AN: Merry Christmas everyone!
Chapter 54:
"Accomplished…" Henry said in shock as his anger at everything began to rise. He took a step forward towards the throne, though he didn't leave the group. They didn't know what Joey was capable of and they didn't see Bendy yet. The others stayed in subtle ready stances in case Joey decided to throw monsters at them.
"How can turning people into ink creatures accomplish anything!" Henry shouted, pointing accusingly at Joey and taking another step forward. "All these lives ruined and for what!?"
"Why to make a new perfect world"! Joey replied cheerfully, not at all concerned by Henry's anger. "A world where the wonders of imagination come to life! A world where suffering never lasts! Where death has no power! I know Bendy has demonstrated this fact for you!"
"But at what cost!" Henry pressed, flinching slightly at the mention of his deaths but still determined to make Joey see that what he was doing was wrong. "So many people are trapped here and in pain! Suffering doesn't end here… It just cycles on forever! You have to put a stop to this and reverse everything you've done!"
"But I've finally perfected the process, just look at two of your charges," Joey insisted, gesturing to Angelbug and Noir, who just glared at him, as well as the footage around him showing them using their powers. "They had powers coming in, but they were limited. But now they are stronger than ever and there is no limit to what they can do! And with your help Henry… We can bring this miracle to all the world. We can fix the previous drafts and make everything perfect."
"You are truly mad if you think I would ever help you," Henry scoffed, crossing his arms in defiance. "I will never be a part of this!"
"I see…" Joey said coldly, his smile was still on his face but his eyes showed anger. "You still need some more convincing… But I'm sure you'll change your mind once you've truly become one with the ink."
The group immediately stiffened at hearing the threat. It was only a split second later that Noir sensed something coming.
"Henry! Look out!" Noir said, trying to get to Henry away from the foot of the throne. But it was too late. One of Bendy's ink portals opened under Henry's feet and Bendy's hand grabbed Henry's leg and pulled him through.
"Henry!" Everyone shouted in fear as he disappeared. Joey just laughed at the spectacle.
"Henry and I still have a lot to talk about…" Joey continued, drawing the attention of the group. "So why don't you have a little fun with Bendy while Henry and I finish up…"
Bendy came out of an ink portal in the floor, though there was no sign of Henry. The group backed up as he faced them, but he didn't attack immediately. Noir could even feel slight hesitation coming from Bendy…
"Bendy… Take care of them…" Joey commanded and the group could see a pentagram circle begin to glow on the back of his hand. Bendy immediately hunched down and cradled his head and the group could see an identical circle appear on the back of his hand. Bendy began to transform, his hands and arms getting larger and stronger. His head got bigger and his teeth sharpened. At the same time that Bendy was transforming, the overflow of magic poured over the link and made Noir's body change as well. His limbs got longer and thinner and his mouth widened, basically into what he looked like when he was first transformed by the ink.
"Noir…" Angelbug asked in worry, she and the others had backed up while these transformations were taking place. "Are you alright?"
Noir gave no response, only focused on Beast Bendy as it roared at them. Beast Bendy then charged at them while Noir charged at Bendy.
"Tom! Hide and protect Alya and Nino!" Angelbug ordered as they dived out of the wave. Tom nodded and quickly lead the two teens down a side hallway. Allison and Angelbug led Beast Bendy down the other way.
"How are we supposed to fight something like that!" Allison shouted in disappear as she and Angelbug ran for their lives.
"I don't know yet!" Angelbug replied. "Just keep running!"
Noir clung onto Beast Bendy's back as he chased after the others. He wanted to help Angelbug and the others, but he needed to help Bendy first. When Bendy was forced to transform, he could feel the real Bendy being crushed. He had to act quickly, or there would soon be nothing left of the original toon. Digging his claws in, Noir climbed higher on Beast Bendy's back until he got to his head. The link was stronger with their contact and Noir used that to push deeper, past all the rage and bloodlust the magic had thrust upon Bendy.
"Bendy!" Noir shouted through the link. "Can you hear me! You have to fight this!"
At first, there was nothing and Noir feared he was too late, but then he heard a response.
"What's the point?" Bendy's voice replied. It was so soft and quiet that Noir had to focus all his energy just to hear him. "I've been trying to fight all these years… but it's never done anything… And now the Liar has the Creator… No one can stop the Liar… He always gets what he wants…"
"Don't give up! Please!" Noir did his best to encourage. "Henry promised that he would find a way to save you! I believe he can do it so you just need to as well! Just a little longer and we will be able to put a stop to Joey's madness!"
"The Creator…" Bendy began. Neither had noticed, but Beast Bendy's rampage had started to slow as they talked. But then the circle once again flared up on Bendy's hand. Beast Bendy roared in pain and anger, thrashing to throw Noir off. Noir was sent flying into a wall, but he wasn't hurt. He was more concerned that something had come in and snapped his connection with Bendy. The link no longer existed and instead of feeling relief, Noir only felt worried.
"Look out!" Angelbug shouted, making Noir realize that Beast Bendy was slashing at him. Noir quickly sprinted out of the way and to the others.
"Thanks for the warning my Lady," Noir said with a grin. It was more disturbing than reassuring, but Angelbug was happy to see that Noir was still the same despite his altered appearance.
"What were you doing?" Angelbug asked as they once again began to run.
"Trying to talk to Bendy," Noir informed. "He's fading fast! If we don't find a way to fix this soon, Bendy will be gone forever!"
"Then we just have to find the source now!" Angelbug replied, her thoughts racing. "It's probably in the throne room! Let's go!"
"But what about him!" Allison questioned, gesturing to Beast Bendy who was still hot on their heels. "He's not going to stop chasing us to just let us look around!"
"We'll just have to do our best to keep him distracted while we search for it!" Angelbug concluded. "Come on!"
With more determination and urgency than ever, they headed back to the throne room.