Hi, welcome back readers or new-comers readers! So as of late, my attention has been drawing. So. Ahem. I'm sorry about that. Now this is quick warning this story does contain slash pairings by means focusing on romantic or sexual relationships between fictional characters of the same sex. So advise for those who dislike those stories. Stay away. Do not read. You have been warned.
Thanks. P.S: Mugman is the most adorable one.
Chapter 1
Poison Cup
Pondering was the only thing that the dark one can do at this moment as he witnessed the young cup brothers winning their fight against him. The Devil was aware he wouldn't have won anyway especially when his eyes were set staring at a certain mug. Precious and endearing, seeing him follow his typical troublesome brother of his. The Devil couldn't help but convinced himself how innocent he is.
"Come on Mugman! We got to tell everyone that they're free! Free from the Devil's debts!" Said the braver and older twin as the other decided to look back at the wounded dark creature.
"I'm sorry this has to be like this." He told the dark one who perks his sensitive ears.
Forwarding a few years later, the Devil sat by his desk with piles of contacts where certain gamblers couldn't help but continue to take their risks in his casino. 'Was that concern?' The Devil thought over the years of what the young mug had said. The boys should be at least in their adult ages by now. He wondered how big they have grown, probably grown stronger and would make it different impact if he had made his real revenge when they were younger?
He had visions of his; where he had the boys in his hands; Cuphead was struggling and Mugman watches tensely into his yellow eyes only made the Devil skip a beat.
"Boss, wouldn't you be surprised, we managed to build enough contracts of souls just like we use too. Do you perhaps wish that I would go and collect them for you?" As King Dice had barged into his office without knocking his door and was chirping away like it was no tomorrow. The Devil was deep in thought as he remembered clearly when the boys prayed for another deal and kicking them out to the world was probably the foolish thing he would have done. Pondered that all he does now. King Devil waited for a while believing his boss would say something to him. "Um, excuse me, boss? Did you hear what I said?"
"I want those boys. I want them here." The Devil claimed.
King Dice was practically rolling his head. "I'm sorry to say but after our defeat, boss. I don't think those boys will ever take another step in this casino again."
"I'm aware." The Devil said as he slowly raised his hand to a cup of vile liquor.
"Who knows they will come and bet their lives again. Surely they would never..."
The Devil suddenly gnarled. "I know!" He snapped as he glares coldly at King Dice. "Leave me be," He lastly inputted as he decided this lonesome at the last second. "I don't want to be disturbed." He told him with grace as King Dice followed his orders.
Leaving him alone in his office, King Dice also wanted to grip certain revenge on the boys, especially towards Cuphead. Mugman was quieter so he hasn't thought of him much as a threat but Cuphead. He was the rebel child perhaps using that trait would turn him against himself and that would easily drag Mugman down with him. With the boss doubting his wishes; King Dice plan to make it happen.
"Mr. Wheezy and Chips Bettigan. I have a job for you too." As he approached his fellow comrades who once faced the infamous duo.
The cigar as usual wheezed before King Dice went behind the bar. Die filled an empty bottle with an interesting combination of liquor including Mr. Wheezy leftover ashes within it. With a quick shake, he presented the glass bottle to Chips Bettigan.
In the hands of the Chips, King Dice stared at him. "This is for those boys that ruined our names."
"What is that going to do?" Chips asked alongside with Mr. Wheezy.
"It's poison." King Dice mentioned.
"No, we swoop that low, boss?" Mr. Wheezy pointed out.
King Dice only sighed. "The 'boss' himself hasn't been himself lately, I just thought if I gave him a little push of chaos, he would be happy to know that both of those naughty boys would be put down." King Dice said. "And to have little fun to watch it happen, make sure. The one named Mugman drinks this. Seeing Cuphead frantically beg for help would only increase the chances of him running to us for help."
"Oh I like this already," Chips mentions as King Dice smiled greatly.
"I hope you do, now get out of here! And make this happen!" Becoming solely angry as the two were stalling. The minions hassled off to Inkwell.
"Wait up, Cuphead!" Mugman cried as he followed blankly to his older brother. Older and yet shorter; Cuphead had reminded himself to keep his body in shape. After defeating the Devil, he felt it was his duty to keep their town safe from future mishaps. Becoming quite the exercised jock to fast shooter with his fingers. Seeing Mugman, innocent and content. Cuphead was constantly reminded of his mistake of rolling those die that was basically were throwing their lives away. He decided to stop in a distance to wait for Mugman. His brother managed to catch up usually with a book in hand, Cuphead could tell Mugman was more into exercising his mind than his body. "You're going soft, Mugman. That's why we are on this run." Cuphead mentioned this to his brother.
"Yeah, I know." As he sips into his mug realizing it was empty. He noticed a nearby well. "One second, I'm going to pour water into my head," Mugman explained.
"Alright," Cuphead smiled as he placed his hands to his hips. "It is better to be hydrated than dry."
"Oh, did you read that in a book?" Mugman joked as Cuphead was catching his sarcasm. The boys knew each other so well, it wouldn't be a surprise what they would do for each other if something would happen to one another.
Busy with their conversation, Chips and Mr. Wheezy had kept their appearance unnoticed. Hearing that Mugman would fill his head. Chips quickly scrambled to the well and pour all the poison liquid into it and raced back to Mr. Wheezy's side.
He noticed something. "Wouldn't that kill anyone else in the village? I really don't become killers now, Chips." He mentioned as Chips shook his head.
"Nah, King Dice told me that the effects of the poison would last a few seconds so hopefully by then, Mugman would have taken the bait to make the effects happen."
Suddenly Wheezy shushed him. "Look! He going for it!"
The two watched as Mugman had gone over and pulled a bucket filled with water and was unaware of that poison substance was placed. Without thinking about it too much, he pours into his head. He felt a slight headache, perhaps a quick drink would relief his head as Mugman took his straw on the top of the head. The minions gasp in anticipation but suddenly Cuphead had taken the straw from his brother and took the sip for him. "Oh no," Chips mentions. "The other one took it!" He cries.
"Hey!" Mugman cries. "Fill your own cup."
As Cuphead chuckled. "Come on, it only one sip beside you did the work for me." He teased as he pinched on the younger brother's cheek.
"Why are you always like this?" He said as he noticed something was wrong with Cuphead. Things were pounding, something was halting his heart as well as Cuphead went ahead and grasp his chest. "Cuphead?"
"Mugs...I think...something is wrong.." Cuphead gasped as he sweated.
"Cuphead!?" Mugman cries again as Cuphead suddenly fell into brother's stance. "Cuphead? Hey, what's wrong? Cuphead?" Realizing he wasn't waking up, Mugman started to panic. "Help, help, anyone!" He looked over the quiet town. The minions couldn't bear to watch as they had morals and killing their enemies wasn't one of them. Chips and Mr. Wheezy came over and Mugman recognized them right away. "You two!? What are you doing here? Did you do this?!" He took his motion to blame.
"Now, listen here. Mugman. King Dice told us to do this and I thought we should let you know, the Devil himself can save him." Mr. Wheezy said as that ingrain Mugman' thoughts.
"Save him? Are you trying to bribe me?" As Mugman was connecting the dots quickly then they expected.
"Look, we only gave you a suggestion, I for one. Love you guys but we have jobs to follow and if poisoning your brother would make the boss happy. Then he is happy." Chips said so carelessly as Mugman frown.
Seeing his brother start to pant loudly, he could bare hear what was happening, his eyes were shut tight by the pain. It felt Mugman doesn't have the time to race him back to Elder Kettle to figure out an antidote and to have King Dice's minions in front. A possible fight would have to occur.
"Fine," He told them. "We will go with you back to the Devil's casino."
Both of the minions were surprised. "Excellent." Mr. Wheezy took lead as Mugman went on carrying Cuphead in his arms.
"We faced far worst, didn't we Cuphead?" He whispered to his brother who groaned.
Shivering in his arms, Mugman hopes he had made the right decision. It was rash one but hopefully, once they were presented to King Dice, things would go better. The die was not surprised that his minions had given the poison to the wrong brother, King Dice groaned as he leads Mugman, who carried Cuphead to the Devil's throne room.
"What did I say, Dice!? I said I don't want visitors!" He yelled as he turned around to see not only him but Mugman as well. It's been years and he changed so much. His body was slim, taking the taller factor than his brother and the wide eyes of innocence stroke his urge to hold him. "Oh, never mind. I wasn't expecting this type of visitors."
"Let me take your brother as you must present the boss with grace." King Dice mention as Mugman hesitated. Feeling this was unnecessary but at the same time what more harm could King Dice do to Cuphead who was resting uncomfortably. Mugman hands him over as he didn't want to upset the situation worst as he went over to the Devil.
"Why are you here?" The Devil asked as Mugman took notice of him who didn't seem to know of this plan but then again, he could be lying. Mugman kept that in mind as he bowed his head to him.
"I need your help, my brother is gravely sick. I need you to save him! Your minions told me that you can." He explained as the Devil's eyes lighten up.
"Is that so?" As he walks over to be closer to Mugman. Still, way bigger than him, the Devil's tail curled behind Mugman. "If that was the case, you know what this means right?"
As Mugman expected it as much. "Please," His thoughts of Cuphead dying in King Dice's arms. "I would do anything."
"Anything? Including your own soul?" As the Devil was now close to Mugman' face. He was shaking and the Devil couldn't help but finds him adorable.
"Only mine. No one else including Cuphead." Mugman said which doesn't surprise the Devil as he always had a jealous streak on Cuphead taking all of Mugman' attention.
"What are you offering?" He reminded Mugman as he never confirmed himself the offer.
Cuphead suddenly started to squirm and was yelling out. Which made the situation dire as Mugman looked back to the Devil. The pressure was high and he could no longer think clearly.
"Please," He started to beg. "Please take my soul!" He went down to his knees. "Please save my brother! I'll do it! I'll do it!" He prayed which made Devil grind his teeth.
King Dice expected this but the Devil did not. He didn't want to force Mugman to be his but if the opportunity was there, he wasn't afraid to snatch it.
"It's a deal." As the Devil went ahead to lift Mugman' chin. "Your soul will be mine." He told him as Mugman' vision turn black.
I don't know where this is heading honestly, its been awhile to get back in the game of writing. There is more chapters so leave a comment if you are interested to read more of my stuff if not; come by to dA, check my art work. I hope I don't disappoint you.
