Elder Kettle dragged his feet through the door with tears beginning to well up in his eyes. Sensing her master's distress, Getti the Goat nudged her head against his leg, trying to offer him comfort. Though much appreciated, it didn't help. To him, the once warm and welcoming home now felt empty and cold without the chaotic but lively energy the triplets brought. Good lord, he prayed they were alright.
The grandfather felt depression sinking into his bones. Although the police, friends, neighbors, and town reassured him they would keep looking for answers, it did nothing to quell his worry. He wouldn't feel better until he got to hold his grandchildren again and give them the biggest hug they'd ever received. His thoughts were interrupted when his shoe knocked into an empty plastic cup. That's when he remembered there was still a mess in the living room.
The patriarch picked up the dirty dishes, the empty cups, and other pieces of garbage littering the living room floor. Earlier it had been the source of his anger, but now it meant nothing to him. After everything had been put away and cleaned, Kettle still felt guilty over being upset over something silly. It meant nothing compared to his grandkids' safe return.
Sitting down in his rocking chair, Kettle buried his face within his hands. His thoughts drifted towards Cuphead, Mugman, and Miss Chalice. Several scenarios played through his head on what became of them. Regardless if they were good or bad, all the fear and uncertainty only intensified the elder's anxiety.
"Oh, boys…lass, where are you all …" He thought worriedly.
Kettle jumped when he heard the phone ring. The closet phone near him was the old rotary phone. Because it lacked an answering machine, Kettle didn't know who was calling unless he checked the other phones. Frankly, he didn't care. It could be the police or members of the search party with new information, or maybe . . . it was one of his grandkids. He snatched the phone and answered:
"Hello!" He said, praying it was someone with good news.
"Looking for someone or something?"
Kettle looked startled. It wasn't the police chief or any of his friends or neighbors, and it sure as hell wasn't any of the triplets or even a kid. Part of him wanted to hang up, believing it was a scam caller. Yet the voice sounded familiar, so he pressed on hesitantly, "W-Who is this!?"
"Somebody who knows where your precious little ones are . . . Sargent Thomas Ezekiel Kettleton."
Elder Kettle felt his blood run cold as memories resurfaced "N-NO…It can't be . . . Y-you . . . You're-."
"Klaus Fortitudo," The man interrupted with a sneer, "Glad you remember."
Elder Kettle felt like he was going to throw up; it couldn't be – it couldn't be. Memories submerged through his consciousness.
As Kettle stood in the middle of the room, distracted by the carnage, a nagging sensation brought him back to reality. Had he not been quick enough, the blade would have pierced him. Instead, it grazed his arm. Soon the man became face to face with his attacker; a human man close to his age, if not a bit younger, with a tan. His hair had been bleached white, and cut military style, and the man was quite muscular. Blood stained his white tank top, black combat boots, brown pants, and his face. The look matched the bloodlust laced within his golden eyes. The man, Klaus, looked down at the terrified Kettle as he pointed his blade at his quivering victim, giving him a sadistic grin.
A dark chuckle brought him back to reality.
"Well, don't you have anything to say?" Klaus asked mockingly, "No, good to see you old friend? How you've been? No interesting tales about the grandkids?"
Kettle's fear instantly evaporated into steam, only to be replaced by fury. He clenched the phone tightly, "Where are Cuphead, Mugman, and Miss Chalice?" He hissed, "If you harmed them- "
"Relax old timer. They're safe, and will continue to remain that way, IF you cooperate."
Kettle's grip on the phone increased. He could have sworn he heard a crack, but he didn't care. Still he refused to give Klaus any satisfaction. The old kettle took a deep breath to quell his anger. "Put them on the line,"
"Excuse me?" his foe asked.
"Put my kids on the line!" Kettle repeated in a demanding tone. He heard silence, then a burst of laughter on the other end. Klaus calmed himself down.
"Heh…still full of steam, are we?" He asked in amusement, "Very well, but I'm only putting one of them on the line."
Kettle waited anxiously to see which one of the triplets he would talk to over the phone. Several thoughts raced through his head as he waited for what seemed like an eternity: Were Cuphead, Mugman, and Miss Chalice alright? Did Klaus harm them? What did that man do to them? Eventually, he heard a noise that sounded like someone dragged along with muffling. Soon he heard the voice clearly on the phone, shouting at Klaus.
"Hey, Watch the handle! You can't just grip it like that!"
"CUPHEAD!" Elder Kettle cried out in joy. Tears welled up in his eyes at the sound of his loudest and most energetic grandson.
"Elder Kettle! Omigosh, it's you!" The boy exclaimed happily.
"Lad, are you alright!? Where are your siblings? Are any of you hurt?"
"N-No, we're not hurt. I promise!" the oldest triplet reassured, "J-Just tired and hungry. The food here stinks!" Part of Kettle wanted to chuckle; even in his current situation, Cuphead would try to make light of the situation, so his grandpa didn't worry. The next words, however, broke Kettle's heart. "I-I'm sorry Elder kettle! I was half asleep when he came and nabbed us! I didn't know what was happening until it was too late and- " Cuphead babbled and tripped over his words, trying to explain what had happened, but Kettle got the message. That coward Klaus took the trio in their sleep, and Cuphead blamed himself.
"I-It's alright lad. Just stay strong. I promise I'm going to bring you kids home," The elder gentleman said gently.
"I-I know you will," Cuphead sniffled. Elder Kettle wanted to cry. He knew Cuphead was trying to be brave, but he could hear the fear in the Boy's tone. "Bu-But listen!" Cuphead exclaimed, "Y-You gotta be careful this guy-UMPH!"
"Cup…Cuphead," Kettle's heart started racing. What was going on? What happened to his grandson, "CUPHEAD!?"
Klaus's voice was heard instead, "Listen well, Thomas. You know where Jagged Cove is, don't you? You have until midnight to be there. No cops. No tricks. And Nothing funny if you want your charges home in one piece. Just come there alone, that's all."
Before Kettle could speak, he heard a click on the other end of the line, indicating his foe had hung up.
Elder Kettle felt his rage boil over. He slammed the phone back onto its spot, nearly breaking. The old man tried to take few deep breaths to calm himself down. Soon the rage melted into sadness as tears poured down his face. This was every parent/guardian's worse nightmare. As if crossing paths with the monster of Inkwell Island wasn't bad enough - his boys and little girl – his babies, were in the clutches of someone from his past! The mere thought sickened him.
Eventually, Kettle felt the goat nudge against him. He looked at old Getti stare back at him, almost like she was telling him to get it together.
"You're right, old girl," Kettle dried his eyes, "I can't stand here feeling sorry for myself. My family needs me."
The family patriarch marched up to the spot where he kept his old military garb, ready to suit up and prepare for the worse. Putting on his old uniform, helmet, a couple of his medals, and weapons, the former vetran prepared for his journey into the lion's den. Elder Kettle took a quick look at a celebratory photo that was taken of the four of them after the cup triplets defeated the monster of Inkwell Isles. Kettle placed a hand on the picture frame.
"Hold on kids," He whispered, "Your dear Elder Kettle's on his way.
Now we know the name of the mystery person; Klaus Fortitudo.
And Kettle's gearing to unleash HELL!
I gave the goat from the front yard (from the cuphead show) a name...she looks like a Getti to me.
Either way, hope you all like the story so far.
All characters belong to Studio MDHR
Klaus is mine though.
