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Chapter Text

"Do we have to be out now?" Mugman groaned, shivering in the late night wind.

Cuphead nods, waving his flashlight with a toothy smile. "Duh, Ya'know Elder Kettle already doesn't want us near it."

"Exactly! So let's go back before he finds us gone!"

Cuphead only waved him off, ground crunching as he walked on. Mugman, begrudgingly, close behind him.

It was too late for this, I mean, Mugman just got comfy in his footie pajamas, but noooo. Cuphead just had to drag him out to search for the weird circles they found in the woods yesterday.

So there they were, deep in Inkwell woods, with nothing but chalks to mark their path and flashlights to see. At this rate, they'd catch a cold.

The rustle of a bush brought Mugman back to reality as he rushed back to Cuphead. When he got to him, he realized they had arrived.

Before Mugman could talk, however, he realized his brother had their flashlight off and was crouched down. Mugman followed suit, though confused, and was about to ask till he followed his brothers eye sight.

In front of them was the small clearing they were looking for. To their right was the circle, untouched by the world, with flowers growing around it. To their left was a small puddle, with rocks lining its path. The land has a mixture of colorful flowers sprinkled around and everything was drenched in the blue moonlight, even the person that stood next to the circle.

Mugman almost gasped but quickly covered his mouth, the person's head shot up, and the boys quickly ducked down, deeper into the bushes and trees. With so little light, they couldn't make out a single thing about them.

The brother's watched as the person stood up, their tail swishing in the little amount of moonlight, and began to slowly walk their way toward them.

Mugman, frozen in fear, held his breath as the person slowly walked towards them. Their feature becoming just a bit clearer with each step. Their fur lighten by the moonlight, their vest dirty with dirt and grim, and their horns shining.

Before they knew it, the person was in front of them, staring with curiosity and fear. Bright red eyes glowing with a smaller, pale yellow ring in the middle watched the bushes intently.

It felt like hours before it took a deep breath, then finally, backed away. It bent down, picking up a bottle and pen, before leaving the clearing, vanishing into the woods.

The brothers stayed put for a minute, Mugman slightly shaking, and Cuphead frozen with a mixture of awe and fear. After a few seconds of silence, Cuphead finally let go of the breath he didn't know he was holding.

He stepped out into the clearing first, but not before grabbing a random stick he found next to him, and slowly walked to the circle.

Slowly, Mugman followed as he whisper-shouted, "Cuphead, let's go home now.... please."

"In a sec Mugsy, come look at this."

Reluctantly, the Mug walked over with trembling legs. Bending down next to his brother, he looked towards the circle and gasped.

There, freshly drawn into the ground, was even more shapes inside and outside of the circle. Tinyer circles and triangles intersect one another, while lines crossed them all with no care.

Really, it looked like a deformed pentagram. Cuphead, with no cue, touched the drawing, finding it wet.

"Ewww," he whined, shaking his hand in disgust.

Mugman only gave him an unamused look before taking the glove off. Giving it a closer look, plus a sniff test, concluded the substance.

"It's ink, ya baby."

"Oh.. Hey!"

Before he could continue, Mugman pocketed the ruined glove, then turned back to the drawing on the ground. With so little light, the mug studied the drawing as best he could.

"So, what do you think this is?" His brother asked, standing up and scanning the boardering woods.

With his fingure under his chin, Mugman gave a hum of thought before he spoke. "Well, its definitely that weird person's personal art project,"

Mugman stood. "Other than that, I've got no clue, it looks like a summoning circle from afar."

Cuphead turned back to him. "But we read those demonology books, this don't look like any of them pentagrams."

"Exactly, so we can rule this out as any devil worship. Maybe it's just an art tag?"

"Art tag? Why would that guy tag an area no ones gonna come to?"

Mugman just gave a shrug, "I don't really know Cup, but I rather not stick around to find out."

"What? Hang on there, Mugs. we gotta go find that guy. He might be in danger."

Mugman scoffed. "Danger? Cuphead, were gonna be in danger if we dont get back before sunrise."

"But Mugman,"

"No, Cuphead, we are not doing a midnight adventure."

Cuphead voice grew louder. "But Mugggggssssyyyy."

"No."

With a huff, Cuphead sat down on the grass. "Fine, go home, I'll just wait here."

Astonished, Mugman walked over. "No you aint, get up."

"Yes I am."

"No you ain't."

"Yes I am."

"No you ain't."

"Yes he is."

Stunned with silence, the boys looked to their left. Between two trees and a couple of bushes, bore a pair of teeth, fanged and tipped with black.

The maw curled up as out stepped its owner, a dark furred wolf. Grinning at the sight of the two proceilen brothers, who he toward over, crouched down on all fours.

"And I think I'll keep him good company." The wolf spook, a deep voice echoing into the chilly night.

The boys' faces were drained of color as they stood up, looked to one another, screamed, then bolted back out the way they came. Screaming their lungs out till the very end.

Waiting a few seconds, the wolf finally snickered as he relaxed himself and shrunk back down. The ink dripping off him slowly made its way to the puddle.

"Cost clear Bends." The wolf howled, turning his direction towards the person, more so demon, coming out of the woods behind him.

Bendy's shoulders shook with laughter as he walked toward his brother. Patting his back, the demon signed, "Good one."

"Eh could've been better. Should've done the whole countdown thing before they ran." The wolf cackled a bit, before turning to his younger brother.

"It's getting late anyway, Might as well head back home for dinner."

The ink demon nodded, taking out his pen and drawing a square on the ground. Turning to his brother, he waved his hand in dramatics before revealing the square.

"For me? Oh too kind." The wolf joked, rubbing his younger brothers head with affection and walking towards the square.

Turning back, the wolf whistled a small toon before waling a bit back. The brothers stood there as the earth had a tremor bellow them, before the square broke open, revealing an elevator.

Without missing a beat, the brothers stood up and made their way inside, closing the door behind them. The earth shook one more time, and down the elevator went.

Chapter Text

Cuphead and Mugman did not want to move.

Their legs felt like jelly, their heads were cloudy, and their clothes smelled of sweat and pine. To put it lightly, they were as beat as a dog.

Yet, the day never rested, even on weekends. Elder Kettle was already working away on breakfest when he called for the boys to get themselves movin.

Corse Cuphead tried to fight it, whined for a good minute or two. But it was the threat of Elder Kettle going up there that finally got em going.

Groaning, the cup sat down in his spot, potted plant to his right and brother to his left. The smell of bacon and scrambled eggs were the only things keeping him awake.

Setting down three plates and sitting down with them, Elder Kettle sipped his tea before speaking. "So, boys, how'd ya sleep?"

They froze, looked at each other, and with just moving their eyes, debated on telling Elder Kettle what they found. Cuphead won out. "Mmm was good, nothing unusual."

Panicing and stuffing his face with food, Mugman just nodded. Looking at them skeptically, their Elder must have let any suspicious go as he just nodded. "Well, that's good cause boy do I got an adventure for you two!"

That got their attention. Swallowing his food, Mugman spook up. "Really?"

"Yuh Huh! I need you two to return my old library books!"

They dropped, that was more like a chore than an adventure. Cuphead groaned again, poking at his eggs with disinterest. "Yaaaay, books."

Mugman elbowed his brother. Earning him a soft yelp from his brother. "We'd love to Elder Kettle."

"I'm glad you love to, I wasn't given ya a choice." He laughed, slapping his knee as if it was the funniest joke in the world, must be old man humor.

Cathcing his breath, he spoke again. "Still, I am grateful you two are doing this. It gives this old back here a break."

Kettle gave both of them a reasure pat on their shoulders, cherishing this warm moment. It wasn't rare to get these moments, but damn did it not make the day just a bit brighter for the boys.

With one last pat, Elder Kettle slowly stood up. "Now best get movin, day's too nice to spend doing work ya hear."

With that, Elder Kettle pointed to his books on the counter and let the boys be, finding it time for his gardening.

Finishing up their food, the boys quickly got dressed in their atire for the day, grabbed the books off the counter, plus their library cards, and left.

Hoping in their bikes, as they figured it be a lot easier, the boys took off. Down the dirt road and rhrough a but of woods, they would find themselves at the edge of a bustling city, filled with people going about their day.

Some chatted, others just walked, hell even a gang was stealing something, it really was the city experience in one glance, and the boys really could care less.

It was their home, stuff like this just happens. So without sparing a second glance, they got back on their bikes and road to the main hub of the city, main street.

It didn't take long, they knew the backroads and alleyways by heart, before the boys pulled up to the town library. It was ancient, with worn out steps and faded paint, but it had a charm to it, one that you just had to see.

Walking in, the boys felt all eyes star at them when the door creeked loudly in protest. Cuphead, as always, wasn't too worried about the attention and carried on his way.

Mugman, however, was frozen for a bit before his brother took his hand and dragged him along like stone. By the time they got to the counter, Cuphead was panting.

"Wer...we're here to return some books." Cupheads arms wobbled in protest as he lifted the books up to the counter along with their cards.

The woman, an old crow lady, just nodded before taking each one and checking them off on a sheet.

"Looks like you're all set. Feel free to check out so more books, dearies." She cooed, handing him back their cards.

Cuphead just nodded, before grabbing his brother and, reluctantly, looking around for a book to snap Mugman out of his chrance.

Walking down the aisles, all the books blended together for the red brother as he huffed. He never really was into reading, only doing it when it was required for their survival.

So by the time he made it to the fiction romance section, he was pooped out.

Turning to his brother, who was STILL in a chrance of fear, he grabbed him and turned him towards the aisle.

That seemed to work as Mugman's eyes shinned with awe at the selection. Cooing in delight, he didn't even notice Cuphead sitting down and groaning in pain.

They were like that for a while really, Mugman skimming books to see if he liked them and Cuphead watching. Said brother was fighting off passing out, that was till a stranger entered their aisle, with a pep in his steep and a wag of his tail.

A wolf, a bit older than the brothers, walked on over with a couple of books in his possession. His fur was a dull grey with bits of white, and his clothes had some color to it.

Really he was just a normal looking wolf, and Cuphead wouldn't be staring, if it wasn't for the fact the book he had was tagged on the back.

Without waiting, Cuphead stood up and walked over to the wolf, who was just too in his own world to notice. Tapping on the older kids shoulder, the hum stopped and the air felt like it dropped a bit.

"Um, excuse me, do you know what happen to this book?" Cuphead whispered just loud enough for the wolf and Mugsy to hear. Pointing to the book in said wolfs grasp.

Said Mug looked up and walked over beside his brother, book still open but not given attention.

The wolf just froze, as if caught like a deer in headlights. His tail stopped wagging and was swiftly tucked between his legs.

After a mineute or two, Cuphead waved his hand in front of his face. "Um, you ok?"

That brought the wolf back, as he quickly nodded before continuing. "Oh yeah, uh, not really. Kinda was like this when I found it."

He sheepishly put the book away, before speaking. "Tried to clean the cover's, but don't wanna risk getting it more damage y'know."

Mugman nodded, butting into the conversation. "Oh believe me, I know the pain of scrubbing a mysterious substance off a book."

He glarred at his brother, who whisper-shouted. "I'm telling ya, it was grape jelly!"

Mugman just rolled his eyes. "Sure, whatever." Before turning his attention to the wolf, who was freaking out where he stood.

"Anyway, thanks for answering, uhhh."

"Oh! It's Boris, Boris the wolf."

Mugman, the ever respectful man, smilled before reaching his hand out. "Plesure to meet you, Boris! Names Mugman,"

He jabbed his head back, motioning to his brother. "That there's Cuphead. He's a bit of a snarky asshole."

"Hey!"

Boris just snickered, before taking the offered hand. "Oh, he doesnt seem that bad."

"Oh please, you haven't been around him long enough," the two let go, "say what'cha bring back?"

Perking up, the wolf held out his books. "Oh, it's the Mugbeard series, plus an art book my brother wanted to read."

"Oh you read Mugbeard too! What book are you at so far?"

Taking the book back in his hand, the wolf squinted a bit. "Ah, seems I just finished six, so I'm about to find book seven."

Mugman nodded. "Ah, that's a good one, really a jaw dropper. I won't spoil anything, but Mugbeard does finally find someone."

Gasping, the wolf bent down to eye level. "No way, don't tell me it's who I think it is."

"I can't confirm nor deny your questioning."

Taking a book off the shelf, the mug checked it once over before handing it to the wolf. "But I can recommend being prepared for chapter 13. Make sure you have some tissues with you."

Before grabbing the offered book, the wolf quickly put his stack down, leaving it on the ground. Taking the book, the wolf nodded before looking at the wall behind the cups. "Ah, shoot, I gotta go. Thanks for the recommendation, Mugman."

"Anytime, see ya later." Mugman waved before sighing with pride and looking down. Spotting the books, he picked them up before turning to Cuphead.

"Here, you wanted these, right?"

Quickly looking over, the cup brought himself back before nodding to his brother."Just the top one. See,"

He turned it around, showing its back cover with the scribbles covering if. "It's just like the one we found in the forests."

In awe, Mugman nodded to his brother. "Weird, it's like it's following us now."

"Yeah, you think it could be like a curse or something?"

Jumping, Mugman violently shook his head. "I hope not! Elder Kettle would surely figure out we didn't listen if we got cursed."

"Well, the only way to tell is to read those demonology books again for clues."

The brothers sighed in defeat. There goes another summer. Keeping the book with them, they exited the aisle to see Boris at the front with another person.

They were small and vaguely cat shape. Roughly looked the brother's ages, but it was hard to tell. The two left as the cat person began doing hand signs.

"Odd, don't usually cat's hate dogs?" Mugman whispered to his brother.

Cuphead nodded, staring a bit at where they once stood before blinking and turning around. His brother follwoing behind.

"It's an old tradition yhing really. But I've herd around that some cat's are fed up with it nowadays."

"Wow, sound's messy."

Cuphead shrugged. "Eh, I aint too worried about it. Not our problem."

The conversation fizzled out after that as the two went to get the demonology books once more. With inkwell hell so close, it was easy for some brave writers to inquire about demon biology.

With that, it lead to a boom in the topic, making the isles one hell of a tour spot. Corse the Devil sucked up the attention with full advantage, being the main star and all.

So, to say that these demonology books were the best around would be an understatement. It took less than a minute to find a couple before checking them out, plus the book with a cover doodle.

As they hopped on their bikes again, the brothers spotted the weird pairing again in a coffe shop across the street. Boris already reading his book while the cat was just watched out the window.

They made eye contact with said cat, getting him to freeze, the color draining from their face, before grabbing at Boris.

Grumbling, the wolf turned, made eye contact, and gave a sheepish wave to the two. The brothers waved back, Mugman with more enthusiasm, before riding away. Not seeing Boris calmly explain to his brother.

"Its ok Bendy, they dont recognize us." The wolf stated, setting his book down.

"But what if they do?!" Bendy signed, moving his hands a little faster. "What if they're scared and are acting like they don't know? What if they start telling people they saw our spot? What if dad finds out we're not doing our jobs?"

Taking the chance, Boris rested his hands on his brothers. "Dude, you're spiraling again."

Letting go, Boris waited for his brother to calm down before continuing. "I promise they don't know. And if they did, no one's gonna believe them. They look roughly like your age."

Gasping, Bendy rolled his eyes.

"And worse comes to it, we make em keep their mouth shut. Easy peasy."

Blinking a bit, Bendy rubbed his shoulder in discomfort before signing. "I hate doing that."

"I know, that's why it's a last resort."

Taking a sip of his coffee, he could still see how uptight his brother was. "Look, if it helps, I had a nice conversation with them."

Picking up the book, he continued. "The blue one, Mugman, he even recommend this book to me."

His brother shoulder relaxed a bit, smiling. "Really? Isn't that the Mugbeard book you were planning to get?"

Borsi rolled his eyes. "Well, yeah, but it's the fact he recommended it to me, even after last night, is proof they don't recognize us."

Reaching over, he gave a gentle pat to his younger brother. "So lighten up! We might never see them again anyway."

Nodding, Bendy just sighed and looked back out the window, where the cups once stood. His brother had a point, Inkwell is a big place with different isles, there be no way they'd run into each other again. Right?

Chapter Text

Halfway back to their home, the brothers made a pit stop at their favorite shop ever, Porkrind's. Really it was an impromptu visit, As Mugman's stomach just started growling.

When they entered, they were greeted by the sound of two people arguing. From the sound of it, it wasn't a bad argument either, more like a friendly one.

Nick-knacks littered the shops' walls and produce lined the shelves. A radio at the counter played soft jazz, but who could hear that over those two huh.

"I'm tellin ya Porkrind, You gotta move with the beat, not try to contort with it."

"Listen, these old hips don't move like they used to, cup."

"You're in your late thirties."

"And? I've got one foot on the grave as we speak."

The boys looked towards the counter, as a girl with a chalice for a head rolled her eyes. Porkrind gave her a stink eye before having his attention drawn towards the brothers.

"Porkrind! Chalice!" The brother's cheer. Chalice turned around, smile reaching her eyes, while Porkrind rolled his eyes this time. Turning his back to them to grab some items.

"Heya fellas! How's it goin?"

"It's goin, we gotta look at those demonology books again." Cuphead said, already exhausted of those books.

"Again? What did you boys do to warent that torture." Porkrind perked up. Dropping some wrapped food on the counter.

Leaving some cash and grabbing his food, Mugman spoke up. "We didn't do anythin this time. We found something that looks alot like a summonin circle."

Nodding, Cuphead continued. "So we're gonna look into it a bit more, see if it's actually a circle and junk."

Whisteling low, Porkrind spoke. "Damn, well, good luck with that I guess."

"How many you planning to read through this time?" Chalice asked, going behind the counter to grab herself a sandwich. Before popping back up from behind.

"Eh, as many as we grabbed. Didn't really count."

"We did get some new ones, however." Mugman coughed out, after trying to not inhale his food. "Wanna come along this time?"

Hissing in dissaproval, Chalice elaborated. "Sorry, fellas, Pork here wants me to head into town soon."

Porkrind, with his back to them, huffed in agreement.

Looking back, Chalice continued. "It's got something to do with retrieving and restocking some items. Really, I ain't too excited."

"Ya mean you can't even get a break to come over?"

Chalice sadly nodded. "If it makes you feel any better, I'll be rootin' for you, fellas."

"A little." Cuphead quipped up."We better get goin. Thanks for the food, Porkrind." He shouted, holding up his food, still wrapped up.

The pig gave another gruff sound of acknowledgment, raising his hand up in a sorta wave. "Yeah, yeah."

Turning aroundz the two brother's gave one last farwell, before shutting the door behind them. Left with nothing but the sound of soft jazz and her thoughts, Chalice spoke up.

"How long ya think they'll read before trying to summon something?"

"Eh, roughly and hour or two."

Looking towards her, he continued. "Why? Wanna bet on it?"

"Maybe, five bucks they try in under an hour."

"Deal."

The two shook hands, both with cheeky smiles.

Outside the shop, the brothers made sure nothing was taken before hoping back on their bikes. Riding off, it didn't take too long for the brother's to return home. The sun was still out, so it was a good sign.

Putting their stuff away, they slammed open their front door. "WE'RE HOME!"

Pots clattered in the kitchen and out stepped Elder Kettle, breathing heavily and cluthcing his chest.

"Boys, how many times have I told you. My heart can't take it."

Waving his hand in a so-so motion, Cuphead spoke. "Eh roughly eight to nine times, but I lost count."

Elder Kettle simply rolled his eyes, using his spatula to point at their books. "What'cha got their?"

"Books." Mugman crooked.

"Yeah I know that, what kind?"

"Uhhhhh, story books?"

Kettle only raised an eyebrow to that. "Really? Story books?"

The two cups looked to each other, then back to their elder, and nodded.

Decidng that was fine, Elder Kettle just shrugged. "As long as you're reading. Dinner's at 6, now go relax."

And with that, the boys were shooed off. Leaving Elder Kettle to crank up the radio, listening to the reports about upcoming events.

The boys, not sparing a second glance, rushed upstairs with their books in hand. Well, not before setting their gaurdian's library card on the stand.

Upstairs, the brothers set themselves up in their respective corners and cracked open the first books they grabbed. The two said nothing for what felt like an eternity, nose deep in their books, while sometimes writing something down on a pad.

Finally, after a couple of hours, Cuphead cracked. Groaning as he arched his back, trying to get it to pop.

"I'm gettin bored Mugsy, how far are ya?"

"About one-thrid, sorta skipping the text we've read already. You?"

"Less, it's harder when they don't have pictures." Cuphead stated, standing up and tossing the book to the side.

"Wanna take a break? Compare notes so far?"

Nodding, Cuphead sat next to his brother, notes in hand. "So far, we can rule any past demons out. Their symbols havent updated in awhile."

Nodding, Mugman pointed to his. "We've got some new demons coming up, Pazuzu, Janitor, The Rat Man," Mugman took a pause.

"Why the pause?"

"Oh it's in his name, see." Mugman held up his notes, pointing to the words, 'The Rat King, pause for dramatic effect.' Nodding, Cuphead motioned for him to continue.

"But that's it so far, nothing about a new summoning circle being made, or any demon connected to it."

"So, we're at a dead end."

"So far, we still got two-thirds of our books left to read." Mugman pointed towards their stack of books. "Plus, however many we grabbed. We got plenty of research to do."

Letting out an exhale, Cuphead nodded. "Yeah, still a pain, though."

"Oh yeah no doubt about it, my neck's been aching for awhile now."

Snickering, Cuphead patted his brothers head. "I'm sure you'll live. Oh! I did find this though." He handed his notepad to Mugman.

Taking it, he read out loud. "'Rumors have been circling around hell for a couple of years now.' One demon reported. 'That the Devil's kid's are back from their training. I even saw one of them, hard to describe. But they were looking out the window, watching us.'"

Looking up to his brother, Mugman gave a dumbfounded look. "He had kids?"

"That's what I'm askin. Who would even date the guy?"

Pausing, the brothers thought for a moment. "King Dice." They spook in unison, snorting a bit.

"Anyway, if what those rumors say are true, then we better stay alert." Mugman said, picking at the folded corner of his book. "The Devil could use our lack of knowledge to send his kids after us."

"True," Cuphead said, before relaxing. "But I aint too worried about it."

Sensing his brother's irritating with that phrase, Cuphead panicked a bit before speaking again. "What I'm saying here is that we've beaten the Devil, how is his kids gonna beat us?!"

"I don't know Cuphead, these kids are even unknown in hell, so we don't even have a glimpse into what abilities they might have."

"And we didn't for the Devil." Cuphead smiled towards his brother. "Trust me Mugsy, this time when I say I ain't too worried about it, I mean it."

Still uncomfortable, Mugman begrudgingly gave in and smiled back to his brother. "Yeah ok, if your not worried about it, then so am I!"

Slapping his brothers back, cuphead cheered. "Attaboy Mugsy!"

"Boy's~ Diiinnnnnerrrrr~" Elder Kettle cooed from downstairs.

"Coming Elder Kettle." They both said, standing up.

Before leaving, Cuphead turned back towards Mugman, giving him a quick hug. "I promise, we've got nothin to worry about."

Patting his brothers back, Mugman smiled and gave a reasuring hum to his brother. "Ok, now let go of me, our foods gettin cold."

Letting go, the two raced downstairs. Leaving their books and notepads in the open, the cool air turning the pages without them noticing.

Chapter Text

The two demons made their way home, books in one bag, contracts and food in the other. With a pep in their step and the moon rising high, the two were looking forward to henchmen's famous moonlite stew.

Really it was just a peaceful time in the woods. So when they made it to their secret clearing and herd voices, well to say they were surprised would be an understatement.

Rushing up to the bushes and crouching down, the two spoted the culprits. "Look, it's different this time."

"Hot damn your right."

In front of them, in the glow of a flashlight, were the two brothers they had just met today. The blue one, Mugman, was crouched down, studying Bendy's latest tag sketch.

The red one, Cuphead, was standing up. With his flashlight beaming down at the tag for his brother. In their arms were thick books, each one demonology, and one with a familiar doodle on it.

"Odd, aren't their summoning circles supposed to stay consistent?" Cuphead pipped up, now crouching down with his brother.

"Mmm kinda. See in this book it's stated demons are born with it, while that one," he pointed to one in the stack. "Said they make it as part of ceremony."

Making an O shaped face, the red cup just nodded along. "So it's not a summoning circle?"

"It could be. This might be a practice for the ceremony. Like a sketch." Mugman added, standing up. "It's weird that their doing it in the woods though and not in, y'know, hell."

Boris just rolled his eyes. Really, what do they write in those books. It was annoying to listen to them ramble, and he was just about to force them out again. But Bendy put his hand on his.

Turning to look at his brother, he saw how his eyes were in deep, mischievous thought. How his tail tip wagged a bit and how his fingure tapped against his hand. This, this was something big he was thinking.

Turning to the wolf, the demon rapidly moved his hands. "We should prank them again, but this time, we do the thing."

Raising his eyebrows, Boris moved his hands. "'The thing', you're not talking about-"

But he was cut off by the demon nodding his head exataticly. His tail wagged faster with excitement.

Boris just bit his lip in thought. It was dangerous to say the least, and he was the older brother, he had to keep Bendy safe. But, they've also been practicing for atleast six months now with no problems arising.

With a reluctant sigh, Boris nodded. "We can do it, as long as you dont go over board, ok?"

Basically vibrating at this point, the demon quickly signed "ok" before heading off to his right. Boris stayed put, making sure their items were a few good inches away so they wouldn't get caught in the cross fire.

Focusing back on to the brothers, Boris listened in as Cuphead spoke. "Maybe their trying to surprise someone with it?"

"Or their a perfectionist." Mugman added, standing up and looking around.

"Hey, this puddle still here."

"Really?" His brother asked, getting up and following him. The two walked towards said puddle, casting the flashlight on it, expecting it to reflect.

But it didn't, it didnt even catch any color. It remained an unmoving, black mass. "Weird."

Bending down, Cuphead touched the substance, and ignoring his brothers pleades, brought it up to his nose, and took a sniff. "Ewwwww."

"Why would you do that? Again!?"

"I dont know!"

Mugman rolled his eyes, taking his brothers glove off again. He took a sniff and nodded. "Ink, again."

Shaking his hand a bit, Cuphead looked back up. "Why the hell is there a puddle of ink?"

"I honestly have no clue," Mugman turned to point at the sketch. "Other than that, there's no use to it here."

Cuphead just scowled, stuckung his toungue at the ink for ruining another pair of gloves.

Before catching said puddle slightly bubbling. Out of instinct, Cuphead pulled him and his brother back, and kept the flashlight trained on the puddle.

The bubbles rapidly grew, both in size and speed. Comming and going, as if trying to rise out. Boris kept his eye's trained on the brothers however, as he got in a position to run towards his brothers vague direction if things went south.

The rapid bubbling grew to what look like a steady boil as the ink slowly rose up, morphing into vague humiod shapes. Almost like it was reqching out befode being forcefully dragged back in, it groaned in what sounded like agony.

Soon though, it found its footing, stepping out of the puddle, leaving ink splattered beneath it's 'legs'. The top half of it's body was still molding it's self into shape, forming the 'arms' like it was putting on a shirt.

Cuphead pushed his brother back more, making sure he was behind him, as he tried to focus his fingure to spark up before the monster finished. Though it looked bleak as the 'arms' moved the ink around, squashing and streatching it with wet pops.

"C'mon, c'mon." Cuphead paniced, looking down as his fingure gun barely lighten uped.

"Cuphead look out!" Mugman shouted from behind, before pulling his brother with him as they fell to the ground.

Where they stood was an inky stub, ink squashed to the ground before slowly getting sucked back up to it. Looking towards the moster, it's 'head' was sorta finished. It's maw remained open, looking unhinged, and it slouched as it's 'arm' sprung back to it.

Getting back up, the two boys watched as it flexed it's fingures, before it slowly shifted towards the two. Letting out a roar, or more like belch, at the two.

After which the world fell still, no one dared to move, not even Boris. He was more so holding his breath, waiting for the two to run away like last time.

But, they didn't. No, they we're too frozen in fear. They've never seen something like this, and they've seen some stuff.

Their bodies remained still, Mugman's fingure glowing while the other's flickered. The monster, slouched and dropping a bit, started to slowley stalk forward.

"Cuphead, move." Mugman whisper-shout.

But he couldn't, Cuphead, the hero of Inkwell, couldn't move a damn inch as this thing walked forward. No matter how much he screamed in his mind to run, it wouldn't budge.

Mugman, with his hand on his brothers arm, slowly brought his fingure up as he tried to pull his brother back. "S-stop moving, we d-dont want to hurt you."

The monster didn't seem to listen, as it kept going, getting closer and closer. With his hand shaking, Mugman aimed, closed his eyes to concentrate, and fired.

The blue light, at the speed of a bullet, went through the ink creatures head, causing it to recoil, and deeper into the woods. The crature stalled for a bit, frozen in recoil with one of it's 'legs' up in the air.

Seconds felt like minutes as everyone stayed still. Their shoulder's slowly relaxing, till they heard something new. A loud, almost all breathey, scream vibrated through their heads like it was grating chalk from deeper in the woods.

"BENDY!" Boris shouted, not even sparing a glance as he rushed out, past the ink creature, and deeper into the woods behind it.

"Woah woah! Hey wait!"

The brothers moved forward, trying to go past the monster, before it started to move again. Slowly putting its 'leg' back down before moving its head back up. It's movement's changed, going from sluggish and drowsy to hyper aware. It's shoulder's broaden, and its stance changed.

The brothers, backing up from shock, also got into battle ready stances. With Mugman's fingure glowing brighter, the two could see how different the being had changed.

"Let us pass, there's someone hurt." Cuphead ordered, his fingure still sparking in and out. The creature just roared, as it began to gather speed, charging at the two.

"We'll do it the hard way then."

The two rolled out the way, splitting up at either side of the beast. Mugman blasted, hitting the creatures back turned towards him. While Cuphead tried to fire, only getting nothing out.

"Cmon, cmooon." He smaked his fingure a few times, not paying attention as the beast roared again. Tilting its body toward Mugman, before swiftly swining its fist toward Cuphead.

Quickly looking back, he dodge rolled under the arm, stopping right next to the stick from their previous visit. "Guess it'll do."

Getting back up with the stick in his hand, Cuphead charged and swung, aiming to hit the creatures 'head'.

He missed at first, rolling towards Mugman as the creature moved out of the way. Before getting grabbed by his handel and tossed back towards its head.

With a crunch, he hit it, the stick breaking in two. The creature stalled, shaking its head before looking back. Cuphead, somewhat paid attention as he looked for another stick.

It roared once more, before jumping up a bit and slaming down, turning into a mass wave to hit both the boys. Thinking fast, the two ran for separate trees, Mugman still shooting at what was once the creature.

The ink slowly began to recede back, reforming into the creature, building back at a somewhat slow speed.

Still in the tree, Cuphead tried to break off a bigger branch, but stopped as the 'legs' of the crature ran towards him, the ink slowly following. It hit the tree, slamming against it again and again.

"Mugman!" Cuphead shouted, cupping his hands around his mouth. "What do we do?"

"I don't know! It doesn't look like it's weakening!"

The creatures 'arms' were almost reformed by the time Cuphead got an idea. Going down the opposite side of the tree, he gestured for his brother to tiptoe over.

The blue mug, holding his breath, tiptoed towards his brother as the creature blindly flaied against the tree, its 'head' just starting to regrowing.

Next to his brother, Cuphead pointed to the base of the tree. "Shoot this, then when I say now, push against the tree."

Nodding, Mugman began to shoot at the bark, making a decent indent each time. But it was too slow, as the monster finished reforming and began looking around for the two, backing away from the tree.

"Shit, keep going. I'll distract him." Cuphead said, leaving his brother behind the tree.

Running towards the monster, he picked up a rock and tossed it towards the mosters 'head'. "Hey ugly! Over here!"

Using his momentum, Cuphead skidded between the creatures 'legs' causing it to try grabbing him. It missed, almost causing it to topple over. The beast regained its posture, turned around, and chased the cup around the open grotto.

Running around in a weird pattern, Cuphead kept yelling at the beast. Throwing rocks and sticks at the beast whenver he could. But it wasn't enough. He was running out of time as exhaustion was creeping up on him, his legs felt like they were sinking as the ink from the creature soaked the land.

He tripped, skidding against the land, putting his hands out to stop the fall. His face definitely had a new crack after that fall, but he couldn't focus on that right now. As he turned to look behind him, there stood the monster, its mouth unhinged and shoulders rising with each ragged breath.

It loomed over him, before raising both its 'hands' in the air, getting ready to slam the trembling boy deeper into his grave. Before he could however.

Wood crunched slowly, speeding up as the tree came crashing to the ground. The beast couldn't react in time, as it was slammed down into the earth, ink splattering all around the land, and even on Cuphead.

Taking a pause, Cuphead blinked before spitting. "Ewwww, it got in my mouth."

Rolling his eyes, Mugman rushed to his brothers side, kneeling down a checking him over. He's worry turning into verbal mumbles as he looked over his brother's scratched up arms.

"Mugsy, hey, calm down. Im still here!"

Blinking, Mugman nodded before getting up and offering his hand to Cuphead, who accepted it with a groan.

Patting him, Mugman pointed deeper into the woods. "C'mon, they went that way."

Nodding, the two took off, rushing deeper into the woods, their belongings forgotten near the tree as ink slowly began to reform.

Chapter Text

"Bendy! Bendy!" Boris was panting, almost on all four's as he rushed deeper into the woods. Following the sent trail, Bendy left behind, he found him stashed away. His body was tucked into himself, tail wrapped around in a protective hug, and his hand clutched his left shoulder as he shuddered.

"Bendy?" Boris cooed, the smell of iron and ink graced his nostrils, causing him to recoil.

Looking up, Bendy whimpered to his brother as he tried to move, causing more liquid to gush out. He yelped, staying put as his hand tightened.

"It's ok, I-I got this." He came closer, tearing off a part of his shirt. "Just stay still for me, ok?"

Nodding, his younger brother stood still as Boris began tying the mackshift gauze around his shoulder, trying to not irritate the wound as much as possible. Though it was unlikely as he tightened the forming knott, causing his brother to gasp in pain.

"I know, I know. But I got to make sure it's tight." He tightened again, as his brother shook, a tear welling up in his eye. Boris gave one more tug before backing up. "Worst parts over bud, now I'm gonna pick you up, ok?"

Looking towards the wolf, Bendy nodded, allowing for his brother to haul him out of the hiding area.

Standing up, Boris situated his hold on Bendy before they turned to walk back where they were going. Stepping on crunched leaves and broken twigs, the two heard something large fall and a gurgling roar before the forest fell silent once more.

Standing still, Boris tried to listen, but was too unfocused due to the smell coming from his brother. He grunted as he finally picked up on the sound of feet crushing leaves way too close.

He tucked himself and Bendy behind a tree just as the two cups came into view. Both were covered in dirt, ink, and sweat, causing Boris to gaged at the smell.

"You hear that?" Cuphead asked, scaning the area.

Mugman nodded, whispering to his brother. "They might be hiding."

"HEY, WE'RE NOT GONNA HURT YOU. WE WANT TO GET YOU SOMEWHERE SAFE." Cuphead yelled, cupping his hands around his mouth.

"THERES THIS BIG MONSTER OUT HERE THAT WE KNOCKED DOWN, BUT WE DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT'S GONNA STAY DOWN!" Mugman joined

Bendy jaw hung open and Boris stayed deathly still. They had to find a way to distract the two so they could make it out and back home.

Thinking fast, Boris picked up a small rock and tossed it as far as he could. Landing just a few feet away from them, he ducked down as the boys listened.

"Stay here, I'll go look." Cuphead ordered, leaving his younger brother in the woods, nothing but his glowing fingure lighting the area.

Cursing to himself, Boris gave in and started moving as quietly as he could, trying not to shuffle Bendy too much in his arms. It seemed to be working as the bushes hid the two from the blue mug.

Till a twig snapped. Freezing on spot as the blue mug turned to their direction. The air felt colder as the mug, with his fingure still a glow, crept closer.

He was inches away from the two, with only a couple of bushes between them. But he stopped as his brother came rushing back.

"I got nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Nada, looks like they out ran us." Cuphead let out a deep sigh, as his brothers fingure dimmed, making it harder to see.

"I see," Mugman paused. "Welp, we better get going home then."

"Really? Are you sure-"

"Absolutely! Kettles is gonna wake up any minute now!"

"Mugs, it's like 1 at night, what do you-" slapping a hand over his brother's mouth, the two began to exchange whispers.

Boris strained himself to hear what they were talking about, but the two were slowly inching farther away and Bendy was just getting so heavy. He gave up, and waited for them to just leave.

"Oh jeeze Mugsy, your right! I forgot about his late night check ups!" Cuphead exclaimed rather loudly, grabbing his brothers hand.

"We should definitely get going! I'm sure whoever they are can handle themselves. "

'Damn straight we can.' Boris thought, as he listened to the two stomp their way out, their foot stepes growing distant, till they faded into the woods, far gone.

Letting out a heavy sigh, Boris slowly stood up, readjusting his grip on his brother, who whimpered as his shoulder moved.

Hissing an apology, he slowly began to exit from behind the tree when he felt something soft touch his back.

"Gotcha, you ok?"

Jumping out of the touch, the wolf growled as his hold hardened. Paws digging into the ground as he snarled at the two now infront of him.

"How did you two do that?"

Shrugging a bit, the mug spoke. "It's something we picked up awhile ago. But thats not important right now, are you guy's ok?"

"Yes." Boris hissed, jostling his brother who groaned at the pain.

"Doesn't sound it," Cuphead said, approaching. "Let me see how bad it is."

"Stay back!"

The two stopped, hands shooting up in a show of surrender. "Shoot sorry, look see," Cuphead gestured towards his hands. "We won't touch him, we just want to check."

Still growling, Boris debated for a minute or two, but relented with a tsk. "Fine, no touching."

Nodding, the two boys began to shuffle over, Mugman's fingure glowing again to provide a light. Boris visibly relaxed a bit, unwraping his brother from his grasp.

Once they were close enough, Mugman took the initiative to look at wound. The makeshift gauze wrapped around it was soaked, turning a sickly black-reddish color. And the smell was indescribable, making the two almost gage on instinct.

"It looks like the bleeding stopped," Mugman said, backing up. "And doesn't look deep, but we should really take him to a doctor.

"No! No doctor." Boris said.

"What? Why not?" Cuphead spoke back, getting a bit agitated.

"We," Boris mouth opened and closed a bit in a pregnant pause before opening again. "We just can't."

Putting his hands up in surrender, Mugman nodded, "Ok, ok. No doctor," He took a step back, hand on his chin. "We'll just have to think of something else then."

Racking his brain around a bit, the blue brother felt in his deep pockets before giving a short breath and pulling something out. It was a small vile, shaped in a cross with a glistening green liquid inside of it.

Popping the cork off, Mugman moved closer to the injured demon before stepping back as Boris growled. "I said no touching."

"Hey bud, he's trying to help!" Cuphead spoke, moving closer.

"It's alright, Cuphead, he's right, I did say I wouldn't touch him."

Mugman turned back to the wolf, "Can you open your hand, please?"

Begrudgingly, Boris did, watching as the mug re-corked the vile before giving it to him.

"Please pour the liquid on, and around, his wound."

Nodding, Boris began to slowly unwrap the mackshift gauze from his brother, who whimpered at the weight shift. Once the wound was in clear view, he popped the cork once more and cascaded the liquid around his brother's shoulder.

As it flowed, the small glistening liquid began to soak deeper into the demons skin, down into his viens, and mixed itself with his ink and blood. As it mixed, it began to slowly, but surely, repair the deep wound.

The three boys stay still, watching as the demon in Boris's arms twisted with discomfort. "It'll take a couple of minutes, but it should heal him."

Boris looked up to the mug, who now stood with his hands at his hips. In a soft, almost distant voice, Boris spoke. "Thank you."

Mugman's face reddened a bit as he moved his hands everywhich way. "It's nothing, I couldn't let someone I accidentally hurt, stay hurt, y'know."

"Still," Boris spoke, "Thank you."

"Its no problem."