Moving on. And we come to the first cliffhanger with a quick twist ;)

So much already a small info. We are slowly approaching the second season and with it new characters in the story that counts to the main group.

However, I'm not quite sure when I'll do the battle between the two devils.

Ideas are always open also concerning the new characters.

Until then


News of the invitation to the ball spread like a beacon across the island. Therefore, it was nothing special for Alicia when Sally and her husband suddenly appeared at the door to congratulate her. Elder Kettle is also very surprised by this. "Normally only certain guests are invited to the ball" he said when he gave her back the invitation. "Why is that?" asked Alicia questioningly. "Because the ball is held on the mayor's property and he prefers only noble guests who behave" he explained as his gaze wandered from Alicia to the three cups that were currently making nonsense.

"Anyway we need to get you some suitable clothes my dearest" Sally said as she pulled Alicia behind her and ran out of the house. Sally's husband and the three mugs ran after the two women who were on their way into town to get clothes for Alicia. Was she annoyed that she was forced to wear a dress? Yes, she was. And it should be a long dress. Victorian style. Well luckily I don't have to wear it all evening. She was happy about it until Sally asked her if she had already found a partner to go to the ball with. Damn it! "No, not yet, Sally, because I've only known for a few hours that I've been invited to the ball," Alicia said, slightly annoyed, as Sally pushed her into the dressing room with a dress she was supposed to wear.

It was a navy blue gown with light blue ruffles that went from the shoulders down and separated the navy blue from the black that was in the middle of the dress. This was decorated with various floral patterns gold. from the neck to the chest the gown was closed with black buttons. Already good that I do not need help to get in or out of the gown. A black belt went around her waist and was connected with a silver buckle like a normal belt. Her arms were covered up to the elbow by the gown which followed the same pattern. Only the end was trimmed with black ruffles. A zipper allowed her to move her arms more freely than before. She did not have to wear a corset. That pleased her very much. She took off her clothes and got into the dress Sally had given her. She waited outside and couldn't wait to see what Alicia looked like in the dress. Cuphead and the others arrived panting and out of breath as the locker room door slowly opened and they saw Alicia. "What the Alicia you look..." Mugman couldn't close his mouth in amazement. "...Beautiful!" said Cuppy. The rest of the customers who walked past her stopped for a moment to look at her more closely.

Okay, I know I look good in a gown, but do they all have to stare at me like that? Yes, she didn't feel well and Sally saw that and decided to help her goddaughter by pushing her into the dressing room and closing the door behind her. "Well, enough of that, we know she looks nice, so go away!" the actress said annoyed as she held her hand above the dressing room and asked the others to leave. Only her husband and the three cups stayed while the rest left the store or continued to look around. "Thank you Sally," Alicia said with relief. "You're welcome my dear" she said, stroking her head to reassure her. "So you've made up your mind?" she asked Alicia. Alicia nodded and even though she was not a fan of dresses. Especially long dresses like this one she still needed matching shoes. High heels in navy blue, of course. Alicia felt like Cinderella as she tried to walk with the shoes just straight. Did she fall more times on the floor? Yes she did but she got better with every time.

Fortunately, the shoes were hidden under the gown. But to get used to the gown and the high heels she had to walk around with it. "So I can already see that I'm going to hate it when I go to get something to eat" she said as she felt herself stepping on her skirt several times and almost threatening to fall over if Sally or the three cups hadn't helped her. "Never forget to lift the dress when you walk around with it!" said Sally, showing her what she meant. Yes I know that Sally but Bon Bon doesn't walk around like that either. Again, her dress was also part candy and not fabric. Alicia wanted the whole thing over with as soon as possible so that the dress would rot in the closet like her prom dress and disappear behind all the jackets.

But the search for a partner for the ball still had to be fulfilled. Fortunately, Sally knew good partners that she could choose for Alicia. "Luckily you are also invited to the ball," Alicia said with relief when she learned that Sally and her husband were also invited. "In fact, you can thank Sally for suggesting you to the mayor," her husband said, which made Alicia blush. "Um...thank you?" said Alicia as she said goodbye to the two. The three cups followed her and went with her into the forest to return to the cottage. But on the way there they did not notice that the devil was hiding in the bush with Henchman and Amnon. "So she still needs a dance partner to participate in the ball?" said the devil as he slowly rubbed his hands and wagged his tail. "Um boss do you have any ideas or why is your tail wagging with joy?" asked Henchman. The devil was never like that. Only when something diabolical happened in front of his eyes.

But the devil did not answer him but thought as he touched the ground with his trident and changed his appearance. He was no longer a demon but an anthropomorphic jackal with black fur, yellow eyes outlined in black, yellow claws on his feet, white gloves similar to King Dice's but in a slightly darker tone and a black tail with a yellow tip. He wore a grey waistcoat and a black tailcoat that went down to his waist and into a pair of trousers that ended with a pair of black leather shoes with openings for the toes. He wore a white top hat on his head through which his black ears went. A dark gray walking stick with a diamond on the handle completed his appearance. "And what do you say?" the devil asked the two demons who were still in the bush. "Y-y-y-you look w-w-w-wonderful, b-b-b-boss," said Amnon in a trembling voice. "You're going to stand out at the ball," said Henchman. This pleased the devil as he tapped the ground with his walking stick and disappeared.

Still in the forest, the four continued walking. Alicia held up the gown but she still felt that she kept stepping on the skirt. This can't be true! she growled annoyed as she lifted so much that you could almost see her underwear. At least that's what the three cups saw, so they helped her and took one end of the gown and lifted it up so Alicia wouldn't trip again. She thanked the three and was glad that she did not meet the devil. Because if he would see her like this, he could kidnap her without any problems without her being able to do anything against it. No wonder that in most stories a princess was always the damsel in distress. In a dress one could run away only with difficulty. Alicia knew that she was not such a princess, but when someone suddenly came from behind the tree, she was ready to fight anyone. But she was relieved. It was not the devil but a jackal.

"Well my goodness who do we have here a beautiful woman in a beautiful gown accompanied by three tots" said the Jackal and walked over to the four as he walked around Alicia to examine her. "Hmm I like that a lot" said the Jackal as he stood in front of her again leaning on his walking stick. He seemed to be waiting for a response. "Um can I help you with anything?" she asked. The Jackal had to chuckle. "Um yes you could my dearest". He came closer to her but the three cups blocked his way. But he pushed them aside with his walking stick and walked closer to Alicia. "Well I heard and I have quite good ears my dearest!" he said and stared at her with his yellow eyes. "Haven't you found a partner for the dance yet" Alicia rolled her eyes "Yes I don't have a partner yet but-" he raised his hand to ask her not to speak further. "I would like to be your partner for the evening my lady" he said and took her right hand where her wedding ring was that she got from Lucifer and kissed it.

She didn't know why but she nodded and had chosen the Jackal. "What's your name if you don't mind me asking?" asked Alicia as the Jackal let go of her hand. "Jack. Just Jack my last name is not that important" he said looking down at his claws. Alicia didn't know why but they looked very suspiciously familiar. She shook her head, thinking nothing of it. She had a partner and could go to the ball in a day without any problems. So they walked on while the jackal slowly waved behind her and grinned devilishly. Henchman and Amnon appeared behind him as the Jackal turned back into the devil. He had a plan how to win Alicia over and how to force her to become his wife and queen. "Oh my dearest Alicia, you don't know what's coming" he said and laughed devilishly before touching the ground with his trident and disappearing together with Henchman and Amnon.


Arriving at the cottage, Alicia immediately changed clothes and lay down in bed while trying to pass the next few hours. Cuppy, Cuphead and Mugman noticed that she was not beaming as happily as usual. Well, it's hard to tell when you can't see her face buried in the pillow. "I guess we should leave her alone" Cuppy said as the two brothers agreed with him and disappeared. She needed her rest now, which she enjoyed. Whole six hours to say exactly. Only when there was a knock at the door she turned from the wall she had been staring at to the door. "Yes?" she asked as the door opened and Elder Kettle came in with a tray of food and drink. It was already evening and the others were surely already eating in the kitchen. But Elder Kettle did not want to force her to come, but rather brought her the food.

"I know you're not too happy about having to go to the ball tomorrow in a gown but look on the bright side" She looked at him and gave him a "you're serious" expression before staring at the wall again. Elder Kettle knew she could not be cheered up as quickly as the three brothers. "But at least you're not alone, or have you found a partner?" he asked her. She just nodded and paid him no further attention. She wanted to be alone. He understood that and walked out of the room. She was now alone and lost in thought again while her stomach growled with hunger. So she got up and ate something while thinking about something that reminded her of Lucifer again. It was a few months ago after she and the two brothers came from D.L.C. Island. Lucifer had brought her back to the part of Inkwell Hell that only he and she knew. Out of nowhere a record player appeared playing soft jazz music.

"May I have this dance?" he asked her, extending his right hand as Alicia tried not to laugh. But she laughed not because of him but just because. "Of course" she said and they both started to dance like there was no tomorrow. The music got faster and faster and so did the dance. But just before the climax Lucifer pulled her closer to him and looked into her eyes. The palpitations could not be ignored. "You don't know how happy I am to have you with me," he said and squeezed her tightly. She was with her face half in his fur. "How happy are you?" she asked him as she freed her face from his fur. "Oh, I'm so happy that I wouldn't trade you for anything in the world". Alicia blushed. "And I would be more than unhappy if I knew I would never see you again" Aww. She blushed when he said that. "And I would hunt down and wipe out anyone who dared take you away from me until nothing but ashes remained and then wipe them out until nothing remained" he said as his right hand ran over her cheek.

She had to drop a tear when he said that. "Is something wrong?" he asked her. "It's nothing, I'm just happy, that's all" Alicia said as she hugged him. "That's good to hear my love" Lucifer said and continued to caress her while the music in the background slowly faded away so that the two were not disturbed. Yes she missed him. Very much so. "Oh man I feel really empty without him" she said softly as she put the now empty tray on her bed and went to the window and opened it. "Is this a cliché now when I start singing?" she asked herself as she looked outside. It was dark. She thought nothing of it and began to sing.


I will always be with you.
Makes no difference where
your road takes you to.
Even if we´re apart,
now we´re joined at the heart.
Though our moment may be gone
you and i will still live on.

Sang Alicia as the birds and fireflies came out of the forest to hear her voice. This was also heard by the three brothers and Elder Kettle who were cleaning up in the kitchen. But Lucifer also heard it, or rather felt it, and could not help but sing along.

I will always be with you.
I´ll be by your side whatever you do.
Other memories may fade,
but the ones that we made
are eternal as a star.
Now I´m part of who you are.

He stood up from his throne and began to sing along as the Imps and Demons looked to him. They knew he missed Alicia, their queen who was trapped in another world. Unfortunately, there was no way to get to her. Well, there was, but getting back was impossible. But his will was stronger. He wanted to see her again and hold her in his arms. Rub his nose with hers and tell her how much he loved her.

And I´ll be there with you in the sound of your laughter.
I´ll be in the tears you cry,
´cause the way you and I
have touched one another
doesn´t end with goodbye.

They both knew they were far away from each other but still it felt like they were next to each other as they continued to sing the song. While Alicia touched the wall, Lucifer felt it as he leaned against a pillar. The Imps approached him as he slowly looked to him.

I will always be with you,
like a guardian angel, constant and true.
When you´re lost in the night
and you can´t see the light
my love will see you through.

Alicia also felt that the others were looking at her and were worried. Especially Cuppy looked worried and was close to tears. He also missed his brother Mugman from his world very much. Alicia knelt down and opened her arms in which Cuppy ran in and let her hug him. "I miss my brother too" he said. That the other three were close to tears was clear. Mugman was the first to start crying, followed by Elder Kettle and finally Cuphead. They also walked up to the two and did a group hug that Alicia felt comfortable in.

I will always be there.

Lucifer looked at the statue of Alicia and then at the tapestry he and she were on. He did not want to keep her waiting any longer. No, he wanted to come to her and knew who to talk to.

You have me there.

From outside, the devil heard Alicia's singing voice and was more than happy to go to the ball with her tomorrow.

I will always be with you

Lucifer and Alicia both finished the song together as they both sighed. Both wanted to see each other again and preferably as soon as possible. But how neither knew. Alicia and Cuppy knew that the only way was to wait for the two figures who could help them get back. So for the time being, only one choice remained open to both of them. To stay in this world until the two figures appeared. It was the next day, or rather the next evening. "Yep, I'm glad I only have to wear the dress tonight and then Sally can keep it!" said Alicia as she fastened the last button and walked out of the guest room. "It's too bad we can't come with you," Mugman said sadly. "Yeah, too bad" said Cuphead as he sat down on the couch and continued listening to his favorite radio show. Alicia wanted to sit next to him but the knock on the door told her to go. "Please be careful" said Cuppy with a worried look. "Yes, please," Mugman added as he also looked at her with concern.

"Don't worry I'll be back before midnight before the spell is over" she said. But this confused the two. But they understood what she meant when she opened the door and Jack the Jackal stood in front of it. "Ah, so my partner is ready for the ball?" he asked her, but Alicia took her shoulder bag before she left the house. "Yes, I'm ready now" she said and walked with him to the car that was waiting for them outside. It was a 1930s Cadillac V16 sedan in black and white. The driver was a smallish jackal with driver's clothes to match. He walked with her to the car and opened the door for Alicia before going around the other side and getting in himself. Cuppy and Mugman watched her as the car drove off. The trip to the ball did not take long as the mayor's property was not far away. As Alicia thought, he had a villa with a huge garden. Of course, also a hedge maze. She wanted to explore it but when the car stopped in front of the entrance and someone opened her door she could forget it.

The clerk helped her out of the car before Jack arrived and led her into the mansion. In the entrance area, all the mayor's servants and maids were standing, each holding a tray with something to eat or drink and offering something to the guests coming in. But Alicia refrained from doing so. She and Jack followed the other guests into the ballroom, which was decorated with marble. The floor was made of wood and reflected the huge chandelier that hung in the middle of the hall. The tables were placed on the edge so that there was enough space for the dance floor, which had a parquet floor so that you could dance there without any problems. An orchestra was also present as well as a familiar face. Wait is that Ludwig? She looked closer.

Ludwig mainly looks like a normal human in terms of body, however, his head is a phonograph. He wears a black suit and pants with yellow buttons, on the inside is a yellow and blue shirt with a white fluff, while he mainly wears white gloves. he was as big as King Dice if not bigger because of the funnel. But he also seemed to be similar in character to King Dice. A snob. "What's he doing here?" she asked, which confused Jack. "Oh, he's here for a performance the mayor wanted to have," he answered her question. They both walked over to their table, which was right next to Sally and her husband's table. "Hey look who's sitting next to us" she said happily as she waved to Alicia. She waved back nervously.

Jack immediately caught her eye "Oho, that's a nice partner you've chosen there, what's his name?" Sally asked curiously, which only made Alicia more nervous. "The name is Jack" said Jack as he looked at Sally and then at Alicia. It was not long before the mayor appeared, an old Great Dane wearing a royal robe, and sat down on a throne next to the stage on which the orchestra was standing, waiting for his signal. With a snap he opened the ball and with it the buffet. The orchestra played classical music that was well suited for a waltz. "Shall we Alicia then?" asked Jack to her. Alicia nodded. They both got up and went to the dance floor with the others.

Amazingly, Alicia had no trouble dancing with her gown on. In fact, she didn't even step on her gown. She didn't know why, but Jack's eyes looked familiar. It couldn't be him, or could it? If it were Lucifer, he would have changed into the human form she knew. She had imagined it, nothing more. "Is something wrong?" Jack asked her. "I was just thinking about someone, that's all," she said. The hours passed and so did the mood and mood of Alicia who was more than bored. Most of the guests with the exception of Sally and Ludwig were rather boring. If Ribby and Croaks were only here I would love to talk to them. But they were not here. So she did what she always does when she is at a party where she doesn't know anyone. Go outside and look at the surroundings.

In this case it was the garden of the villa she was looking at. But she did not know that someone was watching her. "So my Alicia wants to disappear into the garden?" said a voice. "Well, if that's the case, I'll surprise her there". Alicia went into the garden and saw the labyrinth from afar. "Hmm okay it's worth a try!" she said and went into the maze not knowing that she will soon meet someone. The maze was not as difficult as Alicia thought. Sure, she hit a few dead ends, but she could always find her way around. "Damn gown!" she cursed as it caught on a shrub and she tried to free it without tearing her gown. She kept walking until she found the end and was in a large area where a cherry blossom tree grew with a table and two chairs, several statues, stone benches and a small pond with koi fish. She walked over to it and looked into the reflection.

Two koi came to her before suddenly disappearing. Alicia was confused. She had not moved or thrown anything into the water that could have frightened the fish. But she guessed what it was when she saw someone in the reflection. She rolled her eyes when she knew who it was. It was the devil. "I knew you'd show up eventually," she said as she turned to face him. "Well, I missed you, my love," he said and was about to kiss her, but she stopped him when she turned away from him. But he was like a limpet and emerged from a cloud of smoke in front of her. Now she was annoyed, "Could you please stop that?" she said. "What my love?" he asked her with a seductive look. She rolled her eyes in annoyance and walked past him. She didn't want to see him but he disagreed and kept appearing in front of her. "Don't do that and leave me alone!" she said annoyed with her arms crossed.

"I will if you just do me a favor my dearest" he said and showed her the marriage proposal that appeared in his right hand while a blood red quill appeared in Alicia's hand. "Sign the marriage proposal and become my wife and queen of the underworld". Now she was even more annoyed. She did not answer him but went into the labyrinth to go back to the ballroom. But before she could enter the labyrinth, the way was blocked by thorny vines. She knew who had blocked her way and growled in annoyance as she turned around, startled. Behind the devil and surrounded by her were several huge demons, all of which looked terrifying. Damn it, I'm screwed! "Well, my dearest Alicia, I didn't want it to come to this, but you left me no choice but to-" Before he could say anything, Alicia crawled under the thorny vines and ran into the maze. The devil growled, "Catch her and bring her to me!" he ordered the demons who followed Alicia into the maze.

She ran as well as she could through the maze, which was a bit of a handicap with the gown, because she flew down from time to time, but was still able to get up. A troll-like demon saw her and tried to grab her but she dodged him so that he only tore out a piece of hedge. The demons had no chance to catch her, the devil realized, so he went after her himself. "Finally out of the maze," she said when she heard a familiar voice behind her. "I wouldn't say that my dearest". She turned around and saw the devil behind her. Alicia didn't think twice and was about to run when her gown got caught in something and she fell to the ground.

Damn gown! She was about to get up when the devil grabbed her with his tail and pulled her to him in his arms while slowly stroking her hair. "Don't run away my dearest" said the devil as he stroked her cheek while she tried to free herself from his grip. "It won't do you any good to free yourself" with his free hand he took out his trident. "Oh please don't tell me that we..." it was already too late. The trident touched the ground and in a cloud of smoke the devil disappeared along with Alicia, the demons and the Car. She was now in the underworld, lying tied by the foot on the devil's bed. She knew that she was back in her demon form, but it was more than unpleasant for her when the devil suddenly began to seduce her. She was already taken and remained faithful to her husband. "Hmm, that wedding ring" said the devil when he saw it. "Don't you dare touch it!" she said as she pulled her hand away from him.

She knew what he was up to and would not let him remove her ring. "Keep your hands off my wedding ring!" she said in a growling voice as she freed her hand from his grip. "Oh this old thing we can renew quickly my love" he said and tried to grab her hand but she was smarter and turned away from him. "Alright I'll give you some time to think about becoming my wife and queen". A chain appeared around her right foot which was attached to the bed and prevented her from escaping. She wanted to destroy it but the devil just waved his finger back and forth while taunting her. "Ah ah ah the chain is not so easy to destroy my dearest". He came closer to her while she tried to keep her distance from him. But the chain prevented it and she unfortunately could not prevent a kiss on the lip. As with Lucifer, it did not remain with a kiss but it took a very long time until the two lips separated from each other. He tingled from head to toe as he detached himself from her. You could see that he liked to kiss her and that it was like a drug for him. He wanted to have more of it. "I'll see you again in an hour, my dearest, and until then you stay right where you are," he said and left his bedchamber.

Alicia was more than angry about it and wanted to jump on him. That he had kissed her without her being able to do anything about it was more than enough for her. She wanted to punch him in the face. But before she could even think about it, she had to get rid of the chain. But how? She felt a strong magic that she could break only with difficulty. But her question was answered when suddenly a portal appeared next to the bed from which someone came. She rubbed her eyes as she looked closer. Wait, can it be? Yes, it was an anthropomorphic wolf with a cape and a wand in his hand who just came out of the portal and directed his gaze at her.

"Um..." she fell silent as the wolf looked to her. His gaze wandered from the chain wrapped around her leg to her. "Looks like you're in a bit of a pickle," the wolf said. "You can say that" Alicia didn't know if he was friendly or hostile. But she sensed that he was one of the two characters who could help not only her but also Cuppy get back home.


Song: I will always be with you from All Dogs go to Heaven II