"And you're not just glitching there because~?"

Anti scowled ahead of them as they walked along the sidewalk to their destination. Jackie felt awkward in his Blood-streak suit with Anti next to him in broad daylight but he wasn't going to argue with the glitch. Just make questioning remarks.

"BECAUSE . . . .  It'll give us the element of surprise!" Anti huffed, "Just learn from the pro here, alright? I know Dark would expect me to come out through his computer or phone and he'd see it coming! But he WOULDN'T see me walking through the front door!"

Jackie wanted to slap him upside the head. It didn't matter if Dark was expecting one thing or another. His android goons and Host would be able to spot them from a mile away!

'How the hell has this moron been able to hide from me for so many years!?'

"Uh . . ." Jackie thought he'd tactfully bring it up, "If this guy is as observant as you're making him out to be then wouldn't he have cameras or something around watching the building?"

Anti rolled his eyes, "Doesn't matter. Not his building."

Jackie was stumped with this. In his head, he thought of Dark as a very smart and graceful yet evil and manipulating man. Was he not as clever as he thought?

Then again, he always thought Anti was a bastard ALL of the time. Perhaps that wasn't the case-

"Heh, look at that stupid family over there all happy and shit. Stupid motherfuckers"

'Nevermind' Jackie felt his eyes roll under his mask, "Why are they stupid?"

Anti smirked and crossed his arms, nudging him with his elbow, "Those idiots don't realize what's coming to them"

This perked Jackie's interest. Was he. . . .. telling him something?

"What's coming?"

The glitch grinned wickedly, neon eyes gleaming at the parents and two children with them. Jackie felt his hairs rise on his body. Was this it? A confession!? Did Anti really actually steal the glove!?

"Won't be long and they'll have to pay out a bunch more money for the little bastards. They're gonna want allowance and expensive toys, vehicles and then college will be around the corner. Makes me almost feel sorry for . . . . . some dumbass I know. He's got two brats, too"

This was NOT what Jackie was expecting at all, " . . ..  oh really? You know them very well?"

"Pft. Of course not. It's my life's work to make the bastard and his family miserable. The kids are . . . okay, though. Little weird demon fuckers" Anti's attention was torn away by a stray rock on the sidewalk and he started to kick it along as they walked.

'Hm' Jackie hummed to himself in his head, 'He's obviously talking about Chase and the kids. But why? Does he actually have a soft spot for the kids?'

"You got a family, Blood-streak?"

Anti was full of surprises today it seemed.

"Uh . .  yeah, actually. A few brothers. You?"

Anti scowled as he kicked the rock a little harder than before, "Does it look like I do? Of course not." he suddenly grinned to himself, "But I don't need family. Family is stupid. I have friends though. A few particular people I can count on sometimes."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah . . . . . Don't take this weird. I know we don't really know each other that well. But you're alright. . . I guess"

Jackie chuckled out loud, drawing Anti's attention, "It's fine, man. It's fine. You're alright, too, I suppose"

'For a psycho' he thought to himself.

The glitch cracked a smile, "Fucking asshole. Anyways, we're here." 

They stopped in front of a moderately sized building. Jackie recognized this building, though to be a public meeting place. It was a building with multiple conference rooms available inside for rent.. . . . . what would Dark be doing here!?

"You sure?"

"Absolutely positive. Bastard doesn't like drawing attention to himself unless absolutely necessary. He CAN be a douche, though, around strangers so just stick by my side."

"Define 'douche'"

Anti held his hands at his sides and thought about it, "I guess you ARE human . . . . " he looked him up and down making Jackie very uncomfortable, "eH . .He might try and throw you into his black hole void or whatever. . . maybe try to let Wilford shoot you"

"Wait, what?"

"Don't be such a little bitch. Let's head on in"

With no other preparation, Anti walked right in, making Jackie practically run in after him, "Wait, hold on! Do you even have a plan?"

"Why would I?" Anti scoffed, "Let's just search each room and-"

"I'M KING OF THE SQUIRRELLS!"

Both Anti and Jackie flinched at the sudden shout. Anti glitched, making the lights flicker.

A strange man in a red cloak wearing a crown with peanut butter on his face ran past them through the hall yelling.

"The fuck?" 

Anti didn't seem to phased though, "Jaysus. It's just King. Come on. Odds are he'll be running to where we need to go. Come on"

Jackie didn't really question it too much. He knew Mark's egos were a bit . . . . crazy. Trusting Anti as much as he thought he could, he followed him through the hall, hearing King shouting still.

And then there was more shouting. Arguing, really, and Jackie was getting anxious. He had never met any of the main Iplier egos, actually. He had met Yandere once when they helped Anti break into a fast food restaurant where their senpai worked.

Jackie in total had met Yandere, Host, Eric and Bing. He knew of Wilford but had never managed to grab him. He knew he was a crazy murderer, though and he had to watch out.

He wasn't looking forward to this.

Anti looked confident, though and he had no choice but to follow his stead.

'BANG! BANG!'

Jackie flinched but Anti kept walking, "I think that was this way"

The more they walked through the halls, the louder the noise got until they finally came to an office that you could see through.

Inside was absolute chaos.

Wilford was shooting the ceiling, Bing was on top of the table with his skateboard trying to do a wheely, Yandere was chasing Yancy with their sword, Illinois was whipping abandoned mugs on the table, Dr. Iplier was trying to calm Eric from having a panic attack, Google was glitching in and out of his updates and the rest of the calmer egos looked on like this was just a regular Tuesday. At the head of the table sat Darkiplier, his head in his hands looking ready to explode.

Anti grinned at the sight, "There he is. Stay behind me, human unless you want to end up dead."

Jackie just sighed and watched on as Anti suddenly kicked the glass door in, shattering it to pieces.

"WHAT'S UP, MOTHERFUCKERS!?" He glitches and grinned insanely and all the Iplier egos halted what they were doing.

Wilford was the first to speak, "Antisepticeye! Been a while! How've ya been, buddy-boy!?"

Anti's eye twitched at Wil's words, staring Dark down who really seemed to be ignoring his presence. But Dark slowly lifted his head from his hands, his pupils a deep black but he didn't look angry.

Anti growled at him, "Not even gonna acknowledge me, Darky?! Well that's quite rude of you!"

Dark rolled his eyes at him, cupping both his hands in front of his face, "Rude . . . . is shattering public property that's currently in my name. Gotta pay for that, you know" he gave a long sigh.

Anti was perturbed to say the least. He expected a better reaction out of him, obviously.

Noticing Dark wasn't worried at all, the other Iplier egos resumed their previous activities, making their 'leader' look even more tired.

Dark was about to say something else when suddenly Google shouted and a siren blared from him, "Intruder! Intruder!" a sound like a fire alarm came from him.

Anti and Jackie stared a little strangely at the android until Wilford smacked him upside the head, "Shut off, ya darn piece of junk!"

"Hey Google, stop alarm" Dark muttered and Google stopped.

A good few moments passed in utter silence in the room.

Someone from a different conference room peeked in but upon seeing the mess inside, they carefully tip-toed away.

Anti cleared his throat, "I need to speak with you. Alone."

Dark turned his gaze towards him once more and then at Jackie behind him, "Who's your friend?"

"None of your business!" Anti hissed at him, "Either tell all your stupid goons to get the fook out now or we're talking outside, ya fake-ass emo bitch!"

Dark wasn't impressed by the insult but had enough anyway, standing up, "Let's take this to my office.  . . ." he looked among the egos as if trying to decide something, "Hm . . . . Illinois is in charge."

Everyone stared confused for a moment but Yancy took out his shiv, "I'll fix that-"

Illinois whipped the shiv out of his hand with a smirk, winking at Dark and tipping his hat, "You got it, boss"

Dark ushered Anti and Jackie out of the room past the glass on the floor to another room right next to it that seemed more private with solid walls instead of clear glass.

As they walked inside, Anti kept Jackie behind him, eyeing Dark as he strolled over to his window by his desk.

"Now what can I do for you? Hopefully you can give me something in return. Money for the damages you caused is a good start."

Anti wasn't going to beat around the bush, "Where'd you get the taser?"

But Dark was going to prolong the visit, it seemed, "What taser?"

"I know it was you, dumbass! Vick said a strange man in a suit gave it to him! The fooking taser with a million fooking volts in it, asshole!"

" . . . . oh, THAT taser! . . ." Dark slowly smiled, his hands behind his back, "I found it . . .  was it as powerful as I hoped it would be?"

"You son of a bitch!" Anti lunged at Dark only for his rival to slap him across the face before he could attack, "Ow! What the fook!?"

Dark snorted at him, "Easy there. Obviously it didn't hurt you that bad. What's the fuss all about?"

"The FUSS!?" Anti glitched angrily, "You piece of shite! You sold him that taser! I know you! You got it from the magician, didn't you!?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You prick. You think you're so damn high and mighty, don't you? Sitting in here in your cheap-ass office in a public building practically screaming your ego presence to the world!"

"The rooms I rent are NOT cheap, for one! Two, I am not SCREAMING our presence to the world." Dark rolled his eyes at him, "That's why I have Host. It's not like you're any better, glitch-bitch. Now if you're done, I have a few questions myself!"

"Oh no, you don't! I'm not done!" Anti glitched his knife in his hand, pointing it at him.

Jackie felt like an unfortunate witness.

Dark ignored Anti and stared past him, "What's your name, stranger? Why are you with this beast?"

"BEAST!?" Anti bared his teeth at him.

Jackie gulped, not expecting something so up front, "Uh . . .  We're ... partners"

Dark bit his lip to refrain from grinning, "Partners, hm?" he gave a small chuckle, eyeing Anti.

The glitch shuddered violently, "You fucking asshole. And here everyone thinks you're so god-damn mature"

"As if you're any better"

Anti laughed suddenly, "That's rich! You're nothing but a dramatic whiny bitch! Every time you don't get your way, you drone on in a monologue sounding all threatening only to actually do nothing! You could kill Mark at ANY time you wanted but you choose to stay huddled in a corner protected by Wilford all the damn time!"

"Killing Mark isn't as easy as that! You're one to talk! You could kill Sean at any moment you wanted and YOU choose not to!"

"That's different!"

"How?!"

"And what about Actor Mark!?"

Dark's eyes suddenly glowed red and he scowled, "You'd do best to shut up about matters you do not understand"

"You could kill him, too, at any time. You had him in the palm of your hand. He let all his friends and ex-wife die. He kidnapped Celine and Damien in the void and forced you into existence to become his little villain bitch and what did you do? You . . . FORGAVE him?"

"Shut up"

"You let that bastard right in your inner circle and trusted him. For all you know, he's plotting all the ways to kill you and the other Iplier egos as we speak! Best to get rid of him now, Dark! I warned you a long time ago! I-"

"MY LIFE IS NOT ANYTHING LIKE YOURS, ANTI!"

Jackie watched this strange conversation unfold. He felt like he was watching a drama. Anti took a slight step back, not expecting Dark's shout. Dark hardly ever gets that angry.

Dark calmed slightly but huffed, "The Iplier egos are nothing like the Septics. I am not you, Anti, so full of mistrust of others. Actor is not like your. . . brethren. He-"

"They're not my brethren"

"Like it or not, they are. And someday, you'll have to accept that. Not everyone is out to kill you, Anti. You've never even tried-"

"Did you or did you not get the taser from Marvin?" Anti stopped him.

Dark sighed, sensing this conversation was over. He licked his lips and shrugged, "Google ordered it off the magician's website. Only thing he could hack and grab before getting found out. I was curious to what would happen so I gave it to the gang you were fraternizing with. I told you they were bad news, Anti"

"So you gave them the means to try and kill me!?"

"You're not dead, are you!?"

"Thanks to Blood-streak, I'm not! He saved my ass that night and I-" Anti stopped himself, realizing what he just said.

Dark grinned suddenly, "Pft. Blood-streak? That's a stupid name"

"Shut up" Anti defending him, "I came up with it, asshole"

"So what? He's your lackey? Your little puppy you took under your wing?"

"And what's Actor to you?"

"Not the same thing in the least bit. Speak, boy" he addressed Jackie, "What's your deal with him?"

Anti was about to intervene but Jackie had enough of being spoken for, "Anti and I are helping each other. That's all you need to know. We owe each other and that's it"

Anti seemed satisfied with his answer and nodded in affirmation.

Dark look at them both, humming, "Hm. . .  You think he wouldn't kill you in a split second? You think he wouldn't betray you and flay you alive with his favorite knife? Not the first time he's tricked a 'friend' into working for him only to rid of them brutally."

Jackie winced, remembering the gang from last night but he had to stay strong, "Yeah well . . . I'm different. Now if we're done here, we have other places we need to be, right Anti? You wanted to find the magician?"

Anti was surprised by his initiative but looked pleased with it, seemingly impressed, "Yeah. We're done here. I got my answers. Let's go"

Anti started to leave first with Jackie right behind him. Dark watched them go, shutting the door behind them, "See you later, Anti. I expect a bolder entrance next time"

Anti ignored him, walking through the hall.

Jackie didn't expect, however, Host to be standing in the hall by the exit. He stood with his bloody blindfold around his eyes but he knew they were coming towards him. The man smirked, crossing his arms as Anti walked past and out the door.

Before Jackie could, too, Host stopped him, putting his hand on his chest, "Host stopped Jackie from following Anti" he whispered to him, "He knew why he was doing what he was doing but Host had no choice but to warn him that things could go south in his little adventure."

"W-what?" Jackie was floored. He had heard of Host's abilities but was freaking out, not expecting to call him out like that. Luckily Anti was way out of ear-shot, not having realized he wasn't behind him anymore.

"The Host knows Jackie is starting to feel conflicted but Host must allow the Septic to make his own decisions, having learned from his past. The story was teetering on disaster and Jackie had to make a decision that would be vital to this entire city. He had to act faster if he wanted to find the glove"

"The . . the glove? Do you know who has it? Is it Anti?"

"The Host would not reveal any spoilers. This was a mystery for the character in front of him. Host only hoped he'd make his decision wisely."

"Decision? What are you talking about?!"

Before Host could say any more, Googleplier walked out from the conference room, seeing the two at the exit. His eyes glowed red in threat.

Jackie gulped, knowing that Google was probably ordered to protect the egos from any danger by Dark.

Before he could worry about it any more, though, he felt someone tug at his loose suit. Google was stalking towards them when suddenly Jackie blinked and he was elsewhere on top of a roof.

He looked beside him to see Anti, staring at him in confusion, "What was that about? What did Host have to say to you?"

Jackie just shrugged, though, "I don't know . . . some . . nonsense about a story or something. He was fucking weird. You have any clues on where the magician could be?"

Anti shook his head, "I'm not looking for the magician next." he crossed his arms, "My dear Septic rival has been missing for far too long."

He suddenly grinned and clenched his fists, his eyes glowing a bright neon, "It's time the hero came out of hiding. Red Riding hood 'Jackieboyman' has been on vacation long enough." he looked to Jackie as Blood-streak, "And you're gonna help me find him. After that, then I'll help you with something you need done if you want"

Jackie gulped, wanting to bail already but he had to stay strong. It was only a matter of time and he'd raid his apartment for the glove when he wasn't around. That's all he had to do. That's all he was after.

Anti crossed his arms and smirked at him, "You handled yourself well with the Ipliers, partner, I'm impressed. Perhaps you're tougher than I thought. Not bad for a mere human"

Jackie would almost feel pleased if he already didn't feel somewhat. . . . . insulted?

"Th-thanks"

Anti rolled his eyes, hearing the awkward in his voice but went on, "You're good at finding people, too. So where do we start, hm?"

He wasn't ready for this. This was happening way too quickly!

But it didn't look as though Jackie had a choice in the matter.

This all just got more and more complicated by the day.