Shadow-Dancer: Return of an Old Foe | #Wattys2019 Nomination

Brianne

A/N: This takes place at roughly the same time as the previous chapter.

Brianne's POV
It's been a few years since I was extracted from Ella's mind and I'm constantly worrying about her. Actually, I should be worried about myself. Every day, I lose a fraction of my powers. You might be wondering why I'm not simply regaining them. Well, it's because the monsters running this place are injecting me with a drug that prevents me from doing so. I'm startled from my thoughts when I hear an odd noise. And my eyes can't believe what they're seeing. There, standing in the doorway, are Markiplier, Darkiplier, and Wilford Warfstache.

"What are you guys doing here?" I ask.

"We were betrayed by the entity that is in control of Celine's body," Dark explains. "But don't worry because I managed to put her soul back in its body."

"So now you're just Damien?" I ask.

"Technically, yes, but I prefer to be called Darkiplier." They explain what happened to them and I don't hesitate to share my story. I suddenly get a sharp jab of pain from my left hip, causing me to double over, clutching my hip.

"AAAAAAAGH!" I scream out in pain.

"Yeesh. You sure you're going to be okay?" Dark asks, using his powers to help me onto my bed.

"To be honest, I don't know," I say.

"If only the outside world knew about what this place has become," Mark says.

"WhAt If It DiD?" Wilford suggests.

"What are you talking about, Will?"

"WeLl, I mIgHt HaVe SeNt OuT a DiStReSs MeSsAgE tO aBe."

"The detective? You do realize he's still after you, right?"

"I kNoW. BuT hE'lL cOmPleTeLy FoRgEt ThAt I'm HiS tArGeT oNcE hE pIeCeS tOgEtHeR tHe ClUeS tHaT i GaVe HiM aBoUt OuR cUrReNt SiTuAtIoN. It'S a RiSkY aLlIaNcE, bUt iT's WoRtH a ShOt."

"Please be okay, Brianne." It's Ella. I can hear her very clearly.

"I'm okay," I manage to say. I'm struggling to keep the mental link between Ella and I connected.

"She responded, guys," I hear her say, relief lacing her voice. Yep. My unique power is that I can hear Ella's conversations even when we're separated by distance.

"That's good news, Ella. That means that the effects of the separation are finally wearing off," says a voice that I recognize as belonging to Obsidian, better known as the Shadow-dancer's demon. I then decide to greet Ella's new friends personally. Another power I have is to create a real-time projection of myself in another place. It makes long-distance communication so much easier. As soon as I arrive, I immediately recognize Jacksepticeye, Antisepticeye, Chase Brody, Dr. Henrik von Schneeplestein, Jackieboy Man, Marvin the Magnificent, Jameson Jackson, the Shadow-dancer, Obsidian, and Ella.

"Brianne! You're here!" Ella exclaims.

"Well, sort of," I remind her. Usually, it wouldn't be difficult for me to create a projection, but because I'm down to ten percent of my original power level, simple tasks like this are putting a strain on me.

"Obsidian, is it? I've heard so much about you."

"Call me Ob," she says.

"Ella, have you been cutting again?" I can see the wounds on her arms.

"Yes. I'm sorry for letting you down," she confesses.

"You didn't let me down, Ella. I did. I let my guard down," I explain.

"I actually found out about her cuts just a few minutes ago," says Henrik. "I zen told her zat ze best treatment is for her to find friends who vill alvays support and lift her up. After all, I am ze good doctah."

"And I assured her that she can start with us," Chase adds.

"Thanks, guys," I say.

"Well, she was in need of help," Jackie explains.

"So how come Ella was diagnosed as a sociopath?" the Shadow-dancer asks me.

"Well, it's because we used to manipulate people and use them to our advantage. But one day, we took it too far and now we're trying to fix our mistakes," I explain.

"And all of our therapists have been completely oblivious to the fact that we've changed for the better," adds Ella.

"So, if you and your alter egos are sharing a body, how is it that you all can be in the same room at once?" I ask Jack.

"It's an ability that all demons and alter egos gain as they get more powerful," Anti explains.

"Don't worry, Ella. I'm coming." We all get into our beds, intending to get a good night's sleep.

(A/N: I bet you weren't expecting a chapter from Brianne's perspective. Song up top is "Chasing Ghosts" by Distrion feat. Max Landry.)