~Author's Note!~
Woohoo! Chapter two! Now things will get more interesting as this chapter progresses. Also, thank you all again for reading this! Hope you all enjoy!~
Dice walks out of the Inn, noticing Porsha reading a history book on a bench, and sees her taking notes on in a notebook. He sat down beside her, Porsha not even noticing, and looks to see what she was reading. To his surprise, it was an Inkwell historical atlas that was dated since the founding of the town.
Now, why would a dame, such as herself, read a thing like that?Dice pondered as Porsha notices his presence beside her. She smiles and greets him with a "Goodmorning." even though it was almost noon. Dice had forgotten that he was mainly working from dusk till dawn while he was at the casino, so getting up early was not for him.
"What is all this you written down?" Dice asks out of curiosity.
"Longitudes and latitudes to be precise. It's so I can find something that is buried somewhere in these parts." Porsha explains as she stands to her feet.
"Buried? You're not trying to raise the dead or somethin' are ya?" Dice asks as his sarcastic tone emerges.
"Well, if you don't want to chase yourself all day, then you can come see what I am up to." Porsha starts to walk off after the statement hits Dice, he immediately follows her.
"So, where are we goin' exactly?" Dice asks as Porsha notices Cuphead and Mugman rushing up to them.
"Please, something is wrong outside of the Isles!" Cuphead says and Porsha hears his scarce tone.
Porsha kneels down to their level, "Show us the way boys. We'll follow you." she replies in a calm manner to not draw any attention.
The Cup brothers lead Dice and Porsha to the third Isle of Inkwell. The brothers rush up to Carla Maria, who looks to be in distress, and Porsha notices the color of the water in the docks. It is a crimson red like if someone has turned the seas to blood.
"Boys! Thank goodness! You brought hel-" Carla Maria stops speaking as she glares at Dice. "What's he doing here?" She asks as Dice shrugs his shoulders.
"Trying to help, I suppose..." Dice replies and Porsha Introduces herself.
"What is going on with the bay? Miss when did this start to happen?" Porsha asks and Carla tries to explain.
"All the sea creatures have evacuated this area and are migrating south. The water turned red this morning. The currents from the North are all like this, but I don't know why."
Porsha opens her bag that she has around her waist and pulls out a test tube. She takes the test tube and removes the lid to take a sample of the discolored water. She seals it up with a cork and seals it in a ziplock bag. "I can analyze this and see what is causing the water to be this color and come back to you on that, but I would advise you to step back."
Porsha pulls out a small chemistry set and notebook from her bag. Cuphead, Mugman, and Dice both wonder how all of this is fitting in such a tiny satchel, but shrug off the thought. Porsha analyzes the water and begins making something in another test tube. Then that test tube turns colors while she pours it into a flask as it turns clear. She picks up the flask and pours it into the shallow waters. The waters return to their natural color and Carla Maria looks amazed.
"This should keep the waters normal for now, but this is only temporary for about three weeks or so. Also, It can only go as far as the bay allows it to, so, try to sit around here for now." Porsha explains putting her items away.
"Wowza! You really are somethin' else!" Mugman proclaims smiling wide.
"Yeah! That was amazing!" Cuphead replies with glee.
Porsha giggles, "It's only chemical reactions and nothing more. You boys are very enthusiastic though, so I thank you for that." as she replies with a smile.
"Thank you, Miss Porsha! This will do for now." Carla Maria said with gratitude in her voice.
"Not a problem. That's why I'm here for now." Porsha says as she sees Dr. Kahl walking by them.
Porsha notices his stare as he turns in their direction. "Where did you get that set?" He asks her and she replies.
"It was my fathers and you are actually the one I am in need of speaking to, sir." Porsha pulls out a tape recorder with a tape in it that reads. "TO DR. KAHL"
"Moon..." Dr. Kahl says under his breath as he took the recorder.
"Cuphead. Mugman." Dice asks in a polite tone as the boys turn to them. "Why don't we go play hide and seek outside of Dr. Kohl's lab? I am sure his robot would love to join us."
"Yes, indeed he would." Dr. Kohl replies as they all follow him.
Dice and the boys are playing outside as Dr. Kohl and Porsha are inside his laboratory. She notices it's just as her father describes it. Clean a whistle: tiles on the floor, metal walls, soundproof interior to not disturb anyone, and a giant computer system with a monitor to match. There were gears and machines whirling around them as well as a bigger chemistry lab in the back and welding area.
"Let's put this tape in here." Dr. Kohl says as he puts it into the computer and the tape begins to play.
A projection comes onto the screen and Porsha sees her father's face. Her father's normal lovingly face before this all began. He begins to speak in a manner of panic as if he is losing time.
~~~Moon Tape: Dr. Kohl~~~
"My mentor and my dear friend. Please, please hear me... my last request. On why I am conducting research in this area. I only did it for my family, my daughter-my child...Porsha Doll. She's dying because of what my city has done to her mother and I. Now I am afraid I am paying for all the wrongs that I have done. That is why I am asking you to please help me before I descend into even more madness. After my cure is made for my daughter, please destroy every bit of research that I have created on this subject. After that, I ask you give my daughter pity because she wasn't meant to be tormented by this world at all. Please do not let them find my daughter... Porsha... If something were to happen to her then I-"
A crashing sound echoed through the recording as Moon stood up from his seat. The sound of footsteps drew closer and closer with every second passing by.
"N-no! DON'T TOUCH HER! PLEASE, SHE'S ALL I HAVE LEFT!" Moon cried through the recording as Porsha realized who he meant through the sounds of a crying child.
"Please don't hurt my daughter...your kind has already taken my wife...please don't harm her..." Moon cries as a calm collected voice on the other end.
"Give us the key and we will let your little birdy go free."
"Fine...It's this!" Moon responds hesitantly.
"Prove it then." The voice announced as a gunshot was heard and Moon screamed in terror.
"You have minutes before she bleeds out through that wound. I would hurry if I were you." The voice replied while Moon can be heard rumbling and thrashing things around his desk.
"Porsha! Doll Baby, please don't leave your father!" Moon expressed as he finishes what he has done. "Oh, thank goodness! She's breathing!" He declared in joy as another gunshot is heard and someone falls to the floor.
~~~End of Tape~~~
The recording ends as Dice enters and can see Porsha shedding tears. He notices Dr. kohl looking at the screen as if he heard something horrid and profound. Dice walks to Porsha and places his hand on her shoulder. She turns to him, wiping tears from her face, and has to keep calm to not alarm Cuphead and Mugman. The brothers just walk inside and so she fixes her blouse and smooths out her skirt. Dice notices something inside him that he hadn't felt since the boys saved him from the casino...sympathy and understanding. He looks to Dr. Kohl, who already knows something else, and catches the doctor's stare.
"Alright, that's his final wish..." Porsha sputters out as she pulls her hand to her mouth clearing her throat.
"Here.." Dice reluctantly suggests holding out a tissue.
"Is my face that bad?" Porsha asks laughing nervously.
"...no, but just take it..." Dice replies putting his hand in his pockets.
"Boys, come here for a moment." Dr. Kohl put into words finally after seeing that ungodly tape.
Cuphead and Mugman walk to the Doctor "Yes?" as they speak in unison.
"Do you want to see my latest invention?" He asks and the brothers nod in agreement. "Good, then come along, and Porsha bring Dice too."
"Oh, a-alright then..." Porsha utters out following them as Dice trails behind her.
The five enter a room where Cuphead and Mugman have never seen before, but Porsha has. Her father's workroom and lab, while under Dr. Kohl's wing, looking just as it was left all those years ago. Colorful walls and still the white tiles on the floor. Porsha's father argued that just because they are scientists, doesn't mean they cannot have colorful environments to work in. She could feel memories of this place when she was too young to even walk. Porsha felt the once warm, beautiful, and hue filling walls around her were now dull and dusty. Dice notices her gazing around this place as if she's been here and looks to the Doc for answers.
Dr. this place hasn't been touched in years, so why are we here now?" Dice responds as the lights all light up around them.
"Because...this was her father's last research..." Dr. Kohl announces as machines and other electronic devices power up around them. Dice notices symbols all around the ceiling and floor and immediately thinks back to his time at the casino. The casino had ruins and other similar symbols like this all around the place and idiots thought they were just for decoration. Something was being kept in or out of here and Dice needed to find out what to ease his mind.
"Cuphead, Mugman, go turn on that switch in front of you." Dr. Kohl inquires as he turns over a lever beside him.
"Okay," Cuphead said reaching out to it. "...just pull it?" He asks as Mugman goes to the other one beside him.
"Yes, please." The Doc. replies moving a box.
The boys pull the lever in sync with one another and the room transforms into a whole new area. Porsha, Dice, and the Cup brothers gasp in awe at the sight while Dr. Kohl sighs in relief. The room was a garden, filled form the barrel to the brim with the most exotic flowers they'd ever seen, and had animals living in it as well. An array of hues from different flowers bloom open around them as they all walked around the area. The brothers laughed as they saw a carnation in one corner and thought of Cagney. Porsha however, walks straight up to a blooming bushel of Aster flowers. Their hues of velvet to baby violet looking so calm and peaceful. She plucks one off and walks to Dice, who is observing the roses.
"Here, have one." She says holding it to him.
Dice scoffs while taking the flower. "I thought the boy was to bring the girl flowers." He chuckles, "Not the other way around." as Porsha smiles.
"Well, some people like to flip the script." She replies raising one of her eyebrows.
"Wait this is an Aster flower...Isn't your town named after this thing?" Dice inquires as he awaits an answer.
"Yes, they named it after this little one because it means rebirth and hope." Porsha replies as the Cup brothers walk up to her.
"This is amazing! I have never seen this many plants here before!" Cuphead wanted to explore more and more of the garden, but Dr. Kohl interrupts his train of thought.
"Porsha, this garden was for you." Dr. Kohl spoke as Porsha looks to him with caution.
She couldn't have heard that part right. "P-pardon?"
Dr. Kohl spoke again and explains why this was here. "You heard correctly. Porsha, this garden is for you. It is a gift from your father and mother. You see, before you were even born your parents asked to make this place for you and-well...they never got the chance to see you grow up here In this small Isle because... of not just your father's work, but your mother's as well being deemed too dangerous around people. That's why they went to the city of Aster, where they knew they could improve their tasks and knowledge. Fortunately, they left me to tend after this year after year, in hopes that you'd return."
Porsha looks around her again, all of this, all of it...was...hers. She notices something in one of the flowers beside them. It was a red rose bush that had grown around a mighty oak tree. Now that tree had to have been there before this place was built because it was the tallest one in the garden. She could see other flowers and vines growing around it in a strange manner.
She notices one of the boys tugging her skirt, causing her to snap out of thought. "Yes? Mugman, what is it?" She asks noticing his sleepy eyes. She sighs and picks him up and he falls asleep as she is cradling him in her arms.
"Cups is out too." Dice replies pointing to Cuphead asleep on top of his shoulders and starts drooling on top of his head.
"Dr. Kohl..." Porsha asks while staring at the Oak tree. "Why did you bring us here?"
Dr. Kohl walks to her side. "I brought you all here, so no eyes would be on us."
Dice and Porsha both exchange glances at each other with surprise at his statement. "No eyes? What do ya mean Doc?" Dice asks and Dr. Kohl sighs.
"You of all people should know. The demon himself and his cult." Kohl replies as Porsha looks to Dice.
"Wait you mean they still exist!? I only heard rumors back at the casino from the minions...but I would have never thought they'd still be 'round in this day and age..."
"The cult following is gone, but their leader still remains." Porsha states as Dice looks to them as he scoffs.
"Please, Blackruth was killed by the Devil himself. I saw it with my own eyes and that's how I even made the deal with that animal in the first place."
Dice trails off as he shudders at the thought of those rumors being true. Sure he has seen many evil things done in the casino, but never as terrible as the Devil's last right-hand man, Blackruth. He killed a man in the oven when he caught him stealing' food. Strangled another because he squealed information to the boss. Even poisoning many employees, so he'd stay on top.
"He is able to allude others to thinking things, but Dice you only took his offer because that man was gone?" Porsha implies to Dice and he nods again.
"Yes, that is the only reason I took the Devil's deal because he almost killed me. Once he was gone by the demon's hands, then I would work for him under any circumstances...but then the brothers showed up and changed all that."
"What if you are wrong?" Dr. Kohl questions Dice's statement again.
"What are you inferring' and How could he still be alive if he was killed?" Dice states in frustration.
"Wait...they could have the-no, no, no, that was destroyed..." Porsha says softly as she tries to remember one of her father's experiments.
"Could that be? Now I do know when somethin' is amiss. I need all the answers out on the table here and now before they get involved." Dice sternly demands answers as he points to Cuphead and Mugman. "Those boys will help anyone, now I know no one would want me, of all people, talkin' mushy about 'em, but they were the ones to give me a fresh start."
"Alright, everything you need to know is in this journal." Dr. Kohl hands Dice a Journal with a strange marking on it...a hand gripping a red 'S' shape with three triangles around it.
"This is the same symbol as the one at the casino..." Dice looks to Porsha. "What all do you know and no tricks, cuz I can smell 'em a mile away..."
"I already told you mine. I am searching to stop this place from disappearing along with all of the North. I am just as clueless as you are." Porsha sighs crossing her arms.
"Then how'd you make that water turn normal back there?" He asks as Porsha explains.
"That was blood in the waters. All I did was add chlorine then erase that with high-temperature water. That's why I said it was a temporary fix because that won't be easy to clean up again. Also, that is why I told Miss Carla Maria to stay back a bit."
"O-oh..." Dice felt like not the smartest cookie after hearing that answer. He sighs as they all exit the garden. Dice carrying Cuphead on his back now and Porsha still cradling Mugman in her arms. Dr. Kohl said his goodbyes and then closes his doors behind him. Dice and Porsha walk in silence down the streets. The clock they saw on the street read half past seven and Dice groans knowing Elder Kettle will have his head on this one. Porkrind was closing his shop as he saw the two pass by and snickers seeing Dice carrying Cuphead.
"You got somthin' you want to share?" Dice grudgingly kept walking.
"Maybe, but yer really somthin' else since those boys won't leave ya be." Porkrind comments making Dice pick up his pace.
"Dice! H-hold on now!" Porsha says trying to keep up with him. "Geez...you've got some fire in your legs or something...how do you walk that fast..." Porsha asks between breaths.
"Oh, sorry..." Dice just realizes Porsha must have had to sprint a bit because of her height to catch up to him.