(Hey-hey-hey!Nraeae here♥!for those who didn't check out chapters 1 & 2 please go check those out before you start this!otherwise you won't know what's going on, so please go check the other one out or you will be confused as hell- get it cuz-the devil and- you know,hehehe-know what nevermind-sō enough chitchat let's get to the story!So raerae says: onward!)(oh and that reminds me those for those who don't know:the bold letters is the story & the non bold letters is me)(onward-sorry)
Cuphead and Mugman sat the dinner table eating breakfast.

"hey Mugman! want to go past Town?"Cuphead asked"there's something I want to show you!"

"Sure!"Mugman replied"what is it?"

"it's secret I kept for a while, it's out in the Jack fruit Forest"Cuphead explained quietly"but we'll need to get across a special way,but you need to promise me something"he said holding Mugman's hands in his own.

"ok, and what's that?"Mugman asked.

"You are to swear not to tell anyone of this secret! NO ONE!not a single soul!"Cuphead said practically begging.

"OK"Mugman promised.

Cuphead squinted at Mugman"Cross your heart! swear to me!"

"OK OK!Cross My Heart Hope To Die"Mugman said Crossing his heart"and to be sure-I Mugman Kettle, swear to God, to never tell a soul about this secret and if I do may lightning strike me dead- how's that?"

"so you won't tell?"Cuphead asked.

"Neva Eva!"Mugman exclaimed"I promised dude! Now tell me!"

(Never!)

"I can't tell you"

(Yes!)

"What???"

"But- I can show you"Cuphead grinned putting his dish in the sink.

(-_-)

"are ya gonna show me a place or something?"Mugman asked about to stab his fork into his eggs.

"yep"Cuphead responded grabbing Mugman's plate and putting it in the microwave.

"Hey! I wasn't done yet!"Mugman pouted putting his fork down, then crossing his arms.

"But we have to go now, Elder Kettle is asleep right now- and everyone else is in their homes, so no one will see us going to jack fruit forest- except our ride"Cuphead exclaimed grabbing Mugman's hand then running out the door.                                                                                

(outside of the hut)                                                                                                                                                           They both ran across the bridge, hand in hand- stopping in the middle.

As soon as they stopped Mugman yanked his hand out of Cuphead's, wiping it on his bright blue sweater."the bridge? this isn't anything new"Mugman said sitting down, his knees under his chin.

"Hahaha!no no no! I didn't want to show ya the bridge! who doesn't know this place!?"Cuphead cracked up, as Mugman turned a bright blue.

"ummmm...t-then why...why did you take me here??!!"Mugman  shouted blue-faced.

"relax, we just stopped to get our ride"Cuphead chuckled pecking him on the forehead.

"(*-*???oh)then...what are we gonna ride? dolphins, whales, ( T_T goldfish?)"Mugman said sarcastically rubbing his forehead with his sleeve.

"Well no- but she IS a marine mammal"Cuphead corrected tapping his chin thoughtfully.

"...she?"Mugman thought to himself as Cuphead leaned over the side of the bridge looking at the bright blue waters.

Cuphead signaled Mugman for silence, then let out a loud whistle that echoed all around them.They both stayed quiet...nothing.                                                                                         "UGH!"Cuphead exclaimed quite irritated"She never listens the first time"He muttered.He tried again, then in an instant a giant mermaid leaped over the bridge then back into the water.                                                                                                                                                      

"Whoa!"Mugman exclaimed getting up as soon as she sprung out of the water"What is that?"Mugman blurted out his eyes wide with surprise.

"that was our ride :3"Cuphead replied smiling broadly.

"not that ya dingus! what IS it"Mugman said rolling his eyes.

"oh OuO...well, she's a siren/mermaid/gorgon, li'l bit of all- but shes also a beauty"Cuphead explained sheepishly.                                                                                                                   She than rose from the water.high up in the sky-close enough to tough a cloud.Mugman whispered in amazement as she loomed over the bridge like a sky scraper"She's beautiful"He opened his mouth in awe as she flipped her tentacle hair back.

"hey cal, whats shaken?"Cuphead said smiling.

"nothing much~ and you?"she replied bending down close to the boys.

"well-recently me and Elder Kettle received a new family member"Cuphead said pointing at Mugman"hey Mugman- say hi!"He said glancing over at Mugman.

Mugman stood there still

"Mugman! hello~? earth to Mugman"Cuphead asked knocking on Mugman's head.

"huh?wha-?oh!right!what did you say?can you repeat that?"Mugman asked his blush reaching his handle.

Cuphead squinted at Mugman thoughtfully"(p-p)Hmm-introduce yourself to her"he said a little skeptical.

"Oh!um...you mean now?"Mugman asked his chest getting tighter.

"no-20 years later"Cuphead said sarcastically.

"(O.O)...ok then"Mugman said walking away.

Cuphead exclaimed about to grab Mugman's arm before he can walk away"dude!just-"

"don't-"Mugman warned glaring at Cuphead"I'll do it as long as YOU DON'T touch me"

Cuphead gulped at Mugman's warning backing away his hands up"Ok ok-chill"

"fine" Mugman pouted taking a deep breath. The mermaid turned to Mugman smiling. Mugman began to speak, but stalling for time while doing so"EHEM!" Mugman coughed clearing his throat dramatically.

"hehehe~"The mermaid giggled sensing his tension. Cuphead elbowed Mugman signaling him to move it along,understanding what he meant- he finally spoke"umm... I'm... M-Mugman- Kettle"He muttered.

"Hello Mugman~I'm Cala Maria- and I won't hurt you~don't worry"She said giggled.

Mugman blushed at the name" Cala... Maria? What a pretty name" He said smiling from cheek to cheek "and I'd be lying if I said your hard to look at" He said with a wink.

"! Oh gee, Thanks~!" She said her cheeks turning a bright pink "your not too bad yourself~" She said.

Cuphead stood there awkwardly as they shot compliments at each other back and fourth. "Um...anyways...I wanted to show Mugman here my secret!"

"So ya need a ride? ok then, hop on boys~" She said holding out her hand.

Cuphead climbed up then turned around to see Mugman still not moving. "What? you want me to carry you on?" He asked sarcastically.

Mugman attempted to climb on, hesitating" umm, I don't know cups- it looks a li'l dangerous"

"hm..." Cuphead thought for a moment "Well, your right- but it's only dangerous if ya try and jump off the hand, unless you land in the water- your pretty much gonna shatter into a gazillion pieces, so you'd pretty much be... screwed" Cuphead said patting Mugman's head, in response Mugman let out a soft yelp.

"Cup! er-um- what he meant to say was- I will not drop you, besides~ cuppys been using me as a ride to his secret for a while, don't ya think I would have already shattered him if I wasn't careful?" Cala said holding out her hand.

after Mugman sighed a breath of relief, Cuphead lifted a finger"actually- I totally meant what I-"

"Cups" Cala Maria whispered.

"Hehehe, ok then- I'll try it out-" Mugman giggled climbing on Cala's center palm "-but if I don't like it, you put me down!"

"ok~ here we go" Cala Maria smiled swimming out onto the ocean.

"I don't like it!put me down!" Mugman cried out hugging a finger.

"relax Mugsy boo~ I'm not gonna drop ya, I promise" Cala Maria giggled reassuring him.

"ya! and it's been like 8 seconds! your such a chicken" Cuphead said bursting out with laughter.

"but I don't like it- promised! you promised you would put me down if I didn't  like it!" Mugman screeched.

"hehehe~ your cute when your scared" Cala giggled softly booping Mugman's nose.

"ooh! looks like this is our stop!" Cuphead gasped pointing, as they closed in on an island.

The island had tall Bright green trees, giant fruits cover the ground. Its waters sparkled a bright blue. Tiny waves splashed at Cala Maria's hips. She and Mugman looked at the island in awe. a bright pink bird then flew past them, landing in a tree. Cala stopped at land holding Cuphead and Mugman in her hand still.

"breath taking isn't it" Cuphead said as Mugman, and Cala Maria enjoyed the view.

"yeah, and the water is super warm, warmer than any place I've been to" Cala nodded feeling the water with her free hand "I wish I can go see where that river leads to though"She said glancing over at a river leading into the island."

Cuphead gasped at the thought  "Why don't you? after all, this is your home- I shouldn't ever be keeping someone from coming into their home"

"you'd let me?" She asked her eyes sparkling with joy.

"well, duh~ your my ride to this place, you deserve to see the place from the inside- you help me get here and back, now tell me why I shouldn't let you see the waterfall?"Cuphead asked hugging her finger.

"waterfall?!ooh! I wanna see it!... Lets go!" Shes exclaimed putting Cuphead and Mugman down on land quickly, before diving into the water like a whale

Mugman and Cuphead covered their faces as a giant wave splashed over them "hahaha!" Mugman giggled as Cala sped up the river leading into the island "come on! lets try and beat her to the center!"

"sure!"Cuphead said running off "last Inkwelltin to the end of the river is a sack full of kiwis!" He called to Mugman and Cala Maria.

"I love kiwis!" Mugman giggled running after him "their cute little hairy monsters!" He called out.

After a couple of miles into the island The three friends finally got to the center of the islet. Awaiting them was a giant water fall, bright water fell from giant rocks as it sparkled in calm waters. The waters were brighter than lights. Cuphead ran over to the water sitting on a mini boulder, carefully he moved his hand through the water as a tiny Fish swam around it.

Cala and Mugman watched as Cuphead slid closer to the edge of the water. Mugman came over sitting next to him. "this place is amazing, is this where you go a lot?" Mugman asked as Cuphead took his hand out of the water.

"yeah... This is the only place that seems as if... nothing can go wrong, as if-Everything off this island is no more than... Darkness" Cuphead replied pulling his knees up to his chin. "I remember my mother telling me 'de wereld is geen tarief, het maakt niet uit hoeveel je wens'.

"O_O" Mugman Looked at Cuphead confused"what???" He glanced over at Cala Maria who then shrugged.

"T_T"Cuphead rolled his eyes "I don't expect you or anyone to understand! it's in Arabic"

"oh, well- what does it mean?" Cala asked.

"the world is not fare, no matter how much you wish it would" Cuphead replied looking away from Mugman and Cala.

"Where's you mom?" Mugman asked Cuphead mindlessly swinging his legs off the side of the water "I take it, I might get to meet her?"He asked Looking down. Cuphead looked at Mugman wide eyed, as Cala gasped "what?"

"I-it's ok,Mugman- You don't know how Cuphead got to inkwell, and that's fine" Cala whispered to Mugman "it's very touchy, even for Cuppy"

"... you mean, He wasn't born here?"Mugman asked looking at him.

Cuphead's face darkened as a tear came down his cheek. Mugman stepped back as Cuphead stood up not making eye contact. A wave of guilt hit Him as Cuphead turned away crossing his arms.

"what... what happened?" Mugman asked Cuphead asked Cala as she made a sympathetic sound.

"... I never said I wanted to tell you that, I think we should home now- Elder Kettles probably awake by now" Cuphead said still looking gloom.

"Come on dude! please- your making it seem like I'm the cause of your pain!" Mugman asked.

Cuphead and Cala looked at him wide-eyed as Mugman stood his ground. Cuphead whimpered, Cala covering her mouth. "Mugman... Where is-" Cala gasped.

Not knowing why they were looking at him like that, he realized he had just hollered at Cuphead "oh no, I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell! I swear! I'm so sorry" He said hugging Cuphead close to his chest "I just want you to tell me what happened so I don't feel like I'm the one to blame"

"but... it's not your fault- it's not" Cuphead whispered looking into Mugman's sapphire blue eyes.

"if so, then tell me please, I need to know" Mugman said wiping Cuphead's tear.

Cuphead hesitated then finally spoke"I wasn't born here in inkwell... I was kidnapped, then brought here,Elder Kettle received me when I was just a baby- a weak, innocent infant" Cuphead explained coughing back a sob "The person who took me from my mother snatched me while she was sleeping, cups usually sleep about 20% of the day- so It must have been easy to come into my mother's home- then walk out with a child" Cuphead whispered  as a tear hit a rock. "I was asleep before the person came into my room, I saw a shadow in my room, as soon as it reached for me-I immediately tried to cry out for my mom. seconds later... I was snatched and the person held me as it stood at the window- the last thing I remember is a Cup standing there, she had a long red scarf, 2 tails, giant black wings, but the most noticeable thing...

her glowing red eyes..."

(2161-words)