It had been 13 years since Gwen and Clarence both got married. They both live a quiet life outside Inkwell City in a cozy home on a farm. Over that time, Gwen and Clarence both birthed three children of their own and adopted a daughter. The eldest, Priscilla Hopewell, the second who was adopted as a baby Ember Hopewell, the third Timothy Hopewell and the youngest Joy Hopewell.
Gwen still kept in contact with her human family and her cup brothers. But Gwen hoped to live away from Inkwell City to protect her children and husband from her longtime enemy the Devil.
One day, Gwen has her children work on their chores while she and Clarence both worked on some of their chores. Lately, Gwen was noticing that her 10-year-old daughter Ember was having some trouble getting some work done. So, Ember used her fire powers to help get weeds burned easier than pulling them. This scares Tim and Joy away and run to their mother. Priscilla on the other hand tries to warn Ember.
"Em! You better knock it off!" Priscilla said.
"Relax Pris, you worry too much." Ember said, feeling overconfident and continued burning the weeds.
"Ember!" Gwen scolded.
Ember quickly doused the fire and faced her mother along with Priscilla.
"What did I tell you about using your powers?" Gwen said.
Ember sighed and said,
"Not until I have full control of them. But mama…"
"You heard her sis." Pricilla said.
"Priscilla, don't start. Now go check on Tim and Joy. I need to speak with Ember alone." Gwen said.
Priscilla sighed and said,
"Yes mama."
Priscilla walked away to check on her younger siblings.
Gwen looked at Ember and said,
"Honey, I know you want to use your magic to help. It's just we're still working on your training and you're still not in control yet." Gwen said calmly.
"I know mama, but I know I can do it. I just don't understand why I'm the only one of us four Hopewells who was born with powers? At least you got your powers with that little magic bottle." Ember said defensively.
"Inkwell." Gwen corrected her.
"Whatever. Everyone thinks I'm a freak. I just wanna show you and the family I can be more and useful around here. Show everyone I'm not a freak." Ember said sadly.
"Honey, you are more. And don't ever call yourself that again. You are a good daughter. You are loved here. Your sisters and brother love you. Your father and I love you." Gwen said, encouraging her.
Ember sighed and said,
"Mama, I just don't feel like I belong here. Didn't you ever feel this way?"
"I too felt that way when I was your age, before I was brought to the Inkwell Isles and your cup uncles found me." Gwen said.
"Right. Sure." Ember said sarcastically.
"Ember, I think we're done here for today. Let's go inside and get dinner ready." Gwen said.
Gwen and Ember walked back to the house and has Ember join her three siblings while Gwen waited outside with Clarence.
"When are you gonna to tell her?" Clarence asked.
"Not yet! She still needs to learn to get full control of her magic." Gwen said.
"But, she needs to know where they came from. And it's not from any of us. And you know I'm not…" Clarence reminded her.
"I know that! I had nothing to do with it! Remember when we looked into her past to learn where she came from? She was accidentally created on a miscommunication. The storks were supposed to deliver her to him, but instead brought her to us. Maybe it was for a good reason. To raise her to be a good girl." Gwen said, remembering that fateful night she and Clarence found Ember as a baby abandoned in the middle of nowhere.
Clarence held Gwen and said,
"I know. I'm sorry. And I know you didn't have anything to do with it. Besides, I love Ember like I love the other children."
"Thanks, dear. But we need to stick to her training until the time comes for us to tell her the truth."
"Right." Clarence agreed.
They head inside and join their children and set up dinner. They feast together and head to bed.
The next day, Gwen and Ember head to a nearby town to do some shopping. Gwen instructs Ember to wait by the car while she did the shopping. Ember notices some anthropomorphic fruits hanging out and decided to say 'hello.' But they took one look at her and run away.
Ember felt disheartened until a group of animals her age approach her and call her mean names like 'freak', 'monster', and 'mistake' Ember's rage started building up in her and shouted,
No… I'm… NOT!"
Ember blew fire all around the town and set buildings on fire as the kids ran away from her.
"Oh no! No! What've I done?!" Ember said fearfully.
Gwen runs outside and yelled,
"Ember! What happened?!"
"It was an accident! There were those bullies and I lost control and…" Ember fearfully tried to explain.
Gwen got out her ink pen and splashed the fires out and restored the buildings to the way they were.
Ember breathed heavily as Gwen said,
"Come on, we're going home and discuss this."
Gwen has Ember get in the car and is approached by angry citizens.
"I know you're all angry but she is a good girl. She didn't mean any harm! It was an accident! She's just a kid!" Gwen defended Ember.
"I'm warning you Mrs. Hopewell! That freak daughter of yours is out of control! You keep that little monster away from here!" The town mayor angrily yelled.
Ember's heart sank in sadness as Gwen got in the car and drove away.
Later that evening, Gwen and Ember sit together on a hill looking at the sunset.
"Honey, don't let those horrible things they said back there get to you." Gwen said.
"Mama! I'm never gonna fit in here! No matter how hard I try, I just can't!" Ember argued, feeling anger building up.
"Ember! Deep breaths."
Gwen said, trying to calm her down before she exploded fire again.
Ember took deeps breaths and said,
"Mama, I really don't belong here. Like I need to be somewhere else." Ember confessed.
"Honey…" Gwen said but Ember interrupted and said,
"Forget it, you'd never understand."
Ember sadly walks away to be alone. Gwen felt guilt building up in her and said to herself,
"I know it's too soon, but perhaps it's time."
Ember walked to a clearing where she usually practiced controlling her powers. She shot fire at targets, zapped electricity next, telekinesis, shapeshifted into various animals, levitated, teleported, creating objects and other powers yet to be discovered. After blowing off some steam, she heads back home, only to discover her mother and father are outside, waiting for her.
"Ember, there's something your father and I need to talk to you about." Gwen said.
Gwen, Clarence and Ember sit down outside and Gwen confesses the truth.
"I don't understand. You found me as a baby? So, where did I come from?" Ember asked, now full of questions.
Gwen sighed and said,
"You know how sometimes babies in the Inkwell Isles are delivered by the storks?"
"Yes?" Ember answered.
Apparently there was a miscommunication to create you from my blood and… someone else's blood." Gwen hesitantly answered.
"So, you're still my actual mother?" Ember asked Gwen.
Gwen nodded.
"And are you?" Ember asked Clarence.
"Not your biological father, but I legally adopted you. I still think of you as my daughter. That's never gonna change and I love you." Clarence assured her.
Ember hugged her father, touched that he still loved her no matter what.
"But then, who's my real father?" Ember asked.
Gwen sighed and said,
"I was afraid you were gonna ask that question. But, I knew it would happen. You remember the stories about our enemy: the Devil?"
"Yes, but what does that have to do with who's my real father?" Ember asked, confused.
Gwen gave Ember a stare, hinting something. Ember's eyes widened and realized,
"Are you saying that… the… Devil… is… my… real… father?"
"Yes. You were created from his blood. And mine too." Gwen confessed.
"Look, he maybe our sworn enemy but I need answers from him." Ember said.
"Honey, you need to remember that he's a liar and a cheater. He's caused our family so much pain. If he knew about you, he'd try to use you for an evil scheme to steal everyone's souls. That's is his main goal in life is to own every soul in the two worlds." Gwen reminded her.
"I know mama, but I need answers. Maybe he can help me control my powers." Ember said.
"Dear, you don't know that. He doesn't love anyone except himself. He didn't even love me when he tried winning my affections for the magic inkwell. I mean, he'd probably won't see you as a daughter, but as a minion." Gwen warned Ember.
"I know he's heartless and cruel, but I have to at least try." Ember said.
"Oh, boy." Clarence said worryingly.
"Mama, papa. I love you both but, I just need to know what I am." Ember said as she held their hands.
Gwen and Clarence both looked at each other. Gwen gets out a map and says to Ember,
"I know where you can find him."
Gwen opens a map of the Inkwell Isles and show her the casino.
"He runs a place called 'The Devil's Casino.' But remember, the patrons are not friendly, especially their sleazy manager King Dice." Gwen told Ember.
"Okay, mama, I'll be careful. I have my powers to protect me." Ember said as she took the map.
"Always remember dear: Be strong, be smart and always be true to yourself." Gwen advised her as Ember nodded.
In the morning Ember packs all her belongings in her satchel, hugs her parents and siblings. She leaves home for Inkwell City. Ember turns around and said,
"I won't let you down mama! I'll make you and papa proud!"
"I know you will dear."
Gwen said as she held Clarence as he nodded at her.
"She takes after you." Clarence said to Gwen as she smiled.
Ember leaves the farm, travels to Inkwell City and heads to a place called 'The Devil's Casino.'
"Well, this looks like the place." Ember said, looking at a map.
Ember took a deep breath and headed inside the casino. She looked around and saw various patrons including demons, monsters and skeletons gambling and drinking. As she walked past various slot machines, she accidentally bumps into a large horned demon and he turned and growled at her.
"Oh, sorry." Ember apologized.
The large demon growled and prepared to kill her until Ember accidentally zaps him with her powers and destroys him. Other monsters notice and all jump and attack Ember. She uses her various powers to kill off her attackers until she finished them off with her fire blast until they were all piles of ashes.
"Oh no." Ember said worryingly.
She realizes what she had done and prepares to leave to avoid getting in trouble.
"What's going on here?!" A voice yelled.
Ember froze in place a few feet from the door as she noticed a cube-headed man in a purple tuxedo arriving and saw the piles of ashes. It was the casino's manager King Dice that her mother warned her about.
"Who did this?!" He demanded to know.
The patrons all point at Ember as she stood there feeling scared.
King Dice approaches her and asked,
"Did you do this kid?"
"Uh…" Ember hesitated to answer.
"ANSWER ME!" He yelled.
"I… Yes, but it was an accident! I'm sorry!" Ember fearfully apologized.
"I don't need rabble-rousers like you causing trouble in the boss's casino!" King Dice scolded her.
"I'm sorry! I was just entering and those monsters tried to kill me so I was just defending myself!" Ember said being defensive.
"Well, defending yourself or not, I don't want any more trouble out of you or we'll see what the boss has to say about it! And believe me, you don't wanna get mixed up with him! Am I clear?!" King Dice sternly asked.
"Y-y-yes sir." Ember fearfully nodded.
"Good! Now, beat it kid!" King Dice said and walked off.
Ember sighed and leaves the casino to find a place to stay.
Back in the casino, some imps clean up the piles of ashes as King Dice was making sure everything was in order. Just then a voice asked,
"What happened here?"
King Dice looked and saw his boss looking at the piles of ashes.
He approached his boss and said,
"Oh, we had a rabble-rouser human kid with strange powers causing trouble earlier, but I took care of her."
"A human kid did this? What did she look like?" The Devil asked.
"She's a kid, long wavy black hair, red eyes, wears a grey dress,…" King Dice described Ember.
"Wait, she doesn't sound like an ordinary human. Did you say she has strange powers?" The Devil asked.
"Oh yeah, she used some electricity and fire. In fact, they're similar to well… yours." King Dice said, realizing her powers are similar to his boss's.
"Hmm." The Devil said.
The Devil magically summons his magic mirror and said,
"Show me the girl that was here earlier!"
The mirror shows Ember walking down the streets finding a place to stay for the night. The Devil stood in shock at the sight of her. He notices similar features on Ember that he has like her eyes and hair.
"Henchman!" The Devil yelled.
A short fat imp came running, saluted and asked,
"Duh, yes boss?"
"Bring that human child to me! I want an audience with her in my throne room!" The Devil ordered.
"Yes sir!" Henchman said and heads off to the elevator.
The Devil turned back to the mirror and watched Ember magically light a fire with her hands to keep herself warm. The Devil is shocked that she has similar powers like his. Then, he grabs his pitchfork, taps it and disappears back to Hell to get ready.
Meanwhile, Ember was sitting against a building in an alleyway in front of the fire, unsure what to do now.
"Maybe I should just go home." Ember sadly said to herself.
Just as Ember was about to give up and go home to her family, she suddenly noticed a card magically appear from nowhere. Ember caught it, looked at the card and saw the Devil's face with his evil eyes looking at her. Ember quietly gasped, realizing the Devil knows about her already.
Just then, a few feet from her in the alleyway, an elevator appeared from the ground. The door opens and Henchman says,
"Uh, boss wants to see ya."
Ember stood there in horror, realizing the Devil wants to meet her already. Ember sighed and hesitantly goes into the elevator. Henchman closes the door and makes the elevator go down to Hell.
As they were traveling, Ember thinks about what might happen. Maybe he doesn't know that he's her real father or maybe she's in trouble for the commotion at the casino. Remembering what her mother taught her, she needed to be ready for anything.
The Elevator lands and makes the ding sound.
"Duh, okay we're here. Good luck kid." Henchman said.
Ember gulped in fear as Henchman opened the door.
Ember saw a blue carpet that led to the Devil's throne. She nervously steps out of the elevator and walked slowly down the carpet. She notices the Devil's tapestries but tried not to be afraid. Ember slowly approached the Devil sitting on his throne, filing his claws. She looked down, to avoid eye contact.
"Well, well, well. You've arrived at last my dear." The Devil said with an evil grin.
Ember just stood there, not speaking a word.
"Look at me when I'm talking to you!" The Devil scolded.
Ember quickly looked at the Devil.
"Good girl." The Devil said.
The Devil placed his nail file down, stood up, walked down the steps and approached Ember as stood there shaking with fear. Ember fearfully tries to make a run for it back to the elevator when she is suddenly levitated and brought back to the Devil.
"Uh, uh, uh! It's rude to leave in the middle of a meeting!" The Devil scolded as he placed her down.
Then, he circled around Ember. He chuckled evilly as he lifts her hair then he held her face and looked at her eyes.
"What's your name?" The Devil asked.
"E-E-E-Ember." She nervously answered.
The Devil knelt down, took her hand and set it on fire.
"W-W-What are you doing?" She asked.
"So strange. You have similar powers to mine. You don't burn to ashes like everyone else." The Devil said, noticing she doesn't burn.
"Fire never bothered me." Ember said.
The Devil doused the fire and looked at Ember and asked,
"Are you… related to me?"
Ember's eyes widened and lied,
"I- uh… I don't think so."
The Devil gives her a suspicious look. He takes her hand, pulls out a needle and said,
"I will know soon enough."
Ember realizes what he was about to do and tries to get away, blew fire around her and yelled,
"Let go of me! Let go!"
"Don't be a baby! Now, hold still!"
The Devil said impatiently as he poked her finger, making a little blood appear. He makes the needle disappear and makes a little vial appear and collected some of her blood. The Devil released her hand as Ember doused her fire, makes a band-aid in her hand and wraps it around her bleeding finger.
"Henchman!" The Devil yelled.
Henchman comes running in and said,
"Uh, yes boss?"
"Take this to the lab for testing!" The Devil ordered as he handed the vial of blood to him.
"Uh, yes boss!" Henchman said.
Henchman runs off to the lab to get Ember's blood tested. The Devil looked at Ember and noticed she tried to sneak away again. The Devil sighed, levitates her towards him again and takes her hand to keep a close eye on her.
"While we wait for the results, let me show you around."
The Devil said as he takes Ember and showed her around Hell from the throne room, the dungeon, the conference room, the network where his little imps work, his personal theater and the soul tubes that led to his soul safe.
"Wow, this place is bigger than I thought." Ember said, trying to be polite.
"I know, I run a fantastic operation here." The Devil bragged, to her unamusement.
Just then, Henchman came running in with the test results.
"Hey, boss? We have the results!" Henchman announced, holding a piece of paper.
"Wonderful! Read it! Quickly!" The Devil ordered as he released Ember, ran up to Henchman, eager to know right away.
Henchman started reading and said,
"Uh, boss, it turns out that this human is actually a half human half demon creature called a cambion. It also turns out her mother is the human Gwen and her birth father is… you, boss."
Ember's eyes widened, realizing she's not a complete human, but a cambion. The Devil is shocked at the results.
"But how?! I never did anything to Gwen! There's got to be another explanation!" The Devil demanded.
"Uh, the imps were able to determine that there was a miscommunication with the baby-delivering storks and somehow created this girl from both Gwen's and your DNA and was brought to Gwen and Clarence to live with." Henchman said, looking at the results.
"What?! And nobody told me?!" The Devil roared.
"But boss! We didn't know about it! And we believe Gwen didn't know either!" Henchman said defensively.
The Devil was shocked and looked at Ember looking at him, thinking she made a mistake meeting him.
"Maybe mama and papa were right. I shouldn't have left home. I'll go now." Ember said as she was leaving for the elevator.
The Devil makes fire block Ember's path, stopping her from leaving yet again.
"I don't think so… dear daughter." The Devil said, calling Ember his daughter.
Ember turned around and saw the Devil approaching her. Ember fearfully fell to the ground and flinched. To her shock, he lifts her up in his arms, carries her away and said,
"You're staying here with daddy from now on."
"W-w-w-what are you gonna do with me?" Ember asked fearfully.
"Relax my dear. I'm gonna groom you Ember to be the best demon you can be!" The Devil said, having plans for Ember.
"But, I can't control my powers! I can't even control my emotions! I unleash wildfires or something terrible!" Ember said defensively as he places her down.
The Devil knelt to her and put both hands on her shoulders.
"My dearest Ember, your powers are nothing to be ashamed of. I've blown bigger wildfires! But with proper training and guidance, you'll be in control in no time. I can help you do that." The Devil explained.
"How?" Ember asked, now interested.
"Just trust me and I'll show you to control your powers that'll make you invincible! There is nothing left for you back up there. Everything you need is right here." The Devil said, being persuasive.
Ember thought for a moment, remembering that her mother warned her that the Devil is a liar and a cheater. But then again, she did need his help to control her powers and learn more about herself. So, she decided to receive his training and be ready if he plans to double-cross her.
"Alright. Show me." Ember said, accepting his offer.
The Devil smiled and snickered evilly.
"That's my girl. You're gonna make daddy so proud." The Devil said as held her and stroked her head.
"Henchman!" The Devil yelled.
Henchman runs up to his boss and asked,
"Duh, yes boss?"
"Escort my daughter to her chambers. She needs to get her beauty sleep. Tomorrow, we begin her training." The Devil ordered.
"Duh, yes boss." Henchman said.
Henchman takes Ember's hand and escorts her to her mother's old prison bedroom.
"Uh, if you need anything kid, just holler and I'll come."
Henchman said as Ember entered her new room.
"Boss says you need to get some sleep. You begin training with him first thing tomorrow. Good night ma'am." Henchman finished.
"Yes, uh good night."
Ember said hesitantly as Henchman closes the door and locks it.
Ember unpacks her satchel and settles into her new room. She feels tired and crawls into bed.
"I hope I know what I'm doing." Ember said to herself and drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Ember wakes up and noticed a new scarlet dress along with her black boots. Ember brushes her teeth, brushed her hair and gets dressed. Just then she hears knocking at the door and hears Henchman say,
"Duh, ma'am? Are you awake? I'm coming in!"
Ember comes out of her bathroom and sees Henchman come in, rolling a cart with a teapot and cup.
"Oh good. You're awake ma'am. You'll be dining with your father. He requested you wear that dress, which I see your wearing. You look very beautiful by the way. Here, have some tea first." Henchman said as he was pouring her some tea.
After pouring tea, he hands her the cup and she says,
"Thank you." Ember said as she started sipping.
After sipping her tea, she hands it back to Henchman.
"Henchman! Is my beautiful daughter ready yet?" The Devil called.
"Duh, yes boss! We're coming!" Henchman called back.
"Let's go ma'am." Henchman said.
Henchman leads Ember to the dining area where the Devil is sitting at the table, waiting for her.
Ember sits down and Henchman served her and the Devil breakfast platers of eggs, bacon and toast along with cups of coffee.
"So, my darling, are you ready to start your training?" The Devil asked as he was eating.
Ember nodded as she ate the food in front of her.
"Answer me when I ask you a question!" The Devil scolded her.
Ember's eyes popped and said,
"Uh, yes. I am."
"We're going to work on your manners while we're at it. Anyway, this morning, you're gonna come with me and I'll show you how things work around here. You know, a 'bring your kid to work' thing. Then, we'll begin training afterwards. Are we clear?" The Devil asked.
"Yes." Ember answered.
"Yes…?" The Devil asked, hinting her to call him something.
Ember sighed and said,
"Yes… father."
"Good girl." The Devil said, approving her answer.
After breakfast the Devil approaches Ember and asked,
"Shall we dear?"
The Devil reaches his hand to her. Ember takes his hand and walks with him around Hell with Henchman tagging along. The Devil shows her how he collects people's souls not just with his Carnevil carnival, but also with his casino managed by King Dice. Then he shows her how his imps run a network of sins being committed in the two worlds.
"Why do you collect souls?" Ember asked.
"It's just what I do dear child since the beginning of time. You'll be doing this someday when I decide to retire and turn my job over to you. Of course, then again, I have been doing this since the beginning of time." The Devil explained.
Ember's eyes widened, not wanting to take over his job ruling Hell. But, she said nothing to anger her father because he could always change his mind.
"Alright now, are you ready for your training?" The Devil asked.
"Yes, father." Ember answered nervously.
"Excellent! To the arena!"
The Devil said as he tapped his pitchfork and both disappeared to an arena.
"Now, for your first lesson, you will learn to channel your rage into battle." The Devil said.
Ember's eyes widened as he snapped his fingers, summoning a giant demon. The Demon growled furiously at Ember as she hid behind the Devil. He pushes her in front of him and said,
"Uh, uh, uh! We don't hide behind our daddy! We face our enemies head-on! What is your mother teaching you?" The Devil scolded.
Ember nervously approaches the giant angry demon. The demon charges at Ember as she backed away fearfully and prepares to strike with her electric attack. She fires and electrocutes him for a while, but the demon roared furiously, whipped its large tail and slammed her against a wall.
Henchman gasped and yelled,
"Oh, my goodness!"
Henchman was about to go to her aid until the Devil stops him.
"No, Henchman! Let's see what my little girl does now that she's been provoked." The Devil said.
Ember gets back up, feeling furious and blew fire at the demon. The Devil smiled and said,
"You see, Henchman? All it takes is one act of provocation to unleash your full fury."
"Oh." Henchman said, now understanding.
Ember blew more fire at the demon, hurting him even more. The demon charged at Ember as she was burning up with rage. Thinking of the mean names people called her, suddenly… BOOM!
Ember unleashed her full fury, exploding the demon to ashes. Ember kneels to the ground, breathing heavily and unharmed. The Devil smiled, approving of his daughter's quick thinking. Henchman managed to take cover behind a rock to avoid the explosion. The Devil approaches Ember, clapping and said,
"Bravo, my dear. You did your old man proud."
Ember's eyes widened, seeing her birth father approving her. Her eyes filled with tears, smiled and hugged the Devil. His eyes widened, seeing his own daughter hug him similar to how her mother Gwen hugged him a few times.
The Devil looked at Henchman, he encouraged his boss to hug his daughter to form a father-daughter bond. The Devil lifted Ember up, wrapped his arms around her, embracing her.
"I think we've done enough training for today. It's almost time for dinner, we should get going." The Devil said.
He carries her back to the dining area and both dine on steaks, roasted red potatoes and buttered asparagus. They both continued to spend time to spend time together, much to the joy of Henchman, seeing his boss happy for once. The Devil escorts Ember back to her room for bedtime.
"Well, dear daughter, you should get some sleep. We have more work to do tomorrow." The Devil said, wrapping his arm around her.
Ember changes into her nightgown in the bathroom and crawls into bed.
"Good night father." Ember said.
The Devil sat down on her bed next to her, stroked her head while she fell asleep and said,
"Good night… my little princess."
He leans over and kisses her forehead, tucks her in, locks the door and leaves her room. He walks away and sits on his throne and sunk his head in his hands.
"Duh, what's the matter boss?" Henchman asked, concerned.
"Henchman, why is this happening to me? Discovering a daughter, I never knew I had and now I feel tingly inside. Why is this happening to me?" The Devil asked.
"Well, you may've not known about her until yesterday, but that's fatherly love you're feeling. She's still your own flesh and blood despite she's half human. You may've not won Gwen's affections; but you have the next best thing: a daughter created from hers and your DNA. Even if it was by miscommunication. But the point is everything happens for a reason. Maybe you were meant to find Ember. Maybe you both were meant to be together as a family. You know? Father and daughter? Maybe she could be just what you need to be happy boss. A daddy's little girl." Henchman advised.
The Devil thought for a moment and said,
"You know Henchman? You're right. Maybe Ember is exactly what I need to let go of the past. And I'm gonna do everything I can to raise her, protect her and teach her how to be a demon since she already knows how to be a human." The Devil declared.
He gets up from his throne and heads to bed. Henchman smiled, feeling happy for his boss and walked away to go to bed.
Meanwhile in Ember's bedroom, Ember wakes up, finds her magic mirror in her drawer and magically uses it to contact her family.
"Hello?" Gwen answered through her magic mirror.
"Hi mama!" Ember quietly said.
"Ember! I'm so glad you're okay!" Gwen said, feeling relieved.
"Ember! You're okay!" Clarence said happily.
"Hi papa!" Ember said.
"Did you find him? Can you tell us what's going on?" Gwen asked.
"Well…"
Ember explained everything from getting in trouble with King Dice, being taken to Hell in the elevator, meeting her father and confirming he is her father through a blood test, to training her and accepting her as his daughter.
"Wow, I didn't think he would accept that you were his daughter, but that's great. But be careful dear, don't rush things quickly. I warned you what he's like." Gwen advised Ember.
"I won't mama. I need to see what he and I have in common. And I hope he really loves me. We seem to be connecting." Ember said, concerned.
"We'll see if he really does or not. In the meantime, remember what I told you before." Gwen said.
"I know. Be strong, be smart and always be true." Ember said, remembering her mother's advice.
"That's right my darling. Now, you get some sleep. We'll talk more tomorrow night when he's asleep." Gwen said.
"Okay mama." Ember said.
"We love you." Gwen said.
"I love you too mama, papa. Bye." Ember said back.
Ember's mirror turned back into regular mirror. She put it back in her drawers and went back to sleep.
Back at the farm, Gwen and Clarence were about to send Priscilla, Timothy and Joy off to bed.
"Mama? Is Ember, okay?" Joy asked.
"Yes, dear. We just spoke to her a while ago. She's alright." Gwen said, assuring Joy.
"Oh, that's good. I was starting to get worried." Timothy added.
"Ember's okay. She would've told us if she wasn't." Clarence said to his son.
"I hope you're right papa." Priscilla said, worried for her sister.
"She will be alright." Gwen said as she placed her hand on her face and kissed her.
"Good night my loves." Gwen said as the three children head upstairs to bed.
Gwen and Clarence made sure the kids were in bed, then they both head upstairs to their bedroom.
Later that night, Gwen is woken up by a breeze of wind through her window. She wakes up and looked outside. Feeling something wasn't right, she puts on her coat, heads downstairs and goes outside. She heads to the fields and looks around. Just as she was about to go back in the house to bed, she heard a familiar voice say,
"It's been a long time my beautiful flower."
Gwen's eyes widened, knowing exactly who was behind her. Gwen had to remain calm for the sake of Ember. She turned around and saw the Devil standing with his arms folded and smiled menacingly.
"Hello, Devil. I knew this day would come that I would see you again." Gwen bravely said.
The Devil snickered and approached Gwen.
"So, I assume you know why I'm here then?" The Devil asked.
Gwen nodded.
"Come inside, we'll discuss this inside over tea. And there will be no fighting." Gwen said, stating her condition.
She and the Devil go inside, Gwen prepares some tea, and both sit at the table. The Devil looks around the house.
"So, this is where you and Clarence were hiding the whole time?" The Devil asked.
"When you put it that way, yes." Gwen said as she passed him a glass of tea.
The Devil takes a sip as Gwen asked,
"So, is this about our daughter Ember?"
The Devil gave her a stare.
"Gwen, you knew I was her real father. And you never told me. Why?" The Devil asked sternly.
"I needed to protect her from everyone." Gwen answered.
"Everyone? I thought you were gonna say 'from me'." The Devil asked.
"Think about it. She would've been judged, prejudiced and hated if everyone knew you were her real father. I didn't want that for her. So, Clarence and I had to keep her safe." Gwen explained the truth.
"Hmm. Maybe. But I still wish you would've told me!" The Devil snapped.
"Do you know how that miscommunication with the baby-delivery storks happened? Did you ask for a child made from you and me?" Gwen asked.
"No, I didn't do that! Not even my minions knew about it either!" The Devil argued.
"Well, miscommunication or not, you and I are both her parents regardless. So, how are you and Ember getting along?" Gwen asked, not wanting to start a fight.
"She's quite the little half-demon princess. Her manners need work but still she's a really loving kid." The Devil answered.
"She really is. You should know, when she's nervous or scared, she'll look down and not say anything. I'm sure you noticed that." Gwen explained Ember's shyness.
Yes, I have. Look Gwen, I may be new to parenting, but I wanna keep her with me. Teach her everything I know. I was hoping you would let me. She is my flesh and blood after all." The Devil explained.
"If that's what you really want, we're gonna have to make a deal." Gwen said, knowing the Devil couldn't resist making deals.
The Devil sighed and said,
"Fine. What is it?"
"I'll let her continue to live with you since I won't keep you from seeing your daughter. But on two conditions." Gwen explained.
"Name them." The Devil reluctantly said.
"One: you will not do my family anymore harm. Two: You must let Ember visit us often. Clarence, her sisters and brother love her too." Gwen explained.
"So, you and Clarence have three of your own, huh?" The Devil asked, learning about the other children.
"Yes, but they are none of your concern." Gwen sternly said.
"So, let me get this straight. You'll let me keep Ember on the conditions that I don't cause your family any harm and let her come visit you often?" The Devil asked, recalling the deal.
"Yes. I promise I will never go back on my word. I expect you to do the same. She is our daughter after all." Gwen warned.
The Devil grumbled, since he was aware that Gwen knew he sometimes goes back on a deal or promise.
"So, do we have a deal?" Gwen asked.
The Devil reaches his hand out for a handshake.
"Deal." The Devil reluctantly said.
Gwen reaches her hand and shakes with the Devil, sealing the deal.
"Alright, the deal is made. I best be on my way then to check on my little girl." The Devil said as he got up from his chair.
"Remember, you must let her visit us often. Like family events, holidays, etc." Gwen reminded him.
"Yes, yes I know!" The Devil snapped.
He tapped his pitchfork and disappeared back to Hell.
Gwen sat there, hoping she was doing the right thing. Clarence comes downstairs and asked,
"Honey, what are you doing up so late?"
"Thinking." Gwen said.
"He was just here, wasn't he?" Clarence asked, knowing what happened.
"How much did you hear?" Gwen asked.
"Everything." Clarence admitted.
"I just hope know what I'm doing with this deal." Gwen said, concerned.
"I think everything will work out. You know, Ember could just come and go at will since she can teleport like he can with his pitchfork. And we could still talk to her through that mirror. And this will be good for Ember too. If anyone could help her control her powers, it's him. Maybe Ember could change him for the better." Clarence assured her.
Gwen sighed, hugged Clarence and said,
"What would I do without you?" Gwen said and both kissed.
"Come on, let's go back to bed." Clarence said as he led his wife back upstairs to bed.
Back in Hell, the Devil appears in Ember's room. He saw that she was still sleeping. He lifts her up in his arms, sits down on her bed, strokes her head and kisses her forehead.
"I promise my little princess, I won't let anyone harm you as long as I'm here." The Devil whispered. He held her for a while until Henchman unlocked the door and came in.
"Duh, boss? Are you in here?" Henchman whispered.
The Devil sighed and whispered-yelled,
"What, Henchman?!"
"It's time for bed sir."
Henchman said as he wiped his tears, watching his boss bond with his daughter.
"I'm coming." The Devil whispered back.
The Devil kisses Ember again, places her back in bed, tucked her in and leaves her room with Henchman.
"D'aw boss, you're gonna be a great father to her." Henchman complimented.
"Thank you, Henchman. I have a lot to teach her." The Devil said.
"I'll help anyway I can boss like babysit her, homework and stuff." Henchman offered.
"Thank you, Henchman. Tomorrow, we need to prepare for her next lesson." The Devil said as he went into his bedroom.
From then on, Ember continued to live in Hell with her father, learning from him how to help run his operation in Hell as he does. Ember also balances visiting her human family as agreed. Ember learns to be in control of her powers and things start to get better for her. Ember and the Devil form a strong father-daughter bond as well as keeping her bond with her human family.