A few days passed on after New Years. Everyone except for Jameson left the house but it looked like he was preparing to go to Emily's. Why wouldn't he? Soon, he was going to be MARRIED to her.

Anti didn't want to stop him. Jameson was in love and he was happy for him.

But damn, did he hate it. He felt that familiar loneliness creeping up on him.

He ran his fingers over the marble around his neck Marvin had gifted him. It felt like so long ago now.

'Maybe to them' he thought to himself, 'But to me, it still feels like last week'

The great battle between Antisepticeye and all of them. How they all came together as one to defeat him. Anti reclaimed his eye that was previously stolen from him and got rid of the bastard once and for all.

But something in Anti burned. Like the monster was still out there  . . . waiting.

Perhaps that was his own fault. . .

Running his thumb over the marble, he still felt like his previous brothers were still there with him. But over time, it seemed like even THEY were fading.

True fear started to set in. He didn't want to be alone again.

Fingers snapped in his face.

Anti blinked out of his daydream to see Jameson leaning over him.

'Are you alright there, chap? You seemed to be in another world!' he signed with a smile.

Anti smiled back, "I'm fine. What did you need, James?"

Jameson shuffled a little, nervous, 'Well I know you don't really like surprises. I know the other day must have been a lot for you. But it's not like Any of us are LEAVING you. You can come to visit us, too, whenever you like'

Jameson must have been able to see the turmoil in Anti's eyes from afar to be able to guess what was on his mind so easily.

But Anti shook his head, "I'm alright, James . . . And I don't think it's as easy as that. Sure, I can teleport to you guys whenever . . but . ..  you all have your own lives . .  you'll be married soon.  All the others have their own families . . . I don't want to be a third wheel to anyone, you know? That's why planning to meet is so important."

Jameson sighed heavily. He knew Anti always felt awkward about going to the other's universes to hang out but he knew it was more than that. It wasn't just that he didn't feel welcome. He was scared to leave THIS universe.

The mute pat his shoulder, "It's alright, Anti. You'd never be a third wheel to us. In fact, most of us practically RELY on you for a lot of advice"

"That's concerning"

'Anyway, Marvin sent a letter. He's coming over soon with Jackie'

Anti blinked, "Really? Why? Did he say?"

'No. Does that bother you?'

"Well no, of course not. They're welcome here ANY time!"

'Proving my point exactly'

Anti fell right into the trap and shoved the mute, "Oh shut it"

After a while, Marvin finally appeared alone with Jackie . . .. and suitcases?

"Sup, guys" Jackie pat Jameson's shoulder affectionately and then hugged Anti who of course accepted.

"Hey, Jackie, what's going on? Everything alright?"

The hero shrugged, "Eh, not so much. Sammie and I had a bit of an argument last night. She's letting that asshole ex of hers move back in and since I've been loafing there . . . . Well she said I could still stay but I really don't wanna be around that asshole. I'd probably end up murdering him"

"You really gotta check your anger issues"

"Well HE better check his priorities if he really wants to live or not"

Anti knew he wasn't going to get anywhere with him right now so he decided to change the subject, "Did you bring ALL your possessions?" he motioned to the suitcases.

Jackie blinked at him deadpan and glanced to Marvin, "They're his"

Anti crossed his arms and waited for an explanation but Marvin was currently ignoring the looks and putting lip gloss on. He sighed, though, feeling their burning gazes and slammed his little mirror shut.

"I'm staying for a while, too, if you must know. Bee and Sampson are getting engaged now. Thanks a lot, James. You started a trend and Evan won't shut up about it. I told him you guys needed me DESPERATELY for something so I hope one of you has a good excuse I can use"

"Are you sure it's a good idea to lie to your boyfriend like that?" Anti asked him.

Marvin snorted, "Since when do I ever have GOOD ideas? You assholes gonna help me out or not?"

Jameson got his attention, 'Actually, I've been meaning to ask you . . . could it be possible for you to find a spell to give me my voice back?"

Marvin gasped dramatically, "Huuuuuuuuuuhhhhhh!!! Jameson! I thought you'd NEVER ask!"

"Yeah, I'm surprised" Jackie muttered, "Why NOW all of a sudden?"

Jameson shrugged, "I just . .. I don't know. I feel bad sometimes that Emily and I have to communicate solely with signing or writing. I was comfortable with being mute for a while . . .but now I think it's time I find my voice again"

"Fuck, that's beautiful" Marvin grinned, "And the perfect excuse. Good job, James. Anti, be a dear and help me carry my bags upstairs will ya?"

"Can't you just snap your fingers and teleport them there?"

"And here I thought you were a gentleman. You think you know someone" Marvin groaned but snapped his fingers.

Jackie gave Anti a warning look as Marvin ushered James into the living room.

"Bet you wish you had the house to yourself now, huh?"

He shook his head, "Nah. I can put up with you guys"

Anti blinked and he wasn't sure what happened.

In the corner of his eye, he swore he saw a shadow move.

He grabbed at Jackie, holding him still, eyes locked on where the shadow was.

Of course, Jackie was alerted and tensed, looked where Anti was staring.

He leaned by Anti's ear and whispered, "What is it?"

It had been a long time since Jackie had seen him so tense.

But after a few moments of nothing happening, Anti relaxed and finally breathed.

"N . . ..  nothing, I guess." he let Jackie go but was still staring at the wall in the other room.

"You guess?"

"I thought I saw a shadow moving.. . . . could have been Marv or James, though. Sorry."

Jackie was still worried, though. Anti didn't get freaked out like that over nothing. Anti may convince himself it's fine now but Jackie wasn't going to be anywhere near relaxed until he was SURE it was nothing.

"I'm gonna talk to Marv. Maybe he could do a check around the house?"

"For what?" Anti shrugged, "It was nothing, Jackie. I was just overreacting is all"

"I don't -"

"WHAT THE FUCK!?" Marvin shouted.

Anti and Jackie bolted in the living room.

What they was definitely not what they were ever expecting.

A stranger stood in the middle of the room in a black suit. There was an energy around him that seemed to make the gravity in the room heavier. Or was that just his general presence?

He had neatly done black hair  and his face was cleanly shaven save for a light stubble. He had an intricately designed cane he held in front of him.

The man seemed amused with the situation but his face was stoic, hiding any and all emotion.

But Anti could feel it. This man . . . this stranger could knock him down if he wanted and very easily. For the first time since Antisepticeye . . . . he was terrified.

"What do you want?" Anti was the first to say anything to him, the others still being too surprised.

The stranger only slightly tilted his head, as if sizing him up.

"That's not usually what they ask first" his voice was like velvet, smooth but haunting, "They usually ask who I am . . . . why am I doing this? . . . Please stop?" he finally gave a small smirk, sending chills down Anti's spine.

Finally, Jackie found his voice, "I'm not gonna play games here, man. Answer him or you can answer to my fucking fist!" he cracked his knuckles for extra emphasis.

But the man just snickered faintly before sighing, seemingly bored of the situation already, "I've been watching you all . . .  waiting. For you three specifically" his eyes fell on Anti, Marvin and then Jackie individually, "You three are your strongest derivatives. You have the most power in your universes."

Anti didn't like where this was going but Marvin was the one to pop the question, "How the hell do you know we're from different universes?"

"Because I'm from my own. Separate. But I see you Septics, as you call yourselves, have finally moved past your own universes. I was able to see you that day after your . . .  scuffle with the murderous one"

"Okay, now back to my question" Anti tried to direct the conversation, but wanted to be careful not to piss him off.

"AH yes" the man breathed in, "What do I want? . . . . Well, I want your power. You see, I'm like a version of YOU, dear Anti. And when I saw that fight. . . . I was so . . . HAPPY. I'm finally going to have a worthy challenge. Energy that would finally get me to my end goal."

"Which is????" Marvin led him on. Jameson, meanwhile was hiding behind Jackie now, knowing he wouldn't be a match against him if it came down to it.

"None of your business. I've already told you far more than you need to know. Now give me what I want and I give my word that I won't kill everyone you've ever cared about" he tapped his cane on the floor, standing up straighter than before.

Anti had enough. He let his eyes and hair glow and a burst of lightning shot from his body, "Too bad for you, that's already happened once before. And we're not about to let it ever happen again."

Jackie stood next to Anti and powered up as well, "You think you can just walk in here and make threats like that to US?"

Marvin let himself power up as well, his mask and hands shining with his magic, "Bitch, you don't know who the fuck you're messing with! I woke up today and chose violence so just TRY ME!"

The man rolled his eyes, unimpressed, "Very well. . .  let's make this quick. I have a meeting to get to."

Anti, Jackie and Marvin went attack the man, shooting forward.

But the next thing they knew, a bright light of red and blue fired towards them violently, sounding like a deep siren and they were shoved off to the floor.

Anti cracked open his eyes, looking around. His vision was sort of blurred but he saw the stranger standing as he had before. He never even moved a muscle. Meanwhile, the rest of the house looked like a bomb went off.

Anti moved his head around, ignoring the pain, and found Jackie, Marvin and Jameson knocked unconscious on the floor next to him.

'What the hell is this?' he looked back at the man, too frightened to say the words out loud, 'Who is he?'

Holding in a cough, Anti reached out to grab Jameson and made sure he was at least touching Jackie and Marvin.

He couldn't win this fight. This was the better option.

The man sighed and shook his head with disappointment, "I thought you'd be stronger. . . . been slacking, have we?" he took a step forward, his cane ahead of him as he came menacingly towards them.

"But now I suppose I can answer that one question everyone is always asking me. . . . . who am I?" he laughed tauntingly, "My name is Darkiplier . . . . but you can call me death"

Darkiplier reached forward but before he could do anything, Anti glitched, making them all disappear.

Darkiplier took a deep breath before standing straight again with a light hum, "Hm . . . I'm not fond of games"

Anti opened his eyes. It felt like he had been asleep for months. His own body ached and he groaned as pain shot through him.

"Easy zhere, Anti. I've got you" a cold hand brushed through his hair, "Zhe others are okay, too."

"Anti?" he heard Eva's voice, "Can you wake up? Can you tell us what happened?"

He wanted to fall back asleep but Henrik must have given him something to wake him up. He blinked up at the ceiling and groaned, feeling a headache coming at him like a train.

Then he remembered.

"Darkiplier"

Henrik sounded just as confused as he looked, "What?"

Anti cringed, his whole body hurting, "His name . . . was Darkiplier. Call for Evan . . . . get the others . . safe"

And just like that, he blacked out again from the pain.