Ch. 12 Escape

As the mid-morning sun lifted high into the sky, faint yells of frustration could be heard echoing around the grounds as the young prince wandered around. Prince Boris's fluffy ears perked at the sound as his tail wagged curiously behind him.

"No no this won't work either! UGH!" The family machinist yelled as he tried to fix one of the carriages but the metal ink frame was on its last leg.

"H-Hey Cedric, what's up?" Prince Boris asked as he casually strolled into the little garage along the side the inkling's mansion. Bored from watching his brother take dancing lessons from their mother he decided to kill time by strolling through the grounds. The man sighed shaking his head lightly at the young prince.

"You know you aren't supposed to be back here your highness, you could get hurt."

"I know but I heard you yelling and just wanted to make sure you're alright." He sighed again turning toward the young prince as he smiled sweetly, Cedric chuckled lightly.

"You're too kind for this world my prince, you and your brother…Anyway I'm sorry if I scared you your grace, it's just that I ran out of this special type of ink metal called Palladian metal that I use for the carriages. I'm trying to find an alternative but so far nothing has worked."

"Oh? Can't you just get more?" Prince Boris asked lightly tilting his head.

"I can but the only shop that carries it in the surrounding areas is in Glass Kingdom. But that's a two day ride and I don't think your father would like it if the merchant came here…" He sighed again lightly tossing the bent metal pipe in his hand down to the ground with a loud crunch.

"Well…uh…I might be able to help you there…My brother and I know a mechanic in Glass Kingdom and she may be able to get the metal you need and have it ready for pick up or delivery!" Cedric smiled chuckling lightly at the young man's excitement; standing up straight he stretched popping his back in a few places.

"If you can get your father to allow the merchant to make the delivery that'll be a big help your majesty, but I don't think he'll do it. You know how he feels about outsiders."

"True but at least I can try!" Prince Boris smiled happily as a plan formed in his head, Cedric just chuckled smiling as he waved goodbye to the prince before turning back to his work.

As the sun reached its peak, the shining rays drifted through the gothic style windows as Prince Bendy's ballroom lessons came to a close.

"Well I think that's enough dancing for today dear, I will say this my son. You're left feet seem to be improving but you need to let the woman follow during the waltz not lead." Queen Mel said smoothing down from the front of her gown before dismissing her eldest son as Prince Boris entered the room.

"Good Afternoon mother," the young wolf greeted lowering himself into a respectful bow which his mother graciously returned.

"I saw Cedric today mother, he said that he needed more Palladian metal. I was wondering if it would be possible to talk to father?" Boris inquired innocently drawing a confused look from his brother as Queen Mel delicately lifted a brow.

"Oh? Is he not able to fix the carriages without it?"

"Afraid not mother and the only merchant that sells the parts is located outside of the kingdom." As she thought for a moment she searched her son's eyes for anything that may be suspicious, narrowing her eyes she sighed.

"He wishes for the merchant to travel here and deliver the parts correct?" Boris nodded slowly watching his mother just as closely as she watched him.

"Very well then, I will speak with your father. After dinner I will give you his answer."

"Thank you mother." He bowed lightly before gesturing for his brother to follow him.

"Mother are we done for the day?" Prince Bendy asked stifling a yawn, she sighed again nodding her head lightly.

"Don't go far my dears, dinner should be ready soon." Queen Mel said as she watched the boys leave the room. As the two princes ventured back into the palace gardens, unaware of a certain black angel patrolling the grounds; Prince Bendy waited to hear what his brother had to say.

"What is it Boris? What's going on?" His brother sighed, running a gentle hand over his ears as he looked around, a small smile on his face.

"If father allows an outside merchant in to deliver parts for Cedric we may have a way out of here!" Boris exclaimed happily for a moment before lowering his voice to just above a whisper as a grounds keeper walked by. With a slight wave, Bendy grinned mischievously as pieces of the puzzle fell into place.

"We'll need to talk to Sasha and see who it is." He paused trying to think if they met anyone else that was mechanically savvy.

"Mother said she would talk to father about it and you know how much he despises outsiders." He paused again scratching his horns as his and his little brother's tails flicked nervously back and forth.

"I'll talk to Cedric tonight after dinner, until then we should keep it on the down-low so no one gets suspicious." Prince Boris whispered as the sound of crunching gravel echoed through the garden.

"Bendy, Boris!" Princess Alice exclaimed walking over to her dear siblings with a sly look on her face.

"Oh Alice! What are you doing here?" Bendy said jumping slightly at the sight of their sister; she shrugged innocently taking a step toward them as they took a step back.

"Oh I saw you walking in the garden and decided to join you...Is that okay?" The boys glanced at one another suspiciously but nodded anyway.

"S-Sure you can join us I guess..." Boris stammered nervously.

"Okay cool. So...What are you talking about? I heard you talking and I'm just curious..." Alice said smiling sweetly.

"Oh...Ah it was nothing Alice, just Cedric needing some new parts and all." Bendy said beginning to walk again with their sister following their every step.

"Uh huh..." Alice said eyeing the two boys curiously.

"Yea uh...he needs the merchant that sells this special metal to deliver the parts since our carriages are out of order." Boris said defending their claim, the dark angel nodded.

"Alright, I guess someone would have to do it. Who's the merchant?" She inquired again; watching as they shrugged their shoulders she frowned.

"We don't know, he never said." After a few moments of awkward silence a maid called out saying it was time for dinner.

*Le Time Skip*

"So my love, our dear sweet Boris spoke with Cedric today and said he is in need of more parts..." Queen Mel stated as she finished her meal, wiping her mouth she glanced up at her husband as he furrowed his brows.

"Is that so? Well why doesn't he just go get the parts he needs?" King Joey sneered shoving a piece of meat in his mouth, savoring each bite as if it were his last. His sons just nodded their sister and mother observed their every move.

"Yes sir...He said that he is unable to get them as our carriages are in need of fixing. So-…"

"He would like my permission to allow a merchant to come here to deliver the parts?"

"Y-Yes sir." Boris stammered out, his fluffy ears folding flat against his head. The room fell quiet as the group watched the king ponder his thoughts for a moment.

"I suppose if that's what needs to be done, but he better not make a habit of this." Joey said firmly before finishing his meal, the princes heaved a sigh of relief but it was short lived as Alice held a certain gleam in her eye.

"Okay, we will go inform him of the news. If you'll excuse us...Mother...father...sister..." Bowing respectfully the brothers leave unaware of a plan forming in Alice's head.

"Cedric! Great news! Father said he'll allow the merchant to deliver the parts!" Prince Boris exclaimed excitedly as the two princes bounded up the way. The old merchant smiled as he stood popping his back as he watched the boys skid to a stop in front of him.

"Wonderful! Thank you your highness! Now I can order the parts I need and not have to worry about it!" Cedric smiled sharing the same happy grin as the two inklings.

"That's great! Who is it? Maybe we could help you order the parts you need." Prince Bendy inquired curiously as a certain red-headed fox-eared mechanic popped into his head.

"Oh, um Marcus Gladiovich...I'll give him a call in a few minutes. Why do you know him?" Cedric asked curiously wiping off his wrench.

"No but we know someone who might." The two boys grinned at one another bidding the man farewell before returning inside for the night, unaware of their mother waiting patiently on the other side of the door.

"Boys may I speak with you please? I have something important to show you." Queen Mel asked sweetly catching the boys off guard as they entered from outside. Walking passed, Alice waved a friendly hello before hiding her devious smirk as she returned her dark gaze back to she had been reading, How to be a Lady...how fetching.

Following their mother down a dark stone corridor to a new part of the castle, they treaded carefully as they glanced at one another concerned for what was to come.

"In here boys..." She said as she innocently directed the boys inside, the thick metal door opened to their right giving them a sense of dread.

"So mother what is it you want to talk abou-." Boris asked trailing off when they entered the dungeon-like chamber, like a scene from a horror movie this room was one you wouldn't forget easily. Walking in from the stone hallway all they could see was darkness, a chamber of four ink stained stone walls surrounded them as the smell of stale ink filled their nostrils; Bendy thought he was going to gag. Hearing the sound of shuffling feet they gasped when their father flipped a switch engulfing the room in bright amber as the chandelier overhead illuminated the room. As their eyes adjusted they gasped to see their father standing in front of a wall loaded down with medieval weaponry; swords, knives, spears, whips and the like lined the stone from top to bottom. Around their feet old chains sat rotting away as their links were poisoned with decaying ink. Boris started at whimper when they made contact with their furious father as their mother walked over and slammed the steel door closed behind them.

"Oh it's nothing, just something Alice brought to our attention from a conversation you two had about escaping." Joey, steaming with anger, glanced at his wife for a moment before redirecting his gaze to the two quaking boys before him.

"So you were planning to RUN OFF were you?! To that Glass Kingdom no doubt?!"

"Father p-please..." Bendy stammered as he and his brother backed into a wall. Angrily King Joey approached the two boys as he grabbed a weapon off the wall. Rolling the nine-tailed whip over in his palm he squeezed the handle tight, turning the knuckles on his hand white. Cracking the whip once on the floor the boys quivered under his wrathful gaze.

"I'll teach you to go behind our backs!" Full of rage, Joey's face dripped with as ink as his eyes turned red. [A/N: Really bad at describing fighting or torture scenes so…sorry] Wasting no time, King Joey got right to work. CRACK! Went the whip as it hit the ground, Bendy managed to push Boris out of the way so he wouldn't get hit but that only infuriated the demon more. Cracking the whip again Joey wrapped the metal shards around Bendy's midsection violently tearing him away from his brother as his inky skin was ripped to shreds. He cried out in pain grabbing his brother's attention but when he tried to aid him Prince Boris was yanked back and thrown into a wall, slamming his head and back against the icy stones as the nine-tails dug into his calf right down to the bone. Bloodied ink poured from his leg and onto the floor adding to the black mess that was already there, removing a blade from the wall behind him Joey forcefully pulled Boris toward him with the blade ready to strike when Bendy lunged at the man getting sliced in the stomach instead. Collapsing to the floor, Prince Bendy held the wound for only a second before Queen Mel kicked the boy in the back before wrapping his tail around her wrist where she proceeded to snap the tip in half. Pain filled screams and whimpered cries emanated from both boys as their torment continued for hours until their father and mother had finally had enough. Leaving the room, Queen Mel dared not look back upon what she had done to her children as the man she loved finished the job. Once the beatings were done the man glared down at his two sons in utter disappointment and dissatisfaction.

"At this point forward you two are no longer members of our family. May you rot in peace." With a final scowl and huff King Joey left the room slamming the door closed behind him. As Bendy lay their bleeding on the floor his heart beating, his breathing labored. His body pulsed with pain as a faint ding echoed through the chamber. Boris breathed heavily for a few minutes, his arm twisted and his face, bruised and beaten. Weakly he whimpered, his eyes widening in horror at the sight of his brother's broken body. Again another beep sounded as a bright flash caught his eye, grunting with each pull Prince Boris crawled toward his brother. Shaking widely he grabbed his brother's CCD just as the small light flicked again before Cup, Mugs and Sasha's faces appeared on screen.

Their faces said it all as they stared in shock and horror as they looked upon the brothers' broken and bloodied bodies.

"W-What happened to you?" Prince Mugs stammered out with tears in his eyes at the sight of their friends. Prince Cup and Sasha just sat there in stunned silence as they peered at Boris through the small screen, he whimpered when he showed them Bendy's body on lying on the floor behind him.

"We…they…Alice…." With tears flowing down his cheeks like rivers he could barely speak.

"Boris where are you? Do they have you locked up?" Sasha asked worriedly as she tried her best to see where they were, the room around them was very dark with only the light from the communication device flooding the area they were in. Her eyes widened when she caught a glimpse of shiny metal laced with fresh ink gleaming in the background. He nodded inhaling a shaky breath.

"W-We're locked up in t-the b-basement…A-Alice she…F-Father…" Boris stuttered out, wiping his tears away he sniffled trying to keep the tears at bay.

"Boris we have to get you both out of that horrible place, but how?" Sasha whispered in thought as she and Prince Cup glanced at one another before returning their gaze back to the small screen.

"M-Mar-Marcus i-is supposed to be com-coming here to deliver parts to o-our mechanic." Boris stammered through sniffles as the sounds of his brother groaning made his ears perk.

"Ok I think I have a plan, Boris how's Bendy?" Cup asked in a gentle tone trying not to upset the ink prince more than need be, grunting in pain Prince Boris shifted his body to get a glimpse of his brother. Bendy hadn't made a sound with the exception of a few groans here and there; the sound of his labored breathing filled the room like a megaphone. He whimpered shaking his head sadly.

"H-he's in bad shape…..h-he took most of the beating t-to protect me from f-father's rage."

"Hang in there were coming to get you, Cup has a plan. Keep this CCD with you at all times." Sasha said with a stern yet gentle voice, smiling sadly they watched as Prince Boris nodded his head tiredly before dropping completely as he lost consciousness. At this point their screen had turned black and all that could be seen was Boris's hand near the compact device, Prince Mugs wrapped Sasha in a tight embrace as their side clicked off.

"C-Cuppy…what are we going to do?" Mugs asked between sobs as Sasha just held the crying prince in her arms in an attempt to calm him down, watching as his brother fell apart for the third time that day he sighed sadly running a hand through his hair.

"He said Marcus is going to deliver parts to their mechanic right? We can have you and Sercy go with him. Sasha you will need to stay hidden so they don't see you…However…this is still extremely risky…We can't afford for you to get caught either…"

"We need to call Marcus and tell him what's going on; maybe we can get their mechanic to help as well… Since none of us know where they are located that might be our best bet at getting them out."

"B-But what if their m-mechanic is as mean a-and cruel as the rest of them…they'll rat you out." Prince Mugs stammered as he wiped the tears away.

"That's a chance we need to be willing to take Mugs…But we can't wait. Every minute that ticks by the boys are getting worse and we need to get them out of there before it's too late."

"You both remember the plan right? You are to stay in here until I give the signal, Sasha you're going to need to stay here. Since you've met these royals before we can't run the risk of anyone recognizing you." Marcus sighed as the majestically dark Ink Castle came into view, slowing his advance Sercy lightly pushed Sasha's head down as they stopped at the gate house.

"State your purpose civilian."

"My name is Marcus Gladiovich; I'm here to deliver parts to Cedric." The man at the gate narrowed his eyes suspiciously, his dark hair framing his face making him appear as though he had just walked out of a scene from a horror movie. After several agonizing seconds he finally nodded and opened the gate.

"Proceed with caution and get your business done with. Many bad things happen here and I don't need any more civilians winding up in a body bag." Marcus nodded his head, a look of determination upon his face as he eased the truck down the gravel driveway. Looking back Sercy swallowed the lump in her throat as she turned back around.

"Well that was pleasant." Sasha deadpanned from the backseat, they nodded.

"All the more reason why we need to get them out of here..." Marcus sighed pulling to a stop in front of the garage/stables where the ink mechanic was waiting; waving a friendly hello he hopped out of the truck and greeted the older gentlemen.

"Hello sir, you must be Cedric. My name is Marcus; I'm here with the parts you ordered." Giving a warm smile Cedric grasped Marcus's hand giving it a firm shake before letting go. After a few minutes of polite conversation the two men removed the parts from the truck just in time to see a very cautious and worried maid walk over to the two men.

"Marie are you alright my dear?" Cedric asked observing the shaking maid as she made her way over, her eyes shifting back and forth as she watched cautiously. She shook her head.

"C-Cedric have you seen the two princes? I-I can't find them anywhere…" Her voice was quiet with a slight quiver as her eyes seemed to glass over in that moment.

"No I haven't my dear, what's wrong?" Placing a gentle hand on her shoulder they watched as she inhaled a shaky breath.

"T-The last time I saw t-them, their mother was taking them to the basement…b-but I haven't seen them since…B-But the part that scares me the most is that K-King Joey told me they were no longer doing lessons…I-I'm worried something terrible has happened…y-you know how he can't control his temper…" With wide eyes Cedric's face drained of all color as he glanced at Marcus with worry.

"Oh no…M-Marcus could I use your help please? I'll pay you extra, p-please we-!"

"Don't worry about it Cedric, that was the other reason why we came." Waving over Sercy, he waited a few minutes allowing the man time to calm his nerves before leading the way to the basement.

"Right this way."

"It's sealed shut!"

"H-Hurry Marcus I think someone's coming." Sercy whispered as the distant sound of clicking heels echoed through the hall. After a few rough hits he managed to get the door open allowing the three to quickly slip inside, as the clicking got louder Marcus spotted the little compact device on the floor by Boris's hand or what he could see of it and quickly placed it in his pocket before forcing Sercy and Cedric into a nearby closet just as the door swung open slamming into the wall on the other side. Holding his hand firmly over Sercy's mouth he managed to muffle her gasp as Alice walked into the room flipping the light switch as she did so. With the door cracked open Sercy, Marcus and Cedric watched in horror as the dark angel stalked around her brothers who laid unconscious on the floor below her, she smirked giggling to herself as she nudged Prince Bendy's body with her foot causing him to groan lowly signaling that was still alive…barely.

"Tsk tsk tsk. You'll never learn will you boys? No one sabotages our family and gets away with it, and now with you two disappointments out of the way…" She kneels down in front of Boris and gently runs her hand over his cheek in a loving way as she watched him writhe in pain under her touch as he managed to open his visible eye to watch her, she smiled standing back up. Her loving smile turned vicious as she slammed her heel down on the young prince's tail making him cry out in pain.

"I'm going to marry Prince Cup, I WILL have that kingdom and there's nothing you can do to stop me." Turning on her heel she laughed at the little wolf's despair before leaving the room, the sound of her maniacal laughter echoing through the corridor like a lingering memory. Whimpering the prince curled up as much as he could holding his tail against his backside he closed his eye tight as fresh tears stung the corners.

"Your majesty!?" Boris's ears perked at the sound of the new voice making him exhale a shaky sigh.

"C-Cedric?" He whispered his voice hoarse from screaming. The old man bolted out of the closet with Marcus and Sercy right behind him as he ran over to his fallen royalty, with tears in their eyes the two inklings greeted on another.

"W-What are you-?"

"Shhh shhh, we're going to get you and your brother out of here my prince. Don't worry, I got you." Cedric cooed as he cautiously picked up the youngest brother in his arms, Boris's head drooped against the older man's chest as he tried to catch his breath. In the light Boris had a better look at the extent of Bendy's injuries as he observed Marcus tenderly picking him up as he cradled his body, watching as the battered prince's chest slowly rose and fell he sighed relieved as Sercy signaled that it was all clear.

"Hurry let's get out of here before their sister comes back." The young fox said as her tail swished haphazardly behind her, they men nodded as Prince Boris passed out again Cedric lead the way out.

Back outside in the truck, Sasha scans the perimeter from her spot in the backseat ducking from time to time as a gardener or maid walked passed.

"Come on you guys…" She whispered with her fluffy fox ears pressed against her head before perking up in fear then relief as the sound of Marcus's doors unlocked; poking her head up she gasped as Marcus, Sercy and Cedric could be seen bolting toward the truck with the two boys in hand. Jumping out of the truck she rushed out with a plush blanket in hand as she rounded the truck just as Sercy opened the back.

"Sasha jump in the back, I'm going to need you to take care of them on the ride back." Climbing into the bed of the truck she and Sercy stretched out the blanket before gently and quickly placing the two battered princes upon in. Nodding her head, Sasha cradled the two boys against her body as she laid down between the two of them just as Marcus threw the hard-shell cover over the back of his truck before closing the door.

"Take care of them please; they don't deserve to suffer like that." Cedric said with tears in his eyes as he shakily reached into his pocket pulling out the money needed to pay for the parts. Markus shook his head placing a comforting hand on the man's shoulder.

"Keep it. You'll need it." With a gentle smile he nodded his head and waved goodbye as Sercy hopped into the truck, banging on the lid twice he signaled to Sasha that they were leaving. With a final wave goodbye, Marcus jumped in and started the truck. Cautiously driving down the drive he made sure to make the ride as gentle as possible for the precious cargo in the back. Making it through the gates safely the group heaved a sigh of relief as he sped off down the road back toward home.

"Don't worry boys you're safe now…"

*End Ch. 12*