Chapter 1: Two Cups and a Kettle
The next day, Red Rose's lifeboat is able to make it to a large beach next to some small cliffs about three feet. However, she is sound asleep in the boat. What happened to her and her exhaustion is too much for her, so she's been past out for a while.
Running towards these very small cliffs, there are two young boys, brothers to be exact.
One of them has a cup for a head, black eyes with a slice missing, a straw with a red white stripe, he has a black body a small red nose. He wears white gloves, red shorts, and brown shoes. He is holding a rolled up paper in his hand. His name is Cuphead.
The other one has a cup head and black eyes as well, along with white gloves, a black body, and wears brown shoes. But the other one has a straw that has a blue and white stripe, a big blue nose, and blue shorts. His name is Mugman.
The two boys are running as fast as they can, like they have seen a ghost. But they have seen something worse than a ghost. With that, they end up getting themselves in deep trouble.
Cuphead pants as he says, C'mon Mug! We have to find the Elder Kettle. He'll know what to do!"
"I sure hope so. Otherwise the Devil will be collecting our souls," Mugman says, looking very scared.
"I'm sure he'll know something, but we won't know until we get to the house," Cuphead replies.
"Oh, how did you end up getting us into this mess," Mugman replies.
Just then, Mugman slides to a stop on his feet and sees something. Cuphead turns his head, and stops to see his brother looking at something.
Cuphead walks to his brother, and ask, "What is it Mug?"
"Look over there, it looks like a boat," Mugman says, pointing to where he's looking.
Cuphead turns to see what his brother is talking about. He sees a boat at the beach close to their home. Then he notices something inside of it. He sees something red.
Cuphead says, "I think there's someone in there."
What should we do?" Mugman asks.
"Let's check this out. Someone might need help " Cuphead answers, and make his way to the boat. Mugman follows after him.
The two brothers reach the boat to see it not having any damage. When they look inside. They are shocked to see the young girl with tan skin and short crimson red hair in the boat, unconscious.
"Oh no!" Mugman exclaims.
He turns to his brother, and asks, "Cuphead, is she… alright?"
"Looks like it. She's not hurt or anything. But she looked tired, and soaked," Cuphead says.
He turns to Mugman, and says, "We need to take her to Elder Kettle."
"You're right. He can help her," Mugman says.
The two brothers take opposite sides of the boat and lift it over their heads. Then the two brothers being to carry the boat with the girl sleeping inside.
At a small light gown house with a chimney and stove pipe, there is a tall, elderly, light gold grayish kettle sitting on a rocking chair. He has a light gray mustache, light gray gloves, and gold grayish shoes. He is simply sitting on the chair,wondering the boys have gone.
His question has been answer when the one of the them shout, "Elder Kettle! Elder Kettle!"
The kettle become surprised and stand up to see the two cup brothers running towards the house with a boat over their head.
Elder Kettle gets up, and asks, "Boys, where were you? And where did you get that boat?"
"We'll explain later, but there is someone who needs help," Cuphead answers
Elder Kettle looks inside the boat to see the girl sleeping in the boat.
"Come on boys, let's bring her inside. And then, you boys are going to explain to me where you two gone off too," Elder Kettle says.
Elder Kettle opens the door, and let the boys with the boat inside. Then he closed the door. After putting her to bed and is taken care of, they three leave the room. Then the boys explain to them the trouble they are in.
Meanwhile, the girl, Rose Red manages to open her eyes, and slowly moves her head. She looks to see she is not at sea anymore. She lifts her head up and hold her hand in her hand. Red Rose looks around to see she is in a room. There is a shelf with a lamp, a bookshelf, and a window with red curtains next to the bed. Red Rose gets out of bed, and head to the front door.
As she is about to open it, she hears a boy's voice saying, "And that's when we brought her to you. I've got ourselves into big trouble, and the girl seem to be in trouble as well."
"We're sorry Elder Kettle, we should have listen to you about staying away from that place, we're glad that the girl is alright," Another boy's voice says.
Curious, Red Rose slowly opens the door to hear the conversation. There she sees two young cupheaded boys and a elderly age kettle.
"I'm glad that she is alright too, Mugman. But my, what A fine pickle. You both have gotten into," The kettle calls Elder Kettle says.
"But what are we gonna do?" The boy names Mugman asks.
"Yeah. I don't want my soul stolen, but It doesn't feel right doing the Devil's work," the other boy says.
"I know, Cuphead. I know you don't what to be pawns of the Devil. But if you both refuse… I can't bear to imagine your fate," Elder Kettle says.
"So what do we do?" The boy Cuphead asks.
"You must play along for now. Collect those contracts. And you'd best be ready for some nasty business…" Elder Kettle says.
"Why?" The boys asks.
"Your debtor 'friends' won't be very friendly once you confront them. In fact, I expect they'll transform into terrible beasts," Elder Kettle answer.
Elder Kettle takes three bottles of liquid out of the his pot, and says, "Take these potions so they won't hang you out to dry. They will give you the most remarkable magical abilities."
Elder Kettle gives the boys a bottle. The two look at the bottle with curious looks, and not sure what this potion will do to them.
Cuphead notice the third one in Elder Kettle's head, and asks, "What's the third one for?"
"Well the third one is four our guest. In fact, I believed she has been listening to our conversation," Elder Kettle says with a calm smile.
The two brothers turn their heads to see the girl they have found has been listening to their conversation with the door slightly open. The girl look down, feeling a bit nervous about talking to strangers.
"It's okay, there's no need to be afraid. The boys and I are here to help," Elder Kettle says.
The girl looks down on the floor with a shy look on her face. She then opens the door more and exits the room. Then the girl walks to the two cup boys and the elderly kettle.
The girl rubs her left arm with her write hand, and quietly says, "Hello."
"Hello young lady. My name is Elder Kettle, and these are my boys, Cuphead…" Elder Kettle says.
"Hello," the boy with the red shorts says.
"And Mughead," Elder Kettle adds.
The boy with the blue shorts haves his hand, and says, "Hi."
"Hello," The girl replies.
"What's your name?" Cuphead asks.
"My name is Rose Red, but you can call me rose if you like," Red Rose introduces herself.
"Hi Rose Red," the two boys reply.
Then Mugman asks, "So Rose, what were you doing sleeping in the boat."
"Well, um, you see…" Red Rose sadly says.
Then she explains the three about what has happened. After hearing Red Rose's story, they feel sorry for her.
"We're sorry for what happen to you Rose," Cuphead says.
"I wish there's a way to help you, but we don't know how. We also have our own problem as well," Mugman adds.
"I remember hearing your conversation about the Devil and that you have to collect soul contracts," Red Rose remembers.
"Yeah. It's my fault. I betted our lives and lost. And the Devil said that he'd spare us if we collect the run away debtor's contracts," Cuphead explains.
"That… Really sucks. And collects the contracts is the only way out of it? Red Rose replies.
"Afraid so," Mugman says.
Red Rose look at the two brothers and can see the two are in real trouble. They seem like nice boys who end up going to the wrong place. A part of her wants to help them, but another side says that she needs to find her dad and wonder if he is able to reach the island with his ship.
Red Rose has an idea, "Maybe… I can come with you."
The three look at Red Rose with shocked expressions on their faces.
"Rose, you can't!" Mugman exclaims.
"Mugs is right. This is something my brother and I had to do on our own, and we don't want to put her endanger," Cuphead says.
"I know, but you all helped me when I was in trouble even though you had your own problem. I want to help you get yourselves out of this mess. Also…" Red Rose explains. Then Red Rose turn herself away with a sad look.
Elder Kettle puts her hand on her shoulder with a calm sad look on her face.
"You also want to find your father, and see if he's are here," Elder Kettle suspects.
"Yeah. I never been on the island before, and I no know if my father and his ship reach the island during the storm. But still, I want to help you. It might be dangerous, but my father always tell me to help those who are I need, especially friend," Red Rose explains.
Then she nervously asks, "That is… If we are friends?"
The two look eat each other thinking about it. Then they both smile and face Red Rose.
"Of course we'll be your friend," Cuphead says.
"It's very generous that you want to help us out even though we just met," Mugman says with a smile.
"Well, it looks like you three are going to have quite an adventure. They three have different missions, yet going on the same path," Elder Kettle says.
He gives Red Rose the third bottle, and says, "Here you go. You're going to need it too for the adventure you'll be on with the boys."
Red Rose nod her heads in reply. Soon, all three drink the bottles and they feel like they gain strength, agility and special powers.
"Wow! I never feel this strong before!" Rose Red says.
"Yeah. I can feel us having magical abilities, and stuff," Cuphead says.
"Now that you two are powered up, you all better be on our way. I want you all to be a careful and stick together," Elder Kettle says.
"Okay," The three friends reply.
After saying their goodbyes, Cuphead, Mugman, and Red Rose head out on their adventure. They are walking down the forest to find their first person on the list.
Rose Red asks, "So how maybe people are on that list anyway?"
"Apparently, there are seventeen debtors on the list. So there are seventeen contexts we need to collect," Mugman says, holding the parchment paper.
"That's a lot," Rose Red says.
"You can say that again. What's worse, the Devil said that we have until midnight tomorrow to collect all the contracts. Otherwise, he'll be the one collecting ours," Cuphead says.
"That's rough," Rose Red replies.
"Yeah. We in for a long journey with not much time," Mugman says.
"Then we better find the first one on the list," Rose Red replies.
"Right," Cuphead replies.
The three friends continues to journey on through the first to find the first debtor to get the contracts from. They know it's not going to be easy, but they are together so they might have a chance to get all of them. And also, Rose Red hopes to find her dad.
