Shadow-Dancer: We're Not So Different [ALTERNATE UNIVERSE VERSION]

Chapter 22: Help in Odd Places

Becca's POV

My arms had grown weak from attempting to wiggle out of my restraints. I didn't know where I was, where Dark was taking Ob, or how I could possibly stop him in time, but none of that would matter if I died in this chair. Just as I was considering trying to dislocate my shoulder, I felt someone grab my arms from behind.

"Don't worry," said a familiar Irish voice. "I'm gettin' ya out of here." I felt the ropes drop to the floor.

"Jack?" I asked, my hopes rising. This must mean that we were at least close to the apartment. I changed my mind when a glowing emerald eye came into my field of vision.

"Guess again," Anti replied. "Come on. We don't hav-" I interrupted him when I punched him in the face hard enough to make his nose bleed. I felt smug for about 3 seconds until my legs started to wobble and I collapsed.

Becca: Well...

Ob: That happened.

"Alright. I deserved that," Anti said.

"Ya think?" I muttered. I used the chair to help myself get up and as a crutch until my legs stopped wobbling.

"Look, it doesn't matter right now," Anti said, using his shirt to wipe the blood from his nose. "After Dark left with Obsidian, he let go of his control on me. I'm only here ta get ya back ta Jack, we were split shortly before you an' Ob were, an' then I'm goin' ta go stop Dark."

"Okay... give me one good reason why I should believe you," I replied.

"I... I... I don't have one. For all ya know this could be a trick set up by Dark. But fer four years, Dark had me under his control, forcing me ta do awful things. He made me kidnap you for goodness sake! Whether ya believe it or not, I'm goin' ta stop Dark an' save Ob. I'm goin' ta make things right."

I stared at Anti for what, under normal circumstances, would have been an uncomfortable amount of time. He didn't sound like the creepy, malicious, conniving Antisepticeye I had first met. His eyes were softer, and he had this sort of vulnerability to him that he hadn't before. I didn't have much to lose. Why not give him a shot?

"How do you plan on finding Dark?" I asked. He gave me a look that had a mixture of surprise and relief in it before answering.

"His host. After forcing him ta finish the machine, and then testing it on Jack and me, Dark split himself from Mark, an' returned ta his old body. If anyone knew where Ob was taken, it would be him."
 
"Great," I replied. "How do we find him?"

"Well, I am goin' ta free him from his cell that's nearby. You are going home," Anti answered.

"No l'm not," I argued. "I'm not going anywhere unless Ob is coming with me."

"It's too dangerous," Anti countered. "lt's better if I go alone."

"What's your plan for stopping Dark?" I asked, a plan beginning to form in my head.

"Use my teleportation an' glitchin' abilities ta punch him until he's incapacitated," he answered.

"So that's a no. Luckily I do have a plan." I retorted.

"Which is...?"

"I'm not going to tell you. Then you would just take me home." Anti glared at me for a second while I stared back innocently.

"Fine," he answered. "But you stay in the shadows. Don't let Dark see you. He will not hesitate ta kill ya just because yer a kid."

"Deal," I replied, "Let's go find Mark."

Author: Anti's a hero now!

Becca: And don't forget to absolutely mash that star!

Ob: And while you're at it, recommend this story to as many of your friends as you can.

Author: The song up top is "Energy" by Elektronomia.