Okay, so this chapter...yes, to give you a hint, a certain casino worker is involved with this. The Devil's Right Hand Man.

I just had to write this. It was calling out to me... :3

Plus, I was at school and I had free time, so figured, 'Why not'?

Also, I'm currently on a short break from work, so..yup. -3-

Anyway, I hope you enjoy! ^-^

~Chapter 10-Shattered~

It happened too fast. Way too fast for the red clad boy. Things seemed to be going well for them at first. Sure, that idiot Dice had to show up, but he and Mugs were both confident, if Cuphead not more confident, that they would beat him, win the battle with ease. Cup's eyes were narrowed in determination, cocky smirk plastered on his face, and hand locked in shooting position, defeating each of Dice's minions easily. Mugman seemed more on guard, as if he had a strong feeling that things weren't going to turn out so well. However, feelings like that were the feelings that Cuphead didn't receive. Ever. Only on rare occasions, which the boy didn't really like to think about.

Again, things were going well. Cuphead was halfway done with his side of minions, doing a backflip in the air as he dodged one of the attacks. His eyes sparkled with determination, excitement and mischief as he fought off another minion. It was about that time it happened. Right when Cuphead was about to kick another's ass, he instantly froze as he heard the most earth shattering sound.

CRACK!

The sound seemed to startle Dice as well, as his blank expression dropped, changing into one of surprise, and he followed the red brat's gaze. Oh.

On the ground, was the brat's younger brother, his head shattered, as well as his arms and legs, looking limp, and unmoving. This shocked Dice, as he hadn't expected the blue brat to crumble so easily. He wasn't going all that hard on the brats. Or was he? He doubted it. He was certain the younger didn't dodge in time.

Cuphead's usually strong, fisted hands began to tremble uncontrollably, a whole tremor shook his body, tears filling his red orbs, and with a sharp "Mugman!", he was instantly at his brother's side, knees buckling as he fell to the ground beside the younger, gathering and pulling him onto his lap. "M-Mugs..?" He choked shakily, holding him close to his chest. Cup let out a shocked sob at the sight of his brother, allowing the tears to stream freely down his cheeks. "Mug? Mug, c'mon...say somethin', please..." Cups sniffled weakly, shoulders shaking.

Cuphead looked behind him, spotting his backpack. He managed to reach and yank it over with Mugman still on his lap. Another sob escaped him as he pulled out the bottle of special glue that he and Mugs had used their whole lives whenever one or the other got injured, and he screwed off the cap with a shaking gloved hand after he regained half of his composure, after sniffling and wiping his face with a fist, drying his face the best he could. "Yer gonna be okay, Mug.." he murmured shakily and gently to his crippled brother, reassuring himself more than Mugman. "I ain't gonna let anythin' happen ta ya.."

Cups cringed at the smell of the glue, glancing down at his semi-conscious brother. "Just ta warn ya..." he started gingerly. "It's gonna sting, alright?"

Mugs flinched violently in his brother's lap in anticipation, but nodded in understanding.

Cuphead swallowed thickly, looking more nervous than the injured. He shoved those feelings of anxiety deep into his gut and stuck his hand in the bottle, scraping up some glue and reaching over before hesitantly rubbing it across one of Mug's injuries; Mug let out a hiss of anguish, clenching at Cuphead's collar, and Cuphead jumped slightly, inhaling deeply. "Shh, Mug. I know it hurts, bro. It's gonna be over soon, I swear." he murmured, grabbing at Mugman's hand and squeezing it, and he younger's fist withdrew.

The older boy laughed hoarsely as bitter tears ran down his face as he continued to place the shattered pieces back on. "Some brother I am, eh? Drag my little brother to a stupid ass casino, get not only mine, but his soul bet as well, and now he might die n' it's all my fault." he swallowed and whimpered. "Mug, 'm sorry..." he apologized, genuinely meaning it.

Mugs merely smirked tiredly, mustering up some strength, reaching up and punching Cuphead's shoulder affectionately. "C'mon, Cups," he croaked. "Like I'd ever die. Stop saying such stupid nonsense. I never died before, and I ain't gonna die now. 'Sides, who'd go with you on dumb, yet fun adventures with ya, or take the blame when you do something wrong, or argue with ya over the stupidest stuff, who'd be there for ya? Pfft. Die...yeah right." Mugs reached up and wiped away stray guilty tears from his brother's red eyes. "Quit Cryin', Cup. It's gonna be alright. I ain't gonna leave ya. You're a good brother, Cups. The best brother someone like me could ever ask for, ya know. We'll get through this." Mug encouraged, grinning.

Cuphead sniffled and grinned, wiping his face dry. "Thanks, Mug. ..Ya know you're my best bud, don't cha?"

Mugman rolled his eyes with a snicker. "I know. Don't worry, we'll get outta this alive. Promise."

"Alright. Get some rest now, Mugs. I'll take care of all the rest. ..Love ya, bro."

"Love ya too."

Cuphead's eyes then narrowed in concentration as Mugman fell into a much needed sleep against his chest, picking up the last few pieces an gluing them to Mug's head. Seeing that the job was completed, he sighed in relief, before his head snapped around to glare at Dice, one hand out, fingers locking into shooting position, glowing and ready to shoot.

Dice's shock expression lessened slightly, and he cleared his throat, gazing at the boy who had clear tear stains on his face despite his strong glare. "Is the blue brat alive?"

Cuphead flinched, fire in his crimson orbs, both at Dice's question and how Dice addressed his brother. "'Course he is," he snapped snarkily.

Dice walked closer to the duo, and Cuphead growled, narrowing his eyes further. "Screw off, Dice. I'm warnin' ya-"

"Simmer down, brat," Dice cut him off, straightening his ever so perfect bow tie. "As of right now, I'm not a threat. I'm not going to hurt you or your brother any further. I'm evil, but not evil like that."

He could see Cuphead relax slightly, but still glaring at the cards on the ground, almost as if he thought Dice was going to catch him off guard and abruptly attack him with them. Dice merely snapped his fingers, and the cards were in his hands, afterwards placing them in his pocket before holding his hands up nonchalantly. "As I said, I'm clean. I ain't gonna kick you and your brother while you're down. I wouldn't stoop that low."

Cuphead's tense and shaking shoulders finally slumped, hand dropping on his lap in the process. "So what.." he murmured so quietly, Dice had to step a little closer to hear the idiot kid. "..You gonna let us go or somethin' like that?" he mumbled, not bothering to meet Dice's eyes.

Dice swallowed, "Well, the way I see it, there's no use in fighting any more. As of right now. However, going against how I usually think...in your shape, you don't look as if you're going anywhere right now."

"So?"

Dice snorted, swallowing his pride. "Would you and your brother like some assistance?"

Cups scowled suspiciously, "Whaddaya mean, assistance?"

"I'm just asking, Cup moron. I am merely asking if you want help, considering your situation." Cups opened his mouth to bark at him, but Dice cut him off again. "Despite the fact that I hate you and you hate me, and we are enemies, you don't really have much of a choice, do you?"

Cuphead snapped his mouth shut. He looked away, glaring, hating the fact that Dice was actually right for once like hell. Cups exhaled deeply, swallowing and gradually nodding. "..Yeah."

Dice sighed. "Very well. On your feet, brat. We've gotta get going if I'm not going to get caught by Boss doing this."

Dice had managed to sneak Cuphead and his brat brother into the casino through the secret back entrance, staying true to his word, which was shocking to the red clad. Dice glanced behind him to see Cuphead having no problem at all carrying his crippled brother, but the red clad refused to meet his eyes. Dice wasn't surprised, Cuphead had grown pretty strong during this journey, though Dice didn't have a shadow of a doubt that the red brat was pretty tough beforehand.

Dice finally led the older of the boys into a room that was full of golden and velvet cushioned furniture. /Of course casino workers would do this well,/ Cuphead thought scornfully as he sat on the couch with Mugman, who was now conscious, but still looked tired. Dice watched the two boys whisper to each other for a few minutes, before they eventually fell silent, and Cuphead blushed sheepishly with a small smirk as the younger leaned his weight into him.

Dice cleared his throat, "Do you brats need anything before I attend work?"

Cuphead's smirk dropped as he resisted the urge to tell Dice to get out and leave him and his brother alone. Mugman elbowed Cups in the ribs with a glare as he whispered something to the older. Cup's face flushed again, except this time in frustration. Dice could hear a small "ouch!" escape Cup's mouth as Mug elbowed him in the ribs again. "What?" Cuphead hissed. "Ask him." Mug ordered. "No way. I ain't askin'." Mugman elbowed him a final time. "Ow! Okay, Okay."

Cuphead sighed, looking away from Dice. "W...We need some blankets..." he started. Earning Mug's stern glare, Cuphead bit out the last word. "Please.." he added in somewhat of a grumble through gritted teeth under his breath.

Dice pulled at his bow tie. "Alright then, Cupface. I will return shortly. Don't you and Mugboy do anything reckless to make me regret doing this." With that, the young man turned on his heel and exited the room, shutting the door behind.

Cup snapped his head around to meet Mug's eyes. "The hell was that for, Mug?" he snorted. "I hate that guy!"

Mug rolled his eyes, "Yeah, well, the guy you hate just happens to be helping us out right now. So suck it up and get over it, bro." he laid down on the couch, still gazing at Cuphead. "'Sides, like he said, don't you do anything stupid to make him regret this or change his mind."

Cuphead muttered a curse under his breath as he folded his arms across his chest, looking away from his younger brother with a scowl. Mugs rolled his eyes again before closing them, going back to sleep.

Dice returned an half-hour later, walking down the halls of the casino with a bundle of red blankets in his hands, after a talk with his boss. He opened the door to the room to see the red brat still fully awake, but the blue brat asleep, on the opposite side of the older on the left side of the couch, head resting on the arm.

"That sure took kinda long," Was all Cuphead snorted with folded arms as Dice crossed the room.

"I'll take that as a 'Thank you'." Dice shot back as he threw the blankets in Cup's face, earning a small growl out of the boy.

"I talked with Boss," Dice said as Cuphead spread the blankets on his brother.

"Yeah? What 'bout it?" Cups riposted without looking at him.

"You better be grateful, Cup kid. Because Boss agreed to give you one more day. Tomorrow at midnight, and not a moment later, the contracts are due. Also, you may as well get some rest tonight, because early in the morning I want you and Mugface to get outta here so things can run smoothly again here at the casino."

Without waiting for a response, Dice started heading for the door.

"Dice," Cups muttered as Dice stopped at the doorway. "I don't get it. Why're ya helpin' us?"

Dice shrugged nonchalantly. "Simple, Cup idiot; Old man Kettle would have my head if anything happened because of me."

Early the next morning, not too long after sunrise, the twins made sure that they had all of their things. Cuphead was up the earliest like always. Dice glanced outside to make sure that nobody was watching.

Some of the casino workers were up early. They all were oblivious, didn't care and didn't know of the current situation. Dice was glad about that. If there was one thing that Dice hated, it was people sticking their noses where they didn't belong, in another's business. Though, Dice had to deal with quite a few of those, especially inside the casino. It wasn't a surprise. It was full of gamblers, cheaters and gossipers. They were casino workers. What else was there to expect?

Cuphead and Mugman gathered their things, before hopping off the couch and exiting the room, Dice shutting the door behind them. Dice led them to the secret back exit, where the duo had began to leave without saying anything. Dice shrugged, and began to leave as well.

"Hey, Dice."

Said young man turned at the red brat's voice. Cuphead's back was to him, as was Mugman's, Mugman smirking at his brother, who was blushing in embarrassment, eyes narrowed, gripping at his backpack straps, crimson eyes straight forward.

"..Thanks." Cuphead said, without a push from his brother, with less force, before quickly running off, Mugman devotedly following, running after his older brother into the distance.