It's a whole new year in both the Inkwell Isles and the human world. Gwen and Clarence's wedding is getting much closer. Gwen continues her life with both her families and working with her newly engaged assistant Akilah. After some time has passed, Gwen continues planning her wedding and evading capture from the Devil at the same time.
Lately however, Gwen started hearing mysterious voices calling her name.
"Gwen…"
Gwen looked around, looking for whoever was talking to her, but found no one. Even being near people, she continues hearing the voice and realizes she's the only one hearing the voices.
At her job, Gwen gets some artwork done until Akilah comes up to her.
"Boss?" Akilah asked.
"Yes?" Gwen asked.
"It's quitting time." Akilah answered.
"Oh, right. I'm coming." Gwen said as she magically puts her work away.
Just then, Gwen hears the voices again and turned around.
"What's wrong ma'am?" Akilah asked.
"Did you hear someone calling my name?" Gwen asked.
"Uh… no. Why?" Akilah asked.
Gwen is puzzled why she can only hear the voices.
"Uh, never mind. Let's get cleaning." Gwen instructed, brushing off the subject.
Akilah gets a little concerned for Gwen, but she started her cleaning duties with Gwen.
After work, Gwen rejoins the cups and Elder Kettle at the cottage. Her fiancé Clarence arrives and goes with her to the human world to join her parents and her sister's family for Sunday dinner. After dessert, her family started playing board games. Gwen is once again distracted by the voices and looked around.
"Gwen? What are you looking for?" Rose asked.
Gwen refocused her attention on her family.
"Oh, nothing sis. I thought I heard something." Gwen said quickly.
Rose looked at her sister confused.
"Uh… I need to use the bathroom. Be right back!" Gwen said and ran off to the bathroom.
Rose looked at Clarence.
"Uh, Clarence? Is it just me or has Gwen acting a little weird lately?" Rose asked.
"You noticed too?" Clarence asked.
"Yeah. Even her assistant Akilah was growing concerned. Maybe we should talk to her." Rose suggested.
"Yeah." Clarence agreed.
Both Rose and Clarence go up to the bathroom door and wait. Inside the bathroom they hear Gwen groaning and saying,
"Go away! Stop calling me! Leave me alone!"
Just then, the door opens, and Gwen is shocked to see her sister and fiancé together outside.
"Oh. Hey guys. What's up?" Gwen asked nervously.
Clarence covers her mouth.
"We need to talk." Rose quietly said.
Clarence quietly escorts Gwen upstairs with Rose following. They go into Gwen's old bedroom and close the door. Clarence has Gwen sit down on her old bed. Gwen looked confused on what was going on.
"Alright sis, what's going on?" Rose asked.
"What do you mean?" Gwen asked nervously.
"Gwen, is there something you wanna tell us?" Clarence asked.
"You've been very distracted lately. Is something on your mind?" Rose asked.
Gwen hesitated to answer.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Gwen said.
"Gwen, you're magical, you discovered a whole new world, and you made a lot of unusual friends. Try us, Gwen." Clarence said.
"Gwen, we love you. We wanna help you." Rose said.
Gwen sat there silently until…
"I… I've been hearing… voices calling my name lately. I don't know where it's coming from." Gwen finally confessed.
Both Rose and Clarence's eyes widened.
"I did not expect you to say that." Clarence admitted.
"How long have you been hearing these voices?" Rose asked.
"For about a week now. I don't know what to do. Not even my magic can make it go away." Gwen said as she held her head in her hands.
Rose thought for a moment as Clarence sat down next to Gwen.
"I know who we should talk to." Rose said, getting an idea.
"Wait, let me guess…" Gwen was about to say.
"Quadratus." Clarence finished.
"I don't know. He's done so much for me. I feel like I'm asking too much of him." Gwen said.
"Gwen, he's always there to help you. He'd be happy to help you. Besides, if anyone knows what's going on and why this is happening, it's him." Rose assured her.
"I dunno…" Gwen hesitantly said.
"Gwen, you need help. Teleport us to Quadratus." Clarence said.
Gwen sighed heavily, then she heard the voices calling her again, making her cringe.
"It's happening again, isn't it?" Rose asked.
"Okay, fine. Let's go see Quadratus." Gwen finally agreed.
Gwen tapped her ink pen and the trio disappeared to the Ancient Ring of Stones. They notice the sky was grey and the wind was blowing.
"Strange weather." Gwen said, looking up.
"Gwen, jawbreaker." Rose instructed.
Gwen sighed, then magically created a jawbreaker.
Rose takes the jawbreaker and drops it into the water, making it fizz.
"I don't know how he could help me." Gwen said.
"Gwen, please do this for us." Clarence said.
"Fine." Gwen hesitantly agrees.
Just then, a bright light shone from the water and the wind started blowing.
"Strange voices are calling you from in your head, now you want to know what those voices said!" Quadratus called.
"Yeah, that's it!" Clarence called.
"If I'm asking too much of you, I'm sorry I…"
Gwen tried to apologize until Quadratus appeared in the water.
"Gwendolyn, do not fear and despair; for you I will always be there." Quadratus assured Gwen.
"Well, you've done so much for me I…" Gwen tried to speak until Quadratus interrupted.
"Gwendolyn, do you want the voices to stop or not?"
"Yes! Please make it stop! I'll do anything!" Gwen begged and started crying.
"Gwen calm down." Clarence said as he held his fiancée.
"Sis, pull yourself together." Rose said.
Gwen calms down then looked at Quadratus.
"Now that you're calm, I'll tell you. The voices you've been hearing for a while are coming from the astral plane." Quadratus revealed.
The human's eyes widened.
"The astral plane? Where grandpa accidentally stumbled upon, and the magic inkwell was created?" Gwen asked.
"Yes, my child. They are calling you for…"
But before Quadratus could finish, the wind started howling and blowing harder.
"Whoa! What's happening?!" Gwen yelled.
"There is more we have to discuss; but behold, a tornado is upon us!" Quadratus exclaimed.
"Tornado?!" Rose fearfully exclaimed.
"We gotta get outta here!" Clarence yelled.
Gwen thought for a moment and got an idea. She magically creates a pitcher.
"Come on, Quadratus!" Gwen called as she scooped the water.
Gwen noticed Quadratus's head in the pitcher. Gwen tapped her ink pen and teleported themselves back to the Emmon's residence in the human world. Gwen placed Quadratus in the pitcher on the drawers.
"Gwendolyn, we'll continue this conversation later; You must help the citizens and cater!" Quadratus said.
Gwen realized her family was in danger of the tornado and quickly headed to the door portal back to the cottage with Clarence tagging along.
"GWEN! HELP US!" The cups cried out.
Gwen quickly lifted Cuphead and Clarence lifted Mugman. Elder Kettle follows the couple through the door portal and manage to get to safety in the human world.
"Okay, that's the cups and Elder Kettle." Clarence said.
Gwen gasped in horror, realizing something.
"Akilah! Elijah!" Gwen yelled.
Clarence gasped in horror and realized something.
"Cordelia! Ms. Chalice!" Clarence exclaimed.
Gwen teleports herself and Clarence to her art studio inside Akilah's apartment.
"Gwen!" Akilah cried.
"Come on! We gotta get outta here!" Gwen called.
Akilah carrying her parakeet Alyaqut in her cage runs to Gwen while Elijah grabbed as many belongings and joins her. Gwen teleports themselves back to her old house to join her family.
"Gwen! We need to get my apartment!" Clarence said fearfully.
"Of course." Gwen agreed.
Gwen teleports themselves to his apartment. Gwen goes to get Ms. Chalice while Clarence gets Cordelia. Cordelia gathers her pet bunny Comet in her kennel. After finding them, Gwen quickly teleports themselves back to the house.
"Thanks, girlfriend." Ms. Chalice said, trying to catch her breath.
"Thank you, both of you." Cordelia also thanked.
Just then, the telephone rang. Gwen answered the phone.
"Hello?" Gwen answered.
"Gwen! We got a situation! There's an abnormal tornado hitting Inkwell City!"
Gwen realized her FBI agent friend Kai-Ming was on the phone.
"What should we do?" Gwen asked.
"Listen to me. I need to you to gather everyone from the city, and we need to evacuate them to the mountains! My fellow agents will be there to assist you!" Kai-Ming explained the plan.
"Alright, I'll be there in a minute!" Gwen said and hung up the phone. Gwen turned to everybody.
"I'll be right back! I gotta help everyone evacuate to the mountains!" Gwen explained.
"Be careful!" Rose said.
Gwen nodded, then she teleported to Inkwell City.
Gwen headed to the outskirts of the city as all the citizens are fleeing the town. Kai-Ming and her fellow agents approach Gwen.
"There you are! Let's get everyone to the mountains. These are the coordinates of the location where we'll set up shelters." Kai-Ming explained the plan and showed the map.
"Okay. I'll head over there now and get started." Gwen said and teleports to the location.
Kai-Ming joins the other agents and approach the frightened citizens. Kai-Ming grabs a megaphone and yelled,
"Attention everyone! We have an evacuation site in the mountains! Follow these human men up the trail to the site! Now let's go!" Kai-Ming ordered the citizens.
The citizens follow the FBI agents up the trail away from the tornado. With Gwen's help, she magically creates enough tents, beds, food and supplies they needed to get by the tornado for the citizens. Everyone makes it to the evacuation site, and everyone picks tents to stay in. The FBI agents assist anyone who needed help while Gwen and Kai-Ming met together.
"Well done, Gwen. We got everyone out safe and sound." Kai-Ming complimented.
"You too. You and your men handled the situation well." Gwen said.
"It's so strange. That strange tornado was made of something unusual." Kai-Ming said.
"What's that?" Gwen asked.
Kai-Ming grabbed a baggie full of white stuff.
"We collected a sample of the tornado, and our scientists were able to determine that this is… salt." Kai-Ming revealed.
"Salt? Is this another of the Devil's bizarre creations?" Gwen asked.
"We don't think this was the Devil. We think this is some… other worldly threat." Kai-Ming said.
Gwen thought for a moment then gets an idea.
"Maybe Quadratus knows what this 'salt-tornado' is. I need to get back to my house and talk to him." Gwen said.
"I'll go with you. I need to ask him some questions." Kai-Ming said.
Kai-Ming looked at one of her agents.
"I need to talk to someone! Keep an eye on everyone until I get back!" Kai-Ming called.
The agent nodded as Gwen teleported themselves back to her old house. They reappear with the group in her parent's house.
"Gwen! There you are! How'd it go? And who's this?" Rose asked.
"It went good. This is a friend of mine Kai-Ming. We got everyone out and they're safe at the evacuation camp. I need to finish talking to Quadratus." Gwen answered.
Gwen, Rose, Clarence and Kai-Ming go back upstairs to her old bedroom where she left Quadratus. Rose closed the door as Gwen and Kai-Ming approached Quadratus.
"Okay, we got everybody out. You were saying the astral plane?" Gwen asked.
"Astral plane?" Kai-Ming asked.
"Yes, my child. Now then, the souls are calling you for help them. The astral plane is threatened. In fact, that tornado was part of that threat." Quadratus revealed.
"We discovered something odd. The tornado was made of salt. Do you know who or what did this?" Kai-Ming asked as she showed Quadratus the bag of salt.
"Hmm. Yes, indeed that is salt. Someone is trying to obtain the powers of the astral plane. The same power that created the magic inkwell." Quadratus said.
"Who? The Devil?" Gwen asked.
"No, this is not his doing. This is someone else's doing." Quadratus said.
"But how is this even possible?" Kai-Ming asked.
"There are certain forbidden ingredients that come from one place that could've played a role in this." Quadratus said.
"Forbidden ingredients? What are you talking about?" Gwen asked.
"These are not just any ingredients. They are mystical ingredients with powers that also came from the astral plane. If they fall into the wrong hands, it could be catastrophic." Quadratus explained.
"So, someone's trying take the powers of the astral plane?" Kai-Ming asked.
"Correct my child." Quadratus confirmed.
"Hmm…" Gwen thought for a moment.
"You said there's one place those ingredients come from?" Gwen asked.
"Yes. The fourth isle." Quadratus answered.
"The fourth isle? I haven't been there yet." Gwen said.
"Gwen, what are you thinking?" Rose asked.
"I think, I need to go to the fourth isle and find those ingredients. I'll get Cerulean Bolt." Gwen said.
"Gwen, I don't think you should go. It might be dangerous." Clarence said.
"Clarence, if I wanna make those voices go away and save the Inkwell Isles, I need to find those ingredients and save the astral plane. Besides, I have the inkwell to protect me. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to pack." Gwen said.
Gwen leaves her old room and heads back downstairs to start packing.
Rose sighed at her sister.
"Hey, is she like this with you?" Clarence asked.
"Pretty much. She preferred to do things on her own." Rose answered.
"Rose Mary Emmons Smith." Quadratus said.
"Yes?" Rose answered.
"Do you remember what I told you before?" Quadratus asked.
Rose thought and then remembered.
"If I truly love her, never give up on her?" Rose answered.
"Correct. And Clarence James Hopewell, remember what I told you before?" Quadratus asked Clarence.
"Love conquers all?" Clarence answered.
"Precisely my boy. True Gwendolyn has the magic inkwell, but that alone will not be enough for her to succeed. She needs her very special ones to help and guide her. Remind her that she is not alone." Quadratus advised.
Rose and Clarence looked at each other, realizing Quadratus is right.
"We won't let anything happen to her." Rose said with determination.
"I promised her we'd get through this together." Clarence said.
"I will look after the toons with my men. You two be careful out there with her. Tell her that." Kai-Ming said.
Rose and Clarence nodded as Kai-Ming went back downstairs. She has Gwen create a door portal to the evacuation site and returns to check on the citizens.
The next morning, Gwen dresses up in a new outfit with her satchel and Cerulean Bolt with her. They both stepped through the door portal to the cottage and head off into the woods to the beach. She hops on Cerulean Bolt, preparing to leave for the fourth isle.
But before she could, she heard someone coming from behind her. Knowing who it was, Gwen called out,
"Rose, I know that's you!"
"You're not easily fooled sis." Rose confirmed as she approached with her bag.
"Clarence?" Gwen called.
"Wow, you're good." Clarence said carrying his bag as he approached his fiancée.
Gwen turned around and saw her sister and fiancé had followed her and plan to join her on her journey.
"What are you guys doing? I told you; I have to do this. I gotta find those ingredients and get to the bottom of this. So, please don't try to stop me or try to talk me out of this. Goodbye." Gwen said as she got on Cerulean Bolt.
"We're not trying to stop you." Rose said.
"What?" Gwen asked.
"We're coming with you." Rose answered as she joined her sister on the magic carpet.
"Yep, we figured you could use our help. Besides, there's no way you could do this by yourself." Clarence added as he joined the sisters.
"But, what about…?" Gwen was about to ask until Rose interrupted.
"Don't worry. William and Elder Kettle are watching Emma and Jack. Cordelia is staying at Uncle Alvin's while Akilah and Elijah are staying with mama and papa until the storm stops." Rose explained.
"Oh, I guess Kai-Ming's taking care of everyone else?" Gwen asked.
"Yep. She said to tell you to be careful out there." Clarence said.
Gwen sighed, knowing she couldn't talk her sister or fiancé out of joining her.
"Fine. You win." Gwen admitted.
Gwen prepares Cerulean Bolt for take-off.
"Alright buddy, let's fly!" Gwen ordered.
Cerulean Bolt took off into the sky and started their way to the fourth isle. After a while of flying, they finally reach the isle, only for Gwen to notice her three best friends arriving at a dock on a boat.
"Why did I think this was gonna happen?" Gwen asked sarcastically.
"They're your best friends. Remember?" Rose reminded her.
"Yep. We're the four ding-dongs." Gwen said.
They fly down to the dock to greet them.
"Guys! What are you doing here? You're supposed to be with Elder Kettle back home!" Gwen reminded them.
"Oh, uh… we kinda overheard you and Quadratus talking about finding some magical ingredients and the fourth isle…" Cuphead nervously admitted.
"Cuphead, it's rude to eavesdrop." Rose scolded.
"But we didn't want you going alone either. So, we thought we'd catch up with you. Which we realized now you just arrived." Mugman explained.
"You didn't think this through, did you guys?" Clarence asked.
Gwen shook her head, knowing her cup brothers were at times idiotic.
"This'll be fun girlfriend! Besides, how hard can it be to find some magical ingredients?" Ms. Chalice said enthusiastically.
"Alright, let's get moving then." Gwen said.
The group of humans and cups start their way to the town as the Boatman waved goodbye. They enter the town and are amazed at the sights of the fourth isle. They noticed a new range of mountains, an icy tundra, a desert, a hangar and an entrance to underground tunnels.
"Wow, so this is the fourth isle of the Inkwell Isles?" Gwen asked.
"It's beautiful." Rose complimented.
"We've never been here before. This should be interesting." Clarence added.
Just then, the cups catch a whiff of something delicious. They wander off and approach the town bakery. The humans notice and go after them.
"Guys! We don' have time for this!" Gwen scolded.
She sighed and went inside the bakery, only for her to be enchanted by the smell of fresh baked goods.
"Mmm…" Gwen said, smelling the bakery air.
"Wow, smells delicious in here." Rose admitted.
"Now, I'm starting to get hungry." Clarence said, looking around.
The cups look hungrily at the display case filled with breads, cookies, cakes, pies and tarts.
Gwen approached the counter and looked for somebody who worked there.
"I wonder who's in charge here?" Gwen asked.
Just then, a humanoid obese saltshaker wearing a chef's outfit suddenly appeared out of nowhere, startling Gwen.
"Welcome friends, welcome to my bakery!" The baker greeted.
"Oh, uh. Hello." Gwen greeted.
"What can I get you chaps? Cookies? Cake? Tarts? Whaddya like?" The baker said, showing a platter of various sweets.
Cuphead, Mugman and Ms. Chalice each take a sweet and started eating. Gwen took a slice of red-velvet cake while Rose and Clarence each took a sweet.
"This is awesome!" Clarence complimented.
"I agree!" Cuphead agreed.
"Thanks, mister…?" Ms. Chalice asked for his name.
"Chef Saltbaker! The greatest chef in all the lands!" Chef Saltbaker introduced himself.
Just then, Gwen noticed Saltbaker was filled with salt and thought of the salt-tornado that happened. She wasn't sure if he is connected somehow, but she kept that thought to herself.
"Well, thank you, Saltbaker. How much for those sweets?" Rose asked.
"Actually, since this is your first time in my bakery, first one's on the house!" Saltbaker said, being generous.
"Wow, thank you so much sir." Mugman thanked.
"You're welcome my friends! So, what brings you to town?" Saltbaker asked.
"Well… um…" Gwen hesitated to answer.
"We're looking for some weird ingredients to help our friend here." Cuphead answered.
"Cuphead!" Gwen scolded.
"Weird ingredients? Oh, I know what you're talking about! Good luck trying to get them." Saltbaker said.
"You know about those ingredients?" Ms. Chalice asked.
"Why yes, my little friend. They are heavily guarded! Those ingredients have magical abilities!" Saltbaker explained.
"Really? Do you know what they do?" Gwen asked, now fascinated.
"Well, my dear, they will give you the most powerful of abilities! They actually came from the astral plane." Saltbaker answered.
"Amazing." Gwen said.
Just then, Saltbaker notices the magic inkwell on Gwen's belt.
"Wait a minute!" Chef Saltbaker said as he came around the counter.
He takes a closer look at the magic inkwell.
"What are you doing?" Gwen asked.
"Well, I'll be! It's the magic inkwell!" Saltbaker exclaimed.
"Um, yes?" Gwen answered confused.
"Which means… you are that human girl everyone's talking about!" Saltbaker said, looking at Gwen.
"Yeah. She's our best friend." Cuphead said as he, Mugman and Ms. Chalice wrap their arms around her.
"It is an honor be in the presence of you... Gwen is your name?" Saltbaker asked.
"Yes. This is my sister Rose. My fiancé Clarence. And these three are my best friends Cuphead, Mugman and Ms. Chalice." Gwen introduced.
"Pleasure to meet all of you. Here, let me show you the guest rooms." Saltbaker said.
Chef Saltbaker leads them upstairs and showed 3 different rooms. Gwen and Clarence pick a room, Cuphead and Mugman pick a room together and Rose and Ms. Chalice picked a room. After unpacking and settling in, the group join Chef Saltbaker downstairs and has them sit down at a large round table to brief Gwen on the ingredients.
"So, you want those ingredients to save the astral plane and make some voices go away?" Saltbaker asked Gwen.
"Yes, but I don't know how these ingredients are going to help me." Gwen said.
"Fret not, kid. I believe I have the solution." Saltbaker assured her.
He pulls out his recipe book and pulled out a piece of paper.
"I came up with an amazing new recipe!" Saltbaker announced as he passed the paper to Gwen.
Gwen took a good look along with her friends.
"Wondertart? What is it?" Gwen asked.
"It's the most powerful pastry! One bite of this Wondertart, and you'll have complete control over the astral plane!" Saltbaker explained.
"So, this Wondertart could help Gwen save the astral plane? Couldn't she just do that with the inkwell?" Rose asked.
"The magic inkwell won't be enough my dear. Your sister needs more power to save it. The Wondertart will give her that power." Saltbaker answered.
"Wow." Clarence said, amazed.
"So, there's five ingredients you must get. Gnome berries, distillery dough, pineapple mint, icy sugar cubes and desert limes. Collect all five, then bring them back to me and I'll get started on the Wondertart." Saltbaker explained.
"Okay, how do I get them?" Gwen asked.
"Just one problem… those exceptional ingredients are being held by the most fearsome of foes! They won't give those ingredients to just anybody. They each will throw you a challenge for you to face. If you succeed, you'll be rewarded with the ingredients. Which unfortunately, no one's ever succeeded. No one." Saltbaker warned her.
Gwen's eyes widened.
"Oh boy. This is gonna be tougher than I thought." Gwen said worryingly.
"Maybe we shouldn't do this." Rose said.
"Aw, don't be such a scaredy-cat sister!" Ms. Chalice taunted.
"Chalice! These challenges sound too dangerous!" Rose scolded.
"Hey guys! Ya hear that? Rosie's chicken!" Cuphead taunted as he clucked like a chicken.
Rose loses patience as Mugman and Clarence were giggling.
"UGH! FINE!" Rose snapped.
"Okay, where do I find these foes?" Gwen asked.
Chef Saltbaker grabs a map and lays it on the table for everyone to see.
"You'll find the gnome berries at the mountains guarded by Glumstone. The distillery dough in the underground tunnels held by the Moonshine Mob. The pineapple mint in the hangar of the Howling Aces. The icy sugar cubes frozen by Mortimer Freeze. Finally, the desert limes bagged by Esther Winchester." Saltbaker explained as he drew checkpoints on the map.
"Oh boy. This is gonna be interesting." Clarence said.
"Indeed, it will be my boy. I was thinking, it's almost sunset. Let's have dinner together. Not to worry, I'm cooking. Then after you're all rested, you can start your quest in the morning." Saltbaker proposed.
"I think that's a good idea." Rose agreed.
"Me too." Mugman agreed.
"I am starved anyway. What's for dinner?" Cuphead asked.
"Ah, it's a surprise!" Saltbaker said and winked.
Later, everyone waits at the table until Saltbaker happily danced in with a large platter of fresh baked chicken pot pies. They dine together and socialized until everyone felt tired. Everyone retreated to their rooms and turn in for the night. Gwen felt nervous about facing the five challenges, but she needed to push that fear away and needed to be ready for whatever's coming her way in the morning.