Cuphead Kidnapped Collaboration

Facing Fears

I wake up and feel a strong pair of arms around me. "Wait. I'm in the Casino again." I mumble, realizing where I am. I look at who the arms belong to and it's King Dice. "Dice! Let go of me!" I say, squirming. "No can do darling. You lost our gamble." He says. "I didn't agree to your gamble in the first place." I say, breaking free from his grasp. "Don't let her leave!" Dice yells. I get grabbed, and suddenly I'm in the Devil's court room. He grabs me, and shakes me, then I wake up. "Nathan? Why am I in bed with you?" I ask, looking around. "Because I needed to tell you something when you woke up. You see, I know what we have to do next, but it's a bit more... Scary for those of us that are older." He says. "What is it?" I ask. "The person who accepts, chooses a person, and becomes the same age as them. Permanently. Characteristics about you will also mature. None of us really wanted to do it, so I waited until you woke up. If you don't want to do it, I'll do it." He says. "I'll do it. And, I think I have someone to choose in mind. Though, I guess when this is over, I'm going to need a place to stay..." I mumble. "You could stay with me and the Random Encounters crew." He says, brushing the hair out of my eyes. "I feel like we've been friends for years." I say, laughing. "I guess I have that effect. Everyone here really is nice." He says, smiling. "Adri's like a mom to me. Wait, was that you shaking me?" I ask. "Yeah. You kept squirming and mumbling. Something about a gamble?" He asks. "Yeah. You don't really need to know about it though. It's nothing important." I say, looking down. "YN, if it's about you, then it's one of the most important things in the world." He says. I feel my cheeks heat up. The lights turn on, and we all groan. "Nathan! Is she going to do it?" Eile asks. "Yeah. I'm interested on who she'll choose though." He responds. "Alright, what do I do?" I ask. I get put in the middle of a circle of everyone. "Sing the part of the Cuphead song that your person sings. While singing, the spell will take place." Nathan says. "Alright." I say, doing a full 360 to get a glance at everyone. I sign, close my eyes, and tap my foot to the beat. It echos throughout the entire room. "They call me King Dice, cause that's who I am. A royal pain whose diabolical plan. To close a contract needs a sucker or two. So come on, Cuphead! Kid, I'm talking to you. Come shake my hand. We got a deal? Good cause now it gets real." I sing. I open my eyes, and face Nathan. He's... Shorter... By two inches. I look down at my feet. I'm not wearing heels. "How tall are you Nathan?" I ask. "5'10. You look about 6 ft." He says. I look at my outfit, and I see dark blue boot cut jeans, black boots, and a black NWTB merch shirt. There's a quick white flash, and I feel a horrible pain in my arm. "Argh! In the name of all things Holy!!! Who did that- Mugs?!" I say, shocked. I hold the wound with my hand and maintain eye-contact with him as everyone gets behind me. His eyes widen as he realizes who he just shot. "OH MY GOSH! I'm so sorry! The figure was attacking me, a-and I came back here somehow. Here, let me he-" Mugs offer to help gets cut of by Matt. "Hey! You just shot her! Get out of here before ya." He snarls. The Cuphead group follows his lead, and ignore me as I try and stop him. "W-what?! No, please, it was a-!" I interrupt this time, using the only thing I know that will stop them. "ALL OF YOU BEFORE I CLOBBER YOU!!!" I yell. They turn to face me, even the cowering Mugman turns his head. "Huh?" He asks, confused. "Mugs said it was an accident. Leave him be." I exclaim. I then turn to Mugs, a gentle look on my eyes. "Do you recognize me Mugs?" I ask. He looks fearful, bit seems to calm down a bit. "I kind of... Wait, the stone! Now's my chance to get it back!" He exclaims. I smile, and as I was about to take out the stone, Matt sees this as some kind of threat, and punches him. "Matthew!" I exclaim. Is he being protective? Since when is he so protective? I ask myself. Nathan and Mark hold Matt by his arms, dragging him away. "Alright, I've had enough of this idiot! I have gotten yelled at too many times today, and everyone else has been no frickin' help! I don't need you clammering me!" He exclaims, readying his finger guns. I grab Gwen's ink-stained hoodie from earlier and tie it around my arm, trying to stop the bleeding.
"Whoa, whoa, WOAH! Mugs! Stop!" I plead. Mugs looks over, regret starting to fill his gaze as he puts his finger guns away. "Hmph." I slowly step forward. "Mugs, we're your friends remember? What happened?" I ask. I then stop when I'm about ten feet away. "What's my name?" I ask. The group see this as a chance to attack the already severed mug for threatening an attack, and start walking forward. Mugs sees this, and starts shooting, yelling, "all right! I've had enough!" Luckily, he had missed almost everyone. Notice I say almost. He had shot me in the gut, inches away from another shot wound. "ALL OF YOU STOP!!! PLEASE!!!" I yell in pain, falling to the ground. None of them listen, and beat Mugs so badly he can barely stand, much less protect himself. "What... What have you done?! You've broken the watch... Which means I can't leave!" He exclaims. Matt's posture was different. He seemed prideful. "What has gotten into all of you?! Go! All of you! That's an order!" I yell, using most of my strength to drag myself over to Mugs. I put my slightly curled hair behind my ears, showing off my dice earrings. "Cut the act Matt. You're insane. Don't turn into MadPat on me." I say when I'm beside Mugs. I see a figure appear, and clench my hands into fists. "Aw... Muggy, no watch to leave, no legs to run. Looks like everyone, even her, has turned on you." He says. I tie the hoodie high around my waist, covering the other shot wound. I stumble up to protect Mugs, yelling "OH SHUT UP ALREADY!!!" Mugs starts struggling for breath, and both me and the figure take notice. "Well then, you can watch as I kill him." The figure says. His smirk sends shivers down my spine. "And you... You can thank your friends as he does slowly." The figure says, looking at me. I stay silent, so he continues. "Even if he doesn't kill me, what I said earlier will cover his death and injury." He says. My breathing stills for a moment, then I start laughing quietly. It grew louder as it echoed on the walls. Mugman tries to protect himself as the figure scratches his back softly. Matt crossed his arms, smirking, and seemingly having a good time. My laughing stops as I turn to him. "HEY MADPAT!!! THINK ABOUT STEPHANIE!!! WHAT WOULD DHE SAY RIGHT NOW?!?!?!" I yell. His look changes into a short burst of terror, and I start laughing again, but more quietly. I turn to the figure. "I don't blame anyone. I'll take the blame for his death." I say. I see Mugman crying, and cover my mouth to muffle my own sobs. I murmurs something I barely hear: "Cuppy... I'm sorry..." I bring my hand down slowly. "Mugs... Don't leave... Please..." I choke out. The figure grabs Mugman's neck, saying, "you were a pain to deal with. Watching you suffer will make my day!" I freeze, then act without thinking, yelling "wait!" Matt chuckles, and the motive I was trying to do vanishes from my mind. "What are you laughing at Matt?" I snarl, turning to face him. I hear Mugman gasp for air, then see him do limp, his breathing no longer heard. "Mugs! No!" I scream, falling to my knees, trying to stop the tears with my hands. "Look everyone! This is what happens when you peeve me off! Broken, shattered, nothing is what you become!" I looks over at the group, who is backing away from Matt, who is looking at me in disgust. "You're not the Matt I know. I want to know where he is and I want to know now!" I yell, scrambling off the floor and shaking him. The rest of the group I can sense is equally shocked by his behavior. The figure turns to Mugman, and I look at them out of the corner of my eyes. "You've had a great adventure... But now, you and your brother's story is over! I'm going to kill you where I should've started: The Void!" Before he can teleport away, I act without thinking again. "Wait! Don't kill him! Kill me!" I plead. He turns to me. "Sorry, you're not a threat. Jurah needed me to take care of Cuphead's little brother, and that's what I'm going to do!" He says. "Not a threat?" I snarl, tackling him and clawing where his face would be. This decision causes him to drop the Mugs, breaking his China. He's on the verge of death, bit I won't let him die. Matt struts over, and raises his foot, ready to step on Mugs' head. I find a sudden rush of courage, and imitate Steph's voice. "Matt! Stop! What are you doing?!" Mugs wakes up, vomiting. "Mugs! Dodger, get him away from Matt and that... Thing!" I hollar. She complies quickly, getting him away safely. "Cuppy... Help... Me..." He murmurs. "Sorry Muggy. Cuphead is to busy fighting your fake self right now!" The figure says. I feel tears fall down my face. "I'll take care of these two. Tend to Mugs." I tell everyone. Mark, Nate, and Sean stand guard. "Matt please! Snap out of it! Give me back my Matthew!" I say, using Steph's voice again. I hear Mugman speak again. "Cuppy... Please... I'm sorry... Don't leave me to... To..." He passes out, and I can barely hear his breathing this time. "Aw, looks like it's Muggy's last call! I'm sorry it had to be this way. What are you going to do about it Princess Selfish?" He asks, venom dipping from his voice. "I... I'm going to stop the pain." I say, walking toward Mugs. "Mugs... Trust me okay?" I ask his unconscious body. "NO... NO! PLEASE! DON'T!" I hear the familiar voice up Cuphead yell. Clearly I was the only one who could hear him. Cuphead, I can bring him back... I think. Mugman's breathing starts to grow faster. The Guardian Angel stone can revive him. I just need to do it. I think, kneeling beside Mugs. I await Cuphead's answer, bit it doesn't come. Argh! The connection broke! I think, panicked. "Oh no you don't! He can not continue to live!" The figure exclaims, taking the stone and shattering it. I look back at Mugman's frail figure, holding back tears. Mugs wakes up, and attempts to get up, bit is too dizzy. "They... They did this to me..." He grumbles, look at the group with a mixture of annoyance, sympathy, and forgiveness. I take off the hoodie around my waist, and attempt to bandage him, but he kept moving. He was crawling toward Matt and the figure, revenge clearly written on his face. "Mugs! Stop! You'll die!" I exclaim, gently grabbing the collar of the back of his shirt. His eyes widen, as if he's realizing something. "No... Matt... What?" He groans. He looks at Matt, his figure quickly growing weaker. "You... You drugged me! That's why I'm w-weak..." His eyes close slowly. "Mark, take care of Matt." I growl. "What?!" He asks. "Take care of him. Knock him out so he can take over. That isn't Matt, it's MadPat." I say. As he does that, I look over Mugs' body, looking for a syringe wound. "Can you forgive Matt? He was being controlled. Taken advantage of." I murmur, finding the syringe wound. Matt throws something at Mugs' body, and he shrieks in pain. "Well done my protege. We are almost there." The figure says. Protege? I ask myself. I shake my head. "Mark! I thought you took care of him! Mark?" I yell. I turn to where he is, and see him on the floor, unconscious. Mugs falls so the floor, breathing heavily. He starts to choke, and pulls on my pants leg. Everyone else collapses, drugged as well. I kneel down, trying to help Mugman, while panicking aloud. "Hey, who are you?!" I ask. "Well now, I can't tell you that. This is too much fun." The figure says. Mugman looks at the figure. "You're a monster..." He groans. "Quiet you!" The figure shouts, and shoots him with a dart. Mugman collapses into a lifeless heap. Matt comes at me with a syringe, but it's a different color than the sleeping drug. "Dr. Kahl? Devil? King Dice?" I ask, trying to guess who he is. I manage to remain calm, knowing if I panick it won't go well. "Well, this has been fun. So long!" The figure says, picking up Mugman and teleporting away. The effects of all the things he did to us was reversed when he left, and everyone was waking up. I see Matt wake up out of the corner of my eyes. "No! Mugs!" I yell. Matt holds his head, and confusion is in his gaze. "W-what happened???" He asks. "WHAT HAPPENED?!?!?! YOU DRUGGED EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM, TRIED TO KILL MUGS, THEN TRIED TO DRUG ME!!!" I scream. Dodger comes up to me, singing softly to calm me down. I thank her, but give a hard glare at Matt. I curl up. The fact that Mugs was gone was starting to get to me. "He's gone. He's gone and it's all my fault. If only I had protected him..." I start crying, and AJ tries to cheer me up with his Enis voice. It works a little, but not much. Confusion clouded his gaze, and he was mumbling something. I see something glimmer beside me, and I look up to see the stone. "Uhhh... Adri! Recap everything that happened starting with Mugs shooting me in the arm." I say, picking up the stone with my tembling hands. Cristina comes up to me and gives me a very tight hug. I smile, and hear static. I perk up, and see a radio of some sort. The voice sounds familiar, but it doesn't click quite yet. "Is this thing on?! Anybody, answer me!" The voice says. Everyone looks over at the sound, and when the voice speaks again, I run over to it. "H-hello?" It says. It finally clicks. "Hi! Hello! This is Grim Matchstick right?!" I ask. I cough into my hand, and see the crimson color if blood in my hand. I gasp quietly, but await an answer. "Yes! We're looking for s-s-survivors! Cuphead has lost the battle, Mugman us still missing, and J-Jurah is p-picking off people one by one. I was told to find survivors; are you s-safe?" Grim asks. "Jurah's servant has Mugman!" I exclaim into it. "Wait... H-he's alive?" Grim asks. "Barely. Did Cuphead day anything about speaking to someone out if earshot, or through their mind or something?" I ask, wondering if it was actually Cuphead who spoke to me earlier. When he doesn't answer, I continue. "Listen, I don't know if we're safe or not. We're all in this... Room..." I stutter. Grim seems to snap back into it. "No, Cuphead didn't say anything. But, h-he is barely alive. I h-have a feeling, s-sadly Inkwell, and any other multiverse, is gonna crash. You all h-have to get s-s-somewhere safe!" Grim exclaims. "We can't leave! Plus, my friends were just drugged! We aren't fit to leave!" I say. This feels like Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes. I think. "Are th-there any h-h-hiding places?! Jurah is checking every floor and multiverse h-he can. J-just to be safe, you guys need to h-hide! Fine places for your drugged friends, too!" He says. "This room in empty. There's nowhere to hide. Can you ask Cuphead if he talked to someone outside your universe?" I ask. Grim's voice seemed to drop. "I c-can't." He says. "I... I might be able to bring him back." I say, my voice cracking. "Cuphead is slowly dying. Jurah poisoned h-him in our recent fight." Grim explains. Someone in a background yells "HE'S UPGRADING FORCES!!!" I think for a moment. "Hey, you're... The dragon right? Your a dragon?" I ask, trying to confirm who I was talking too. A sudden memory thrusts to my mind. A memory of being told the legend of someone who saved the multiverse. "Yes!!! S-sorry, my name is Grim Matchstick! I-" Someone interrupts him, and I know exactly who it is. "Grim! We don't have time for this! They're attacking Incineroar and breaking our barricades. You need to hang up whoever that is!" He says. "That's Wally! Don't hang up! Are any of you familiar with the legend of Phantom?" I ask. "Oh! Yes we are! Listen, they're almost in here, we're sorry, but we have to leave you!" Wally says. "NO!!! WAI-" Grim starts. *beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep*
"Guess I'm taking things into my own hands." I grumble. "Did those turd lickers actually hang up on you?!" Matt asks angrily. The rest of the group laughs at his insult, but I ignore them. I grab the stone from the floor, and put it up to my heart.