And Alicia's adventure continues! The first five chapters are about Christmas and will answer many questions regarding Alicia's preferences. The devil will also play a big role here and will not let go of taking her as his rightful queen. King Dice will appear rather less for this.
As for the DLC, I've already thought about something. But when exactly I will start with this I do not know yet. Also, the debtors should be moved more to the fore.
As for the gift that Cuphead and John should get, you are welcome to come up with something. (Yes, you heard right. You may come up with something and I will insert it here)
As with the last story, I'm not going to do shipping. I am unfortunately not a friend of it. I hope you understand that.
I am not sure yet whether the devil here should also sing something but maybe you can think of a suitable song.
Until then
December 10 two weeks until Christmas
"Where is it. Where can it be?" said Alicia as she searched through her apartment. Oh please don't tell me I left it in the shopping cart. She was very stressed. Not because of any exams. No, but because of one thing. Christmas presents. She had already wrapped all her Christmas gifts to her friends and family outside and were now ready to ship. But one gift still lay unwrapped on the table in the kitchen. It was a gift for her mother. An empty wrapping paper roll lay next to the gift and was the reason why Alicia searched the apartment from the top to the bottom. She was sure that she had another one as a replacement.
So think again, where did you last see it? Alicia didn't have to think long. The wrapping paper should be in the drawer in her desk in her bedroom. She had all kinds of odds and ends stored there. So it had to be there! But unfortunately this was not the case. "Oh, man, this can't be true, can it?" she was visibly annoyed. Sure, she could buy new wrapping paper, if only there wasn't the matter that outside 6 ft of snow blocked her way. And it still did not stop snowing. So she could forget about it and was locked in her apartment for now.
But then something suddenly occurred to her. I know where my wrapping paper is. She knew where it was and who had stolen it. It was none other than Cuphead. "Oh you little thief" it was not the first time that Alicia's things disappeared from the apartment. Burglars were rare in her neighborhood due to the police station one street away and the residents themselves. But for Alicia it was clear that it could only be him. At first, the cup had only stolen little things from her. From batteries and her TV remote control to her smartphone, which he and the other inhabitants of the island like to call a mini radio.
All this so that she had to jump into the book to retrieve those very things. But she usually didn't get out again that quickly without doing something with the two groaned and looked at the book she put on the desk. It was closed. But she knew that was how the book reacted when you entered or left it.
She opend the book and flipped through the pages until she stopped on a page near the end of the book. The page showed Elder Kettle in the cottage sitting in his chair, reading a book and listening to music from the radio that stood next to him on a small wooden table between the chair and the sofa. She continued to watch him, hoping that either Cuphead or Mugman would walk by. But that was not the case and the older Toon noticed her and turned off the radio to talk to her. "Ah Alicia good to see you again" he said with a smile while his mustache bent slightly upwards and looked like a smiling mouth. "Nice to see you again too Elder Kettle" she said. Alicia was about to open her mouth when she was interrupted by the toon. "Let me guess, you're looking for something from your world?" she nodded. "Yeah I'm looking for my wrapping paper that Cuphead probably stole". The older one thought and got up from his chair. "Let's see if I can find your wrapping paper".
"It's a red background with Christmas trees, reindeers, presents and Santa heads on it!" she called after him before he disappeared from view. She hoped it was in the book and not in the shopping cart. Impatiently, she twiddled her thumbs until she saw the spout of Elder Kettle coming around the corner with her wrapping paper roll. "Is this it?" he asked. Alicia nodded, relieved and glad it wasn't in the cart.
"Do you want me to come to you or?" Elder Kettle asked her but Alicia shook her head. "I just need to change quickly and then I'll come over". Elder Kettle nodded and sat back down in his chair. Meanwhile, Alicia put on another pair of pants. She still kept her hoodie with a print of a black wolf on. Her smartphone was in the fanny pack of the hoodie, which she found very convenient. "Okay then just my winter boots, jacket and..." She looks to her open closet where between her jackets lay the cloak she used not to scare the inhabitants of the island.
"Shall I take the cloak with me?". The inhabitants of the island already knew them. She didn't have to hide anymore. Oh what the heck. She took it with her and put it over her jacket. Her shoulder bag lay next to the book. She took it with her again and looked into it halfway if necessary. Her wallet was still inside. Luckily. "Okay then I guess I have everything I need" she picked up the book and placed it on her bed before jumping in it. The book closed as she disappeared into it. The writing pad that Alicia had used to continue writing the story of the book began to glow and open. Not a second later, Alicia appeared and was greeted by the older Toon. She had landed back in the cartoon world of Cuphead.
"Welcome back Alicia" said Elder Kettle as he shook her hand. "It's good to be back." That made him happy. But Alicia wasn't here just to get her wrapping paper back. No. She also wanted to talk to a certain cup. "Where are the two mugs, anyway?" she asked. "Hmm both said they wanted to skate" he said. Skating? She could look anywhere. Except of course. "Is there a skating rink around here somewhere?". Elder Kettle nodded. "The Baroness opens her skating rink every year around this time" Bingo! Alicia was about to head for the door when she felt someone tap her shoulder.
"But do you really just want to talk to them and not come downtown?" Alicia thought. Actually, she just wanted to talk to the two brothers. But seeing the islands in winter would be something, too. Maybe they have a Christmas market, too? And who knows maybe she could buy another gift for... "Oh damn." Elder Kettle looked at her in confusion. "Is something wrong?" he asked her. Alicia nodded and held both her hands to her face and moaned. "I don't have a present for my brother!" she said, annoyed and angry at the same time. Elder Kettle chuckled and tapped her shoulder. "Then I guess it's off to town to buy presents, my good girl".
Alicia nodded, zipped up her jacket and pulled the cloak over her jacket. From her jacket pocket she took out her gloves. Two blue cloth gloves with white insides. Her scarf was in the other pocket and was a Hufflepuff scarf she had bought from Universal Studios. "Nice scarf" said Elder Kettle who was also wearing a scarf. It was a red scarf. "Thank you" she said and followed him outside.
She found herself in a wonderful snowy landscape again. The sun shone through the bare trees and the snow glistened. It was wonderful and it was not snowing. The small stone path that led to the cottage was shoveled clear. Probably by the two brothers. The rest of the path was open and led them to the wooden bridge. Icicles hung under it and broke with every movement. But that didn't bother either of them. They continued walking and arrived on the other side. From a distance, Alicia could already see Porkrind's store and The Root Pack's garden. Sal, Ollie and Chauncey were all wearing different colored scarves. Sal wore a wool cap and fingerless gloves, Ollie wore ear warmers and cooking gloves. Okay? Chauncey, on the other hand, wore a shanter cap in a green tartan pattern.
The vegetable trio saw the two and waved at them. Alicia waved back while Elder Kettle waved his walking stick. "Aren't those three freezing?" she asked Elder Kettle. But he shook his head. "The inhabitants here on the island are adapted to every season" he explained to her "The Root Pack have buried their roots very deep so they can't freeze to death and besides they rarely come out in the winter anyway" as he said this Alicia heard three plopping sounds and looks back to the garden. The trio was gone. But she thought nothing of it and went on with Elder Kettle. The rest of the debtors on the first island were nowhere to be seen. The Flytrap was anchored on a frozen lake, Cagney had also disappeared and Goopy left only his prints in the snow.
Only Hilda flew over the island with her cloud and waved to the two while slowly sinking to the ground. "Oh how nice it is to see you again Alicia" said Hilda and hugged the young adult. Just like Alicia, Hilda had changed her clothes. She was no longer wearing a skirt but a red coat that went down to the floor. Instead of the ballerinas, she now wore salmon-colored boots with fur. A dark red scarf was wrapped around her neck.
"It's nice to be back too" said Alicia. Hilda grinned at this answer. "Let me guess you want to go into town right?" she asked them both. Alicia and Elder Kettle nodded. It was still a long way to town, but Elder Kettle didn't mind. Alicia didn't mind either, but Hilda couldn't help herself and offered to fly them both over. Neither said no to that. "Okay you two sit on it and don't break my cloud!", "We would never do that Hilda" said Alicia and nudged her lightly with her shoulder. Hilda waved her eyes at her and moved her closer. Elder Kettle sat down next to the two women and enjoyed the view of the island.
From far above, Alicia could see the islands better and saw Captain Brineybeard's ship frozen in the harbor. I wonder how Cala Maria was doing. She could only move around on land to a limited extent. The water was more her domain. But with most of it frozen over, it looked rather bad. Who knows. Her eyes wandered to the amusement park where most of the visitors were and were lining up. Am I seeing right or am I looking at a small Christmas market? Yes, she saw correctly. There were several booths around a large Christmas tree in the entrance area. From food to goods, she saw everything that belonged to the Christmas market. Also a tent where a dressed up Santa Claus sits.
"Business seems to be good for Bon Bon," Hilda said as she looked down. A line stretched all the way out of the cottage. Is the skating rink that popular? Alicia didn't think about it and was glad she didn't have to skate. She was not a big fan of it. At the moment, the gift for her brother was more important. She really wanted to give him something unique. But what it should be was the question. Maybe Elder Kettle knew a good store.
The city was already in sight. Christmas decorations, fairy lights and displays were everywhere. It looked beautiful from above. But no matter how beautiful it looked Hilda had to land to lower Alicia and Elder Kettle. "So here we are you two" said Hilda and also jumped down from her cloud which dissolved into air. Alicia first wanted to ask if she wanted to come along. But Hilda was already walking past her and Elder Kettle. Alicia had been to the city several times with the two brothers. But no matter how many times she had already seen the city. She was always fascinated by how big the city was.
"Are you coming Alicia?" someone asked her. At first she was confused until she turned to the voice and flinched slightly. For a millisecond she thought the devil was standing next to her. But her eyes had just played a trick on her. It was Elder Kettle. He stood a little further away from her and waited for a response from her. "Yes I'm coming" she said and walked towards the older toon. But one thing had not changed over time. She still felt persecuted and observed. Even in her apartment. At first she thought it was paranoia but that settled down when one day she found black fur, a black rose and a letter on her bed. She did not have a cat. So it could only be the devil.
Unfortunately, both brothers had not destroyed or even found her soul contract. That worried her even more. Because if he wanted to, he could just come into her apartment and kidnap her again. Now I know how Princess Peach feels. She had to laugh at the thought. "Thinking of something funny?" asked Elder Kettle of her. Alicia nodded. They both followed the road and were soon in a large square. Small booths with homemade decorations, baked gingerbread and gingerbread men, mulled wine and other things were spread all over the square. It reminded them very much of their old home before their family moved.
Alicia didn't notice but she stopped smiling. She was unhappy. Elder Kettle noticed and went to a stand selling gingerbread men and gave her one. "But Elder Kettle I-". With his fingers he covered her lips and silenced her. "It's all right" he said, taking his finger from her lips. She looks at the gingerbread man and shrugged her shoulders. He was right. She bit off the head of the gingerbread man and she felt better again. A little too at least. She couldn't forget the thing with the devil so quickly.
But now the gift shopping was more important. The thing with the devil could wait until after the holidays. She wanted to enjoy the time first as well as she could. She only had to do one more year at university and she could apply. Miss Ross suggested she apply to Pixar. But she didn't really know yet. She really liked The Monsters inc. and Toy Story was also a great movie. And 3D animation was no problem for her. On her computer she made a little animation of Cuphead and Mugman. She was very proud of it. But she still had to edit it. There were still too many mistakes and the light also needed to be reworked. After all, she had to send it as an application if she wanted to be accepted.
"The mall should be three blocks down" said Elder Kettle who had already finished his gingerbread man. Alicia still ate the left leg and followed him. As they both walked around the building that looked like a bone she saw the mall.
As the two approached the mall, both cup brothers took off their shoes. They had arrived at the skating rink. Both still had their normal clothes on. Only both wore scarves with the same color as their pants and straw. Mugman still wore ear warmers around his neck."And you really think she'll come?" asked Mugman while putting on his right skate. Cuphead nodded and took off his left shoe that doesn't really want to part with him. But he managed and put on the last skate. "She should be here by now, after all I stole something from her again" he said with a nasty grin on his face.
Mugman just shook his head in annoyance while putting on the other skate. He knew that his brother was back in their world. Sure, they both missed her, but it still wasn't nice when Cuphead always had to steal her stuff. "You should really let this go Cuphead" he said and slowly stood up shakily holding onto a pole to keep from flying down. Cuphead looked after him and thought about it before following his brother. The skating rink was big enough and seemed to have plenty of room, which pleased both brothers. From her castle, the Baroness saw both brothers and smiled. Just like Hilda, she was wearing a different dress. It was a medieval winter dress. Instead of frills, she wore fur around her waist and shoulders.
A hood hides her face but she took it down and decided to go downstairs. Suddenly she heard a soft whimper. She rolled her eyes and knew who it was. "Whippet Creampup do you have to start begging now of all times" she said slightly annoyed as she turned to the castle that was looking at her with puppy eyes. She knew what he wanted and that he would not give up so easily was clear. She reached into her pocket and took out a candy cane which she threw to him. The castle swallowed it and was a normal castle again. "Spoiled castle" she muttered as she approached the skating rink which was now a little less crowded.
Cuphead and Mugman were still on the skating rink, performing various tricks. The older brother had no problems with this. The younger, however, flew several times on the muzzle and rubbed his cheek accordingly. "How do you manage to do that spin without even remotely falling down?" asked Mugman as his brother helped him get to his feet. "Oh, that's easy," said a female voice behind them. They both turned and saw the baroness. "You just have to control your posture and distribute your weight well". Cuphead flicked his finger and agreed with her while performing said turn together with her.
You could see the jealousy in Mugman's eyes. But Cuphead and Bon Bon just giggled and took him by the hands. "And have you heard from Alicia yet?" asked the Baroness. Mugman looked at his brother with a serious expression and shook his head. Cuphead just grinned nervously as the Baroness noticed. "Let me guess, you stole something again", "He's always stealing!" said Mugman annoyed as he pointed at his brother.
She now looked at the older brother. It was nothing new that Cuphead liked to steal things from Alicia to lure her here. At least that's what she told her last time.
"I always enjoy visiting you guys but University is killing me right now" said Alicia as she had coffee with Bon Bon and Sally in town. The next exam was coming up and she was supposed to be studying, not drinking coffee. But the cup put a spoke in her wheel again. I should really talk to him. She really should. But she should have done that earlier. Anyway, she enjoyed the time with her godmothers and the autumn that came to the islands. Golden leaves landed on the streets, windows, roofs and parked cars. Yes, she liked autumn very much. The temperatures were pleasant and it had the best day of the whole year. Halloween.
She wondered since she visited the islands again if the residents also celebrate holidays and festivals. Bon Bon would certainly have no problem with that. After all, she made the sweets herself and sold them at the amusement park and in the city. "What are you thinking about right now?" Sally asked her. Alicia shrugged and enjoyed her latte macchiato. Bon Bon stirred around in her coffee and ate her cookie. "Autumn looks very beautiful this year don't you think?" said Bon Bon, staring outside. Yes Alicia agreed with her. It looks beautiful. "Well be glad in two months it's snow shoveling again" said Sally as she finished her coffee.
Alicia also liked the winter very much. But she had a slight aversion to Christmas. It wasn't because of the holiday itself or the urge to buy presents. No, there was another reason. But she didn't want to think about it anymore and finished her latte before she thanked them and left the store. Sally and Bon Bon looked at each other and knew that something was wrong with Alicia. "We should have talked to her," Bon Bon said. "About what?" Mugman asked her. They were back on the skating rink. Only a few guests were still on the rink. Cuphead took a few laps on the ice while the Baroness led the younger brother by the hand. She was so lost in thought.
"Oh I was just lost in thought" she said nervously and skated a few more laps of the ice with Mugman.
Meanwhile, a hooded figure walked along the corridors of the city. The figure stopped briefly and followed two voices. The voices led him to a main street. The figure looked around. There were people everywhere but he could not find the voices. Until he saw a person who was dressed differently than all the others. Bingo, there she is. The figure disappeared into the alley from which it came and removed the hood from its head. It was none other than the manager of the casino. King Dice. The right hand of the devil. "So Darling is back on the island again" that pleased not only him but also someone in particular. With a twist of his body he disappeared into the alley and found himself in front of the devil's throne room.
He knocked on the door and waited for a sign to come in. The door opened and he went in. At the end of the hall sat the devil with his trident in his hand. He seemed to be annoyed. But this did not bother the manager he went to the devil with a grin on his face. "What is it Dice, don't you see how busy I am". "Oh yes I can see that boss" said Dice sarcastically. After the two brothers defeated him, the Devil's reputation was slightly damaged. He didn't go out of the throne room anymore and fired boredly at the volcanoes in the distance. He wasn't just bored. He also missed his queen, Alicia. After all, she still belonged to him, no one else. Not even the two cups.
If he could, he would wipe them both out immediately and steal the writing pad from them so that he could bring her into his kingdom without any problems. But there was another problem. She was a mortal. She could not survive like that in his kingdom. Even the manager had problems with that. But he wouldn't be the devil if he thought of something. Oh yes, he really wants to hold her in his hands again. Literally. "What if I told you that your queen is back?" said the manager as he broke the devil's thoughts. "What did you say?" he asked, perplexed.
"She's back," Dice said, grinning at him. The devil smiled again and was more than happy. Alicia my Queen. He couldn't believe it and got up from his throne and walked past the manager. "Follow me Dice" he said and grabbed the manager's hand with his tail and pulled him behind him. Both left the throne room and walked towards a large balcony offering a view of the casino and the hellscape. "I have an important task for you, Dice". The manager's hand was freed from the tail. He rubs his wrist and looks at his boss. "And that would be?".
The devil turned to him and grinned devilishly at him. "I want you to follow her and tell me everything she is doing and planning". King Dice was not sure about that. Watching her was no problem. He could use his cards for that. But why should he continue to spy on her? "Forgive me for asking this, but what do you get out of it?". The devil already suspected that he would ask that. "Let's put it this way" the devil turned into his dragon form and slowly wrapped his body around the manager until he could not free himself. "The next time I see her, she will have to stay by my side!" He squeezed the manager tightly until he loosened his grip and the manager fell to the ground. "Understood boss, but how are you going to do it?".
Once in the mall, Alicia and Elder Kettle looked around. Various stores from jewelry to groceries were located in the mall. But that is one of the few things Alicia hated. Shopping. She didn't like it as a child and she didn't like it as an adult.
Therefore, she rarely went shopping with her mother. Well, when she would see her again. But she could already think that she will celebrate Christmas this year without her parents. Just her and John. Like every year. She sighed. "Is everything alright my angel?" asked a female voice next to her. "It's nothing Elder Kettle," "Elder Kettle?". Only now did Alicia realize that Sally was standing next to her and not Elder Kettle. Where was he anyway? She had been next to him the whole time. He couldn't just be gone like that, could he? Well, never mind. "Well, I'm not that old".
"Sorry Sally I didn't know you would be standing next to me" Alicia apologized to the actress. She accepted her apology. "What are you doing here anyway? Don't you have to study for your exam?" Sally asked her. But Alicia just grinned, "I already wrote it and got a good grade Sally". This pleased the actress very much. "Oh, that sounds good, then we should celebrate, shouldn't we?" Alicia nodded, but she still had to find a gift for her brother. So the celebration had to wait. "I still have to look for a gift for John," she said. Sally stopped short and turned to her. Why is she looking at me with such a grin? Alicia was about to go back, but Sally was quicker and led her down the hall.
Elder Kettle, in turn, walked straight past them, holding a bag in his left hand as he whistled amiably, not noticing that Alicia was no longer with him. "Let's see that's all we need then is a present for Cuphead" he said and went on. Meanwhile, King Dice, wrapped in a cape, followed Alicia and Sally. He had already sent out his cards to continue watching them. He knew what he had to do and didn't want to disappoint his boss. But one thing still bothered him. "She will already come to me Dice and then she will have to accept her position as my queen!". What did he mean by that? He wasn't going to force her to do that, was he?
No matter what it is he hoped that it will not be anything bad. Again, he was the devil. He could do it to force her to become his Queen. Even if he had to wipe out all life on the island. But still her soul contract seemed to be different from the former debtors. Don't tell me he tricked her. He shook his head and focused on the two ladies. He didn't want to think about it any longer.
"You want to give him something personal?" said Sally. Alicia nodded. "Yes something he can always remember". Sally didn't think twice and grabbed her hand and pulled her behind her. "Hey slow down Sally I can't run as fast as you!" yelled Alicia after her but the older girl didn't hear her and kept running. Both passed by various stores, stalls and others. "What are you doing, watch out!" yelled an anthropomorphic pig with a white cap and suit. "Sorry, I was trying to stop her!" Alicia yelled after him, but he didn't hear her and turned red with anger.
Great, another one who is angry with us. Alicia rolled her eyes as she suddenly looked behind her and forward again. Wait, what? She looked back again and saw nothing but the other people who were also shopping. But she didn't really just see the manager of the casino. No, my eyes are just playing tricks on me. While she is on the islands she always tried to avoid the contact with the casino as much as possible. Once because of the manager and because of the devil himself.
She could not forget that he still wanted her to be his Queen. Especially those yellow eyes that stared at her. She did not feel comfortable with it. He was easy with her but still she didn't feel comfortable in his presence. Sure he had charm but still. If he didn't control everyone who signed a soul contract, she would react differently. But she did not want to think that far. What would she gain from being his queen? To live forever in hell with him and torture innocent souls. No, thank you. She hoped he would forget her soon. But that was not the case.
From his throne the devil watched her. His tail wagged back and forth as he watched her in the mirror. She still looked so beautiful. And damn she looked good with that scarf. "Oh yes my Queen, soon you will be mine" he said. "Even if I have to bring hell on earth for it" he raised his trident and the volcanoes in the background erupted one by one. Imps and Demons flew away in fright. But he didn't mind, he just laughed and started decorating his throne room. His throne moved to the left while another throne appeared from the floor. Behind the two thrones appeared a banner with both the devil and Alicia on it. She was no longer human, however, but had medium-length white horns growing out of her head, wolf-like ears, yellow eyes with red pupils, a devil's tail and claws.
She looked almost like him only she still kept her human appearance. More banners appeared and showed him and Alicia as they ruled over the islands. Statues with his and her likeness stood between the columns. Each showed both of them in their different forms. The devil in his normal, spider, goat and dragon form. Alicia had only her normal form and held a trident in her hand. The devil walked over to the statue and stroked its chin before sitting down. He was ready to take her, but he had to be patient. After all, it was not long before Christmas. He had to save his strength. But when this is over, he will bring her to him no matter what the cost. "Oh, Alicia, if you only knew what you had signed". In his hand appeared Alicia's soul contract which slowly showed its true shape. The devil laughed. It was heard from outside. Even Alicia felt it and trembled. Sally noticed it and led her to the store she was talking about.
