Inked in Mystery
Chapter 12: Truth must burst!
Chapter rather particular because it was done largely thanks to Foxiso. Without her, I would never have done it!
And this chapter is particular because it is freely inspired by "Esmeralda" of the musical Hunchback of Notre-Dame
Several days passed after Halloween and everyone was worried. Fear begins to invade ToonTown, especially since the Inkcombing Heart-Grinding Monster was still rumbling. All those who had tried to stand up to him had lost their hearts. The ''survivors'' were annoyed to see theirs attacked ones like wild game during a hunt. Even Elmer (official hunter of the Looneys) came to hate the role his studios were asking him to have. Many spoke of giving back to this demon: to hunt him as a prey and kill him without any form of trial! Except that this kind of decision couldn't come on their own. It needed the agreement of the Grand Council! Especially the two oldest Toons: Felix and Gertie!
PointDexter (who served as a secretary to the Grand Council) arrives in the Jurassic jungle. He was sure to find Felix ... or at least Gertie because it's her place of residence. He looks higher then he finally sees the most important people in the assembly in full discussion. He approaches, hearing more of their conversation that (like the others at ToonTown) is on Bendy. He bows to the huge dinosaur while saying:
« Please forgive me ... »
The cat made of ink jerked, his hair straightening on his body and missing falling from his perch. He turns around to stare at PointDexter, who looks at him a little embarrassed. Gertie looks at them without flinching.
« Oh, you idiot, you scared me! I really didn't expect to see you there! » Felix growl, recovering himself.
« Please forgive me but ... it's really panic in town. » the little scientist with an oval head and round glasses says. « We don't know what to do with this monster running the streets. The people are planning to eliminate Bendy and... »
« No! » Gertie cut in a loud voice as soon as they heard the word 'eliminate', making the other jump. « I want him to be judged like any other Toon! » she says, showing in her proud she doesn't want this order to be discussed. « I'm sure he must have things to say to us and I want to hear them! »
With that, Felix begins to think... but he thinks Gertie was right! And those little ones who had fled with him and Aiden who contradicted the fact that Bendy was a monster. Often, children saw things that adults don't see, which often makes them the best audience for Toons.
« Poindexter! » he exclaims in a confident voice. « Take note of what I am going to dictate to you, have this letter signed by the others and announce this decision to the whole city! »
And with that, PointDexter takes a pen and a paper in his hammerspace and listens attentively.
After the dictation of the letter, PointDexter made the trip through all ToonTown to have the document signed by the other important members of the Grand Council.
When Mickey read the document, he sighed loudly. He understood very well the action behind this letter, but it was Bendy! And his close family and many of his friends had been touched by the many attacks... but he had to admit that this affair didn't turn around. Then he signed just beneath Felix's signature and Gertie's huge loan.
The next was Porky. He read the letter and understood the intentions behind it. Being himself someone who believed hard that everyone deserved justice, even the worst of the Wicked, he signed like his other confreres.
The next was Woody Woodpecker who had been one of the first to open the demon hunt in his studio. But as he read the document, he gritted his teeth. How could he agree with that while many Toons were in danger? But as he saw that the others had signed, he added his signature with a sigh. If Gertie and Felix had accepted, there was a reason.
Koko the clown and Betty Boop added theirs after having read and nodded the document. As Inked Toons, they wanted answers! And Gertie was the wisest of them all.
After this quest for signatures and having gathered everyone on the main square, PointDexter announces:
« By decree of the Great Assembly Toon! We accept all information regarding Bendy The Dancing Demon and the authorization of his arrest. But no killing will be allowed before his judgment that will bring together all the Toons. Signed members of the Toon Grand Assembly: Felix the Cat, Gertie the Dinosaur, Mickey Mouse, Porky Pig, Betty Boop, Koko the Clown and Woody Woodpecker! »
« WHAT? BUT IT IS FOOLISH! » a Toon insists.
« They are serious ? No kill allowed? » another man rages.
And others began to shout equally the uselessness of this decree. Bendy was dangerous! He must be put out of harm's way by all means, justice or not!
« If Council members don't take this matter seriously, let's do justice ourselves! » Sam the Pirate says as he pulls out his pistols.
Everyone encourages him regardless of PointDexter trying to calm the angry crowd. The little red-haired and mustachioed Looney shakes up the little scientist and proclaims loudly:
Hunt down the Demon named Bendy!
Don't let him flee!
And vanish in the night!
These are the flames of Evil Bendy!
While he is free
Your torches will burn bright...
The others acclaim him, agreeing with him, and join him, intoning what becomes their war song.
Hunt down the Demon named Bendy!
Don't let him flee!
And vanish in the night!
Penelope sharpens her claws, determined to get revenge for her Pepé, one of the first victims of the demon.
These are the blades for Evil Bendy!
And I promise,
With my hands, he will die!
While her husband encourages the Toons (mostly because he wants to get their daughter back), Jessica Rabbit sighs. She knows her daughter as much as Roger even if the fear prevented the rabbit from seeing him. If Candice was willing to stay away from her family and face conflicting opinions, it was because she knew what she was doing. So it is noiselessly in this furious crowd that Jessica goes away, suspecting where her daughter may have been hiding.
Today, the children and the dancing demon help Dolorès to serve the customers, smiling and dancing between the tables under the eyes of the little ones. After another service, the Toon throws the tray across the room, disturbing the owner... but he uses his ink to go from the bottom table to the bar and stops his tool with his tail (balancing on a hand ) before catching him in his free hand. Going back to the place, he puts the object on the bar, near his ''boss''.
« Thanks Bendy. » the Human smiled. « But stop making me such fears. I had enough breaks in 47. »
« I'm doing it! 30 years without dancing, playing, singing, it's a boooooooooring! »
Now free of his time, Bendy is sitting on the bar and watching the room smiling.
Suddenly, two hands cover his eyes, making him jump. As he struggles to see again, he hears laughs worthy of a little girl and recognizes the culprit.
« Pandora ... » he sighs as he grabs his younger sister's hands. « You know I hate to be surprised. »
The devil girl (since it's really her) giggle and jumps back and chuckles.
« And I love to scare you! »
« You're just a little fool! » Bendy growls, crossing his arms over his chest and raising his nose, sulking.
Boris, sitting a little further, smiled at this scene that was commonplace in the heyday of the SillyVision. Pandora, knowing her brother as nobody (other than Boris), throws himself on the neck of his eldest by making a small beaten dog's head and says:
« Awww, Bendy ... don't be angry, big brother ... please ... »
The Dancing Demon drops his eyes to her and sighs, unable to resist this little face. Realizing that she won again, Pandora smiles and kisses her brother on the cheek before spinning to play with the kids.
Suddenly, Pepé enters and joins the little Rabbit.
« Candice, there's your mama outside. She knows you're here. »
« Huh? How can she ...? » the girl exclaims.
« Candice. You don't know any humans except me and Eddie. » Dolorès smiles, even though Bendy is worried.
If Candice's mother knew they were there, others could come! The little rabbit girl looks at her friends and leaves the bar, knowing that her mother was the calmest of her parents. Hopefully, she would say nothing to others if they both explained.
Jessica is waiting calmly, ignoring the whistles of some badly polite humans... when Candice arrives. After so much time without seeing her parents, the girl (although worried about her friend) is too happy to see her mother.
« Mom ! »
Jessica smiles and kneels to allow her daughter to jump in her arms. The MaroonStudios bimbo smiles as she squeezes her child and kisses her on the cheek before laying her on the floor.
« You'll have to explain to me, miss. I know you don't do something like that without measuring the consequences of your actions. »
« There I had no choice, Mom... the others would have killed Bendy... but as soon as they calmed down, we'll come back and prove to them that Bendy is nice! » the girl smiled.
« Unfortunately, anger only grows in ToonTown, treasure. The Grand Council has promised to try Bendy like any Toon but the others don't agree and want to kill him without any form of trial. »
Candice paled, horrified.
« And Dad? »
« He's scared for you, Candice. He will do anything to protect you even if it means killing someone. »
« But Bendy isn't mean! Wait, you'll see! »
Without further explanation, the rabgirl returns to the bar and after a few minutes, she comes out with the demon. Seeing the Toon woman, he gets scared and wants to go back inside but Keffan and Aiden (who followed discreetly) push him to Jessica. Seeing the ''monster'' be terrified in front of her, the wife Rabbit smiled.
« So that's the terrible Bendy? He seems as guilty as my Roger in 47. » she said with a little amused air.
« I beg your pardon? » the little Toon stammers.
« My husband was charged with the murder of the former owner of ToonTown in 1947. Of course, all that was wrong! »
The bimbo approaches, forcing Bendy to close his eyes as he fears what she is going to do to him... but she takes him in her arms and looks up and down before plunging her big green eyes into the dark of SillyVision. She doesn't see the monster described by the human Joey. She sees a frightened child there. Tenderized, she drops a kiss on the Toon's white forehead, leaving a beautiful mark of lipstick. Reposing the little demon, she calmly says:
« I'd better go back to ToonTown before we notice my absence. But if you really want to help your friend, kids, I advise you to go find out about the studio where he comes from. You may find something that will convince the other Toons to listen to you and judge him fairly. »
Without another word, Jessica walks away (crossing Henry and Eddie frowning at the sight) and goes back into his car. Pandora and Boris join the small group on the sidewalk and follow the bimbo of the eyes until she disappeared from the street. Henry approaches and, pointing the direction taken by the Toon, he asks:
« What was that ? »
« I think that means we have a new ally to ToonTown! » Keffan smiled.
Candice smiles and nods, puzzling Pandora who is looking at her brother. She then notices the big red mark on his forehead and, not understanding what it is because the only similar marks she has seen are black, she observes Bendy as a caged animal.
« What? » he worries without understanding.
« You got red there! » the girl said, pointing to his forehead.
As Eddie frowns, puzzled that the girl has never seen lipstick, Henry laughs at the innocence of his little devils.
Meanwhile in his apartment, Joey was struggling to contain his emotions. He didn't hold it anymore! The more he advanced, the better his chances for his plans became.
These are the rules of the game I order!
Everything must be granted to the plan!
No pawn in my game will escape!
Under the observant gaze of Granny and the two small gophers Tosh and Mac* (who sings sadly and worried), the Toons look everywhere!
All through the city, at more fevered pitch
Than the Hunt of the Devil...
Even in the narrow streets, in the fields, the alley of memories and even in the old catacombs! No hiding place could be ignored! The number of sentinels was doubled with each exit and entry of ToonTown because, even if the searches remain empty, Bendy had to remain hidden in ToonTown since its last attack. Hailing Humans and his studio being deserted, he could only be in town.
The Toons' number perilously decreased every night that fell in here!
Tosh adds, nervously drinking the tea that Granny offers him.
The number of Toons bodies found without soul or heart increased dangerously, worrying many Toons and studios. Thinking first of all to eliminate the threat that still weighed on them, the Toons piled up the ''corpses'' on top of each other in the old Acme factory, hoping to make life for some after all that. But although others didn't want to talk about it, many of them may not have survived the heartbreak so violently, perhaps slowly being forgotten. Be that as it may, this massacre made many widows and orphans.
Hoping for hope for the future
And finally stop all this torture!
But the days ahead seemed to come to see the worst. Granny sighs
What will become ToonTown?
With a sad look, the three Looneys sighed at seeing their once beautiful and joyful city be terrorized by fear and become as dark as some human cities where there was little joy.
Even if they stayed at Dolorès' bar, the children kept up to date with the latest news thanks to Jessica. She had promised to keep the secret on their safe while trying to calm her husband and the parents of the children. SourPuss was like Roger, determined to eliminate Bendy to get his kid back, while Gandy, Heckle and Jeckle were more worried. She decided to test with them first.
But seeing that the situation was only getting worse, the three children decided to follow Jessica's advice and look for more on the SillyVision studio. As for the human version, Henry had been able to retrieve information... but maybe on the Toon side, they would find something else! The only problem is that the information was in the file at Coyote's home. They had no choice!
While all ToonTown is in turmoil, three small silhouettes run from bushes to bushes to stay hidden. They are Aiden, Keffan and Candice. Although residents of this city, their new alliance with Bendy put them in the middle of the Toons target to find their friend. But there, they had to risk themselves in the city of Toons! They needed the SillyVision folder!
After several minutes of running around the city, they arrive in front of Coyote's house. Being the only one to fly, Aiden opens the window, allowing his friends to slip into the house and go upstairs. When they get to the wide open room, they don't see Coyote but Sam the dog instead, lying on the bed. The latter feels observed and turns his head to see the three small tits that look at him without fear (although Candice seems surprised to see him there). They know that Sam is a nice ''big'' Toon who's pretty cool and non-violent and he's not going to denounce them to their parents like that.
« Oh ! Hmm... wait, don't move! » the sheepdog said, getting up from the bed and revealing beneath his thick fur Wile the Coyote, peacefully asleep and curled up on himself. « Hey Wile, my quail. There are Toons who would like to see you. » the dog said calmly.
But nothing. Coyote is still asleep.
« Hey Wile. Wile! WILE! » Sam calls, waking the Coyote.
He stretches on his four limbs and looks at the dog with a soft, tender air that reminds both boys of their parents.
« Yes? » he asks softly.
« Hmm, yes, you have visitors. » Sam said, pointing to the children.
The Coyote jumps as he straightened up. When he realizes that it's Roger's little one, Gandy's kitten and Heckle and Jeckle's chicks, he's stunned.
Keffan snorts before straightening himself leaning towards Candice.
« See, Cand '? I told you that he and Road Runner were too easy. » he said, making Aiden laugh.
The little girl glares at him (hating to lose her couple bets)... when they're frozen by Coyote's howl of anger.
« Here you are, you three? But do you realize how dangerous you are? It's a miracle that you're still alive! Wait a bit for your parents to find you! »
Furious, the canine leaps up and goes to the entrance to warn the Toons without regard to the cries and supplications of children... when Sam stands, tall and terribly impressive in front of Wile.
« Sam! Go away ! »
« No. » the dog growls.
« Go away ! We must warn others! »
« No, but do you hear yourself? It looks like a bounty hunter! Where did the Toon who was looking for the truth go? Where is this Toon that I liked? Where's my cinnamon sweety? » the sheepdog asks, pouting while sticking his muzzle to his companion's.
The children giggle at the ridiculous nickname, reminding Coyote that they are there, which makes him blush violently. He glares at Sam before turning to the little ones who smile innocently.
« Uh yes uh ... well, I mean, what can I do for you, children? » he asks.
« Do you still have the folder about SillyVision? » Aiden asks.
The Looney Toonologist finally understands where the little ones found the address of the studio: by searching his files!
Sighing, he goes to the living room and climbs on a stool to retrieve the small folder and threw it scornfully on the coffee table.
« Here ! It's not very thick but there's all the Toons need to know about him. » he mutters.
Sam sighs, disappointed in the behavior of his lover, before sitting next to the little ones. Aiden takes the dusty file and opens it. The first cards are official papers, yellowed by time with the address, the names of employees and Toons... but after all these cards, he frowns.
« What's that thing ? » Candice asks, trying to see, intriguing Coyote glancing around.
Keffan pulls out the first paper which happens to be a strange ink-covered score and, on the back, a machine order and several hundred liters of ink. Much, too much for a small studio. Then Candice grabs an old sketch of Bendy... to see a pentagram at the back with an inscription.
« Our portal to become gods ... » she deciphers.
Coyote frowns as Sam bends to retrieve an envelope. Inside, he finds several papers and an audio tape. The two Looneys look at each other, intrigued, then the dog goes for a tape recorder to read the tape. Meanwhile, Wile unfolds the papers. There are many drawings of Bendy with strange inscriptions in a language he doesn't know and then he sees a piece of paper torn off a notebook. He unfolds it and sees a list of key points under the title: the Messiah who will guide us to the Gods. Each point is checked but what intrigues the Looney more than the title, it is the points of the list:
→ cute face
→ small size
→ attractive
→ demonic
→ a lot of ink
Coyote frowns even more, not understanding the interest of this list when he finds a page torn from a book. He begins to read it, including all the points in the list.
« Though terrifying and dark, Satan isn't a demon but the most powerful god that can be found and the only one capable of bringing Immortality. Although harmless and joker, a Toon is unknowingly the holder of some of this power, allowing him to live to oblivion and making him a God. Knowing that Tunmans were able to emerge, it must be possible to extract the energy that makes a Toon live and transmit it to a human, enabling him to become immortal and to rise to the rank of God... »
The rest of the page is filled with pentagrams and alchemical and satanic annotations with a pen notation written at the bottom of the page: only a demonic Toon will be powerful enough to make me immortal.
Wile finds himself breathless. A Human had set out to discover a way to become Immortal using Toons and mainly Bendy. It seems horrible! And what did this Human have in mind to become Immortal? How did he want to use the Toons for that? And above all... who was this Human? Sam returns with a tape recorder and, without knowing what Wile had discovered, he starts the tape. Boris's voice begins to speak.
« Howdy... I don't know who's listening to this message but... I'm Boris the Wolf of SillyVision. This is not a joke but a call for help. The growth of our studio seems to have made Joey crazy. It's been a few weeks since he's been doing weird tests on us, the Toons. It started with injections of water and other products... until he killed one of Alice's little brothers by injecting him thinner. »
The Toons gasp in horror at hearing that. Joey Drew had been cruel enough or unconscious to inject thinner to a little Toon? Boris's voice trembles and they hear him sniff as if he's crying.
« Joey is a monster... I managed to preserve Bendy for the moment but I don't know how long I can protect him. Joey draws pentagrams on the floor and Sammy, the director of the music department, also seems to go crazy... I don't know what's going on but I'm afraid that if Joey gets tired of us, he would attacking the other Toons, that he's going after ToonTown... I've often heard him accused Bendy for the many ink jobs all over the studio when I know it's him. Luckily the others love Bendy and don't scold him because he wouldn't understand... Henry says he wants to leave and take us with him, but I'm afraid Joey will stop him and pick on Bendy. »
A sound of broken glass sounds and a woman's voice much more mature than that of Pandora sounds.
« Boris quickly! That's Joey! »
« Run to hide, Alice! ... Whoever you are, help us! Joey Drew is lying to us! He is dangerous ! He must be stopped for the sake of all the Toons! »
The tape stops after hearing hateful screams smothered by a door. The children look at each other, horrified. This message from Boris was proof that Joey was a monster! The Wolf had already been to ToonTown. He had left the tape in the envelope with all the evidence and, as the letter came from the SillyVision, it was given to Coyote for his file on the studio. The canine doesn't know what to think.
Suddenly, loud blows hit the door, making the little ones and the two Looneys jump. Quickly, Wile arranges the file and slips it under a cushion and Sam takes a big blanket in which he locks the children.
« Hey ! What are you doing, Sam! » Aiden screams.
« Let us go out! » Candice fumbles.
« Shhh! Don't make noises! » The dog whispers, hiding the improvised bag behind his back.
With a nod to Coyote, he makes him understand that he can open. His companion goes quietly to the door where the blows continue insistent.
« Here, there! I'm coming! » Wile said as he arrived before opening.
SourPuss and Roger, followed by Sam the Pirate armed with his pistols, come looking everywhere.
« Where are they ? » the moustached Toon rages.
« Where are who? » his dog namesake asks as innocently as possible.
« Kids, big ditty of dog! » the nervous guy annoyed before being calmed by Roger.
« Sam, you'll end up giving yourself a heart attack to get angry all the time. » the rabbit said as he pulled out a fan to try to calm the stocky man who become red with nervousness.
« Tweety thinks he saw the children come in here through this open window. » SourPuss says pointing to the living room window.
« Oh? » Coyote intervened, taking a calm look. « Well, we didn't see them. »
« Don't make a fool with us, Toonologist from my butt! » The Cowboy gets angry, pointing his guns at the scientific canine. « I'm fooled by the Rabbit but not by you! Now, tell us where are the kids! »
« They aren't here. I didn't see them anyway. » the Looney calmly insists.
Since they see no reason for Wile E. Coyote to lie to them, Roger and SourPuss sigh. They had so much hope of finding their respective child after several days without news, without knowing that the children are there to listen to them without making any noise.
But as they were leaving, they heard Speedy's happy roar. The mouse seems to angels! He enters the house through the door and shouts, ecstatic:
« ARRIBA ! IT'S A MIRACLE ! ARRIBA ARRIBA ! »
« What is it, Speedy? » Sam the dog is surprised.
« A true miracle, amicos! Finally, after mucho of such dark days, a huge buena news! »
« What ? » Roger asks, hoping. « They found Bendy and the kids? »
« Oh no, señor Roger... it's a buena news, but not that one, por desgracia. » the mouse sighs, reassuring the little ones.
« So what's going on? » Coyote intervenes.
« Señor Félix and Señora Kitty! They just have three little gatinos! » the little Mexican rodent smiles, shocking everyone (Aiden and Keffan are even forced to put their hand on Candice's mouth to keep him from screaming with joy). « It's like a lighthouse in a dark night! It's a new esperanza! »
Everyone smiles, delighted for the young parents. After so many ''deaths'' and misfortunes, a birth could only be a good thing! Especially when it came to Felix's kittens, the first official Toon and the second most important member of the Grand Council! And the joy was even greater when you know that Kitty had lost a litter some time ago. These babies were a new hope for the city as for the couple of cats.
« You'll have to add a chapter to the file on Señor Félix, Coyote amigo! » Speedy smiled.
« I'll do that right now! I will just need the birth certificates and the names of the kittens. »
« Ah, you'll have to see with the nuevo parents! Well, I'm going to leave ! The whole city must know! »
Of a happy 'ARRIBA!', the mouse runs away in the streets to deliver the good news.
« We should go too. » SourPuss smiled.
« Sorry for the inconvenience. » Roger apologizes.
« There is no harm. » Coyote replies, escorting them to the door.
As soon as the adults are out, the Looney lets himself breathe and rejoins his companion who releases the children.
« It's official, it's a good day! » Aiden smiles.
« You can says it ! » Keffan adds. « A birth and a proof of Bendy's innocence in the same day! »
« We'll have to take the file, Coyote! » Candice concludes.
« No need, I won't destroy it. » the canine smiled. « And you can tell your friend that he has a new ally. »
« Two! » the sheepdog corrects.
The children look at them incredulously, and then, overjoyed, jump on the necks of the two Looneys.
The more days passed, the more Oswald began to doubt the proclamation of his brother and the other members of the assembly. The victims were only increasing from day to day, almost as in a mass genocide. And the sorrow of knowing his Ortensia ''disappeared'' because of this monster who still rode the streets and who was attacking the innocent, many Forgotten Disney but also known characters. If you had any idea how much he wanted to punish Heckle he held responsible! If he had closed his beak or that of his kid, nothing of all these horrors would have arrived! But could he really blame the bird? If it hadn't been him, it would have been someone else, another child, another Toon even a Human... or it would have been a pure fate of fate and this monster would have come out of his hole without anyone being there for nothing. But was it worth all those losses?
All these cries of terror that resonate every night ...
How can I believe that all will be alright?
The rabbit sighs... when one of his children come to comforts him. Quickly, all the others join them and all of them jump on their necks, initially maddening their father... but he ends up laughing loudly, feeling his many little ones who try to make him smile despite their sorrow.
Reading the proclamation of the assembly that the two brothers Cuphead and Mugman brought him, Joey is outraged. No killing allowed? What joke!
« Coward! Loose! Weak! Traitor! Unable to kill! » he rage.
Then he sees that some Toons don't follow the decree, wanting to protect theirs whatever happens and that makes him smile. He still had a chance.
« At least some will be more than easy to fool! » he chuckles before moving away, seeming to leave ToonTown.
With the passing days, the Toons were becoming more and more suspicious... but Mugman realized that even though his elder Cuphead was one of the most fervent 'Demon hunters', he had his mind elsewhere. The blue straw 'cup-head' had noticed that his elder was weird every time Bendy was mentioned. He took a moment to remember... but he remembers that they had been created 6 years after the SillyVision disaster. The first time they heard about Bendy was when Cuphead found a reel at Betty Boop's, who, as a board member and Inky Toon like them, had to teach them everything a Toon needed to know. The two cups had taken advantage of his absence to watch the episode and they have love it. Cuphead had even developed feelings for the little dancing demon.
Except that when Betty had discovered it, she had broken the heart of the red straw cup by explaining that the one who had captured his heart by his episodes, his kindness despite his many jokes and his passionate dances was only a demon who become insane for no reason, who had attacked humans. Mugman had been frightened not only by the Humans but by everything that seems to have been sent by the Devil while Cuphead had become a little Toon who made fun of the Devil... that's what motivated him to offer him to play their lives in their episodes. But to speak again of Bendy and to have seen him in real had awakened the first feelings that Cuphead had had for the demon. So even if he proudly participated in the Demon hunts, he hoped to find him before everyone else and to confess his feelings... but especially to understand! Why did this impudent and innocent devil in his episodes do such horrible things?
Mugman sighs as he sees his brother staring at the Bendy plush. After the children had fled, they had searched the different rooms and the red straw cup had found Aiden's secret box. He had hidden it when he saw that it didn't show where the children could be, but he had kept the toy. As much as his brother could be a brave warrior against their enemy and a proud Toon in front of the others, as much (in private and when we talk about Bendy) he could look like one of those teen girls who fall in love with their favorite actor in a movie. Annoyed, he decides to go hunting Bendy alone! He would prove to his brother that he was a great demon hunter!
The first patrols left for a long time when Mugman walked the streets of ToonTown humming. He was never totally alone in front of a 'villain' so there...
« Come on, come on, don't panic! » he said (especially for himself) as he went on his way. « Just walk straight ahead and you always come somewhere! »
He continues to advance, hesitating to go to the dark streets unlike the patrols or go to the SillyVision. Finally, he lets his feet guide him... when he slides on a puddle of a viscous and thick thing and falls heavily on the ground. Grimacing, he rubs his forehead... to feel that he is putting the thing on his forehead (or the top of his cup). He puts his hand in front of his eyes... and freezes on seeing thick black ink! Horrified, he raises his head and sees a dripping figure black and white.
« Hello, kid! Do you like cartoons? » the creature asks, smiling cruelly.
Mugman screams as he recognizes Bendy and gets up in time to avoid the crooked hand. He shoots him with his energy... but the ink seems to dampen all the blows. So he fled, panicked, and screamed:
« HELP ME ! HELP ! »
Having noticed that his brother was absent without warning (something extremely rare at home), Cuphead seeks him in all ToonTown. He first tries the places he loves and where his friends live before looking everywhere.
« Mugman, it's more funny! Stop your boyish whims! To hang out alone in the streets facing a monster, it won't change you! You will always stay my little brother! Come on! Stop sulking and come! » he calls loud enough for his younger brother to hear.
This isn't the first time that Mugman was doing this to him so there is no reason for it to change. Smiling, he's looking for his brother when...
« HELP ! »
Cuphead jumps when he hears his brother's screams... when he sees him running away, followed by the Demon that everyone is looking for! His heart misses a beat and he runs to try to join them to save his younger brother.
The blue straw cup runs and zigzags through the streets, hoping to escape Bendy. It is that he runs quickly, this animal!
« And to say that Cuphead is madly in love with this thing! » he thinks before turning.
He passes through an alley and cuts through another before the Demon sees him. He freezes and wait for the Inked Monster to pass before sighing and turning around to return home to his brother.
« Mugman! »
The person turns to see his eldest at the end of the street. Relieved to see Cuphead, he walks over to him happily... when he starts screaming:
« MUGMAN ! BEHIND YOU ! »
But too late! The youngest of the siblings feels something that pierces him through the back. He finds himself breathless and, turning his head, he sees ''Bendy'' who smiles at him cruelly. With a quick gesture, the ink demon tears the heart of the little cup-headed Toon. Mugman finds himself frozen in pain before collapsing on the ground, his straw falling from his cup to roll in the dust. Cuphead is frozen, horrified, seeing his little brother being killed before his eyes. The shock is such that for a moment he doesn't move, trembles with horror and tears of sadness run down his cheeks. As soon as ''Bendy'' is far away, he returns to his senses, finally feeling his heart squeezing tightly in his chest.
« MUGMAN ! » he shouted, in tears as he ran, hugging his brother's corpse in his arms.
The hunters come too late, as usual, and find the two brothers. Cuphead sobs in an uncontrollable way, royally ignoring others around him. Daffy (who has been a hunter since the beginning and despite the decree and Bugs who agreed with this decree) patted his shoulder sadly.
« Sorry... »
Cuphead didn't answer, clutching the corpse of his younger brother. How could it be possible? This monster hides his game! Betty was right. She had been right from the beginning! There was no soul in this being made of dread and ink who was attacking the city today. But he swears to himself that he will pay! Oh yeah ! The demon would pay for his crimes! And if it wasn't the assembly that would avenge his brother then he will avenge him with his own hands!
« BENDY ! IF YOU HEAR ME, I SWEAR YOU! I WILL KILL YOU, BENDY! I WILL KILL YOU! »
Let him run as long as he can still, ''Bendy''! But he knows now that they will repaint his tomb of diluted ink! This creature should return to the devil who created it! And never come back from the abyss!
At the bar of Dolorès, Bendy is wiping glasses with the boss. Eddie and Henry watch this with a small, tender smile.
« He's a real kid, that Toon. » the detective sneers. « To wonder if it's a real demon. »
The animator shrugs. Bendy was always like that and will always be.
Suddenly, Pepé floats in and starts ringing the bell that Dolorès has put on a shelf. Since the arrival of the Demon, the bar served as an asylum for Bendy but also for souls until they find a solution. This bell served to warn the arrival of a new soul and therefore a new attack! As nobody suspected him in ToonTown and being a ghost himself, Casper was the one who found the souls and guided them to the bar. Customers had become used to seeing these ghostly and transparent Toons wandering in the bar even if they didn't understand what was happening in ToonTown so that many Toons lose their hearts while they were sometimes still very well known.
All the souls gather in the bar to welcome the last victim and to calm him because the Demon seemed to become more and more violent and cruel with his 'prey'. Bendy remains hidden near Dolorès, knowing that he could distract the newcomer who thought he had been killed by him. Casper then enters holding the hand of the new... and all are shocked by recognizing him.
« Mugman? » Eddie exclaims.
He expected everything and any Toon but not one of those two! It's not that they weren't known but they didn't have the same popularity as Bugs or Mickey or even Felix or Oswald! The culprit seem ready to attack any Toon: known or secondary.
Mugman (whose trace of his heart is still visible on his chest) is stunned to see all the victims of the Demon before him! They are all there, in the form of souls! Smiling, he runs to throw himself to the necks of his friends (his arms being too small, he is content to hug Pepé, Ortensia and Fauntleroy Fox).
« You are here ! You are all here! It means that there is still hope! » he cries, delighted that he isn't really dead.
« Of course there is hope! » Candice exclaims, jumping close to him. « What do you think we've been doing for weeks? We are looking for a solution! »
The little blue straw cup froze when she saw the little girl. He sees Keffan and Aiden a little further.
« You three ? Are you still alive? »
« Why would we be dead? » Aiden asks. « There was no risk. »
Mugman frowns... when he recognizes the wolf that protected Bendy at the Halloween party. Distraught, he recoiled... when Pandora (perched on one of the chandeliers) hangs by the tail, head down.
« Hi, handsome! » she chirps.
Mugman screams as he sees this Bendy-like face (though he's more feminine) and runs off into the soul crowd... when he sees his murderer. He turns pale and then, overcome by fear, he screams:
« ENOUGH ! WHAT HAPPENS HERE ! Why are you all here with your murderer? Are you crazy or what? »
All froze, astonished by howling loud enough for this little man usually so quiet. Even the little Pierre from Disney is afraid and yet he has already faced a Fierce Wolf! All look at each other and Chilly Willy approaches.
« It's a bit more complicated than that. » he said. « Many believe that Bendy is guilty ... but that's not the case. »
« Oh no! » Pepé exclaims. « Bendy is everything but not a murderer! »
José Carioca, Pete Puma and Dimwit shake their heads.
« I would rather say a victim! » Ichabod Crane intervenes, under a positive nod of the other three.
« Victim of the madness of a man! » one of the Gremlins exclaims. « A dirty man! And Bendy has always been there with us during the various attacks! »
« He was with you celebrating Halloween when the first attack on me, the Gremlins and Pepé took place. » Ortensia calmly explains as she joins the 'new kid' to calm him down.
« The real culprit, he's still roaming around in ToonTown! » the dwarf Happy rage.
Though he was always smiling, he hated injustice and could get very angry.
Mugman is disturbed... but he sees that Bendy looks more like a scared little child than a real monster. Especially since all the children (souls and 'alive') run to join him to hold him in their arms. He frowns, incredulous.
« I don't understand anything anymore... »
« The real culprit is Joey Drew! » Eddie says approaching.
« The Human? It's not possible… »
« Joey Drew isn't what we believe. » Henry sighs as he comes to pick up Pandora, taking her off the chandelier. « He did a lot of harm to the SillyVision Toons. »
« Oh yes... » Boris mumbled, drawing attention to him. « I am his first victim and the cause of the SillyVision disaster. »
« One of the causes... » Bendy mumbles as tears come back into his eyes.
Mugman and Ortensia notice that he is trembling and putting his hand on his belly. The cat is frozen on the spot, understanding that there was more than the loss of the chosen of his heart... but she decides to wait to talk with the person concerned. The little cup-head, him, sees well the little demon of the rare episodes that he could see. He hesitates, his reason fighting with his heart who wants to believe it.
Suddenly, the phone rings. Candice picks up and drops to the ground, stretching the wire to the maximum.
« Yes? ... Ah! Uncle Eddie! Mr Coyote! »
As Valiant goes to Candice to pick up the phone, Mugman gets indignant.
« Coyote knows? »
« We have found evidence that Joey is crazy! » Aiden says.
The blue straw cup frowns before listening to what's going on.
« Yeah, Coyote?... Yes, Mugman just arrived. ... Ah! I see ... and Joey came back to ToonTown? ... Oh! Outch... it gets complicated ... We'll see on our side. Thank you for having warned. »
« What is happening ? » Dolorès asks as Bendy is joined by Pandora and Henry.
« With what happened to Mugman, his brother Cuphead embarked on a personal war against Bendy. » the detective replies, hanging up. « So now he'll be patrolling, and if he ever gets caught, he'll execute Bendy without any form of trial. The list of supporters for immediate killing is growing. »
Mugman suffocates, unable to believe that his brother may have had such a change. Especially when you know his love for Bendy. Candice suddenly gets upset.
« But it's impossible! What must be done so that they understand that Bendy is not dangerous? »
« They need proof. » Casper sighs. « It's like with Doom. Without clear evidence, no one would have known it was a Toon. »
All sigh. Coyote had some evidence in his files, there was testimony from Henry and other humans but would that be enough? Aiden thinks, arms crossed ... then, without anyone noticing, he gets out of the bar, an idea anchored in his little fledgling head.
It was a risky plan but he had to try! That's what Aiden put in his head after Coyote, his lover, and Jessica became allies: he went fishing for evidence so he could show them to the members of the Assembly. To them and them alone! Because if he spoke to the Toons directly, Joey would risk intervening with one of his follies that everyone swallowed. He had thought to go directly to the important members and tell them everything... but he had no proof except words but the sayings aren't reliable! In any case, according to Eddie, that wouldn't be enough. The hardest thing was to act in the shadows, without being seen by anyone, or even by his parents... but it was hard enough for him. They hadn't seen them for a long time and they missed him... but he is afraid that his parents will make everything fail! But he promises himself that at the end of it all, he would return with them if they forgive him.
Good people of ToonTown,
I've heard the calling of the Lord!
The time has come to take your city back!
He hears this suddenly. He knows that this voice belonged to Joey and he sees him fooling a crowd that did not follow the decree. Without being seen, he approaches where the crowd accumulates.
We'll save our ToonTown!
Expunge this heathen Demon Horde
Before we're overrun, we must attack!
Aiden is disgusted by his words.
« You're the demon one, liar! » he indignantly exclaims aloud (still hidden in the crowd).
This surprised everyone, even Joey who looks everywhere after the one who just dropped it.
« Who said that? » he asks.
The Toons are staring at each other but no one knew who had let go of those words so he tries to catch up.
« That's right, I created Bendy! But it's not my fault if he attacks innocents today! »
« Liar! Even mirrors don't hide your true face anymore! » Aiden screams, staying hidden and changing places.
The Toons look again around them but nothing! Joey tries to find this trouble maker but to no avail.
« What will I lie? What do you know about me? » the furious human asks in front of the crowd.
« I know everything, Joey! You dared the worst sacrifices for your quest for Immortality! And I'm not the only one! I wouldn't be alone in knowing the truth! And you know that God whom you denied and also the one who helped you know it! So, if you plan to save the little soul that you think you have left Joey, stop lying! » Aiden's voice says (still hidden).
It offends Joey who didn't know what to do in front of the crowd in front of him. Some Toons wondered what and then began to stare at the human who became nervous to them.
« But what are you doing here !? » Heckle's voice said.
All turn to see the magpie with his husband. The couple of TerryToons (as well as others who believed in justice) followed the decree to the letter. It shocked more than one as their son was one of Bendy's corrupt prisoners... but these gatherings had the gift of annoying the black-feathered bird.
« With your nonsense, you lose more time chatting than anything else! You increase the number of victims every minute! So be helpful and find evidence that explains the demon's behavior! » he is indignant, staring at the right Human in the eyes. « By understanding better what he wants, we will have more chance to put an end to this ordeal! »
Aiden is surprised by this! Did his father really think that Bendy should be judging right? The chick wonders if he is facing the magpie who gave him half of his genes. Joey glares at him, still hating as much when his decisions are challenged.
« Because you think you do better? After you've judged him, who says he's not going again? » the human proclaims under the clamours of the other Toons who followed him. « All you want is to recover your corrupt kid! But you know like me that the only thing to do to free the kids who serve as pawns is to eliminate it! » Joey retorts further.
Heckle shakes his head, disgusted.
« Humans are all the same! » he spits, looking at the Man in the eyes.
Aiden makes the mistake of leaving his hiding place to watch the argument between his parents and the infamous SillyVision director. He manages to remain unnoticed by others thanks to his small size... until he feels a pair of plucked hands catch him by the waist and lift him off the ground! This is Foghorn Leghorn, this big talker and 'old chicken'!
« I say, here's one of the kids! » he said, waving Aiden in the air. « He was able to get rid of the filthy demon! »
Everyone turns to see the chick shown by the Looney chicken. Joey's staring at the boy, because he's certainly the little voice that has stumbled on his past... but that kid could be an opportunity to know where Bendy was. But how to kidnap him without being seen in front of all these Toons?
Heckle and Jeckle rejoice and are happy to see their child alive and in perfect health.
« Aiden! » Jeckle said in tears, rushing to grab his son in his arms, cuddling and cradling him tenderly.
Everyone (except Joey) is happy about that. If the first child to find Bendy was still alive, there was a good chance the others were still alive. Aiden returns the affection and hug his mother as strong as he can with his little wings. His embraces had been terribly missed even though he had refused to admit it to others. Then he stops, moving his head away from his mother's chest to face him.
« Mum ? Is it true that you will bring Bendy to the Grand Council? » he smiled hoping that what he heard from his father wasn't a dream. « Because I have proof that can explain almost everything! » he says, annoying Joey more and intriguing the other Toons.
« Aww, my chick. Although we are afraid, of course we will bring him to justice! » Jeckle smiled, hugging his son further.
Aiden looks at his father during the embrace of his mother and he nods to confirm the words of her husband. The child smiles, eyes shining with tears, and whispers: ''Thank you...''. Heckle shrugs. He was a stubborn, but he needed answers.
Joey approaches the pair of magpies, glaring at the child. The little chick freezes on seeing him and closes against his mother, alarming his parents who turn to the Human. The look of the 'Chief' of Bendy's Hunters' patrol freeze their paint while their son looks at him, disgusted and furious.
« Tell us where is Bendy, rascal? » Joey growls.
« Aiden isn't a rascal! » Heckle gets upset, placing himself between his husband and son.
This guy inspired him less and less confidence.
« He knows where the Demon is hiding! Confess! »
The child leaves the arms of his mother before throwing himself on the shoulders of his father to be high and, to the shock of all, spits on the face of the Human.
« You can dream, killer! » the chick raged.
Joey wipes his face angrily and the magpies move as far as possible from the Toons group. Many are intrigued by the adult behavior of TerryToons but more than half think it is their heart of parents who refuse to admit that their little one could have done something serious. Especially since they had just found him alive after several weeks to fear the worst for him.
« Do you want to play it like that? So let's play it the hard way! » the former director gets angry.
Seeing he's going after his family, Heckle jumps on Joey, pulling a hammer from his hammerspace ... but the Human is very agile for his age. With a bound, he avoids Heckle and pulls the hammer from his hands. With a disdainful gesture, he picks up the magpie and throws him at the feet of his husband.
« You see ! Traitors in Bendy's pay! Let's stop them and force them to tell us where the demon is! » the Human order with a tone worthy of a priest of the Inquisition.
Heckle and Jeckle move away when the Toons determined to kill Bendy approach, determined to imprison them... when an explosion of blue smoke gushes into the air. All start and move apart when a silhouette comes out of the smoke. All are shocked to see a female Toon devil who look like Bendy in a pretty purple dress with a mauve headband and her beautiful white rose torn off on it. Joey ticks, recognizing her, and Aiden smiles, overjoyed.
« Pandora! »
The devil girl stands up smiling, making others tremble at the sight of that smile like Bendy's. The little girl laughs like a child and makes a pretty bow.
« My apologies, your Highness Drew! But we can't stay! » she laughs.
With a snap of her hand, she shows a thick blue smoke around her and the Toons magpies. The others try to stop her... but when they cross the smoke, they find nothing! The devil girl and the three magpies have evaporated!
Joey stands straight but his body trembles with rage and his face ticks under the nervousness. If Pandora, being the last of the studios, the spare wheel in case he couldn't count on Bendy, had the magic to do that, then that meant he was right! Bendy was undoubtedly very powerful and could offer him what he wanted! No doubt: he had to find the dancing demon! Turning to the crowd, he takes his air as a great manitou and declares, continuing to stir the embers of hatred:
« Toons! We have proof that Bendy is alive and that he manages to corrupt many of us despite his numerous crimes! It is urgent to find him and end his reign! »
The others look at each other and shake their heads. They had enough! Bendy had to be defeated now!
Hunt down the Demon named Bendy!
Don't let him live
And let's do what is right!
We'll find the Demon named Bendy!
We'll find him
And kill him tonight!
Heckle and Jeckle freeze when they see that they are in the bar of Mr Valiant's wife but that there are not only humans. There are also Toons and not just any Toons: all the Toons who have been killed!
For a moment, they wonder if they are dead too... but unlike the others except the children, all are souls. They thought they had seen the most disturbing... except that their hearts missed a beat when they saw Bendy. But seeing their eyes, the dancing demon freezes and hides behind the legs of a human guy, like a child act with someone who scares him. It surprises them even more.
« It's okay ? » the imp girl asks, startling them. « This is the first time I try this with people. »
« How did you do that, Pandora? » Aiden asks.
« Hey! Even a female imp has powers! »
The girl makes two blue energy orbs appear in her hands while smiling. Henry (the Human behind which Bendy is hiding) caresses the head of the elder of the demons then explains:
« After the SillyVision disaster, when Pandora came home, we discovered she had magical powers. Surely one of Joey's experiences. »
« It's thanks to that that we were able to see that Joey wanted something bad. » Eddie adds.
« What about you, Bendy? » Aiden asks, the others having been briefed earlier.
« Maybe... » he mumbles, hugging his creator. « Surely that's how I manage to create these fiery pentagrams and trigger disaster. »
« You didn't know they existed, Bendy. » Ortensia smiled. « It's normal that you don't control them yet. »
The Dancing Demon smiles and, while the others explain the situation to the two talking magpies, Oswald's wife takes the boy away. As soon as she is sure that no one will hear, she questions him.
« Bendy? It's not only Boris you lost in the SillyVision disaster, isn't it? »
Bendy freezes and tears bead in her eyes.
« What…. ? »
« I'm a mother, Bendy. 420 little bunnies that I have to take care of every day. » she smiled sadly, worrying about her children knowing the character of her husband. « There was a child in this tragedy, wasn't it? »
The tears finally run down the cheeks of the dancing demon who squeezes his stomach, shaking his head.
« I had just discovered it... » he explains.
« Boris knows? »
« No... When Joey tried to touch me, I thought about protecting it, but... I did the opposite ... it didn't resist... »
« I'm sorry, Bendy... I know what it's like to lose everything because of a human. The greed of our former studio director, Charles Mintz, plunged us into hell until we were forgotten by all. If we hadn't been created by Walt Disney who drew us with Love and Care, we would have already gone. »
Bendy looks at her, intrigued by the resemblance of their respective stories, before crying. At least she still had her husband and 420 cubs. Ortensia understands and tenderly hug the little Toon with a broken heart in her arms.
« Everything will be fine, Bendy. We will save all hearts, even that of Boris, and everything will return to order. And, with a little luck,... you can try again to have a baby. I know it will never replace the one you lost but don't forget that you have the right to happiness. »
The little one smiles holding her in his arms even if, for the moment, all that seems impossible to him.
Suddenly, Coyote calls the bar and warns Eddie of a new change to ToonTown. Sighing, the detective hangs up and turns to his friends.
« It's getting worse and worse. » he sighs.
« What? » Henry wonders.
« Joey managed to convince the Toons that Heckle and Jeckle were corrupted by Bendy through their little one. Now, ToonTown is a real time bomb that can explode at any time. »
Aiden sighs as he hears what Eddie says. Joey was even worse than any villain he could meet in his young life.
He sows Hate and Chaos
Wherever he can go!
How can we help our friend
Against our own world?
The chick passes his hand through the feathers of his head and starts pacing in front of Bendy and the others, mumbling and thinking aloud.
What can we do for our friend Bendy?
When everyone try to take off his head?
This case is dangerous for Bendy
Will we survived? Or being left for dead?
Bendy sighs and wipes his eyes before the tears overflow. He has enough!
Out there, everyone hate me….
Aiden runs to hug his friend even if he asks himself the same question.
Everyone hate him...
The imp hug him in his arms before being joined by all the others, seeking the comfort of the children. The adults are all saddened to see this little Toon in tears. And to say that they thought he was a monster...
What can I do?
At ToonTown, the Toons are now determined to hunt down the demon named Bendy and destroy him! No matter what the Great Council would say, they couldn't stand being the monster's prey anymore! Some were still hesitant, preferring to follow the Grand Council and the Sages... but the vast majority wanted to solve the problem at all costs! War songs resound throughout the city!
Where is the demon called Bendy?
The flames grow tall
And full of hate for him!
All ToonTown burns for find Bendy!
And still it all
Now, it is him or me!
Joey passes between the Toons, playing the Humain outraged or sorry while in the depths of him, he loves what happens. The more Bendy is hated, the greater his influence on the Toons and the more he can manipulate them like puppets and get what he wants.
The devil dwells deep inside Bendy! he sings loudly to convince his 'disciples'.
The Toons find it odd that this Human is on their side and behaves like one of them ... but still he is right! Bendy was the personification of the Devil himself! There is no other choice!
These are the flames of ToonTown!
The night is singing
Our hate for Bendy!
Under the clamor of the crowd, the Demon hunt is resuming even more, but at this moment, ToonTown no longer resembles of Paradise on Earth... but a real battlefield where the war could resume at any time! The studios were even afraid to approach the Toon City in the middle of a crisis and many were asking Eddie for explanations, but the detective is silent. It was necessary to wait to have all the parts so that the truth could burst!
Here! Chapter 12 posted! Big thanks to Foxiso for her help inspired by this song from the musical "Hunchback of Notre-Dame"
So ... officially the LONGEST chapter I've ever written for this fiction! which was written very quickly thanks to Foxiso.
Ah! Notifications rated *
*Mac and Tosh are the two small gophers of Looneys, also known as Goofy Gophers, enemies of Daffy, personally I discovered them in a ''Tweety and Sylvester'' cartoon
And don't forget the little comments :D