Cuphead (Steampunk Kingdom) Fanfiction Title: (WIP)

Ch. 1 Kingdom of Glass

It was a beautiful day in the Kingdom of Glass, the sun was shining, birds were singing and a gentle breeze blew through the whistling trees. A young mechanic lay upon the soft green grass, resting after a long morning. Her red hair gleaming in the sun, her skin soft as porcelain with eyes that shone like jewels; around her neck mechanical goggles hung. A leather corset inlaid with golden cogs and gears clung tightly to her white blouse as billowy material hung loosely from her wrists. The jeans she wore were stained from years of grease and oil build up and yet she wouldn't have it any other way. Living in a world that was powered by steam and fire, gears and cogs one would think that the need for such things would be long gone but then again…who else was going to work on the machines? A gentle rustle of the trees made her smile grow as her soft ears twitched at the faint call of her name.

Today was a day just like any other to her, one more car…one more machine. It was a never ending cycle but she didn't mind it. Sighing deeply she rubbed her tired eyes rolling to one side away from the sun she peered down the hill at their quaint little shop and smiled when her father came into view.

He was a short but stocky man with a medium build, his dark hair blowing lightly in the wind as he cupped a hand to his mouth calling for his beloved daughter. His cheerful smile and laughter was all she needed, she loved this man so much…being his daughter and one of his best mechanics he treasured every moment they shared whether it was at home or in the shop. Nothing could tear these two apart.

"Sasha! Come on back we have another order coming in!" His joyful voice shouted above the rooftops and up the hill, the girl smiled for a moment contemplating on what to do before shrugging her shoulders and carefully jogged down the hill into the awaiting arms of her father. Wrapping his strong arms around her in a loving embrace he smiled down at her before letting go.

"You should really warn me before you go off like that…what if someone finds you? I don't want my lovely daughter and best mechanic to be taken away now would I?" His cheerful voice drips with hints of worry as he smiles ruffling her daughter between her ears, she smiles before grabbing his hand making him stop.

"I've been keeping it hidden…why else would I wear long sleeves in summer?" Sasha smiles as her metallic hand gleams in the sunlight for a moment, reflecting what little light the shop absorbed from the sun outside. Her father's eyes sparkle for a moment as if realization struck, taking a quick look behind him he spots a very simple box wrapped with a wire bow. Grabbing the box his smile broadens as he turns back to his daughter handing her the box, her ocean blue eye light up as she gingerly takes the box and opens it being extra careful to not hurt herself. Upon opening the box she smiles as two beautifully black leather gloves shimmer before her. Squealing in delight she removes the gloves, gently tossing the box aside before placing the soft material on her hands.

"They're gorgeous! But how can we afford these?" Sasha says smiling brightly, her father just laughed winking at her.

"I have my ways my dear. Happy Birthday Sasha."

"Thanks dad."

Through the bustling streets, above the steam a smoke lays a glorious glass castle that overlooks the city. Through a garden of twists and turns into an open courtyard that swirls into a beautifully lush garden, streams of fountains line the view as the towering white pillars of frosted glass overlook the city. Arching doorways and grinding gears blend into the elegant structure as decorative designs swirl around each tower and entryway. Along the front a grand marble staircase welcomes its guests into the humble abode as large wisteria trees sway in the gentle breeze. On top the doors a large glass orb rests, keeping a watchful eye on all that pass through. Large stone gates with decorative metal snake their way through the property keeping guard to protect the royalty that reside inside.

Out a far window, overlooking the city a young man sits watching tiredly at the people that pass by. Prince Mugs, a very kind and hyper young man with a loving personality sighs bored as he breathes on the glass drawing faces with his finger. The young man's clothes were primped and permed to perfection, his long blue vest tapering down to a split tail in the back with golden trim with tiny golden cog buttons set along the opening. Under his blue vest the prince wore a long white sleeved shirt that billowed out near the wrists giving him plenty of mobility when needed. A dark leather belt with golden trim crisscrossed over his waist securing his royal blue and golden scabbard to his side; light blue pants gently laid upon his legs creasing when he crossed his legs. His long knee high boots lightly folded over one another as not to scratch the delicate material. He sighed…he was bored. Yawning quietly to himself, the young prince turned his bright blue eyes so he could look at his brother who was not that far away.

Prince Cup was just as bored as ever; listening to diplomatic speeches, learning how to be a proper gentleman and studying the ways of politics all so he may become king once his father leaves the throne. Just like his brother, Prince Cup was very kind but stern when need be, loving but cautious, obedient yet rebellious. His personality reflected that of an older wiser man instead of a mere child going through his teen years. Closing his vibrant orange eyes, he sighed rubbing them for the fifth time that day as his tutor read aloud from a book of diplomatic history in the Glass Kingdom. It wasn't their fault he was bored, diplomacy and politics was just never his thing. He would rather tinker and invent, find out what things could do…what they were made of. For a potential king who was supposed to be down to earth he had a wild imagination that no one but his brother could tame. He wore a vest just like his brother's only his was black instead of blue, under the dark vest he sported an apple red long-sleeved shirt that cuffed at the wrists. Around his waist the same dark leather belt with golden trim rested holding the case for his long sword as it tapped the floor. Black pants ran down his legs with a darkly etched pattern going down the center of each pant leg until they disappeared inside his boots. After three hours of diplomacy and political talk he had finally had enough deciding the end the lesson early today.

"Excuse me but I believe I do have other things to do, would it be alright if we ended the session a bit early today?" Prince Cup asks stretching in his seat. The tutor, an uptight woman of about sixty years huffs lightly nodding.

"I suppose so my Prince, but don't forget we have another session planned for tomorrow morning."

"I won't forget." He says yawning, the older woman nodded bowing to him before exiting the room. The two boys watch her leave the room before exhaling a sigh of relief.

"So what do you want to do now?" Prince Mugs says smirking at his brother.

"Oh I can think of a few things that shouldn't get us into too much trouble." He answers smiling, the two brothers laugh for a moment before exiting the room together before darting off the courtyard where there mother and father were waiting.

"Mother, Father!" Prince Mugs exclaims happily running up to hug their mother as his brother calmly follows suit shaking hands with their father.

"Mother, Father." Prince Cup addresses bowing his head to one another, the queen just smiles warmly embracing Mugs before letting go and hugging Prince Cup making him blush.

"How were your lessons today darling?" Their mother asked in a soft tone. Queen Camilla, a very sweet and gentle person, she has a smile that could make even the darkest of days seem the lightest. She was the pinnacle of grace and poise as every queen should be, and when things got you down she was always there to pick you back up again.

"I see your lesson was cut short again today…Any reason for that my son?" The King asked curiously implying under his breath that Prince Cup had done something wrong. King Caden, on the other hand was a little rougher around the edges and not as easily swayed to pity someone in need. He valued the strong and if you were neither strong willed nor strong at heart then he would easily pass you by.

"Just got tired I guess…you know those types of things don't interest me father." Prince Cup answered taking a step back from his parents as his mother let him out of her grasp. Their father rolled his eyes sighing deeply as he shook his head at the boy.

"You need those lessons to learn how to be King when the time is right Cup. I won't be around forever and neither will your mother. You'll need to learn how to deal with issues in the kingdom as an adult and stop acting like a child." The brothers gasped, Prince Mugs looking at his brother momentarily before being addressed.

"Mugs you will be accompanying me into town today while your brother stays here and finishes his lesson before the duchess of the Ink Kingdom arrives." King Caden said giving a quick peck on the cheek to their mother before turning on his heel to leave.

"Wait they're coming today?!" Both boys exclaim in surprise having long forgotten about the visit, Prince Cup glances nervously at his brother who shrugs flashing a sad smile before running to catch up to their father. Sighing deeply, Prince Cup ran a hand through his fluffy golden locks before looking up to his mother who smiled sadly in return.

"I know you don't want to do this darling but you are becoming of age and it is time for you to meet your betrothed."

"But I'm too young to get married, and I want the freedom to choose my own bride. Not to have one chosen for me." He looks to his mother with saddened eyes, she sighs reaching out her hand for her son to take before walking inside.

"I know but in time you will come to accept it, to accept her…for this is the way it is for royalty."

*End Ch. 1*