Cuphead woke up in a daze, his vision was blurry and everything hurt.
What the hell happened..?
There was an odd clinking and the waves falling in from the hole in the roof was now more like a waterfall. Cuphead tried his best to sit up, a burning pain fills his arms as he used them. His clothes were tattered and almost burnt looking, he hadn’t known how long he was out but he was still sopping wet.
The clinking sound halted. Cuphead looked to where the sound had been coming from. There was the creature, staring at him from the ledge with what looked to be big white eyes. They slowly moved to the water, not breaking eye contact nor blinking, and with a splash they were gone. Fuck whatever treasure was on the other side, he doesn’t know what that weird thing did but it hurt and it wont be happening again.
Cuphead looks to the exit, he zones out wondering if his brother is safe when he feels something wet touch his hand making him jump. He pulls his hand away immediately, which is a bad idea considering the condition he was in. He grimaces in pain from the sudden movement, he holds himself hoping to make the burning disappear even just a little bit. Something bonks into him. He takes a glance to see a roll of wet bandages, looking a little higher is the creature with its wide owlish eyes. Cuphead would’ve found it cute if this thing didn’t almost kill him… The thing dips back into the water only to submerge a few seconds later, they hold out their hands as far as they can, placing a rusted med kit in his lap. He looks at the med kit confused for a while. He doesn’t know whats up with this creature or what they think they’re getting out of this but he doesn’t like it one bit. On the other hand, he wont be getting any better without bandages so Cuphead removes his shirt to take a look at the damage. He looks at himself then to the brute that did this, they had moved back to the ledge and was now tinkering with their kaleidoscope again. Cuphead let out a sigh and started bandaging himself, hoping the water was clean enough to not infect the wounds.
Once finished with the bandages, he just observed the creature. They seemed to be some sort of mermaid but instead of a fish, they were an eel..? Probably an electric one. No wonder his body hurt so much. Cuphead could see the designs in their gold cuffs much better now that there was light, They had a piece of fabric draped over their shoulders, it looked like it was held in place by the tattered ribbon around their neck. Cuphead looked around the cave, the hole let in the orange sunrise’s light from outside.
Shit.. Mugs was probably worried sick about him.
The small lake was now illuminated and the water was surprisingly clear, with no visible way for aquatic creatures to get out… was the fishy stuck here? Maybe they’ll give some of their gold if Cuphead helps them.
“Hey, fishy!” Cuphead calls out to the creature.
There was a slight rasp in his voice, the water and electricity did a bit of a number on him. The eel stops what they’re doing to stare at cuphead, eventually getting in the water and swimming over to him. Only the top of their head and their hands are visible. They sit in silence for a few seconds before the fish gets a bored look on their face.
“Did you call me over here for nothing?” They ask, the bridge of their nose wrinkling in annoyance.
“Oh, uhh.. I was looking around and didn’t see a way out.” Cuphead explained.
Fishy looks at him like he’s dumb and then to the opening behind him, Cuphead following their gaze.
“I meant for you…” Fishy looked at the dish stunned for a moment before his expression turned confused
“I…” there was a thoughtful pause, their voice became sweet for a moment, they looked sad, scared even until their annoyed face returned and they continued to speak“I fell. Ive been stuck for a month or so now” they pointed to the hole in the cave roof.
“Maybeee i could help you..?” Cuphead puts a finger on his cheek and tilts his head, he has the biggest grin on his face. “Y’know, Fishy, i got legs and 2 guns to getcha outta here” he flexes one of his bandaged arms and proceeds to wince from his injuries. Fishy looks unimpressed.
“You think you can carry me like… that..?”
“I can guarantee!” the dish’s proud look is back on his face. “As long as i can have a bit of that gold” Cuphead points at the pile of treasure and trash. This was going to be the first time Cuphead was gonna have to try and sweet talk a fish.
“I just wanna get out of here.” The fish has a serious tone, “I mean, I almost killed you so..”the sentence is dragged off. “Also I don’t need it, it’s just stuff that was swept in here by the ocean.” Theres silence between them for a moment.
“Oh… uh, Im Cuphead! by the way.” The eel squints their eyes at him
“…Bendy.” Cute name for a deadly thing…
Bendy dives into the water, ending up at the ledge with what looks like a suit case. They start packing all the gold and trinkets into the case and then finally, they zip it up. They pull it off the ledge and it drops to the bottom of the lake, taking Bendy with it.
After what seems like an eternity, Bendy’s grabs onto the ledge pull themself up with the suit case in their other hand. Cuphead goes to grab Bendy to help them but the eel gives him a dirty look so he backed off.
Bendy finally manages to get the suit case and themself onto land. Cuphead is moving the suit case around, trying to drain the water that got in. When he’s finally done he turns to Bendy
“So, do i carry you or do you wanna ride on the suit case? …I’ll probably have to pick you up regardless.”
“The suit case..” Bendy has an annoyed tone. Cuphead walks over to him and wraps his arms around their waist and tail, they were surprisingly light. he carefully places the eel on the suitcase and starts to drag them out of the cave.
