Growing pains (Cuphead story)

Chapter 2 Market Mayhem

2
The day was a beautiful one, the warm sun beamed down on the people of Inkwell Ile, a slight breeze blew, accompanied by birdsong and crickets chirping. A perfect day for lazing about. Unfortunately for the boys, Elder didn't share the same attitude, he had the boys on house chores and gardening duties was well as errands and shopping.
"Man I hate going shopping," grumbled Cuphead, dragging his feet, kicking up dust.
"You hate doing anything chore related." Replied Mugman, cheerfully.
Soon the boys entered the Inkwell Markets, everyone who was anyone was there and more, the streets were overcrowded and bustling with noises of every type. As the brothers tried their best to get through the crowds, they overheard snippets of conversation.
"Aye that's t'er word."
"You sure mate?"
"Aye, just turned up outta blue, didn't remember nothing, brains gone to ter dogs, mutter'n 'bout summat strange"
"Like what"
"Dunno"
Other conversations consisted of,
"Well you really can't blame the dear, with all that's happen to him."
"You can't, I can! He's a total sleaze."
"He's gone back the city I hear,"
"Good riddance."
"JEN!"  
"Cuphead who do you think they were talking about?" Mugman asked when they finally got through the crowds "oh um I dunno."
"Do you think it may be Devil?"
"Honestly why would you waste your breath gossiping about pompous, lazy, cheating lying stuck up bast—"
Cuphead was cut short when he collided with a small cart sending selling goods tumbling down to the cobblestone floor.
"Agh shite!"
"Oi Cup-face! Are you blind?"
A large round wolf came looming into view he had a large neck and small beady eyes that flashed menacingly at Cuphead. He was huge. Fearing brawl was coming, Mugman stood in front of his brother and he trembled slightly.
"My apologies sir we didn't mean any harm. We can help clean up if you want."
"You better put a lid on it pall!" the shopkeeper snapped. "You Cup-face you're gonna pay for all of 'dis mess or else!" the shop keeper growled cracking his huge knuckles and bearing his large pointed teeth. The sight sent chills down the boy's spines.
"W-we don't have enough money, s-sir." Cup whimpered brushing himself off behind his brother "but perhaps you could find it in your heart to forgive me and my clumsiness?"
"Oh really?" the shopkeeper said in a soft dangerous voice "Ya don't have nothing ter pay? And yet ya expect me to forgive ya even when you've cost me about a week's wages!?" 
"P-please sir I didn't mean it like that! AGHK!!!"
Cuphead was yanked up by his collar and pinned against a stone wall, surrounding people cried out in surprise and moved away. Some were laughing and some were jeering.
"I'll take it outta ya hide!" he shouted turning scarlet. Cuphead struggled and cried out in pain. The shopkeeper drew his face closer and hissed. "Literally"
The huge wolf drew his fist back to his cheek, Mugman threw himself on him, but being so small he was kicked off and sent tumbling into a stall selling chickens. The stupid birds squawked and clucked frantically. Flying in every direction. The stall owner grabbed Mugman and started to yell at him in a different language.
"MUGS!!" Cuphead yelled, but he was once again slammed against the stone wall. The fist grew closer and closer to his face as if in slow motion. Cuphead had closed his eyes and waited for his nose to be broken...but the pain never came. Instead his ears were filled with the wails of the shopkeeper and he felt himself slide down onto the floor. His eyes flew open and widened.
The shopkeeper was flailing his arms around and screaming his head off. Sticky red liquid poured out of his hand, and stained a playing card that had caused the wound. Cup, rubbing his chipped handle looked up to see a tall skinny man, standing over him. Although he couldn't see his face, as his back was turned.

The man spoke in a soft but deep voice, it was menacing and dripping with evil.
"It takes a special kinnda man to hurt someone with full intent, and an even more special kinnda man to knockout a kid!"
"You bastard!" the shopkeeper roared "You've destroyed my ruddy hand!"
"Well it's not like you were using it for anything good" the man sneered.
"I'll ring your scrawny neck!"
"With one good hand? Very smart." The man lifted his hand and clicked his fingers, with a sound like petrol being lit, the man's hand exploded into green flames and a large fire ball appeared.  Form his position, Mugman could see the man's face, he looked calm and uninterested, his head, a six sided dice, his eyes glowed slightly green and flashed dangerously along with the flickering of the flames. This man had a small, pointed moustache, and a purple button nose and he wore a dress shirt with purple suspenders and suit pants.
"King Dice?" he mouthed. 
The shopkeeper glared deep into Dice's eyes, his eyes darted to his flaming hand and he knew he was outmatched.  Cursing and clutching his still bleeding hand he turned and disappeared into the markets. Dice straightened and shook his hand lazily, extinguishing the green flame. He turned to the gawping crowd.
"What, never seen a man get his ass handed to him?" he smiled "Go on beat it!"
The crowd moved away and soon it was as if nothing had happened. Cuphead had gotten to his feet and was brushing himself off. When a shadow covered him.
"Well, well, well it hasn't even been a couple of months and you're already causing trouble." He smiled, Dice no longer looked dangerous, but he looked kind and offered his hand to cup.
"I'm fine! I don't need your help." Cuphead grumbled smacking his hand away. "I could have handled it."
"Sure kid, you had him on the run." Dice smiled to himself.
"M-Mr D-Dice? Thank you for helping my brother." Came a small voice behind him. Mugman was limping and holding his arm.
"Mugs! What did he do to you? Are you alright?!" Cuphead rushed over to his brother and allowed him to slump against him for support.
"I'm fine Cups, just some cuts and bruises."
"I'd call that a little more than cuts and bruises!."
Dice pointed at Mugs's  swollen leg. It was wonky and turning purple.
"Yes thank you, Mr Dice! but I'll take it from here." Cuphead said through gritted teeth, he scooped up his brother and walked awkwardly away. Mugman looked behind him as he was ferried away, King Dice stood with his hand in his pockets, and Mugs gave him a kind smile and mouthed "thank you".
Dice chuckled to himself and waved slightly, before disappearing, with a flash of green dust.

"Good God!" Elder choked when the boys stumbled through his front door. "I send you away for half an hour and everything goes downhill!"
"Sorry Elder" winced Mugman "It seems that not everyone likes us."
"Even after we saved there sorry butts from the Devil!" Cuphead added bitterly.
"You're saying that someone did this to Mugs?!" Elder steamed turning slightly red in the face.
"No a crate fell on my led Elder, no one did this to me."
"Only after he was kicked by a flea bitten mutt!"
Elder Kettle looked like he would start to whistle steam, but calmed himself. "Right from now on you boys are not to go anywhere without me!"
"What!?" the boys spat.
"You heard"

Later that night whilst Mugs snoozed in his bed, Cup passed around the room muttering to himself angrily. Suddenly a sneaky idea popped into his head.
Making sure that Mugs was asleep, Cup went over to the window and looked out into the woodlands, an old treehouse stood connected to the house by a long rope. Slowly Cup opened up the window.