The Dark Side of YouTube

Part 1 - The Struggle

"Hell-o!" I chirpered, starting my intro for the third time today. "It's Ash, AKA AshesOTG (Ashes On The Ground) here and I'm going not feeling the world's greatest. So, I'm reading your tweets!" I pulled up Twitter and started going through everything.

Why have your videos had so many cuts in them?

"Well, I've been struggling with some personal things that will never be off my mind. That and I say a lot,of things I'm not supposed to and that shit."

You've been distant, Ash. We're here for you.

"That's really sweet, but, as I said, I can't talk about it."

I surprisingly managed to get through that video without the want to scream. It's been extremely tough lately.

My phone rang. I went to it and answered.

"Hello?" I asked cautiously.

"Ashley." A dark, creepy voice replied. "Your assistance is needed."

"Who is this?" A cough came from across the line.

"Sorry. That's a joke. It's Markiplier and I was wondering if you'd like to come record a video with us?" I blinked a few times, trying to shake off the creepy voice.

"Yeah, sure!"

~

I arrived at Markiplier HQ an hour later where Mark and his friends were waiting. Mark greeted me with a warm smile. I smiled back as we went to a recording room. A green screen stood behind a bunch of cameras and microphones.

"What's the plan, old friend?" I asked cheerfully.

"We're shooting a video for Markiplier TV. It's Darkiplier VS Anticepticye Serious. Ethan and Tyler are on my team and we need a Youtuber on Sean's team along with Felix. Somebody killed Amy and Dark and Anti are blaming one another when it was really Warfstache." Mark explained.

"Again?" Mark laughed with a nod.

"So, Ashley, who's your alternate ego?" A familiar image flashed through my head. It turned out to be like multiple different GIFs. I squinted, trying to figure out what it is.

"Angel." I finally replied. Mark simply nodded. He walked off to speak with others. A ringing started in my ears. I squeezed my eyes shut, groaning slightly. My stomach turned. I put an arm on it, adding pressure to stop the pain. I straightened up once it went away, blinking a few times.

"Ashley! Come on!" Kathryn called. I smiled then walked over to them. Kathryn handed me a script which I briefly looked up. "How are you at drawing?"

"Pretty good."

"Great! Sketch what your alternate ego looks like." She handed me a paper and a pencil. I made quick work of drawing the pictures that appeared in my head.

Kathryn gasped at the amount of detail and color that wound up on my paper from just a pencil. "Amy, Mark, and Ethan are going to take you to go get your costume then."

"Okay. Thanks, Kathryn." I said before going to Amy and Ethan. I've known these guys forever. Amy and I grew up together and I've been here countless times. "Hey!" I cheered.

"Hey, Ash!" Amy chirped, giving me a side hug.

"Hello, Ashley." Ethan said shyly. He's always been shy around me. Almost like he can sense the storm within me. "Are we ready to go?" Amy and I nodded. We went to Mark's van then went to get the nessicary things for costumes. Mark drove with Ethan beside him. Amy, Chica, and I sat in the back. Ethan held up a camera.

"What've you been up to, Ash?" Amy asked.

"Not much. I mainly stay inside and record." I replied casually. "As you know, I like to stay on my own. You know my whole loner status." Amy giggled.

"I remember the first time someone asked you out." I rolled my eyes at the dreadful memory. "You just rolled your eyes and walked away. It was so mean, but so funny."

"Didn't you break hearts in high school?" Mark inquired with a goofy smile. I nodded my head in response, an action I've been doing a lot. Ethan remained silent as he started up the camera.

"Ready to film when you are." Ethan announced. Mark looked towards us. We confirmed out readiness. Is that even a word? Probably not.

"Hello, everybody! My name is Markiplier and welcome to another vlog. Today we are going costume shopping for our alter egos. I'm with Amy, Chica, and Ethan." Amy waved then made Chica wave. Ethan put his hand out and waved as well. "Also, we have AshesOTG with us. Again. As we've said, she's great friends with Amy." I waved with a big smile. "Guys, do you intros! Ethan, you're first." Ethan grinned sheepishly with a small blush as he laughed.

"Uh..... Do I have to?" Ethan asked.

"I can go first, Ethan, if you want." I offered. I've seen the Mario Kart videos and Ethan isn't a fan of doing his intro with others.

"Please?" I gave him a smile. He pointed the camera at me. I cleared my throat, straightening up.

"Hell-o! It's Ash, AKA AshesOTG, here and today....." I trailed off for a moment, pulling a confused face. "We're going shopping......" Amy and Mark bust out laughing. Ethan chuckled lightly. "Alright, Ethan, don't make me do your intro."

"I dare you. Nobody can do it right." Ethan challenged. I cocked an eyebrow. I cleared my throat once more, prepping my voice for the obnoxiousness that is Ethan's intro.

"What's up my Cranky Crew! It's Ethan from CrankGamePlays!" I exclaimed. Ethan's jaw dropped.

"Nice! No other YouTuber can do it!" Ethan cheered.

"Wait a minute." I said, clearing my throat once more. "Hello, everybody, my name is Markiplier!" Giggles and chuckles erupted from everyone, the car swerving a bit from Mark's laughing.

We arrived at the costume shop. Ethan turned off the camera. Amy stayed with Chica while we went inside. We walked around, searching for different outfits. We mysteriously found a dress exactly like my picture and the big  black wings. Ethan got him and Tyler suits like Dark's. We got Felix a tee shirt and jeans like Anti's. We got Amy a white dress that we can make look bloody as well as a new outfit for Warfstache. Mark paid then we went back to the van where Amy had Chica out on a leash.

"Ash, I was thinking and I'm putting you in charge of Ethan, Tyler, and Sean's makeup as well as your own. I'm doing Mark, Felix, and I." I nodded my head.

"Warning, I have bad acne." Ethan advised. I nodded once more. Mark drove us back to Headquaters. We all got dressed then we started makeup. I was in the middle of Tyler's eyeliner when Sean started laughing.

"Ash, I fucked up my makeup!" He called, laughing uncontrollably.

"Oh, fuck you!" I shouted back. I finished up Tyler, warning him not to touch, then fixed up Sean and went Ethan. I made him pasty white then worked on his eyeliner. "Don't open, close, or move your eyes." I advised. I carefully applied the eyeliner to his eyes.

"You know, you're a really good artist." Ethan complimented me. We've never really talked one on one before. Always with others in the conversation too.

"Thanks." I thanked him with a smile. I finished up his make up, with small talk as the conversation. Then, we got ready to record.

That's part one! This the beginning of The Dark Side of YouTube and I hope you enjoyed it!

Peace.
Love.
Out.