Army led the inky trio through several empty corridors and up eery stairwells, using the lantern in his robotic hand to see in front of him. Although he had seen countless other Lost Ones and Searchers, he couldn't help but feel as though there was something different about Mikey, Jake, and Robin. Like another Lost One he knew, he could tell that these three were brave and full of hope. Why else would they have been willing to be out there?
"Alright, not much farther now," Army announced as the group entered one last hallway, towards a closed double door with the words "No Demons Allowed" written on it.
"Hey, Army?" Jake said skeptically. "Where exactly are you taking us? What is this place?"
"Geez, all I ever hear from you are questions, Jake-a-Boy," Army joked, which got a giggle out of Mikey and Robin, and a groan out of Jake. "This place is magical, some would say. The Ink Demon's never been through here, and we're hopin' he never will. I heard he hears everything, But he sure hasn't heard what goes on here."
"Why? What goes on here?" Robin asked.
"As soon as these doors open, you'll see. And as my friends in here say, a song a day keeps the Demon away. Lady and gentlemen, welcome to Stein's Inkwell!"
Army opened one of the doors with his arm, and the four of them peered into the brightly lit room. In the room, there were several tables, a huge stage with thick curtains on one side, and a large bar on another. Sitting in chairs at the tables and the bar were Lost Ones, Searchers, and several other creatures the trio didn't recognize. These were much different than the inky folk back at the village; these folk seemed much more lively, and...happy.
"I've never seen so many people in one place," Mikey said, amazed.
"Like I said," Army said as he led the trio to the bar, "the Demon'll never find this place, and therefore never find any of us. You guys are perfectly safe here. 'Ey, Charley! Gimme the usual!"
"Well, well," a strange-looking, cartoonish creature emerged from underneath the counter. "If it isn't bolts-for-brains 'imself. And who're these three? Don't look much different than the other ink men."
Army laughed mockingly. "I gotta say, that nickname of yours is totally not funny shut up. Anyway, these kiddos are Robin, Jake, and Mikey. They say they're looking for a special place, and need some stuff to get there. Think you can hook 'em up?"
"Eh, I'll see what we got," Charley shrugged. "'Til I get everything ready, you kids just sit tight and enjoy the show. I heard Ms. A's performing real soon." He winked at Jake, and went back under the counter.
"Um, thank you," Robin called after him.
"I think I've heard of that guy before," Mikey said as the group sat down at an empty table. "One of the other Searchers back at the village said that he met him, and that he was called the Piper. I didn't know that his name was actually Charley."
"The members of the Butcher Gang go by several names," Army explained. "Barley, the Fisher, Edgar, the Striker. Only thing they all have in common is how freaky they are. But don't tell Charley I said that."
"Look who's talking," Jake muttered, and Mikey could tell that Jake still didn't trust the animatronic. He hoped that Jake would learn to trust him, like he and Robin had. After all, Army did seem to know his way around.
Suddenly, the lights began to dim.
"Brace yourselves," Army said, "it's showtime! Ms. A has the voice of a true angel. Just wait and see."
The crowd applauded as the curtains opened to reveal a band of Lost Ones and Searchers, all holding a variety of instruments. In the center of the stage stood the most beautiful Lost One Jake had ever seen in his life. She wore a lightly colored dress, had inky horns, and a dark, dripping halo hung over her head. She grabbed the microphone in front of her, and began to sing.
In this lonely place
I try find love
Sent down from above
In this pitch black space
I hold on to hope
And with sadness I can cope
Walking down these halls
Not knowing what's out there
Falling into despair
When the curtain falls
We'll all be set free
And this misery...
Will be no more
But til then I want to sing out loud
But til then I will cheer up these crowds
I'll be your devil darlin, or better yet
I'll be the angel you won't soon forget
But til then I'm gonna lift your souls
But til then our demons won't control us
Some day we'll see the sun
But until then...
Let's have a little fun
The crowd cheered as Ms. A sang on. She did indeed have the voice of an angel, and Jake couldn't help but stare. Robin noticed, and smiled.
"Ooh, I think somebody's got a little crush," she teased.
"What? N-no I don't!" Jake said, blushing. "I j-just really love how she...dances...when she sings."
"Jake, it's okay to have feelings for someone. Everyone gets them, no matter who or what they are."
"You mean like how you have feelings for Mikey?"
Luckily, Mikey was too busy listening to Ms. A's song to hear their conversation.
"WHAT?!" Robin exclaimed. "W-who told you?!"
"Remember that Lost One you talked to about your feelings? Well..." Jake said, chucking.
"...oh, Christ. You know what? Just for that, I'm gonna go up and ask Ms. A to come with us."
"Wait, what? No! She can't! What if she gets hurt, or worse?"
"Then I'll show her how to use a weapon." Robin smiled. "And it'll be a good opportunity for you to get to know her." She then giggled and quickly slid towards the stage before Jake could stop her.
A little while after the show had ended, Robin came back with Ms. A behind her.
"Hey, fellas," she said in her sweet, angelic voice. "Robin here told me about your little journey, and...I think I want to come along."
"Y-you do?" Mikey asked, visibly surprised. "But why?"
"Well, I've never been anywhere else besides the Inkwell," Ms. A replied. "And I think it'd be nice for you folks to have a little encouragement whenever you're feeling down. When do we leave?"
Robin winked at Jake, and turned to the singer. "As soon as that Charley guy gets us some supplies. I bet we're all gonna make a great team with someone like you, Ms. A."
"Please," Ms. A said, "call me Allie. It'd be much less of a mouthful."
Soon after Allie had joined the group, Charley came over with a large backpack. "Full of everything you kids'll need on your trip," he said. "I'd say I hope the Ink Demon doesn't getcha on your way to wherever it is you're going, but I don't wanna jinx it."
Mikey thanked the bartender, and he, Robin, Jake, and Allie followed Army out of Stein's Inkwell, and down yet another corridor.
The screen flickered as it displayed an image of two Searchers, two Lost Ones, and an animatronic heading down a long hallway. The Ink Demon sat back in his throne, grinned, and spoke in a voice that he kept mostly to himself.
"So," he said, "do these fools think I'll just let them go so easily? Does that little weakling think he can just steal from me and get away with it? That there's a life outside this studio? Then again, there's nothing wrong with dreaming. Wishing for the impossible is just...nature."
He snapped his ink-drenched fingers, and one of his many followers appeared from the dark.
"I have a job for you," the Demon said. "Do you see those...things, wandering through my halls?"
"Y-yes, my Lord," the follower replied.
"I want you to find them. Dispose of the other four, but bring the small one with the map to me. I'd like to have a little chat with him."
"Yes, my Lord. Right away."