"Oh god, what's happening!? Are they okay!?" Amy shrieked at them.

"Marvin!" Sean piped up, "Is there anyway we can see in the void?"

The magician ran to the nearest mirror, grabbing it before bringing it back in front of everyone. He waved his arms and cast a spell in latin turning the mirror into an inverted window of sorts.

They could see the four across from one another with Anti in front of Dark.

"Do you think Dark will be strong enough?" asked Eric.

"Of course little dude" Bing said slightly rubbing the back of his neck as if unsure himself.

"He took down Actor before with ease" Bim said, "Actor decided to trap him again for a reason, right?"

"Actor was piling up his strength just as Septic was" Jackie added, "But we cut their time short. Hopefully it'll be enough"

"It has to be" Mark swallowed, worried for Dark.

Meanwhile, Dark let Anti stay in front of him. It gave him more time. What little of Celine's energy he had at the moment wasn't enough yet to take on Actor, who had been basically stockpiling it.

Actor huffed, "You two thought you could just get away? Fool us?"

Anti decided to be cheeky, "We did, didn't we? Marvin and Host knew knew right away. All of Sean's egos knew last night. Why do you think all that crazy shit happened to you guys?"

Septic wanted to attack, "You son of a-"

"I should have known. Ridiculous things don't just happen like that." Actor growled, "Septic. . . . . I think it's time. Should be easy enough with them so weak and expended. Kill them. Kill Dark first."

Septic nearly hissed at him, "Don't order me around, pompous dick"

"DO YOU WANT TO LOSE YOUR BODY!?" Actor snapped, "DO AS I FUCKING SAY!"

Septic flinched as Actor pushed him but didn't retaliate.

Anti shook his head, "You don't have to, Septic."

"Shut your whore mouth" Septic sneered, "You're lucky I don't have you on your own to kill you. I'd take my sweet time with you, love" he winked, "But I'll make do"

Dark stood at Anti's side, "Don't touch him" he stumbled only slightly.

"Whatcha gonna do? Fall on me?" he snapped a small lightening strike at him, making Dark fly back with a groan.

"Dark!" Anti tried to run to him but Septic gripped his arm.

"Uh-uh, my little glitch bitch. It's time for some payback" he slammed his fist into Anti's stomach making him grunt and buckle but before he could strike again, he broke out of Septic's grasp.

Anti held his stomach but glitched green, "Alright, you want to play, Septic? Let's go!"

"I'm gonna beat your ass, sweetheart" Septic grinned as he charged at him.

Anti was quicker though and bolted out of the way. Dark got back up and went for Septic again with Anti but the monster, having been feeding on Anti for so long was stronger at the moment and pushed them both back with ease. 

Dark groaned but still managed to get back up with Anti in front of him.

"Stay back, Dark" he said, "You need to conserve your strength to get us out of here. Then if we get out, we'll have the others at our side."

Dark reluctantly agreed, "Just be careful. He's strong and we don't know if Actor will really join in or not"

"Doubtful. Bastard doesn't want to get his own hands dirty" Anti smirked, "Too good for that"

Septic lunged after Anti, uncaring if Dark stayed back, "Come on Anti! Show me what you got!"

He hit Anti, knocking him down but the glitch got back up. Septic went for him again and Anti was dodging and landing a few hits himself but not as many as his counterpart. He knocked him back again to the floor.

But Anti just got back up again.

Septic was almost impressed by him. His will had gotten stronger and the more he got back up, the stronger he got. Septic grinned, liking this new Anti and yet didn't understand just how it was happening, "Why get back up, Anti? You know I'll just knock you down again! We'll kill them all no matter what so what's the point in fighting back?!"

Septic glitched to him and clawed his shirt, ripping it slightly along with leaving some scratches on his skin. It almost looked like a bear attacked him.

"Once I knock you down and kill your little boyfriend what's it all matter? You could just give up, Anti. You know. . .like you did back then?" he smirked at the memory of when Anti gave in to him.

"You plan to kill my friends and my brothers. I won't let that happen. Just like I didn't let it happen before! I won't let you hurt them! I may had given up in the beginning but I still got back up and fought again!"

"Why?!" Septic didn't understand his motive. Why hurt himself to save someone else? 

"It's called love, Septic! And don't pretend you don't know what it feels like! You felt it these last two days, didn't you!? Especially at the cafe when Chase didn't even KNOW who you really were. That's why you trusted him so much last night. You started to care for him and Sean. For all of them"

"You're wrong!" Septic lunged at him again, sparks flying.

Anti dodged out of the way only to be hit by a red streak. He yelped at the hit, sending him a few feet skidding on the pitch ground with a burn on his shirt to match the rips.

Septic turned to Actor, "HEY! You just told ME to fight them! Fuck off!"

Actor smirked, "I saw an opening, unlike you. Fight better!"

"Anti is MINE, you understand me!? Don't touch him!"

"Just stop playing and actually kill them! We don't have the time to squabble around!"

"Don't tell me how to fight. You've never been in a damn fight yer whole life so fuck off and let me FUCKING FIGHT THEM!"

Actor's new red eyes burned on Septic, "You're just trying my patience, aren't you?!"

Septic was already on Anti again and gripped his hair, "Are all Ipliers like this? So fucking controlling and touchy, eh?" he tossed him and tried to stomp on his stomach only for Anti to roll away at the last second.

Anti jumped up, glitching and punched Septic in the face before kicking him in the balls and throwing a flare of green sparks his way.

Septic grunted, the punch making his mouth bleed. He felt the need to cup himself but pushed it away, charging at him with new rage. 

They interlocked fists, green flashes and sparks flying from them. Anti growled, "You couldn't glitch before"

"Yeah well I learned some new tricks. You like them!?" Septic lunged to bite Anti but he pulled back in time.

"Did you just try to bite me!?"

Septic giggled maniacally, "What? Afraid of a little love bite, darling!?"

"Septic!" Actor yelled at him, "Stop fucking around and go after Dark before he gains his strength back!"

"Fight him yourself, you cowardly little cunt!"

By this time Dark had stopped getting so shaky, pulling back on the red aura and  was at the ready just in case Actor or Septic came at him while he got stronger. 

Dark concentrated, finding Damien and Celine's energy, "You have my sister's aura. Give it back!"

Actor felt a pull on him and hissed, "Not so easy! Septic, now! Listen to me, dammit!"

But Septic didn't listen and instead charged after Anti again who was ready for him.

"Damn you" Actor hissed.

Actor's rage was building. The audacity of the little rodent! Actor built up the red pulsing, lighting up the void in a red light.

"That's it! You're leaving me no choice here, Septic!"

Septic stopped to see what the hell was happening as did Anti.

"The hell?" Septic was caught off guard when Actor shot the strange light at him!

"Graahhahah!" Septic stumbled but felt his body move against his will.

"You'll do as I fucking say, you damn useless puppet!" Actor pulled his hand back and revealed what seemed to be strings that attached themselves to Septic.

Septic cried out in pain, struggling to fight it off, "Stop it ya fuck! This wasn't the deal!"

"Shut up." Actor hissed, "Shut up and kill Dark NOW!"

All of a sudden, Septic glitched and ran at Dark. He managed to guard himself, however, before he could hit him properly.

"Dark!" Anti cried out.

But he was also concerned about Septic for some reason. He looked actually in pain and even though he had done so much harm to him, it hurt Anti to see Septic like this, being used.

Anti knew what it was like, "Dammit, Anti, your soft side is gonna get you killed."

He glitched over to them and kicked Septic away from Dark.

Septic retaliated with a grunt and lunged again, glitching behind Dark. His eyes had turned red being in Actor's control and he had a mindless grin on his face. . . . just like in Anti's nightmare a few days ago.

Septic hung a little limp but still attacked with force. Dark managed to dodge away though. Or he thought he did. Septic kicked his feet out from under him, making Dark land on his back with a grunt.

Septic pulled out a steak knife from his back pocket and was about to stab him when Anti rammed into him.

"Septic stop!" Anti yelled at him, "I know you don't want this! Fight him!"

Septic growled and tried going after Dark again but Anti got in his way once more, "You're not the puppet! Remember!? You're the puppet master! Fight him!"

Septic glitched out from Anti's path and kept going for Dark who was struggling to hold onto and build up his energy more.

'Why is he trying to help me!?' Septic screamed in his head. He was unable to speak or control his own movements, only left to his thoughts, 'He doesn't really care!'

Anti got in his way again, "I know you hate me! I know we've had our differences but please! I'm trying to help you!"

'Why!?' Septic screamed in his mind, 'Why help me!? I don't understand you fucking Septic egos! Why?!'

"We're still kin! You're still an ego! You're my brother! Let me help you, dammit!" Anti punched him, throwing him back to stall another attack.

He glitched a little, "Rrrrrahaahhah~!" Septic growled out.

"Come on, Septic! I know you tried to kill us! I know you hate us! But you can't fucking lie to me that the last two days haven't been fun for you! You LIKED being around them!"

'No I didn't!' Septic ranted in his head, 'You guys are all fucking idiots!' he shot a blast at Anti, slamming him into Dark who caught him barely, stopping his concentration.

Anti guarded Dark again after gaining his balance once more. 

He tried a different tactic, "Come on you fucking puppet! You mindless drone! Are you just gonna stay being Actor's bitch!? Huh?!"

That pissed him off, "Shhh̵h̵h̸u̵u̴u̶-̶-̷-̸-̴-̵" he hissed but couldn't finish and instead lunged once more.

Actor, meanwhile was smirking, "Idiot! You can't get through to him! He's mine now! I control the little fuck! That's it, Septic, go after Dark again!"

"No!" Anti shielded Dark from a lightning shock Septic sent at them, burning his side. He was taking too many hits.

"Gruaaah!" Anti held his wound and Dark caught him before he fell.

"Anti!" Dark held him up, "You alright?"

"Don't worry about me" he shoved out of his grasp, "Just keep trying to get us out of here, Dark."

He turned his attention back to Septic who was still confused as ever, 'Why!? Why are you trying to help me!? What's in it for you!?'

He took out the knife again and attacked Anti with it, who was in the way of Dark, only for him to grab Septic's wrists to stop him, "You're really gonna let Actor do this to you? You're nothing but a coward yourself then. You're stronger than this, I know it!"

'I fucking can't!' Septic screamed in his head, 'The strings are too strong! Can't break free'

Septic's body glitched and sparked but Anti held him from getting away, "Come on! Who's the glitch bitch now, cunt!? Fight him, ya piece of shit! He needed your help for a reason! Show me that reason!"

Septic's eyes flickered back and forth from the red glow to green and Anti chose to make fun of that, "Your eyes look like fucking Christmas Lights right now! Choose a color, asshole!"

'The FUCK did he just say to me!?'

Septic was cracking but Anti went further, "You're so submissive to Actor and you make fun of ME!? I bet you let him fuck you, huh!? Did ya take it up the ass, almighty Septic!? Huh, slut!?" He knew he went too far but he didn't regret it when Septic's eyes stayed green suddenly.

"̷̡̢̬̲̼̖̪̓͝S̴̹͙̼̟̦̳̕͝H̷̘͌Ù̵̙̯̄̀͐͂̒́̐͜Ţ̸̬̬͔̦͙̎̉̈̈́̐̽͌̓̕͜ ̷͇̩͓̳͓̭͓̜͙͗͗͋̄ ̴̮̼̙̭̯͇̱͉̏͛͘U̴̧̗͕̯̝̣̣̲̓͊͌̒͛̍̕P̴̬̟̞̣͔̜̙͈͌̈́̑̀!̸̡̘̦͖̤̥͕̹̞̇̌!̶̯̖̟̝̥̐̽̈͒̐̓͠!̵͖̣̝̉̀̎͘͝!̴̞̬̐̅͂̃͘͝"̴̫͓̤̥̞̰̔̑̆̿͑́̄̚ Septic broke free, dropping the knife in pain as green lightning erupted from him.

The green lightening looked like a giant tree stemming out of his body as the red strings snapped from him.

"That's it Septic! You're doing it!" Anti grinned as Septic freed himself from Actor's grasp.

But his smiled was short-lived when Septic's pitch black eyes settled back and he snarled, "I'm gonna fucking kill you!"

"God dammit you fucking-!" Actor screamed, 'How in the fuck did he do that!? There's no way! Celine's power is unmatched! It's impossible! He was under MY control!'

Septic and Anti interlocked fists again, this time with Anti struggling against Septic's wrath but he tried getting through to him again. 

'Just one more time' Anti thought.

"Please Septic! What are you gonna do once you kill us, huh!? Actor will kill you! Don't you get that!? You've disobeyed him too many times. You can fight with us!"

Septic started struggling as well but more so on his emotions, "I . . . . . I don't"

"You DO have a choice." Anti interrupted him, "Please, I'm tired of fighting you! I don't want to fight you anymore!"

"̶T̴h̵e̸n̵ ̸d̴o̵n̴'̸t̶!̷"̴ Septic broke apart from him and went for a punch but this was Anti's opening and he struck him hard with a blast of his own, watching as Septic hit his head to the pitch floor.

He was knocked out.

"Just a little longer" Dark shuddered, "I feel it getting stronger, Anti. We're close! Celine's aura is coming back to me"

Actor started walking forward, disgust on his features, "Pathetic" he spat at Septic's unconscious body, "Guess I'll have to get my own hands dirty. It's a shame, really. He could have made a decent toy but you were right. I planned on killing him anyways when all was said and done"

Meanwhile with the other egos, Chase clenched his hat in his hands, almost tearing it in his anxiety, "They'll beat him, right?"

"Isn't there anything we can do to help!?" Yandere shouted.

Marvin shook his head, "We can't enter the void ourselves. Not unless we die. Dark has special properties that he can travel back and forth and the only way Anti is there is because he was brought there by force"

"We're stuck watching, then" Google stated, "Perhaps we should get a first aid kit ready for when they return to us"

Dr. Iplier blinked," You're so sure they'll win, Google?"

"Why not?" the android asked, "Dark has beaten Actor before on his own. And now Anti is by his side and Septic is down for the count."

His words made the others more hopeful but Chase was still unsure, 'You guys better win' he thought, 'And once you do, I'm never letting Anti out of my fucking sight again!'

"I'll go get the kit" Henrik offered and took off for Dr. Iplier's office.

"I'll go get the booze!" Wilford piped up and everyone looked at him strangely so he clarified, "What!? We're gonna want it for celebrating, ya know!? Just thinking optimistically! Geez"

Mark rolled his eyes, "Get the soda, too"

"Atta boy!"

Back in the void, Actor sneered at the two friends.

"Look at you, Dark." he started to smile, "You're so much weaker now. I won't be so easy for you to kill, will I? Because now even Anti has expended a lot of his energy fighting his little counterpart."

"We're still both strong enough to take you on" Dark snarled, "So stop talking and just come at us already, drama queen."

Actor teleported in front of them, "You asked for it" he attacked with Celine's aura and flung them back. Anti tried lunging at him but Actor brought Dark's cane up in is hand and whacked him with it causing him to stumble onto his back.

He was about to attack Dark with it too, only for the owner to grab it. Bad move. Actor had attached the red aura to it and made it lash out at Dark, causing him to burn his hand, "Fuck!" 

Actor grinned, "I told you! Not as easy to kill this time, eh!?" he gripped Dark's hair but wasn't prepared for Anti to practically bear attack him. 

Anti had Actor underneath him with Septic's knife in hand. He didn't even think about it and stabbed Actor in the shoulder.

"Aahhh! You little bastard!" Actor flung him off of him.

Meanwhile, Septic was slowly waking up again but saw Anti stab Actor in the shoulder.

'Shit' he thought, 'He's got more guts than I thought'.

His head was looped up from the impact with the hard pitch floor but Septic was able to see what was happening although he couldn't really hear it all that well.

He saw Actor try to yank the knife out but since it was a steak knife, it was serrated and harder to just 'pull out'. It would cause him to probably bleed out and ruin his nice suit if he did.

Actor stomped onto Anti's chest, kicking him hard and Septic could just barely hear Anti's pained grunts and whimpers.

It struck something in him.

He didn't know quite what.

It almost. . . . .hurt him too.

'What is this feeling?' he thought, 'Is this that human emotion shit I keep feeling? Why?'

Septic watched as Dark tried to help Anti but Actor just waved the cane and projected the power off of it, knocking him back again. Actor laughed as he continued to kick Anti in front of Dark but sadly the Iplier ego was too weak still to help his friend.

'Why do I feel this way? This hurt? They hated me. They didn't even know I existed. I wanted to kill them all for it.'

Anti pulled Actor's legs out from under him, causing him to fall on his back and he glitched over to Dark, trying to help him up. He was shaking him, presumably trying to get him to get them out of there. But he couldn't yet. Not just yet.

Septic pulled himself up just a little on his elbows and watched with blurred vision. But he could see better a second ago? Why was his cheek suddenly wetter than before?

Septic brushed his cheek to see a clear liquid on his fingers.

'I'm . . . . . .is that a tear?'

Actor had a deep red aura gather around him. His eyes were black and red and his smile was jagged and frightening, "Time to end this"

'What is this feeling inside telling me?' Septic thought, 'Is this really what I want anymore? Anti . . . he. . .'

Actor laughed sickly, the knife still in his shoulder but he no longer cared. The aura lashed from him until he concentrated it into a sphere shape, "This ought to take care of you!"

Septic watched as Anti covered Dark as if to protect him from Actor's oncoming attack.

'Anti you . . . you helped me. . . you . . . I can't-'

Anti closed his eyes, hoping to whatever god there was that Dark and him could survive Actor's bomb-like attack. "Dark, I'm sorry" he clung to him and Dark merely held onto him thinking about him and his family.

Actor threw the attack at them, the condensed ball of pure dark matter and energy flying at them. They were both too weak at the moment to fend for themselves.

Anti prepared himself for death as the red light was hurdled their way.

Only . . . .  .

There was nothing. It was like it was blocked but it hit something, Anti could feel the strong vibration of it.

Anti opened his eyes slowly and looked up to see a body hovering over him and Dark, arms outstretched to protect them.

He couldn't believe it.

"S-septic?"

The 'evil' ego shuddered from the blast's hit but he had been strong enough to deflect it unlike Anti or Dark could have. It would have consumed them although Septic would definitely have a nice scar on his back from it, his shirt having been completely tattered.

"What!?" Actor cried out, "How!? WHY!? Why in the hell would you SAVE them!?"

Septic struggled but stood up still hovering over the two. Anti weakly stood up as well, helping Dark up with him.

"W-why did you do that?" Anti asked.

Septic snarled at him, "Don't look too far into it. I still hate you" 

Anti slowly started to smile slightly as Septic turned and stood in front of them facing Actor. 

He had a new target.

"Why did you save them!?" Actor yelled at him, "You idiot! They were almost dead!"

"I am the ONLY person who has any say in how Antisepticeye fucking dies!" Septic yelled back at him, "And W̶H̴E̵N̷. . . ."

Septic stanced at the ready for Actor to make any move, glowing with reserved power, "Call it what you will, he's still my puppet and I have decided to let him live for now which means. . . . o̶u̵r̴ ̴d̵e̵a̴l̵ ̶m̸e̸a̵n̷s̵ ̶n̴o̴t̵h̸i̵n̵g̶"

Coming in hot with another chapter! What do you guys think so far of the new development?