Chapter 1: A Show of Romance

One day on Inkwell Isle 3, Cuphead, Mugman, Red Rose, and all of their friends are in the theater with Sally Stageplay. They are inside the theater helping Ms. Stageplay put on a play. On the stage Red Rose is wearing a red princess gown with white marking around it. She has a rose on her hair and a silver tiara on her head.

Cuphead is wearing silver armor, and says, "My princess, I've come to save you."

"Sir Cuppy, you did come to save me," Red Rose says with glee.

"Yes. I… I will do whatever it takes to save you… my… my princess," Cuphead says, feeling embarrassed that his cheeks are turning red.

Suddenly, someone shouts, "And cut…"

The two stop and turn to see Sally Stageplay holding a Stephen cone.

"You both were great, but Cuphead, try not to blush so much," Sally says.

Cuphead says, "Right. Sorry about that. I… I can't really help it."

"I know, but the play is tomorrow night, and well… we can't have the main character turning red every time he sees the princess," Sally says.

"Yes. Sorry," Cuphead says with a sheepish smile.

Sally then calls out using the Stephen Cone, "Alright, Mugman, Stems, and Timmy! It's time to change the scenery for the Knight's battle against the evil Horn King."

"Yes ma'am," Mugman says at the back stage.

Soon, he and the others pull on the rope down, and the stage's backdrop changes to a dark night that has a dark and spooky castle.

He then turns to Red Rose, "You.. you actually look great in that dress."

"Thanks. To be honest, I did feel a bit skeptic about wearing this dress at first," Red Rose says.

"How come," Cynthia asks, walking to them.

"Well, I'm more like an adventurer and well, I always help my father around the ship. Wearing something like a dress or a skirt will just be in the way," Red Rose says.

"Well, I think it's a nice change from your other clothes. Your normal clothes look nice, but it's nice to see you in a dress," Jenny says.

"Maybe you guys think so, but I feel a bit uncomfortable wearing it. I've never worn any dresses before," Red Rose says.

Cuphead begins to blush and says, "I… I actually think it looks good on you."

Red Rose blushes a little and asks, "You really think so?"

"Yeah. I do like you wearing the dress, but I also like your normal clothes. They make you look more adventurous," Cuphead says.

Then panics, "Wait… that's not what I mean…"

"Thanks Cuphead, you're very sweet," Red Rose says with a smile.

Cuphead blushes more and says, "You're welcome."

Suddenly, Sally says, "Alright kids, enough talk. It's time for the next scene. Where is Vector!"

"I'm here! I'm here!" Vector says.

He then comes on stage to wear a cape, a crown with horns, and holds a staff.

"Alright guys, let's have some fun," Vector says.

Sally then shouts, "Action everyone!"

Red Rose and others who aren't in this scene leave the stage.

Cuphead says, "I won't let you take over this kingdom Horn King!"

"Give it up, I've already won. I shall rule this Kingdom and the princess of this kingdom will become my queen!" Vector says.

"I will not allow you to have your way," Cuphead says.

Cuphead brings out a wooden sword, and Vector brings out the staff. With that, the two begin to fight against each other. Luckily, those things are props or someone might get hurt. Then Cuphead uses the wooden sword to knock the staff off of Vector's hand and it falls to the ground along the stage.

Cuphead holds the sword in front of Vector, "You give up!"

"Not yet! I still have one trick up my sleeve!" Vector says, holding a bottle of green liquid.

Then he throws it to the ground and it breaks as it explodes green smoke. Cuphead stands back as he coughs a little.

Then Sally shouts, "And cut!"

Then says, "That was fantastic. Alright everyone, it's time to take a lunch break! And then we'll do one final dress rehearsal."

A little time later, the group of friends are outside the theater having their lunch on picnic benches close by.

"I think we're going to do great at the play, and we have Cuphead and Red Rose as stars," Song says.

"I don't know. I'm still a little nervous and the play is tomorrow night. I hope we'll do good," Cuphead says.

"I'm sure we'll do the best we can. Sally is an experienced actress and is a star. She has been a great help to all of us so far," Red Rose says.

"She's right. Sally has been an actress for a long time. She knows the Theater and everything about acting from the back of her hand," Tea says.

"I'm sure we'll do fine at the play," Mugman says.

Jenny then giggles, "I'm sure it will be fun, adventurous, and all kinds of fun, especially romantic."

"Yeah. I'm sure those two will do a great job, especially with the ending of the story when the princess and the knight marry and kiss each other," Cynthia says.

Cuphead and Red Rose begin to blush. Red Rose's cheeks turn red and Cuphead's liquid inside his head is boiling like crazy. The girls begin to giggle as the boys begin laughing to see the two looking very embarrassed.

Cuphead quickly says, "That's not funny you guys."

"Yeah. Stop laughing," Red Rose says.

"Aww look at them," Jenny says.

"Yeah. Those two are red that it's really starting to show," Timmy adds.

Unknown to them, someone is secretly spying on them from a telescope that is coming from underground. The one that is spying on them, is none other than the Devil. He has heard everything the kids are talking about, so he knows about the play and a certain affection between two individuals.

"So… the Rose, Two cups, and their friends are going to be in Sally Stageplay's little theater show. And it seems that Cuphead and Red Rose seem to care about each other very much. That might be the very idea I need to get the souls of everyone in the theater, especially those cups and that girl," The Devil says.

The Devil evilly chuckles as he rubs his hands together, "Those two cups and that girl are sure in for a little surprise."

Later in the night, Cuphead is laying on his bed and still thinking about the show he is doing with Red Rose. He then turns his head to see a picture of him, Mugman, and Red Rose. Unable to sleep, Cuphead walks down the stairs and into the kitchen. He then makes himself some hot milk and begins to drink it.

Suddenly, someone says, "Cuphead."

Cuphead turns his head to see Elder Kettle as the kettle walks into the kitchen.

"What are you doing up at this time? You and your brother and friends have a big night tomorrow." Elder Kettle says.

"I know. I'm just… I don't know. I've been feeling a bit… funny lately," Cuphead says.

"I see. Would you like to talk about it?" Elder Kettle says.

"I guess so," Cuphead says.

Elder Kettle then sits next to Cuphead as the young cup drinks some of his hot milk.

"Now then, tell me what's on your mind," Elder Kettle calmly says.

"Well, um, it's Red Rose. I don't know why, but I can't seem to get her out of my mind. During the play, I always seem to get embarrassed when I'm around her. Not just during the play, but every time I see her. I do like Red Rose, but my head bubbles, my stomach feels like there's butterflies inside, and my head is turning red," Cuphead says.

Elder Kettle giggles and says, "Not to worry Cuphead, what you're having is a normal feeling."

"What do you mean?" Cuphead says.

"I believe that you have a crush on Red Rose," Elder Kettle says.

"A crush? I… I mean… Red Rose is my friend and well. I do like her, but I…" Cuphead says, feeling embarrassed.

Then sighs and says, "It's true, I do have a crush on her. I just… don't how to tell her how I feel."

"It's okay my boy, what your feeling is normal for anyone to have. You don't have to tell Red Rose right away, but that is up to you when you should tell her," Elder Kettle says.

"I guess so, but I don't know. What if she doesn't feel the same way about me?" Cuphead asks, concerned.

"Well, you might not know unless you tell her, but that depends if you are ready to tell her," Elder Kettle says.

"I guess you're right. Thanks Elder Kettle," Cuphead says.

"Of course. Now you better get to bed so you'll be rested for the play tomorrow," Elder Kettle says.

"Okay," Cuphead says.

He puts his finished up in the sink and hurry up stairs for bed. Cuphead then sleeps for the night and can't wait for the play tomorrow, and he and Red Rose will be starring in it. Little did they know that the play will be interrupted by a certain villain.