as always and fashionably late.

Actor huffed, "Well so much for the dramatic entry! Not even one clap!? Gah!" he waved his arms around in protest until he saw Mark, "Oh hey there! I'm glad you called me, actually! I have a problem!"

"NOT NOW, ACTOR!!" Dark shouted , took pissed off to care he was there, "Can't you see we're in the middle of something!?" he didn't face him in fear Actor would see his tears.

The man snorted, though, "Oh well fine then! I mean I assumed we were all here because Mira is gone and I was gonna tell you, I think I know how but by all means, keep throwing your little temper tantrum!" he snickered and went to sit next to another ego but their glares were too hostile even for Actor and he chose to stand, instead.

"We already figured out who has her"

"Dark, we don't know that for sure-"

"It's Anti"

Actor hummed and nodded his head, "Hm . . .it IS a decent suggestion. He's sort of angry and insane all the time, she's a cute innocent little girly and the world is so bright and shiny, right? Fuck off, Dark. Geez. It'd take more than puny little Antisepticeye to do anything to HER and we all know it!"

Dark whirled around in blatant anger and stood up and Actor's spite was gone, seeing his face.

Actor sighed, "Dark . . . it's not Anti. At least, I'm pretty sure it's not. . . .  hear me out?"

Dark was on the verge of breaking down and it was very visible but he was silent, letting Actor continue.

"Alright then." Actor clapped his hands to start his story, "So you guys remember Celine, right?"

Dark already wanted to kill him. Thankfully Mark was there to stop him.