"I consider myself to be a patient man, Gin, but even I have my limits. Especially when I'm forced to play clean-up thanks to your little mishap in the casino. In plain view of our patrons, no less! What the hell were you thinking?"

"I-I... Boss, things were going downhill even before I got involved. Dice was shoving past patrons, jumping over tables, making an absolute mess of himself trying to find me.
Even if I hadn't done what I did, the patrons would still have been involved."

"Ahh, playing the blame game, are we?"

"No! Not at all, boss-"

"Then tell me, what the hell were you thinking? You launched my goddamn casino manager into a marble pillar! That could've killed someone! What are we, just some seedy lowborn tavern to you?"

"No! I-I wasn't thinking straight, okay?
I was caught off-guard with a bar full of customers. Mugman dying in my arms. King screaming at me. It was overwhelming. Terrifying. I was scared and couldn't think straight.
There. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

"Hah! Your pathetic description of events barely scratches the surface of your own stupidity. What? Is becoming their mother detrimental to your ability to work under pressure? You're my appointed scientist, for chrissake! I trained you better than this."

"I'm sorry, sir."

"Sorry doesn't even begin to make up for what you've done, Gin. I've given you everything, and this is the thanks I get?
Who listened to you when no one else would? Trained you when no one else would?"

"You."

"Exactly. And yet, you don't seem very grateful to me, now do you?"

"Boss, I-"

"Quiet. I've heard enough of your bitching. You know what I think, Gin? You've forgotten your place. In our sixty years together, you've grown too big for your britches. Challenging me? Attacking your superiors? It's obvious. If you ever want to see those boys of yours again, you'll need to learn some manners."

"…Yes, boss. I will. I-I'm sorry for everything."

"Aw, see? Already you're doing better! You're well on your way to being meek as a little lamb. I knew pairing you, and those boys would serve us well.
Guards? Take Miss Ginette here down to the dungeons, will you? Lock her in a cell. Discipline as you see fit. This doll needs to remember her place."

"W-what?"

"You heard me, Gin. A few offhand apologies won't even begin to make your wrongs right. And not just our little accident in the casino today. Your constant coddling of the boys made Mugman weak. You are becoming weak. I think it's time I toughen you up."

"But-"

"Guards? Take her away."

"She won't be bothering you for some time, dear Dice. I've sent her down to the big house to remind her of her place. I think she'll remember to respect you from here on out."

"Thank you, boss... Things will be much quieter 'round the joint with her gone. That's for certain. But... What 'bout the boy?"

"What about him?"

"Boss, you don't have to pretend with me. I know you're madder than hell on account o' me almost killin' him. Please, jus' stop with the happy act. If you're pissed, lay it on me an' git it over with."

"Oh, my darling Dice…
I'm not upset with you. Not in the slightest. What you did was over-exuberant. Obviously. But I think it went a long way to teaching the boy about grit. Toughening him up a little.
Next time don't come so close to killing him, of course, but you're on the right track. I even took a page out of your book concerning Ginette. After a month or so of beatings, her self-righteousness will surely disappear. Keep up your excellent work, Dice. I'm so proud of you."

- Chapter 12: If You Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em -

Cuphead was out for blood, and King Dice was his target.

The boy had been at the Devil's side when they heard the news. They'd rushed to the casino to find Ginette clutching Mugman's limp body. Wailing. Surrounding her was the debris of a shattered marble pillar, King Dice's unconscious body in the wreckage.

The rest of the evening was a blur. The Devil rushed to Ginette's side. Trying to save Mugman's life. "He's still breathing, Gin. Look!" The demon had said, putting his palm against Mugman's feebly rising and falling chest. "He's alive. Barely."

Cuphead was told Mugman had gotten a concussion.

"When he fell, Mugman hit his head really hard, and it injured his brain," Ginette explained as she pressed a cold compress to Mugman's head.

"Will Mugsy be okay?"

"I believe so, yes. It'll take time and rest, but he'll be alright."

Cuphead was not one to cry in front of others, but that night he cried tears of anger and relief. Even the Devil looked concerned for him.

"Why don't you take the night off, dear?" The Devil suggested, kneeling down to meet Cuphead's eyes. "Take your brother up to your room and get some rest. I'll have my imps fetch Elder Kettle to care for you two. Would you like that?"

Cuphead had nodded tearfully. "Thank you, boss." He whispered, giving the Devil a genuine smile. Quite the rare sight.

He'd been so relieved to return to his room and rest that he didn't notice the Devil tell Ginette to stay behind, eyeing her threateningly.

When Cuphead awoke the next day, Ginette was gone. Locked up in the dungeons as punishment for her 'violent outburst' against King Dice.

When Mugman heard the news, he burst into tears. "If I'd just been stronger... This wouldn't have happened. King Dice wouldn't hate me. Gin would still be here. This is all my fault."

Cuphead was at his side, comforting him. "Hey, hey. This ain't your fault at all. Ginette will be back before we know it, Mugsy! I'm sure of it. And, hey! If that's Gin's punishment, King Dice has gotta have somethin' wayyy worse for thinkin' he could mess with you and get away with it!"

At least, that's what Cuphead assumed would befall King Dice

He was wrong.

"Whaddya mean he did nothin' wrong? He pushed my brother down the stairs, and coulda killed him!" Cuphead yelled. He'd finally worked up the courage to ask the Devil what Dice's punishment was and was horrified by the Devil's casual answer.

"If anythin', that good-for-nothin' cube-head should go down to the stony lonesome and never come back out!" He continued, storming up to the Devil, who was lounging on his throne.

The demon chuckled, amused by Cuphead's anger. "Easy, son. It was nothing more than an accident."

Cuphead opened his mouth to interrupt, but the Devil held up his hand, instantly silencing the boy.

"I'd told Dice to rough Mugman up. Your brother was going a little soft, you know."

"Soft?" Cuphead said, finding himself able to speak again. "My brother ain't soft! Just cause he cares for people don't make him soft."

"Maybe that's how a little boy like you sees it." The Devil shot back, a wicked smile on his face. "To me, I see someone who's been trained to always depend on others to save him. For instance, you. I know for a fact that you, my dear Cuphead, love saving people. Perhaps too much."

Cuphead's throat tightened. He did not like where the Devil was going with this.

"Whenever Mugman's in a spot of trouble, who rescues him?" The Devil continued. "You do. See, Mugman is soft because you made him so. Someone weak who depended on you. It made you feel strong, better about yourself, sure, but look at what it did to your brother. It made him into the fearful boy he is today. Now I must come in and help him in the only way you've left for me. Trial by fire."

No. Cuphead's mind was racing with anxiety. This couldn't all be his fault, right? Or could it be?

"Of course, it wasn't just you who made him soft." The Devil said, mockingly patting Cuphead on the shoulder. "Elder Kettle did. Ginette, especially. Hell, with how she loved on him, it practically infantilized him. Growing boys like you two need tenacity. Not empathy."

Cuphead's face had shame written all over it. Was he truly the reason for Mugman being the way he was? Elder Kettle had always told Cuphead that there wasn't anything wrong with Mugman. That he just had a big heart. Was that all a lie?

"Well? Don't just stand there. You have training to do in the Colosseum. Get to it." The Devil said, poking him with the pitchfork.

Cuphead flinched, snapping back to reality and bowing as he left. "Of course, boss..."

It was early in the morning. Daybreak. Cuphead sat on his windowsill, looking out at the rising sun in the distance.

Nowadays, Cuphead didn't sleep more than four hours a night -if he did at all. When he did sleep for four hours successfully, that was an accomplishment. A rare one at that.

So, Cuphead spent the rest of the time he should be asleep watching the sunrise, along with guarding his sleeping brother. Who knew what King Dice would do next to 'toughen up' Mugman? Cuphead might be unable to watch his brother's back during the day, but he would at night.

Most nights, Mugman was plagued with nightmares, tossing and turning. Calling out for Cuphead, Ginette, and Elder Kettle. Whenever a nightmare struck, Cuphead would crawl onto Mugman's bed beside him, squeezing his hand reassuringly, and the nightmare would subside.

After the Devil told him that he was responsible for Mugman being weak, Cuphead constantly was second-guessing himself. Should he even be guarding his brother? Was he just hurting him in the long run? But, in the end, he thought of the promise he'd made to Ginette. The casino would not change him. So, he persisted.

Tonight was uneventful, so Cuphead had positioned himself at the perfect angle to watch the sunrise. It was a special time of day for him. He had so many memories of times like these.

Many years ago, he used to climb out his bedroom window and up onto the cottage's roof to watch the sunrise.

Mugman always told him not to. "You're gonna fall through the roof, and Elder Kettle's gonna be steamin' mad!"

But Cuphead never listened, and it didn't take long for Mugman to join him.

"Woah... It's beautiful up here."

"See? What did I tell ya, Mugsy?" Cuphead had laughed, playfully punching his brother's shoulder. "I tell you what, when we're all grown, we're gonna go and explore this world. Free as birds! Then we'll be able to eat as many sweets as we want, stay up all night, and watch the sunrise every mornin'!"

Mugman grinned. "You really think so?"

"I don't think, Mugsy. I know."

Cuphead groaned, banging his head up against the window pane. The last thing he wanted was to think about back then.

He hadn't seen Mugman smile that big in a long time. Especially now. Mugman was inconsolable ever since Ginette was locked away. Not even Elder Kettle could comfort him. Mugman blamed himself for her imprisonment, and no one could convince him otherwise.

The most Cuphead could do was dream of exacting revenge for his brother. Freeing Ginette. Throwing King Dice into that cell. Regaining their souls. Leaving this place behind.

Cuphead had thought about what he'd do if he ever escaped this place. At first, sailing the world came to mind, but that sounded exhausting. All Cuphead really wanted was to go back to the cottage. Back to his rickety bed, where he'd kick the top bunk to scare Mugman. Back to pancakes in the morning. Playing tag in the woods. Being bored to death in school.

No. No, he couldn't think about that. It hurt too much to even think of the boring stuff. Cuphead clutched his head, trying to make the memories disappear, but they refused.

Stop. Stop. STOP.

In a burst of anger, Cuphead punched the wall, tearing a hole straight through. Eyes welling up with angry tears, he ripped his hand back through the wall. He needed to walk this off like Elder Kettle always told him to. Getting to his feet, Cuphead stormed out of his room, slamming the door behind him.

The boy's anguished wandering led him through the casino and into the kitchens. It was already crawling with staff, preparing for the day's dining service.

When Cuphead entered, everyone quickly stopped what they were doing, bowing deeply to their young master.

What could the Devil's violent protege want?

"Uhh... At ease?" Cuphead said, confused by their reverence towards him.

That seemed to do the trick. Most of the workers looked relieved and went back to their duties. However, one imp left his station, approaching the boy.

"What can I do for you, young master?" It warbled.

Young master? Cuphead's face involuntarily scrunched in response to hearing himself being referred to like that. "You don't, uh, have to call me that. It's just Cuphead. All I was comin' in here for was to make a cuppa hot cocoa, then I'll be outta your way."

"No, please, let me make it for you, young mast- erm, Cuphead." The imp insisted, bowing and hurrying off.

"Uh. Okay, I guess?" Cuphead said, sitting down awkwardly. He hadn't explored much since The Strength's power awoke. Was everyone afraid of him now?

Kicking his feet in the air, Cuphead sat waiting, trying his best not to look intimidating. He may not like the imps or the casino's staff, but he didn't want them to be afraid of him. Like Gin had told him, all the staff had their own stories of getting tricked by the Devil. They were a lot more like him than met the eye.

"Here's your hot cocoa, Cuphead!" The imp said, placing a warm mug in Cuphead's hands.

"Thanks..." Cuphead replied, smiling at the imp. "Sorry for interruptin' your work."

The imp was caught off-guard by the boy's genuine response, and its face flushed bright red. "Oh, you're far too kind! It was no trouble at all. Please, enjoy." With that, it scurried away.

"Weird." Cuphead thought, sipping his drink. It was some of the best hot cocoa he'd ever had. Maybe he'd swing by again later to get some more.

He was halfway through his drink when the kitchen doors swung open once again. This time, a much more intimidating figure entered. The Devil.

Cuphead instantly put his drink down, standing up straight and bowing. The kitchen staff did the same. Cuphead despised bowing to the Devil, but it was how he survived.

"Ah, Cuphead. You're up early!" The Devil exclaimed, grinning the moment he saw the boy. "What inspired this early morning jaunt, my boy?"

Cuphead was not in the mood for the Devil's fake positivity. "I didn't sleep." He replied sourly, downing the rest of his cocoa.

Without missing a beat, the Devil was at his side, wrapping his arm around Cuphead's shoulders. "You didn't sleep? Whatever is the matter?"

"The person who nearly killed my brother ain't even gettin' a slap on the wrist. Gin's stuck in the stony lonesome. You're actin' like everythin's fine with that phony happy voice of yours." Cuphead said, wriggling out of the Devil's grasp. "No matter how much you try, I'll always hate it here. And I'll always hate you."

Rumulus, a member of the Tipsy Troop who was working in the kitchen, paused. Was this kid standing up to the Devil? Calling out his blatant favoritism? Defending Ginette? They'd all assumed the boys were just using Gin and enjoyed lording over everyone else with their newfound powers. But, listening to the kid now, maybe not.

The Devil's smile faltered. Cuphead's rebellious attitude was getting on his nerves this morning. "Oh, surely you don't hate me, my dear. I think our problem is this lack of sleep clouding your mind. Why don't you take the day off and rest? My treat for my precious son."

"Don't call me son!" Cuphead yelled, slamming his hand down on the countertop. It cracked the moment he hit it.

More kitchen staff stopped what they were doing, watching the confrontation with bated breath.

"Ten bucks says the Devil snaps the kid's arm to make a point." Chips Bettigan whispered to Wheezy the Cigar. The pair had heard yelling and come to sneak a peek at the action.

"Yer on." The cigar replied under his breath. "I would be damn well surprised if all teh Devil does is break an arm. Gin may die 'cause of this kid's big mouth."

"You act you're like our father or somethin', but you don't ever stand up for us!" Cuphead continued, aggressively shoving the Devil back. "At least Gin had the right idea! Throwin' Dice into that wall, serves him right! She's more of our parent than you'll ever be! You're just a liar and a bully! And all I ever wish for is that I'd killed you when I had the chance!"

The silence that followed Cuphead's bold statement was so tense it was almost painful to watch. Cuphead maintained direct eye contact with the Devil, his face contorted in anger. He was not backing down.

The Devil's face was unreadable. Calculating his possible moves and the risks they'd incur.

"Go wake your brother and get yourselves dressed. We're going out." He said, keeping his voice monotone.

"What?"

"You heard me. Go."

"You said what?" Mugman yelped, grabbing Cuphead's arm.

"I told him exactly what I thought." Cuphead said firmly, adjusting his bowtie. "I ain't gonna let him get off the hook after what he let happen to us. Elder Kettle. Gin. But, especially you. You're my brother, Mugsy. It's my job to protect you."

Mugman nervously glanced out the window. "But what happens now? You know he ain't gonna let this slide."

"Eh. I ain't too worried about it." Cuphead shrugged. "If he breaks my legs or somethin', they'll be back to normal by morning." He put his hand on Mugman's shoulder. "What's more important to me is standin' up for my brother. I almost lost you. And I'm gonna do everythin' in my power to never let that happen again."

Elder Kettle was on pins and needles when he heard the news. He made them breakfast before they left, giving them the biggest hug on their way out. "Be safe." He murmured, holding them tight.

"We will." Cuphead replied, giving Elder Kettle a small smile. "I'll make sure of it."

The Devil was waiting for them at the front of the casino, pitchfork in hand. He had an ominous look on his face as they approached. Mugman didn't like it one bit.

"Well? Let's go." The Devil said, forcefully taking Mugman's hand. "Stay close to me, Mugman. We don't want your concussion acting up again, now, do we?"

"No, boss." Mugman winced. He felt dirty with the Devil holding his hand.

The Devil led the two boys out of the casino, through the mountain, and into the Third Isle. The first time either of the brothers had been outside since that fateful evening. The light of the sun was piercingly bright. Much brighter than the boys expected. Mugman grimaced, covering his eyes.

"Don't worry. Your eyes will adjust; give it time." The Devil said sweetly, squeezing Mugman's hand.

It took everything in Mugman not to throw up at the Devil's sickly sweet tone.

The area directly beyond Inkwell Hell was empty. Nothing but green grass shimmering in the sunshine and the train tracks in the distance. Birds were chirping, soaring across the blue sky above. They could hear the distant sounds of the city. Cars honking their horns. Vendors were selling goods. It was beautiful.

Cuphead's mouth fell open in awe at the beauty of his home. He thought he'd never see it again. For a moment, he forgot all about the Devil, the serums, his soul. All that mattered was that he and Mugman were home. At least for now.

Turning to back Mugman, Cuphead grinned. "Look at this place!" He laughed. "How'd we never realize it was so beautiful?"

"I dunno." Mugman wistfully replied, Cuphead's contagious joy rubbing off on him. "It's even better than I remembered..."

"C'mon! We gotta see the place with fresh eyes!" Cuphead exclaimed, running to Mugman, hand outstretched.

Mugman nervously looked up at the Devil, who was tightly holding his other hand. "Boss? Can I go with him?"

"Of course." The Devil said lovingly. "You boys go and run on ahead. If you have any trouble along the way, don't worry; know I'm not too far behind."

"Great, let's go!" Cuphead impatiently cut in, grabbing Mugman's hand and darting ahead.

"Woah! Slow down, Cuphead! I-I can't run as fast as you!" Mugman yelped, struggling to keep up.

The twins jumped across the tracks, running towards the big city. Cuphead let out a cry of glee. They were home.

The first stop on Cuphead's list was the city square. There was an ice cream truck there. It was the best in all of Inkwell. Whenever Elder Kettle gave the boys pocket money, they'd go straight to the Third Isle just for the ice cream.

Reaching the city, Cuphead pulled Mugman right into the fray of bustling crowds and heavy traffic. Cuphead didn't care if he was rude. Who knew when they'd be allowed to come home again? He had to make the most of it, for him and Mugman.

Cuphead skidded to a stop as he reached the center of the square. Mugman almost tripped but managed to catch his balance.

"Here we are, Mugsy! The city square!" Cuphead declared, spreading out his arms and spinning around victoriously. "You remember that ice cream man we always used to go to?"

"Yeah..?"

"Well, I figured that 'cause this is our day out and all, we could get some of that ice cream! With extra sprinkles, of course." Cuphead chirped, nudging Mugman in the ribs.

Mugman squeezed his hand tightly, keeping his head low. "I'd really like that." He murmured.

Something was wrong. Cuphead could tell that much but didn't have a clue as to what was wrong. Shouldn't Mugman be happy? They finally were out of the casino, even if only for a little while.

"What's the matter? You doin' okay?"

"Yeah. It's just my head." Mugman replied, wincing. "It started hurtin' real bad."

"Do you think your concussion is actin' up? Maybe I should get the Devil?"

"N-no!" Mugman snapped. "Sorry... I didn't mean to raise my voice. I just. I don't wanna go back, Cups, please don't make me. I-I'll be fine. Maybe after ice cream, we can go somewhere quiet? Like Elder Kettle's cottage. I think all the people are makin' me nervous. Too many thoughts."

Cuphead patted him on the back. "Sure thing! Whatever works for you, Mugsy! And I'll make sure not to run too fast again, so your head don't hurt as much."

"Thank you..." Mugman smiled. There was pain behind the smile but also gratitude. "You're the best brother anyone coulda ever asked for."

"Pssh, nah. That honor goes to you, Mugsy. Now c'mon! Let's get some ice cream!" Cuphead said.

With that, they were off once again. They'd almost reached the ice cream truck when suddenly, a piercing scream cut through the air. Mugman froze, covering his ears. Cuphead pulled out his finger guns, charging up bursts of magic.

Cuphead surveyed the square, looking for the culprit. Was the Devil there? Had he scared someone? Or hurt them?

His eyes fell upon a woman. She'd dropped her bag of groceries, her eyes white with terror, locked on the brothers. Her whole body was trembling as she pointed at the two.

"POLICE!" She screamed at the top of her lungs.

"Woah, woah! Easy, lady!" Cuphead called out, dropping the finger guns. "We ain't here to hurt you. I-I'm sorry if we scared ya, but we're just here to-"

Crash!

A car smashed straight into a building just behind them. Missing them by a few feet. The driver had been so focused on the boys he'd taken his eyes off the road.

Mugman scrambled back, clutching onto Cuphead's arm. "What's goin' on?"

"I dunno, just stay behind me. I got you."

More and more eyes began to drift their way. A crowd was forming. Cars stopped in the middle of the road just to get a peek. Cuphead and Mugman were back to back, overwhelmed by the sheer density of the crowd.

"Hey, you there!"

Cuphead turned to see a police officer approaching. He looked terrified of them.

"Y-You there, boys! How... How did you get here? Did you escape? Escape the Devil?"

"Uh..." Cuphead's mouth was suddenly dry.

As he looked around, trying to make sense of the dozens and dozens of eyes fixed upon him, he began to see missing posters covering every storefront and light post.

Plastered all around town were missing posters with a picture of Cuphead, Mugman, and Elder Kettle. Their family portrait. Cuphead remembered when that photo had been taken. Elder Kettle had dragged the boys to a professional studio just so the twins would behave enough to get a decent family photo.

Cuphead couldn't bear to look at the picture, turning. There he saw a newspaper stand. On the front page of each and every newspaper, Cuphead saw pictures of himself and Mugman.

"Cup Brothers Enjoying their Time with The Devil?" One read with a picture of Cuphead standing at the Devil's side.

"A Mysterious Woman Enters the Picture!" Read another. It was a photo of Ginette, Mugman holding her hand. Someone had snuck into the casino and taken the picture while Ginette was working the bar.

"The Cup Brothers: Darlings or Demons?" Was another headline. It showed Cuphead throwing a bruised and battered patron out of the casino. The man had been caught cheating, and the Devil ordered Cuphead to teach him a lesson.

What happened since they'd been kidnapped?

"Don't go near 'em!" An elderly woman called out to the policeman standing near the boys. "My granddaughter tol' me the Devil turned 'em youngins' into demons!"

"What?" Cuphead exclaimed. "No, no, lady, we ain't demons. We're just kids!"

She shrieked, stumbling away from him. "Look! The child has pointed teeth! Those fangs are a sure sign of the Devil!"

Fangs? Cuphead glanced back at Mugman. He looked like he was about to cry. "H-Hey, hey, don't listen to them. These people are crazy. Too much time to gossip 'bout us or somethin'. I don't have fangs, now, do I?"

He opened his mouth, sticking a finger in. Something sharp pricked his finger. Cuphead's eyes went wide.

"Mugsy. I-I need you to look at my teeth when I smile. Okay? D-do I have fangs?"

Mugman let out a small gasp as Cuphead forced himself to smile. "Oh no..."

Then Cuphead saw his brother's fangs as Mugman let out a sob.

"No, no, no! Cups, a-are we turnin' into demons?"

"Aha! He admits it!" Cried out the old woman, pointing accusingly.

"Hey! No one asked you, hag!" Cuphead shot back. "You leave my brother alone!"

Gasps of horror echoed through the square out the moment the words left his mouth. Murmurs echoed throughout the growing crowd. This couldn't be the caring Cuphead and sweet Mugman they once knew. What had the Devil done to them?

"Leave us alone!" Cuphead roared, protectively standing in front of Mugman. "Go away!"

Instead, the crowd grew closer, encapsulating the boys. Mugman gripped his head. It was pounding. Pulsating. These people. So loud. So many thoughts. He could sense their feelings. Anger. Fear. It hurt. It pushed and pulled his mind in so many directions. He could hear them all in his ears. Feel them all in his mind. He couldn't take it all at once. Mugman clutched onto Cuphead, wailing in pain.

"Please, stop! Please, GO AWAY!" He screamed, stretching out his hands.

It was like a bomb of magic energy had been set off. Bright blue magic coursed out from Mugman's body like a tsunami of water.

Cuphead screamed in fear, holding onto Mugman tightly, watching as the crowd's eyes turned blue. Matching his brother's radiant blue eyes. One moment, the crowd was closing in. The next, they'd turned to flee as if for their very lives. People scrambled out of their cars, running frantically, leaving the vehicles idling in the street. Workers abandoned their stores and offices, sprinting as far away as possible.

Everyone who'd been within ten feet of Mugman fled. Screaming. Wailing. Repeating the exact same words Mugman was saying.

"Go away!"

"Run!"

"Leave us alone!"

The sounds of the panicked crowd faded and the mob fled into the distance. Now, Cuphead and Mugman stood alone in the empty square. The bright blue light in Mugman's eyes sputtered and faded. His knees gave out.

"Mugsy!" Cuphead cried, catching his brother. "Mugsy, c'mon, wake up! They're gone now. You did it! Please, just wake up!"

Mugman's body was limp and unresponsive.

"No. Please not again!" Cuphead continued, shaking Mugman's body. "Please wake up!" Tears rolled down his cheeks. He couldn't do this again. He couldn't lose Mugman.

Cuphead could hear someone approaching from behind but didn't bother to turn around. "Whaddya want? Here to mock us some more?" He yelled hoarsely, wiping away his tears. "If you don't scram this second. I'll kill you."

"Ohoho, a chilling threat, my boy, but I'm afraid it's just little old me." Said a familiar voice. The Devil. "I told you I wouldn't be far if trouble struck, and here I am."

Cuphead turned. Part of him was strangely relieved to see the Devil. "You gotta help me. Mugman's in that... That thing again. Where it looks like he's dead." Cuphead said. "He got real scared. Everyone was callin' us demons, and then he did this thing. Where like, all this blue magic came outta him, and everyone ran away. Then he fell unconscious, like how he is now."

"Oh, I know. I saw the whole thing."

Cuphead froze. "You did? Why didn't you help us?"

"I thought you wouldn't have wanted me to. I thought you said you hated me." The Devil grinned.

"I'm sorry, okay?" Cuphead spat, looking at the ground. "Now, can you please help Mugman? I-I don't know a thing about what goin' on and I need your help. What even happened to him?"

"His gift showed itself. In a rather spectacular way, I might add." The Devil said, sitting on the ground next to Cuphead. "Mind control. Ahh, my little Mugman, I didn't know you had it in you."

"Mind control?"

"Well, the serum was supposed to make him just able to read minds." The Devil mused, taking Mugman from Cuphead's arms. Checking his pulse. "But, from what I've seen here, he can manipulate them too. What a special boy."

"Didn't you just call him a weakling, not even a couple days ago?" Cuphead hissed.

The Devil ignored him, waving his hand in front of Mugman's glassy eyes. "Can you even hear me, son?" No response.

"Fascinating." The Devil stood up, beginning to walk away as he examined Mugman. "Was that what happened to you when Dice pushed you down the stairs, hm? Were you looking into his mind?"

"Hey! Wait! Where are you takin' him?" Cuphead asked, hurriedly getting to his feet.

"Back to the casino."

Cuphead bit his lip. This was supposed to be their day out. And yet, all they'd done was be made into monsters by the people he thought were their friends. He'd have to get the Devil to let him and Mugman go out another day. Then maybe they could get disguises. Go home. Do all the things they were supposed to do today. Part of him wanted to stay out, but Mugman was more important. He meant the world to Cuphead.

He took off running, catching up to the Devil.

The demon glanced down at him. "And just where do you think you're going?"

"Uh, With you? Back to the casino, boss." Cuphead replied, raising an eyebrow.

"No, I don't think you are." The Devil said. "At least, not with me." He kicked Cuphead back, sending the boy skidding across the ground.

"You see, my darling boy, this was supposed to be a lesson in gratefulness. After your little tantrum in the kitchen, I felt it was time to remind you of how much I've given you. These people out here? Fickle. They hated you the moment you were different from them.
Me? Despite your constant disrespect, I've always loved you as my son, and I will continue to do so. But, as any good parent must, sometimes children need to be disciplined. This is especially true of a little firecracker like yourself." The Devil chuckled, looming over Cuphead as he cradled his unconscious brother.

"I said I'm sorry! And I'll say it again: I'm sorry, okay?" Cuphead said, tears beginning to stream down his face. "I'm sorry... Please, just let me come back with you. What if Mugsy dies? I-I need to be there with him."

"How sweet." The Devil said. "But I'm afraid sorry doesn't fix everything, my son."

Then, he turned to leave. "You can walk back home. I'm sure Mugman won't die while you're gone."

Then he disappeared, leaving Cuphead alone. As the boy got to his feet, he began to see people in the distance. Watching him. Police officers armed with guns surrounded him.

"Son? You're under arrest for the unlawful usage of magic on Inkwell Isle's citizens. We'll need you to come with us, as well as your brother." A police officer called out, his gun aimed at the boy's head.

Tears rolled down Cuphead's cheeks. How could the Devil do this to him? He didn't have time to get arrested. Mugman needed him.

Surveying the crowd, Cuphead let out a long shaky sigh. As much as he hated to admit it, the Devil was right. These people would never love him again. Once upon a time, he'd been their hero. The protector of the Inkwell Isles. But that was a long time ago. Now he was just a demon. The Devil's henchman. A topic of gossip.

If he can't beat it, he might as well embrace it. At least for right now. He needed to get back to Mugman and fast. This was how he'd have to do it. He supposed this was what all that training was for. Making him into this.

Glancing back at the police officer, he forced a cocky smile. Showing off his fangs.

"If you want me, you'll have to catch me first."