AN: Who's ready to start really going off cannon? (I don't know why some of you are surprised... I've been adding my own and hinting to my own ending for a while..."

Chapter 47:

Noir was restless. If there was room in his cell he would have been pacing, but he had to settle with scratching marks in the stone walls with his claws in an attempt to expel some of his excess energy.

"Dude you need to chill," Nino said from where he was relaxing in a makeshift hammock that served as his bed. "I know you and Marinette are used to taking action, but Henry has really been making progress these past few days. Just wait and we'll be out of here soon."

"It's not that, at least not now," Noir replied, his spaded tail twitching in aggravation. "Something's got the Ink Demon on edge. I've been feeling it over our connection the past day or so and it's driving me nuts."

"Well, what could be possibly be bothering the Ink Demon so bad?" Nino asked, flipping over to get a better look at Noir. "I mean, everyone's terrified of him and it seems like he rules this place."

"I don't know and -ack-" Noir cut off shaking his hand suddenly.

"What is it?" Nino asked, sitting up in worry and curiosity.

"My arm just got all tingly," Noir replied, still waving his arms. "Similar to the feeling you get when it falls asleep, but I know I'm just feeling an echo of whatever the Ink Demon is going through. That's it! I'm going to figure out what's going on!"

With a huff, Noir sat down in the center of his cot and getting into a meditative position. Noir was still really nervous about the fact that he had a connection with the Ink Demon, but there had been something bothering him for a while. He didn't really remember what the Ink Demon had sent him through their connection the last time, but he had the lingering impression that there was more going on with the Ink Demon than any of them realized. This newest development was enough to finally push him to find out what was going on.

Taking a deep breath… Noir closed his eyes and did his best to block everything out and focus inward on the connection he had. It didn't take long for him to find the connection, it was almost second nature now, but when he tried to follow it to the Ink Demon's mind he found something blocking him. He probed it carefully, trying to discern what it was. It wasn't a barrier per say, but something that seemed to be covering the Ink Demon's consciousness. Still determined, Noir pushed harder and soon he started to break through…

Henry sighed as he heard Tom and Allison still arguing with each other. Tom had come in just as Allison had finished freeing Henry and he had been really angry about it. Allison was quick to defend her choice and Tom had backed down enough for them to free Marinette and Alya. But now as they went to free Adrien and Nino, they were arguing again. While Tom was willing to let Henry's release slide, he was adamant that Adrien should not be free.

It was obvious to anyone that Adrien had a lot of similarities with the Ink Demon and it made Allison and Tom very wary of him. Henry was just glad that Tom didn't know that Adrien had a literal connection to the Ink Demon or they would never be able to convince them to let Adrien out. Henry and the others began working on removing the boards, greeting Nino and Adrien as they did so, though Adrien didn't respond to them. Just as they removed the last board, Adrien let out a pained gasp and his eyes snapped opened showing bright glowing yellow eyes.

Noir as soon as he broke through was overwhelmed with pain. Something was hurting the Ink Demon, hurting him deeply. Adrien was only feeling a pale echo, but it was enough to bring him to tears. He couldn't even imagine just how much pain the Ink Demon was truly in.

"What's happening!" Henry demanded as he rushed to Noir's side, Angelbug going to the other side. Allison and Tom both stood defensively in the doorway, unsure of what to make of the situation.

"He was searching his connection with the Ink Demon," Nino explained as he scrambled out of the hammock. "He said something was bothering the Ink Demon, but we didn't expect this."

"He has a connection with the Ink Demon!" Allison gasped in shock and fear.

"I told you they weren't to be trusted!" Tom growled in his gruff voice, tightening his grip on his ax. "I say we get rid of him before he brings the Ink Demon here!"

"Don't you dare touch him!" Angelbug shouted, standing protectively in front of her partner.

"Come on Adrien snap out of it!" Henry said, trusting Marinette to keep Allison and Tom form doing anything drastic. "Block it out!"

"He's in so much pain…" Noir babbled. He wasn't really aware of the tense situation happening around him, too focused on the information coming from the link. The group quieted down as he continued to speak. "The Liar is angry… He's punishing the Ink Demon… the Ink Demon just wants it to end…Please stop… I can't take it anymore… just let me die… let me die… let me die… I don't want to do this… JUST KILL ME ALREADY LIAR! TRAITOR! FALSE CREATOR! YOU'VE ALREADY TAKEN EVERYTHING AWAY FROM ME… what more do you want… just let the pain stop… let me die…"

Noir babbled on a few more minutes as the link faded into the back of his mind once more. Even though the emotions and pain he felt was only a glimpse of what the Ink Demon was feeling, it was so deep and powerful that Noir was curled up in Henry's arms and sobbing. Henry rubbed Noir's back and murmured assurances as Noir calmed down. Everyone was disturbed and saddened by what they had heard. Even Tom looked shocked and pale. Allison had the biggest the reaction though, covering her mouth with her hands as tears streamed down her face.

"He's still in there…" Allison gasped as she slowly lowered her hands. "Even after all this time… after all, he's been through… he's still in there…"

"It could just be a trick…" Tom tried to say, though he didn't seem convinced himself.

"What do you mean?" Angelbug asked, having long dropped her defensive stance.

"I think it's time you tell us everything," Henry said sternly, letting go of Noir once he had calmed down enough.

"I think you're right," Allison nodded, wiping away her tears. "Come, let's go to the main room. It's a long story so you might as well be comfortable."