Deadly Quest

Chapter 2 Death's Offer

By: Major144

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

On Inkwell Isle One, Cupehead, Mugman, and Ms. Chalice were traveling through the woods. Cupehead and Mugman were walking as Ms. Chalice floated above the ground in her ghost form. The trio were heading to the carnival on Isle Two for some fun and relaxation. Recently things have been rather grim and depressing on both the Isles and the rest of the world. Natural disasters seemed to be frequently popping up with no warning, people were getting sick from diseases, unhealthy fast food places were popping up and running restaurants out of business, people were getting addicted to drugs, strange factories were being built creating large amounts of smog and spilling chemicals, and toons were randomly threatening to go to war with each other for no real reason. It was crazy! Little did any of the trio know was that all these events were the works of the Sorrows and they were going to be set out on a quest to stop them.

The elevator carrying Death and Pump Quinn arrived on the mortal plane in the woods. Death and Pump Quinn located Cuphead, Mugman, and Ms. Chalice and observed them from afar.

"They don't look like much." Said Death.

"Looks can be deceiving sir. You're only a little bit taller then them, but you're incredibly powerful." Said Pump Quinn.

"True, but I feel like I should give them a little test to see if they are truly up for the task ahead." Said Death.

"What do you have in mind?" Asked Pump Quinn.

"I think we need to use your other self. Time for Omega Pump Quinn to put in some work." Said Death as he produced a large round blue piece of candy.

"Sir! Don't you think that's a bit extreme? You know I can't control myself, when I'm like that!" Said Pump Quinn.

"Perhaps, but we don't have much time to come up with something else, besides if you get too out of hand I'll come in and stop you like I did at that company picnic." Said Death.

"Very well. I hope those kids are up to the task." Said Pump Quinn as she took the candy and tossed it into her mouth.

Pump Quinn swallowed the candy and her body began to twist and change. Her pumpkin head grew to enormous size swallowing up her chest and upper body. Pump Quinn's twisted into a grinning Jack-รณ-lantern and she sprouted long vines that served her as her arms.

"Yeah! Time to make some kids scream!" Laughed Omega Pump Quinn as she raced off towards where Cuphead, Mugman, and Ms. Chalice were.

"What's that thing?" Yelled Cupehead at the sight of Omega Pump Quinn.

"It's a monster!" Yelled Mugman.

"Looks like it wants to fight." Said Ms. Chalice.

Omega Pump Quinn smashed a vine down towards the trio. Ms Chalice flew into the air to avoid getting hit, while Cuphead and Mugman jumped to the sides and began to fire energy bullets from their fingers at Omega Pump Quinn making her stagger back a little. Omega Pump Quinn began to swing her vines around trying to smash Cupehead and Mugman, but the two of them jumped about firing at the big pumpkin. Ms. Chalice floated above watching the fight and cheering her friends on. Omega Pump Quinn started to pick up large rocks and ripping out trees and tossed them at the two cups. Cuphead avoided the objects, but Mugman got struck in the shoulder by a tree and was knocked to the ground.

"Mugman!" Yelled Ms. Chalice as she floated down to Mugman.

"I'm...ok." Said Mugman.

"I think we should switch out." Said Ms Chalice pulling out a Astral Cookie.

"Alright." Said Mugman as he took the cookie and ate it.

A second later Ms. Chalice become a flesh and blood toon and Mugman became a ghost. Ms. Chalice raced to Cuphead's aid and began firing her own magical bullets at Omega Pump Quinn. The giant pumpkin staggered under the onslaught of the attacks and then she toppled onto her back with a scream and began to change and shrink back into Pump Quinn.

"I'm back to normal." Said Pump Quinn as she sat up and looked at herself.

"The monster changed into a girl." Said Cuphead.

The Astral Cookie began to wear off and Ms. Chalice changed back into a ghost and Mugman changed back into his flesh and blood self.

"Alright pumpkin what's the big idea attacking us? Did King Dice and the Devil send you?" Asked Cuphead.

"No that would be me." Said Death as he glided onto the scene.

Pump Quinn stood up and gave a little salute.

"Who's that?" Asked Mugman.

"That's...Death!" Said Ms. Chalice in shock.

"DEATH?!" Cried Mugman in alarm.

"I thought he'd be taller." Said Cuphead.

"We're too young to die!" Cried Mugman in fear.

Death took the trio in and studied Ms. Chalice for a few moments as he vaguely recognized her. He then spoke to the trio.

"Relax I'm not here to kill you or anything like that. I'm here to make you an offer."

"What kind of offer?" Asked Cuphead.

"You see I'm in a bit of a bind. I have beings that work for me called Sorrows and they have gone rouge and are now causing trouble on your plane. I need someone to stop them and I heard you three are pretty tough. I sent my assistant here to battle you and I must say I'm impressed. You might just be the right people for the job." Said Death.

"So what exactly do we get by doing this for you?" Asked Cuphead.

Death thought for a few moments. He couldn't give them immortality, that would be a lot of paperwork and mess with the balance. Longevity was an option, but Death doubted the kids would go for it. Death then looked at Ms. Chalice and got an idea.

"If you defeat the Sorrows, I will fully bring Ms. Chalice back to life." Said Death.

"I can be alive again!" Said Ms. Chalice in wonder.

"Hold on a second pal. Last guy who promised that betrayed us and tried to conquer the Astral Plane. How do we know that you aren't going to pull a similar stunt and keep your word?" Said Cuphead.

"You do would be doing me a serious service and I am a being of my word. I'll even sign a legally binding contract to make it official." Said Death as he produced a paper scroll contract and a quill pen.

Cuphead, Mugman, and Ms. Chalice studied the contract very carefully. It seemed legit and there appeared to be no loopholes or tricks.

"Alright you got yourself a deal." Said Cuphead before he, Mugman, and Ms. Chalice signed the contract.

"Excellent. Pump Quinn will give you the files on the Sorrows and the best places to start looking for them." Said Death as Pump Quinn handed Mugman some files.

"What do we do once we beat the Sorrows?" Asked Mugman.

"Just stick these badges to them and they'll be telepoerted to me to deal with." Said Death as he handed Cuphead a small stack of grey metal bandages with skull emblems on them.

"Alright. Time to get hunting." Said Cuphead before he and his two companions headed out.

"Do you think that was wise to say you'd bring Ms. Chalice back to life sir? You know in order to do that you have to run it by you know whom and we both know she isn't your biggest fan." Said Pump Quinn.

"Don't you worry about it. I'm sure we can come up with some kind of arrangement with her." Said Death as he summoned the elevator.

"I really hope so sir." Said Pump Quinn as she and Death got into the elevator.

The elevator vanished from the mortal plane and headed back to Death Inc., where Death began to prepare for the arrival of the Sorrows and to make plans to deal with the being that would bring Ms. Chalice back to life. Both were tough task, but Death was determined to do them, so he could go on vacation.

To be continued.