Chapter 2: Putting Down Roots

The boys woke up at the same time and looked out the window to see the sky was beginning to turn from an inky-blue to a lighter blue, though the sun had not yet risen. Looking at each other, they nodded. "We might as well get started," Cuphead said.

Mugman sniffled. "I miss Elder," he whimpered.

"Me too," his brother said.

As they got ready for the day, they noted how cold and empty the house seemed without Elder there. Grabbing the list, some coins, and packing some food to take with them, they locked up the house and began walking down the path. "Okay, so the first ones on the list are the Root Pack," Mugman said. "Weepy the Onion, Moe the Potato, and Psych the Carrot."

Cuphead sighed. "Wonder what they did to be in debt to that monster?" He said. "Guess we'll find out soon."

Because they hadn't gotten much sleep the night before, they walked the path slowly, but also tried to keep alert in case someone was coming. They were afraid to really run into anybody as the person might be on the list.

Mugman sighed. "I wish we didn't have to do this," he said.

"Me too," Cuphead agreed. "But...we've got no choice if we want to save Elder."

The blue mug began crying, tears falling down his face as he tried not to cry aloud. Seeing his brother crying, the red cup hugged him, a few tears falling down his face as they continued walking down the path, not seeing anyone that early in the morning. They soon came to a signpost with three arrows on it. One arrow read 'Elder Kettle's Home' and pointed to the way they had just come from while the other two read "Root Pack's Garden" going to the right and "Hilda's Hanger" going to the left.

"Looks like we go to the right," Mugman said.

The two continued walking and soon heard whistling that sounded cheerful.

"How's the garden look so far, Psych?" A voice asked.

"Looks good, Moe," said another voice.

"Oh, it looks like frost from a few nights ago didn't do as much damage as we thought," said a third voice.

"Good thing too," said the first voice. "How about the radishes, Weepy? Do they look okay?"

"Yes," the third voice replied.

Cuphead and Mugman looked at each other and swallowed hard before sneaking around quietly, hoping to see who the Root Pack was first before they were spotted. Hiding behind a bush, they carefully parted the branches and looked to see a carrot, a potato, and an onion tending to the garden. The carrot looked in their direction and the boys quickly ducked down to avoid being spotted.

Psych stared at the bushes and motioned to his brothers. "I think we've got company," he whispered to them. "In the bushes."

"I'll take a look," Moe said before he vanished underground.

Weepy looked around, wondering who could be watching them. Suddenly, twin cries of alarm were heard and the two boys hiding in the bushes jumped over them, fear on their faces before one of them tripped and the other went to help him as Moe came out, looking at the two. "So here are the two spies," he said.

Cuphead helped Mugman up and stood in front of his brother, gently pushing him to walk backwards. The blue mug didn't argue as he backed up, watching the three vegetables with wide eyes as Cuphead stood his ground, but looked afraid.

"What are you boys doing here?" Weepy asked, a note of concern in his voice.

Psych noticed the kids' behavior and he looked concerned too. "Are you boys lost?" He asked.

Neither one answered and Moe went back underground, popping up behind them and grabbing them, making the boys cry out in alarm again. "Let go!" The red cup demanded.

"Please!" The blue mug pleaded.

Weepy came up and he took the blue mug into his arms. "Shh, shh," he soothed him, cradling the boy in his arms. "Don't be afraid."

Psych came up and took the red cup from his brother. "Okay, settle down there," he said to the struggling boy, holding him in a hug. "We're not going to hurt you two."

"Come on," Moe said. "Let's get them inside."

The Root Pack went inside their home and set the boys down on the couch. "Moe, how about you get them some hot chocolate?" Weepy suggested. "You always make the best hot chocolate."

"That'll cheer them up for sure," Psych said in agreement. "Weepy and I will stay here with them."

"Alright," the potato said, heading for the kitchen.

Cuphead held his brother close as they looked up at their captors, who noticed how scared they looked. "Hey, it's okay," Weepy said.

"Why were you spying on us though?" Psych asked gently.

The boys looked at each other and Mugman looked at them. "A monster came and took our guardian away," he said tearfully. "If we want to see him again, we have to do what the monster says."

Moe, coming out with the hot chocolate, looked at the boys. "What is the monster making you do?" He asked, having a bad feeling about the situation while he handed the two a mug of hot chocolate each.

Cuphead sighed. "We have to collect the debts owed to him," he said. "He gave us a list of those that owed him and...you guys were first on the list."

Weepy gasped in shock. "Not him," he said in worry.

Psych looked saddened. "So that's why you two were so scared of us," he said.

Mugman looked at them. "Is...Is it true you owe the monster a debt?" He asked.

Moe nodded. "Yeah, we do," he said sadly.

"But...why would he force you two to collect the debts?" Weepy asked.

"Because he knew that if he threatened the boys' guardian, they'd do anything to ensure his safety," Psych said, feeling anger that the monster was stooping so low.

Cuphead looked worried. "We don't want to collect the debts, but...," he trailed off.

"You have no choice if you want your guardian back," Moe finished softly.

Mugman sniffled as tears fell down his face. Psych picked him up and held him comfortingly, rocking him as the boy cried. Moe did the same for Cuphead while Weepy looked sympathetic. "How long did the monster give you?" He asked them.

"One month, starting yesterday," Cuphead said.

Psych noticed how tired they looked. "You boys didn't sleep well last night, did you?" He asked.

"No," Mugman admitted. "Because that monster took our guardian away."

The Root Pack looked at each other before nodding. "You boys can stay here for the night," Moe said. "In the meantime, you want to help us in the garden?"

That sounded like a good idea and the two brothers nodded, helping out the three with the garden and before they knew it, night had fallen. Psych showed them to the bathroom and the two washed up, changing into pajamas before they stepped out and Weepy picked them up. "Come on," he said. "We've got macaroni and cheese."

That perked the boys up a bit and after they had eaten, they were struggling to stay awake. Moe scooped them up into his arms and brought them into the living room where Psych and Weepy had pulled out the couch bed and gotten it ready for the night. The potato gently set the boys on the bed while his brothers tucked the boys in. Mugman woke up and looked at them. "Wait," he said, making them look at him. "Don't go. Please."

"We'll be right here, kiddo," Psych promised. "By the way, we never got your name or your brother's name."

"Mugman," the mug responded.

Cuphead woke up a little. "Cuphead," he said.

Weepy gently rubbed the cup's head. "Don't worry," he said soothingly. "We're not leaving."

"You kids get a good night's sleep," Moe said gently as he gently rubbed Mugman's head. "You'll feel better when morning comes."

Exhausted from a lack of sleep the night before and feeling a bit better from the kindness of the Root Pack, the two brothers fell into a sound sleep while the three vegetables settled down in sleeping bags in the living room, determined to help the boys get their guardian back.

And find a way to be free of the debt they owed.

Looks like the boys have some allies, but how will it go? Next up: the boys meet some more friends.

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GoldGuardian2418