The doors opened and 'Alice' pushed out a trolley. On the trolley was what looked like a metal box with gears and pipes sticking out of it. "This needs to go down to Level 14," she said, giving Chat a folded piece of paper. "I've marked the place where it is supposed to go on this map, as well as instructions on how to install it. But be careful. The Projectionist wanders down on that level. Watch out, or his light will be the last thing you see."
"Got it," Chat said, putting the paper in his pocket. "Why don't you come with us? It be much quicker-"
"I can't!" 'Alice' nearly shouted. "The entire level is covered in ink! If I step in it, it will claim me again! Do you know what it's like in the dark puddles? It's a buzzing, screaming well of voices! Bits of your mind swimming like fish in a bowl! I can't go back again! I might never come out!"
"Okay, okay," Ladybug interjected before the angel could go into further hysterics. "We can do this ourselves. You can wait here and we'll get you before we go, alright?"
'Alice' got her breathing under control. "Alright," she said. "I'll see you then." With that, she fled into her sanctuary.
-MToLaCNBatIM-
As the elevator came to a stop, Ladybug got her first glimpse of Level 14. As 'Alice' had claimed, the entire floor was covered in ink, about shin deep to most people, knee deep to her. She shot a slight glance that was almost a glare at Chat Noir, internally cursing her shortness.
Chat didn't notice, as he was keeping his attention on making sure that the trolley he was guiding didn't slip out of his hands. Ladybug then decided to help him so that this would be done quicker.
They had gotten the trolley down the first set of stairs, when Chat stopped. "What is that?" he asked, pointing down. Ladybug followed his finger and saw something sloshing out of a door.
It was another person made of ink, however this one towered over nearly everything they had seen in the studio. He plodded through the ink in large bulky boots, with a running projector where his head should be. Large cables ran out of the projector connecting to various parts of his body. Inexplicably, there was a reel jammed into a shoulder and a speaker set into his chest.
"That is the Projectionist," 'Alice' stated. "Poor Norman. He didn't deserve what happened to him."
Ladybug and Chat didn't say anything, only sickened at yet another reminder of the dark past of the studio, and the horrible cost that had been paid.
Ladybug shook herself out of her stupor first. "Let's get moving," she said. "Where do we put this?"
Chat pulled the piece of paper out of his pocket. "According to this, after we get off the stairs we to the right and around the base of this... block thing. Might have to break a few boards. Then we remove a panel on the left and place the piece and connect all the pipes."
"Sounds simple enough. Let's hope we aren't disturbed."
-MToLaCNBatIM-
The Projectionist walked in Darkness. Thick cloying Darkness, Darkness that ripped and tore at one's being until it was a pitiful shadow of one's self. A Darkness barely held back by his Light.
The Darkness consumed him, consumed him until there was nothing left except for a desire to spread the Light.
So he wandered the lower levels trying in vain to drive off the Darkness.
Then he heard the Music.
It was soft and comforting, not like the harsh drone of the Darkness. Violin blended into flute into chimes into instruments he could not name. The Music sang of warmth and hope and a dozen other things he had forgotten about.
There was also a low voice, singing in harmony with the Music. It sang of danger and terror to all who would dare to try to silence the Music. Not as oppressing as the Darkness, but a warning all the same.
Still, the Projectionist crept closer to the Music, listening as it drove away the Darkness and healed the hurt in his soul.
-MToLaCNBatIM-
"And that's the last one," Chat Noir said, tightening the last pipe. "At least, the best we can without proper tools."
"Given that we have some kind of super strength, I don't think it would have made a difference," Ladybug said dryly. "Let's grab Alice and get out of here."
"Right, I've had enough how long has he been standing there?!"
Ladybug turned around quickly. Standing at one of the doorways was the Projectionist, swaying to an unknown beat, his light dimmed.
"He seems... docile," Chat said. "Let's get out of here before he changes his mind."
"Good idea." Ladybug started creeping towards the stairs... before stopping. "Why am I doing that when I could do this?" she asked, before throwing her yo-yo and pulling herself to the platform.
Chat paused only long enough to facepalm before pole-vaulting after her.
-MToLaCNBatIM-
Once they had gotten to the elevator, they decided to split up once again. Chat went to go get 'Alice' while Ladybug escorted Buddy to the freight elevator on Level K. They had just gotten the huge carriage to arrive when Chat reappeared with 'Alice' in tow. The angel had a large gun strapped on her back. "What?" she asked when she saw Ladybug looking.
"Everyone on!" Chat cried, stepping into the cab. "Next stop, ground floor! Featuring chewing gum, chocolate bars, sweet cream, butter, T-bone steaks, other picture postcards, and hopefully an exit!"
Boris started laughing silently while 'Alice' just stared. "Are those two comedians still producing films and radio serials?" she asked.
"No, Chat's just a nerd," Ladybug answered, ignoring Chat's wounded cries.
"What's a nerd?"
Chat stopped being dramatic and stared at the two toons. "We have a lot to catch you up on," he finally said.
"And we're out of here!" Ladybug said, pulling the lever down, causing the elevator to head towards the surface.
-MToLaCNBatIM-
Fools. Did you REALLY think it would be THAT easy?
-MToLaCNBatIM-
"Did someone say something?" Ladybug asked, looking around.
A sharp squeal sounded and mad laughter came over the intercom. "Did you really think I'd let you steal from me?! Did you really think I'd just let you go?!" a hauntingly familiar voice asked.
"Is that... me?" 'Alice' asked, eye wide.
"No, Henry!" the mysterious voice cried before the elevator began plummeting. "I know who you are! And I know why you are here! And you will not stop what needs to be done!"
Ladybug tried to speak, tried to breathe. But somehow she was unable to, dark magic covering her mouth and tying her arms to her side. A glance over at Chat told her the same thing had happened to him.
"Don't you get it?! Give it to me!
"Or better yet, I'll take them!
"Once... you're... dead!
"Now come down and bring me back. The. MIRACULOUS!"
CRASH!
-MToLaCNBatIM-
"Kid! Wake up!"
Adrien slowly regained conscious, mildly aware that he had detransformed at some point. Buddy was shaking him for some reason. Slowly, he noticed Marinette also detransformed, with 'Alice' holding her broken halo nearby in shock. Before he could say anything, he noticed something in the hallway.
Something was back there, slinking in the shadows, lit only by a halo and tear tracks, all shining in rainbow colors. Suddenly it struck massive, wing-hands reaching out, one of the hands grabbing Buddy, the other one grabbing-
"Marinette!"
…
…
Chapter 3 is complete.
Bendy will return…