The Cuphead Show: United, Not Divided
LexieLuthor98: Howdy, Lexie here! A little bit ago, a user on here posted a very racist and hurtful review in our fic "Heart, Soul and Mind" and although we had that review removed, racism is an issue that to this day still hasn't been addressed properly. People constantly bring up race as an excuse to be hateful to people and that's not okay. Therefore, we wanted to address the issue with a very special fic. I hope you guys enjoy and remember, we're all the same, even if we're different.
Nataliepthatsme: "Hey fellow readers! We are here with a brand new short story! A while back someone posted a very hurtful and racial comment on HSandM. Because of that, we wanted to make this story addressing the issue, we don't stand for racial comments like that we believe everyone is made equally no matter the background"
Gemwing2012: No matter how different we all are, wether it'd be the colour of our skin, our background or our culture, we are all human beings with feelings and we all have the right to live in peace and harmony and treated equally. Always be kind and treat others with kindness and respect. Be a buddy, not a bully. And most importantly, let's all live together in harmony.
It was a normal day in Inkwell Isle. The sun was shining and there was not a cloud in the sky. Our fearless heroes, Lexie, Natty and Katie, along with Kaichi the Ocean Sprigon, the Cup Brothers, Lexie's boyfriend Liam and his little brother Matt, were all just at the park minding their own business.
They have had many adventures while being in the Inkwell Isle, from bravely scaling Mount Eruptus, to exploring uncharted lands at sea. They have also had many encounters with the Devil himself, along with his good for nothing lackey King Dice, and his newly hired bounty hunter Anubis.
And during their adventures, they had also made some interesting new friends while Katie and Natty had also found love. The first one to fall in love was Natty when she met a young man named Andrew, a young dimensional traveler. The second is a Shadow-Ice Dragon hybrid from The Legend of Spyro dimension named Validor, who Katie fell deeply in love with.
After many days of adventuring, they decided to take a day off and have some fun. What better way than to spend it at the park?
"Man, what a nice day out huh?" Lexie asked as she adjusted her sunglasses.
"So pretty out…" Natty sighed.
"Could have never asked for a better day." Katie agreed as she brushed back her short dark brown hair, her blue eyes sparkling. "Everything is so warm, bright and colorful."
"Yeah, love that sunshine." Liam smiled, as he looked over at the boys who were playing on the playground.
Cuphead and Mugman climbed the jungle-gym, while Matt soared high on the swings.
"Wheeee! Liam! Look how high I can go!" Matt beamed in delight.
Lexie and Katie giggled while Natty commented, "Awww, he's so cute!"
"He loves the swings. They make him think he can fly." Liam chuckled.
"I know that feeling." Katie smiled. "The swings had always been my favorite park equipment to play on as a kid."
"Same here!" Natty and Lexie agreed.
Katie took a happy sigh. "To be a kid again…"
After climbing off the jungle-gym, Cuphead raced to the swings and began doing some tricks.
"Whooo! Look! No hands!" He squealed, as he showed his free hands swinging higher.
"Be careful, Cuppy!" Mugman exclaimed in concern, overly worried that his brother might fall off the swings if he's not holding onto the swing's support ropes.
"Ahhh, that's just like Cuphead." Lexie sighed.
Katie rolled her eyes as she smirked before she picked up her glass bottle of soda and took a contented sip as she and the others relaxed. Several residents of Inkwell Isles were happily strolling by, going about their day as usual.
Just as everyone was enjoying the beautiful weather, suddenly, before the group's very eyes… half of Inkwell's residents in the park turn grayscale while others stay colored. Even half of the group, Lexie, Matt, Mugman, and Kaichi all turned black and white.
"Wait… WHAT?!" Katie gasped in shock.
"Whoa! What just happened?!" Natty exclaimed.
"Uhh, guys?…" Kaichi squeaked nervously as he looked himself over.
"Omigosh! Kaichi! What happened to your colors?!" Katie cried in shock and concern.
Lexie also looked herself over and was just as shocked to see she was devoid of colors herself, holding each end of her jacket. She then grabbed her ponytail to see not a single curly strand was its usual golden blonde!
Lexie gasped in horror, "What happened to MINE?!"
"They're gone!" Natty cried.
Kaichi reached out behind himself and pulled his tail around himself to see that the fox-like tip lacked its usual deep ocean blue, the same color Katie had chosen for his design back when he was just an idea on paper.
"Gray's not even my color!" He complained.
Suddenly, Matt and the Cup brothers raced towards Liam and the girls, and to the adults' shock, both Matt and Mugman lost their colors as well.
"Lee! The colors on my shirt and pants are gone!" Matt cried.
Mugman gasped as he looked himself over and realized he was also completely colorless as he yelped, "Whoa! Mine too!"
"Mugsy! What's happening to ya?!" Cuphead yelped in horror.
"What the heck is going on here?!" Katie asked.
"I smell something up…" Lexie growled.
"Yeah, I smell a rat. Maybe… a demon." Natty added darkly.
The moment Natty had said that, several imps (some gray, and some colored) had popped out of nowhere and started chasing down people of their color, separating them.
"Yikes!" The Telephone toon (who is colorless) cried out as he and some of the people being chased by the gray imps screamed, running in panic.
"Hey! Leave those people alone!" Katie shouted angrily.
The imps ignored her as one of them was chasing a screaming colored giraffe.
"Hey!" Lexie shouted. "She said leave 'em alone!"
"Back off!" Natty cried, as she pulled out her wand and fired a beam at them.
Katie turned into her dragon form and roared at the imps while Lexie formed her angelic butterfly shaped wings. This scared the demons since they mistook Lexie for an angel of God.
Glaring angrily, Lexie bumped her fist in warning while Katie gave all of the imps a cold glare that screams, "I'm not going to tell you again!"
The imps fly away while Lexie and Natty created a large boot with light magic and proceeded to kick them all over the place, making them all yell out, "OW! OW! OW!"
Katie took to the air to chase after an imp that managed to elude the boot. Once she had closed the distance between the imp and herself, she breathed fire at his rear end, making him yell out in pain (just like when the Devil accidentally threw a dart at him offscreen in Sweater Off Dead). Patting his mildly burnt butt, the imp continued to fly away after his companions.
"That's what I THOUGHT!" Lexie snapped, taking a huff and transforming back to her normal self.
"Mmmhmm!" Natty retorted, as Katie turned back to her human form.
"And to think I thought they were kinda cute." Katie sighed, running her hand through her hair.
"I mean, they are demons, so...yeah." Lexie shrugged.
Once the imps had been chased off, the residents meekly approached the group, looking at them with concern, all looking scared and unsure.
"Don't worry, guys, we'll figure this out!" Lexie assured them.
"Yeah in the meantime we just need to keep a positive attitude about this." Natty announced.
"We'll think of a way to fix this." Katie promised. "Just try to keep out of sight of those imps should they ever come back. Be safe."
The townspeople nodded as they slowly went about the rest of their day. Or so they thought.
Over at the Misterie's Mystic Grotto shop, the group were explaining the situation to Misterie (who's still colored) who was trying to help them figure out a remedy.
"We appreciate the help Misterie," Lexie sighed. "I-!"
SMASH!*
Everyone jumped in shock when a rock was thrown and smashed through Misterie's shop window, scattering glass all over the floor. This even shocked Aren the Palisman as he sprung into his living form and squawked, flapping his silvery wings in protest.
"Whoa, what the-?!" Lexie exclaimed.
"What was that?!" Natty gasped.
"What in the name of the Ancestors?!" Misterie uttered.
"Who would actually do such a thing?!" Katie cried as she picked up the rock in dismay.
Misterie and the group rush out the door to find angry greyscale people outside. From the looks of it, they were the ones who had smashed the window, which greatly confused and upset the group.
"Whoa guys, what's going on?!" Lexie asked in shock.
"Yeah! What was that for?!" Natty added.
"Am scray, will ya?!" A grayscale anthropomorphic cat wearing a bowler hat and overalls spat out angrily. "There ain't no place for your kind here!"
This greatly horrified, confused and concerned Katie as she gasped. She couldn't understand why half of the residents are suddenly acting like this, going as far to deliberately smash Misterie's window for no reason. Given how angry they all look, it was clearly an act of… prejudice.
"'Our kind'?" Katie echoed, feeling hurt and worried. "What are you talking about?"
"Excuse me?!" Natty sputtered in disbelief as Lexie looked on in shock. "What does that supposed to mean?"
One grayscale toon, who is basically a simple disk with legs and a face, angrily stepped forward as he snorted, "Hello! You're all colored! You snobs think you're better than everybody else because you've got different varieties of colors on ya!"
"What?! No!" Natty protested. "That's ridiculous! We don't think that!"
"Hey! Leave those girls and that shopkeeper alone, you grayscale has beens!" A colored elephant fella scolded. "It's not their fault that you're all dull and boring in your ugly black and white color!"
"Oh, look who's talking!" An anthropomorphic cat lady scoffed. "You wanna talk about dull?! Take a look in the mirror!"
"Shame on you!" An elderly elephant lady shouted. "You gray hoodlums oughta pay for the damages to that poor lady's window!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Everyone, calm down!" Natty called out.
But no one was listening as they continued to feud, throwing racist insults at one another.
"Oh jeez!" Natty exclaimed
"Aw, banana oil…" Cuphead said nervously.
"Hey! Stop it, y'all! Stop fighting!" Lexie cried.
"Please stop it! You're all friends and neighbors!" Katie pleaded. "It doesn't matter what color you are! What matters is-!"
"Oh, look! She's going to speak!" The cat lady huffed. "I guess colored people are superior!"
Katie gasped in hurt and disbelief at the accusation. Tears were threatening to well up in her eyes until Natty stepped in to defend her.
"That's not true!" Natty protested.
"Color or grayscale, we're still people with feelings!" Katie affirmed, regaining her composure. "No one's superior or inferior!"
"Right! We respect all the residents of Inkwell!" Natty reasoned.
"That's right!" Kaichi chimed in. "I mean, look at us! We're all different but we're still friends and we care for one another! Racism is a very UNFAIR and a REALLY bad thing!"
"Where we come from, it's been happening for a very long time and we lose sight that we are hurting people." Natty explained.
"Exactly!" Lexie agreed. "Please, let's come together and figure this out!"
Unfortunately, nothing the Dreamstones said was getting through to anyone as the feuding toons continued to bicker among one another, throwing one racist insult after another. Some even went as far as to order one another to "go back to where they came from".
Lexie sighed in defeat before she turned to her friends and stated, "This is hopeless. We gotta find the antidote fast before the residents hurt each other. Or worse."
"Agreed." Natty nodded.
"How?" Katie asked, worried.
If the gang can't think of a way to fix this mess and put a stop to this feuding, it's only a matter of time that the residents would take this racism too far and it will be more than feelings that would get hurt.
"Misterie, whaddya think?" Lexie inquired as she and the others turned to the painted wolf.
Misterie cupped her chin in thought. As a magic user and a mentor, she always has the answers and solutions to any situation, always coming prepared. Unfortunately, however, judging from how suddenly resigned she looked, it would seem that for once, she was stumped.
"Of all spells and magic I had seen in my time, this one is all new on me." She stated. "I'm afraid… I don't have any counter spells to the Devil's latest scheme. Although… perhaps the residents need to look deeper within each others' hearts to remember that they can still live together in harmony."
The moment that Misterie had mentioned about harmony, Katie was thinking something over before she suddenly had a look of realization on her face, which caught her friends' attention.
"What's up, Kate?" Natty asked.
"I think what Misterie is suggesting reminded me of an old episode from The Little Mermaid TV series that concerns a similar racism situation." Katie explained. "The villain of the episode of the same title, the Evil Manta, manipulated most of the sea creatures of Atlantica into turning against one another except for Ariel and Flounder because they refused to listen to him. Ariel managed to remind the sea creatures of their friendship through a song called "In Harmony". Maybe we could try to get through to the residents if we get them to listen to their hearts."
"Oh, wait!" Natty realized. "I think I remember that song! I listened to it a bit a while back!"
"I know! It's a great song!" Katie beamed.
"Do you think it'll work?" Kaichi asked.
"It's worth a shot…" Lexie shrugged. "We're not gonna be able to get through to them otherwise."
"Let's give it a try." Natty stated.
With a quick nod of determination from Katie, the Dreamstones and their companions rushed off to come up with a plan to broadcast their song.
Meanwhile, over at the Underworld, the Devil was watching the chaos of feuding toons with glee through his looking glass, rubbing his hands wickedly with a devious grin as he reclined in his throne.
Henchman flutters into the throne room, carrying a tray of snacks and beverages over to the throne. The moment he reaches the throne, he lands on his feet, tray in hand.
"Hee! hee! Oh, this is too perfect!" The Devil snickered. "The people of Inkwell are practically at each other's throats! Oh, what a lovely sight to see."
As the Devil took the tall glass of the coconut and blueberry smoothie he had requested, Henchman couldn't help but look a little concerned.
"Duh, what about Miss Katie and her friends, Boss?" Henchman asked as the Devil took a dainty sip of his smoothie.
"Oh, glad you asked, Henchman. You see, the way this works, there is no spell that little pink pest can cast nor anything Misterie can do to reverse this." The Devil explained. "I know the way to reverse this, but I won't. As soon as they find out, my darling Katie will feel so heartbroken since she cares about the people sooo much. She'll come right to me, beg, and I will reverse it only if she agrees to marry me."
With a snap of his fingers, the Devil conjures small, smoky silhouettes of Katie and himself. As the smoke Devil looks on, rubbing his hands in anticipation, the silhouette of a tearful Katie signs a marriage contract and the smoke Devil slips an engagement ring onto her finger and takes her into his arms.
"No mentioning about a stupid boyfriend, no interference and no help from her idiot friends." The Devil continued as he waved the smoke figures away, evaporating them into oblivion. "I'll even get Natty to hand over her wand and Lexie over to Dice. He misses her so much."
Henchman, on the other hand, looked rather uncertain and uncomfortable when he looked over at the looking glass to see the racist feuding intensify.
A grayscale Bowlboy is seen happily strolling along down the street, minding his own business as he remained innocently ignorant to the racist remarks from any colorless toons watching him go by. As he was walking by, a colored Sammy Sandwich deliberately and callously stuck his foot out, tripping Bowlboy over. Just then, a colorless toon puppy had angrily barged in and popped the red balloon Sammy was holding, making the sandwich boy bawl his eyes out while the puppy storms off, sticking his nose up with a huff.
The vision now shows a scowling Sal Spudder making a line in the soil with his finger as he and a just as angry Chauncey Chutney crossed their arms, glaring at a tearfully dismayed grayscale Ollie Bulb. Sniffling, Ollie begged his friends not to push him away but neither of them would listen as Sal angrily pointed Ollie to a different direction, ordering him to leave. As his friends turned their backs and angrily hopped away, a heartbroken Ollie broke down crying as a jet stream of tears burst out from his eyes like a geyser.
"But Boss… you sure this is a good idea?" Henchman asked nervously. "To be honest… making people turn to racism is kinda… extreme… even for you."
"Well, first off, it's a great idea. I practically invented it. Or rather, I gave people the idea and they followed through." The Devil replied. "And second, I have pulled every scam from the book and honestly I'm kinda running out of ideas. So, unless you can come up with something that will get me my bride without saying I should leave her alone, please feel free to say something."
He leans back and takes more sips of his smoothie while a still uncomfortably uncertain Henchman looks on in silence, stumped on giving his boss a reasonable answer.
Satisfied with the reluctant silence, the Devil pulled his lips away from the straw in his glass, sighing. He grinned fiendishly as he watched the vision of his future queen with Natty and a now grayscale Lexie waiting at the park, all looking like they were already losing hope.
"Besides, it'll go on for a while and then they'll give up, knowing they can't beat me this time."
Back on the surface, Katie (with Kaichi hiding in her pocket), Lexie and Natty were back at the park waiting for Liam to return when it was agreed he should take Matt and the Cup Brothers back to the cottage for refuge from the racism in case it gets worse. Meanwhile, Misterie had to return to tending her shop in case another act of vandalism were to break out.
As the girls waited, Andrew and Validor soon arrived.
Validor (or Vale as he is affectionately called every now and then) was a young adult dragon with dark blueish-black scales. His crest is icy blue as well as the spines on the small of his back. At the tip of his tail is a silvery leaf-shaped spade with four segments in it. His horns are silver and slightly straight and he also has ears similar to Katie's dragon form's. His underbelly and the membranes in his wings were icy blue and his teal eyes were like the brightest aquamarines.
Around his neck, he carries his father's old compass, which has a silver covering that has a purple gemstone crafted into the shape of a seven-pointed star on it and a small portrait of his family and himself inside on a light tan-colored band. He additionally wears a bracelet made from woven tan cords with three beads (two are silver while the one in the middle is blue) on his right wrist. The bracelet was a gift made by Katie after a month of being a couple.
Andrew (or just Andy by his friends and girlfriend) was a young man with light skin, brown eyes, and light brown short hair. He was in his usual attire consisting of a red short-sleeve shirt, along with blue jeans, brown boots, and a matching jacket and belt. The jacket additionally included two black stripe designs on the arm of the jacket. He always carried his small magic scepter, similar to Natty's magic wand. He additionally wore a silver band around his wrist. It was a gift from Natty after a month of being together.
Unfortunately, not even they were spared from the Devil's color changing spell as they are colorless as well.
"Okay, I take it that's not normal?" Andy asked, gesturing to his colorless form.
"No, not really." Natty sighed sadly.
Andy shook his head in disbelief by all the chaos that is happening as he said, "This is crazy. A few people who weren't colorless totally hit us with insults."
Vale sighed, looking crestfallen, making Katie concerned as she went over to him.
"And I thought the racism I had dealt with back home during my time at school had been difficult." Vale said solemnly. "Some of the dragons my age either teased or pushed me away because I'm half-Shadow Dragon."
"Oh, Vale…" Katie spoke as tears welled up in her eyes before she hugged him, hanging her head low in sadness.
"Same for me." Andy spoke up with a sigh. "When I traveled from different dimensions, I would sometimes encounter racism. People called me the "odd one out" because I'm human and can do magic."
"Oh, Andy, I'm so sorry." Natty said sadly.
The five then heard panting and glanced over to see Liam rushing over to them, his task of taking Matt and the Cup Brothers back to the cottage taken care of.
"Well, I got Matt and the Cups home so they won't get slammed with insults." Liam sighed. "This is crazy! How did this happen?"
"No doubt this is the Devil's doing." Katie said solemnly. "This must be yet another scheme to get us to give him what he wants."
"Cannot believe he would take things too far like this." Natty added.
All three girls looked over at their boyfriends in concern as Katie shed a couple of tears of sorrow and anxiety.
"Even so, we won't let him win. Color or colorless, our bond is still strong." Vale said in determination. He then looked over at Katie as he wiped back a tear from her cheek in reassurance. "I might have lost my colors but my love for you is still here and it always will be."
"That goes double for me." Andy added in as he gathered Natty into his arms and stroked her cheek in reassurance.
Both Natty and Katie smiled tearfully, moved by the reassuring comfort.
Hugging Lexie, Liam reassured, "Don't worry, we'll figure this out. Colorless or not, I will always love you."
Lexie smiled while leaning her head against his shoulder, "Thanks, Lee."
"I just hope the song will get through to everyone." Katie said hopefully. "It worked for Ariel in that episode."
"Anything's possible, right?" Kaichi asked.
"Yeah, we just have to try and help people see how wrong this is." Natty confirmed as Lexie nodded sadly.
"We're with you all the way." Vale said in reassurance.
"We just need a stage setup...or a station..." Lexie stated.
"What about the radio station?" Natty suggested. "They used to broadcast Dice's show there."
"Sounds like a plan." Katie agreed.
"Okay! Next stop: radio station!" Kaichi exclaimed.
Nodding, the gang hurried through town to get to the radio station, narrowly avoiding any feuding toons who were shouting insults and throwing fruits and vegetables at each other. Much to the heroes' dismay, it would seem the racism was getting worse.
"I hope we can reach Inkwell!" Natty cried.
"We need to make it to the radio station! It's our best lead!" Katie said.
"It has to work! We don't have any other way!" Lexie added.
"Let's hope that we don't run into somebody refusing us to make a broadcast because of our current states…" Kaichi spoke in concern.
"Yeah, that would be bad…" Natty said, worried.
Upon reaching the radio station, the group went inside. However, the moment they entered the lobby, a random colored whole note character stormed over to the group angrily.
"Hey! What're you doing with those three grayscales!" He demanded rudely, pointing at Lexie, Andy and Vale. "They shouldn't be here!"
"Oh great, the radio's closed-minded too." Lexie groaned, rolling her eyes.
"Come on!" Natty pleaded. "We need to use the radio to send a message to people!"
"Yeah, it's really important." Andy added in urgently.
"Please, it's very urgent that we-" Vale tried to reason but the colored toon cut him off.
"Nobody's asking you, ya colorless gecko!" The toon snapped.
"Don't you dare talk to either of my boyfriend or friends like that!" Katie cried as she shot the toon a disapproving glare.
"Back off, man! They're our friends!" Natty added.
"Unless those grayscale hoodlums get outta here, nobody's using anything in this radio station!" Demanded the toon.
"Ugh! We don't have time for this!" Natty sighed in frustration.
Suddenly, another colored toon stepped in and grabbed his colleague by the shoulder, the group looking on in shock.
"Hey! Leave those people alone and let them use whatever they need in here!" The other toon scolded. "Colorless or not, these folks have every right to be here as we all do!"
A colored swan lady entered the conversation, chiming in, "That's right! You should be ashamed of yourself for how you're treating people based on their colors! They're still people with feelings and the right to be treated with compassion, respect and kindness!"
Katie was stunned at first before she broke out into a tearful and grateful smile upon seeing this, moved by a couple of colored toons defending her friends who are currently grayscale.
Sure enough, a few more colored toons stepped in and defended Lexie, Andy and Vale. Lexie also overcame her surprise as she looked on with a tearful smile.
"Whoa, this is amazing!" Natty gasped in awe.
"It's good to know that there are still some good people around." Katie commented in relief.
"Definitely." Lexie agreed as the boys
As the colored full note toon backed down and stormed off in a huff, an anthropomorphic microphone toon hopped over to the group, rolling his eyes at the note guy's attitude.
"Ugh, these people are crazy nowadays…" The microphone toon sighed. He then smiled politely at the group as he said, "Hey, sorry about that. The name's Mike Microphone, I'm sure you nice folks must have heard me on the radio a dozen times before. So, is there something we can do for you?"
"Yeah, we need access to the control room to broadcast a song about being united in harmony." Lexie explained in reply. "We think it's the only way to resolve this conflict going on."
"Of course, right this way." Mike nodded, motioning the group to follow him.
"Thank you. This means so much to us." Katie smiled in gratitude.
Shortly, Mike took the group to the recording booth and without hesitation, the girls and those working in the studio began to prepare for the broadcast.
Mike got up to the microphone and began to start the broadcast with his usual greeting and announcement.
"This is Mike Microphone from the Inkwell Radio Station." Mike announced. "We have a special program in store for ya today. The Dreamstones have something to say."
He gave the group a thumbs up while the girls took the microphone.
"We just want to address all the chaos going on right now, with grayscale vs color." Lexie started. "Colored or not, we all have feelings and thoughts like any other human, er toon being. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and kindness, regardless of race, gender, or background."
"We're all wonderful in different ways and it's important that we celebrate everyone, despite our differences." Natty chimed in. "From where we're from, racism is still a huge problem today and we do not want it to start here. Everyone has something to bring to the table, and it's important we recognize and appreciate all people have, had and will continue to do."
"Whether we are coloured or colorless, we are still friends." Katie added. "Two of my best friends and even my boyfriend are grayscale but I still love and care for them. Even if we are different, whether it'd be our color, language or even our culture, our hearts and the love we have for one another is still the same. And it breaks my heart to hear and see so many people who are meant to be the best of friends are suddenly fighting and hurting each other because they're different."
Over at the cottage, Elder Kettle, Matt and the Cups overheard the broadcast on the radio.
"Hey, I think I hear Liam and Lexie's voices on the radio!" Matt beamed.
"And Katie!" Elder Kettled chimed in. "You know, they're right! Colorless or not, we're still people with feelings! And about everyone here are our neighbors and friends."
"Here! Here!" Cuphead exclaimed.
"Yeah!" Mugman chimed in.
"You said it, Elder Kettle!" Matt cheered.
Over at her shop, Misterie and Aren were listening to the broadcast off her own as she nodded in approval.
At his emporium, Porkrind was carrying a colorless Jerry towards the door and was about to literally kick him out when the broadcast caught both their attention. Even the Root Pack were listening in while a grayscale Ollie was sniffling after crying when Sal and Chauncey (who are both coloured) were trying to ignore him
"And we're all different in many ways, that's what makes every individual so unique and adds variety to our lives." Lexie added. "Differences make us stronger but only if we're willing to live in harmony."
A weeping grayscale Sally Stageplay perked up with a beaming smile as she and her colored husband who was comforting her turned to the radio as they heard the broadcast.
Even the telephone guy perked up at the broadcast as he cheered, "Yay!"
"We should come together as one, not divided because of a difference." Natty stated. "We all need each other to help us whenever we can, and showing a new perspective on life
A feuding colored Ribby and grayscale Croaks stopped trying to pound each other, considering what we're saying as they looked remorseful about how they were hurting each other
"Racism and prejudice might still be a thing throughout the years but if we can prove that everyone has a right to be treated equally with compassion, love and friendship." Katie concluded. "So, my friends, loved ones and I want to dedicate this song to everyone on these fair Isles, both colored or grayscale. We can all live together in harmony now and forever. Let's hit it, girls!"
Lexie gave a wink as she beamed, "You got it, Kate!"
With a swipe of her paintbrush, Lexie created a beautiful (but still greyscale) grand piano as she started to play beautiful music.
*Song: In Harmony from The Little Mermaid TV Series*
Katie: What makes someone special? I suppose it all depends
It's what's unique in each of us that we all share as friends
*At the Flytrap, Ribby and Croaks just turned their backs to one another, trying to ignore one another.*
Lexie: The difference is our differences, maybe small or great.
*A crestfallen Sally perked up with her husband comforting her. Meanwhile, Porkrind had set Jerry down as both felt a bit awkward and unsure how to clear things up between them.*
Natty: Variety adds spice to life, So we should all celebrate!
*A suddenly remorseful Sal and Chauncey awkwardly looked over at a hopeful Ollie, who sniffled, wiping his tears.*
All three: In harmony, harmony
Katie: (gesturing to Lexie) You're you
Lexie: (winking at Katie) I'm me
All: Together, we can live in harmony
*Ribby and Croaks looked over at one another before they began to tear up and hugged each other, reconciling. The Root Pack huddled into a group hug as they cried. Overcoming their differences, Porkrind and Jerry shook hands, getting back to doing business with each other again.*
Lexie: If there was only one note how boring life would be
I'm glad there are many different notes in different keys
*Sally and her husband happily danced to the rhythm. Meanwhile, all of the colored and grayscale toons listening to the broadcast outside or inside their own homes listened on with interest, enjoying it and getting along.*
Natty: I hear each voice singing with a special quality
Katie: And when we sing together, we can set our spirits free!
*Matt and Elder Kettle were happily listening to the girls' performance while Cuphead and Mugman danced along to the song.*
All: In harmony… harmony
Natty: You're you!
Lexie: I'm me!
All: Together, we can live in harmony!
*A graceful instrumental plays as all of the colored and grayscale toons started to get happy and get along again as they all danced to the song. Even the screwdriver lady was happily humming and dancing along with a grayscale mole when she had refused him glasses earlier.*
Katie: Ooh! In harmony!
All: (key change, including every Inkwell resident) Harmony!
Lexie: (to Katie) You're you!
Natty: (to Lexie) I'm me!
Katie: Together, we can live in harmony!
All: You're you! I'm me! Together, we can live in harmony!
Lexie then ended the song with a quick reference to the last notes in "Under the Sea".
*End of Song*
"That's all folks!" Lexie announced with a wink. "Take care, stay safe, and remember: despite our differences, we're all the same. Good day, everybody!"
Natty and Kate gave cute smiles and giggled, just before the broadcasting finished. They high fived and hugged each other before Lexie looked at her shirt and gasped.
"Hey! My colors came back!" Lexie exclaimed in surprise and delight.
"Awesome!" Natty cheered.
As they celebrated, just then Vale, Liam, Kaichi and Andy came in, as they got their colors back too
"Vale! Kaichi! So are yours!" Katie cried in joy as she embraced and kissed an equally happy Validor in the cheek while Kaichi grinned.
"Andy! Your color is back!" Natty exclaimed happily.
"Sweet!" Andy beamed as he took Natty in his arms and twirled her around a bit before they hugged and gave each other a kiss.
Lexie rushed over to Liam and happily gave him a great big and loving hug as she smiled.
Meanwhile, back at the cottage, Cuphead and Elder were surprised and delighted to see Matt and Mugman were colored again.
"Mr. Kettle! Cuppy! Mugsy! Look!" Matt cried in joy as he looked over his vest and shirt. "All of my colors are back!"
"So are mine!" Mugman cheered.
The Cup Brothers squealed in delight before they embraced one another.
"Well, I'll be." Elder Kettle smiled, relieved and happy that everything is back to normal. While he didn't have the slightest clue how this whole mess had happened, he was just glad that everything is okay now.
Back at town outside, Misterie looks over to see the toons who had smashed her window cleaning up the mess while back to normal and looking apologetic.
All of the toons were going about, apologizing and to one another, reconciling while cleaning up the mess they had made during the feuding earlier . A shameful Sammy Sandwich was apologizing to Bowlboy, who had a bandage over his head while the puppy kid was presenting Sammy a new balloon.
Satisfied that everything is back to normal, Misterie nodded, proud of the Dreamstones more than ever.
"Well, done, girls." She mused as Aren cooed.
"Glad everything worked out." Liam sighed as he rubbed Lexie's back.
"We might not get rid of racism on Earth, but we can at least prevent it here in Inkwell." Lexie claimed.
"Amen to that." Natty agreed, as Katie smiled.
Everyone in Inkwell were celebrating and filled with happiness and joy.
Well, almost everyone.
Back in the Underworld, the Devil, who witnessed this in his looking glass, looked enraged. Henchman nervously steps back and braces himself for his master's tantrum.
The Devil was so furious, he was clutching his now emptied smoothie glass so hard, he literally shattered it by crushing it in his fist.
"UNBELIEVABLE! THEY RUINED MY PLANS!" The Devil roared in his terrifyingly demonic voice.
"Aw jeez…" Henchman muttered nervously.
Enraged, the Devil grabbed his pitchfork and got up from his throne, furious big time.
"You want something done right, do it yourself!" He growled.
Without saying another word, he teleported to the surface world. His latest plan might have been thwarted but the Devil is never the sort to give up so easily.
After their successful broadcast, the Dreamstones, their boyfriends and Kaichi left the radio station, Mike happily calling after them to suggest having them over to work part time at the station more often.
"Thank you, Mr. Microphone! We'll think about that!" Katie called back as she and her group walked out of the building.
"Wow, that worked out really well." Natty commented with a grin.
"I'll say." Lexie added. "That was pretty scary. If our history books on Earth are of any indication, it could've been much worse."
"I'm just glad that everyone's back to normal and this whole nightmare's over." Katie sighed.
"Agreed." Liam nodded.
"Most definitely." Kaichi piped up.
Now that the whole mess has been cleared up, the gang can finally spend the rest of their day to relax without any further worries.
"How about we leave some money for Elder Kettle to order a pizza for the kids and himself while we all go out somewhere for dinner tonight to celebrate?" Vale suggested.
"Sounds like a plan!" Andy smiled.
"Triple date? Sounds good to me." Lexie beamed.
"That's a lovely idea." Katie chimed in as Kaichi grinned.
"Love it!" Natty cheered.
They started to make their way back home but the nxt thing they knew-
*POOF!*
The group jumped back and gasped in shock and alarm as the Devil had suddenly appeared in a massive cloud of ominous black smoke. This also caught the attention of several frightened toons who had just been passing by to go about the rest of their day the moment things just got back to normal.
"THE DEVIL!" The anthropomorphic elephant in the green overalls screamed before he trumpeted in terror, running away.
All of the toons screamed and ran away in terror as the Devil snickered at the sight.
"My fans, they just can't get enough of me." The Devil said with a smug smile.
"Oh terrific." Lexie muttered. Then, pointing to a different direction, she deadpanned to the Devil, "Listen muppet crackhead, Sesame Street is that way."
This made Natty burst out laughing for a bit while the Devil simply looked unamused. Once Natty had settled down to catch her breath, Katie glared at the Devil.
"Jokes aside, why can't you just leave us alone?" Katie demanded. "It's quite obvious that you were behind the whole thing with the people losing their colors and turning them and everyone else against one another."
"Well duh! Who else would it be? Cala Maria?' The Devil sarcastically asked.
"I mean, sirens have done this stuff before (cough) Equestria girls (cough)." Lexie replied, making Natty giggle a bit.
"What you did was unforgivable!" Katie snapped at the Devil furiously. "Don't you have any idea of all the damage you had nearly done?! And you had turned Matt and Mugman — two innocent boys — grayscale and nearly put them in danger should the racism gotten any worse!"
"Oh I'm sorry, was I not supposed to? I'm the Devil, sweetheart, it's kinda my thing too." The Devil informed Katie. "Ya know, prey on the innocent and cause chaos and all."
Lexie rolled her eyes as she groaned, "Ugh, I'm not listening to this. C'mon, guys, ignore him."
"Hmph!" Natty grunted in annoyance.
Katie nodded in agreement while Kaichi made a face at the Devil, making him mad.
"GRRRR!" He growled, with flames starting to form around him.
"Dude, face it! You LOST! Go home!" Lexie snapped.
"That's right! We're not in the mood to put up with your nonsense today!" Katie added. "Now, if you excuse us, we're going to make preparations for a dinner date tonight!"
"I think we need to teleport." Lexie stated. Turning to Natty, she asked. " Nat, care to do the honors?"
"You got it." Natty replied, ready to take out her wand.
However, before Natty could do that, the Devil grabbed Katie with his tail, yanking her back from the group.
"Kate!" Natty gasped.
"No!" Vale cried.
"Let me go!" Katie screamed, struggling to get away from the Devil but he held her fast.
Thinking quickly, Lexie informed the group, "Guys, keep him busy! I have an idea!"
Lexie then slipped from the group and turned herself invisible with her magic while the rest of them tried to pry Katie away from the Devil. Katie, however, wasn't thrilled. She didn't like the pulling from both sides, but hated being in his grip.
"She's coming with me!" The Devil snapped.
"Get your creepy mitts off her!" Kaichi demanded as he tried to pry the Devil's fingers off, only for the Devil to swat him aside.
"Never!" The Devil snarled.
"Stop it! Please!" Katie pleaded as the Devil held her tighter while trying to pull her back towards him. "You're hurting me!"
"Agree to be mine and I won't hold you as tight!" The Devil sneered.
During the scuffle, suddenly Lexie appeared behind the Devil, holding the Bible, similar to the talisman from Sailor Mars' attack from Sailor Moon.
"Surprise Bible Attack!" She shouted.
With all her might, she threw the Bible at the Devil and it smacked him, causing a terrible shock to strike him. It wasn't like when he got zapped by the invisible sweater, but it was still very painful.
"YEOWCH!" The Devil yelped in pain.
While he was shrieking in pain, Katie slipped out of the Devil's grip and punched him in the face as hard as she could.
"OW!" He shouted again, stumbling back while rubbing his nose.
Then, once Katie was safe with the girls, Vale and Andy froze him solid with Vale's ice breath and Andy's ice spell, freezing him in an ice cube.
"Thanks, guys." Katie sighed.
"No problem, dude's really getting on my nerves." Lexie claimed, as she picked up her Bible.
"Yeah. Serves him right." Kaichi added.
"How about we get you all home so we can get ready for tonight?" Vale asked.
"I couldn't have it any other way." Katie smiled.
"Sounds good!" Natty beamed.
They all then headed off to get ready for a triple dinner date, feeling proud and more confident in themselves for the task they accomplished today. While it may have not solved the problem of racism completely, they reminded people of loving one another and accepting them for them, no matter where they came from.
Dreamstones One; Racism Zero.