The Past Comes Back to Haunt You

Prologue

"It was another night for our tired duo, stuck at the top of the dangerously eerie castle. Dark stormy clouds swirled overhead like strands of ribbons being tossed around. The sound of maniacal laughter filled the stale tasteless air around our heroes. The laughter accompanied by the boisterous sound of machinery colliding together in unnerving unison. Metal clashing against metal, the grinding of gears filled their souls with fright, a heavy and annoyed feeling filled their hearts while the two looked up at the culprit, the one that almost caused the destruction of our homes. With newfound confidence the once betrayed toons turned back and dodged a powerful swing from the mechanical claw, one narrowly missing a blast of electricity.

As they dodged the cries of their trapped friends seemed to freeze one of them in place, leaving them open and vulnerable- the claw reached out over head, almost like a noose dangling from a pole, the large shadow looming over them as the other noticed at the last minute and called out for them. But their yowls fell on deaf ears as the claw slammed down, a whirlwind of machinery clad in paint plowing through the air and making a mad dash to its target below.

Thankfully before it struck a torrent of thinner escaped from the other toons brush, striking the assailant down and managing to deter them enough to snap their fellow toon out of the trance like state they were in-" The slightly high pitched voice of the story telling rodent suddenly halted, the sound of a phone rang throughout the large bed room. The plethora of small bunny children, decorated in various shades of blue fur, made sounds of disappointment as the story was paused abruptly due to the call. "But uncle Mickey!" A few cried as they sat there, wishing for him to continue.

With a sheepish smile the mouse answered the phone and went to speak only to be interrupted by a deeper voice on the other end. "Open the door, Mickey. You locked me out again and we have peo- "They didn't get to finished as the mouse quickly rushed over to the large decorative oakwood door. His fingers traced over the wooden indents as he grabbed to bronze handle and twisted it open.

"Oh dear! I'm so sorry, Oswald! I forgot you left your key- "His voice was caught in his throat as he noticed not only his Half older brother but also various other toons from vastly different places. From the shooter duo that were the Cupbros to the older toon like Felix and even Bendy and Boris, what were they all doing here? All these people he knew, that was true, but all could be dangerous in their own way and had no real reason for being in wasteland of all places. Especially due to their status in each of their universes. "I-uh. Hey- What brings you all here..."

He bit his lip and backed away from the door, subconsciously fiddling with the strap of his dark red hood while watching as all of them entered the living room individually. Oswald being the first to enter, shaking his head as water droplets from the rain that was going on hours before hand seemed to land on the floor. The next to enter was Felix, the silent yet friendly cat who did not seem to have a problem with stating his mind, even when he was usually quiet. Said cat offered a polite wave towards Mickey before leaning against the surprisingly dull colored back wall.

His body tensed more as each of the Cupbros entered, though it was arguably worse when he say Cuphead over Mugman- just something about the gambling addict always kept him on edge, and he had yet to understand what it was. Though his internal fussing was replaced with a façade of politeness as he waved at them in a friendly manner before greeting Boris and Bendy. Giving his signature cute smile as his tail twirled behind him, dragging against the wooden flooring of his makeshift home in wasteland. "Oh erm- Oswald. Your kids are in the room I was telling them about the time we defeated the Blo-" He noticed the flinch his half brother gave which caused him to look down and away, worried he may have touched a sensitive spot with it again.

"We can discuss about that...on a later date." The rabbit paused before grumbling out the word 'Trash' under his breath. Looking up at his younger brother and crossed his arms over his dark navy-blue alchemist-esque jacket. "The reason I brought them here is because... well Felix wanted to check up on you. He kept constantly asking me questions on when he could visit-" He scratched the back of his head as Felix looked away with a sheepish smile, proving that to be true, "The brothers there are working with me on the big whole to do with the missing toons. Same can be said for Boris and Bendy who seemed to have lost Alice at some point." Came the blunt and lackluster explanation.

"Well- okay. It is nice to see you again Felix! You can always just visit me whenever; I love the company. Though I hope you mind the makeup." He chuckled while offering the tall cat a hug, said cat graciously returning it with a purr of delight before they parted ways where Mickey could see the curious looks that seemed to extend from glaring to confusion that materialized on the other's faces.

"Excuse me but when the hell did you wear makeup- "
"Cuphead! Language!" His brother corrected while smacking the back of his head lightly as if scolding him. Said older brother grumbled and gave Mugman a look before looking back at Mickey.

"Sorry- let me rephrase that. When in the absolute fuck did you wear makeup?" He interrogated bluntly, causing his younger brother to facepalm while the others snickered at the interaction. Save for Mickey who aptly sweat dropped the very moment the words escaped the anthropomorphic cup's mouth and the very unceremonious way of asking a question of that variety did not help in the slightest.

"After the whole incident with the Blot. Getting drowned in Blot guts of thinner and paint can really mess you up y'know- "He joked while letting out a small yet awkward laugh. "I thought Oswald told you- "everyone turned to the rabbit in question who seemed to shrug.

"I did tell them. The only one who seems to remember is probably Felix. Just cuz he handles his beer rather well." He huffed before shaking his head. "Anyway enough- we need to talk about the recent rise in missing toons also the fact that random colorful creatures keep appearing by your house, Mick."

The mouse gave a confused look and scratched his head as his large ears flicked. "I don't understand what you are talking about, Oswald. I haven't seen anything when I leave to do my shows or go for a drive or run." His black contact irises looked down, deep in though as the sound of something large grew close. His head seemed to be screaming in pain as the pounding sound intensified. His ungloved hands gripped at his ears as his teeth clenched together. "S. something at the back door- quick!" He yelped out as the sound of a door being broken open could be heard from the back of the house, near the currently distracted bunny children.

The seven rushed over, though it was more like a jog in Mickey's case due to his head unmercifully feeling like it wanted to strangle the rest of his body. What they witnessed was burned into their minds as something horrifying. A large red silhouette in the shape of the once bustling detective Horace. Though some of his body was missing flesh, missing parts were replaced with a red tinted inky goop that occasionally dripped onto the floor with soft 'pat' sounds. Its eyes large with bright red sclera and small wildly animated pupils. In its clutches were two of the bunny children who had left to go rummaging through the halls.

As quick as the impostor appeared it seemed to try and make a run for it with the two children dangling by their ears in its gloved hands. Large feet leaving behind inky footprints that led to the broken in doorway, its way back to the retched place it came from, the struggling children calling out in fear as they squirmed around, kicking their feet to try and kick his sides.

Quickly the seven rushed after them, Mugman and Cuphead taking the flank and shooting at the monstrous Horace's legs, not wanting to accidentally hit the children in the crossfire. Felix rummaged through his magic suitcase before pulling out a bat and ran after the impostor, ears pinned back, and eyes narrowed as his scarf billowed in the air that trailed behind him in his sprint.


"Oh no you don't. Drop my damn kids!" Oswald snapped, running with his remote and managed to shock the impostor just in time, enough to get the fake Horace to flinch in pain, small trails of smoke erupting from their ink like flesh as they dropped the children on the floor. Reaching out its clawed ink red fingers to grab them again before its hand was smashed to the floor with a pipe and boot, courtesy of Boris and Bendy, respectively. The duo looking down with annoyed expressions. "Reminds me of those weird things Joey used to turn the people into... just a lot more creepy- "Bendy snarled eyes narrowed, and brows knitted together. He soon gave a look of surprise as the ink separated from under his shoe. Proceeding to reform behind them and slashed at them with a ruthless strike, though the assault ended with Felix smashing the bat in its head.

knowing when it was a lost cause, the creature quickly ran away and barely managed to leave the doorway, one foot touching the lush green grass of the backyard. All that could be heard was the screech from behind the six before bullet like blasts of thinner shot through it. The highly corrosive substance destroying the ink creature as it shrieked in pain, curling up into a ball as it melted away. Body deteriorating and becoming something more akin to soup as the breath escaped it one last time and then silence.

The six, looking shocked and confused as they quietly turned to look at the mouse who now had his brush in hand and large bat like Blot wings erupting from his back. A grim frown on his face as his brushes tip was dripping thinner. "Now tell me- "He lowered his brush and looked at them all. "What the heck was that. And why was it attacking my nieces and nephews." He snapped bluntly, raising his brush once again and shot it through the head one last time with thinner, destroying the remnants of the creature