Chapter 28: The Lost Soul

Cuphead and Mugman scream through the portal as they hold the contract and Red Rose in their arms. After time of flying through the vortex, they falls into the ocean with a big splash. The two are doing their best to stay a float as they carry Red Rose.

Cuphead looks around, and says, "We need to get back to shore before we sinks along with Rose."

"And before we lose the contracts too," Mugman adds.

Cuphead and Mugman begins to swim across the ocean to find the first sight of land. Suddenly, something has lift them up in from the ocean.

"What's going on?!" Mugman asks in surprise.

"I don't know, but we're about to find out," Cuphead answers in surprise.

Surprising enough, the two cup brothers find themselves on top of a big manta ray.

Cuphead looks at the sea creature, and says, "Wow! I never see a giant manta ray up close before."

"Me either," Mugman replies.

Then Mugman asks, "But… Where did the Ray come from?"

"Over here!" A female voice calls out.

The boys look to see the large mermaid with a octopus for hair.

The mermaid calls out, "Alright Ray, bring them here!"

The manta ray swims the boys over to the mermaid. Cuphead and Mugman are surprised to see the giant mermaid here.

Mugman blushes a bit, and turns his head with a shy look, "Um, hello, uh, who are you?"

"I'm Cala Maria. It's nice to meet you. I saw that Red Rose is in trouble so I decided to help you. Is she alright why she's sleeping?" Cala Maria says with a smile.

The boys becomes sadden, and turn to Red Rose with depressed looks on their faces.

"Red Rose… is not a sleep," Cuphead answers.

"It's the Devil. He… he… he took Red Rose's soul," Mugman cries as tears pours out of his face

Cala Maria gasp, "What?!"

"It's true. He took her soul right in front of us and tried to get rid of her. He need to get Red Rose back to shore. And we need to find a way to get her soul back," Cuphead answers.

Cala Maria maks a serious face, and nod her head, "Don't worry, we'll reach to shore no problem. But first, I know a safe place for Red Rose."

Cala Maria and the manta ray, swim back to shore with the cups and young girl in tow. They swim as fast as they can back to the shore.

At the docks, Captain Brineybeard and his crew are working on the boat after the fight. Luckily, they have finish with fixing the Barnacle up.

"Well crew, the Barnacle is back in tip top shape. Now let's head back inside and get some rest," Brineybeard says.

Suddenly, the pirate wearing the bandana says, "Captain, Cala Maria is coming this way, and has two cups sitting on a manta ray."

Captain Brineybeard brings out his telescope out, and looks through it to see the mermaid, and the two cups sitting on the sea animal. What's more, they're coming this way.

The pirate with the red hair asks, "Captain, should we prepare in case she attack."

"No. She's not on the verge of attacking. Something must be going on is she bringing children to safety," Brineybeard answers.

"I think that's Cuphead and Mugman she with," A female voice speaks up.

Brineybeard looks behind him to see Hilda, Sally, Rumor, Djimmi, Dr. Kahl, Ribby and Croaks, and Cagney.

"Hilda, it's good to see you. And I see you brought some guests," Brineybeard says.

"Yes. We were hoping if you saw Cuphead, Red Rose, and Mugman today," Hilda says.

"Red Rose, I saw her a few hours ago. And I have to say, she's definitely like her father," Brineybeard says.

"Yeah. that's what I'm worried about," Hilda worriedly says.

"It's it about the Devil, I'm sure they haven't ran into him yet," Brineybeard says.

The others turn around to see Cala Maria is at the docks with the manta ray having Cuphead, Mugman, and Red Rose at tow.

"Hilda, what are you doing here?" Cuphead asks.

"I wanted to see if you're alright, and some of them wanted to come too. I'm guessing you haven't went to see the Devil yet," Hilda answers.

Cuphead and Mugman slowly shake their heads.

"More like the opposite. We met the Devil, and refused to give him the contracts. We tried to fight back, and… and…" Mugman sadly says, and begins to shed tears.

Cuphead kneels down to Red Rose, and holds her by the head has his arm wrapped from the front, "He… he did this to Red Rose."

Everyone look a bit confused. Then Hilda noticed the pale look on Red Rose's face, and not breath.

Hilda covers her mouth with a shocked look, and quietly says, "No."

Cuphead sadly nods his head in reply.

Later on, Cuphead and Mugman explain what happened while being in the casino. And how Red Rose end up getting her soul stolen away. Hearing the story, Brineybeard has placed Red Rose on a soft bed with a pillow under her head and covered with with a sheet so she can rest peacefully.

Cuphead and Mugman look at Red Rose with sadness and remorse. Hilda, Rumor, and Brineybeard join them in the room. Cuphead decides to walk out the room, and head to the deck. Cuphead continues to walk until he reach the railing. Dr. Kahl and the others can only watch as they see the depression Cuphead has. Mugman joins Cuphead in the remorse.

Hilda and Rumor walk out while Brineybeard watches over Red Rose.

Cagney growls in anger and pulls two off his petals, "Arrgh! Why did the Devil take her soul?! She never made a deal with the Devil anyhow?!"

"Cagney, I think you know why," Hilda says.

"Yeah. But I still don't like it," Cagney replies.

"This is just awful .And with Storm returning to the island after all these years," Ribby says.

"I don't think I want to think of what will happen if he knew," Croaks replies.

Rumor sadly says, "Poor Bonnie, and Storm."

"They'll be heartbroken when they find out," Cala Maria replies.

"But what can we do?" Mugman asks.

Cuphead whips a tear from his face, "This is all my fault. I'm so sorry."

"Cuphead, I don't think… " Mugman sadly says.

Cuphead shouts, "Yes it is! I'm the one who talked you into going to that casino! I'm the one who gambled our lives to the Devil! We promised Elder Kettle, but I didn't listen! And now… Red Rose has her soul taken away! Rose was in this mess because of me! And… and… it should have been my soul he should have took, not Rose!"

Cuphead begins to cry having his face on the railing of the ship. Mugman can tell that Cuphead feels awful about this whole thing. Mugman walks back to the others and they can see Cuphead feels strong remorse for Red Rose.

Mugman then takes out the contracts and look at each one seeing the names of those who will lose their souls if the Devil has them. But when he stops at Red Rose's mother, baroness Von Bon Bon's contract, he notices something strange.

"That's… weird… part of Red Rose's mother's contract is partly burned," Mugman replies.

Everyone becomes confused to hear it. Cuphead even lifts his head up, and turns to wonder what his brother is talking about.

Djimmi looks at the burned part, "He's right, part of Bon Bon's is burned."

"But that's impossible. I tried to burn my contract before, and it never burned," Sally denies.

"But part of his is burned," Ribby says.

"How did that happen?" Croaks wonder.

"I don't know. I remember we were at the Devil's layer, and when he strike us with our magic, I dropped one of the contracts. But it got sucked through the portal with us," Mugman explains.

"But how did the contract got burned?" Cagney wonders.

Cuphead begins to wonder that himself. He remembers when the Devil repels he and his friends magic and strike back at them. Suddenly, he remembers the Devil's layer has volcanoes and fires around. He realizes that's when the contract must have been touched by the flames.

Suddenly, Cuphead exclaims, "That's it!"

Everyone look at Cuphead with confused looks.

"What's it?" Mugman asks.

"Don't you see. Sally just said she tried to destroy her contract, but couldn't work. And now you have a contract that is partly burned after being out of the Devil's layer. The Devil's place has volcanoes and fires around. I don't think normal means can destroy the contracts…" Cuphead explains.

Suddenly, Mugman understands, "Golly Cuphead, that's it! The fire in the Devil's layer must have burned the contract. The fire the Devil possess must be the only way to destroy the contracts."

"Exactly. And the only way to destroy the contracts and save Red Rose is to go back to the casino, and take the Devil down!" Cuphead says.

Everyone gasp in shock.

"Are you crazy?! You two nearly got away in one piece!" Cagney screams.

"I know it's dangerous, but it's the only way to save Red Rose and get you all out of the Devil's debt," Cuphead says.

"He's right. Red Rose is our friend. We gotta help her," Mugman says.

Hilda smiles, "Sounds like you two really care for her."

"Yeah. She's great," Mugman says.

"But are you sure you both be able to beat the Devil?" Rumor asks.

"He may have beat us before, but he's not going to beat us now," Cuphead says.

"Yeah. We're not going to let him push us around anymore," Mugman agrees.

Then Cuphead says, "If we can defeat the Devil, then we can save Red Rose's soul, and free everyone from his debt."

Cuphead turns to Mugman, and says, "Let's go bro.

"For Red Rose!" Mugman shouts.

With that, the boys runs down from the plank, and on to the docks. Then they make their way back to the Casino to face the Devil once more.

Rumor asks, "Do you think they can do it?"

"Indeed, they're both small. But then again, they have been able to defeat us. If they really want to save Red Rose and put a stop to the Devil's deed, then I'm sure they'll be able to fight back," Dr. Kahl says.

"I agree. Those two are strong," Hilda says.

Cala Maria giggles, "I think it will bound to happen. I think the boys like Red Rose."

"You mean like two knights trying to save the same girl?" Sally questions.

Cagney rolls his eyes, "Sounds a bit sappy if you ask me."

"Well, I believe in the boys. I just wish there's more we can do for them," Djimmi says.

"I think the best we can do is watch Red Rose for them, and hope that they will be able to defeat the Devil," Hilda answers.

Hilda and the others look ahead to see Cuphead and Mugman leave for the fight.

In the cabin, Hilda walks into the room to see Brineybeard watching over Red Rose.

"Hilda, I didn't hear you come in," Brineybeard says.

"Sorry, but I should let you know that the boys decide to fight against the Devil to save Red Rose and free us from our debt," Hilda says.

"The boys must be brave, or crazy to take him on. But… I think I know why," Brineybeard says.

He looks at Red Rose and rubs her head, "If the boys are doing what they're doing. Then have no fear Red Rose, I believe the boys will return with your soul in their hand."