Hope's Bargain

Discovering his new "Golden Vision" really helped Henry not only understand Joey's book, but it even gave him better insight into his toons. He couldn't see souls, at least, not in the way Bendy described it, but he could see what could be their considered their true essence. It was like a golden sketch superimposed over their actual physical forms.

For most of his toons, that meant he could see them as he had drawn them, free from the scars of the trauma they'd been through, but shimmering in a way that meant they could improve and grow. Bendy unsurprisingly was different from the others. His toon self still made up the core of his essence, there was swirling shadowy power around him, manifesting as wings and a tail.

His friends, being only partial toons, were also different. Their true essence was original human form and the ink was creating stains that added cartoonish features. Henry hadn't been quite sure what to make of it at first, but the longer he studied Joey's book and his friends, an idea began to form.

He didn't say anything at first, wanting to be confident in his plan first. But day by day, little by little, Henry's plan began to grow and solidify. Once he was confident enough, Henry approached Norman, taking him outside for a little privacy.

"What is it, Henry?" Norman asked, tilting his head a little in confusion.

"You and the other's know I've been studying Joey's journal," Henry began, taking out the book in question. "It… it hasn't been an easy read… for a number of reasons… but I think I've figured out a way to turn you and the others back to human. I can't get rid of you ties to the ink completely, but I believe I can do it."

"You… really think it is possible?" Norman asked, barely willing to hope. "I'll be able to be with my family?"

"I wouldn't have said it if I didn't believe it could be done," Henry assured. "We'll be really careful of course. I don't want to make things worse, but if you're willing, we can try the ritual in a few days."

"I… if it can really work… yes!" Norman said, excitement starting to fill his being. "I would love to be able to properly hug my wife… I'd be able to face my daughters without worrying about terrifying them… Yes! If you can do this Henry… I will be forever in your debt."

"Then I'll start preparations immediately," Henry grinned, the two heading back inside.

The whole house was abuzz for the next few hours. The toons whistle ink and chatting about what could happen and what it could mean for them. The partial toons of course were wondering what it'd be like to be mostly human again as they could barely remember after all this time.

Henry was busy in his workroom, double and triple-checking all his notes and what he would need to do to pull this off. His mind was so focused on this and what it could do for his friends, that he hadn't really thought about what it would seem like for his little ink demon. If he had, he wouldn't have been so surprised to have Bendy come in to talk to him.

"Dad…" Bendy said softly, making Henry stop his work and look over at his nervous toon. "This ritual you're going to do for Uncle Norman… would it work on toons as well?"

"Not really…" Henry said slowly, not sure what Bendy was getting at. "It's meant to turn the others back to human, and you and the others are full toons now. Attempting to change you like that would just kill you."

"But the L-liar was able to change how we looked and acted…" Bendy insisted, shuddering a little at the mention of Joey. "Surely you could do something like that too!"

"I have been working on a ritual to stabilize the others' forms and theoretically I could make adjustments to their forms at the same time…" Henry said carefully, realizing what Bendy was thinking. "But you're not like the others and you don't need it-"

"Yes, I do!" Bendy cut in desperately. "If you can change me, you can get rid of my demon form for good! I can just be a normal toon! I would never have to worry able killing anyone! Do it, Creator! Make me normal! Make me perfect!"

Henry didn't reply, just scooping up Bendy into a hug. Henry gently rocked the toon as the little ink demon continued to babble hysterically about be made perfect. Eventually Bendy began to sob a bit before finally quieting down.

"I know you think you want this…" Henry whispered softly, still holding close. "But this isn't the way to deal with your fears. What you're asking is for me to become like Joey. To force you into becoming a perfect toon instead of letting you be yourself. Please don't make me do that… I know you're still struggling with what happened but this isn't the answer…"

"But I want this…" Bendy sniffled. "I trust you… please change me into a perfect toon…"

"If you trust me then trust that this isn't going to help," Henry said before sighing. "Let me make you a deal. Once I'm sure you've come to terms with what's happened… I'll offer to change your form. If you still want it by then… I'll perform the ritual… Until then, you have to try and accept what's happened and move on…"

"Promise?" Bendy whispered.

"I Promise," Henry replied. Henry wasn't sure if it was because of his sincerity or if the was something more otherworldly, but he sears those words carried a binding weight to it. "But please Bendy… learn to love yourself as you are. All of us love you for being you and wouldn't want to change you like. You're amazing just the way you are you and I want you to see that."

"I try…" Bendy mumbled though he didn't sound very confident. Henry just held Bendy tight hoped that he and the others would be able to help the little devil darling through this hard time.