Chapter Text
Cuphead jumps forward, rolling low to the sleek wooden ground of the stage, then ducks as a thin razor-sharp blade swooshes above his head, slightly grazing his straw. He jumps up onto a floating cloud platform just as his opponent — a nutcracker — charges forward with a thin sword.
He is so close this time to actually getting their contract. This nutcracker isn’t even the main boss, he’s just one of the goons of the actual debtor, which is an annoying porcelain ballerina. Cuphead rolls his eyes at the thought of her. But he can’t take his focus off of the fight right now, not when he’s so close to the last phase. Cuphead fires at the nutcracker, ever slowly chipping away at his sturdy wood.
Just as the nutcracker falls to the ground in defeat while waving a white flag, strings come down from the roof and attach and tie themselves onto Cuphead’s arms tightly. The red cup groans in discomfort. This is the part he’s having trouble with… These strings limit his movement and sometimes he isn’t even in control, letting the ballerina get a few good hits in.
“OHOHOHOHOHO!” Cuphead grimaces as a shiny porcelain ballerina gracefully descends from above the roof, a devilish smile adorning her sleek white face. She lands on the floor but doesn’t give the cup teen a moment to prepare for her attack. Here we go again…
…
Cuphead tsks painfully while dabbing a damp cloth on his bruised arm. Rina really didn’t hold back this time around… He hates that ballerina so much. He’ll try to get her contact some other time, he can’t handle her cruel taunting today, or ever. Cuphead finishes up by wrapping a bandage around his already severely cracked arm. That’ll hold the pieces together until they fully heal.
Cuphead stands to his feet from the log he was sitting on and treks into the forest. This is one of the more peaceful areas on this island, where Cuphead could finally catch a break and bandage up from a fight. He’d been going at it all day ever since he got here two days ago. Cuphead reaches into his pants pocket, pulling out two slightly torn contracts. So far though, he’s been unsuccessful in collecting these new debtors' contracts, only racking up two out of the twenty-eight he needs to collect before the month ends.
The teen puts the contracts back into his pocket and kicks a rock on the small dirt trail while grumbling frustrated to himself. The Devil might’ve warned the debtors that he was coming. That bastard. Oh well. He’ll defeat them all the same, just like he did a few years ago back in Inkwell Isles.
Cuphead grimaces at the mention of his home, stopping in his tracks momentarily. He shoves his hands into his pockets and continues on the dirt trail, glaring at the ground.
The trees and bushes open up into a clearing where a little village is. This is where Cuphead would stock up on supplies and get some well deserved sleep occasionally (if he had any money to spare for a night at the motel). Cuphead approaches the quaint village, walking straight to Porkrind’s Emporium. Seriously though, Cuphead thinks to himself, it’s like this guy’s shop is everywhere. How does he do it?
“Damn, ya look like shit, Cup.” Cuphead shoots the pig a glare, but the older isn’t at all intimidated by the teen. “Healing potions again?” Cuphead nods. “Yer’ quiet today, bad fight?” The pig turns his back to grab two healing potions, he then turns back to the counter and places them on it, opening his hand for the coins. Cuphead doesn't give Porkrind an answer as he hands the pig four gold coins. The red cup gives the older a nod before promptly leaving. “Tch, teenagers.”
It’s not like he hates Porkrind, it’s just that it’s none of his business. Also, since when did that guy care? Cuphead scoffs to himself.
Since he just purchased two healing potions for the price of four coins, Cuphead can’t exactly afford a room at the motel. Dammit… But surviving is better than comfortability so he definitely made the right decision. But, if only he had Mugm-… No, actually, he’d rather not finish that thought. He can handle himself. He doesn’t need someone else to make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid. Not anymore. He’s sixteen now and that means he’s mature and serious.
But anyway, the game plan for finding a place to sleep — he has no idea. Actually, he does have one but it doesn’t sound too fun… Cuphead thinks back on to last night when he camped out in the forest. He’d been abruptly woken up to bugs in his head, crawling in there for a midnight drink. Eugh… He shivers just thinking of it. But does he really have a choice? Cuphead sighs, but just as he’s about to go back into the forest…
“Hey, you brat, if ya needed a place to stay ya could’a just asked.” Cuphead turns to see Porkrind leaning at the door of his shop with his arms crossed. The teen thinks to himself for a moment, thinking it over. “Get over here before I change my mind.” Cuphead quickly nods and rushes to the shop, following the pig inside. “I’ve got some sleeping bags in the back, don’t get ‘em dirty.” The teen nods and heads toward the back of the shop.
“… Thanks, Porkrind.” Cuphead disappears into the back of the shop before the older can grumble out a ‘you’re welcome’.
Cuphead takes out a sleeping bag and lays it down onto the floorboards. It is surprisingly cushiony, which is a plus. The teen lets out a small grin, sliding in the sleeping bag he closes his eyes and rests his head against the soft pillow. Maybe Porkrind does care after all. The red cup drifts off to sleep fairly quickly, giving into exhaustion from today’s battles.
—
Cuphead is up and early in the morning, he doesn’t wanna burden Porkrind any further than he already has so he leaves before the pig notices and goes on to battle the next debtor.
Cuphead stops at the gate of a big mansion, looking down at his map to make sure that this was the right place. He looks back up and stuffs the map into his pocket then enters.
…
Surprisingly, that fight with the spooky ghosts was easier than Cuphead had originally anticipated. It was just like when he freed Ms. Chalice at the Mausoleums all those years back, he just had to perry them. And now he’s got three contracts! Not bad.
Cuphead travels to the next one, which is a four group of hedgehog thieves. Eh, should be easy ‘nuff.
… Is what an IDIOT would think.
Cuphead plucks out a big quill from his hip, his eyes watering as he did so. He wipes his eyes with his sleeve and heaves in a breath to prepare himself to pluck out another quill from his arm. Thankfully, he found most of the pieces from his porcelain, so these wounds will heal in no time.
Those hedgehogs do not go down easily…
He was so close to defeating them, though! Once he heals up he’ll get right back into battle and get those damn hedgehog’s contracts. It’s personal now. Cuphead downs his healing potion, his wounds instantly healing up and his body feeling like brand new. The teen stands up and walks back into the den in the ground.
“Hey, guys! The little teacup wants some more of our fury!” The blue hedgehog says and the others laugh along with him. Cuphead’s eye twitches at the stupid nickname.
“Let’s show him that we won’t go down so easy!” The pink one adds.
“C’mon, fight us!” The white one says after her.
“I hate you guys.” The black one says.
They all corner Cuphead, quills in hand. But this time Cuphead knows their dirty tricks and goes for the white hedgehog, tackling him to the ground harshly. The pink hedgehog immediately goes to help but Cuphead uses the white one as a shield.
“H-Hey! Let me go! That’s no fair!” Cuphead smirks and throws him at the pink hedgehog. Knocking them both out cold on impact.
The blue hedgehog charges at Cuphead while rolled up in a ball, knocking Cuphead into the wall. But he knows better than to sit around for too long. Cuphead ducks down when he sees the black one charge at him with a quill like a sword, but the quill gets stuck in the wall. Cuphead kicks the black one in the stomach as hard as he can while they’re distracted and they fall to their knees clutching their stomach tightly. Cuphead grabs him by the scuff and twirls around and around and around, picking up speed like a mini tornado he throws the black hedgehog to the pile with the white and pink hedgehogs.
Cuphead huffs, trying to catch his breath before finishing off the leader of their small group, said leader is the blue hedgehog that is currently cowering in fear before the red cup. Cuphead heaves in a few ragged breaths then goes into a fighting stance, his eyes filled with determination.
“You-!!” The blue hedgehog charges at Cuphead with his special move that he calls a ‘spin dash’ but Cuphead stays in place and catches the speedy blue spiked ball heading his way. It burns, it hurts, but this is the only way to defeat this last one. Cuphead groans, the dash pushing him back but he stays grounded, digging his feet in the soil he pushes back. Push back. Cuphead‘s hands start to bleed through the yellow fabric of his gloves. Don’t stop. His knees feel weak. But he’s stronger. Cuphead tightens his grip on the spiked ball and he pushes it down into the soil. It digs into the ground and when the hedgehog stops spinning, he’s stuck.
Why isn’t Cuphead shooting at them? Oh, well, he learned the hard way that his gun doesn’t work on them because of their armour (quills), so now he’s resorted to dirty tricks.
Cuphead backs away and stares at his bloody hands. He just sucks in a sharp breath and gulps. He lets his hand out in front of the hedgehog stuck in the dirt. The blue one just growls, but he knows he’s lost this fight so he just gives in.
“Just take it!” Cuphead smirks and reaches into the hedgehog’s quills carefully so as to not scratch up his hands even more than they already are. He takes the contract and stuffs it into his pants pocket.
“This teacup-“ Cuphead huffs, “can fight like a *%#$@“ He huffs again, “jerk.” Cuphead walks away, leaving the blue hedgehog in the ground as payback for calling him a teacup and badly injuring his hands.
—
“Geez, kid. Ya’ really ruined yer’ damn hands fer’ a couple of petty thieves?” Cuphead glares at Porkrind as he finishes drinking a healing potion.
“They had contracts. They weren’t just any petty thieves.”
“Still, they should’a been nothin’ to ya’ with those weird powers of yers.” Porkrind crosses his arms, giving what Cuphead would only recognize as a look of disappointment mixed with worry. Cuphead waved him off.
“Eh, I ain’t too worried ‘bout it. ‘Sides, it didn’t even work on ‘em. Their stupid dumb quills protected ‘em from the blasts.” Cuphead grumbled as he bandaged up his hands.
“You really have no self preservation…”
“It keeps me alive.” Cuphead says and Porkrind’s face contorts into one of worry. Cuphead rolls his eyes, tightening the bandages on his palms to keep himself distracted from the older man’s concerned look in his eyes.
“It’ll be the thing to get you dead.” Cuphead pauses and he looks up, but the pig has his back turned, washing some bottles in a bucket. Cuphead looks off to the side. No, it won’t, Cuphead thinks to himself and his brows furrow. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. “Well, get goin’ to another debtor.” Porkrind sighs, “I’ve got healin’ potions galore fer’ you here when ya get back.” Cuphead nods even though the other can’t see him and he hops off of the bar stool and exits the tiny shop.
It went on like that for the whole day and then the days after that. Cuphead collecting more contracts one by one. Some of the bosses were more difficult than others, and then the next is easier than the rest. He’s still having trouble with Rina Balleta… She plays dirty, okay? More so than Cuphead himself when he’s in a tough spot.
But he’s been able to successfully rack up a total of seven whole contracts in that time! He’s going to clear this island’s debtors in no time. And then he’ll finally be able to fix everything.
However… there’s one thing that just wasn’t adding up… Some of the debtors he didn’t even beat up were already defeated. Which was… odd. To say the least. Cuphead is supposed to be the only debt collector here from what he knows. Did the Devil send out another? Why would he do that when he knows Cuphead needs all twenty-eight to get his end of their deal?
It’s almost the end of the day, and the sun is already starting to set. Every debtor he comes across has already been defeated. This crab better not have gotten a visit from that damn thief.
Cuphead walks up to a defeated gigantic crab stuck on his side in the sand with his little crab goons laying down beside him. Cuphead clenches his fist tightly, his cup fuming until he finally bursts into a rageful fit of anger. He kicks a seashell into the ocean then picks up a tiny crab and throws it into the water as well. But then immediately regretting it because that poor crab didn’t deserve that. He slumps down to the sand with his elbows on his knees and his hand cupping his face.
“Are you angry that you didn’t get my contract first?” Cuphead doesn’t answer, he just stays glaring at the sand with his head steaming. “That demon boy took it if you’re wondering. We debtors hadn’t anticipated another debt collector coming to help you.” Cuphead snapped his head up at that.
“Help me? No, it’s the opposite! I need all those contracts! All twenty-eight! And he’s stealing them!” Cuphead stands up while shouting at the gigantic crab. But the crab doesn’t react which only makes Cuphead fume even more. “Say something!” The crab just stares at the teen silently. Cuphead grits his teeth and he just gives up and starts walking away from the crab.
“You’d better be careful when facing that demon, he’s a sneaky one.” Cuphead continues to walk away without as much as a second glance at the giant creature.
He’ll keep searching, even if it’s the last thing he’ll do. Porkrind won’t be too happy that Cuphead is going yet another night without rest, but that pig isn’t his dad. Cuphead doesn’t have anyone, he can do what he wants.
—
Cuphead approaches a flower field where The Tulip Trio was supposed to be, but there they lay on the grass, defeated, heaving and huffing with their petals scorched and burned. Hm. The teen approaches the flowers to which they flinch and cower beneath him when they see the angry scowl on his face upon seeing them.
“We don’t have it!”
“Yeah! We really don’t!”
“The other guy already took it!”
Cuphead furrows his brows. “The other guy?” He asks, stomping on one of the triplet’s leaves and they shriek under his intimidating glare.
“The demon boy!”
“The one who fights with blue flames!”
“The Ink Demon!”
Cuphead lifts his foot off of their leaf, the beaten tulips sighing in relief when he does so. The Ink Demon… Cuphead puts a hand to his mouth as he thinks to himself. He doesn’t know if he wants to face this guy who’s stealing his contracts. No matter how mad he may be. He doesn’t exactly have a good track record when it comes to demons.
“Thank you.” He says finally then he departs into the forest from where he came from.
“You’re most welcome!”
“You’d better show that no-good demon what’s what!”
“You have to! Oh, you just have to!”
Cuphead rolls his eyes. They don’t have to tell him twice. He’ll find that bastard stealing his contracts.
But, for right now, he so desperately needs to rest. Walking all day around the whole island without sleeping for days is really taking its toll on his body, and he’s not sure about how long he can stay awake. The cup walks through the forest, fighting to stay awake, his eyes fluttering close every second or so but he wills them to stay open for a little longer.
Ah, hell. Whatever. He’ll just take a nap right here. No one is around. Cuphead lowers his body down to the lush grass and rests his back against a tree, his legs finally giving out to exhaustion. The teen lets out a laboured sigh and his shoulders release their tension. A little nap wouldn’t hurt… Just for… for… a few… minutes… Cuphead’s eyes flutter close and in a second he’s off in dreamland.
—
A demon with a sharp tail and horns emerges from some thick bushes, stepping over them carefully. He looks back from where he had come from and his expression sours. He looks down at the contract in his hand and his gaze softens. The demon clenches the contract tightly in his fist, stuffing it into his suit and going on his merry way, probably to deal with another debtor.
Another one down, only a dozen many more to go. He'd honestly lost count at this point.
It was strange though, some of the debtors had already been dealt with. No one but him should be the only contract collector on this island. The demon hummed in thought. Or perhaps someone else — another debt collector like him — was here unbeknownst to him.
As the demon walked along, he observes the lavish green forestry all around him. Tree’s shading him from the warm sun rays from above, it's comforting light seeping through the tree’s leaves. The grass and moss like a soft carpet with each step he took. It’s peaceful, calming. Quiet with the exception of the birds chirping and regular forest noises. This type of scenery never gets old.
The demon passes by a thick tree, looking to his left, he sees someone laying down beside a tree. He keeps walking- WAIT… He stops dead in his tracks. Then he slowly walks backwards to take another look. The demon hides himself behind the thick tree and peeks an eye out, his tail swishing lightly behind him with keen interest.
A cup boy who looks to be about his age is sitting down leaning his back against a tree while resting peacefully. He looks… exhausted. And pretty beaten up, If his rugged clothes and bruised up face were anything to go by. They’re stained with mud and grum, tethered with small rips and holes in his baggy black sweater and red shorts.
The demon cocks his head to the side, curious of this strange yet intriguing cup boy. Their guard is down, and they could easily get jumped by a debtor in the area if he wasn’t careful.
The demon emerges from his hiding spot and quietly approaches the cup, being careful at watching where he steps. He kneels down to take a closer look at him. Now that was a view to behold, he thought to himself. The boy was pretty attractive, one might even say cute or handsome. The demon watches their steady breathing, chest rising up and down in a slow and steady motion. Now taking a closer look he can see visible dark circles under the other’s eyes.
Is he staring too much and for too long?
…
This is probably really weird to see in an outsider perspective. But the demon can’t really find it in himself to care.
The boy grumbles, furrowing his eyebrows, he yawns, putting a hand to his mouth and slowly blinking as he stirs awake.
Oh no, this isn’t good.
He could run away right now… but this boy has piqued his interest in a way no one has before in a long while. So, he decides to stay still as the other wakes up. The red cup rubs the tiredness from his eyes and sits up straight, then he freezes, tensing right up as soon as he sees the demon in front of him and waaay too close for comfort. The demon grins.
“Mornin’.” The boy backs up into the tree as if the other was going to attack him. Ah, it’s because he’s a demon, right? Made sense, that’s usually the response the demon got whenever someone saw him. Or that reaction was because he is uncomfortably close. That too. Perchance.
The boy stays completely still, not daring to move even an inch. He shifts a bit and the demon notices some familiar looking yellowed paper peeking out from their pants pockets. Contracts. Ohh… It’s all so clear now. This is that Cuphead kid the other debtors warned the demon about when he arrived on this island.
“Wh-who’re you?” Cuphead aimed his finger like a gun at the demon. A vibrant blue energy radiating from his fingertip. The demon’s pie-cut eyes widen a bit at that. Things just got even more interesting! The demon grins widely and the red cup glares at him.
“Ya’ don’t know me? Now, that’s interestin’. I’m pretty well known ‘round these parts.” The demon responded casually, resting his hand against the side of his face, taking no mind at the gun currently being pointed at his face.
“Answer the question.” The other teen’s serious gaze sharpens and the blue glow from his fingertip shines even brighter, the raw energy crackling quietly almost like thunder. Fascinating!
“Now, now. Don’t get so feisty, sunshine. I'll tell ya, alright? I’m Bendy. The Ink Demon as some like to call me.” The demon toon offered his hand out for a handshake, Cuphead tenses up, staying in place like a statue. “Tough crowd, huh?” Bendy retracts his hand back.
Then, Cuphead’s eyes widens at the title ‘The Ink Demon’. This is the guy who’s been stealing his contracts! The one who the tulips and crab were talking about! But suddenly any emotion is quickly swept away from his face as he processes what the demon had just called him.
“…Sunshine??” Cuphead gives the intruder a puzzled and unamused look, and if you really looked close enough, you could see that he is slightly blushing. Aw, how cute, Bendy thinks to himself, grinning.
Bendy hums. “Yep! ‘Cause yer just an absolute ray of sunshine.” Cuphead gives a ‘really?’ look at the other. However, the demon’s grin just gets wider at that. This is more entertaining than it probably should be. Bendy giggles and Cuphead seems like he’s resisting the urge to roll his eyes at the teasing joke.
“Why are you… here?? No, wait, lemme rephrase that. Why were you watchin’ me sleep?” Bendy stands up to his feet and Cuphead tenses up again, the energy from his finger going ablaze once more.
“Relax, toots. I’m not gonna hurt cha’.” Cuphead doesn’t ease up. He doesn’t trust him. “I only needed this. Nothing more, nothing less.” Bendy lifts his arm with a contract in hand. Cuphead stares for a second confused, then his face contorts into one of shock and he frantically searches his pockets. Empty… He looks back up and basically gives the demon toon a death glare.
“If looks could kill, haha!” Bendy jokes playfully. Cuphead stays silent.
“Give that back.” He cautiously stands up, still aiming his finger at the offending demon. Bendy puts his hands up, but doesn’t look at all threatened by the other teen.
“I don’t think I will, thank you.” He puts the contract in his suit’s pocket then melts into a puddle of ink into the forest floor. Cuphead stands there while staring bewildered at the ink puddle before him.
“Over here!” Cuphead snaps his head around, spotting the ink demon sitting on a branch from the tree he was resting against earlier. His gaze hardens and he fires at the demon, but the toon sinks into a puddle of ink again. Cuphead tsks, whipping his head around to try to figure out the other’s next move. He feels a tap on his shoulder from behind and spins around to see Bendy way too uncomfortably close for his liking. Again. Seriously what is with this guy?! Cuphead’s face grows warm and Bendy to barks out a laugh at that.
“Just wanted ta’ say goodbye before I go! It was nice meeting ya, Cuphead. I’m sure we’ll be seein’ each other again very soon.” Bendy gently takes hold of the red cup’s hand and kisses it. That did it for the hotheaded cup and now his head is boiling over with little bubbles dripping down his head, too flustered to even utter a word as he stares at the Ink Demon baffled. Bendy just grins a big toothy smile then sinks into the ground for the last time. Disappearing in a second.
Cuphead stands there completely still. His head dizzy and swirling by how hot it was now.
The red cup holds the hand Bendy kissed and stares at it. His face getting redder and redder by the second as he replays the scene in his head over and over again. He glares at his hand and huffs. Stupid emotions… They made him lose a damn contract! Ugh, this is so stupid… HE is so stupid! How could he let that even happen in the first place??!
Cuphead shakes his head, trying to cool it off and trying to also push away any embarrassing thought that invades his brain. He wasn’t thinking straight. Okay, he’s definitely going to kill that guy. He doesn’t care if that douchbag isn’t on the list, when Cups gets his hands on him…
Cuphead grumbles, checking the contracts to see which one that damn Ink Demon had stolen from him.
“That debtor isn’t even a top grade… So why…?” He stands there puzzled. Cuphead could only wonder what that strange demon’s motives are.
Yeah, he’s definitely not sleeping outside again. He’s learned his lesson.
—
“Ya look a li’l out of it, Cup. What’s wrong?” Porkrind asks as he cleans a glass beer cup with a rag. Cuphead blinks and looks up at the pig when he’s taken out of his troubling thoughts. The pig raises an eyebrow as if asking his question again. Cuphead’s mind wanders to the… encounter.. he had with a certain demon a few hours ago. His face flushes a bright red and he swivels the bar stool around to hide his blushing face.
“N-nothing. It’s none of yer’ business.” Cuphead folds his arms across his chest. Porkrind gives the cup a skeptical look, but he doesn’t press the issue any further. He then mutters something under his breath about teenagers and how they’re complicated and then walks to the back of the shop.
…
Bendy walks towards the three tulips, his face emotionless and unmoving, so very different from his usual whimsical and teasing personality. He harshly stomps on one of the triplet’s petals and they shriek in pain and begin to cry.
“So…” He starts, a grin growing on his face as he glares down at the flowers, “Tell me more about this ‘Cuphead’ guy.”