It had been a few days since Gwen helped her new assistant Akilah move into her studio apartment the Inkwell Isles. Akilah slowly adjusts to her new life after escaping her unfortunate life back in Syria in the human world until she met Kai-Ming and sent her to Gwen for asylum.
One day, Akilah is working on her new line of fashion when she decides to gift Gwen a special dress, she made just for her as a token of gratitude for all she's done for her. After work, she goes up to her boss Gwen before she leaves.
"Boss, I have something for you. Would you come with me really quick?" Akilah asked.
"Um, sure Akilah." Gwen answered.
"But first, you have to close your eyes." Akilah said.
Gwen looked at Akilah with a confused look.
"It's a surprise." Akilah whispered.
Gwen gave a little smile and closed her eyes. Akilah excitedly takes Gwen's hands and leads her to her fashion work area and has her boss stand in an area and runs off to get the present. After doing so, she puts it on one of her mannequins.
"Alright. Open them." Akilah said.
Gwen opened her eyes and stood there with her eyes widened and jaw dropped. She gazed at a new pink, blue and yellow Arabic dress Akilah made just for her boss.
"Akilah? You made this just for me?" Gwen asked as she checked out the dress.
"Yes, I just wanted to thank you for all you've done for me. Providing me asylum and a happier free life. I owe you everything." Akilah said.
Gwen felt joy in her heart and smiled. Then, she gives Akilah a hug.
After hugging, Gwen takes the dress, goes behind the room divider to try it on. After a few minutes, Gwen comes out and checks out her new dress in the mirrors, turning to check every perspective.
"It's… beautiful." Gwen said.
"I thought that would look beautiful on you ma'am." Akilah said, admiring her work.
"I love it, Akilah." Gwen complemented.
Gwen magically packed up her satchel and prepared to leave for home.
"Alright, I'm gonna head home, you remember what we talked about places you can go and where to stay away from?" Gwen asked.
"Yes, ma'am. Stay away from Sugarland, the Gates of Hell, the casino, the carn-evil, the cemetery, Mt. Eruptus and above all… Hell itself." Akilah answered.
"Correct. And what's the number one rule on who to avoid?" Gwen answered.
"Stay away from Iblis. The Devil." Akilah answered.
"That's right. Alright, I'll see you later Akilah." Gwen said as she leaves the studio.
"You too, boss." Akilah called back.
After Gwen leaves, Akilah goes upstairs to her apartment and prepares herself some zouhourat tea, eats some barazek cookies and reads the newspaper. She notices her home is a little too quiet.
"Hmm, it's a little too quiet around here. Maybe I should get a pet for a companion." Akilah said to herself.
After looking in the newspaper for a pet store, she finds the Inkwell Pet Store and decides to go there to look for a pet. But she didn't want to go alone so she phones Gwen and asks her to accompany her.
Later at the pet store, Akilah and Gwen both look around for some possible pets.
"Thanks for coming with me to pick a pet boss." Akilah thanked.
"No problem. I understand you're lonely and need a friend." Gwen said.
Both humans looked around at some dogs and cats, but none seemed to grab Akilah. Then, they looked at the small mammals such as guinea pigs, hamsters, rats and mice. But to no avail either.
They checked the reptile section with lizards, chameleons, snakes and geckos but no success as well.
Finally, they look in the bird's section with a large, closed room full of birds flying around. Akilah is amazed with the parrots and how colorful they looked.
"Hmm, looks like you're a bird person." Gwen guessed.
"I've always had a fascination with birds for their colors, feathers and the way they fly. Like the colors I use for my fashion." Akilah explained.
"Yeah, I noticed. So, which one do you want?" Gwen asked.
"Well, I'll choose one, but the bird must also choose me too." Akilah said.
An employee opens the door and allows Akilah and Gwen to enter. Akilah looked around and looked at a lovebird and approached it, but it flew away. Then she tried a cockatoo, but it also flew away. Then she tried an amazon, African grey, sun conure and a few budgies, but no luck.
Just as Akilah was about to give up, a little blue parakeet approached her.
"Oh, hello there little one." Akilah greeted.
"Squawk! Hello there little one!" The parakeet repeated.
Akilah giggled at the parakeet.
"My name is Akilah." Akilah introduced.
"My name is Akilah." The parakeet repeated.
Akilah laughed as the parakeet flew on her fingers.
"I think your little friend has chosen you." Gwen said happily.
"Yes, I think she has." Akilah answered.
"What are you gonna call her?" Gwen asked.
"She's shiny and beautiful as a Sapphire gemstone. Alyaqut in my native language. That's what I'll call her: Alyaqut." Akilah answered.
"Perfect." Gwen complimented.
They both leave with the parakeet, picked up a cage, perches, food and dishes. After Akilah purchases the bird and supplies, they head back to her apartment and Gwen helps her set up the cage and supplies. Akilah puts Alyaqut in her new cage to settle in.
"Alright, I'm gonna head home and check on the cups. Just be patient with her and let her bond with you." Gwen advised.
"I will. Thank you again for your help."
Akilah thanked as Gwen disappeared back to the cottage. Akilah goes back to relaxing on her recliner and turned on the radio to listen to some music. Then, Alyaqut flew over to her and perched on her shoulder.
"Oh, hello Alyaqut. Feel lonely?" Akilah asked.
"Squawk!" Alyaqut squawked.
"Me too. But together, we're lonely together." Akilah said.
"Squawk! Lonely together!" Alyaqut repeated.
Akilah giggled and petted her head. That evening, they both had dinner together and both went to bed.
The next day after having breakfast and feeding Alyaqut, Akilah heads down to the studio with her parakeet perched on her shoulder, ready to start work. Gwen arrives and both continued their work together as Alyaqut explored the studio to get familiar with her new surroundings.
After work, Akilah decided to go explore with Alyaqut perched on her shoulder. She walked down the dirt road and looked around. Just then, she notices the wagon-shop Gwen warned Akilah about.
"Porkrind's Emporium. Boss said the shopkeeper who runs that store is a grumpy, greedy and rude pig." Akilah whispered to Alyaqut.
"Squawk! Grumpy, greedy and rude pig!" Alyaqut squawked.
"AHEM!" A grumpy voice cleared his throat.
Akilah's eyes popped and looked at Porkrind standing in the doorway with a grumpy look on his face.
"Did you say something kid? Or was it your irritating bird?" Porkrind asked suspiciously.
"Uh… my bird was just squawking, and she even can say some words and phrases." Akilah nervously lied.
"Uh… who's a pretty bird?" Akilah nervously asked her bird.
"Squawk! I'm a pretty bird!" Alyaqut squawked.
Porkrind gives Akilah a suspicious look.
"You're new here, aren't you kid?" Porkrind asked.
"For a few days yes. Salam to you sir. I am Akilah Jassim." Akilah greeted politely.
"Whatever kid." Porkrind said rudely.
Akilah felt insulted but let it go.
"Squawk! Whatever kid!" Alyaqut repeated.
"Shh! Alsamt!" Akilah shushed her bird in Arabic.
"Well, we'll be on our way now. Mae alsalama." Akilah said goodbye in Arabic.
"Whatever." Porkrind grumbled.
Akilah walked away as quick as she could before she could get into any trouble.
"Humans." Porkrind grumbled as he walked back into his shop.
Akilah sighed of relief then looked at her bird.
"You almost got us into trouble! You need to be quiet when I tell you to!" Akilah scolded.
"Squawk! I'm sorry mama!" Alyaqut apologized.
"I forgive you Alyaqut. Now, let's go." Akilah said calmly.
Akilah walked to Inkwell City and noticed an anthropomorphic sandwich kid licking a lollipop and holding a red balloon by a telephone pole. Just then, a puff of smoke appeared, and the Devil appeared next to the kid.
"Iblis!" Akilah exclaimed and took cover behind a tree. She held her parakeet's beak shut to keep her quiet.
They watched the Devil pop the sandwich kid's balloon with his tail, making the kid cry. Then, the Devil snatches the lollipop and eats it for himself and laughed at the crying kid then disappeared.
"Wow, Iblis is so cruel and despicable!" Akilah said, disgusted at what she saw.
"Squawk! Cruel and despicable!" Alyaqut squawked.
"We should go before Iblis comes back." Akilah said and quickly leaves.
Akilah hurries back to her apartment and closed her door.
"Hello Akilah." A familiar voice said.
Akilah gasped and turned around to find the Devil sitting in her recliner, sipping her zouhourat tea and eats the rest of her barazek cookies.
"No! I just baked those!" Akilah protested.
"Ah… delicious." The Devil taunted.
"I demand you leave immediately!" Akilah yelled.
The Devil snickered and got up from her recliner.
"Is this how you treat your guests? How rude." The Devil said with a smile.
"Why are you here? To take my soul and try to eat it again?" Akilah asked angrily.
"Why no, my dear. I'm gonna make this quick Akilah. You really should be careful where you go. It could get you into trouble." The Devil taunted.
"I can handle myself!" Akilah bravely argued.
"Like you handled yourself back in Boston? When I almost ripped your soul out and ate it?" The Devil reminded her.
"What do you want?" Akilah sadly asked, losing the argument.
"Good girl. I see you work for my beautiful flower now. You have quite a talent in fashion designing. I even noticed that pretty new dress my beautiful flower is wearing. Very impressive Akilah." The Devil said, admiring Akilah's fashion outfits hanging on clothes rack.
"What does it matter to you?" Akilah asked as her parakeet flew off to her birdcage to hide in her nest-like bed.
"Well, I could use someone of your talent to make me a brand-new beautiful new outfit to wear while I run my casino." The Devil offered.
"What? No. I can't do that." Akilah objected.
"Of course… I could make it worth your while since you don't work for free." The Devil said as he magically made a suitcase appear, revealing a ton of cash.
Akilah gazed at the money, but she resisted.
"No. Please leave Iblis. I have to feed my parakeet." Akilah said as she went to get bird seed for Alyaqut.
But the Devil magically directed her attention to him.
"Not enough? Then how about this?" The Devil asked.
Then he magically made the suitcase of money turn into a large safe full of even more cash.
"Will a million cover it?" The Devil asked sinisterly.
Akilah is stuck with a decision to take the job.
"Deal?" The Devil asked as he reached his hand out for a handshake.
Akilah was torn with his temptation until finally, she gives in and shakes his hand.
"Good. We have a deal." The Devil said.
"I can go get started in the studio downstairs." Akilah said as she prepared to leave until the Devil stopped her.
"Uh, uh, uh! I never said you were gonna make my outfit here." The Devil said.
"Wait, what?" Akilah asked, confused.
The Devil levitates Akilah back to him.
"Did I forget to mention you're going to make my outfit in a special room at the casino? Oh, silly me!" The Devil taunted.
"B-b-b-but I need my equipment and my fabrics and materials!" Akilah protested.
"Not to worry. I have everything you need at my casino. You'll see!" The Devil said.
The Devil tapped his pitchfork, and both disappeared to the casino. Akilah finds herself in a bigger and fancier fashion maker room. She is awestruck at the sights of all the fabrics, equipment and materials.
"Wow, it's so big and fancy." Akilah said, amazed.
"Yes, isn't it? Alright, if you're finished sightseeing, I'd like to discuss the details with you." The Devil said as he magically made a chair and seated her down.
"Now then. For my outfit, I have here my design of exactly what I want." The Devil said as he gives her a paper of the suit design with the details.
"See this? I want this made of cashmere wool, silk and diamonds. The coat, bowtie and pants in salmon color. The shirt will be pink, and I already ordered white oxford shoes to go with it." The Devil briefed.
"Wow, looks beautiful." Akilah said, amazed with the design.
"Thank you. Thank you." The Devil said proudly.
"But…" Akilah interrupted.
"But…?" The Devil asked suspiciously.
"Well, I feel like it's missing something." Akilah said, observing the design.
"Oh really? Then, you do the honors." The Devil said as he handed her colored pencils.
Akilah got a pencil and made a few adjustments and the Devil watched, impressed.
"Wow couldn't have done it better myself. I love the patterns you added." The Devil complimented.
"Thank you." Akilah thanked.
"Alright, I'd like for you to get started and I'm gonna give you 24 hours from now to make it and have it ready by tomorrow evening." The Devil instructed.
"What? 24 hours? But a suit like that takes time and patience!" Akilah protested.
"Uh, uh, uh! We have a deal, therefore I get to give you the deadline. So, if you don't want to face dire consequences, I suggest you get started. Oh, and don't get any ideas of leaving because this room is also your prison!" The Devil said evilly.
He laughed evilly and slammed the door and locked it. With no other choice, Akilah hesitantly started working on the outfit with the materials and machines.
The next day, Gwen arrives at the art studio, ready to start work. But to her surprise, she doesn't find Akilah there. She goes up to her apartment to check on her, but she couldn't find her there either.
"Akilah? You in here?" Gwen called.
Gwen realizes something's not right until she heard the parakeet squawking. She goes over to the cage and releases Alyaqut.
"Hey there girl. Do you know where mama is?" Gwen asked.
"Squawk! Devil want mama to make new outfit! Squawk! Offer million dollars! Squawk! Taken to casino!" Alyaqut squawked.
"What?!" Gwen exclaimed.
"Squawk! What?!" Alyaqut repeated.
"Ugh! I warned her this would happen! But she didn't listen to me! Looks like I gotta go back to the casino and get her outta there myself!" Gwen angrily said.
She places Alyaqut back in her cage and gives her food and water. Then, she disappears out of the apartment.
That evening, Akilah has finally completed the salmon tuxedo outfit and she is physically and mentally tired and stressed out from working hard for 24 hours straight. The Devil comes in and checks on the status of the outfit.
"Is the outfit ready yet? The deadline is almost up." The Devil warned.
Akilah tiredly gets up and struggled to speak.
"It's… it's finished… just like… you wanted…" Akilah weakly spoke until she passed out on the floor.
The Devil looked up and saw the completed outfit hanging on the mannequin, awestruck and impressed.
"This… is… perfect!" The Devil complimented.
He magically takes the outfit and goes behind the room divider to try it on. Henchman brings Akilah some water to drink and a cold wet towel to wipe her sweat. Akilah barely recovers as she struggled to get up.
The Devil comes out of the room divider and shows off the brand-new salmon tuxedo.
"Lookin' handsome boss! That outfit is so you!" Henchman complimented and gave him two thumbs up.
"Why, thank you Henchman. I believe my customers are going to stare at me in my stylin' outfit!" The Devil bragged.
Akilah weakly stood on her feet.
"Alright, I came through on my part of the bargain. Could you pay me and send me home please?" Akilah asked.
"Ah yes. You did such a wonderful job my dear. But… unfortunately I got something else in mind for you." The Devil said with an evil grin.
Akilah's eyes widened, realizing she's been double-crossed.
"But you promised!" Akilah yelled until the Devil magically wrapped her ropes, holding her hostage.
"Sorry for the unpleasant surprise, but you'd make an excellent addition to my dungeon." The Devil said evilly.
"Why?" Akilah asked sadly.
"Why? Why?!" The Devil angrily asked.
"Did you think I was going to let you get away with what you did to me back at my carnival? Making a fool of me and causing me to let my souls escape?" The Devil revealed his true intentions.
"Plus, I wanted that brand-new outfit. I should be thanking you my dear for all your hard work. Now, for your real reward, you get to spend all eternity in the dungeon and suffer eternal torment!" The Devil declared and laughed evilly.
The Devil tapped his pitchfork, and both disappeared to the dungeon in Hell. The Devil magically chains Akilah on a wall next to a prisoner.
"Enjoy your new home!" The Devil taunted and laughed evilly as he disappeared back to the casino.
Akilah was breathing heavily and yelled in anger and sadness.
Meanwhile, back at the casino, the Devil wearing the new outfit made his appearance to his customers and is cheered on and threw compliments at his new look. Unknown to the Devil, Gwen in her ghost form was sneaking into the casino looking for Akilah. She hides behind a pillar and eavesdrops on the Devil.
"Ha, ha, ha! It was so easy tricking that human to make me that outfit! Now she's spending the rest of eternity in my dungeon!" The Devil bragged and laughed evilly.
Gwen quietly gasped and realized Akilah was being held prisoner in the dungeon in Hell. But before Gwen could teleport to Hell, she realized something.
"Wait! The Devil's gonna be expecting me to go and rescue her! I need to keep his attention occupied, but how?" Gwen thought to herself.
Then, she got an idea and leaves the casino.
Later, the Devil was supervising the casino when suddenly, he heard two familiar voices singing that made him cringe. The Devil angrily looked around until finally, he spots his most hated enemies: Cuphead and Mugman dancing on top of the slot machines and singing Clarence's Devil Parody Song goofily.
"Well… in case you don't care, he's the Devil
He's a real lowlife below the level
He's Ol' Butt Scratch, Mr. Stupid, the Big Doofus
King of the Underachiever, yeah he's so clueless!"
The patrons were laughing at the cup's silliness as the Devil furiously growled, scaring his customers away. Both cups looked and saw the Devil's temper building up. The cups both make silly faces and taunt the Devil more.
"Na na na-na na!" Both cups taunted.
"ENOUGH!" The Devil yelled as he blew a fiery tantrum.
Both cups realize they made him angry and make a run for it around the casino. The Devil chases after them with his pitchfork, firing his fire blast attacks at them, unaware of the damage he's causing to his casino.
Meanwhile, Gwen watches satisfyingly behind a pilar in her ghost form.
"Nice job boys! Now, to get Akilah back…" Gwen said to herself.
Gwen disappears to Inkwell Hell and appears in the dungeon, to Akilah's shock at her boss as a ghost. Akilah was about to gasp until Gwen covered her mouth.
"SHH!" Gwen shushed her.
She gets out her ink pen and magically unlocks Akilah's restraints on her wrists, thus freeing her. Both girls sneak out of the dungeon and go to Gwen's hiding spot whenever she infiltrates Hell sometimes.
"Boss! You came for me!" Akilah exclaimed.
"Yes, I did. And I just wondering…" Gwen said seemingly calm.
Suddenly she grabbed Akilah by her upper arms.
"How could you do this?! How could you trust the Devil?! I told you he's a liar and a cheater! Whatever he promised, he'll never give it you! He was using you!" Gwen scolded angrily.
"I'm sorry boss! Please forgive me!" Akilah begged.
"Let's get the cups, then we're going home!" Gwen said angrily.
Gwen tapped her ink pen and disappeared out of Hell. They reappear outside the casino and realize there was a ruckus going on inside the casino.
"What's going on?" Akilah asked.
"Oh, I had the cups keep the Devil distracted while I rescued you." Gwen revealed.
Gwen whistled as her magic carpet Cerulean Bolt flew down to them. The girls both get on and flew up to the casino. But the doors burst open and the cups come running out.
"Gwen! Help!" Both cups yelled.
"Guys! Come on!" Gwen yelled as she reached her hands.
Cuphead and Mugman reach for Gwen's hands and she pulls them on the magic carpet while Akilah helped her. After rescuing her friends, they fly away back to the art studio as fast as they could.
Back at the casino, the Devil breathed heavily to catch his breath. Henchman flew up to his boss.
"Duh, boss? I hate to be the bearer of bad news but, your rampage caused so much damage to the casino." Henchman nervously explained.
The Devil's eyes widened and looked around him, realizing Henchman was right. Henchman quickly took cover behind a pillar as the Devil once again blew an explosive fiery tantrum.
Back at the art studio, the group rest in Akilah's apartment.
"You guys alright?" Gwen asked.
"Yeah, we're okay." Cuphead said.
"Thanks, Gwen, for saving us." Mugman added.
"That's what I'm here for." Gwen said as the cups hug her.
Akilah looked at Gwen, realizing she made a terrible mistake trusting the Devil.
"Alright guys. Why don't you head back to the cottage? I'll be there in a while. I need to have a chat with my assistant." Gwen instructed.
Both cups prepared to leave until they approach Akilah.
"See ya Akilah." Cuphead said.
"And good luck." Mugman added.
Then, both cups leave the apartment back to the cottage. Gwen sits down next to Akilah with her arms folded.
"Akilah, I'm very disappointed in you." Gwen said.
"I know ma'am." Akilah said sadly.
"You could've been tortured for all eternity down there! I warned you he would try to get back at you for helping me! Why did you make a deal with him for all that money?" Gwen asked frustratingly.
"I-I… I thought I was helping the business if he ordered my services." Akilah answered honestly.
"Akilah, he doesn't want to help anyone. He only wants to help himself with collecting souls, cheating people and torment us. You don't know him like I do." Gwen reminded her.
"I'm sorry boss. It'll never happen again. If you wish to punish me, I accept it." Akilah sadly said.
"Punish you? Who said anything about punishing you?" Gwen asked, confused.
"What do you mean? In Syria, women who disobeys any rules would be punished." Akilah asked.
"I'm not gonna punish you. I just want you to learn something from all of this and be better. And promise me you will never take anymore offers from the Devil, no matter how persuasive he can be." Gwen explained.
"I promise." Akilah agreed.
"Alright. Well, I'm glad you're safe. I'll see you in the morning." Gwen said and leaves the apartment.
Akilah sighed, feeling guilty for not listening to her boss. She gets up and feeds her parakeet and goes to her room to get ready for bed. But she remembered the safe with the million dollars in the living room and goes back. She opens the safe and finds all the money still there. Akilah smiled, feeling the Devil forgot about the money and pushed the safe into her bedroom for safe keeping.
The next day, Gwen comes to the art studio for work and finds Akilah getting everything ready with the dress shop and Gwen's office with a cup of coffee ready for her.
"Good morning, Akilah." Gwen greeted.
"Good morning boss. I have something for you." Akilah said.
"No, no. I love the dress you gave me. No more gifts please." Gwen politely declined.
"No, it's not a gift. I have something to show you. Follow me." Akilah said as she takes Gwen into her office.
She opens the door, and Gwen saw a platter of barazek cookies and a pan with fresh cooked shakshuka and a pot of zouhourat tea.
"Oh, Akilah, how thoughtful of you." Gwen complimented.
"It's the least I could do to make it up to you." Akilah admitted.
"Well, thank you. But I just want you to learn your lesson." Gwen reminded her.
"I will ma'am. I promise." Akilah promised.
Gwen and Akilah feast together before they open their doors, welcoming customers as Gwen started her artwork and Akilah started selling her dresses. Akilah learned a valuable lesson on being careful about who she trusted and resisting temptation.