2022
Two years later

Anti slowly walked forward, a menacing look in his eyes.

Blood soaked his feet and imprinted on the cold floor with each step he took.

He started to grin as he neared the terrified man in front of him.

He chuckled darkly, eyes glowing green.

Anti stood over the man, his teeth glinting in the blaring red lights.

The man on the floor cowering was shaking. What could he do?

There was no way to escape.

What did he want?

Anti chuckled under his breath. It sounded demonic.

"Hello, Chase"

"And Cut!"

Anti shook his face from acting and clapped his own hands, blowing a raspberry, "Was that good?"

Chase laughed at him, standing up, "Yeah, man, that was awesome! I was actually scared for a second there!"

Anti laughed at him, "HAHA! What? Afraid I was all possessed again? Oooooo~"

"Dude, don't even joke about that" Jackie called out from behind the crew.

Anti rubbed the back of his head, looking sheepish, "Sorry"

Chase mock fought Anti's arm, "Boosh! Boosh! . . . Anyway. . was that the last scene for the day?"

"I think so" Mark, the co-director of the video, mumbled, "What do you think, Sean? Good to go?"

Sean nodded, "Yeah that was killer! I think we can actually go back to one of Chase's other scenes, though. Anti, you go ahead and take a break, okay?"

Anti nodded, lightly shoving Chase with a tease and a higher pitched 'better than you' voice, "Hear that? I'm perfect. All good to go. You have to do more scenes because I'm better than you"

Chase scoffed at him playfully, "Well now you're just acting like Marvin! It's because I have more screen time in this than you, ya poser!"

Anti stuck his tongue out at him and ran off behind Sean before Chase could grab at him.

Henrik snapped at him, "Hey! Hey! No running in zhe hall"

Anti rolled his eyes at him, "Oh come on, Hen! Stop being such a dad!"

"No, zhat is Chase's job. . . if he vas more responsible"

"I heard that!"

"Good!"

Anti laughed, "I'm hungry. Is it lunch-time yet?"

Jameson looked at his watch, 'It's close enough.'

"YES!" Anti fist pumped the air.

"OooO!" Marvin popped in between them, "We ordering or going out? What we having?"

"Definitely not sushi again" Anti grumbled, "That shit did NOT agree with me"

"Well, you weren't supposed to eat ALL of the wasabi, Anti! And definitely not by itself!"

Anti rolled his eyes, "Jackie dared me. . . .As if I'd ever back down from a challenge"

"You should have zhat time" Henrik snorted, "You had vent through my entire stock of hemorrhoid cream."

Jackie snorted, laughing under his hand.

Anti waved his arms, blushing, "OKAY, OKAY! Anyway! No sushi! So what else sounds good?"

Chase whined from afar, "Aw! Are you guys going to get food without me???"

Jackie nodded, "Pretty much. We'll save you some!"

"Awwww"

The Septics minus Chase were about to all go out to get some lunch when Mark tapped Anti's shoulder.

"Hey, before you go, I need to talk to you about something"

Anti sighed, "If it's about Dark again, you can forget it"

"Well-"

Jackie snarled, "Ugh, what does he want now?"

"You know he's been trying to be better" Mark tried to vouch for him, "He's been hard into therapy and anger management the last two years. He's developed good habits, he hasn't been drinking and he seems a lot. . . different than before. Plus he hasn't bothered you since. . . before. . right? As per your two's agreement?"

Anti nodded but didn't like where this was going.

"Well . . . . he's been pretty. . . depressed as of late, again. You remember how he tried to kill himself last year. And I think he sent you another plush, too. . .right?"

Anti crossed his arms, looking away, ". . .Yeah. . .he did. Doesn't mean I wanna speak to him yet still"

"Then how can he atone for what he's done if you don't give him the chance to?"

Anti hated that Mark was right.

And besides, he did get a good two year break away from the bastard. .. besides all the plushes in the mail to remind him of him.

He had enough animal plushies in his room now to make a king size bed.

No, he wasn't going to get rid of them. He still didn't like Dark nd he hated that they all smelled like him, but he loved plushies and he was going to take advantage of Dark's guilt HARD.

He didn't want to admit it but in a way, he DID sort of want to see Dark if just to see how miserable he was.

"I don't think you should" Jackie crossed his beefy arms, "He doesn't deserve it after everything he's done to you. Him being depressed and trying to kill himself has nothing to do with you. It's not your problem"

"Just because if I go and see him, it doesn't mean I'll forgive him." Anti clarified, "Besides, who says I have to go alone? Would you go with me?"

Jackie's eyes lit up, "Of course I will, Anti. No way in hell am I letting you be alone with that bastard!"

Henrik shoved his glasses back up on his face, "We'll all come vith you if you vant"

"Definitely" Marvin grinned, "I'd love to try some new spells on the bitch if he tries anything"

Jameson had nothing to say but he'd be there for his brother.

" . . . . Okay. Fine, Mark. I'll go and see him tomorrow."

Mark sighed and nodded, "Good. . .Let me know if ANYTHING comes up, okay? If he acts weird in ANY way or says anything creepy or threatening, I'll take care of it."

"Not unless I do first" Jackie muttered.

Anti stretched and decided to change the subject, "Mmmmm . . . I think I'm in the mood for Subway"

"Oh! Yes! That sounds good!" Henrik actually seemed excited.

Chase yelled at them across the hall, "GET ME A FOOTLONG SPICY ITALIAN ON HERB AND CHEESE BREAD WITH EVERYTHING ON IT! . . . EXCEPT PICKLES AND CUCUMBERS!. . . . PEPPER JACK CHEESE! NOT TOASTED! ADD OIL AND VINEGAR.. . AND MAYO! SHOULD I JUST TEXT IT TO YOU!? I FEEL LIKE YOU WON'T REMEMBER!"

Anti put his thumb up to gesture that he heard him and walked off with the others.

"WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!? IS THAT A YES OR NO!?"

Lunch was good but now all Anti could think about was how he was actually going to finally see Dark again tomorrow.

His happy mood was sort of killed but he knew his brothers wouldn't let anything happen to him again.

Never again.

Henrik got Chase's order to go and they all met back at the studio building they were borrowing for filming.

Anti was going to go take Chase his sandwich when he spotted an Iplier ego talking to Sean.

"Huh" Marvin scratched his head, "I wonder what Wilford's doing here?"

Anti didn't like the implications.

Wilford turned and grinned, "Anti! There you are, boy!"

Anti had to choice and walked up to him carefully, "Hey Wil . . . whatcha doing here, bud?"

"I was just telling Juh-Seany-boy over here about the Iplier plans for Halloween next month! We're throwing a party and you're all invited! I have the disco ball!"

Marvin fist pumped.

Anti whined, "I don't know . . . "

"Mark said you're going to go see Dark tomorrow" Sean brought up, "Maybe it'll ease a little tension between you guys so you'll feel a little comfortable being around him in the same room? Doesn't mean you have to talk to him or anything"

"Believe me" Wilford snorted, "He's been through the ringer with all of us at home. Some of us still don't forgive him, either. Not saying you should. . . I don't know if I can ever see him the same way myself for ever falling into a bargain with that snake Actor"

"I'm just meeting up to hear him out" Anti sighed, "My brothers will be with me. I'd just rather him not try and kill himself again over it all"

"It's not just all about you" Wilford raised a brow, "Damien's emotions have been at the forefront in Dark. He feels terrible as he should . . . before, it was Celine at the forefront. All her bitterness and anger consuming and making Dark what he used to be. He is different now since Celine finally had her revenge. That, I can say."

Anti wasn't sure about it but nodded, "Okay"

"Whelp!" Wilford slapped his knee, "I better skedaddle! Don't want to leave Dark alone for TOO long. Oh, and the gang says hi! Illy says hi specifically to you, though, Anti. He wanted me to stress that. I don't know why"

Anti blushed. They hadn't spoken in years but once in a while, Illinois or one of the other Ipliers would send a nice little message through another Iplier or Mark.

Wilford popped off and the group went back to their day.

When the day was over and all the acting was done, the Septics went back home.

Jackie was still trying to convince Anti NOT to go tomorrow but he'd still be there for him if he wanted.

Anti couldn't sleep that night.

But he knew, at least, that his brothers had his back this time.

The next morning, he was stressing out but he didn't want to let the others know otherwise they'd convince him not to go and he already told Mark he would.

He knew he could back out at any time but something was telling him that maybe now was the right time?

Chase made everyone a big breakfast. Eggs, toast, rope sausage, bacon and pancakes.

Henrik had oatmeal and Marvin was teasing him about not living enough.

Anti just focused on eating, digging into all the good food. He noticed he did that a lot, lately.

He still stayed pretty fit but he was stress-eating a lot. He made a mental note to look into that later.

Finally, it was time to go.

"Are you sure you wanna go?" Jackie asked him again.

Anti nodded for the millionth time, "Yeah. . . he'll probably be in his office. . . maybe you guys could wait outside the door and listen?"

Chase grumbled, "I don't like that but if that's what you want.. . ."

"Since we won't be able to see you, though" Henrik went on, "We'll have a time limit. Five minutes and zhen we come in. If he says or does anything you don't like, shout and we'll come in. Okay?"

Anti nodded. He wished it had been like this years ago.

When they teleported to Raspy Hill, they were just outside the front door. Chase knocked and Google answered.

"Hello. Mark said you'd be coming. I'm honestly surprised and that doesn't happen often"

He let them inside.

Immediately, Yandere gasped when they saw them, "ANTI! What are you doing here!?" they raced over and barreled into him.

"Oof!" Anti grunted and hugged them back, "Hi Yan! I know it's been a while since I've been HERE but I figured maybe it was time to try and I don't get to see you all that often!"

"Well you can be here anytime, dude!" Bing flicked up his sunglasses, "Not like Mumble and Shadow ever really leaves his office anyway anymore."

"I STILL wanna shiv him" Yancy grinned.

"You all want some water?" Stan appeared and offered a bottle.

But everyone knew better than to trust Stan's water.

". . . .no thanks"

Someone hung their head over Anti's shoulder, "I was wondering when you'd show your pretty face here again~"

Anti immediately knew who it was and rolled his eyes, "Illy, you're such a weirdo flirt."

He gave Anti a big kiss on his cheek before whipping around with a big grin on his face, "Aw, you know you love me!"

Anti's brothers snickered at their interaction but Anti was just ready to get this over with so he wouldn't have to have this meeting baking in his mind anymore.

"Sh-should someone go get Dark?" Eric asked timidly, "O-or are you guys g-going up there?"

"We're going up there with Anti" Jackie answered first, "Anti wants us to wait just outside the door but I think it's a stupid idea"

"It's what he wants" Chase argued.

"I just think I'll be able to tell easier if he's lying or not if we're alone" Anti confessed, "It'll be alright, okay? Just remember the plan you guys set up"

"No problem there" Marvin was already checking if his nails were sharp enough.

Together, the Septics climbed the stairs up to Dark's office.

It seemed like a longer walk up than it used to be.

Finally, though, Anti was face to face with that familiar dreaded door.

He licked his lips and swallowed thickly, clenching his fists.

Henrik put his hand on Anti's shoulder, "Remember, you don't have to do this. We can still leave right now if you want. ANYTIME you want"

Anti nodded, "I. . . . . . no, I . . . I just want to get this out of the way"

Finally, he knocked on the door.

He expected that deep voice to invite him in.

But there was nothing.

It was very quiet on the other side.

Anti tried knocking again.

Nothing.

"Hm . . . .I'm just gonna go in"

"Are you sure?" Chase asked, "What if he gets mad?"

"Then I'm sure you guys will kick his ass" Anti was more so trying to comfort himself.

He opened the door and went inside.

It was very dim in the room.

The lights were off and it was eerily silent.

Anti looked around but he couldn't really tell if Dark really was in there or not.

"Uh . . . . Dark? You in here?"

"What do you want?"

Anti flinched and turned around.

He didn't even notice that Dark was laying on the floor in the darkest part of the room.

He was just staring up at the ceiling.

Anti noticed Dark hadn't even looked at him, "Uh. . .. what are you doing on the floor?"

"Communing with my fellow specks of dust and trash like the garbage I am"

Wow. . . Anti didn't expect that. Dark looked and sounded like an emo teenager. Anti only then realized he wasn't in his normal suit. No, Dark was actually wearing just a black T-shirt and dark gray sweatpants. He looked like he hadn't moved in a while, either.

He seemed to be wallowing in his own self-pity and guilt.

" . . .okay. . . ." Anti scratched the back of his head, "Didn't. . . Didn't Mark let you know I was coming over?"

"He did"

". . . . . I think Mark's kind of worried about you. I think he thinks you'll try and kill yourself again"

". . . . . . . ."

"Dark-"

Dark just sighed, "I told you before that I wanted to die two years ago"

"And I told you that wasn't happening." Anti argued, "You can't just take the easy way out, Dark. Face your fucking mistakes"

Dark suddenly sat and actually looked at him, "Do you think I haven't?! I think about it every single fucking day, Anti!"

Anti took a step back but noticed that Dark wasn't even trying to stand up. He just stayed there on the floor.

"Atoning for what you did and redeeming yourself isn't just sitting in your room all day wallowing in your own self-hatred. I know you've gone through therapy and anger management. I know you haven't drank . . . . You keep sending me fucking plushies every goddamn month and it's driving me fucking crazy!"

Dark just laid his chin on his knees, "Sorry. . . . . I don't know what I need to do Anti. . . . I'm trying. . . but I just have no fucking idea what I'm supposed to do. . . I'm not the same person anymore. I know I'm not. But I can't go on living knowing all the things I've done. How I've hurt you. Remembering everything Actor's done to me. . . . Just tell me what I need to do. What do I do to stop feeling like this? How do I atone for what I've done?"

Anti thought about it. Honestly, he didn't know.

"I. . .. I'm not sure, Dark. I don't know what you can do. . . . . " he sighed.

"Then how can I. . ." Dark stopped himself, not sure what else to say.

Anti paused for a moment.

It was quiet between them until Anti finally spoke up again, " . . . . Wilford came by yesterday when we were filming. . . he said that you're more of Damien than you've ever been now. Since Celine got her revenge."

Dark shrugged, " . . . . I suppose so"

"I've always liked Damien a lot more than Dark. You say you're different now. . .. right?"

"I . . .feel different. Yes. Celine has taken the backseat before but I could still feel her rage . . .Now. . . she's at peace and allowed Damien's personality to come forth more. . . I think"

"Prove it"

"Huh? How?" Dark blinked and looked up to him.

Really, it was honestly kind of pathetic. This once proud and strong man was now reduced to someone so sad, lonely and miserable.

"Stand up"

Dark didn't understand but slowly but surely, he stood up on his feet. He practically held himself, uncomfortable.

He didn't want to scare Anti in any way or make any unnecessary movements. He couldn't even look Anti in the eye.

Anti stared him down, "Look at me"

Dark hesitantly met his eyes.

Anti glared him down, almost as if daring him to do something but it appeared Dark really was trying not to freak him out.

He could see then.

Anti sighed and decided it was time to make a big decision.

He stepped forward, "Let's . . . .start over. . . . not friends . . maybe acquaintances . . . but. . .. this will start things . . things will be different this time. . . . got it?"

Dark didn't know where Anti was going with this. What was he saying?

Anti held out his hand, "Hi. My name is Antisepticeye. It's nice to meet you."

Dark stared dumbfounded at both Anti and his hand.

It was just like their first meeting back in 2017.

Except back then, Anti had a smile on his face. One that Dark had long since erased when in his presence.

But now ... Anti was giving him the opportunity to fix things. Maybe he could finally fix things, after all.

Tears fell from Dark's eyes but he slowly reached his hand forward and took Anti's.

"Hi Anti . . . . My name is. . . . . . you can call me Damien. . . It's nice to meet you, too."

Anti's brothers had been listening on the other side of the door.

None of them were particularly happy with Anti's decision but they'd support him.

Besides, if Dark ever DID revert to his old ways, they'd be there to put him in his place.

Six feet under.