Antis And Dark Nights-Mark Of The Egos Volume III

Revolution

The ride to Actor's house was quiet and tense. Schneeplestein was at the wheel, Marvin leaning his head against the window as the world flew by. He looked up at the passenger and saw someone with their hood up, head leaned back. Chase.
"How did you find me?" Marvin asked offhandedly.
"I recognized the background," Chase said. "I knew exactly where you were located just by hearing 'Jimmy's Bar'."
"That was when we had karaoke," Marvin remarked. "I couldn't remember until just now."
They pulled into the parking lot. With so many cars and bikes that curled around the neighborhood, one would be forgiven for assuming that Actor was throwing a party. Schneeplestein found a place near the front to park and shut off the engine.
"Well, I'm more familiar with it," Chase said, unbuckling his seatbelt. "It was where I relapsed."
Marvin looked back, stunned, but Chase was already on his way to the house. Marvin and Schneep unbuckled and walked to the house.
When they walked inside, Marvin was taken aback by how many there were.
Egos and ids were scattered all around the house. All of the Ipliers who survived the Daniel Kyre Massacre; the KallMeKris egos; Nathan, Nate, Natemare and Phantom; the PewDiePie gang; and at the end, his egos.
Sean nudged Jack, and the egos all turned. Jacob and Jack ran up and bogged Marvin down in a tight hug. Marvin looked up to see the only monochromic being in the group. He smiled.
"James," he affirmed.
'Marvin,' JJ signed in response.
Marvin was released from the group and put his hands in his pockets. "It's good to see you."
'Likewise,' JJ replied. JJ rushed up and gave him a hug, tightly. He broke off and started signing again. 'I missed you.'
Marvin laughed. "I missed you too, buddy." In response to that, JJ shook his hands at the wrists, stimming excitedly. But his smile immediately faded as he slumped in a seat and covered his naked face.
"I'm so sorry, guys," he started. "I caused all of this trouble. I put the kid in danger, and for what?" He choked up. "I was selfish."
"No, don't think that, Marv," Jack consoled him. "You saved that kid. You sacrificed your own life to keep Oliver alive."
"Yeah, look around," Chase chimed in. He did. There were so many people here. He recognized all of them. Their voices and thoughts chattered in his head. "All of these guys are here because of you. What you did. You, the magnificent Marvin McGarry...you're a hero."
Marvin scoffed. "I'm no hero."
Schneep grabbed something from his pocket and gave it to Marvin. When Marvin unfolded it, he recognized the speed streaks, the sigils of cards on the forehead. Mr. Fluffington. Marvin put the mask on and looked back at Schneeplestein. "Thank you, Henrik."
He nodded in reply.
Tired and listless, Marvin started up the stairs to the room. But before he could go far, he felt a tug on his cape. He turned and looked down at one of the very few child egos- Riley. Marvin couldn't see the mark on her- it must've been on her leg or back.
"Umm, Mr. Marvin," Riley began, twisting her fingers in a coy manner. "What are we going to do?"
Marvin opened his mouth to say something, but he sighed, saying nothing. He felt it was imperative that he knew the answer, but he didn't have a satisfying answer to the child's question. He had to tell the truth. And the truth might upset her, but he already let down Ollie- it didn't matter what he said anyway. He kneeled to her level and said, in a calm manner, "I still don't know. I-I just got back from saving myself and an id from death. I just- I just want to go to sleep."
"Okay," Riley answered, satisfied. Marvin noted that Riley had a bit of a lisp, pronouncing the k as a t. She waddled away, back to her fellow egos, as Marvin watched her relay the information. He turned back around and started up the stairs, but when he got to the top, he found a dashing man in a silk red robe and a solemn expression. Quite unusual for Actor Mark.
"What do you want?" Marvin unknowingly snapped. He caught himself and tried again. "I'm sorry. What I meant to say was, is there something you'd like to tell me?"
Actor sighed. "Look, I know I can be an ass at times. I can't help it. I was written that way. But even I know when it's about to go down."
"What's going down?"
"Guest bedroom is down the hall, to the right, second to last room. The one next to it is the bathroom."
"Actor...why are you trying to help me? You could've been with the purgers. I honestly thought you were one."
Actor smirked. "Please. You know me. I have to be on the winning side."
Annnnd there he is. Marvin knew better than to voice that thought. He just nodded and started for the bedroom.
"Hey, Marv!"
Marvin turned to face him.
"They're looking for retaliation."
Marvin's face fell. "I know."
"Are we gonna?"
And it was at this moment that Marvin would make a decision that will change the universe this story is set in, kicking off a climactic finale.
He nodded.