Hello my lovely readers! We are back with a new chapter!

Not much to go from here, but this was a pretty cute episode.

Anyway, let's continue our story...

Season 1, episode 17; Dig a little Deeper

Once more, it was Saturday and the day was looking bright. The goat outside was happily eating grass as the sun shone and the birds sang sweetly.

Elder Kettle had headed upstairs, passing the many photos of him doing various activities such as swimming, weightlifting and even football, on his way to the boys' room.

He whistled happily and passed by some of his medals and photos from the war, that was mentioned in the second chapter, and moved aside a hanging gas lantern, before heading to their room.

Knocking on their door with his cane, he announced.

"Yoo-hoo! Boys! Breakfast is ready!"

"Be right there, Elder Kettle!" Both of them called back from the other end. He knew the boys liked to play or hang out when they got up, but didn't mind as long as they didn't disturb him while he made breakfast. Don't wanna start a fire or anything.

He was about to head back down the hallway when he heard Mugman ask his brother.

"Isn't he the greatest?"

"Yeah. I can't believe how full of life he is, especially for his age." Cuphead added.

"Don't ya just love him?" Mugman giggled.

"Oh, Mugman." Kettle sighed happily.

"Eh. I'm still in the "like" stage." Cuphead commented.

That took Kettle by surprise. He went from saying how much life he had to being put in the 'like' phase. Not a good way to review your parents, that's certain.

"Cuphead!" Kettle quietly scolded. He could put up with Cuphead's mischievous behavior, but commenting on him like that was not very nice.

"What's not to love?!" Mugman asked. "I think you're being a bit unfair."

"Well, for one thing, he's dirty, filthy, and disgusting!" Cuphead listed off.

"He can't help the way he is." Mugman protested. "Now let's eat. I'm starvin'! Audrey, Monica and Josh should be joining us shortly."

Panicking, Elder Kettle rushed towards the stairs, in addition to hitting the gas light, and headed down stairs, rubbing his head.

Once he got to the kitchen, he began to get worried again, still thinking about what he overheard earlier. He grabbed a pot that was hanging on a hook along with other cooking equipment, and looked at his reflection.

"Maybe I am disgusting." He sadly thought. As he placed the pot back on the hook, he looked over at the counter and saw a glass jar labeled "Jimbo's Spit Shine."

Taking a cloth that was near it, he opened the jar and put merely a drop on it. He then rubbed his arm and was amazed how shiny and clean it was. He took the whole jar and soaked himself with it, and drank the rest of it.

Ok, ew.

While he was doing that, Audrey headed outside and went to the birdhouse to chat with Monica. To her surprise, she saw a brown cottage that was two stories and had a lovely garden with different types of flowers.

The birds by the birdhouse were happily eating the food that was stored in the little patch and chirped a lovely tune. Audrey approached the door, knocked three times and waited for Monica.

"Come in!" She called from the other end.

"Say, Mon. We were about to have breakfast-" Audrey started as she entered but stopped when she saw the inside.

The living room was a large spacious area with two large sofas and chairs with fluffy pillows and a throw blanket. The walls were painted a rose red, the floor was decorated with a tan tiled flooring and a white rug, a fireplace near the window looking out into the forest, a large bookshelf with various novels and objects. There was a glass coffee table with large novels and her staff near it.

She saw a stairway leading up but Audrey headed towards the kitchen. Once she entered, she was greeted with a warm and delicious smell, a mixture of apples and cinnamon.

The kitchen itself was another large spacious area with tan wood walls and flooring. The walls had many shelves filled with potions and other objects, a stove with different pots and pans, many objects floating around like a cookbook, utensils, cabinets underneath the sink and a wooden table with mushroom-like stools around.

Monica was stirring in a pot when she looked up and saw Audrey.

"Good morning, Audrey. How are you doing this fine morning?"

"Doing well." Audrey smiled. "Since I have a day off, I slept in and did some reading. Anyway, I wanted to know if you wanted to get some breakfast with us?"

"Oh sure!" Monica beamed. "Be happy to join. I know we have a lot to talk about regarding my presence, but I think I'll save it for another day."

"Sounds fair." Audrey nodded.

The two girls then headed off and entered the cottage. They saw both brothers come down the stairs, bidded them good morning and proceeded to head to the kitchen.

"Then I says-" Cuphead started, but stopped as a blinding light burst into the room, nearly depriving the group from their sight. The boy's pupils shattered, leaving only their white eyes, and they grasped them with their hands.

"My eyeballs are on fire!" Mugman cried out.

"Why is it so bright?!" Cuphead asked.

"Sheesh, where are my sunglasses when you need them?" Audrey asked, holding her hands over her eyes.

Once the light died down, they blinked and saw that Elder Kettle was too well-oiled and rejuvenated. He was practically and literally glowing from head to toe.

"Just your dear Elder Kettle looking his shiny best." He grinned, holding the boy's breakfast in his hands. They were plates of scrambled eggs with melted cheese, two strips of bacon, and a piece of toast."Not a single speck or smudge. No, sirree!"

The boys took their seats, as their guardian placed their breakfast in front of them. His response to them was different. To Mugman he replied in a loving tone,

"Hope you love it. "

To Cuphead he growled. "Hope it's in the "like" stage."

As Audrey and Monica got their breakfast, Cuphead looked oddly at Kettle, while Mugman gazed at him with a concerned look.

"What's with him?" Cups asked, as his brother shrugged.

"I don't think it was you, sweetie." Audrey assured him, as she and Monica sat down. "He's probably stressed out about something."

"Yes, I wouldn't worry." Monica added. "People tend to be like that if something's bugging them.

Cuphead nodded and proceeded to eat his food. They began to eat when Elder Kettle, who was showing off how well oiled he was, announced to them

"Get a load of this shine, would ya?" He began to take a step, when Audrey noticed a jug was on the floor with its continents spilling out. Thinking fast she shouted

"Elder Kettle! Look out-!" But she was too late as he stepped and slipped on the jug and was flung into the air, as if in slow motion, screamed, and landed with a CRASH! Onto the counter that split in two.

"Do you need some help-" Monica started, but Kettle shot up, with a broken pot on his head and quickly stammered

"E-Everything's fine! Still shiny!"

He lifted the pot from his head, but dirt fell over him, making his shine vanish and caused him to cough, waving the dust away.

The boys looked at each other, shrugged and departed the table, taking their breakfast with them.

"Thanks for breakfast!" Mugman called out.

"See you later, Elder Kettle." Cuphead beamed as he and his brother left.

"Don't forget, boys!" Audrey called them. "Dirty dishes go in the sink!"

"We won't forget." they called back. Once they were gone, Audrey and Monica rushed over and dusted the dirt off him.

"Aw, that didn't go well." Kettle sighed sadly.

"You alright, Elder Kettle?" Audrey asked. "That was quite a nasty fall there."

"Oh, yes. I'm-I'm fine." He sheepishly answered. "Don't mind me. Just trying new things, that's all."

"Oh uh ok." Audrey stated. "Well, we were going to do a few things unless you need anything else."

"No no I'm good." He claimed. "I'll just clean up here. You can go and do what you need to do."

"Very well. We'll see you later." Monica replied.

The girls then headed out of the kitchen and up the stairs. Kettle rubbed his head and took a sigh. It probably wasn't the best way to start off, and then he began to wonder about the boys and their conversation.

"Wonder what they're saying about me now."

A few moments later, he crept upstairs and headed to the boy's bedroom door. He stood near their door, pulled out an empty glass and pressed it to the bedroom entryway, hoping to hear more of their conversation.

Now, to all parents out there, I don't think it's a good idea to eavesdrop on your kids. I know you want them to behave and all, but listening in on their conversation makes it hard for them to be open and can express their feelings. Make sure you listen to them and hear what they have to say.

Sorry, getting off track here.

"Looks like we were wrong about how great he's doing." He heard Mugman inform his brother.

"Yeah, he's gone downhill." Cuphead added. "We gotta do something fast."

That caused Kettle to gasp. A bit too loudly because then he heard Cuphead ask

"Did you hear a gasp?"

Kettle panicked and fell to the ground in a panic. Not sure what that was going to accomplish but he had to make it real or they would get suspicious.

"Uh, sorry about that, boys." Kettle called from the hallway. "I just gasped twice and fell down. But I'm fine! I'm walking away now! Toodle-oo!"

He tootled and walked in place, and slowly became quieter and quieter until he stopped. He had to make sure they thought he left so he could hear more. Placing the glass on the door again, he proceeded to listen in.

"Let's be realistic, Mugsy." Cuphead mentioned. "I don't think we can take care of him anymore."

"Are you suggesting that we send him away?" Mugman asked, his voice saddened.

"Send me away?" Kettle whimpered.

"I'm not sure we have any choice." Cuphead replied.

Kettle began to hyperventilate a bit, and moved back from the door. He knew that the boys had some serious moments in their life, and this sounded real to him. He backed away further and further until he came to the guest bedroom door.

He hoped to get some insight from Audrey, determined to know if she can help him out. He was about to knock on the door when he heard Monica talking. Intrigued, he placed the glass on the door and listened.

"But Audrey, I know you had it for a short time, but do you really want to get rid of it?"

"Mon, look at it. It's old, torn, and totally useless." Audrey mentioned. "I don't see myself with this any longer."

"Could you at least try to make it less painful?" Monica asked. "Don't want it to suffer so much."

"Well, I guess I could." Audrey mentioned. "But if it doesn't work out, then I need to give it away. For good."

Kettle freaked out again and bolted down the hallway screaming

"No!"

Unfortunately he wasn't looking where he was going, because he slammed right into his gas light again, causing him to stumble back and nearly knock over his metals and photos. He caught them just in the nick of time.

Just then, he heard Mugman behind him ask

"Elder Kettle?" Are you okay?"

"Yeah, we heard you scream and then a crash." Audrey mentioned, as she and Monica approached the trio.

"Never been better!" Kettle nervously answered. "Just rearranging a few things."

"Here, let me help you." Mugman meekly stated, but as soon as he moved an inch, Kettle retreated back, holding his photos close to him, startling Mugman.

"Ah! Shoo! Scat! I am perfectly capable of doing things on my own." He announced, placing the photo and metals back on the table. However, Audrey noticed that the metals were on their side and the photo was upside down.

Monica looked at Audrey with an odd look and Audrey simply returned her look with a shrug.

"Are you okay, Elder Kettle?"Cuphead asked.

"I'm not old!" Elder Kettle shouted. He attempted to run off, but then crashed into the gas light again. Ok, that needs to be put away or something. He then headed down stairs, rubbing his head.

The group just stared at the moment in pure confusion, looked at each other and shrugged.

"Miss Audrey, what was that about?" Mugman asked. "I know he values his metals and old war photos, but he's acting weird."

"You got me." Audrey answered. "Maybe we should let him be for now and see if he needs help later."

The boys agreed and the group departed to their rooms.

A bit later, Monica and Audrey finished up a few things in the guest room when they heard Kettle call from outside.

"Uh, yoo-hoo! Boys! Audrey! Monica!"

The girls were surprised by this and opened the window, which showed the backyard, and the boys joined them. They looked outside and saw Kettle doing some stretches near his lucky tire. He rubbed his hands together and grinned.

"Watch this."

He then grabbed the tire and began to lift it up. As any person trying to lift a tire for a workout or moving it to another spot, they would know it is extremely heavy and not easy to pick up. He grunted and gasped as he struggled to lift it. He managed to get a grip on it, panting vigorously, until he held it over his head.

Gotta say, that's pretty impressive for him.

However, that didn't last very long as his face started turning red struggling to keep it in place. Then, there was a crack from his side, his nose whistling like a train, and it ended with him falling on his side.

"Ta-da!" He managed to say.

The four looked at each other in concern and back as Cuphead asked.

"What are you doing?"

"You poor elderly thing." Mugman whimpered.

"I'm not hurt. Not one bit." Kettle assured them, as the tire caused him to roll on his side. "I'm hip." Speaking of hip, suddenly, there was another crack, this time from his hip, which caused him to cry in pain. "My hip!"

"Do you need some help?" Cuphead asked.

"No! I'm fine! Now close the window or... or you're grounded!" He warned them. The kids not wanting to argue or get him more mad, closed the window and returned to their room

"What do you suppose that was all about?" Audrey asked.

"Dunno. I just hope he isn't going to try anything else that's dangerous." Monica sighed. "Come on, let's finish the laundry."

With Kettle, he got up, rubbed his hip and sighed. That didn't go as planned and something he should have thought about before.

"Aw, dishwater. Now what are they gonna say about me?" Kettle wondered.

He grabbed a ladder and placed one end near the window that led to the boy's room. He climbed up and peered in. Ok, first off, it is not a smart idea to use a latter, especially after cracking your hip and second, this is so wrong of him to spy like this!

Thankfully, the curtains were pulled back so he can see the room clearly. The thing that caught his attention was the small fort the boys had made, using two chairs and a large blanket. He could see the two silhouettes of them, and some other objects, but couldn't quite clearly see what else was in there. He did, however, he did happen to hear what they were chatting about.

"I know you love him, Mugsy, but what other option is there?" Cuphead asked. "I mean, look at him."

Now, I have to tell you folks and you probably knew about this, but, they were not talking about Elder Kettle at all. They were, in fact, talking about a small worm that was in a small box, next to a stale cookie.

There were also some medical supplies such as a thermometer, stethoscope, bandages, and a reflex hammer.

Mugman held back tears as he remembered

"He used to be so full of life, but now... You're right, Cuphead. We need to put him out of his misery."

And Elder Kettle, who had no knowledge about the worm, began to panic, eyes growing wide with fear, and sweat dripping down his head.

"We should do it sooner rather than later." Cuphead mentioned.

"He's not gonna suffer, is he?" Mugman asked.

"We'll make it quick and painless." Cuphead informed him.

That caused him to gasp and move from the window, a bit too quickly, because the latter tipped over backwards and caused him to land with a THUD!

Much later, the group managed to get an unconscious Kettle to his bedroom, as he moaned in bed, looking a bit banged up.

"Sheesh, that was startling." Audrey gasped.

"Poor Elder Kettle." Mugman sighed. "What do you suppose he was doing up that ladder anyway?"

"Maybe fixing the roof?" Cuphead guessed. "You know him. He never slows down! He's so full of life!"

"That's very true." Monica nodded. "I appreciate his hard work, despite his many circumstances."

"Unfortunately, it's not looking good for this poor little guy." Mugman sighed, holding up the little worm. The boys felt sorrow for the little worm, as Audrey rubbed their backs.

"It's ok. You did the best you could." She assured them.

"Come on. Let's go take care of it." Cuphead glumly replied, as the four headed out of the room. Kettle moaned, woke up and sat up, trying to remember what had happened and where he was.

"Oh, wha...?" He moaned. Just then he overheard the boys chatting outside his room.

"What do we do with his body?" Cuphead asked. He quickly laid on his back, clutching the sides of the covers, and saw the shadows of the four of them chatting.

"We could bury him in the backyard." Mugman suggested.

"Yeah. That way, he'll still kinda be with us." Cuphead mentioned.

"Oh, I think that's so sweet of you both." Audrey smiled. "Monica and I will help if you want."

"I think it won't be long, but you can come for his burial." Mugman suggested.

"Eh, that's fine. I have nothing better to do." Monica shrugged.

The boys held a shovel in their hands and headed off outside.

"They're gonna kill me! Oh where did things go so wrong?!" Kettle cried, turning on his side. He looked and saw on his nightstand a photo of the boys, Audrey and Josh, smiling at him. He grimaced at it, growling.

"Traitors." He then placed the face of the photo on the floor. He laid on his back and caught his breath, trying to calm down.

"Get it together, Kettle. They're just two little boys, and two grown women. You're a decorated war hero!"

He then confidently stood up in bed, got out and headed to the hallway, where he proceeded to take his army helmet, jacket, sword, and badges from the display. He slipped his jacket on, fastends the metal in place, slipped his sword in the holder, and finally secured his helmet.

He peered outside and saw the boys dig a hole, while the girls kept an eye on them.

"Keep digging, boys." he sinisterly remarked. "Better make that hole big enough for two."

With that he vanished from sight and began his planning.

Outside, the boys finished making a decent size hole. It was hot work, even if it was a small hole. "Phew! That oughta do it." Cuphead sighed, wiping his forehead.

They carefully placed the little worm in the dugout, gently straightening it out and looking sadly at it.

"Should we say a few words?" Mugman asked.

"Sure." Cuphead shrugged.

Now, what Mugman ment was saying how great the little guy was or having a fond memory in the past. Cuphead just began listing off random words he could think of

"Shoelace, mailbox, slingshot, octopus, bagel, lipstick-"

"Can we just bury the dead earthworm already?" Mugman asked, annoyed.

The two did so, ever so sadly. They then took a moment of silence for the little guy when something amazing happened. They heard a squeaking noise of some sort and small movement from the ground. Just then, the little worm popped his cute little head out, looking good as new.

"Ah! Nothing like the taste of fresh soil." He beamed.

"He's alive!" Both brothers cried.

"Oh, what do you know?" Audrey smiled. "Guess the little guy needed to be in the soil."

'Thanks a lot, Cuphead and Mugman." The worm replied. "You really helped a worm out."

Saluting them, he announced "So long, fellas!" He jumped in the air, did a few flips and shot into the ground, vanishing from sight.

"It's a miracle!" The Brothers exclaimed.

"Let's tell Elder Kettle the good news!" Mugman stated. The group rushed back inside, hoping to tell their guardian what had happened.

"Elder Kettle!- Whoa! Wait!" Mugman cried, coming to a screeching halt. That caused his brother to run into him.

"Hey, what gives?" He asked.

"You almost tripped on something." Mugman answered, pointing downward. Turns out, he was right. There was a long back string in front of the door, as Cuphead flicked it gently.

"Piano wire? Huh. Weird." He claimed.

"And is that... a tiger trap in the living room?" Mugman asked, pointing to a large pile of green leaves in the center. Audrey and Monica looked and could see a dark, hollowed out area underneath the pile.

"Ok, this is really weird." Audrey commented. "We were only gone for a few minutes and this is all here now."

"And look! Did someone grease the stairs?" Cuphead asked, pointing to the slick staircase.

The group looked and saw that those weren't the only traps around; the piano was tied to a wire, mouse and bear traps were scattered, an X was painted on the ground, as an anvil was hanging from a loose rope above it.

"This whole room is booby-trapped." Mugman gasped. "What is all this?"

"Man, this is really crazy." Monica gasped.

Just then they heard a sinister voice ask "Like what you see, boys?"

They looked and saw Elder Kettle appear from the shadows, wearing an army uniform. They managed to step over many of the traps and stopped in front of the

"Is that you?" Cuphead asked.

"Elder Kettle?"

"That's right! And guess what? You'll never take me ali-" However, as he drew his sword out and before he could finish, he slipped on the grease and tumbled down the stairs, hitting the side, getting flung off the rails a crash landed on a brown table, breaking it in two.

The group winced as he stood up, his body shaking from the fall. He stumbled around a bit, trying to keep his balance, as he wearily claimed

"I'm okay. Still got the upper hand." Unfortunately, he stumbled backwards and pulled another tip wire, triggering it. "Uh-oh." He gulped.

Arrows that were connected to a bow shot out and stuck to his behind

"Ow! Oh, boy!" That really smarts!" He cried out in pain, stumbling back and stepping into a bear trap.

From this point on, the old Kettle was getting hurt left and right, crashing into things and triggering traps that he set up.

"Ow! My leg! My other leg!"

He was flung all over the place, one explosion happening after the next, as if the whole thing was in slow motion and Audrey wasn't sure if she heard this correctly, but she swore she began hearing the music of 'The Flower Duet by Leo Delibes' play in the background.

Finally, after being tossed around from side to side, he then landed in the middle of the room on his stomach.

"I'm still okay." He grunted, pulling himself up by his shaking arms. Just then out of scenic nowhere, the rope to the piano snapped and crash landed on Kettle. After a second, it tipped over and fell on his side, revealing a very banged up Elder Kettle.

"Elder Kettle! Elder Kettle!" Both boys cried as they rushed up to him.

"Are you alright?!" Audrey asked. "What on earth was that all about?"

"Please! Please, don't kill me." Kettle whimpered, looking at them while holding himself up with his shaking arms.

"What are you talking about?" Cuphead asked. "What gave you the idea we were gonna kill ya?"

"I heard what you said. I'm dirty and old and weak, and you're gonna put me out of my misery and bury me in the backyard!" He wailed, putting his head to the ground as a puddle of tears formed.

"What?!" Cuphead gasped.

"No! We weren't talking about you." Mugman informed him.

"We were taking care of our pet worm." Cuphead finished.

That caused Kettle to sputter before blurting out "A worm?! But what about what you said about me, Audrey? You were gonna get rid of me, saying I was old, worn out and totally useless?"

"I wasn't talking about you." Audrey assured him. "I was talking about the dress I wore to the gala. It was a bit torn up, and I was hoping to give it away."

"So you weren't trying to kill me?" He whimpered.

"Kill you? You're our Elder Kettle." Cuphead reminded him.

"We would never do anything like that." Audrey added. "You're an amazing caregiver."

"Yeah! We love you." Mugman stated, as he and his brother gave him a big hug.

Hearing and seeing it was all a misunderstanding, Kettle began to tear up and hugged the boys in a big bear hug

"Aw! I love you boys too." He sighed. After setting them down, he chuckled while backing up "To imagine that I thought that you two were gonna kill-

Unfortunately, he failed to miss the tiger trap as he lost his balance and fell in

"Wh-wh-whoa!"

There was another THUD and the group rushed up to see if he was ok. I would tell you his condition, but I think it would scar the lives of many children. And adults. And people in general.

They looked down and winced at the sight.

"Yikes." Mugman winced. "He's not looking so hot."

"I guess we could bury him in the backyard." Cuphead suggested.

"Yeah. I'll get the shovels." Mugman nodded.

"Or I could do this." Monica replied. She used a levitation spell and pulled the really really banged up Elder Kettle from the trap. Once she set him down on the arm chair, the door opened and Josh came in.

"Honey, I'm ho-whoa! What happened here?" He asked, putting his hat on the hatstand.

"Please don't ask." Audrey shook her head. She pulled out her sketchbook and drew in it and like before, she managed to get the living room to look like new.

Monica began to wrap bandages around Kettle while the boys dropped ointment on his wounds, and Audrey took a very confused and concerned Josh to the guest room.

"What was that all about?" Josh asked. "I come home to a total warzone."

"It was just a little, misunderstanding, and it's a bit much to explain." Audrey answered. "Look, you just got home, you're probably tired, so once things calm down, I'll fill ya in."

"Oh uh sure." Josh shrugged. "I appreciate you looking out for me because, boy, today was crazy. A good crazy, but nonetheless really tiring."

Audrey nodded and decided to take a breather after all that.

Once things died down, she and Josh began to help make dinner for the boys. It was crazy what had happened all due to a misunderstanding and she understood what happens when people take things out of context.

"I just hope there won't be any misunderstandings from here on out." Audrey sighed.

Well, that was really something. Glad that things worked out. Ish. "Toon" in next time for another thrilling adventure!

As always, thanks so much for reading. Don't forget to leave a review, but let's avoid the flames please :D