Everyone stared at Antisepticeye. No one moved a muscle, afraid of making any sudden movements. The other Septic egos looked like they wanted to do or say something but the words died in their throats. Dark swallowed thickly and licked his lips, trying to think of the best solution or what to do at all that wouldn't end in them all dying. Anti was the most powerful being in the room now.

Yandere tried to move in with their sword but Dark held his hand out, stopping them. His movement alerted the others, taking the hint. Anti was NOT someone to tick off right now. The fight wasn't over.

Anti, meanwhile, looked over all of them with a sick smile on his face.

"̴W̸e̸l̵l̷ ̵l̵o̴o̶k̸ ̵w̵h̵o̴'̴s̷ ̶b̵a̷c̴k̷!̶"̶ he laughed at his own joke, giggling like a madman.

Sean stared frozen, "A-anti? W-what happened to y-you?"

He glitched and a noise like static filled the air. Everyone kept their distance.

Dark answered Sean, "His corporeal body faded, expending all his energy to get me out."

"Anti" Jackie's voice was broken, "Come on, man. This has to be a joke, right?"

"̶Y̵o̵u̵'̵r̵e̴ ̴t̶h̷e̴ ̷o̷n̷l̸y̸ ̵j̵o̸k̸e̸ ̴h̴e̷r̸e̸,̴ ̶h̷e̴r̶o̷.̷ ̶A̵l̵o̵n̶g̷ ̷w̴i̵t̸h̵ ̵a̸l̶l̴ ̸t̷h̶e̵s̸e̵ ̶o̸t̸h̶e̵r̵ ̸P̶U̸P̷P̵E̴T̶S̷.̸"̶ His laughter bounced on the walls.

Much to Anti's dismay, however, no one really seemed afraid of him. More sad or worried if anything and that pissed him off, "̵W̴h̴a̸t̸'̸s̴ ̴w̶i̷t̵h̶ ̴t̴h̵e̴ ̶f̶a̷c̵e̴s̵!̷?̷ I'll turn you all into my smiling puppets! W̷r̴i̵t̷e̵ ̵s̶m̷i̵l̶e̵s̵ ̶i̶n̴ ̸b̵l̵o̵o̸d̷ ̸w̵h̴i̶l̶e̶ ̴y̴o̶u̷ ̷s̴c̵r̷e̵a̶m̵.̴ ̶.̶ ̸.̷ ̶"̷ ̸he trailed off, glitching an episode more.

"This isn't you, Anti." Chase finally stepped forward but froze in his spot when Anti whipped out a knife from nowhere.

"You don't know the real me, B̴r̴o̴d̵y̶"̵ he growled demonically, "You've all deluded yourselves with the thought of how I was before. S̷u̸b̴m̵i̷s̵s̷i̴v̸e̸.̸ ̸D̴o̵m̸e̸s̵t̵i̷c̴.̸ ̴B̵r̷o̶t̷h̷e̸r̶l̴y̵.̶ ̵P̶A̷T̶H̸E̵T̸I̷C̴!̶"̴

"You were human. You still are" Jackie tried to get through to him, "You just need to remember who you really are"

'We can help you!' JJ signed.

"I'm not some lost puppy, y̷o̷u̶ ̴c̵r̴e̵t̵i̵n̵s̴!̵"̶ ̸but he shuffled, clearly uncomfortable with their emotions, "̶I̶'̴l̸l̴ ̷k̴i̵l̶l̵ ̶y̷o̷u̴ ̷a̸l̵l̴!̷"̸

"Not zhe first time we've been told that today, brat" Henrik crossed his arms, clearly seeing through his body language, "Certainly not zhe first time you've told us that in general"

Antisepticeye gripped the knife in his hand tight as the Septic egos tried to come closer to him. It freaked him out. He remembered the way he was before, of course he did, but he no longer cared. He had no soul or emotions to tie him down to mortal standards. But the way they looked at him. . . .

It wasn't anything like the way they saw him the last time he was like this. Back then, they feared him like the plague! They trembled every time they heard anything remotely like static!

All he felt was anger. Why were they looking at him like that!?

Then his eyes fell on Dark and they burned into whatever soul he had, "̴Y̷o̵u̷.̴ ̷Y̵o̷u̷ ̴c̵o̴r̷r̵u̸p̵t̷e̴d̷ ̵m̸e̸"̷

Dark would normally be able to take Anti in a fight with equal strength but he had lost too much power and energy. He actually feared what Anti would do to him and of course he thought no one would stop him! Why would they!? He disregarded everything Anti had told him in the void but he tried to talk his way out of a fight.

"Now listen, Anti, you came for me in the void at your own will-"

"No." he stopped him, tilted his knife at him, "You turned me human. Spreading your feelings everywhere like a goddamn sickness y̷o̸u̵ ̷y̴o̶u̵r̶s̴e̴l̷f̴ ̴w̴a̶s̸ ̵e̷v̵e̴n̴ ̶b̴l̴i̷n̷d̵ ̵t̴o̴!̷ Disgusting. . ."

He tried to come forward to him only for Mark to get in his way, standing between him and Dark.

Now this was most certainly the most shocking thing to ever happen to him. All he was ever told and believed . . . . and Actor was helping him? Or was it really all a lie? Was this Mark really even Actor? He'd get to the bottom of it later if they survived.

"Not on my watch, Anti." Mark said lowly, "You call him blind but look in a mirror! Can't you see what you've done!? You saved us. . . .you saved so many lives today, Anti. Don't you feel anything from that?"

Antisepticeye suddenly gripped his head and growled like an animal, ̷"̸F̶o̷o̷k̴ ̶o̸f̴f̴!̴ I ain't no her- F̷u̷c̷k̶ ̸y̶o̶u̸,̷ ̷F̶i̴s̵c̶h̷b̷a̴c̴h̵!̵ ̴I̵'̸l̶l̸ ̸k̷i̴l̶l̵ ̴y̴o̵u̷ ̴f̶i̸r̸s̷t̴!̷"̴

He tried to glitch towards him but Marvin caught him by a miracle and in an instant, Jackie was on him with the magic handcuffs.

"GET OFF OF ME, ̸Y̶O̶U̶ ̵F̸U̷C̴K̷S̶!̷"̴ He roared like a beast and the whole house felt like it was rattling.

But once Jackie snapped the cuffs on, Antisepticeye tensed and froze his struggling albeit still growling madly, his knife on the floor from the struggle.

He was still glitching and even though he was incorporeal, the cuffs kept him somewhat contained. Jackie didn't know how the hell he was holding the translucent being but it was working nonetheless with the cuffs on. Somehow they were temporarily turning him corporeal by some fraction.

Wilford came up by Mark to stand in front of Dark as did Yandere and Yancy. The other Ipliers and Amy stayed put, unsure of how to react. Dark could only watch as his friend flayed around surrounded by his family.

Antisepticeye tried biting on Jackie's arm to get loose but the hero wouldn't budge.

"Anti, please" his heart broke at how feral he was being. How all his memories of them all being a family were just washed away, "Please remember what it was like. Why don't you want to remember?"

"̴E̵m̵o̴t̶i̸o̴n̵s̶ ̵a̷r̸e̵ ̵f̷o̶r̵ ̶t̸h̶e̴ ̸w̵e̴a̸k̴!̷"̷

"Yeah, emotions suck. I get it" he scoffed, "But you can't just hide from them, brat. Facing your emotions. . . .facing your fears, trepidation and anxieties are what make you strong."

"You've always had trouble with that. I have first-hand experience in knowing that about you" Chase came closer and touched his shoulder, "But things are different now than before. We can help you. We help each other. We're here for you, Anti"

'You're family' JJ signed, "You can't say you didn't care about us!'

"I never gave a ̵f̸o̴o̷k̴ about any of you!" he still tried to struggle but Jackie wasn't moving. He had him good and he felt a tingle in his spine. What was that? Fear? No! He can't feel that! That's ridiculous!

"Now that's a lie" Marvin chuckled, "If that were true, many other people would be dead. Including the kids back then"

"̷S̶h̶u̸t̶ ̴u̶p̵"̷ Anti glitched rapidly, his eyes widening.

"What's wrong? You love kids, Anti" Sean teased the demon, "Do you remember?"

Anti's face scrunched, trying to hold something back. Something like a repressed memory. What they were saying to him, telling him. It was working.

Deep in Anti's mind, the real him was fighting hard. Deep inside, the man they all came to care about fought against the strings of reality. He would NOT be chained down!

The void had made one last ditch effort to preserve itself and it used Anti as a host, trying to feed off his own energy instead of Dark's.

All around him was darkness just like the void but everything was so much more heightened, his mind throbbed at the pressure of it all. Was this death? Was this what it felt like?

Chase smiled sadly, unaware of Anti's real internal struggle, "Remember Kallie and Sammy? I always thought Kallie was a little like you, always so mischievous" his eyes darkened talking about his kids but when Anti's teeth grit and eyes shut, he knew it was doing something to him.

"I̸ ̴t̴r̸i̵e̶d̴ ̷t̶o̸ ̷k̷i̴l̵l̸ ̴t̴h̵e̴m̵ ̸b̶a̷c̵k̷ ̶t̶h̵e̸n.̴ ̵When you weren't keeping an eye on them" he forced out, "Was gonna spill their guts out all over your living room for you and your whore wife to see"

"But instead you played cards with them" Chase smirked at Anti's freaked out look. He completely froze and Chase continued, "You think I didn't know? They told me all about it. You should know a pinky promise doesn't mean THAT much to kids, bro. It was one of the reasons how I decided in trying to help you letting you move in with us"

Anti jerked and shook his head vigorously, "̷S̷H̶U̴T̵ ̶U̸P̴ ̷S̴H̴U̵T̶ ̸U̶P̴ ̵S̵H̸U̸T̵ ̴U̴P̸!̶"̷ ̶

They could see him breathing rapidly and Sean could swear he saw his figure become clearer.

Sensing it was working, Henrik spoke next, coming closer, "Not to mention you saved Kallie and Sammy AND my kids, Noah and Olivia" Henrik's voice trembled at the mention of his late daughter. He took a staggering breathe, "I know you felt guilt over her death, Anti. You wanted nothing more than to be there to save her."

Henrik's face contorted to turn angry and he stomped closer to Anti, digging his pointer finger into his chest that was just starting to feel warm and real, "Don't you DARE fooking say you didn't care about her! I was there when everyone was told! You locked yourself away in your room for WEEKS only glitching out here and there for food! You care SO MUCH, Anti! Do not LIE to me!"

In his head, Anti remembered. Of course he did. Her death took a great toll on him. It was his first death he actually felt sorrow for and it practically KILLED him like Henrik. Remembering the little girl hurt him so much, he felt his heart ache. It felt like it was being trampled on.

The void's voice teased him, trying to push him down further so he'd gain back control.

'Weak. Nothing. Pathetic. No one really cares about you. They just don't want to die! They're manipulating you! It's a trick!'

Anti's entire soul ached, listening to the promises the void tried to make to him.

It was starting to work.

Anything for this pain to end. His emotions heightened times the thousands. It hurt so much.

'Let it end. Just let it end' he thought, 'But I don't want them hurt'

The void laughed in his ears before suddenly everything was gone.

All the sound. All the pain. Gone. Just disappeared.

.

.

.

.

"Uncle Anti?"

Anti opened his eyes and gasped at the sight before him. It was like a pure fucking coincidence! How the hell was this happening!?

"O-olivia?" he squeaked out.

The little girl grinned softly but looked serious, "Please don't let my daddy get hurt uncle Anti. I always see him so sad" she frowned.

"Olivia. . . . " he couldn't believe it, "Are you . . .. are you really here? I thought you were-"

"Don't you be sad, too, uncle Anti! I'm okay!" she smiled, "I've been watching daddy and everybody for a while now. Then I saw you and wanted to help! You feel better uncle Anti?"

Tears fell down his cheeks and he smiled, "Yes. . . . yes, Olive, I'm better now."

"Oh good! I'm glad! Daddy used to call me that" she mumbled quietly somewhat to herself, "But. . . I don't think I can be here much longer with you" she twirled a little side to side, "But I'll still watch! Will you tell daddy? I miss him and mommy and Noah so much. I wish they got along again. I miss EVERYBODY"

Anti dropped to his knees and hugged the little girl to him. He cried as she hugged him back, "Don't be sad again, Uncle Anti" she sniffled, "Tell daddy I love him, please. I don't think he hears me. I miss daddy but I know one day I'll see him again."

Anti nodded in her embrace, "I will, kid. I will. I promise. I'll tell him"

She let him go with a smile, "Good. And please don't give up! You can't let the bad guy win, uncle Anti. I believe in you! Everybody does" she pecked his cheek sweetly, "Bye bye!"

And just like a fever dream, she was just gone. The noises all came back and the void was screaming in his ears. Anti was in shock for a moment until he realized what just happened.

He had been in limbo for a moment.

Back in the physical realm, that Antisepticeye let out a deep cry, his head pounding furiously. It was just like that day when . . . .

"̸N̶o̵!̵ ̵I don't want to be that anymore! The glitch bitch you knew is G̷O̵N̴E̶!̵ ̴I am here now! A̴N̴D̴ ̵Y̶O̸U̸ ̸W̵I̸L̵L̵ ̵L̸I̶S̶T̵E̵N̴ ̶T̵O̸ ̶M̸E̷!̴"̵

Sean gripped his chin and forced him to look at him, "You're afraid things will be like the way they were before. When you started first becoming corporeal and no one trusted you. It's okay to feel that way, Anti. It's okay to be afraid"

"̵N̶o̶-̴"̴

"But things are different now, Anti." he continued, "We love you . . .so much. And we'll never stop trying to help you. Because we care. Because we're family."

Anti's eye twitched lightly and Sean grinned, "Do I really have to go get BB to bring you back? You know I will, man"

The true Anti could hear everything and see everything but he was still powerless. Just one more push. Thank whatever higher power there was that everyone else was there with him, helping him fight. Their emotions were starting to push the void out!

Just a little more!

A tear ran down Anti's cheek and they all held their breathe as the glitch blinked, his eyes fading to green and his body getting slowly weaker. It was working.

Marvin finally let him go, leaving him to Jackie. The hero kept him in a bind just in case it was a trick, not taking the chance.

"Anti" Dark whispered. In the silence of the moment, his voice was clear, although tired.

"I know I've hurt you. I've hurt you a lot. I used you in the very beginning and honestly I had no regrets about it. But. . . . it wasn't just you that started to change. We changed each other, our new experiences and interactions impacting one another. And when you started turning corporeal and gaining emotions . . . I couldn't admit back then that you were rubbing off on me."

Anti stared at him from across the room in Jackie's grasp. He was still as he listened. Dark never sounded so sincere. Especially not in front of so many people. Deep inside, the true Anti felt himself regaining control!

"You gave me that picture of us together and I don't know. It changed me. I know I snapped and hurt you but honestly, it was the best day of my life that you thought so much of me to try and make me smile. To try and make me FEEL. And I did, Anti. I did. I've kept that picture ever since. Because you were my friend. You ARE my friend. I know I've been shitty to you forever but . . . everything's changed. We can all start over, my friend. Please"

Silence filled the room and no one spoke a word. Anti swallowed and was about to say something.

"YOU THOUGHT I WAS DEAD AND GONE!?"

There was a flash in the room and they all turned to see some sort of doppelganger of Anti in the middle of the room. It looked furious and out of its mind if it even had one now, its body a mass of glitching with darkness seeping out of its eyes and mouth, an aura of pitch surrounding it. It looked scarier than the Antisepticeye of the past, to be honest, its power growing and growing, intent on destroying the house with everyone in it.

It roared like a mass of screaming demons, "DIE!!!!"

Everyone held their breathe, suddenly feeling hopeless envelope them at the sight of the void having taken another shape. It was hard to kill, they'd all give it that.

"Before the void could unleash the last ounces of its power, a wormhole appeared behind him out of weird circumstance."

The void gaped at the newcomer in the back of the room smirking to himself, "You! No!"

A wormhole appeared from thin air and abruptly started sucking it in.

"The Host felt the void's unbridled rage but merely shrugged. It wasn't HIS doing, after all" he chuckled.

Before the void could do or say anything else, it was gone with the wormhole, completely obliterated.

"The Host sighed, taking an easy breathe as finally, the fight was over and he could go back to his book and tea. He felt everyone's eyes on him but decided it best to quickly scurry off before-"

"WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN!?" Amy yelled at him, shocking everyone.

"The Host sweat a little and cleared his throat" he did just that, "The Host couldn't do anything before. For the story to come to a full understanding, he had to wait. However, if he waited any longer, everyone would be dead now so really, he thought he was owed a thanks"

"̴A̵ ̸T̶H̶A̵N̷K̶S̵!̵?̵"̴ ̷Anti shouted, still in Jackie's grip but finally back in his own body in full control, "That fooking thing had its teeth in me like a goddamn shark and you coulda stopped it at A̴N̶Y̵ ̶P̷O̶I̸N̴T̶!̴?̵ ̷Y̸o̶u̶ ̷f̸u̸c̶k̴e̸r̵!̸ ̵Imma kill you!"

"Anti!?" Jackie gripped him harder although he felt he didn't have to. He was weaker than before, "Is that really you? The real you!?"

"Fucking-Y̸E̶S̴!̶ ̴Now get off of me ya lump! Fooking hell!" but really he couldn't be taken seriously with tears flowing down his face.

Jackie turned his grip more into a hug, practically choking Anti on accident.

"gUH! Jackie stop! Can't b-b̷r̵e̸a̵t̵h̴e̸!̴"̷

"You said I could kick your ass for making me worry." Jackie mumbled to him and at first Anti feared for his life again until he felt Jackie released him and ruffled his hair affectionately.

He clambered out of the grip only to be bombarded by others. A Septic group hug.

Chase was the last to hold onto him and even gave his cheek a big wet kiss, making Anti squirm. He was definitely not used to this level of affection.

And then he felt the discomfort settle in. He could feel something in the room darken and he only had one guess. Anti glanced over to see Dark staring at the group along with everyone else. There was something about Dark's look, however, that reminded him of jealousy.

Anti locked eyes with Dark and all was quiet and tense.

Anti was about to say something to him when Wilford appeared out of no where. No one even realized he left for a quick moment.

Anti felt something slap his behind and he cringed as Wilford shouted, "Whoohoo! We won!" apparently Wilford had slapped his ass with Dark's cane, having retrieved it from his room.

Anti rubbed his ass, "̴O̴w̶,̴ ̴y̸o̶u̵ ̸b̶a̵s̸t̵a̴r̵d̸!̴ ̴W̶h̵a̷t̴ ̴t̴h̸e̷ ̵h̶e̷l̷l̸!̴?̸"̴ but he was ignored as Wilford shuffled over to Dark, presenting the cane.

Dark stared at the cane, being reminded of Damien. He was painfully aware that he couldn't feel him anymore. He couldn't feel anything but himself. But he also . . . didn't know what to feel.

But before he could even say anything, his head suddenly started to feel light and dizzy.

Everyone watched in shock and worry as Dark fell unconscious.

"Darky!" Wilford shouted.

Dr. Iplier bit his lip to refrain himself.