"This is Lenard Lemming with today's morning news. Last night, the Invisible Bandit struck again. This time stealing four sacks of money from the vaults of Inkwell's National Bank. The police are at a dead end by the fact that this fiend is somehow able to steal without leaving any evidence or being seen by anyone.
In other bizarre news, dock workers have received shocking messages from boats at sea for the last few days. A trail of skeletons from random marine animals, mainly fish, and even sharks, have been found floating in the waters. What's most strange is that when the bones were recovered, they were black as pitch and a trail of them seemed to lead from the forbidden seas towards Inkwell Isle. Researchers suggest that something is eating these creatures down to the bone. They have yet to disclose any suggestions of danger at this time.
In lighter news, the grand opening of Arch Gate Pictures is scheduled for tomorrow. After thirty years in business limbo, the old animation studio will reopen, and the new owner promises new cartoons for the big screen to delight children and adults.
Last but certainly not least, her Highness Queen Rumor Honeybottoms is throwing the annual "Autumn Gala" tonight at the Honeycomb Herald. The only time the queen allows anyone other than workers to enter the building. The most elite party of the year and the most guarded. What with threats such as the Invisible Bandit and the Butcher Gang, precautions have been made and, in this reporter's humble opinion, it is not unwarranted."
It was a beautiful day in Inkwell City and a certain chalice girl was coming out of hiding. And just in time too because there was another dance contest today at the community dance hall. This particular contest was extra special though because the winner was going to perform at Queen Rumor Honeybottoms at her Gala tonight. Chalice was not going to pass the opportunity like this.
Chalice and some other contestants were waiting in the backroom. She seized her competition and judging by the fearful sweat on their faces, this was gonna be a snap. Just then a familiar black kitten entered the room.
"Bendy?" Chalice asked.
The kitten turned his head and smiled. "Toots," he said as he walked towards her. "What're you doing here?" he asked.
"I'm here for the contest," Chalice said.
"Hmm. You sure you wanna do that Toots? There's gonna be cops buzzing all over the gala,"
"Oh don't worry about me, Kitty. I got a plan." Chalice said. She pulls out a short black wig to hide her handles and a little hat to hide her straw. "Just call me Carrie."
"Not bad," Bendy said.
"So is it just you or are the boys here too?"
Bendy gave a small flinch. "Don't talk to me about those two. Not a word," he said crossing his arms.
"Ohh, trouble with-"
"I said Not. A. Word." Bendy said coldly.
"Whoa. Okay sorry." Chalice said. She held her hands up and took a step back. "Not a word,"
Bendy took a calming breath. "Anyway. I'm here to win this contest. So you might as well pack up your dance shoes and skedaddle,"
Chalice chuckled. "I'm not going anywhere, except to that party. That prize is mine,"
"No, the prize is mine," Bendy said.
"It's mine," Chalice argued.
"Mine!" Bendy argued back.
"Mine!"
"Mine!"
"Up next; Miss Carrie. Miss Carrie," A large paintbrush man said holding a clipboard.
Chalice gave Bendy a smug look before walking passed him to the stage. Chalice, or Carrie, steps on the stage. There was a crowd and three judges. A human woman, a large male vulture, and a large female hippo.
The band starts playing and the chalice girl gives the judges her top tap dancing and signature charm to the upbeat music. At the end of the dance, the judges and audience cheer and clap.
The judges gave her tens across the board.
Some of the other contestants left seeing that but Bendy wasn't turning back.
"Up next; Bendy Scratch. Bendy Scratch," said the paintbrush man.
Bendy confidently walked on stage. The band plays the music for "Too Marvelous for Words" and Bendy daces a combo of the Charleston and the jitterbug and the crowd loves it. Especially an old, black Billy goat with long horns and red eyes in the front row. He's wearing a trench coat.
At the end of Bendy's dance, the judges and audience cheer and clap.
The judges gave him tens across the board.
The rest of the competition left after that, leaving only Bendy and Chalice left. The judges consulted this until they made the decision.
The vulture judge stood forward. "After much consideration, we have made a decision." He said. "We declare Bendy Scratch the winner of this contest."
The audience applauded and Bendy smiled and waved.
Chalice, meanwhile, walked off the stage with her head held high but deep down kinda sour that she lost but smiles slyly. Miss Chalice is no one trick pony, there's always a plan B. She changes into a ghost and phases outside. Just then she hears a door open and voices. She stealthily follows the voices and around the corner, she sees the old Billy goat and the vulture. The goat hands a big bag that jingled with the sound of coins and dollars to the vulture.
"Pleasure doing business for you sir." The vulture said before leaving with the jingling bag.
Bendy comes out the door and walks up to the goat.
"I don't get it, Dad," Bendy said. "Why have me in the contest at all if you were just gonna do that?"
"Because it was the easiest way to get you in the Herald. Plus, I wanted to see my little prince dance on stage," the goat scratches under Bendy's chin with his hoof.
Bendy blushed a bit but he smiled a little.
"Now, you remember the rest of the plan?" The disguised Devil asked after he stopped scratching.
"Yes Dad," Bendy said. "I get in and get the goods,"
"Excellent."
Chalice backs away and gasps. "Those two cheaters!" she scoffed. She thinks for a moment. "But what did they mean by 'the goods'? Hmmm."
Later, Bendy was taken to a limousine waiting outside by a bee man named Blunt.
"When presented to her majesty Honeybottoms, you will bow and address her as your highness. And only speak when spoken to," Blunt instructed.
"You got it, Blunty," Bendy said.
"That's Mr. Blunt, young man,"
"Whatever you say, Mr. B,"
Blunt cleared his throat. "We shall be at Honeycomb Herald promptly." He said.
Both the bee and kitten were unaware of the invisible ghost sitting in the car with them.
"Say, Mr. B, as the winner, will I get to sample the food there?" Bendy asked.
"Well, food and drink will be provided for the entertainment staff, which will include you, so yes," Blunt said.
"Would that also include the honey reserve?"
Blunt gave a snooty chuckle. "That is not only humorous but impossible," he said. "The honey reserve is for the bee staff only. And the best of it goes directly to the queen."
"Really? All the best honey goes to the queen?" Bendy asked. "I heard that some are sealed away for years."
"That is mostly true," Blunt said. "Around this time of year, the best honey will be collected and taken to a vault to be sealed through the winter. By spring, the queen will dine on the best honey,"
"Oh, and this vault would be?" Bendy said.
"No place you need to go to. You perform on the stage and will not damage anything, or you'll be severely punished. Understand?"
"Yes sir," Bendy said with a mocking salute before he rested against his seat.
'Is Bendy after the honey? Maybe I should get in on this. But what does he have planned?' Chalice thought. She looks at Bendy, 'No harm taking a little peak,' Chalice thought.
Just as they reached the building, Chalice flew into Bendy's head. The ghost chalice was still pretty new to possession, but she figured taking over the kitten would be a snap.
But it wasn't.
Possession of a person meant going into their minds, not just their heads. She'd go in, soothe the soul within, and then take the wheel. As Chalice flew into Bendy's mind, she found only darkness.
"Huh, where's the wheel?" Chalice wondered. She sees a red glow in the shape of a Bendy with a steering wheel. "Oh, here we go," she flies over.
Just as she's about to reach for the spirit, a gate blocks her and then something grabs her.
"What the heck?" Chalice wondered.
"THAT IS NOT FOR YOU TOUCH!"
A chilling voice boomed all around Chalice. She notices the thing holding her was a hand. It was giant, inky, and monstrous. She looks up and sees Bendy's face and head shape but with reddish-orange eyes glowing and sharp teeth stretched into a smile. The monster looked down at Chalice with hunger in its eyes.
"I WONDER IF YOU TASTE AS GOOD AS YOU DANCE. LET'S FIND OUT!"
The demon monster opened its jaw, but Chalice managed to wriggle free and fly away.
Meanwhile outside, Bendy sat there frozen, his eyes glowing blue but as soon as Chalice flies out, his eyes return to normal. He shook his head.
"What was that?" Bendy wondered as he scratched his head.
'What was that?' Chalice wondered as she shook. She'd never seen anything like that in someone's head.
"Here we are sir," Blunt said.
Bendy and Blunt get out of the car and enter the building. Chalice silently and invisibly followed them. Once inside, the three take an elevator to the top floor. Inside was a huge room filled with people. It looked like an elegant gala with people in beautiful clothes, fine food, a dance floor, and servant bees buzzing around offering drinks and appetizers.
Blunt took Bendy directly to the queen.
Rumor Honeybottoms was at least twice or even three times the size of the other bees. She has red lips, a round yellow nose, and a yellow and peach-colored muzzle. She's wearing a black and yellow striped bell-shaped dress with white trim at the end of it, a black ribbon belt around the waist, and long, black sleeves with yellow cuffs. She also wears a pair of generic white gloves and a gold crown on her head.
The butler bowed.
"You're highness, I have brought the contest winner," Blunt said.
"Ah, yes." Rumor said. "So this year's winner is a kitten. How quaint. At least it's dressed for the party. Does it have a name?"
"I am Bendall Scratch, your highness," Bendy said with a bow and smile. "But folks call me Bendy,"
"You impertinent little creature," Rumor said angrily. She strikes the ground with her staff. "Did I give you permission to speak!?" there was silence for a moment. She took a breath when she noticed the crowd looking at her. "Excuse my outburst. But you will do well not to speak to me till spoken to. Understand?"
"Yes, your highness," Bendy said.
"Be prepared to dance in ten minutes and if I'm impressed you can stay for the party but if I'm not impressed, you'll be thrown out on the street,"
"Yes, your highness," Bendy said before backing away.
Blunt took Bendy behind the stage.
"I warned you not to speak unless you were spoken to," Blunt whispered to Bendy.
Meanwhile, jewelry and wallets were being taken from the partygoers and disappeared without a trace.
Blunt left Bendy alone in a room so he could get ready.
"Hello Bendy," came a familiar voice. Bendy turned around and saw an angry Chalice.
"Chalice? What are you doing here?" Bendy asked.
"I know you and your dad rigged the competition. I saw and heard you both," Chalice said.
"You heard us?" Bendy asked visibly growing nervous. "How much did you hear?"
"I heard enough. And I know you're after the honey reserve. And I just wanna let you know... that I want in,"
Bendy blinked a few times. "You... want in?" he asked.
"Yeah, I want some of that honey too. Normally would get stuff on my own but I thought we could work together on this one. What do you say?"
"No,"
"Swell, we–... did you just say no?" Chalice asked.
"You heard right. This is something I need to do alone." Bendy said.
"Alone, huh? Like with the dance contest?"
Bendy sighed.
"Also, your dads a goat?" Chalice asked.
"Yes. A goat whose gonna ground my butt for over a decade if I mess this up and don't get that honey."
"What does any of that have to do with me?" Chalice asked.
"Sorry toots, but you can be a bit distracting and the last thing I need is a distraction," Bendy said. He opens the door and goes to the stage.
Chalice was about to leave when Bendy suddenly ran back to the room and slammed the door. Chalice crosses her arms.
"What's wrong with you now?" Chalice asked.
"Nothin'," Bendy said. He runs out again and, after some hesitation, Chalice follows the kitten. Bendy parts the curtain a little and sees the crowd. "You see those two bees over there?" he whispered.
"Which bees? We're in a beehive!" Chalice shouted softly.
"Those two," Bendy shouted softly. He points to two bees close to the front of the stage.
It's officer bee Frank and the Warden of the Slammer.
"I know those guys and if they see me, they might recognize me," Bendy whispered.
"Who are they?" Chalice asked.
"The older-looking one is the prison warden and the guy next to him works there too," Bendy explained. "Let's just say the warden definitely wouldn't be happy to see me again."
"Gotcha'," Chalice said. Then she smirked. "Seems like you need a little distraction then?"
"What're you-! Oh, no. No way," Bendy said. "Get your own honey somewhere else. That reserve is mine,"
"No way I want the really good stuff,"
"Then why don't you find it and go?"
"I don't know how to get it outta here, but I bet you do. All I'm asking for is a percentage,"
"How much of a percentage?"
"I'm thinking a ninety-ten split,"
"Oh, that's not so bad."
"You take the ten, I'll take the ninety,"
"I don't think so! You get five,"
"Seventy-five,"
"Ten,"
"Sixty-five,"
"Fifteen,"
Trumpets blew and a bee stepped onto the stage.
"The competition winner's dance is about to begin in two minutes," the man bee said.
"Fancy that, your fans are getting closer," Chalice whispered.
"Darn it!" Bendy shouted softly. "Okay, okay, twenty-five percent. Final offer."
"Deal," Chalice said.
They shook hands.
"Now get 'em outta here," Bendy shouted softly.
"Fine," Chalice said. The girl goes through the floor, back up behind Frank, and then possesses him. She uses the bee officer to grab the warden and fly off.
"Frank? Frank! Put me down this minute!" The Warden shouted. "Frank!"
As they flew out of sight, Bendy took the stage and the band played the music for "Too Marvelous for Words". This time Bendy sang the song.
"You're just too marvelous
Too marvelous for words
Like "glorious", "glamorous"
And that old standby "amorous"
It's all too wonderful
I'll never find the words
That say enough, tell enough
I mean they just aren't swell enough ~"
Chalice, possessing Frank, takes the Warden to a broom closet. They get inside, Chalice flies out and locks the door from the outside. She can hear the bees yelling inside.
"So long fellas," Chalice said before flying away.
Meanwhile, the people were loving Bendy's song and dance.
"You're much too much
And just too very, very
Too ever be in Webster's dictionary
And so I'm borrowing
A lovesong from the birds
To tell you that you're marvelous
Too marvelous for words ~"
Chalice was flying back to the main room but stopped when something caught her eye. A door that's only opened by a crack and she sees shuffling inside. Curious, the girl peeks inside and sees a woman.
She's pale as snow with fluffy, white hair. She has a small nose, full black lips, and dark blue eyes. Two strands of it curled to the sides like horns. She's wearing a sleeveless striped top and black pants with big boots. She's admiring the jewelry in her hands.
"Well, this has been fun," the woman said to herself. A hint of a Jersey accent. "But it's time to go to work," she pockets the jewelry.
At that moment, the woman transforms into a ghost... just like Chalice.
The girl couldn't help but gasp. She covered her mouth, but it was too late. The ghost heard the gasp but when she opened the door no one was there. She shrugged and turned invisible.
"You're much, you're too much
And just too very, very
To ever be, to ever be in Webster's dictionary
And so I'm borrowing
A lovesong from the birds
To tell you that you're marvelous
Tell you that you're marvelous
Tell you that you're marvelous
Too marvelous for words ~"
Bendy gives the audience a wink of an eye at the end of the song and the crowd loved it. They clapped and cheered. Even Queen Honeybottoms clapped but subtly befitting a queen. Bendy bowed and then walked off stage. He goes to the small room where he finds a panting Chalice.
"It worked, I think Honeybottoms was actually en-enjoyed... Chalice? What is it?" Bendy asked when noticed the girl's distress.
"I saw a ghost," Chalice said slowly.
"Here? I imagine there must be with that queen,"
"N-No, you don't get it. She was a ghost like me," Chalice said after catching her breath. "She looked normal one minute then the next minute she became a ghost."
"Really?" Bendy asked. "Well, what was she doing?"
"I'm not too sure but I think we need to find that honey fast and then get outta here,"
"Did you get rid of the Warden at least?"
"Yeah, he and Frank are locked in a closet."
"Alright, then. Here's the plan, you go through the walls until you find the honey. Then you come and find me. We go to the vault together, grab the goods then get out of here."
"But how do we get the honey out of here?"
"You leave that to me,"
Chalice rolled her eyes. "Fine," she said before flying away.
KNOCK KNOCK
"Come in," Bendy said.
Blunt opens the door. "Her Highness will see you now," he said.
Bendy follows the bee to Honeybottoms.
"That was a nice performance, Mr. Scratch." Rumor said.
"Well thank you, your highness, I live to please," Bendy said.
"You may sample the food but stay out of the honeycombs or I'll have you arrested." Rumor said.
"Thank you, your highness," Bendy said as he bowed and backed away from the queen bee.
Behind him, the Warden bee was huffing and dusting himself until they accidentally bumped into each other.
"Sorry," Bendy said turning around.
"It's quite alright son," The Warden said before he sees the kitten in front of him. His eyes squinted. "Who are you?"
Bendy froze for a second before he cleared his throat.
"I'm Bendy, the dancing cat sir." He said.
"You remind me of someone. Something about your eyes."
"What these? Oh, they're not even mine. I'm borrowing them from someone else." Bendy said with a chuckle. "Excuse me," he walks away.
The Warden eyes the little kitten suspiciously.
Bendy makes it to the other end of the room. Just then, Chalice phases next to him.
"Bendy," Chalice whispered.
"Chalice," Bendy said. "Did you find the goods?"
"Yes,"
"Yes! Let's go," Bendy said.
The little kitten and chalice girl go to the vault. Not knowing that a certain old bee was following them.
Chalice takes Bendy to where the secret vault door is.
"You go in first. I'll meet you inside," Bendy said.
"How will you get in?" Chalice asked.
"Was there a light inside the vault?"
"Yeah, a little light bulb,"
"Turn it off," Bendy instructed.
Inside the vault, there were yellow barrels shaped like beehives full of honey. The ghost girl floats inside the vault and turns out the light. Her ghostly body gave a soft blue glow in the dark.
"I still don't get how he's gonna get in here," Chalice said.
"I find my way," Bendy said while stepping out of the shadows.
Chalice almost jumps. "Okay, how did you do that?" she asked.
"I some tricks," Bendy said. "Wow! The honey reserve. Oh, this is gonna be good,"
"So how do we get this out?" Chalice asked.
Bendy didn't say a word. He just pulls out a glowing chalk stick from his pocket and draws a square.
"Watch this," the kitten said before clearing his throat. "Surface world I'll see you later, down I go in this elevator!" As soon as he finished, the room started to shake. The square drawing burst into flames, followed by a bell ding, and then the elevator to the Underworld appeared.
Chalice gasped.
"Now, let's stack 'em up," Bendy said.
One by one, Bendy and Chalice store barrels into the elevator.
"Remember, twenty-five of this is mine," Chalice said.
"Don't worry, you'll get your share," Bendy said.
"Well, well, well," came a feminine voice. "What have we here?"
The two children turn around and see the ghost woman in human form and the vault door open.
"I came to steal me some honey and you got some of it all packed up and ready to go." The woman said.
"Bendy, that's her, the ghost I was talking about," Chalice said.
"That's her? You're not taking this honey, ghost!" Bendy yelled.
"My name is Carley Slicer, the press have been calling me the inviable bandit, and I'm claiming that honey for myself. Now beat it before I beat you!"
"No," Bendy said defiantly. He reaches inside the elevator, pushes the down button, and closes the door. The elevator burns into the ground and disappears.
"You're gonna pay for that," Carley said.
Bendy rips his gloves off and bares his claws.
Down in the Underworld, The Devil, Henchman, and several devil imps are waiting in the throne room. Suddenly the elevator appears, and The Devil eagerly opens the door. He smiles when he sees the barrels.
"Perfect, job well done son," The Devil said. "Son?" he looks down but doesn't see the little devil. "Son? Bendall?"
"He's not in there?" Henchman asked.
"He's supposed to come back with the honey," The Devil said. "Where is he?"
Bendy and Carley are in a fight cloud, trying to scratch or slice each other. Chalice was watching when the bee warden suddenly buzzed in. Chalice quickly turns invisible.
"Hey!" The bee shouted.
Bendy and Carley froze in place.
"You two are under arrest!" the Warden yelled.
Carley throws herself to the floor grabbing Bendy's hands. "Help me! Help me!" Carley cried out trying to sound helpless. "I caught this cat stealing honey and he attacked me."
"What!?" Bendy shouted. "She's a bandit and tried to rob this place,"
"But he took honey!" Carley said.
"Oh yeah, how?" Bendy asked.
"Yes, how did he take it?" The Warden asked.
"He used some kinda magic elevator that burned down into... the ground," Carley said. "Okay, I know that sounds crazy but it's true,"
"You lying witch," Bendy snarled. He ripped his hands away and growled. His eyes glowed reddish orange.
When the warden saw the glowing eyes, he gasped. "Those eyes. I knew looked familiar!" he said. "I could never forget those burning eyes! You're that demon cat from last week. I won't let you escape me this time. You're both coming with me!"
THUNK
Something hits the Warden on the back of the head, and he falls to the ground. Behind him was The Devil who had just hit the bee with his pitchfork.
"I think not," The Devil said. He looks to Bendy and Carley.
"Holy spit," Carley whispered.
Chalice, still invisible, was frozen in place and stayed quiet.
"You!" The Devil said, pointing his pitchfork at Carley. "Get out with your life or I'll end you right here," his pitchfork lights with fire.
"Y-yes sir," Carley said, sounding frightened. She scrambles to her feet, grabs a barrel of honey, and runs out.
The Devil puts out the fire and approaches the kitten. "Are you alright?" he asked cupping Bendy's chin.
"I'm fine Dad," Bendy said.
Chalice's eyes went wide, and her mouth hung agape.
"Oh, she cut your bow tie." The Devil said. "Oh well, we can fix that up. Shall we get going?"
"Actually Dad, I was wondering. Could I stay up a bit longer?" Bendy asked. "I never did get to try the food here."
"Hmmm. Alright, you deserve it after getting all that honey down in the Underworld,"
"Thanks, Dad,"
"But first, let's fix you up a bit." The Devil before pointing his pitchfork at Bendy. "No son of mine is going to a party like this,"
A black cloud with red glitter comes from the pitchfork and it floats to Bendy. First, he's engulfed in the cloud before it disappears and now Bendy is in a formal suit. A blackish-blue suit, spats on his shoes, and a red bowtie.
"I'm very proud of you son, now go have fun," The Devil said.
"Thanks, Dad," Bendy said tap dancing away.
The Devil slams his pitchfork down and disappears before the vault door closes.
Chalice reappears, still a little bit shocked.
"Bendy is the Devil's son," Chalice said. "Hmmm."
Bendy is at the gala, eating some appetizers and watching people dancing. Someone taps his shoulder. He turns around and sees Chalice. This time she's wearing her black wig and hat.
"Hey," the girl said.
Bendy nearly chokes on his food. He swallows. "Oh hell, are you okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, and I saw everything," Chalice said.
Bendy's eyes shuffle for a second before he puts his tray down.
"Would you like to dance?" Bendy asked, holding his hand out.
Chalice blinked in surprise before taking Bendy's hand. They walk to the dance floor and dance to a slow song.
"You nervous?" Bendy asked.
"About dancing, n'ah," Chalice answered.
"I mean about me," Bendy said. "So, what do you think?"
"I think you being a demon makes sense. How you were able to do that disappearing stuff. And that thing in your head that tried to eat me,"
"You've been in my head?"
"Yeah, sorry,"
Bendy sighed. "Whatever." He twirls Chalice. "The guys already know, by the way."
"Oh, we can talk about them now?" Chalice asked.
"Yeah, I was nervous my dad would be listening, but I think it's safe now,"
"So he doesn't know about them?"
"No, and I plan on keeping it that way,"
"Well, don't worry kitty, I'll keep your secret under the straw if you keep my secret. And give me some of the honey,"
"I'll get you your share along with Cuphead and Mugman's," Bendy said before dipping Chalice.
"Deal," Chalice said with a smile.
They keep dancing and finally have fun.
Hours later, the warden woke up and found himself tied up in a closet. He screams for help.
In a shack outside of the city, Carley is mixing some of the honey into some portage. Then she takes out a blue bottle with an 'x' written on it and pours the blue-ish liquid inside it into the food.
"Lousy kids. Lousy Devil," Carley grumbled. "Oh, well," she pours the finished portage into a pot, opens the basement door, and walks down with it. "Hey fellas, I got some dinner for ya',"
In the basement are Charley, Barely, and Edgar tied down and drowsy. They groan in response to Carley's voice.
Out in the ocean, not far from the Inkwell docks, there's a sailboat. On the side of the boat is written "Shipahoy Dudley".
The only one in the ship is an old bolding human man and he has a scar over his right pupil-less eye. He was reading a book when his fishing rod moved. He drops his book and reels in the fishing hook.
"C'mon, c'mon." The man said. "You're not escaping old Wilson,"
The hook pulled up and Wilson's eyes widened. The fish was small and pitch black. Just as the old man catches the fish in his hands, the creature melts, and changes shape, into a demon tail. Wilson was quick and held it tight in his hand. The tail wriggles and shakes but the old man won't let it go.
"Well, well," Wilson said. "What have we got here?"