And here is our next chapter for this Cuphead/Hong Kong Phooey crossover! Anyway, enjoy!

Darkness. That was all the anthropomorphic dog could see as he felt the hard ground around him. Slowly, but surely, he opened his eyes as his vision slowly came back to him.

"Ugh, my head…" Hong Kong Phooey said to himself as he got back up to his feet, then shook his head before hearing a slight groan from his side. The dog immediately turned to see that his faithful cat, Spot was slowly recovering as well, quickly hopping up on four feet, using his left front paw to rub his head. "You okay there, Spot?"

Spot looked up at him and nodded towards his master, with a small, dizzy smile on his face.

"Good, good…" Phooey sighed in relief as he tried to take a look at his surroundings. Much to his surprise, he noticed the strange purple floor, as if he was in some sort of cave. He took a good look around at the stalactites hanging from the ceiling and fire poking out everywhere. Spot looked around as he felt his fur tense up in worry. Phooey, on the other hand, remained absolutely calm as he looked around. "Hmmm… something tells me we're not on that cruise ship anymore…"

It was right then and there that his eyes widened. "The cruise ship! Oh no, Sarge! Rosemary! I sure do hope they're okay!"

Spot looked up at him in question as Phooey explained, "If they aren't… honestly, I'm not sure what I'd do… but how did we end up in this cave, is the question?"

Phooey scratched his head as he looked around. "Hmmm… well, wherever we are, I won't be distracted. I think the only way we can go is further in the cave."

Spot gulped a bit, having a bad feeling about what was about to occur as he curiously looked out the side of an opening to see some large troll-like grunts whipping and torturing some green-like people that seemed to have been in this place for longer than they anticipated. Spot's eyes widened in horror as he saw one of the trolls whipping a poor green person as he seemed to have dropped a heavy block, before said troll sent said weak person into a flaming hole.

The cat then ran back as he pulled on Phooey's gi, but Phooey only frowned as he turned to his cat.

"Not now, Spot. If you needed to go, you're going to have to hold it for a while." Hong Kong Phooey said as he continued onwards towards the cave. "Goodness KNOWS where this cave might take us… or if there's even an exit to this place."

Spot could only slap his forehead in annoyance. He did care for his owner, but even he knew that Phooey was a bit of a dunderhead at times.

And so, Hong Kong Phooey and his faithful sidekick, Spot trekked forward towards the cave as the sounds of screams from poor souls were being heard tortured, all the while, the temperature seemed to be rising as Phooey wiped the sweat from his brow and started to pant a bit, opening his mouth and letting his tongue out.

"Phew, they really should turn down the temperature here." Phooey said as he continued the trek. "Or at least turn up the AC. Wherever we are, it's as hot as a beach on a summer day."

Spot could only look around with slight wariness as the two continued onwards as they kept hearing more screams. Spot could only cling onto his owner in worry as Phooey looked down and laughed.

"Oh, don't you worry, Spot. It's just the ol' sounds of the cave showing us whose boss." Phooey chuckled a bit before continuing onwards. The striped cat could only look at Phooey with an unsure look, before going forward.

After a few more steps, Phooey stopped in his tracks as one of his ears lifted up to hear… music? Spot heard it too, much to his confusion.

"Now that ain't something you hear in a cave. It sounds like…" Phooey blinked twice as he put a finger in his ear, rubbing the earwax out before listening further, to make sure he heard it right. "Lounge music?"

Both dog and cat looked at each other with confused expressions on their faces, before going further until they reached a door of some type, where the lounge music no doubt was turned louder than before. Spot looked wary, but knew that Phooey was more than determined as he grabbed the door and opened it, the music growing louder just as he did so. Phooey motioned for Spot to follow, and the cat, knowing that there was no other alternative, quickly followed behind.

Much to their surprise, instead of the cave they were walking through, they seemed to be walking towards a large auditorium-like area with a lot of seats, some of them being preoccupied by a few strange characters that Phooey didn't know. Phooey and Spot looked at each other, before shrugging as they decided to take a seat somewhere in the crowd.

"Hmmmm… I don't know, Spot. Nothin' about this cave makes sense, but… if it means a free show, I guess I can't complain." Hong Kong Phooey said as he settled down in his seat. "But we better keep a sharp eye out, just in case."

Spot quickly nodded, at least relieved that his dunderhead owner had at least a smart idea in his noggin. As the cat settled in his seat, he quickly looked up at the empty stage, before the spotlight quickly turned on.

"Ladies and gentlemen, here to put on a good show for you is our master of ceremonies… KIIIIIIIIIIIING DIIIIIIICE!" An announcer's voice was heard somewhere as the spotlight began to move towards stage left as a band (made of various playing cards) was playing a jazzy like tune.

Then, coming from stage right, a stylish looking person came into view. He wore a purple tuxedo with purple pants, a pink bow tie and grey shoes. The interesting thing to note about this person was his head, which seemed to be that of a six-sided die, with his face on where the two dots should be, and the bottom one, where the one dot is, on his neck. He also had a nice mustache, and a small smile on his face as he seemed to be putting on a show for everybody.

"Heeeeeeedle-heedle-heedle-heedle!" The stylish dice-like character grinned as he gave a pose, with one of the band members blowing his trumpet in style as the purple wearing dice man started to improvise with a good beat. And then, once the music was done, everybody applauded the entrance. Spot and Phooey looked around at the eager people applauding, before shrugging as they applauded as well.

King Dice gave a grin as he bowed. "Thank you, oh, thank you very much! I just flew in from Ohio today, and boy, are my arms tired!"

Everybody let out a small laugh as King Dice gave a grin and laughed alongside his own, little joke. "No, no, but seriously, we have a good show for all of you today. Just be sure to relax and watch as I entertain you with my musical talents! Hit it, boys!"

And so, King Dice pointed towards the band as they started to play an old-fashioned tune… which Phooey didn't quite get the lyrics, but figured it was some oldie that King Dice sang. Did he hear it in one of those old cartoons? It was something that old clown character from the 30s sang back then… "St. James Infirmary Blues", perhaps?

Either way, as King Dice continued to sing, Phooey couldn't help but be entranced by the song as he listened to it with every detail. Spot listened as well, but for completely different reasons. There was something about this dice-like character that looked… familiar…

As the song quickly finished up, everybody gave a big round of applause as Phooey stood up and applauded a wonderful musical number, and whistled. "Encore, man! Like, encore!"

King Dice looked over and noted the dog applauding over nearby as he gave a small smirk to himself, before laughing. "Well, it seems SOMEBODY really appreciates the classics!"

He laughed a bit as he waved his arms. "Okay, we'll be taking a short break for a moment, but stay tuned, because we have MORE lined up for you!"

Everybody applauded as King Dice started dancing offstage, singing his "Heedle-heedle-heedle" song before spinning around and walking towards Hong Kong Phooey as he leaned over towards the dog. "Say, pal, you look like the type of person who can be heroic."

Phooey looked up as his eyes started to light up. "That would be me, all right! Hong Kong Phooey, at your service!"

Phooey lifted up his hand as he started to reach towards King Dice, only for Dice to slowly back away and frowned. "No touching, please. My body needs to be a perfect physique…"

"Oh, I do apologize, I…" Phooey paused as he squinted at the figure closely. "Hey, pal, I don't mean to be rude, but… have we met before?"

"Well, we should, considering that I managed to save you and your little kitty friend, after all." King Dice grinned as he crossed his arms.

Phooey blinked twice… as his eyes widened as he remembered the last thing he saw before being knocked unconscious. "Oh, that was you? Heh, well, I owe you big time for getting me out of the boat before it shipwrecked… uh, hey, I had two other friends there, do you happen to know-"

"Up bup bup. I will easily say that… yes, your friends are doing okay… or at least, you should hope so, considering what had happened to them. I managed to save you, but sadly, I wasn't there in time to stop the horrendous people that have ran off with…" King Dice put his arm over his head and gave a fake sob.

Spot glared at King Dice in suspicion, however, Phooey looked up in anticipation and worry. "What happened to my friends?"

"Oh, I'm afraid that's not my story to tell. You'll have to talk to my boss about this, he's more closer to this 'case' than anything else." King Dice said.

"Your… boss?" Hong Kong Phooey blinked twice as he scratched his head. "Your boss is the head of a music company!"

"Ye- wait, what? NO!" King Dice said, before giving a groan. "I mean, yes, but also no. He is the head of my music and show company, but he's also…" King Dice smirked as he looked both ways as he leaned his head. "...the head of the Inkwell Police Station."

Spot lowered his eyelids in annoyance, having a newfound suspicion about this 'King Dice' fellow. Who was the head of police AND the head of music? But sadly for the mute cat, Phooey seemed rather interested. "Oh, head of police? Wait, this IS the Inkwell Isles?"

"In a way, this area is a PART of the Inkwell Isles." King Dice said before motioning towards Phooey. "Now, come along. We must make haste if we're to meet the boss."

Phooey paused, before giving a shrug. "Well, I see no reason to complain. Come on, Spot. We better see what's going on around here that involves the case of our missing friends and where they are currently at."

Spot gave a small meow of frustration, but nevertheless, followed closely to Phooey in case a trap were to occur. Because unlike Phooey, the cat had his eyes on everything…

And so, King Dice lead the two animals on a winding pathway out of the auditorium and into more cave as Phooey decided to ask the obvious question. "Soooo… if this is an auditorium, why is it in a cave? And is the police station in a cave too? Is the Inkwell Isles ALL in a cave?"

King Dice chuckled as he explained, "No, no, just ONE part of this area is… er, 'cave' as you call it. The rest of the area is above ground. I prefer to be above ground to do my performances, but for what I do in the underground… heh, EVERYBODY here loves me."

"Funny how I've never heard of you before." Phooey said as he raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, sadly, I'm more of a 'local' celebrity… not like the celebrities of fashion or acting, which is a goal I strive to be at!" King Dice said as he held his hand up in the air. "I want to be amongst the great entertainers… Johnny Carson… Cab Calloway…"

"Space Ghost?" Phooey asked. "I know he had his own talk show at one point."

"Ehhhh… amongst those types…" King Dice said as he wiggled his fingers a bit as they continued walking for a few more steps until they came across another door. "Anyway, we're here…"

"Already?" Phooey blinked as he scratched his head, before looking up towards the large doors before him. "Huh. Did not think we'd reach this far, but here we are…"

"I'll just let the boss know you're here. Stay there for just a second…" King Dice said as he opened up a smaller door within the big door before stylishly walking forward as he hummed his little tune to himself.

Phooey blinked twice before turning towards Spot as he gave a smile. "Well, what a nice and polite fellow, wouldn't you agree?"

Spot could only lower his eyelids even more in suspicion. Phooey couldn't help but notice his cat's rather different expressions, but before he could question Spot further, King Dice popped his head back in. "All right, he's ready to see you now. And if you need me… I have a stage to entertain!"

With that, King Dice hummed to himself and spun around before walking forwards, preferably back to the underground auditorium to finish his musical number. Phooey and Spot looked at each other, then nodded before walking forward and entering the area… the lavish room decorated with pillars and a table with donuts was present. And in the center, sitting at his throne was the Devil… only he seemed to be wearing a police uniform. Spot looked at the figure in suspicion as he gave a hiss towards the figure.

"Spot! This is not how we make a first impression!" Phooey scolded the cat before turning his head towards the tall figure. "Heh heh, forgive my sidekick, I'm…"

"Hong Kong Phooey, yes, yes, I have heard of your work." The Devil chuckled to himself. "Anyway, folks around here call me… uhh…" The black furred creature tapped his foot and put a hand on his chin to try to think of a name. "Uhh… Lived?"

Realizing what a dumb name this was, pronouncing it as 'Live' and 'Ed' in the same sentence, and realizing it sounded almost like 'livid', he slapped his forehead. Fortunately for him, Phooey had bought the name. "Well, hello there, Officer Lived…"

"Commissioner, actually, I'm the police commissioner." The Devil laughed as he shook Phooey's hand. "Yes, yes, it is an honor to meet such a great hero in the Inkwell Isles… and I realize you're just here on a wonderful vacation, which, I don't mean to interrupt, but…" He closed his eyes and sighed. "I… need your help on a case."

"Really?" Hong Kong Phooey said in surprise.

"Yes, in fact, I've had a troublesome case of some delinquent… cups… that I've been trying to haul in for months now, but they always seem… to…" The Devil's eyes shut in anger. "...ESCAPE… FROM MY GRASP… AND MOCK ME FOR IT!"

The Devil then gave a loud roar as fire started to fume out from around the black furry creature, causing Spot to yelp as he clung onto Phooey. At that point, Spot was starting to frown in suspicion, and examined the Devil in detail, his actions, his anger… to the point where he noticed a pitchfork in the corner. Spot yelped as he looked back towards the Devil and noted the pointy horns, then at the tail that wasn't hidden well… and finally, towards the pitchfork as Spot was putting two and two together. Spot tugged at Phooey to point out the pitchfork.

However, Phooey was in a position where he couldn't see the pitchfork in the corner, and thought Spot was pointing towards the fire. "I agree, Spot. That fire DOES make a cool effect…"

The Devil panted a bit as he realized what he almost did as he gave a chuckle. "Sorry, it's just… when you've been on a case for so long and been trying to get these cups to justice… it makes one furious! I mean, the one cup was bad enough, his brother… worrisome and easy, but still sticks to that infuriating cup! Then there's the girl, Ms. Chalice… sticks with Cuphead and Mugman… she used to work for me until she decided to betray me and join the cups! Now, who does that? Let me ask… WHO?!"

Hong Kong Phooey paused as he looked over at the Devil in sympathy. "Gee, Commissioner, you really must have your hands full, but why did you want me here?"

"Well, I've heard that you manage to capture criminals by surprise… and in your own special way! I figured, why not recruit the great Hong Kong Phooey to not only arrest those cups, but to bring them to justice?!" The Devil laughed. "It's a genius move, and nobody would see it coming!"

"Soooo… you want me to go out and bring some criminal cups to justice?" Hong Kong Phooey asked with a small smile on his face. "Sir, you have come to the right kung fu master! Just point me to where I can find the cups and I'll be on my way!"

Spot looked a little more unsure as he narrowed his eyes at the Devil, but sadly for the cat, he was still ignored as the Devil chuckled. "Brilliant! Anyway, these are the cups that need to be brought to justice!"

WIth that, the Devil summoned a mirror as it turned on. Phooey and Spot looked at it as they noted three figures in the mirror, walking along and enjoying some snacks from a carnival they were in.

Walking to the left was a female like figure with a yellow chalice-like cup for a head, a white and gold striped straw on top of her head, wearing a long sleeved black shirt with a white collar and a green skirt, white gloves and bright orange Mary-Jane shoes. She was busy enjoying a nice strawberry cone.

Over to the right was a slightly younger male like figure, with a mug for a head, a smiling face with a blue nose, and a blue and white striped straw on top of his head. He wore a black long-sleeved shirt with yellow gloves, blue shorts and brown shoes. This figure was currently eating a churro from the stand.

It was the one in the middle that had the most snacks that seemed to be the leader of the group. Like the character on the right, he was male-like figure, with a more rounded tea-cup face to him, with a red nose and a red and white striped straw. He also wore a black long-sleeved shirt with yellow gloves, red shorts and brown shoes.

"Let me break it down for you. This one is Miss Chalice, the one on the right is Mugman, and the one in the center? Cuphead. These three… criminals think they're SOOOO clever in being fools, well, they can't fool me for a moment!" The Devil grinned.

Hong Kong Phooey could only look over and blink. "I don't know, Commissioner, they seem to be innocent kids to me…"

"Ahhh, but that's what they WANT you to believe!" The Devil smirked as he turned the channels. "For you see… they have TWO people they recently kidnapped that were on a vacation. I don't think you know them, but… I currently have them on a monitor right now…"

Phooey and Spot looked over as the monitors flipped over to a new picture. Phooey gasped in shock as he saw the familiar sight of Sarge and Rosemary, both of them tied up and gagged as they were seated in chairs. "Sarge! Rosemary!"

"My, my, so you DO know those people…" The Devil said with a hidden smirk.

Spot frowned as he quickly noticed something off at the place the two 'kidnapped' people were in… it seemed to be purple and dank, the same color as that… cave they were in… but before Spot could point it out to Phooey, the Devil quickly turned the monitor off as he said, "So, you see, if those miserable cups have your friends, then this is personal for you!"

Phooey frowned as he crossed his arms. "Yeah, you bet! Don't you worry none, Commissioner! I'll make sure those cups are brought to justice!"

The Devil laughed a bit as he patted the dog on the head. "Good boy… now, before we go any further, I just need your signature here…"

With that, the Devil quickly summoned a piece of paper as he handed it to Hong Kong Phooey. The kung fu dog looked at it in confusion. "What's this?"

"Oh, just a formality thing for visiting officers in the Inkwell Isles, permitting them to arrest criminals in the Inkwell Isles as long as they're brought to me." The Devil smirked. "Of course, you understand…"

Hong Kong Phooey paused as he scratched his head, before shrugging. "Well, if it's formality, who am I to complain?"

Spot shook his head furiously, trying to tell Phooey to read the paper all the way through (he had a sneaking suspicion that this paper was more than worth something), but sadly, Phooey just signed the paper with no hesitation before handing it back to the Devil. "Here ya go, Commissioner!"

"Excellent, excellent!" The Devil grinned as he picked up the paper and dissolved it, before snapping his fingers as an elevator was summoned. "This elevator here will take you to the surface of the Inkwell Isles. Find those cups, take them to justice and bring them directly to me! But be careful of their finger guns."

"Finger guns?" Hong Kong Phooey blinked.

"Yes, their finger guns! Those cups have the ability to shoot random bullets from their fingers thanks to some special gloves. So, don't be surprised if they try to fight back." The Devil explained.

Phooey scratched his head as he gave a nod. "Well, don't you worry about a thing, Commissioner! I'll bring those cups around before you know it! HA! HO! And a rinky-dinky-doo to you!"

With that, Hong Kong Phooey started to do his kung fu poses before getting into the elevator. Spot groaned as he had a bad feeling, but followed his master in the hopes that Phooey didn't end up getting killed… or worse.

The Devil watched calmly as he gave a chuckle to himself. "Heh heh heh… perfect… and even if I don't have the cups's souls… I'll have a better soul to replace it with…"

It was then the Devil walked over to a nearby closet and opened it as he looked over towards the tied up Rosemary and Sergeant Flint as the two of them were struggling.

"And how's my little hostages today, hm?" The Devil asked as the two looked at him with furious eyes. "Oh, don't you worry your limited animation none. Your little savior is currently out doing my job… and if I'm correct… he won't BEEEE your little savior for long…"

Rosemary's eyes widened in horror as Sergeant Flint looked at the Devil with an even angrier look. As the Devil shut the door, Rosemary growled as she tried to jump around in her chair, trying to do something.

Sergeant Flint looked over to see what Rosemary was doing out of curiosity, but seemed surprised to see her trying to escape. But, from the way he was looking at things, those ropes seemed pretty tight…

And that's it for this chapter! How did you guys like it? Next time, we see Hong Kong Phooey trying to capture Cuphead and friends in his own way... and with the Devil watching... is he about to learn who Hong Kong Phooey REALLY is? Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, folks!