Chapter 3: Clip Joint Calamity
After getting the contract from the Root Rack, Cuphead, Mugman, and Red Rose are heading to their next destination. Of course, Cuphead and Mugman have a good idea where to find them.
"The next one we need to find are Ribby and Croaks. I remember reading them on the paper saying that are professional boxers," Cuphead says, looking at the list.
"So they're fighter, huh. That won't be so easy to beat them. Then again, I've done some wrestling and sword fighting with my dad and his crew, but I never deal with boxers before," Red Rose says.
"That pretty cool," Cuphead replies with a smile.
Mugman asks, "Say Rose, what is your dad like? And what's it like to be a daughter of a captain and living on a ship?"
"Well, I get to go to different places across the sea, meet different people and other beings, trying out different activities and other kinds fun. You get to smell the ocean breeze, feel the wind in your hair, and see all kinds of creatures in the ocean," Red Rose explains.
"Sounds like you got a lot of adventures," Cuphead replies.
"You could say that. There's tones of stories for me to choose from," Red Rose says with a grin on her face.
"Maybe you can tell us later cause I think we reach our destination," Mugman says, pointing ahead.
Cuphead and Red Rose look at where Mugman is pointing to, seeing the place they need to go. They see a large boat that is next to the docks. The boat has a blue base with some red covers streaming on the side, there are windows on the top of the boat, that looks like a building or a room, and there is a large red paddle wheel behind it.
"Wow! That's a showboat," Red Rose says, looking amazed.
"So this is where we'll find the two frogs," Mugman replies.
"I think I remember hearing that the boat also has a wrestling ring or something like that. But I do know that the boat has a restaurant with a bar inside," Cuphead says.
"Then let's go inside, and see if we can find them," Red Rose says.
The brothers nod their heads, and the three friends go inside the showboat to find the debtors and to see what goes on inside.
When they go inside, they are in awed to see what they're seeing. They see many different characters having a lot of fun inside. There are people eating, drinking, and dancing. There's even a stage with a band on it playing jazz music. There is also a bar at the far right side of the boat. Waiters carrying trays of foods and drinks on it. This place looks like a big party.
"This place is amazing," Cuphead says.
"Yeah. I never been here before," Mugman replies.
"This place looks like one of those clubs for adults. Are we even allowed in?" Red Rose wonders.
"I'm sure it will be fine. We can also get some food and drinks while we're here," Cuphead says.
"I don't have any money with me," Red Rose confirms.
"That's alright. We can help with that," Mugman says.
Sometime later, the three kids are sitting on the table having some water and some snacks.
"I appreciate buying for me, but I don't want to be a burden," Red Rose says.
"You got nothing to worry about. After all, you're traveling with us to help us save our souls," Mugman says.
"Right," Red Rose replies.
As the three have their snacks and their water, they look around to see if they can find the boxers.
"Guys! Look over there," Mugman quietly calls out.
Cuphead and Red Rose turn to where Mugman is showing them. At one of the longer tables, they can see two large frogs having drinks. The first frog is name Croaks. He is brown, tall, and has a white underside. That frog is wearing a maroon belt, brown boxing gloves, and red legging. The other one name Ribby is shorter than the taller frog. This frog is green and has a white underside. He is wearing a red belt with matching boxing gloves, and white leggings.
Red Rose asks, "So that's them? Ribby and Croaks?"
"That's right," Cuphead says, nodding his head.
"Let's see if we can talk to them and explain the situation. Maybe they'll go easy on us," Red Rose suggest.
"Alright. If not, then we'll fight them," Cuphead says.
"Agree," Red Rose and Mugman reply, nodding their head.
They then begin to finish having their food and drinks. After finishing their snack, and drinks, along with leaving some coins. The three go to confront the two frogs. When they approach the frogs, they can hear them laughing, and have a good time.
Cuphead calmly asks, "Excuse us, are you Ribby and Croaks?"
"We are. Who wants to know?" Ribby answers.
"There probably fans or something," Croaks suspects.
Then the two continue to have their drinks.
Red Rose calmly says "Actually, there's something we have to tell you."
"What that?" Ribby questions.
"We're here to collect so well like it if you can…" Cuphead answers, show the repossessing parchment.
But the two stop drinking and look at the children in surprise.
"Wait a minute! The Devil sent two cups and little girl to collect our contract?" Croaks questions in shock.
"Uh, it's just the two of us who are collecting your contract," Mugman clarifies.
"Yes. Our friend is tagging along," Cuphead adds.
There is a quiet moment between the two groups. Just then, the two frogs begin to laugh at them, and it's rather hard and loud.
"The Devil must be really desperate to send two teacups and a little princess after us!" Croaks mocks.
"Why don't you go on home?! It's almost your bedtime," Ribby insults.
The three kids aren't saying a word because they are being mocked. Red Rose is especially shocked to hear what Croaks has called her.
Red Rose manages to question, "Princess?"
"Did you guys just called me princess?!" Red Rose adds as she make disapproved look on her face.
"Yeah. So what?" Ribby remarks.
"You don't seem to know who you're dealing with princess. You and your little teacup friends," Croaks adds.
"Don't call us tea cups!" The cup brothers angrily shouts at them.
"And don't call me princess either!" Red Rose says with the same expression as her friends.
Croaks chuckles, get up from his seat, and says, "Looks like we struck a few nerves."
Then he says, "So you want our contracts…"
"You're going to have to beat them out of us," Ribby adds.
"You are so on!" Cuphead says, accepting the challenge.
Ribby and Croaks waste no time trying to use their boxing skills against them. They keep throwing punches at them. Mostly at Cuphead and Mugman. Ribby spits out flaming flies, and they begin to fly at them. Red Rose shoots the flies down with beams from her finger. Cuphead and Mugman are able to shoot at the two frogs, but they also get punches in the face.
Cuphead rubs his face, as he says, "Those guys are tougher than I thought."
"And it looks like they're not done yet," Mugman says.
The three look to see Croaks curls himself on the ball, and fastly rolls himself directly at the kids. Red Rose and Mugman move out of the way, while Cuphead jumps over them.
"That was close," Mugman says.
"Yeah. But it looks like they're planning to attack us from both sides," Red Rose says.
The two brothers look to see Ribby and Croaks are facing them from opposite sides. Just then, Ribby lifts his leg up, has his arms wide, and spin around his upper body like a fan. That creates a strong wind that is enough to push the three friend back. Croaks then creates balls of energy with his fist, and are going at the three friends.
Red Rose sees this, and says, "They're trying to attack us by having us cornered."
"Just keep shooting. Mugman and I will take on Ribby, and you get Croaks," Cuphead directs.
"Right," Red Rose says.
"You got it," Mugman says.
Red Rose begins to fire at Croaks while Cuphead and Mugman fire at Ribby, but they try their best to dodge the attack and being blown by the wind current.
After finishing of the two frog fighters, Red Rose decides to give them a little message they'll never forget. Suddenly, the wind and the attacks have stop.
Mugman asks, "Do you think they're finish?"
"No… but you three sure are," Croaks answers.
The three looks to see Croaks is turning himself into a ball again, is about to flat then. Luckily, they are able to dodge out of the way. After landing on the ground, they turn to see Ribby has swallow Croaks, and they both turn into a giant slot machine.
"Woah!" The three exclaim.
The slot machine begin laughing the two frogs laughter.
"Try to see if your teacup friends can beat us princess," The frogs mocks.
Red Rose angrily shouts, "Don't call me… princess!"
"Worry about the insults later," Mugman advise.
The next moment, the giant combined slot machine begin to shoot out coins at them .Luckily, the three dodge the coins at the nick of time. Suddenly, the handle goes down, and is blinking red.
Cuphead wonders, "What does that thing do?"
Cuphead kicks the slot's handle to see what happens. Then, the spinners on the machine begins to spin, and lands on a picture of what is looks like a red bull. Just then, the bottom part opens, and red disks with spikes around begins to come at them. Then fire comes out either on the top of the bottom of them.
"Look out!" Red Rose shouts.
The three go over and under the disk depending on where to avoid the fire, and they continue to fire. Once the red disks are gone, the spinner spins again, and lands on three pictures of something yellow. Then green hovering disk are coming down on the floor, and have spikes around them. The three jump up, and run and jump on them as they continue to fire.
Just then, the two are unable to hold on to the form anymore, and the kids shoot them a lot of times for them to chance back to normal. When Cuphead and Mugman is about to confront the two frogs. Red Rose walks over them, and decides to give them a few words to the two frogs.
She gives the boys punches as she angrily shouts, "DON'T… CALL ME… PRINCESS!"
The last blow hits the two frogs to the wall. At the same time, knocking the soul contract off of Ribby's possession. The contract rolls to Red Rose's feet, and she picks it with a with a stern look on her face.
Ribby waves white flag as he says in pain, "Oh! We surrender."
"Yeah. I can't believe we just got beaten by a girl," Croaks says, feeling is back aching.
"I know. She's a tough one," Ribby agrees.
Soon the two frogs fall unconscious due to the blow Red Rose has given them.
Red Rose giggles, and says, "Thank you boys, that wa a great match we have. We should do it again some time."
Then she walks way as she makes her way to the boys.
Red Rose stops in front of them, and says, "Come on guys, let's be on our way."
Then Red Rose walks past them, and begin to leave the room who are showing stunned and yet amazed looks on their faces. Even Cuphead and Mugman are impressed and stunned at the same time.
Mugman leans to Cuphead, and says, "Remind me to never call Red Rose a princess in vain."
"You said it bro," Cuphead agrees.
The two brothers begin to follow Red Rose and leave the boat to continue with their contract collecting.
Little do the boys know, is that someone else has seen the whole thing. This person has a dice for a head, each side shows a number of dots like a normal one. The one dot has his face, representing the nose. He has black color eyes, and a mustache. He is wearing white gloves, a light purple tuxedo jacket, a pale purple vest with two slightly more purple buttons, white shirt, dark purple tuxedo pants, shiny light purple shoes, and a violet bow tie. This man is Kind Dice, the Devil's right hand man.
King Dice has been ordered to keep an eye on the boys, but notice Red Rose, the new addition to their party here as he is leaning against the pillar in the restaurant. He makes a sinister look on his face, and knows that his boss needs to be inform about this. He disappears through the hole on the floor to pay a little visit to his boss.