Chapter 30:

Henry and Ladybug made their way through the pool of ink, wincing at the loud sounds they were making despite their best efforts to be quiet. Luckily, it seemed like the Projectionist wasn't triggered by sounds, as it hadn't reacted at all while Alice had been talking. They soon came across a tape recorder on a floating crate.

"Now I'm nor lookin' for trouble," Norman's voice said once Henry pressed play. "It's just the nature of us projectionists to seek out the dark places. You see, I've learned the ins and outs of this here studio. I know how to avoid being bothered by the likes of this… company. That projectionist, they always say, creeping around, he's just lookin' for trouble. Well, trouble or not, I sees everything. They don't even know when I'm watchin'. Even when I'm right behind 'em."

"No… not Norman too." Henry mourned sadly. Ladybug came and gently patted his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. Henry gave her a small smile as he squared his shoulders. He didn't have time to morn more of his fallen friends and coworkers when he had the kids to protect. Besides, he had already promised he was going to find a way to save everyone. He had to believe he could and focus on reaching that goal. Giving Ladybug a nod, the two of them continued their way through the ink.

They went through the opposite doorway that they had seen the Projectionist had gone through. They entered what seemed to be a maze of hallways with clips from old Bendy Cartoons being shown on the walls. Henry recognized them as the ones made after he left and he couldn't help but be angry. Joey had taken the character he loved and put him through all sorts of hardships just to get back at Henry for leaving. Henry couldn't stand seeing Bendy being the made the butt of the jokes over and over again which is why he had stopped watch the new cartoons rather quickly. Turning away from the projection, Henry spotted another heart floating in the ink.

"Found another one," Henry said, picking up the heart. "Let's see keep going."

Ladybug and Henry kept making their way through the inky maze. They had to hide a few times when they saw the Projectionist wandering through the halls. But soon enough, they soon found all the hearts they needed of Alice.

"Tell me. Were they still writhing in your hands?" Alice asked gleefully once they got the last heart. "Bring them to me. Now! I don't like to wait."

Henry and Ladybug both shuddered in disgust but began to make their way back to the elevator as instructed. They were on their way to the exit when they heard a piercing screech. They whipped around to see that the Projectionist had spotted them and was now charging after them. There was no place to hide, their only chance was to outrun him and try and get to the elevator. They both turned back around and bolted towards the exit with the Projectionist following close behind.

Adrien was pacing in the area in front of the elevator. Alya and Nino had been very understanding when he had joined them in waiting by the elevator. They had tried to pass the time with meaningless chatter, but it didn't help much, especially with Boris still cowering in the corner. Adrien just felt so restless. He should be out there helping his Uncle and protecting his Lady. Yet here he was, stuck waiting just because they weren't sure what the Ink slowly spreading through his body would do. It frustrated him, but there was little more he could do than pace and wait for the others to return.

"You know you're going to end up wearing a hole in the floor at this rate," Alya quipped after watching him for several minutes.

"Yeah, relax dude," Nino added. "Marinette and Henry can handle themselves and they'll be back before you know it. So there's no need to be worried like this. You trust them to take care of themselves don't you?"

"Of course I do," Adrien replied immediately, glancing over at them as he continued to pace. "But I always feel better when I'm there to protect my Lady if she needs it. I just feel so useless stuck up here."

"Well, now you know how we feel," Alya reasoned. "I'm used to chasing after monsters and fights in order to get footage for my ladyblog, but I know in these circumstances that it's better for us to just stay out of the way. So if I can suck it up and wait on the sidelines than so can you."

"I know," Adrien sighed, finally coming to a stop. "I just can't shake the feeling something bad is about to-"

Adrien was cut off as a piercing screech filled the air. The three teens immediately whipped around to face the source, leaning over the balcony to get a better view of what was happening. They watched as Henry and Ladybug came running out of one of the entrances, the ink splashing loudly as they moved and slowed them down. The Projectionist soon came out behind them, moving through the ink with more ease than the two humans.

Suddenly, Henry stumbled on something hidden beneath the ink. He didn't fall and managed to recover pretty quickly, but it had slowed him down enough for the Projectionist to catch up. As the Projectionist lashed out at Henry, Ladybug launched her yo-yo at the monster, causing the Projectionist to narrowly miss Henry. While the yo-yo strike didn't seem to do much damage, it did change the Projectionist focus from Henry onto Ladybug. The Projectionist screeched again and lunged at Ladybug, a lot faster than she was expecting. The Projectionist struck her with surprising force, sending her flying through the air.

Her transformation came to an end, leaving Marinette with no magical protection as she slammed into the large Bendy statue. Adrian swears he could hear her skull crack against the stone before she slumped lifelessly into the ink below. Something inside Adrian snapped.

"MARINETTE!" Everyone shouted in fear and worry. Henry was immediately running her direction, but so was the Projectionist. Adrien was gripping the railing in anger, the inky veins reacting and spreading in response to his emotions and his eyes began to glow yellow. Without realizing what he was doing, Adrian climbed up onto the railing.

"Adrien! DON'T!" Plagg shouted, but Adrien was beyond reasoning. With an inhuman growl, Adrien leaped off the balcony toward the Projectionist. The ink boiled and surged up to meet him, wrapping around his limbs and he fell through the air. He could feel himself transforming, though it wasn't normal and he could tell he wasn't quite the same, but he didn't care. Flexing his new long claws, Adrien snarled, his mouth opening wider than humanly possible to show razor-sharp teeth. He was going to make the Projectionist pay for hurting his Lady. He was going to tear him APART!