"You can't deny what you really are"

He couldn't see anything again. It was pitch black and the ringing in his ears was back just like in all of his nightmares.

"You can't fight it"

Dark didn't know what was happening but he hated it. Who was this person to tell him this?

"You're the perfect villain for me"

He wanted to scream at him and argue but he couldn't. It was like his mouth was latched shut by force.

"You know what you are. . . .you can feel it"

Dark tried desperately to stop the ringing, holding his hands over his ears but nothing seemed to work.

"And sooner or later you'll see it for yourself, too"

Dark shot up in his bed, his heart pounding.

It was all the same. Every time. 

But for some reason it always seemed to bother him no matter what he kept telling himself.

He didn't know who was telling him all these things but he couldn't let it get to him.

'Maybe it's just my subconscious screaming ten-fold about what Mark said before.' he thought, 'It's always a possibility. I've always known he made me up to be the bad guy. Maybe I should talk to Dr. Iplier about it'

Dark Chica was laying at his side. She had been laying by the bed but she must have sensed his nightmares and came to lay by him, instead.

He pet his fur-baby and got up, rolling his shoulders as he did so, feeling his bones crack.

'Need some coffee, first. Feel like was run over by a train'

"A TRAIN, YOU SAY!?"

Dark had just opened the basement door to see Wilford standing there. It was almost as if he had been waiting for him.

He wasn't surprised, though, "Yes, Wil. A train. Anyway, how was your night?"

Wilford watched as Dark locked up the basement. He was no longer too worried about letting Dark Chica out but he thought it best to keep the door locked just in case. Mark also had him block the basement window. Even though it was adorable the way Dark Chica got along with the other dogs so well, they couldn't risk her getting out and accidentally hurting a stranger on the streets.

Wilford nodded, "I don't know! You know, I'm not really sure I ever sleep anymore! I'm always on the go! You thirsty!? Let's go get some coffee!"

Thus, the man dragged him off to the kitchen.

It was a quiet morning, astonishingly. It seemed that the Iplier egos had used up too much of their energy since they came into the real world. Usually they wouldn't feel as tired so quickly in Mark's head but being physical beings for so long seemed to take a toll on everyone.

Even Yandere looked beat but then again, they probably had been up all night researching their senpai.

And Google and Bing looked run down, too. Google didn't even have the energy to shove the other android out of his seat away from him.

It was a nice surprise, actually, in comparison how all his other mornings usually are.

"When's Mark coming over today?" Yancy asked uncharacteristically in a normal voice.

Dark shrugged, "Whenever he wants to"

"Fair enough" the jailbird hummed, " . . . hey I has a question fer you too, Dark" his voice started coming back.

"Yes?"

"Whatevers happened dat Damien dude? Or that Celine chick? Did Mark really erase them for his little story? Or was it you?"

"I . . . ." Dark didn't like thinking about that, "I'm  . . I'm not sure"

"Right" Bim chuckled, "Not that it matters. I never knew them myself."

Dark didn't like the man's tone but let it go. It seemed they were all grumpy this morning.

Wilford didn't seem to notice the conversation, thankfully, too, so Dark merely took his coffee elsewhere, leaving them to themselves.

It wasn't long until Mark came but this time he had company and Eric was the polite one this day to get the door for them.

"H-hello there" he gave a tiny wave to them all.

"Hey Eric!" Mark greeted him back, "Look who I brought! I'm not sure if you remember any of them but-"

"O-of course I do! H-hello" his nerves were breaking all the conversation bits he had in him.

Until Dark came to the rescue, "Mark, Amy. And hello to you all, too. Wade. Bob. Ethan."

"And look!" Mark jumped out of the way to reveal yet ANOTHER guest he hadn't seen in literal years, "It's Chase! We bumped into each other randomly at the airport when I was picking up Bob and Wade!"

"Oh . . That certainly is a surprise. You're early, Mr. Brody"

The Septic ego shrugged, "Yeah. I know. Sorry about that, dude. A lot of shit had just been happening lately so I figured I'd take an early vacation from the others, you know?"

"Completely understandable" Bob nodded, "You egos, by what I hear, are a big group of pyscho toddlers"

Mark shrugged, "Eh, Sean made his more sane, I think. A lot more reasonable"

Dark and Eric gave him a look.

Chase snorted, "Have you met Anti? Guy's a fooking wacko. He took all the insanity for himself."

Wade laughed, "You're not wrong, there!"

"Let's get on inside, shall we?" Mark let himself in, calling in the other egos, too.

And of course Bing was the happiest to see Chase, bro-hugging him almost so tight, he nearly broke his back.

"Good seeing you, too, bro!" Chase wasn't perturbed by it and greeted everyone else with just as much enthusiasm.

Dark briefly wondered when Wade and Bob had met Anti but pushed the thought aside. Dark had just met Anti once and that was enough for him. The guy was too fucked up to do the scene between him and Dark for that video so Sean had to do it instead. Anti kept going on about how he'd kill everyone there.

Apparently it was a normal thing because Sean didn't seem surprised OR worried, merely locking him back up in his head. Anti had left his impression, though, and it wasn't good.

Chase was a good substitute, too, though for Sean. He knew everything about acting, editing and filming that Sean did and could mimic him to a tee to boot.

It was almost kind of scary how well he could act like Sean. 

Sometimes Dark wished he could act like Mark as well as that.

"I figured we could all get an early start on filming with the boys" Mark brought up, knocking him out of his thoughts, "What you think, Dark?"

"Don't know why you're asking me. You'll do as you please anyway"

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed" Bob joked.

Ethan came up and nudged Dark, "Don't worry about them. Hey, where's Dark Chica at? I brought Spencer along. He's outside. Wanted to see if she was good with him, too"

"Oh yeah, we brought Chica and Henry, too!" Amy popped up.

Dark nodded, "I'll go get her. I'm sure everything will be alright between them. It appears she likes other dogs rather than people"

"I don't blame her!" Chase laughed, "Sometimes people suck. Dogs always rock"

He had only met Chase briefly a couple times but he liked him. Perhaps video wouldn't be so bad after all.

Ethan walked down to the basement with Dark, choosing to come see the big bad doggie himself first, "So how's it been? Haven't seen you for a hot bit"

"Come on, we did a few Unus Annus vids together when Mark was sick. It wasn't that long ago"

"Seems like forever, dude. And for the record, you were way more reasonable than he ever was in one of those vids"

"You  think I was actually going to let you idiots drink pee? You better BOTH be grateful I convinced you to do the apple juice instead and pretend it was your piss"

"Darkiplier to the rescue" Ethan sang.

"Shut the hell up, Nestor" it was jokingly but Ethan seemed to get it.

They finally got to the bottom of the stairs but Dark Chica could sense the other person with him and growled in warning.

"Dark Chica" Dark tried to soothe her, "It's just Ethan. Remember? We like Ethan. Be a good girl, please sweety?"

Dark Chica whined but still seemed to growl at Ethan. It didn't seem that she liked him right now.

"It's okay. Maybe she'll react better with Spencer."

"Maybe" Dark came up to her and put her leash on, making sure it was nice and secure before leading her up the stairs and outside, following Ethan like a hound-dog ready to pounce on her prey.

"Easy girl. Mark brought visitors for you, too"

And immediately once Chica came up to her, Dark Chica calmed and licked her face back just as lovingly. Henry came up to them, too and sniffed at her but he was still a timid creature and wouldn't kiss her.

And then Spencer trotted up suspiciously but he wanted to know this strange dog, too.

Dark Chica growled at first, not knowing this dog but sniffed the air.

Dark hoped they'd get along and sure enough, Dark Chica let Spencer get closer, letting the male brush up on her whine happily. Dark Chica wouldn't kiss or brush herself against him but it seemed as she tolerated him, no longer growling.

"Oh thank god" Dark whispered under his breathe.

"You're telling me" Ethan echoed him.

"Aw what a cutie, this lass!" Chase walked up to the group of dogs, unafraid.

"Chase, wait!" Mark tried to stop him but the Septic ego was already too close.

Dark Chica stared at the Septic with her dark eyes, watching as Chase's hand got closer.

Dark held his breathe but everyone was shocked when Chase was suddenly petting her!

Quiet.

It was just quiet and still.

Everyone, even most of the Iplier egos watched in fascination as Dark Chica let Chase pet and gush at her, telling her how good she was. Apparently she liked it, too, because her tail started to wag and she kissed him on the cheek!

"The fuck?" Dark didn't know what to make of this.

Yancy scoffed, "Oi what the hell!? I give her steak and she tries to bite my arm off! Chase doesn't even know 'er and she's loving him like some tamed puppy?!"

"It's quite odd" Illinois agreed.

"It has never happened before that Dark Chica lets any other human pet her except for Dark or Eric" Google spoke.

Once again, Eric was surprised, "No one else has pet her b-before?"

"I don't see what the big deal is" Chase shrugged, scratching behind her ear, "She's just a big lovable fluffball is all"

"You don't realize the hell you've escaped, do you?" Wade asked.

"Rockin' dude!" Bing came up, suddenly brave, "Aw you're just a sweet little pupper aren't you?!" he went to pet her only for Dark Chica to switch moods and rip his arm off.

Bing didn't feel it but everyone felt for him. Except for Google who seemed to be snickering to himself.

"Aw man" Bing pouted, "That's my pro gaming hand, bro"

Seeing the juxtaposition between her moods, though, Chase wasn't perturbed and just chuckled at his friend, "Maybe you're just not good with animals, dude!"

Dark just calmly took the arm away from Dark Chica and handed it to Bing, "Google, help Bing reattach his arm. And no funny business, alright. I'll know. And no one else touched Dark Chica, understood? Most of you all don't have reattach able limbs as far as I know"

"Cool" Yan grinned at the beast.

Throughout the whole thing, Amy didn't have much to say. She'd keep the secret to herself that she was able to pet her, too, without a problem.

"Let's order some lunch, shall we?" Mark broke the ice again, "What's everyone want?"

Dark didn't even realize it had gotten so late but opted in for pizza which was quickly approved by everyone.

Dark Chica was in the living room with the other dogs playing and being adorable while everyone else was in the dining room chatting and catching up.

Something still bothered Dark, though. So many new things were happening with Dark Chica. She was getting along with other dogs and now, more people? It was a little strange. He was happy but it also felt odd to him.

Chase didn't seem any different from the Ipliers, really. He wasn't inherently sweet like Eric. Though Chase was a good guy at heart, he had done some things he wasn't proud of much like most of the Iplier egos except for Eric. 

And he was able to pet her with no problems whatsoever.

It was probably nothing.

Actor watched as his plan was slowly coming together.

He was watching through the mirrors of the manor like some creep. A skill he had learned when last he was in the void.

But it made him sick watching everyone so happy and getting along. It was almost agonizing.

'Won't be long. Dark will snap and fulfill his purpose. And my little friend should be working soon, as well. It's been long and dragging but things are about to get a lot more interesting'

"Oh Dark!" Mark looked up from his plate, "Before I forget I wanted to ask you if it was okay for Chase to stay downstairs with you and Dark Chica?"

". . .What?" Dark almost choked.

"Well there's no more space, really and you're the only one not sharing a room, right? Plus  he gets along with Dark Chica, too. I thought it wouldn't be a problem"

Chase looked from Dark to Mark curiously.

Dark wanted to wring Mark's neck right there but calmed himself. Surely he could spare some room? All he had down there right now after all was a bed.

"I wouldn't mind. Except there's only one bed."

"Oh no problem dude!" Chase grinned, "I bought an air mattress at the airport just in case!"

'The hell? How would he possibly know unless Mark planned this out with him first?!'

But he didn't have any other ammo, "Then there's no problem"

"Good" Mark smiled, "Now that that's settled, hey Ethan, you remember that one video with us and the-"

Dark felt like he was being watched suddenly. Of course it wasn't surprising with the dining room so filled up with everyone.

But this felt weird. Sinister.

No one was staring at him, though like that. It was odd. He felt like he was in one of his nightmares all of a sudden.

But just as quickly as it came, it was gone.

Leaving Dark to wonder where that creepy feeling had come from.