"Well, you see . . ." Mark was hinting that there was bad news and Dark was in fear.

What else could he possibly have to drop on them all?

Why was he trying to butter him up by saying Dark Chica could be let out!?

"You won't have to worry about being in the video, Dark"

'What? Why?' he narrowed his eyes thinking to himself.

"I'm gonna be playing your part!"

Silence.

Even Wilford was was quiet, holding his hand up to his mouth in in shock.

For a moment, Dark was actually heartbroken and he felt something in his chest and throat swell like a balloon ready to burst.

And then he remembered what Mark  had also said and had the need to slightly protest, "But. . .but wait. How will you do a scene with Dark Chica if I'm  . . not a part of it?"

Mark shrugged, "Well, as long as you're there, it shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Dark doubted Mark's idea but out of spite and wanting his dog there with him, he agreed, "Uh . . yeah. Yeah, she should be fine"

"W-wait" Eric had his handkerchief out wringing it nervously, "Wh-why did y-you call Dark over too, though? I mean. . that is uh . . if you're just gonna act like him? Wh-why not let him play his own p-part?" he looked ready to die in that instant.

Mark was about to reply to him when another Iplier stood to his defense, "YEAH!" cried out Yandere, "Seems like bullshit to me!"

Yancy nodded, "Yeah, for ones, youse not as . . . uh . ..  'emo' as him"

"Or intimidating" Bim added.

Wilford nodded, seeming to agree with his fellow egos on those two counts.

Dark couldn't decide if he was flattered or annoyed and put his hands up in defense, "It's alright, guys. I'm sure Mark has a good reason as to why."

Mark shrugged a shoulder again. He was surprised so many of the other egos came to his defense on the situation but it didn't appear as if he'd change his mind, either, "Well . . ..  I actually kind of just really wanted Dark Chica in a shot and I know you can control her pretty well but you'd have to be with her all the time."

Dark nodded at the shit excuse, "I see . . .  And I can't be in a scene away from her because she could attack someone if unguarded . . . . right. I uh . .I see your point, Mark"

He really wanted to argue but couldn't find it in him to. If he did, he might just get sent back alone into Mark's mind with only Dark Chica as company for however long they'd film.

And he was the leader of the group, right? He had to take charge somehow and appear respectful of their creator's decision.

Right?

Amy saw the look in Dark's eyes but couldn't say anything right now. She knew he was trying to put of some sort of a brave front right now and didn't want to embarrass him. 

Mark didn't see it, though and just smiled, "Coolio! Let's get you all in the manor, then and settled in, huh? Dark, since you'll be going back later tonight, I assume you'd probably bring along any other items any of the other egos need?"

". . . . right" what was he now, the nanny!?

But the subject was dropped quickly as Mark led them all into the manor. For some it was their first time seeing it and they awed at the décor and personality of the place.

For others . . .

Well.  . .  it seemed as if Wilford was taking it well for now. Dark hoped he wouldn't have a panic attack.

Amy helped Mark get everyone situated in the manor's many rooms but unfortunately some would have to share. Which meant Dark ALSO had to share a room and by the time everyone was flocking through room to room, calling which ones they wanted . . . 

It was Illinois and Yancy, King and Bing, Google and Yandere, Magnum and the Jims, Bim and Wilford, Host and Eric.

And actually . . . that left Dark in a room all by himself! And really it was sort of a little relief to him. It was hard for him to sleep by himself let alone with someone else in the room . . . like Wilford.

'But Mark said Dark Chica would be in the basement cellar, right? I wonder what the closest room to there is so I could access her quick if need-be?'

Walking through the manor alone was even creepier. He almost wished he had forced Eric along with him. At least he was never AS intimidated by him as the others and he respected him, too.

He was one of the few Iplier who knew what respect was.

Eerie flashbacks appeared in the back of his memory but he repressed them as always. They weren't his memories.

Even still, he kept his head down at it seemed to get darker throughout the hall.

Coming up to the basement, finally, he found another door beside the stairs, 'Right. I hope it's a bedroom. Or at least somewhere that a bed could fit'

Opening it up, it was dark and a plume of dust bellowed out with the motion of the door. Dark actually had to suppress a cough but turned on the light so he could see inside.

It was disappointing, really. A storage room.

'I can't just move stuff around as I please. This is someone else's home, really. We're just renting it.'

And then he thought of an idea.

It was sort of demeaning and could be embarrassing but if it was for his Dark Chica then he'd try it for her.

'I guess I'll have to go find Mark and ask if I could move a bed'

Once they were finally alone again, letting the egos run around and pick their own rooms, Amy and Mark went up on the balcony upstairs that looked over the backyard and pool.

"Mark, you never told me you weren't going to have Dark in the video. What changed?"

Mark looked out onto the yard and hummed softly, "It's nothing. Don't worry about it"

"Mark" Amy deadpanned, "I know you better than anyone. Something's up. What is it?"

Mark nearly looked defeated and sighed heavily, "I  . .. . I don't know. You ever get those feelings that something's about to go wrong? Like a warning or something? I don't know. I feel kind of bad for renting this place."

"Yeah, thank god Wilford didn't freak out" she scoffed, "I was the last person to know about THAT, too"

"Sorry. I was just so sure at the time it was gonna be a good idea."

"Same feeling about Dark being in the video?"

"Y-yeah" Mark looked her in the eyes, "Sorry, Amy. I know Dark is always good with the acting and all. I just thought lightening his load would help his mood I guess? And I know he loves Dark Chica. I can always feel their bond in my head just as strong as me and our Chica"

Amy nodded, "He looked heartbroken, though, when you told him you'd be playing his part"

"He did?" he bit his lip, "I guess I didn't . . . notice. I always thought he hated doing the videos. Just because you're good at something doesn't always mean you LIKE it"

"Hm. . . maybe you should have a talk with him, then?"

The sound of splashing came out of nowhere below them.

Mark nodded but heard the splashing, slowly looking down.

Amy followed his gaze to see Google holding what looked to be Bing under water by his neck . . . . drowning him.

Mark cursed, "Goddammit. Only five minutes out of my head and they start killing each other! Google! Stop that! Stop that right now!"

Google looked up at him. Still holding Bing underwater and it seemed as if the other android had forgotten that he didn't actually have lungs. But then again, Google like to take advantage of his stupidity sometimes. The blue-shirted android glared up at Mark with red eyes as if challenging him.

"Fucking hell. I'M COMING DOWN THERE!" and thus he ran to go save one of his dumber egos, leaving Amy a but paralyzed watching and unsure of what to do.

Mark bolted down the stairs like a maniac, cussing and screaming something about something or rather. Some of the other egos saw him and immediately started to whisper something about Hee-Hoo.

Whatever. 

Mark didn't care at the moment.

That was when Dark ran into him, standing in his way.

The 'darker' version of him held his hand out to stop him, "Mark, if I could have a word for a moment?"

"NOT RIGHT NOW, DARK!"

Dark seemed surprised by his harsh shout all of a sudden but saw the urgency in his eyes.

"What's going on?"

Mark was still trying to get past him, "Google's trying to kill Bing!"

"Oh, is that all?" 

Mark  stopped all movement, staring at him as if he were crazy, "What do mean, is that all!? It's really serious, Dark!"

Dark just shrugged, "I don't think so. Happens every other day. Don't bother with it yourself, though. Odds are, Google will try to kill you for getting in his way. Let someone else break them up"

In perfect timing, Magnum was heard outside bellowing, "FREE THY DEFAULT, YOU BLUE COOPERATE SCUM!"

Mark and Dark could hear heavier splashing and shouting. It went on for a good ten seconds until it got quiet. The two watched the doorway until heavy wet clomping got louder and louder, indicating Magnum's footsteps.

Then he appeared at the front door holding both Google and Bing up in the air in each hand with a big dumb smile on his face. The pirate noticed them watching and showed them his victory, "No need ta worry! Everyone's all peachy keen, now!"

"WOO-HOO!" Wilford had been at the top of the stairs hearing everything going down and screamed at the pirate's battle victory, "We should party~!" then of course the man started to dance out of nowhere in complete silence.

Dark knew there would always be music in Wil's head, though.

"Right . . . . anyway" Mark groaned and sighed heavily, "Forgot how crazy you guys can be"

"Your fault" Dark commented, "Anyways, that word I was talking about a second ago?"

Mark nodded, "Oh. . .yeah sure. What's up?"

"Well, I was just wondering if I could just move a bed in the basement? I noticed there was a storage room by the basement stairs but I didn't want to move anything. I can just move a bed downstairs with Dark Chica to make things easier"

"Oh. . yeah sure. If that's what you want"

"Great. I'll go find one now that no one's using."

Dark was about to walk off but Mark stopped him with a hand on his shoulder, "Hang on. I needed to ask you something, too."

"Yes? What is it?"

Magnum was gone already upstairs with Google and Bing and Wilford was in his own little world still at the top of the stairs dancing in silence.

"You don't MIND that you're not in the video, do you? I mean, I guess I shouldn't ask it like that. Amy thinks you seemed upset. It's just . . . you can tell me if you're unhappy, Dark."

Dark almost blushed but he kept his emotions inside, "No, no. It's fine. It really is. Don't worry about it"

"You sure? Because I can just give you the script later tonight for you to start rehearsing if you want? It's really not a big deal and it'd put off a lot of work for me to do"

"Thought that you needed me to watch Dark Chica?"

"Well, I mean she won't be in EVERY shot! When she's on, you won't be and when you're on, she could be kept in the basement?"

"Are there windows in the basement?"

Thrown off by the question, Mark stopped himself for a moment but shook his head, "No. No, I don't think so"

"Good. Okay. Wouldn't want her getting out somewhere. As long as the lights work, though."

"Yeah. Yeah, they do" Mark was confused about Dark's sudden questions like that but cleared his throat, "So? Whattya think? Do you WANT to be in the video? Or do you want me to do your role? Your choice, Dark"

Dark actually had to think about this and it took him a moment to answer, wondering about what he should choose.

"Actually . . if it's okay with you. . . can I think about it? Do I have time to?"

"Oh yeah! Yeah, sure, you do! Just let me know by tomorrow morning, man" he started to pat his shoulder, only then suddenly realizing how cringe it was, "Uh . . . see ya later"

Dark watched him awkwardly walk away back upstairs where Amy was most likely.

'Good. Then I have some time to think about it. I should just do it, though. But then again, wouldn't that seem like I bitched about it in private to Mark? The others would surely harp about it. Maybe. I don't know. Oh the hell with it, I'll just have to sleep on it.'

At the moment, he had to go fetch a bed and everyone else's belongings from Mark's head-house.

He watched as his plan was slowly coming to fruition. 

He could see all the dominoes falling together to form his big picture.

'And what a grand picture it'll be'

He glanced at the man next to him, "You're almost ready, too, I presume?"

The other man grinned, rubbing his hands together excitedly, "Yes, yep! Almost there! Just one more thing to do and I'm all set! I trust our deal is still in order?"

"Of course. Of course. You just give me what I want. . .  and you'll get what YOU want"

The other nodded with wiggled his eyebrows, "And so it begins. Let's just hope your little villain doesn't turn over a new leaf and gets a fucking redemption ark!"

"Don't worry. He won't" he just laughed at the thought, "The only hero here, is me"

The other rolled his eyes but went off to finish whatever business he had left to do.

The man snorted at the other's words, 'Of course things will go exactly as planned. I've been planning this for years now and I'll be damned if he gets away with repressing me again'

'For there can only be one hero. And it'll be ME that takes that role. This is MY stage!'