Thanks everyone for the support in the previous chapter. Sorry I probably sounded kind of emo or something. I'm really grateful for everyone's love and support for all of my stories 💚💚💚



Marvin stuck his tongue out at a child that wouldn't stop staring at him.

He didn't mean anything mean by it and the child sensed that, giggling at him.

He didn't hate kids contrary to popular belief and really, he enjoyed his latest gig Dr. Iplier helped him get at the hospital. Henrik didn't approve saying he'd just mess it up somehow. Marvin couldn't really blame him, either. He wasn't exactly babysitter material.

But he WAS a performer and if he knew anything, it was how to keep someone's attention.

Especially a child's.

Now he was getting ready for another show in the lobby. He couldn't be TOO loud or distracting but just enough to keep the kids and worried adults away from their pain momentarily. Give them a little hope per se.

Marvin was on stage now getting ready, the one child waiting patiently at the front of his make-shift stage. The magician was about to say something when suddenly his phone went off.

It startled him but he took it out, opening it up to the notification he received.

'That's odd.' he thought to himself, 'Wait. . . oh no. . . That was never meant to be sold'

Swallowing, Marvin thought quickly. Today's show would have to be shorter.

He needed to get to the bottom of this problem now.

What was just sold on his site was only ever for show and he never meant to put it out there in the world. He really didn't!

'Looks like I have a hacker. Wonder who. . . ' He knew who, 'Better let Jackie know'

Meanwhile the hero was at his apartment, watching TV while the painkillers Dr. Iplier gave him worked their magic.

Thoughts rolled around in his head about the day before but he almost felt numb to it now. If the city didn't need him then fine.

He wasted his time so now what?

Maybe he'd figure it out later but for now, he was content with watching reruns of investigator dramas.

Jackie knew he was probably being a little dramatic but he also felt as if he needed this. Just like Henrik said. Maybe a long break is just what the doctor ordered?

But just as he was finally relaxing, his phone rang.

Jackie sighed and took out his phone, looking at the ID, 'Marvin? The hell does he want? Better not be calling for bail again'

But he knew that he wouldn't be calling from his cell phone then . . . .

He was tempted on declining the call still or letting it go to voicemail but Marvin knew he always had his phone on him. Running out of options, Jackie finally answered.

"What's up, Marv?" he asked, already accepting the worst.

"Hey Red, I need your help on something if you're up for it"

"What is it this time? You know I can't bail you out again. Abe said-"

"I'm not in jail, Jackie! This is more serious than that!" from Marvin's tone of voice, he could tell he was telling the truth. The hero sat hunched, leaning forward to hear what he had to say.

"What's wrong, then? Anyone hurt?"

"No. . . .. but someone might GET hurt if we don't hurry." suddenly the phone disconnected and a sound rustled behind him.

Jackie didn't have to hurry to turn around. He knew Marvin teleported there. He turned his head, though, "What happened?"

"Uh . . . you know I wouldn't normally ask this of you . . . but someone stole something of mine and I need your help to get it back"

Jackie stood at full height, ignoring his injuries, "What was stolen?"

He knew this was serious then. If Marvin needed his help with this . . . . what did this person steal that was so important?

Marvin swallowed, "Something . . . . you're not going to be happy with me about it. But I never planned on selling it! I swear!"

Marivn's panic only made this more pressing. Jackie belted over the couch and gripped his brother's shoulders, "WHAT WAS STOLEN, MARVIN!?"

The magician was scared. On one hand, he wanted to tell him but on the other, he was ashamed. But he knew what he had to do.

"It's . . . it's a weapon. . . . and a powerful one" he refused to look Jackie in the eyes, "I can take you to my place if you want. I have records of-"

Jackie snarled angrily, "Marvin, how can you have records if you didn't mean to sell it?"

Full shame rode on him, "I. . . I've been having it done automatically . .in my spellbook . . . so I didn't have to . . . oversee"

Jackie had never felt so upset with him. Sure Marvin was a wild card and got into trouble a lot more than the other egos. But he never expected something like this. Something so careless.

"Take me to your records. NOW. We need to get back whatever they stole before they use it"

Marvin nodded and teleported them together.

Jackie looked around. He had seen Marvin's home before but since he slipped that he kept his goods here, that must mean he had a secret room somewhere.

"Lead the way"

"Oh uh . . . should we go back for your uniform?"

Jackie shook his head, "Worry about that later. Now stop stalling and show me the records. I need to know what this weapon does and what it looks like."

"Right" Marvin led the way.

The magician's place wasn't too bad. He owned a house on the outskirts of downtown but it wasn't too big. Similar to Chase's but less cared for.

Marvin led him to a door that seemed to go down to the basement and together, they walked down, turning on the light as they went.

Once down there, Jackie paled. He had never seen so much shit. It was all organized but there was just so much of it!

"What is all of this?"

Marvin was reluctant on telling him but he had shown him too much as it was, "Welcome to my black market, Red. I'll get the records. Don't touch anything"

"This really must be important then if you're risking showing me this, Marv." Jackie shook his head and suddenly eyed something glowing, "What's this?"

"I said don't touch anything!" Marvin nearly hissed, "It's a cursed object. That one in particular will turn you into slime if you touch it without being warded"

"Jaysus, Marv!"

"Just wait." he took out a large book and flipped it to the latest page, "Here it is. I had it pop up on my phone too as a notification."

"What kind of weapon is it?" By what Jackie was seeing, it was small but looked sinister. It should seem harmless but obviously it was anything but.

"It's a glove"

"I see that but what does it do, asshole!?"

"It . . . . I put a spell on it so that. . . . Look, it was a mistake, Jackie. I never intended on using or selling it. My site was hacked into and-"

"What does it do?!"

" . . . . . It's powered with a large percentage of my leftover magic. Just in case. . . just in case a certain glitch tried to kill us all again, you know? It's powerful and if we don't get it back soon . . .we're in trouble."

"How much trouble?" he actually didn't really want to know but he needed the specifics of what he was getting into.

"That one glove is powerful enough to wipe out a whole city"

"Fuck, Marv" Jackie ran a hand through his hair, "FUCK!" He kicked the stairway so hard, he broke a chunk of wood out of it. Marvin didn't say anything, not wanting to have a chunk of himself kicked.

Jackie groaned to himself and finally after a few moments, Marvin spoke again, "I'm sorry"

". . . . Who do you think hacked in?"

"Who do you think? . . . The very asshole it was meant to destroy"

'With that kind of power, there's no telling what Anti will do with it.'

"Never mess up like this again, Marv. You swear it?"

Marvin nodded, "I'll never have it automated again. I promise." he was hoping he was getting away with it until Jackie spoke again.

"And when we get that fucking glove back, you're destroying ALL of this shit. You got that?"

There was silence between them and Marvin wanted to argue. .. but Jackie looked ready to kill.

Giving in for now, the magician nodded, "Got it"

"And wait. . ." Jackie read the spell book again, narrowing his eyes, "Your records here say you got the notification two hours ago . .. TWO hours ago! Marvin! What the-"

"I can explain!" he didn't look like he really could explain, "I. . . was in the middle of a show"

"A show!?"

"Hey, I couldn't just NOT do this one! It was at the hospital for children! And plus, the show must go on!"

Jackie snorted, "Funny how NOW you suddenly care about people other than yourself"

"Hey man that's not fair" but the other ego ignored his whine.

Jackie held the picture of the glove in his hand. It was a fingerless black leather glove. It looked normal like something you'd get from Hot Topic or somewhere else in the mall. But also . . . in the picture Marvin had taken, it had small purple lines like looked like glowing cracks.

'Must be Marvin's magic.' he thought to himself, 'Great. . . and just when I was giving in on retirement or whatever, this shit happens.'

"What are you gonna do?"

Jackie thought about it. . . . . .

What WAS he going to do?

Anti stretched in his bed, not paying attention to his surroundings. He stretched so hard, he actually fell off the bed, landing hard on the floor!

"Ooof!" the glitch groaned and huffed, "Jjjjust my luck" he growled and picked himself up, cracking his aching back from laying on his stomach.

The night before he was thinking of 'visiting' some of the egos but apparently he had gotten too high and forgot, sleeping away the drugs and booze. It was a night to celebrate after all.

'With those stupid fuckers at my side, I could use them as bait for the hero. Maybe I could lure in the other idiots, too' he thought to himself.

For breakfast, the glitch quickly boiled some water by zapping it to life and made himself a cup of ramen. It wasn't the ideal breakfast but it was quick and he needed all the time he could to think on how he'd do this.

'Maybe I'll go see my favorite puppet first' he thought, 'Been a while since I needed something tailored.'

Slipping on some clothes, he didn't bother to shower this morning. He was in a hurry or at least that's what he told himself.

He then grabbed a few ripped up clothing from his latest battle with Jackie and the earthquake and set out on his way.

It didn't take long to reach the tailor's shop and he was tempted on scaring the shit out of him but he refrained himself, entering the shop with his hood up.

Jameson was helping someone else, his interpreter at his side while he signed to his customer.

The interpreter smiled at Anti with a small wave, "Hello! We'll be with you in a moment!"

Anti grinned charmingly, "You take your time. I'm a patient man" he winked for good measure, making the poor woman blush red before going back to her job in a fluster.

The glitch snorted and made his way to the benches to wait. Jameson seemed to be in his mind more so, not having heard his voice. That was fine. It'd be worth it to see his face in a few minutes.

Meanwhile Anti looked around at the shop while sitting and wait, viewing all it had to offer. There were suits, dresses, dress pants, hats and even a fancy board at the head of the store to show what all they offered to fix or patch up. Including casual wear.

'Wonder if Jackie is all healed by now?' he thought to himself, 'Will it be time soon to try and attack again? Perhaps I should make the first move since I let him come to me the last time'

He himself wasn't completely up to par yet but it wouldn't be long until he was ready again for a rematch.

'Can't let him think I've gone soft. Have to think about what I'm going to have that gang do, too. They'll want an answer soon since head honcho finally agreed. After hacking them out so much money, you think they'd give me the common courtesy.' he smirked to himself, 'Guess not. Con man to con man, I can understand. Just hope they stick with the deal and don't turn tail at the last second. I swear I'll fucking kill them if they-'

Suddenly something was placed on his head and Anti looked up to see Jameson staring down at him.

Really, Anti was surprised. Had he really not noticed the mute walk right up?

He just noticed that the interpreter had left too. The ego must have quietly asked her to go to the other room after the other customer had left. Which Anti had ALSO not noticed.

Jameson smiled only slightly, 'I thought I asked you not to come here again'

Anti snorted, "And you thought I'd comply?"

'Please, Anti. I've covered for you once but I can't'-'

"Easy there Mr. Tailor" Anti teased him, showing the ruined clothes, "I'm here as a customer. Promise not to tell anyone of this dastardly thing?" he tipped the old hat Jameson had placed on his head over his hood and winked.

Jameson was not amused though, 'Another fight with Jackie? Why can't we all just get along?' but before he could get an answer, the tailor grabbed the clothes and quietly motioned Anti to follow him as he walked away.

Anti didn't bother answering anyway and followed him without complaint to his office.

The deed was very quick as Jameson was amazing at his job but that didn't stop Anti from slipping in a few quips, "See your business here is doing pretty good. . . . . you're welcome"

Jameson 'accidentally' nicked him with a needle as he repaired his jeans.

"Ow! What the-" but Anti let it go, "Whatever."

When finally finished, Jameson pat his hands and tipped his hat to him, 'Anything else you need sewed up before you go?'

Anti cleared his throat, "Nah, just thought I'd pay my favorite a visit is all. We never hang out anymore"

'And you know exactly why!' the mute signed aggressively, 'I thought you could change, Anti. . . . .maybe one day you'll have a change in heart'

The glitch rolled his eyes, "Don't count on it. Just remember you can't hide from me. Wherever you are, James, I will find you. You're still my puppet"

'I am NOT your puppet!'

Anti ignored him, "And I will use you however I see fit. With or without your help. Just remember that, hm?"

The glitched pulled out a small stack of cash and set it on Jameson's desk with a confident smirk, "And don't even think about telling any of the others about this encounter. You know what will happen to them otherwise"

Jameson shuddered as Anti suddenly had a knife to his face. A dark smirk playing on his lips, "Understand?"

Jameson didn't want to agree. But what choice did he really have?!

He signed subtly, 'Understand'

Anti quickly removed the knife, putting it back wherever he had it and carried his sewn clothing out the door, "Pleasure doing business with you!"

He winked at the interpreter as he left, making the blissfully ignorant woman red again.

Jameson glared as the man walked out confidently but he knew he couldn't do anything.

He really was on strings.