Archive of Our Own ^beta

Something happened, Cuphead only went outside to atleast run some errands for Elder Kettle, and then encountered The Devil being in the same room he’s in. At first he felt uneasy, but he just ignored him. As long as The Devil doesn’t notice him, or he doesn’t notice The Devil, he’ll be fine. Right?

He would’ve been fine if he just didn’t accidentally drop one of the items down on the floor. A goose chase happened between The Devil and him, leaving the forest an aftermath with fire. Cuphead somehow managed to get hold onto The Devil’s pitchfork once more. Using it for its advantage to lose him in this chase. It worked. Cuphead ran as quickly as he could to the cottage, but only to arrive with a surprise.

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“So what’ll be Cuphead? Shall I take those valuable things from you again? Surely that teaches you a lesson for being a brat!” That valuable thing The Devil talked about was his brother, Mugman. Not just Mugman, even Elder Kettle and Chalice too. Cuphead stood there like a kid who got caught red handed, holding the pitchfork tightly into his arms, again.

The situation he stands right now felt so similar for him, where had he seen this before? Right, that day. Cuphead never would and WILL find himself admitting to this but, Mugman being taken away from him still haunts him to this day. Luckily his brother had so much hope in him, it would’ve ended up terribly if he didn’t. Perhaps Mugman would’ve.. No, better not think of that right now.

“Times ticking, cup.” The Devil interrupted his thoughts. He was right, he needed to act quick. Always being the one that acts fast before even thinking, yet right now something just, chained him. It was as if he was…stuck. In times of being stuck, it would be a time to take actions, not caring about the consequences, being just a carefree cup. But this ends up being a negative trait for the others. Even for Mugman.

He’s an idiot. Obviously an idiot. How dumb was he to just involve everyone and everything he precious to him in danger? How desensitized was he to hurt his brother with his stupid shenanigans or his own selfishness? How did Mugman still forgive him for everything? How was he still here?

If it weren’t for Mugman, for dragging his soul back to his body twice, he would’ve spent eternity down there. Alone, and trapped from the clutches of The Devil. Mugman was the best brother he could’ve ever gotten, yet why did he just…

“Cuphead..?” Moving his head to where that voice was coming from, it was Mugman. The face his brother puts shows his fear and worry, just like the last time.

“I-...” Cuphead attempts to let out a word, yet he feels like something is just making his mouth hang open. The words just refused to come out, he wanted it out. Was it because of fear? Did he finally feel fear catching up to him?

He looked at Elder Kettle at the right, he and Mugman hadn't told him about the situation they had to deal with for a long time. Cuphead never wanted his caretaker to find out about this, it was supposed to not worry him any further. Guess he failed at that.

“Cuphead, why didn’t you tell me this?” The heartbreaking tone coming from Elder Kettle’s voice, it left him feeling guiltier.

“I- I promise I can fix this!” Cuphead cried out, feeling his eyes sting, the tears threatening to spill. “I promise! I-....” What’s happening to him, why does he not feel more confident than he usually does? He’s always confident, right?

“Empty promises, don’t you think you had way too many of those? They’re tired of it, they’re aware of it, Cuphead.” The Devil mocked Cuphead, almost as if he knew what type of person he is. Well it was clear anyway, no use hiding it now.

Now what? What now? What will even be a solution to this problem he caused? It feels like he just created an unsolvable solution. But there’s always an answer. He started to think of an answer. Come to think of it, he has his pitchfork, he could just trade the pitchfork like he did before.

That felt too easy, what would happen if that just repeats thrice? Trade the pitchfork? Yeah sure, as if he’s not totally going to get himself in trouble with The Devil for more than a million times! It can’t just keep happening like this, Mugman has already tried his best to pull him away from trouble, even Chalice too. They needed a break. Elder Kettle was in close contact with The Devil ONCE without knowing. At least he didn’t know though, until now.

It’s worrying him, The Devil affecting his loved ones, all because of him.

The reason, the first place that he’s placed with a literal devil in front of him, was because of the soul ball game in that carn-EVIL. The Devil wanted his soul, because he lost the game. Maybe that was it, give him the one he wanted from the start, The Devil’s victory, his own soul.

“Hey.” Cuphead called out to The Devil, “Here’s the pitchfork.” He lent the pitchfork to him, waiting silently for him to take it.

“Huh? Well, you finally listened for once.” The Devil tried to grab it, only for Cuphead to pull it away a little. “But I want to make a deal, if I give my soul to you, you’ll stop going after them.”

“WHAT?!” The three captives shouted after hearing Cuphead’s deal. “Cuphead you can’t be serious!” Chalice yelled. “Yeah! You can’t just give your soul to him!” Said Mugman as he agreed with Chalice.

“Look, it’s better this way, Mugsy. I don’t wanna see you tire yourself out from trying to protect me from danger. I wasn’t the best brother to you, I just kept being reckless.”

“Cuphead-” Unfortunately, Mugman got interrupted. “No! I don’t want you to say it's fine! It’s not! It really isn’t. I put all of you guys in danger, I just want to fix this. I want to fix this all by myself, because I did this Mugman, I did!” Cuphead cried out, overwhelmed with the guilt and pressure he felt.

“I’m not a good brother, I’m not a good friend, I’m not a good grandson, but I’m good at causing problems that I think I can handle but really I can’t!” He paused for a moment to collect himself, and then continued. “Sometimes I say, ‘I ain’t too worried about it’. When I say that, it gives me a good feeling. And so I just continue to say that with any situation we’re trapped in. Hah, now I can’t bring myself to say it. I’m worried about it, I really am.”

Cuphead can feel the three stare at him with realization and empathy, except for one. The Devil, with a grin on his face, took the pitchfork from his hands. “Well then, a deal it is.” He lends out his hand, as he waits for Cuphead to shake it.

“Don’t do it, please..” Mugman pleaded with Cuphead. “We always find a way to get out of any situation together. If we have done it before, we can do it again! Right..?”

Cuphead stared at Mugman for a moment, jumbling up the words to at least say something to his brother. It was difficult. Then finally he said something, muttering a word that can be heard.

“...I’m sorry.” He then shakes his hand with The Devil, sealing the deal. While the Mugman, Chalice, and Elder Kettle watched it happen.

“Alright then, enough with the somber moments, come along.” A ding sound was heard from behind, Cuphead looked back to see that familiar elevator. “Get in.” The Devil orders menacingly, as he was walking to the elevator, carrying his pitchfork. It spooked Cuphead a little, maybe because he would be riding the elevator with The Devil himself.

He ushered a step towards the elevator, each step leaving a heavy feeling in the chest, it was the right decision, a responsible one anyway. Cuphead then hears footsteps getting closer and closer, not wanting to look back, he continued walking. Until it stopped when he finally got into the elevator.

“Say goodbye to Mugman, and the other two as well. It’s the last time you’ll see them.” The Devil scorned Cuphead for his so-called “responsible decision” being at the cost of him never seeing his family again.

Cuphead turned at the front, and it turned out the footsteps he heard that was following him was Mugman, which looked like he was standing with a clear devastating expression on his face from a distance. Oh how the tables had turned.

Following The Devil’s orders, Cuphead bid them a farewell. “...Goodbye.” His voice, now in a flat and monotone tone.

The elevator lets out a sound as it closes, letting Cuphead get a last glimpse of his family.
The elevator fully closed, as it lit up by a fiery blaze, it was gone. Leaving Mugman, Elder Kettle, and Chalice in silence.

“Cuphead..?”