Cuphead

Elder Kettle is rushing us off the train that we took to get to the third isle. I have no clue why he's in such a rush we are literally ten minutes early we could have walked and still been on time. As we approach the closed doors of the casino we see people standing there too.

"I see you never change do you, Kets?!" Cagney gave a shout towards the old man.

"You're one to talk you got here earlier than me, Cagti." Both Mugs and I look at Elder Kettle with confusion. 'Cagti?' What? It takes a minute but then we realize that they grew up together and probably would have nicknames from childhood.

"Awe, come on my not a Cagti anymore. I'm sweeter and now delicate." Cagney replies.

"More like delirious. He tried to kill me before we got here, luckily I was still in Inkwell form or I would be dead." Specter told the old man. Coming out of confusion I look around to see everyone that's standing outside. Cagney and Specter are standing side by side the shower man (Cagney) being head by his waist while a little girl in Inkwell form floats beside Specter holding his hand. She looks like a carbon copy of the two and that's why it dawns on me. I turn to Mugs and tell him about my findings only for him to become annoyed.

"I already told you that when she was born. I told you until my face turned blue how excited I was. Of course, you didn't listen, did you?" Mugs gave a frustrated huff before sighing. "Her name is Speyen, she turned 5 a week ago." I feel ashamed for not knowing this but I rarely interact with islanders unless I need to. "But what I didn't know was that Beppi and Djimmi were together much less had a kid." Mugs inquired as he looked off to our left. There they were, Beppi holding a baby in his arms and Djimmi holding hands with Puphead while holding Beppi waist. Puphead was it wasn't in human form, but since he's only ten, nobody will be complaining.

"Why hello there Beppi and gang!" Specter welcomed them to the little waiting group that had formed.

"Hehehe. Hello there! There ain't no party without mwah, Cagney come kiss my hand." Beppi told Cagney as he became closer towards the man. Cagney gave a scoff, but still reached for the outstretched hand and as soon as he did the man pulled back his hand while screaming.

"You asshole, that shit fucking hurt!" Cagney curses while Beppi laughs hysterically in his face earning smiles and light chuckles with the small group.

"You never learn. Beppi, stop laughing it's over now and your laughing is quite annoying." Djimmi says with a calm yet annoyed tone. Beppi pouts and pokes his baby's cheeks

"You are no fun. There's only one sound that Beppi can do that pleases you, and that sound resulted in this little guy." Djimmi blushes hard and looks away from us in the group who are trying our best not to laugh, but Mugman ruins everything by releasing a sputter causing everyone to laugh.

"Why are you guys laughing?" Puphead asks

"Yeah, nothing's funny." Speyen backs up Puphead and we all can't take it and laugh even more.

"It's because Beppi can make a cool sound that will make everyone stop in their tracks. Wanna hear Beppi make the sound?" Djimmi turns pale and we all lose it when the kids' nod and Beppi starts to open his mouth, but before he can make the sound the doors open and we are allowed to go in.

Cuphead

It's been about a good ten minutes and the place is already filled with people and everyone is looking quite happy which, to be honest, is surprising to me. I thought I'd see more apprehensive people or people looking awkwardly around, but no, it's just people talking to the staff and buying drinks and smokes. A few seconds of looking around I hear some shouting in our direction.

"Kets!" I look in the direction of the voice and see King Dice running towards us, Mugs grabs my arm and squeezes. I look to see him terrified before I can tell the old man we are going to get drinks I watch him open his arms for the man headed this way. While in the hug King Dice says something not audible to me.

"And I, you. Card Thief." King Dice began to stare at the man while wiping his eyes.

"I-Is he crying?" Mug asks me and all I can do is nod the devil's right-hand man is smiling, laughing, and crying tears of joy. I am terrified, my focus is broken by the lights being shut off and stars lighting the ceiling, multiple constellations dancing around. Spotlights shine onto the stage showing the Devil himself in human form smiling towards the dance floor.

"I should go before he begins to harass. We should keep in touch more, I would love to meet this Ms. Teapot that you talk so fondly about, shame she couldn't make it. Anyway, I'll be on my way... Boys, a pleasure to see you two again I hope you have a wonderful time." King Dice says and both Mugs and I just nod nervously as he walks off toward the stage.

"He looks happy. I'm glad that his wish was granted despite how he got it. You boys make sure not to cause trouble, you won't hear the end of it from me." Elder Kettle gave us a stern look, all I could do is stare at the man in confusion. From what I could tell he hadn't seen the man in years and yet he still defended him, I guess that's the bond of childhood friends.

"Now I hope everyone is having a wonderful time for those who are wondering the casino is through the door to your left." At that moment most of the people who were packed on the dance floor rushed out to the casino, clearing out most of the room. "For those who have stayed, wonderful entertainment will be provided as well as the capability to participate in karaoke. Now I leave the stage to King Dice." The devil looks to King Dice with a weird look that I could only describe as affectionate, but that can't be right because he's the Devil. He can't feel things like love and affection, can he?

"Alright, everyone. I will tell you what we have to offer and you, the crowd, can decide what we do." King Dice's voice went perfectly with his human form. While giving the option of what we could be entertained with the Devil himself came towards us, my heart began to race and my body ran with shivers. I felt Mugman tug at my sleeve trying to get me to leave the area, but I'm frozen in fear. I'm legitimately scared at the moment; the Devil was coming towards my direction... He was now in front of Elder Kettle only paying attention to him.

"Hello, Bastard. Distasteful to see you again." I am taken aback by what the old man just said. He was never one to speak badly of someone (although I don't blame him because of who he is talking to) no matter how much he dislikes them. So, to hear him say stuff like this is surprising, to say the least.

"Come now, let's be civil, there are children around. We haven't seen each other in such a long time, why the hate?" The Devil gave a shrug and sigh with his sentence.

"You know exactly why. Don't give me that shit. I'm only here because of Dice and you know it, so don't play buddy-buddy." Elder Kettle whips back.

"Not even I want to be over here talking to you. But I have to appease, so let's not make this harder than it has to be." Appease? Appease who? Before the old man could reply the mic is trapped on for attention. My focus is on staying on the Devil, I can't risk anything. Some part of me felt weird as I began to watch the Devil smile with smugness as he stares at the stage.

"Unfortunately, since karaoke was picked and I was the one that came up with that idea I have to sing first." Judging by the voice it was King Dice who was speaking. "This song is short so, I can get this over with. Please watch this rare occasion." I am tempted to look at the stage, but I have to keep watching the Devil, but that motivation came to an end as soon as the Devil gave a serious look and mouthed 'Watch'. I knew it wasn't a suggestion, so I turn my head and watch as the music plays and as soon as the music plays King Dice's black eyes turn green.

You~ don't know what it's like to drown away~ in a puddle of shame~.

You~, yes you~, made me insane~

But not anymore~

I'm in control

I have the stage

You can't turn the page

Now do as you're told~

(Encore, hit the beats [boys] girls)

Fo~cus on me~

I'll be all that they see~

I'll make them sway

No, can't run away~

Now all eyes on me~

Now all eyes on

All eyes on me~

After the performance ends everyone begins to scream and cheer. While they cheer I was trying to process the information that I had noticed during King Dice's performance. This song was for the Devil, I would bet my allowance on it. There wasn't a moment that King Dice let his eyes off the man.

"Hey Cup? Are you realizing what I am?" I nod my head towards my brother. "The lyrics would suggest hate towards the person being sung to, but this feels different. Also, the lyrics would suggest that King Dice was in control instead of the Devil, which would be a suicide attempt for any person, but if you look at the Devil he looks amused not angry. It doesn't a-" Mugs came to a halt in his observations when I loud crash was heard from the door. Everyone stops cheering and all attention is now on the fallen door and the person who kicked it down.

"What do we have here?" The mysterious boy spoke childishly.

"Shit! What the hell are you doing here Bendy?" The Devil hisses at the boy who gives a tilt to his head in confusion.

"Well, isn't this a party? I mean I like parties and-" The boy was cut off and King Dice was the one who did the cutting off.

"How dare you? How dare you show up today?" The air is heavy and the only thing you can hear is... Clicking? I take a closer look at King Dice and his outfit he was wearing high heels. Why would a man wear those? My thought is interrupted by the Devil speaking.

"Dice-" King Dice interrupts with a glare and words laced with irritation and hatred.

"Shut. Up." My jaw drops. I can't believe someone would dare to speak to the devil that way. The craziest part was, the Devil begins to back away, head down, and hands behind his back in a form of submission.

"Wow, you must be something else to get my cousin to obey. Oh wait is your p-" King Dice obviously isn't having the man's talking and takes him by the throat and raises him off the ground. As he does this he returns to his Inkwell form but this time his dice has cracks. I look in horror as King Dice's eyes began to glow.

"I guess since you're here to party. Let's dance!" All of a sudden King Dice throws 'Bendy' to the floor and begins to fight him, Bendy turns into some kind an inky mess and defends himself and also throws a couple punches.

https://youtu.be/5vI5VF3jVqA

[King Dice's descent into a blind rage in the video.]

"Devil, stop him." Elder Kettle began to tell the man beside him.

"Not yet. I won't until I need to. If you haven't noticed guest have been moved to the dining hall. If I stop him now, Bendy will cause even more trouble causing us to lose our deal. That cannot happen unless you want to see Dice break in two?" Elder Kettle stays silent and the Devil nods and continues. "You may not care, I might not care, but he cares. Because of this, I think of the most logical ways to resolve problems like this." King Dice was now straddling Bendy growling, punching, and scratching him in a feral manner. I start to back up until I feel my back hit the bar.

"Boys, come here." Cala is standing behind the bar and we rush to her.

"W-what is going on? I've never seen him like t-this, it's like he's gone feral." Cala just looks at Mugs and sighs.

"I'm going to tell you this. If Dice really wanted to... He could and wouldn't hesitate to kill you and the only person that can stop him. Is his l-... Is Devil. Just look." She points back to the scene.

The cliffhanger of doom!!! I hate these myself, but they add great tension and excitement for the next chapter.

Stay dark my kingdom,

DQB