Cuphead planned to distract his grandpa again so that his little brother could get in another strike. He began to charge up a powerful blast when a furry body pounced in front of him. David stared down the young cup. For he was giving more help than the demonic creature had actually expected. It snorted before leaning its head down and addressing the little cup.
"You're being a bit too useful." He sneered.
"Oh, yeah? Well, if you don't get out of the way, I'll blast you too!" Cuphead boldly said to the Devil. The young cup wasn't standing down. He was determined to see that he help Mugman instead of causing damage like he did last time. There was no way his little brother was going to die again while he was still living.
"Go ahead. I dare you!" Yellow eyes narrowed just as the pupils did. The cat-like slits of the pupils bore down onto the child. But Cup wasn't about to show fear at a time like this. "If you attack me, I'll put you into the realm of demons!" It threatened.
Still not willing to give in, Cuphead brazenly let his orange pulse of energy hit the black creature at close range.
"Ugh!" David grunted as the smoke engulfed his head. His round melon jerked to the side, feeling a slight pop in the back of his neck. It reminded him that he was still not back to full power. And he may never truly be. For he had abused his body so much over time, assuming that immortality would keep him safe. He had not known that his body was really only good for as long as his faun body was supposed to be. The dark spirit can lengthen the victim's life if – and only if – they refrain from doing stunts that would otherwise kill a mortal body. In reality, the faun was as old as the kettle. His body started to feel all those years add up. He was not the young and sly puffball he used to be. David started to realize this, which was why he was entrusting his fellow demons to aid him.
His fangs gritted together in a snarl as the smoke started to dissipate. Yellow eyes glared through the smoke before the creature ultimately lunged. A gray paw seized the cup child's torso. It began to drag him away from the continuing brawl and closer to the swirling mass of tentacled creatures. Cuphead could feel the pool of evil drawing closer. The swirling portal gave off a truly uneasy vibe that was sure to put a chill down anyone's spine, even if they were evil themselves. Even the Devil stood back a couple of paces and began to lower the child toward the vortex of darkness. Cup felt his back rub against the stone rim of the portal and start to slide over. It was mere seconds before the dark creature would let him plummet to his untimely death. The fear Cuphead felt was overwhelming. His little glass body panicked. For he tried anything and everything to get out of the furry creature's grip.
Hope started to slip away as he felt a warm, viscous substance touch the back of his cup. The child gasped when he felt three tentacles seize his arm. For any kind of contact from a mortal being was like a homing beacon for the demons that dwelled within. The strong appendages gave a slight tug to see how hard its master was holding on. It was still firm. David was certainly making it clear that he wanted the cup child's death to be a slow and painful one. The suspense only made the demonic creature enjoy this sacrifice all the more.
Poor Cuphead was scared. He had the Devil holding onto his torso and a demon attached to his arm. The child could only hope that they wouldn't yank at the same time and rip him apart. But then something happened that neither one of them would have expected…
"Hey, kid! Don't be scared. It's me." A voice rang through Cuphead's mind. For it was the same demon that had inhabited his body during his fight with Mugman. "I wanna help!" It said.
Help? Yeah, right! Why should I believe you? The young cup silently retorted.
"I know you have no reason to believe me." Said the demon in its most unfriendly voice. Most of their species sounded very aggressive and belligerent anytime they talked. It was only Mug's demon who had spent so much time with the mortals that began to change his tone.
"But I saw something in that pair the other day that made me start thinking."
You mean Mugman? Cup inquired.
"Yes. I have never seen such a relationship between host and parasite before. Perhaps they are right….that there is another way of life. But we'll never know that if we are stuck in this rift of Hell. If I help you beat up this tyrant and save your family, will you give me a chance to prove myself something other than a mindless creature of destruction?" The dark voice asked with a hint of optimism. "I want to know what exists out there, what made our ally change his mind."
It didn't take Cuphead but a second to realize that this demon meant what he said.
Deal! The young cup shouted inside his head. He felt the creature proceed to enter his soul. Its squishy gray and translucent center squirmed itself into the boy's cup. It seemed to absorb through his head straight into the soul. Cup's body tensed up as he prepared to feel that awful snapping and growing pain of the transformation. And it did hurt, but not nearly as much as he was expecting. For the creature realized that such a fusion caused great stress to the host. And in this case, the cup child needed his strength to fight the dark overlord.
David saw that one of his minions entered the boy's soul. However, he failed to realize that it was the exact one that had started to turn against him. The Devil pulled Cuphead away from the portal and let him flop around on the cavern floor. A sly smile came over the demonic creature's face. He stepped back and awaited his slave to rise up. The cup's body stopped thrashing around and lay on its stomach as it stopped growing and mutating. Clawed hands pushed him up a little. Cup kept his eyes closed as his oversized head seemed to weigh him down a bit. Shallow breaths escaped between the large, pointed teeth.
This is so weird! The young cup commented. It's like I'm dreaming, but I can still move and feel the ground like I'm awake. Is this what Mugman feels every time this happens?
"Indeed." Boomed the demon inside his head. "But your brother's creature is many layers deeper. This 'dream-like' feel that you describe is likely much more intense for him. It's a wonder that they are able to collaborate the way they do. That being said, I will take their advice that you must add your input as to what we do….. even though it pains me not to make all of the decisions."
Thanks! I really appreciate it.
"Okay, so what's first?" The parasitic creature asked. "I would suggest taking the big man out of the picture."
Oh, yeah! Let's kick his ass until he begs for mercy!
The demon chuckled at the cup child's enthusiasm for beating up the ruler of Hell.
"I think you and I are going to get along just fine."
"Yes!" The Devil hissed in delight. "Now that it's two against one, the mug won't stand a chance! I can only imagine the look on his face when his brother beats him up for a third time!" He roared with laughter at the thought of Mug being pummeled by his entire family. On the other hand, it only made Cuphead mad. A growl started to gurgle in his throat as he pushed his mutated body to stand up. His humungous cup made him somewhat top heavy. The boy swayed back and forth, nearly sloshing out some liquid through his straw that was now purple and white. Fiery pupils flicked up to the Devil when he finally got his footing. The furry creature ceased his laughing and urged his slave to commence with the violence.
"Well? What are you waiting for? I told you to go beat the shit out of-!" But before he could finish his demand, Cuphead lunged forward with teeth and claws poised to strike. The cup child barreled into David, taking the walking pile of fluff off his feet. Large fangs clamped down on the first body part they came in contact with, which was a skinny arm.
"No! This cannot be!" Yowled the Devil as he struggled to get the disobedient slave off him. Cup kept his family's tormentor pinned to the ground, fangs still latched to its arm. Glowing red fists pummeled the creature's torso if it started to wiggle around too much. His yellow eyes drifted off to where Mugman tussled with their grandpa. He watched as the metallic kettle fell to its knees.
Now's our chance! Mug thought and charged forward, clawed hands prepared to grasp the vault door. A brown boot used the shield on the kettle's backside as a step to come down on his grandfather's head. Its skin had become so thick that the mug child didn't worry so much about hurting the kettle. Stepping on the metallic shell would certainly do no damage to it. Not even magic could penetrate the thick coating.
Protection on! The demon announced and brought a thick layer of dark blue magic to the boy's hands. After witnessing Cuphead getting his hands burned, it was clear that some sort of protection was needed from the intense heat that the mutated kettle could produce. Elder Kettle moaned in surprise when he felt his lid get seized. He immediately stood up and tried to get the pesky child off him. Just as expected, he started sending heat to his lid. The glass body on top of him wobbled one way and then another as his metallic body thrashed around. Mugman tried his best to get the circular rim to budge.
It's stuck! The young mug grunted, gritting his teeth tightly. For he could start to feel the heat under his gloves and knew he needed to hurry. We need to turn harder!
And eventually it started to turn with a rusted creak. Two rotations in a counterclockwise motion later and Mug was able to pop it open. Glowing eyes stared down into the black void before him. The demon invading his grandpa's body was somewhere down there. Mugman blindly reached in and felt around. His hand closed around the first thing he felt, which was the slimy and muscular end of a tentacle. The mug child immediately began to pull on it. Kettle's demon became frantic. It made his clawed hands shoot up and grab onto the boy. Mug could feel the claws dig into his torso and try to push him off. Fear and pain jabbed Mugman. For he began to bleed quite close to where his previous wound had been. The child's demon could feel his host's will start to weaken. It knew that a mortal's instinct was to protect itself from pain.
Don't let go, Mugman! We're almost there! Keep pulling! The parasitic creature was even exhausting its energy from prying at the other of his species. For it held on tight, not wanting to give up its prize. One by one, the dull purple tentacles started to spill out from the opening. They draped down over the kettle's face and around its shoulders.
Come…..on! Mug said, giving a final effort. With a squishy pop sound, both the mutated mug and the kettle's demon were ejected from their spot. The tentacled creature splat onto the ground by its master's throne and the mug child crashed into the wall of the cavern. His glass body slid down to a sitting position.
I….need to take a rest. Said the demon as it panted wildly. It reverted Mugman back to his original state, leaving the child to wallow in its painful, nauseous state. Sharp pains on his front side seemed to get worse every time he took a breath. All the while, his head and back throbbed with a different kind of pain. It ultimately made the young mug quite dizzy. His mug bobbed back and forth as his guardian peacefully reverted back to normal.
Relief washed over Cuphead. A warm breath emitted between his large fangs. David watched open-mouthed as the young mug had succeeded in saving his grandpa. The round, black head flushed with hate. But it could still do nothing. Its former slave kept its iron grip on his arm. A fist pounded his gut when he started to thrash about.
Elder Kettle finally started to come to. The elderly person quickly realized that he was still in the Devil's lair. Feeling started to come back to his body. For it felt like it had been given a good stretch. It no longer felt the ache of aged joints. The demon seemed to have given his body a good workout that he would have not otherwise been able to do. His vision settled on the young cup over in the corner. But the boy that sat before him….. it was not Cuphead. There was no mistaking those blue shorts and nose. But how could this be? He had watched the poor little mug dying before his own eyes. It made Kettle wonder if he was dreaming. But there was no mistaking that unforgivable heat of the Devil's lair. No, he wasn't dreaming. There was indeed a little mug sitting slumped against the wall.
"Mugman?" His voice cautiously called out. Mug certainly perked up at his guardian's voice. Quick breaths came from the child as he tried his best to keep his head from bobbing around. "I can't believe it! You're alive!" The kettle beamed and started to scramble to his boy. Mug, however, was alarmed at this sudden change in mood. He was still expecting his guardian to turn on him. Out of instinct, he gasped and pulled his arms up to protect himself. Kettle stopped on the spot. Mugman shivered, daring not to look at Elder Kettle just yet. The elderly glassware took in the mug child's body language. His gaze fell to the eight holes in the boy's shirt. White life essence could be seen trickling from these puncture wounds. Color drained from the tan kettle's face as he realized this was not the wound Cuphead had given to him. No, it must have been he who had done it. For the last thing he remembered was a demon latching onto him. There was no other explanation for what had happened during his blackout. And no excuse.
Mug slowly lowered his arms as he made eye contact with his grandfather. Elder Kettle went to continue his path. For he wanted – no he needed – to show the little mug the affection that it longed for and that it deserved. Mugman's body stayed loose as two gloved hands went to pick him up. It surprised both of them when the child got lifted off the ground so easily. Kettle was careful not to put pressure on the mug's visible wounds. He held him out where he could see him for a couple seconds. Tears welled up in the kettle's eyes, realizing how much pain and suffering he had put his boys through by keeping his past a secret for so long. And then Mugman found himself in that hug that he had desired. Now that it was here, he struggled to react accordingly. His hands hovered over the elder's shoulder, finding himself frozen. The little heart finally melted as he met his grandpa's embrace.
"I'm sorry, Mugman. I'm sorry for everything." Elder Kettle sobbed.
Those words made the Devil lose his temper. The furry creature was now seething with rage. A bony knee bumped into Cuphead's gut, making the child let go. David growled in frustration and wiggled his way out from under the former slave.
"You've gotta be kidding me!" He roared. "This is bullshit!"
Mugman and Elder Kettle looked up to see the furry creature leap into the air right for them, fangs bared and claws outstretched. They both flinched when something tackled him right out of the air. Their eyes couldn't believe what they were seeing. A mutated Cuphead pinned the king of darkness. His clawed hand wrapped around the creature's round head and held him fast.
"No! No! Let me go, you fool!" David pouted as his claws scraped against the ground, trying to get traction. Cup looked over to his family, giving a weird and toothy smile. A friendly moan came from the child's cup. It seemed to say that he had things under control. Elder Kettle, however, was beyond confused.
"Wait, what's going on? It went back in Cuphead?" He asked and put his boy down.
No, it seems as though we have a new ally. Mug's demon answered. A humble welcome to you, brother. It silently greeted the newcomer.
"Welcome to the team." Mugman reiterated in his altered voice, making sure the new creature knew that its efforts were appreciated.
"Thanks, I think." The other responded with positive energy waves. It then gave the young cup the ability to say something on their behalf.
"We're here to help." Said a distorted voice that everyone, including Elder Kettle, heard too.
"Wha-? How is this possible? If you're not the one that possessed me, then where did the other one go?"
That was an excellent question, and an answer they were about to find out. The purple and translucent creature came flopping its way across the cavern floor, dragging clear secretions everywhere it went. Now the size of an actual giant squid, it homed in on the energy signals that the other demons naturally gave off. In particular, it noticed how vulnerable its master was at that moment. Mug watched as the tentacles curled under it like snake coils. It was going to launch right for his brother and the Devil.
"Cuphead, watch out!" The boy warned. With his senses heightened, Cup was able to see what was going to happen well before it actually did. The mutated cup leisurely jumped out of the way, leaving the furry body beneath him to its own devices. They all watched as the large parasitic creature latched onto David. It immediately used its tentacles to restrain its victim's appendages.
"Get off of me! Get off! I order you!" The Devil roared at its minion. But soon enough his demands began to turn to cries of agony. For the demon had gotten a taste of power and it would stop at nothing to get more. Even his boss was no longer safe. Especially not when it was so vulnerable at the moment. David was nowhere near as strong as he used to be. And right now his slave was taking advantage of that. It continued to siphon his energy from him.
The three onlookers watched as the black body began to thrash about on the ground like a fish out of water. Its screams only became louder and more desperate. A deep laugh gurgled between Cuphead's fangs as the duo thoroughly enjoyed watching the Devil get what he deserved. Mugman and his demon also seemed to find this somewhat entertaining. After having his moment of joy, the parasitic creature told his host that something really should be done about this.
As entertaining as this is, we really should take it off of him now.
Why? The mug child questioned.
Because it will keep consuming his energy until it is full – which is never. And it will also use this to continue to grow in size and abilities. The dark creature explained.
Mug realized that David was losing power fast. He no longer thrashed about but began to lie still in its coils. The child gave a quick gasp and rushed forward to help. Mugman grabbed onto the end of one of its tentacles and started to pull.
No, no! The demon said. Attack its center! It's very sensitive there.
He then looked to the circular core. Its secretions were so sleek and glossy that Mug could almost see his own reflection in it. Summoning a handful of claws, he aimed for its weak spot. The purple creature could sense weapons coming right for it. Giving a high-pitched shriek, the creature made to counter the mug child. A muscular tentacle lashed out and punched Mugman in the chest. The poor boy gave a yelp of pain as he was tossed away. This noise was repeated upon impact to the ground.
"Mugman! Are you alright?" Elder Kettle rushed over and helped his son up.
"Y-yeah." Mug replied as his legs wobbled beneath him.
"Nobody hurts my little brother and gets away with it!" The mutated cup snarled and lobbed a pulse of red energy at the foreign creature. It made contact in the exact location the young mug had aimed for. The purple demon screeched in anguish as it was blown off the ruler of Hell. It splat on the ground before the throne again. Mug's gaze fell to the furry body that lay there panting in pain. Its snake-like tongue was spilled out of its mouth, tasting the ground. The young mug felt his grandfather grab onto his arm. It squeezed in fear at what it was seeing.
