"How do you know I won't try to kill him?" Anti asked Jameson.

The mute only gave a silent chuckle and signed, 'If you truly meant harm to anyone, you would have killed Jackie by now with how much he's screamed at you. I trust you to behave yourself.'

Anti was silent for a while as Jameson finished the giant Ouija board, "How's this gonna contact him? Sean's not dead and neither are we"

"It will help create a mind link and in turn with our ego properties, summon a ghost version of himself here"

"How do you . . . . you know what? Nevermind. Fine. Summon the asshole, already. I'm ready to die"

Jameson rolled his eyes at how dramatic Anti was and placed his hand on a circle in front of him. He then sat down cross-legged and seemed to meditate for a bit.

Anti watched, his head cocked to the side in curiosity like Basil's.

A few moments passed and Anti was starting to think Jameson was just a little crazy until a voice echoed in the room, "JJ? That you?"

Anti flinched at the sound and looked over to see a ghost of Sean standing in front of Jameson who still looked to be meditating. Apparently, Sean could hear him, though and spoke again.

"JJ. . . . What are you doing? I told you not to do this again. And you know what Marvin will say!"

Jameson's eyes opened and he scrunched his face, glaring at him.

"Of course I know what's happening, Jameson. At least somewhat. And I'm sorry but-"

That pissed Anti off, "You're SORRY!?" He came into view behind Jameson, snarling at him.

Sean seemed surprised at his presence but not as much as he thought he'd be.

"Anti. . . . I was wondering when I'd see you again. So you got yourself a body again, huh?"

"How. . . how can you act so casual about this?"

Sean looked away with a shake of his head, "What's it matter? I can't do anything about the situation anyways. You'll do what you want. And it seems as though I don't need to worry. Everyone's still alive"

"For now!" Anti glitched, making the power falter and turn off. It seemed Anti's power-up had lost it's juice.

Sean swallowed and sighed, changing the subject slightly, "Why did you do it, Anti?"

The nightmares returned to Anti's mind and he just stared at his creator with loathing, "Really? That's the question you ask right now?"

"YES, Anti! YES. I at least deserve to know that!"

"I DON'T KNOW, OKAY?! I DON'T FOOKING KNOW! It doesn't matter anyway right now! We're dealing with a bigger problem than ME at the moment, you son of a bitch!"

Sean glared but it softened soon after. Jameson must have said something to him.

"What's happening, then, Anti?"

"I fooked up, alright? I. . . . .again. I pissed off Dark and now he's after me but for SOME fooking reason the others are willing to hide me from him. Don't ask why. Maybe it's because he threatened their lives, too, and it's just for their sake now. I don't know"

"You want to know if there's anything I can do to stop Dark"

Anti nodded.

"I can't." Sean gave the simplest answer but it wasn't what they wanted.

"Why the fook not?"

"Dark is Mark's ego. Even if I asked Mark to reel him in, he couldn't. What did you do? Did you try apologizing?"

Jameson gave a look but Anti huffed, "I guess I tried but. . . .doesn't matter. He wants me dead. I sort of trashed his mansion, fucked with Google and Bing's wiring. . . . destroyed all his suits"

"Man, you really fooked up"

Anti only nodded.

"Anti" Sean shook his head in exasperation, "It's gonna be okay, man. Hang in there"

"I don't need your PMA bullshite right now, McLoughlin. If you can't help then go fook off then."

"I didn't say I couldn't help. You're the one he wants, Anti. And I know he's . . .  stronger and a bit more . . .  immortal. But I trust you to find a way out of this mess"

Anti scoffed, "And how the fook do you reckon that?"

"You found a way to live, didn't you? You escaped out of my mind. You managed to create a hellfire of problems and then after I had Marvin get rid of you, you STILL managed to find a way to survive and escape AGAIN. You're a survivor, Anti. I trust you'll find a way, again."

. . . . . 

"Why did you bury me away? Why wasn't I given a chance like the others?"

"I guess I was afraid. You were so dark and mysterious to me. I didn't know anything about you. You were just . . . there. I'm sorry, Anti. I shouldn't have done that and I know I have to live with that but I can only hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me"

"Heart. . . .  what the fook makes you think I have one?"

"I gave you one. I may not have created you but I did make the finishing touches. You're just a late bloomer, it appears, is all" he gave a small smile.

Anti blinked at him, completely confused. Angry and frustrated. But just so fucking bewildered.

"So you're just gonna let the freakshow take over the story? What about the others? They're in danger now and you're just going to let all of them bite the dust? I get it, you trust me not to kill them but that doesn't mean Dark won't."

"I can't help, An-"

"YES YOU CAN. DO NOT TELL ME YOU CAN'T HELP US YOU PIECE OF SHIT! You abandoned all of us! All of them! They ALL needed you even after my disappearance and you just tossed EVERYONE aside! I mean look at Chase. . . . .  he needed you. You could have helped then. . . . You can help NOW"

Sean was silent for a while, "You called him Chase. . ."

"What?"

"You've always called him Brody. You really do care and yet you try so hard to deny it. He's a difficult one, isn't he, JJ?"

Jameson crossed his arms as if to agree with Anti on this.

Sean frowned, "I know I'm a terrible creator. I've tried to be better. . . . but I just thought. . . maybe you all would just be better off without me. I didn't think you all need me meddling with your lives making things worse. I'm sorry. . . . ."

"You could help" Anti growled at him only to receive silence.

"I got to go. Just remember, Anti. . . . . you weren't created by me. You were made by the community and for me to make the finishing touches. You have a heart, remorse and feeling. I made you the strongest. And just because Dark is 'practically' immortal doesn't mean he's invincible"

Suddenly he was just gone.

Jameson huffed with crossed arms.

Anti heard the words. Did he really believe in them? Of course not. Sean was just being an asshole is what he thought.

Jackie and Henrik were at the power plant. They stopped at Henrik's office to grab the necessary tools and booked it, dodging the chaos in the streets.

"You vould think law enforcement vould be stronger in the city"

Jackie shook his head, "Not necessarily. There's a bank of corrupt cops along with underground gangs and criminals also laying in wait for this kind of shit to happen."

"Vhat about emergency generators for security?"

"I'm guessing Dark had Google tear it all off. Google's a mastermind, after all when it comes to that stuff."

"Sounds like you know a lot of vhat happens here, still. You know you could still-"

"No, Hen" 

They got to the middle of the plant and he whispered, "Those days are over for me. The city didn't want me around, anyways so what's the point?"

"Not everyone didn't vant you, Jackie. You vere greatly needed"

He shrugged, "Doesn't matter. Shit"

They came up to the source of the problem.

"Hen. . . . I hope you know how to fix this"

In front of them was a giant cable slashed of anything connecting it. Like it had been lasered clean in two.

Henrik just sighed, "I do. . . but it'll take some time. Time ve might not have"

""You are correct." 

The Septic egos turned to see Google on top of a platform staring down at them with a small smile. He hopped down on their level, his eyes red, "However calculating time left. . . . . . you have a 95% rate of failure"

Jackie snarled and stood in front of Henrik, "You take care of this cable mess. I'll take care of rust bucket"

"Be careful, Jackie"

Google snickered, "Should have just let the glitch die"

Anti paced the living room as he had done before. He tried making sense of Sean's words but really he couldn't make sense of it at all.

How could HE be stronger than Dark in ANY way? And Dark had a weakness? Well what was it!? Sean ticked him off today more than ever and Jameson just sat in a chair watching him.

Anti didn't even realize he was holding Basil in his arms for comfort and the cat just let herself be held, loving the attention and occasional vibrations Anit gave off accidentally.

Anti ran the conversation in his head a few more times over and over again.

"You found a way to live, didn't you? You escaped out of my mind. You managed to create a hellfire of problems and then after I had Marvin get rid of you, you STILL managed to find a way to survive and escape AGAIN. You're a survivor, Anti. I trust you'll find a way, again."

'But he's wrong' Anti thought to himself, 'I'm not a survivor. If it hadn't been for Chase and Marvin I would have been dead by now. No. I'm not a survivor at all'

"You have a heart, remorse and feeling. I made you the strongest."

'Who's that gobshite think he is?' Anti snarled, scratching Basil's chin, 'If I had a heart, I wouldn't have done all that shit I did to everyone. Even if I regret it now a little, it doesn't change anything. Still a monster and Jackie's right to treat me as one.'

Suddenly the walkie turned on and Anti and Jameson turned to it both intrigued and confused.

There was just static at first but then a grunt and shout. Anti made it out to be Jackie's voice.

'He sounds hurt!' Jameson shook Anti's shoulder lightly, 'Do you think they need help?'

"Hero can handle himself." on the inside, Anti almost hoped Jackie was getting pummeled.

* "Aaaaahahggh!!!" * Jackie strangled cry came through the walkie. He must have landed on it just right for them to hear him. Jameson bit his lip anxiously.

* Jackie! Are you alright!? Hang in zhere! * Henrik's voice.

Then a small chuckle that Anti recognized as an Iplier's *Silly humans. So fragile. I can't wait to end you *

"Google" Anti snarled but still didn't make a move.

Jameson shook Anti and the glitch rolled his eyes, putting Basil down, "Will ya stop fooking shaking me!? What you want me to do, eh!? He told me to stay here! They all did!"

'Since when did you care what others said or did what you're told?'

Anti crossed his arms and heard Sean's words again. He hated that Jameson was right but he had a hard time changing his mind.

'No, he's wrong. I NEVER had a heart because if I did, I wouldn't have hurt them in the first place. Late bloomer, my arse! Survivor yeah right'

Jackie broke out in another scream. It was clear Google was doing something nasty to the hero, dragging out some pain.

'Bastard deserves it anyways' in the back of his mind, though, he knew that was a lie.

Sean sat in a chair in his dining room. He could still feel Anti's anger. He had never felt him so angry before. . . .mixed with something else.

But he knew the glitch was right. It pained him not being able to stop Dark himself. Is wasn't that he didn't want to but Dark wasn't exactly easy to talk to. You couldn't just change his mind.

Not even Mark could do that. Mark normally just always trusted him to make the right decisions because he was smarter than him or that's always what Mark had told him.

But now Dark was threatening the lives of all his egos, not just Anti. If it was just Anti . . . the glitch would probably find a way back eventually. But the others. If they died, they were just gone for good. That was the difference between them and Anti. The only reason Anti was invulnerable was because of the community's close involvement in creating him. There was pieces of him everywhere. But the others like Chase, Henrik and Jameson. . .Marvin and Jackie. . . . Sean was careful with creating them. Their creation meant everything to him and he was proud of what he made. Of what he brought into the world.

Sean bit his lip and pulled his phone out to make a call.

Anti was right. He couldn't just sit back and let them all suffer. Not anymore.

Meanwhile with Chase and Marvin, the magician teleported them but where, he wasn't quite sure.

"It's so dark here" Chase clung onto Marvin's sleeve so he wouldn't lose him. Marvin made himself glow, placing a hand on Chase's shoulder with comfort in mind.

"That's because it's Dark's void. He was created here, you know. Or at least that's what Host told me"

"Weird. Where is he and my kids, though? You sense the tracker still?"

"Sort of. We can't just walk there, though. Hold on. It may take a few trips through his thoughts. Try to keep your mind blank so he doesn't sense us here"

"He might already have. He's probably expecting us"

"Maybe. Let's just be careful, yeah? We don't want to end up as hostages, too"

Chase agreed. He couldn't imagine being in the man's presence for so long. 

'He better not be scaring my kids or I swear, I'll fooking pop a cap in his ass this time'

Marvin teleported them again to try and find their way through.

Jameson bounced up and down in anxiety, 'We have to do something, Anti. We can't just . . . please!' he signed aggressively with his hands, 'If you don't do something then I will! I don't know what I'll do but at least it'll be something'

Anti was still lost in his thoughts. He knew Jameson was right but at the moment he was fighting with something in himself.

Why should he help? Why shouldn't he? What was in it for him? Should there be? What did Jackie ever do for him? Didn't he deserve it? Didn't Google deserve it after what Anti did to him?

But another agonizing scream cut through his thoughts. He heard a bone pop.

* I've grown tired of you. Call Anti here now or I'll kill you *

Anti fully expected Jackie to give him away. Why would he protect him after all the hurt him AND Google's put him through? What reason would he have?

Anti closed his eyes, fully prepared for Jackie to tell Google. For Google to tell Dark. For Dark to come to him fully healed and to cut his hand through his chest killing him.

.

.

.

* Fook you. I ain't telling you shit, tin can *

Anti opened his eyes, confused.

'Why not?'

* Why would you not? Is he not the one who tried to kill you all before? * Google's smirk was heard *He's nothing but glitch. A mistake, anyways. A virus that needs to be exterminated. You should accept that as a service *

* He may have tried to kill us but he's changed. I might give him shit but if he wanted us dead, he would have done it. Part of being a hero is being able to see the good in others. I may have resented it at first but I could see it. That little fuck has a fire in him stronger than even mine. He may be a dick but he always speaks the truth and I respect him for that. *

* He's nothing but a glitch. Always sparking back up always unwanted. * It was clear Google had a large dislike of him.

Anti's breathe hitched when Jackie continued,  * He's not a glitch! He's a fighter! His fire is stronger than any of ours because he always fights for it and his right to live! And if he was unwanted. . . . . he wouldn't exist in the first place, asshole  He's not like you Ipliers', rust-bucket. *

* Genau, Jackie. I agree * Henrik's voice sounded tired. Like he had given up . . . 

'Jackie?' Anti's thoughts were reeling. He didn't understand why the hero would say all of that.

Then he realized. 

Google was going in for the kill.

Jackie was on the ground in front of Henrik who was still trying in vain to work on the power cable, trying to fuse it back together.

Google stood above Jackie with a sick grin on his face, eyes still glowing a deep red, "Oh well. Anti will die right after you all. Lessons will be learned today"

Jackie grunted in pain. He tried hard to fight the android but his metal was stronger than him. That and apparently Google upgraded himself, able to shoot lasers from his fingers. That had surprised him, cutting a hole through his side and leg. Google had taken his chance and beat him and even managed to break a couple bones.

Jackie never knew the walkie was on and he didn't care if it was or not. He had to get all of that out of his system if he was going to die. 

Because it was all true. He couldn't deny it any more.

The very moment he saw Anti again, he knew. He saw him protect them and Chase from Dark. That fury in his eyes protectiveness. He just hoped Anti would do what he could to protect the others. Maybe give Dark one last good fight.

"Time to die, hero"

Jackie shut his eyes, waiting for the death strike.

A couple seconds went by and the tension was about to kill Jackie when suddenly a strange noise hit his ears. Like electricity.

Another moment goes by and nothing.

Jackie opened his eyes to see Anti in front of them, standing up to Google, green lightning sparking from him and fists clenched.

"Anti . . . ."

"Glitch" Google snarled.

Anti just giggled, shaking. 

He looked insane. 

Furious.

Jackie and Henrik couldn't have been more happy to see him right now.