Chapter 57:

The toons screamed, turning their heartwarming reunion into a heartbreaking scene as they scrambled to get away from the humans. They ended up curled up against the far wall. Alice was holding Bendy and using her body to shield him. Boris stood hunched in front of them, growling in a warning manner, though everyone could see he was shaking. Marinette instinctively took a step forward, wanting to comfort them somehow, only getting another growl towards them. Henry signaled Marinette and everyone to stay back. Once he was sure everyone was complying, Henry slowly walked forward holding his hands up in a calming gesture. The toons flinched back from him as he approached and began shaking even more.

"S-stay back…" Boris tried to warn, though with how much he was stuttering he wasn't very effective. "I-I won't l-let anyone get t-to Bendy or any -of us! N-not again.."

"I'm not going to hurt you," Henry replied calmly, kneeling down several feet away from the toons. Boris's ears perked up at the sound of Henry's voice, it seemed familiar somehow. "I made a promise that I was going to save you all… remember..?"

"H-humans made promises before…" Boris said stubbornly, though Henry could sense the wolf's hesitation. "But they were all lies…"

"You mean Joey don't you," Henry stated, all of the toons flinching and quaking in fear at Joey's name. "But I'm not anything like him. It's me, Henry… I'm your real Creator…"

Boris's eyes widened and even Alice lifted her head to look over at Henry. Now that they thought about it… they did vaguely recall that their Creator had returned… but with how screwed up their memories were right now… could they really trust them? Could they really trust this man who claimed to be their Creator? Especially after the Liar had claimed the same thing? The toons just didn't know what to do… Alice felt a nudge from Bendy and she glanced down. She could tell he wanted her to let him go. She gave him a concerned look but released her arms. Bendy slowly rose to his feet and walked around Boris, giving the wolf a reassuring pat as he walked by.

Bendy slowly walked towards Henry, watching carefully for any sign of deception. Bendy had been the one most tormented and scarred of all the toons by the Liars hands. If there was anyone that should decide if this Henry was trustworthy, it should be Bendy. Henry made no move, letting the toon come forward at his own pace. Bendy came to a stop right in front of Henry and looked deep into his eyes. There was no cruelty, greed, or lust for power in them… not like the Liar's eyes. There only love, kindness and joy… But to be absolutely sure, Bendy placed his hand on Henry's chest, his palm flat against the human's heart. As soon as he touched it… Bendy knew… it was the same heartbeat he had felt from within the ink… the one he had trusted his own heart to…

"It is you…" Bendy whispered in awe and joy, his eyes welling up with tears. Henry just gave Bendy a warm smile and that was all it took for the toon to throw himself into Henry's arms. That signaled to Alice and Boris that Henry was indeed their Creator and that was enough for them to run forward and join the hug. The weight and force of the toons hugging him knocked Henry onto his back, but he just laughed at their antics. The toons themselves started laughing as well, even as tears streamed down their cheeks. They were just so relieved to finally be with their true Creator and no longer to be used as tools by the Liar. For the first time in a long time… they felt safe and protected… None of them noticed, but Henry's and the toon's hearts began to glow and a brief golden aura enveloped them. It only lasted a split second, and those watching didn't catch it, but it signaled something wonderful…

"YOU!"

The voice spoke with such venom and hatred that it completely destroyed the peaceful and joyful atmosphere that had settled in the throne room. The toons immediately trembled in fear and hid behind Henry. Henry stood up to see Joey stalking toward them. He was disheveled and stripped of his ink, but his fury made him look far more dangerous than he had been.

"DO YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU'VE DONE HENRY!" Joey shouted, his fists clenched. "ALL THAT I WORKED FOR! GONE! AND FOR WHAT!? THOSE WORTHLESS PILES OF INK! WELL, I WON"T BE-"

Joey's rant was cut off as Henry charged forward and delivered a powerful punch across his jaw. Joey crumpled to the ground and he could only look up in shock as Henry towered over him while the toons cheered Henry on in the background.

"That's for everything you put me and everyone else through!" Henry spat, glaring down at his once friend. "You deserve far more than a single punch, but I'd rather not spend any more time on you than I have to. I am going to make sure you are held responsible for all the pain and suffering you caused!"

Joey only gaped as Henry signaled for Allison and Tom to come forward. They did and gladly restrained their former captor, making sure he wouldn't slip away. Leaving Joey in their capable hands, Henry went back to the toons. He hugged them all tightly before scooping Bendy up and turning to the others, Alice and Boris clinging to his sides.

"Let's get out of here," Henry said with a tired grin. The teens returned his grin and began making their way out of the throne room. Those that had been watching parted for them and began to follow them up. It took them a while as they had to walk up lots of stairs and check every floor to make sure no one got left behind. But eventually, the very large group made it to the top floor. It wasn't hard to find some spare boards to make a path over the hole in front of the door and they all poured outside. Everyone rejoiced as they felt the light and warmth of the sun on their faces and the cool fresh breeze blowing pass. Finally, they were set free…

AN: It felt so good to be able to punch Joey in the face! One last chapter which I'll post tomorrow.