Darkiplier's Angst- This chapter being after Anti's doesn't mean it is right after Anti's breakthrough. In fact, I'm thinking that this takes place more so at least a year or so before Anti's chapter so pay that in mind. 

It was a calm rainy day at Raspy Hill. The rain wasn't too hard but it wasn't sprinkling either. Dark enjoyed these kinds of days. They brought a relaxing feeling with them. Dark laid in his bed in a plain black T-shirt and jeans. Most people saw him in a stunning black or gray suit but when he was just at home or out casually, he preferred something more comfortable but still his style. But it didn't matter whether he was in a suit or not, people still felt his powerful demeaning and intimidating aura. He couldn't help it or control it. It was just there.

But even his 'brothers' feared him. Well . . . most of them. Wilford was a special case but there had been a few times where even Wilford wouldn't look him in the eye.

Dark gave a long, quiet sigh and ran a hand through his black hair. Today, he had to look over a bunch of paperwork concerning Wilford, Yandere, and Google's mishaps and he wasn't looking forward to it. He'd probably have to yell at them or reprimand them, too, and he hated doing that. It just made everyone fear him more. He wasn't a bad guy. He couldn't help it if he was scary.

Celine had warned him. Well . . .Celine had warned Damien, at least. She said that he would change and would never be himself and boy was she right. He was no longer Damien, that part of him was gone. He couldn't feel things the same way as others anymore. But he could feel pain. He could feel hurt and loneliness and it was amplified whenever his 'brothers' would come across him. Dark felt their fear, although sometimes it was mild. But it still hurt that they didn't trust him.

After all, it was him along with Wilford that had brought them all together. Wilford had found Dark, first, however, in the forest. He suggested bringing them all together for a TV Show to 'somehow' hurt Mark. Not Mark, the YouTuber, but Mark the Actor. He was another ego but he had gone haywire and it was his fault he was like this. Why Wilford had lost his mind completely. Why he was alone. He missed Celine. He may be different now from Damien but there was still that part of him that called her his sister and he cared for her. But she was still resting. She had kept up that illusion in the forest for SO long. No telling when she'd wake back up or even how she'd return.

Dark grumbled to himself before finally standing back up and leaving his room. Along the way to the kitchen, he met Bim and the Jim twins who wouldn't even look at him and stopped talking as he went by. But Dark was used to this and went on his way to the kitchen anyways. Nobody was in there so he made some coffee in the silence and ate a piece of toast. When his coffee was done, he poured some in a mug and blew on it before taking a sip, enjoying the taste. His tastes had changed, he'd admit. When he was Damien, he loved pure black coffee but now he preferred it with tons of sugar. Unhealthy but delicious. He also loved dark chocolate but nobody but Wilford and Eric knew this.

Speaking of Wilford, he waltzed in happily but calmed when he noticed Dark, "Well hello there, old pal! How's old Darky doing!?"

He was always like this and it bothered Dark. He always spoke so cheery to him but Dark could sense the pain. Wilford remembered him as Damien but knew he wasn't that man anymore. Dark and Wil had to have a discussion a little time after he brought him back from the forest that Damien was gone for good and it hurt to see the pain in his eyes. Wil put on a good face but on the inside, Dark could tell he was torn apart and screaming in agony.

"I'm fine, Wil. Going to be looking through the paperwork today of your latest incidents. As well as Yandere and Google's. You all need to stop mindlessly killing people. It's getting tiring to keep up hiding it all."

Wilford laughed it off, "Oh it's fine! It's fine! Death is just a social construct! You should enjoy yourself a little, Darky!"

Dark had already tried countless times to tell Wilford that that was all in his head. He tried telling Wilford that it was just Actor Mark's manor that had brought them back but it wouldn't get across to him. His insanity plugged his ears from the truth.

Dark merely sighed and shook his head, "Just please don't get into any more trouble for today? Maybe stay inside and enjoy the weather?"

Wilford laughed heartedly, "Well oh sure, old chap! Everybody is staying in today. No need to go into the wet! We're gonna watch movies together and play board games and eat all sort of goodies! Mark is even coming over, too! Isn't that grand!? You should join us!"

Dark immediately shook his head, "You all enjoy yourselves. I'll be in my room looking through the paperwork."

With that, he walked away from Wil, ignoring his shouts to 'just relax'. It was even harder to relax if Mark was coming over. He looked just like Actor Mark and sometimes even acted like him if he was being arrogant playing games. Dark's aura would unwillingly lash here and there, causing Mark to nearly panic. The last time Mark set foot around them was about six months ago, afraid Dark would attack him.

As Dark was walking to his room, he ran into Eric suddenly who stammered an apology, "S-sorry, Dark sir. I . I uh . . .Sorry"

Dark liked Eric well enough. He was quiet and never caused trouble unlike anyone else in the house. But the poor kid was just so jumpy and afraid of everything, "It's fine, Eric. Are you heading downstairs with the others?"

Eric pushed up his glasses and was squirming nervously, "Y-yeah. W-wilford said we'd play g-games and stuff. And Mark was coming too. A-are you joining us?" Eric tugged on his shirt anxiously but he was at least trying to be polite and Dark appreciated it, "No. No one will want me there. Besides, I have paperwork to get done."

Eric looked worried, "Y-you're always w-welcome Dark." He tried to smile, "Y-you're nice. . . .just . . . um . . uh"

Dark pat his shoulder awkwardly, "Tell Mark I said hello, will you?"

Eric gulped at his touch but nodded, "Y-yes sir"

With that, Dark made the rest of the way to his room and sat on his bed with a bunch of the paperwork strewn about on the mattress in front of him. Usually he'd sit at his desk but he was feeling more casual than usual today. From his room, he could hear the others jeering and laughing once Mark arrived and Dark's heart gave a sudden small pang.

'Why does it bother me?' he wondered, 'It shouldn't. . . .I shouldn't feel this way. But yet . . . . At least that's what he said.'

Dark remembered the first time he spoke to Mark after he and Wilford came out of the forest. Out of the void. That was almost four years ago now. Dark was smarter than the other egos and realized his existence was brought about solely because of Mark. Mark created them in a way, albeit not by choice. It just happened in his head. The same happened with Sean and his egos.

Mark had told him that he thought of Dark as a soulless manipulative being that would do anything just for himself and use others to his whim. At first Dark thought really nothing of this, thinking that was because he needed to be like that to find Actor Mark. But the more he thought about it. . . the more he realized that Mark just thought he was always like that. But he wasn't! It hurt Dark to know that Mark and the others thought he was evil incarnate. He just wanted to be near them. He wanted to protect them and be there for them. Wanted to laugh with them. 

Dark found himself not even paying attention anymore to the paperwork but he didn't care.

'If only Celine was here. . . .And Anti. Why did he do that to Sean? Why did he snap like that?'

He knew Anti wasn't treated the best out of all of them but he never expected him to try and kill them. They used to be good friends. They had a lot in common and when he was with him talking to him, he didn't feel so lonely anymore. Dark would go as far as to say Anti might have been his best friend. A true brother. But he had to break his ties from him after the incident three years ago. He did it to protect the others but of course none of them realized the sacrifice he made. Now Dark was truly alone. Yes, Eric was polite to him and Wilford was around but he never really was quite 'there'. And Eric seemed to be nice out of obligation.

Soon it was lunch-time and his stomach started to growl. That's when he realized that he really hadn't gotten any work done and he grumbled to himself, "Damn emotions."

Sometimes he wished he was the monster Mark thought he was. Sometimes he wished that he was the villain Actor Mark wanted him to be but he just wasn't. He couldn't help it and it made him so frustrated to have all of these emotions only to feel the worst of them all the time.

Dark carefully wandered downstairs, being quiet as to not alert anybody. He didn't want to ruin the mood and put a damper on things. Once he reached the fridge, he quietly opened it and smiled to himself softly when he found stuff to make a quick sandwich. He got out the ingredients and piled on stuff and spread mayo on the bread, not feeling a certain presence around the corner.

Dark was completely unaware of eyes on him as he finished his sandwich and scavenged the cupboards until he found his dark chocolate cookies. He grinned to himself as he opened the package and stuffed one in his mouth before grabbing a bunch to take up with him to his room. Once he turned back around, he nearly choked on the cookie when he saw Mark standing a few feet away watching him with a smile on his face. Once Dark saw him, however, the smile left, having been caught staring.

Dark took the cookie from his mouth and placed it with the others on a plate along with his sandwich, "M-mark. Uh . . .good to see you. You need anything from the kitchen? I was just leaving" He wanted to go back to his room so bad.

Mark nodded, "You too. W-why didn't you want to join us, Dark?" he awkwardly scratched the back of his head, "There's room on the couch"

Dark picked up his plate and just looked uncomfortable, "Um . . . I . . . I just knew nobody would want my presence there. And you were coming, so . . . I didn't want to ruin the mood"

Mark had a sudden look of surprise on his face, "What? Why would you think that?"

Dark felt a sudden pang of anger and glared at him a little, "Y-you've always said I was the embodiment of evil and manipulation, Mark. My aura intimidates others. Remember?"

Mark flinched slightly at the glare Dark gave him but he recovered, "Dark . . . ."

"Don't." he interrupted him, "Nobody wants me around. I scare them. I understand. I don't mean to but . . . nevermind. I'm fine on my own. Have fun" without leaving any room for him to counter, Dark grabbed his plate of food and ran off back to his room.

Sitting back on his bed, he just stared down at the food, not even hungry anymore. Suddenly something wet landed on a cookie and Dark breathed out, not realizing his emotions. He touched his face and felt a few tears. He balled his fists and grimaced.

'If you meant to make me soulless then why do I feel like my soul is being torn apart?' he thought to himself, 'Was I a mistake?'

Slowly, he put a cookie in his mouth, savoring the sweet and bitter taste of the dark chocolate. It comforted him and he rubbed away the tears on his T-shirt. 'I'm supposed to be mean and ruthless. And here I am crying because of silly emotions I was never meant to have.' He scolded himself.

He shouldn't have spoken to Mark like that but he couldn't help it. He had those thoughts in his head for so long, he couldn't help but to let them slip through, his anger and sassy attitude getting the best of him.

Some hours later it was dinner time but Dark didn't want to go back down. He didn't want to see their faces. Their fear and anxiety that he'd hurt them or something. Their suspicion and unease and Wilford's crazy, sad laughter. He'd wait until everyone was asleep and Mark had left to go grab him something. Perhaps some leftovers. But as he laid down on the bed thinking, he drifted off to sleep.

He woke up to the sound of banging on his door. Snapping up, a bit groggy, he looked at the door in puzzlement, 'No one ever knocks on my door' he thought.

Cautiously, he spoke, "Who is it?"

There was a pause before they spoke, "It's Mark. Will you open the door? I want to talk to you."

Dark brought his knees to his chest and sat himself against the headboard in thought before sighing , "It's unlocked"

Mark opened the door to see Dark in the position a child would be when they knew they were about to get reprimanded. It stumped him, "Dark? You feeling okay?"

Dark wouldn't look at him, "I'm fine. Is that all you wanted to know?"

"Dark" Mark chastised him, "Will you come down for dinner? Wilford's been asking about you. We got takeout".

"Wilford is asking about Damien. He still doesn't understand. I don't want to eat. I'm not hungry. Will you leave now?"

"No." Mark shut the door behind him and crossed his arms, "Dark, I know you're not fine. What you said earlier. . . It got to me. You think the others don't want you around? That they're all scared of you?"

"They are." Dark looked at him, "And so are you. You may put up a brave front but on the inside, you want to run and I can see it. I'm not blind"

"Wilford was telling me he was worried about YOU, Dark. Said you barely ate anymore and you stayed in your room most days to avoid everyone. He said you REMIND him of Damien because of your mannerisms. Damien always saw himself as a burden to others socially and always buried himself in paperwork as well. He wanted to be of use but he could never bring himself to talk to others properly."

Dark was silent. He never knew that. Sure he had some of Damien's memories but he wasn't the man himself anymore. He didn't KNOW him. Apparently they hadn't been so dissimilar. 

But Dark looked away again, his back to Mark, "Doesn't change the fact that the others don't want me around. My aura complicates things. It lashes out of my control. I want to be around them and talk with them but all I feel is their fear!" 

His voice rose in his growing anger at Mark, still not looking at him, "Because YOU just had to make me the BAD GUY! You AND that stupid fucking ACTOR! But I was just a mistake, wasn't I!? You never wanted to create me!"

Mark was silent now for a while before Dark suddenly felt him leave. That hurt Dark. He didn't even try to defend himself. He felt a pang in his chest like someone stabbed him in the heart and choked him. He really was afraid of him. Dark held himself and let those tears fall as he laid in bed. Fuck his hunger. He wasn't leaving that bed for the rest of the night.

The next day, Dark still didn't want to get up so he didn't. He still felt hurt after the bout with Mark last night. He had just left without a single word. Did he even know he felt pain? It was around lunch time when there was a knock on his door but he wasn't having it this time, "Leave me alone!"

But the door opened anyways. Dark growled but didn't move, his back facing the door, but he could feel it was Mark. He shut the door behind him, "Dark, this is ridiculous. You're making everyone worried. Please come down. Everyone wants to go to the beach. You want to join?"

"Just leave, Mark. They're not worried, they're scared. Scared that I'll be a fucking time-bomb and hurt someone or something. They don't give a damn about me and neither do you so don't even try and pretend."

"If I didn't care about you, then why am I here!?"

"So you can say you were." Dark was losing his temper and his aura was starting to rattle but Mark didn't leave this time.

"That's not true! We care about you"

"No you don't"

"Dammit, Dark stop being so moody and depressing! Can't you see we care!? They're trying to help you! I'M TRYING! I care about you, Dark"

That was it. He snapped up and hopped off the bed, "OH, DO YOU, NOW!? Is that why you ran off last night like you did?! Is that why you NEVER come by anymore? Is that why all of the others purposefully make it their mission to spend as little time around me as possible!? The only one who doesn't care to be around me or not is Wilford but then again, he doesn't care about ANYONE'S life anymore if they lived or died! The only reason he can even stand to be around me is because he sees Damien! NOT ME!"

"That's not true! We care! We try! You just don't make it easy!"

"HOW!? How can I make it any easier!? If I even step foot down there and run into anyone, all I feel is their fear! All I feel is their suspicion and anxiety, wanting to get away from me as far as possible! Why did you have to make me this way, Mark!? Why am I like this?! I hate this fucking aura! This darkness that surrounds me! I hate the way I darken a room even if I don't mean to or when I'm actually happy. I fucking hate myself!"

He didn't realize tears were running down his face and Mark stared, surprised but Dark wasn't done, "I HAVE emotions, Mark. I feel pain, hurt, and sadness. I feel so fucking alone. I cry myself to sleep most nights hoping this stupid aura doesn't crack and breakdown taking me with it. I feel so much pain like a knife stabbing me. Like hands gripping around my throat choking me but no one cares. They can't see it. All they see is that I'm a 'cold, manipulative monster with no emotions'. Don't you dare say it's hard to help me feel better when YOU are the ones making me feel this way."

Dark turned away to wipe his tears, not being able to bear looking at Mark anymore. It was a few seconds later and he expected Mark to just leave again but something weird happened. Suddenly there were arms wrapped around him and Dark gasped at the sudden contact. Mark briefly let go so Dark could turn around. Dark was about to say something when Mark hugged him again, wrapping his arms securely around his middle, his hands rubbing his back. He mumbled something in his chest and Dark didn't know what to do, "I'm sorry" Mark choked out, sobbing his own tears into Dark's shirt.

Dark slowly put his hands on Mark's back and hugged back but he was still so confused, "Wh-what?"

But Mark just stayed silent and held him tight. Soon, Dark broke down and hugged him back just as tight, burying his face into Mark's shoulder like a child. For an intimidating and soulless being, Dark poured out so much emotion and pain, it hurt Mark. He felt so bad. He never knew.

After about ten or so minutes, they finally parted and Mark wiped Dark's tears, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Dark. You're right. I labeled you . . .I never even tried to get to know the real you. I just thought. . . . After the incident with Actor Mark and the manor and all the craziness, that all that came out of it was loss. Wilford and Abe's sanity, Celine and the DA being gone, Damien's  . . . passing. I didn't see the good that came out of it. I really thought you were made as the villain. Actor Mark's revenge that destroyed Damien. l'm so sorry for thinking that."

Dark hugged him again, laying his head on Mark's shoulder, "It's okay. I understand. I just wish you hadn't judged the book on it's cover. Actor Mark made me HIS villain. But that doesn't mean I'm THE villain. I just want to protect and be there for you all. For you all to see that I care about all of you and just want to be your friend."

Mark pulled away and nodded, "I understand better now. Things will be better, I promise. God, I'm so stupid".

Dark smiled lightly and coughed out a bit, "At least you realize that" Mark chuckled and swat him playfully.

"Well it's about dang time"

The two looked over to see Wilford standing at the door with a huge smile on his face, "I thought you two would never see eye to eye!"

"W-wilford?" Dark looked at him wearily. Wilford walked in and put a hand on both of their shoulders, "What? You think Ole' Wilfy is just a silly, crooked ding-dong? Not completely!" he chuckled.

"Dark . . ." Wil turned unnaturally serious, "I know you're not Damien. You never will be. But I DO care about you. You're my friend. The only one who truly knows what I feel. I know I can always come to you for anything. And you can come to me" He hugged him suddenly and Dark hugged him back instantly, "Wil"

Wilford broke away with a grin, "Eric, I know, too, just adores ya! You're like the dad he never flipping had! You know that asshat, Derek? Worthless father! At least you pay attention to him!"

Dark blushed a little. He never realized Eric would think that and it warmed his heart.

"And I always appreciate you getting Google, Yandere and I out of a tight one when we mess up. Google, I'm unsure about his emotions but I'm sure it's the same as mine! And Yandere. . . well I don't know anything much about them except they'd do anything for their 'senpai' haha!"

Mark looked unsure but Dark appreciated the thought, "Thank you, Wil."

"Ohohoho! Now let's say we go on out to the beach now, eh, the lot of us! Dark! We could build a sandcastle!"

Dark looked hesitant but sighed, "I supoose."

"That a boy!" Wilford slapped his back heartedly, "It'll do ya some good ta get some sunlight! You're as pale as the moon!"

"It'll do you good to be around everyone, too" Mark put in, "Show them you're not what they think, hm?"

Dark sighed but finally agreed, "Fine. . . .but I'm not wearing swim-wear"

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They all went to the beach, Mark driving them all along with Amy, Tyler, Kathryn and Ethan. There were too many egos to just drive one vehicle, after all. They also brought Chica, Henry and Spencer along, too, which brightened everyone's mood.

They were all a bit nervous at first and there were a few times Dark was thinking it was a bad idea but once Wilford forced him into some swim trunks and pushed him in the water, they were a bit more relaxed as he didn't explode at him or kill him. Even Google had a little fun lounging on the beach charging his solar battery. There was even a sandcastle competition where Dark joined in with Eric, Mark and Wilford against Yandere, Bim, Bing and Dr Iplier and the Jim Twins filmed it. Of course Mark's team won because he was way too good at bullshitting and in celebration, Wilford kicked it, flinging sand all over them.

Then they all had a picnic with all sorts of goodies and relaxed for a while. Dark would pet the dogs and play with them with the others. Of course the doggos loved every bit of attention they got from everyone. Chica, however, loved Dark the most out of the other dogs and would stick to him as often as possible if Mark wasn't nearby.

Eric and Yandere even buried Dark's body in sand as he took a small nap. Little did they know, he was actually awake and listened to them giggling as they thought they were pranking him. Ethan took a picture for them so they could gloat about it but Dark wasn't angry about it. He even asked for a copy of the picture.

Later on, Wilford got Dark to join him in a harmless prank on Bim, trading out the TV host's sunscreen for glue which made everyone laugh when it dried, making him look like he was shedding profusely and the look of panic on his face was hilarious. The Jim twins got good material that day and the Host narrated everything in the background.

All in all the day went pretty well and Dark smiled in front of everyone for the first time, genuinely happy. They all took a picture together to remember the day with Dark and Mark in the middle laughing and when no one was looking, Ethan managed to snag a photo of the two hugging.

Proof that Darkiplier wasn't emotionless after all.

There you have it! Another chapter with Dark's breakthrough!  Now as I said in the previous chapter, I'll be going back and forth sometimes with Anti and then back to Dark and the story will continue after these chapters with the other egos getting used to them not actually being evil. 

I'm going to do an Anti chapter next with him interacting with another Septic ego. Anyone have any ideas who it should be??? 

I guess I should mention I'm only including the canon egos such as: Anti, Marvin, Jameson Jackson, Chase, Jackieboyman and Dr. Schneeplestein. 

And the canon egos I consider for Ipliers are: Dark, Dr. Iplier, Google, Bing, Eric Derekson, Wilford Warfstache, Actor Mark, Yandere, Bim, the Jim twins, Host, and King of the Squirrels. 

I know there are other egos like Robbie, Angus, Silver Shepherd, Ed Edgar, Santa Clause, etc. but I don't know how to write their characters when so little is known about them. I'm also down to include Amy, Mark, Tyler, Ethan and Kathryn when doing Darkiplier chapters but I'm afraid I don't know if I can do Robin or Evelien because I don't watch enough of their content.