"Go on now." The Devil shuffled the two onward to the doors. "I have work to do."
"You want us to leave so soon? We just learned what is going on!" Dice protested and was shut off by the demon turning him around.
"So, you don't want out help?" Porsha says and he stopped pushing the two.
"...I just want to see my wife again...nothing more. Nothing less." The demon said and Porsha saw his heart was true.
"Alright, so, we destroy the amulet and she can see you again?" Dice replied and the demon nodded in approval.
"Okay. Done." Porsha said walking to the exit of the casino doors.
"Wheezy, there is someone waiting for you outside." The Devil said walking away.
"Who?" Wheezy asked and realized who it was.
~~~(Wheezy's flashback)~~~
Another shot was heard from the distance as Wheezy ran off to hide behind a pillar. He doused his flames and calmed himself from the uproar of fighting. Prohibition was deteriorating the country he was in, so he took to the casino for refuge. He looked around and saw in awe at the golden walls and glistening scenery.
"Alright, just make tha deal and yer done." He explained to himself then noticed someone walking past him. A tall strong build bouncer, an eight ball, along with his fellow guards.
"You come to make something?" Blackruth asked, trailing behind them.
"Yes, came to make a deal." He answered while feeling a dark presence behind him.
"Come to bargain something? If you have something to give then I am willing to make a wager." the Devil boomed grinning.
"I need to have protection for my business. If you provide protection then I am willing to do anything for success."
The demon laughed and agreed. "Fine, but if I provide you with protection then it will cost you something."
Wheezy crossed his arms and huffed. "Deal. Now, what is it?"
"Your soul." He replied and snapped his fingers. The bouncers walked towards him and lined up in front of him. "Pick 'em out. They will give you whatever your heart's desire."
Wheezy looked skeptical, but agreed and picked out one bodyguard that goes by the name Mangosteen. The two strolled down to where his new shop would be at the casino as Wheezy noticed his new acquaintance was a bit close. "Uh, hey Mangosteen?"
"Yes?"
~~~(End of Flashback)~~~
"Give me some space." Mangosteen replied to one of the guards sternly.
"Mango?" Wheezy spoke scarcely, seeing the vehicle pull up in front of them.
"We will figure this out." He replied taking Wheezy's hand. "You always do, Wheez."
"Y-yeah, just like back then when we met?" Wheezy chuckled awkwardly while he gripped his hand tightly.
Mangosteen pulled him in closer to him. "We will be okay."
The two noticed Porsha walk out of the casino doors with Dice's expression changed. It was more shocked than discouraged and he took her hand. "Porsha."
"Yes, love?"
"If that was a warning then what does it mean you have to do?" He asked her looking intently into her eyes.
Porsha breathed in deeply and holds back her tears as she spoke. "You woke up before the vision..."
~~~(Back to Porsha's dream)~~~
"Porsha don't run!" Moon boomed, causing Porsha to halt in her tracks.
"Why!?" She yelled through tears and fear. "Why did you do this to yourself!?" Memories flew around them while her father clanked and clunked further towards her. "Was it for mother? Or you own selfish gain!?" One of his arms fell to the floor and cause the skies to turn grey an red around them. Porsha spoke louder. "OR WAS IT FOR ME!?"
"..." Moon halted in his tracks, causing his machines parts to power down.
Porsha walked to him, not knowing what to expect, but pushing onward. "...You did do it for me, but...but look at the cost..."
A winning mechanical cry was heard from her father and she took his metal hand. "...I am going to fix this...I need to fix what you left behind..."
~~~(end of the dream)~~~
Dice released his grip on her hand seeing the vision from her. "Porsha, there has to be another way."
"There is, but you won't like it..." She responded as Wheezy and Mango walked to them.
"What is it?"
"I sacrifice my self and he lives, but I break the promise I made. Or I eradicate my father, foxtrot, and the wolves altogether by destroying the amulet, but it destroys inkwell entirely..."
"Wait, what is the other option?" Dice asked, feeling scarce to know the rest.
"We use your powers and mine together to stop foxtrot and the wolves...I keep my promise to my father and end his suffering..." She crosses her arms in distress and looked away. "With your barrier around the island then the people would be safe...When the amulet is destroyed, along with the others, then people around here can actually live again..."
"This town has been in hot water for more than you and I have been alive." Wheezy replied to her while Mangosteen chuckled.
"It's true, they've been in so much action since it was founded."
"Wait who was the founder of Inkwell anyway?" Dice asked them and Porsha realized something.
"Allura Wolfenstein..." Mangosteen replied sighing.
"Wait, that was a descendant of the leader of the wolf pack!" Dice sputtered out and looked to Porsha.
"Smart man. I was waiting for that to click in your head, love." She said as she noticed Mangosteen head for the car. "Mangosteen is your name, right?"
Mangosteen stopped and turned around to her. He nodded then saw Wheezy motion for him to come back. "Yes, I also need to thank you."
"For what?" She asked, confused.
"Getting him out of that situation." He replied and pointed to Wheezy. "Whezzy, if you want to help them, just ask."
"W-what? What makes you think that?" Wheezy expressed and was soon embraced by his man.
"Because I know you do, so help them. It's what you always do."
Wheezy smiled as he waved to her partner a farewell for now. Porsha and Dice started moving back to the surface while Wheezy trailed behind. Porsha remembered that Dice had promised the boys to go get some new clothes. Once they reached the surface Dice noticed the barrier was depleting around them. He went to Porkrind's shop and go another potion and Wheezy grabbed one as well. Porsha, well did not need one and she found it strange, but knew why. She was a doll and they are already born with protective skills.
"Dice, take the boys with you and wheezy to get some clothes." Porsha spoke sweetly.
Dice noticed her tone and grew skeptical. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I just need some time alone for a bit..." She reassured him by pecking his cheek.
"Alright. Wheezy c'mon." Dice said, opening the door and the men walked out.
Porkrind noticed her arm was repairing itself from being in such a hot temperature. "Miss Porsh. Ya gotta tell 'em sooner or later."
"I think he already knows...about almost everything..."
"He's a good lad. Yer the only one to give him a chance and yer a stranger before ya even met him. Look at ya now. Lovebirds in the night, but still struggling like little ones."
Porsha chuckled reluctantly and turned around to sit down. "This is what love is right? Meeting a complete stranger and going to trials and tribulations together. Then, to top it off we bond over our pains and pleasures...we-we push forward with one another and not back...I just hope my decision doesn't push his life back..."
{Author's Note}
I know it is a short chapter, but I did not want to draw it out. Thank you all for being patient with the later update. The next chapter will not be this coming Thursday, but the next. This way I will have more time to draw the conclusions together in certain parts of the story written so far. You all are amazing and have a wonderful week!