The day of Gwen and Clarence's wedding was drawing nearer every day. One day, Gwen and Clarence were taking ballroom dancing classes with Sally Stageplay at the Inkwell Theater for their first dance. Gwen is struggling to maintain balance, but Clarence held her steady.
"You okay honey?" Clarence asked.
"I'm fine love. I'm just trying to adjust. I told you King Dice was my first dance partner before I met you." Gwen answered.
"I know. But he's in the past now." Clarence reminded her.
"Yes. I want you to be my partner over Dice." Gwen assured him.
"Gwen! Clarence! Back to dancing!" Sally called firmly.
"Yes Mrs. Stageplay! Sorry!" Gwen answered.
Gwen and Clarence continued to dance the waltz with their classmates.
After class, Gwen and Clarence leave the theater.
"I'm sorry Clarence. I just need a little more practice." Gwen apologized.
"Don't apologize. Because however we dance at our wedding will be perfect." Clarence assured her.
"Well, okay." Gwen said.
"Alright, let's head home." Clarence said.
"Okay." Gwen said.
She teleports Clarence back to his apartment then she teleported back to the cottage. Gwen went to her bedroom and laid down on her bed, feeling exhausted. After resting for a while, she joins Rose for some tea at her house.
"How did the dance lessons go?" Rose asked.
"Fine." Gwen answered quietly as she ate a cookie.
"Okay, what's wrong sis?" Rose asked, noticing her sister was upset.
"Well, I'm trying to get used to having Clarence as my permanent dance partner. I've moved on from King Dice." Gwen answered as she sipped her tea.
"Believe me. Clarence is better than King Dice." Rose said.
"I don't know what to do Rose." Gwen said.
"Gwen, it'll take some time, but you'll adjust. Just keep practicing and you'll get better." Rose advised.
"Okay. Well, I'll see you later." Gwen said as she got up from her chair.
"You too." Rose said back.
Gwen went through the door portal back home. She goes back to her room and pulls out a magazine. One article catches her eye. She noticed the Russian ballet called the Imperial Russian Ballet advertising their latest upcoming show: Swan Lake.
"Huh, the Imperial Russian Ballet? I'll bet all those dancers are perfect dancers. Hmm…" Gwen said to herself and thought of an idea.
She decided to travel to St. Petersburg, Russia to see the Imperial Russian Ballet ballerinas herself. She grabs her satchel and packs up her magic carpet Cerulean Bolt. Before she could teleport to the Mariinsky Theatre, she thought of her cup brothers and how they stowed away with her last time when she traveled to Ennistymon, Ireland.
Gwen thought for a moment and got an idea. She decided to teleport from inside the bathroom. She goes in the hallway, passes the cups playing tag, acting normal. She goes in the bathroom and closes the door, goes in the bathtub, and closed the curtain.
"Okay, that should do it." Gwen quietly said to herself.
She prepares to teleport to St. Petersburg when all of a sudden…
"SURPRISE!" Both cups exclaimed and jumped on her shoulders.
They arrive outside the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia.
"UGH! Why do you guys keep stowing away with me?!" Gwen groaned.
Both cups were shivering cold in the Russian weather.
"Oh. Hang on." Gwen said after calming down.
Gwen magically dresses the cups in winter outfits as she does herself.
"I knew I should've turned on the water." Gwen grumbled.
"Gwen, we can tell on your face you're going somewhere fun and adventurous!" Cuphead answered.
"Yeah, we wanna see the human world with you." Mugman added.
"Let me guess, Ms. Chalice is in my satchel again?" Gwen asked as she checked her satchel.
Just then, Ms. Chalice in her ghost form emerged from her satchel.
"You catch on really quick girlfriend." Ms. Chalice complimented as she shapeshifted into her living form.
Gwen magically dresses Ms. Chalice warm.
"Why are we here in this freezing place?" Cuphead asked.
"I wanted to see the Russian Ballet." Gwen answered.
"Why do you wanna watch a bunch of ballerinas in those pink tutus?" Ms. Chalice asked.
"It's more than just wearing tutus. They dance with elegance and grace." Gwen said.
"What are we waiting for? Let's get in there!" Mugman said excitedly.
The group go in one of the three doors and are awestruck by the lobby.
"Wow, this place is fancy!" Cuphead exclaimed.
"I wonder where the ballerinas are?" Mugman asked.
"I'll bet they're in the theater rehearsing." Gwen answered.
"Why do you say that?" Ms. Chalice asked.
"Because I can hear classical music." Gwen said as she pointed to the door to the theater.
The group quietly enter the theater and sneak their way to some backrow seats where it was dark, but the stage was lit up. Gwen and the cups sit down and watch the ballerinas rehearse the world-famous ballet, Swan Lake.
Gwen and Mugman watched in fascination while Cuphead and Ms. Chalice slept in their seats feeling bored.
After the rehearsal, the ballerinas rest and are told instructions from the head teacher in Russian, which neither Gwen nor the cups could understand. Afterwards, the ballerinas leave the stage while one curly-haired brunette ballerina stayed behind to do some dancing.
Just then, Cuphead and Ms. Chalice woke up from their naps.
"Is it over already?" Cuphead asked.
"Shh!" Gwen shushed Cuphead.
When Gwen looked at the stage, the ballerina was gone.
"Huh. She's gone too. Oh, well. We should go guys before we get caught." Gwen said.
"Finally! This ballet stuff is boring!" Ms. Chalice complained.
Gwen and the cups get up from their seats and leave the theater to the lobby.
Before Gwen could lead them outside, she felt a hand grab her arm. She is pulled away and taken into the dressing room. The ballerina holds her against the wall, confronting her.
"Kto ty? Chto ty zdes' delayesh'?!" The ballerina sternly asked in Russian.
"Uh…" Gwen said, not having a clue what she said.
"Vy ponimayete menya?" The ballerina asked.
Gwen looked at her confused. The ballerina thought for a moment.
"You speak English?" The ballerina asked in English.
"Yes. What did you say before?" Gwen finally answered.
"I asked, 'Who are you? What are you doing here?'" The ballerina repeated.
"Uh, I'm just a tourist just watching you girls rehearse. You dance beautifully." Gwen answered.
"We are not open for tours. Now, why do you watch me dance? Are you a spy?" The ballerina asked suspiciously.
"No! Look, I just wanted to learn a little ballet for the first dance for my upcoming wedding. That's all! I don't mean any harm Miss…?" Gwen explained then asked for her name.
"Tatiana Mikhailov." Tatiana introduced herself as she released Gwen.
"Gwendolyn Mae Emmons. Call me Gwen." Gwen introduced herself.
"Listen Gwen. You do not want to join our ballet. It is for hardcore ballerinas. We train until our feet bleed. Besides, we're not having auditions." Tatiana warned.
"I don't want to join your ballet. I just want to learn some ballet so I can have better control of myself when I dance with my fiancé." Gwen explained.
"You are engaged?" Tatiana asked.
"Yes." Gwen answered as she showed her engagement ring.
"So, you just want to learn some ballet for your dance with your future husband?" Tatiana asked, trying to understand.
"Yes. Can you help me?" Gwen asked.
"Hmm…" Tatiana said to herself.
Just then, the three cups busted in the dressing room.
"Hey! Let our friend go!" Cuphead bravely yelled.
"Unhand her!" Mugman added.
Tatiana gasped and slapped Cuphead's nose, making him cringe in pain.
"OW! I think you broke my nose!" Cuphead yelled.
"Monstry!" Tatiana exclaimed in Russian.
"Tatiana, they're not monsters! They're my best friends!" Gwen said, trying to calm her down.
"Friends?" Tatiana asked, confused.
"Yes. Don't be scared. These are my friends: Cuphead, Mugman and Ms. Chalice." Gwen introduced.
Tatiana knelt down and took a closer look at the cups.
"Wow, strange little children with chashki for heads?" Tatiana asked, lifting Ms. Chalice's straw.
"Chashki?" Mugman asked.
"Cups." Tatiana translated.
"Oh." Both Cuphead and Mugman said.
"Hey! That's my straw!" Ms. Chalice scolded as she took her straw back.
"You are rude little one." Tatiana insulted.
"Rude?! Why you…!" Ms. Chalice angrily said.
"Enough, Chalice!" Gwen scolded.
Gwen looked at Tatiana.
"Sorry, she can be a little tough." Gwen apologized.
"I see that. If I help you learn ballet, I will want something from you in return." Tatiana said.
"Anything. Name it." Gwen said.
"We are working on and auditioning for Swan Lake. I want to get the lead role as Princess Odette. If I help you, will you help me get the role?" Tatiana asked.
"It won't be easy, but I'll try." Gwen agreed.
"Good. We have a deal." Tatiana said as they both shake on it.
"Girlfriend, you're really doing this?" Ms. Chalice asked.
"I'm just taking classes; not joining their company." Gwen assured her.
"Come back to the theater and go the dance room tomorrow at 5 AM. Dress appropriately, put your hair up. Eat good breakfast. Don't be late." Tatiana instructed.
"Got it. Thank you so much." Gwen thanked.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go home to my apartment." Tatiana said.
"Okay, we'll get going too. See you tomorrow." Gwen said.
Tatiana leaves the theater as Gwen teleports herself and the cups back to the Inkwell Isles. Inside the cottage, Gwen magically makes herself a ballerina outfit with a black leotard, white tights, and pink ballet slippers.
"What do you think guys?" Gwen asked.
"Pretty good." Cuphead said as he wrapped his nose in bandages.
"I hope you know what you're doing." Mugman said.
"Trust me, Mugsy. It's just for a while." Gwen assured him.
Later, the family have dinner together until Gwen goes upstairs to bed.
Early in the morning, Gwen gets up, eats breakfast, gets dressed and teleports back to the Mariinsky Theater. She headed to the dance room where all the ballerinas prepared to warm up. She looked around until Tatiana approached her from behind.
"Oh, good morning, Tatiana." Gwen greeted.
"Dobroye utro." Tatiana greeted in Russian.
Tatiana leads her to the wall with a railing to balance behind the other girls.
"Your first lesson, warmup on your toes. Follow my lead. First, small jumps." Tatiana instructed.
Tatiana demonstrates then Gwen repeats the jumps. Tatiana notices Gwen hopping up and down.
"Net!" Tatiana scolded.
"What?" Gwen asked.
"You jump like a bunny! You have to land on your toes then slowly on your heals." Tatiana explained and demonstrated.
"Oh." Gwen said, impressed.
"Again!" Tatiana instructed.
Gwen tries again until she finally got it right.
"Now, open your arms." Tatiana said as she opened her arms.
Gwen followed along and opened her arms. Tatiana then started jumping jacks as Gwen followed.
"Now, we're going to do the half lunge. Right leg in front, left leg in back on your toes." Tatiana said as she demonstrated.
Gwen followed along.
"Good. Now, bend your back knee and up." Tatiana continued and demonstrated.
They both continued doing half lunges until they switch legs and did the same thing. Tatiana continued teaching Gwen warmups for the next 10 minutes until it was time for class.
Just then, the door opened, and all the ballerinas stood still, looking presentable to their dance mistress. An older woman carrying a tall stick with a strict look on her face enters the room.
"Dobroye utro vsem." The dance mistress greeted.
"Dobroye utro gospozha Ivanov." All the ballerinas greeted politely.
"Who is she?" Gwen whispered.
"That is our mistress. Mrs. Olga Ivanov. She is the fiercest, strictest, no-nonsense teacher of all." Tatiana whispered.
SNAP!
Olga hit the railing with the stick, getting the girl's attention.
"Tishina!" Mrs. Ivanov yelled.
Gwen felt a little scared of their teacher as she approached her and Tatiana.
"Tatiana, who is this American? You know the rules! No visitors allowed!" Mrs. Ivanov asked angrily.
"I present a temporary student Mrs. Ivanov, Gwendolyn Emmons." Tatiana answered.
Mrs. Ivanov looked suspiciously at Gwen.
"So… you dare to join my team uninvited?" Mrs. Ivanov asked.
"No, I just wanted to learn the basics of ballet to get control of my body. I won't get in your way." Gwen nervously explained.
"Hmm. Control. Do you know the meaning of that word?" Mrs. Ivanov asked.
"Uh…" Gwen struggled to answer.
"Your core muscle stabilizes the body so you can perform perfect moves without losing control, so you don't fall or hurt yourself!" Mrs. Ivanov explained.
"Oh. That's inter…" Gwen was about to say until… SNAP! Making Gwen silent in fear.
"You will speak only when spoken to! You will not laugh or cry! You will follow my instruction if you want to learn from me!" Mrs. Ivanov scolded.
Gwen fearfully nodded.
"Yes, ma'am." Gwen answered.
"Good!" Mrs. Ivanov said.
Some of the ballerinas snickered.
Mrs. Ivanov turned her attention to the other ballerinas, making the snickering stop.
"Everyone line up!" Mrs. Ivanov yelled.
All the ballerinas including Gwen and Tatiana line up against the railing. Mrs. Ivanov cues the piano player to play classical music.
"Start your plies!" Mrs. Ivanov ordered.
All the ballerinas start their plies. Gwen struggled to keep up with the others.
SNAP! Gwen is startled once again by the whip of the stick.
"Find your center! Maintain your balance!" Mrs. Ivanov scolded.
All the ballerinas stand on their toes up and down, while Gwen was still wobbly.
"Strengthen your feet! You are wobbly!" Mrs. Ivanov scolded.
Gwen sighed and continued to try to stand on her toes. The class continued for 2 hours until it was over.
"Alright! Class is dismissed!" Mrs. Ivanov called.
All the ballerinas back up their bags and leave. Gwen and Tatiana were about to leave.
"Gwen! You stay!" Mrs. Ivanov called.
Gwen gulped as Tatiana gestured her to go. Gwen nervously approached Mrs. Ivanov.
"If you tried to audition for my company, you would be easily eliminated! Your feet and core muscles need strengthening!" Mrs. Ivanov insulted.
"I'm trying ma'am!" Gwen tried to explain.
"Don't try! Like the swan, you either sink or swim. So, if you want to continue with my classes, you must strengthen your feet and core muscles. Are we clear?" Mrs. Ivanov.
"Yes, ma'am." Gwen answered.
"Good. You are dismissed." Mrs. Ivanov excused Gwen.
Gwen leaves with Tatiana with sore feet.
"The American doesn't belong here." One ballerina said.
"We'll never see her again after today." Another ballerina said.
Gwen overhears them and feels sad. Tatiana placed her hand on her shoulder.
"Do not listen to them. They love to gossip and judge others." Tatiana assured her.
Tatiana takes Gwen to her apartment and has her soak her feet in a foot bath with Epsom salt.
"Ow." Gwen said, feeling pain.
"This salt bath should help your feet." Tatiana said.
"How do you put up with that cranky teacher? She's so mean! What's her problem?!" Gwen asked frustratingly.
"She is hard on all of us Gwen. She pushes you to be better than you are." Tatiana explained.
"I'm not sure I can do this." Gwen said, expressing her doubts.
"Yes, you can. Besides, we have a deal, remember?" Tatiana reminded her.
"But what can I do? I don't know how to get you the lead role." Gwen confessed.
"By showing Mrs. Ivanov I can teach you to do ballet, I will increase my chances of getting the role." Tatiana explained.
"Oh. I see." Gwen said as she tried to relax.
"So, no quitting. You need to strengthen your feet before next class next week otherwise Mrs. Ivanov will be even harder on you. She will discipline you if necessary." Tatiana warned.
Gwen sighed, then thought about it.
"Well, ok. If it's what it takes to have control over my body, I'll do it." Gwen said.
"That's the spirit. Now, get some rest and practice what you've learned today for next week. I will see you then." Tatiana advised.
"Alright then. I'll head home. Thank you for everything." Gwen thanked.
"Pozhaluysta." Tatiana answered in Russian.
Gwen rinsed off her feet, put her shoes back on and leaves Tatiana's apartment. When no one was looking, she teleports herself back to the Inkwell Isles. She appears in her bedroom and lays on her bed to rest with her sore feet.
"Ow." Gwen said in pain as she tried to rest and go to sleep.
Just then, Cuphead and Mugman enter her room.
"Knock knock?" Cuphead called.
"Gwen!" Mugman called.
"Not now guys. I've had a long morning. Gwen groaned in agony.
Both cups hop on her bed, looking at her in pain.
"What happened to you?" Cuphead asked.
"And why are you in pain?" Mugman asked.
"I told you guys; I took my first ballet class but it's extremely harder than I thought! And their instructor was so mean to me! She worked me until my feet started hurting like heck! Even the other ballerinas hate me!" Gwen complained.
"Ouch…" Both cups winced at Gwen's pain.
"I thought you knew the risks when you signed up for that class." Cuphead reminded her.
"Yeah. That girl did warn you that it was going to be hardcore." Mugman added.
"Ugh. Tatiana was right. This is harder than I thought." Gwen said frustratingly.
"You know you could just magically heal yourself, right?" Cuphead asked.
Gwen looked awkward.
"Oh. Right…" Gwen said embarrassingly.
Gwen got her ink pen and magically healed her feet, feeling much better.
"I couldn't let anyone know of the magic inkwell. I had to be convincing." Gwen reminded them.
"She's got a point there." Mugman pointed out.
"I have to be careful with my magic and my powers. I don't need anyone else finding out about it." Gwen said.
"And be careful with the Devil. He's still at it trying to kidnap you. Especially now that the wedding's getting closer." Mugman reminded her.
"I know." Gwen said.
"Boys! Gwen! Breakfast is ready!" Elder Kettle called.
"Be right down!" Both cups called.
"Okay." Gwen groaned.
With no other option, Gwen joins the cups and goes downstairs to have breakfast with her family.
Throughout the week, Gwen practiced strengthening her feet and core muscles. She still struggled but she didn't give up. After a while, she started to get better on her feet as she continued to practice.
Early one morning, down in the depths of Hell, the Devil was once again in his personal theater performing The Marriage of Figaro. After holding the final note, he performs the final pose. Only Henchman is applauding while his imps fell asleep wearing glasses with eyeballs painted.
"GRR! YOU CULTURAL NUMBSKULLS!" The Devil yelled angrily.
"That was a good nap." One imp said and laughed.
The Devil used his pitchfork, fired a fire blast, and blew the imp to ashes.
"Well, I got better find something better to do than putting up with you idiots!" The Devil angrily said.
Everyone got up and applauded except for Henchman. The Devil angrily takes his pitchfork and disappears. He appears in his throne room and angrily sits on his throne.
"Hmm, maybe I should just go at it again, bring my fiancée here and marry her." The Devil said to himself.
The Devil stood up, disappeared, and appeared in the forest. He appeared in her bedroom, only to find her gone.
"Gone again? Where did she…" The Devil asked himself only to hear a noise from downstairs.
The Devil quietly floats downstairs and peeks in the kitchen, finding Gwen quickly finishing her breakfast. After she finishes, she grabbed her bag and teleports back to St. Petersburg, Russia.
"What is that girl up to now?" The Devil asked and teleported.
Gwen enters the Mariinsky Theater and joins her fellow ballerinas in the danceroom to warm up. The Devil appeared and followed her inside.
"Russia? What is she doing here now?" The Devil asked himself.
He peeks inside the danceroom, and watches Gwen warm up with her friend Tatiana.
"Good, you actually showed up and didn't quit. Now, follow my lead." Tatiana instructed.
Gwen followed Tatiana's lead with warmups.
"I thought she was smart and wouldn't have come back." One ballerina insulted.
"But she did." Another ballerina said.
"Ballet? Why has she taken up ballet all of a sudden? And in Russia?" The Devil asked himself.
Just then, he hears someone coming and takes cover. Mrs. Ivanov enters the danceroom and all the ballerinas stand at attention.
"Dobroye utro vsem." Mrs. Ivanov greeted in Russian.
"Dobroye utro vsem." All the ballerinas greeted in Russian.
"Good morning Mrs. Ivan." Gwen greeted in English.
Mrs. Ivanov walked up to Gwen, surprised to see her again.
"You've come back I see." Mrs. Ivanov said.
"Yes ma'am." Gwen nervously answered.
"Then I am sure you have strengthened your feet and core muscles?" Mrs. Ivanov asked.
"Yes ma'am." Gwen answered.
"Then you will show me. Prove yourself." Mrs. Ivanov warned.
"Yes ma'am." Gwen agreed.
Mrs. Ivanov turned her attention to the ballerinas.
"All of you lineup!" Mrs. Ivanov called.
All the ballerinas line against the railing including Gwen.
"Begin!" Mrs. Ivanov yelled.
All the ballerinas began their plies and other dance moves. Gwen improved standing on her toes. Mrs. Ivanov watches Gwen showing her improvement. The Devil sneaks up behind Gwen, preparing to kidnap her until… SNAP!
Mrs. Ivanov slapped her stick, getting the ballerina's attention and drawing the Devil away.
"Now then. As you all know, the day of the audition for Swan Lake is drawing near. I want you all to be well prepared. It will be a difficult decision for the director. I expect you all to impress him. He does not tolerate any mistakes!" Mrs. Ivanov warned.
Some of the ballerinas gasped.
"All of you with the exception of our American student prepare yourselves for the audition. Now, continue your plies!" Mrs. Ivanov instructed.
All the ballerinas and Gwen resume their plies and dance moves. The Devil once again prepares to kidnap Gwen when he hears the classical music playing on the piano. He is smitten with the music that he magically hides behind the seats and mimicked the other ballerinas. He follows along and dances along with them.
Gwen continued to improve her dancing skills and even impressing the ballerinas who doubted her for the next week when the auditions for swan lake finally came. Gwen along with the cups go come to help Tatiana with her audition. Gwen and Tatiana are in the dressing room, helping her get ready.
"Alright. You ready for this?" Gwen asked.
"Net. The director expects perfection and passion. I am nervous." Tatiana nervously admitted.
"Come on Tat. He is going to be astounded by you. You know why?" Gwen asked.
Tatiana listens closely to Gwen.
"Because you are passionate about this like the swan herself. So, no quitting." Gwen answered.
Tatiana smiled and hugged Gwen.
"Thank you for helping me. It is good I caught you in the theater after all." Tatiana thanked.
"And thank you for helping me find my center and control." Gwen thanked back.
Just then they hear Mrs. Ivanov's voice.
"Places everyone! The director has arrived!" Mrs. Ivanov called.
"Alright, it's time." Gwen said.
Both girls go to the main stage and join the other ballerinas warming up for the auditions. The cups started practicing ballet themselves with Gwen and the other ballerinas.
"Oh, so now you guys like ballet?" Gwen asked Cuphead and Ms. Chalice.
"Aw come on Gweny. We just never gave it a chance before." Cuphead said.
"Yeah girlfriend. It's making my feet stronger!" Ms. Chalice said as she stood on her toes.
"See? I told ya ballet is awesome!" Mugman said.
"Shh!" One ballerina shushed.
"No talking!" Another ballerina added.
Gwen and the cups be quiet and resumed warming up.
Just then… SNAP!
All the ballerinas stand presentably for Mrs. Ivanov.
"It is time! The director is ready for you now. Mariya, you are up first!" Mrs. Ivanov called.
Mariya goes on stage first with the spotlight shone on her and a middle-aged man in the audience front-row seat prepared to watch. Classical music was heard playing in the orchestra as the audition began.
Gwen goes off to dance alone backstage away from the ballerinas while the auditions continued. Tatiana noticed and followed her. Gwen danced along with the music playing. Tatiana watched Gwen dance beautifully, proud that she's improved her moves.
Suddenly, to Tatiana's shock, Gwen's hair started glowing and turned into her rainbow celestial colors and her eyes turned shining gold. Tatiana stood in shock at Gwen's transformation until Gwen finally noticed Tatiana watching her.
"Oh! You startled me! I didn't think anyone was watching me." Gwen said, catching her breath.
Tatiana continued to stand in shock, staring at Gwen.
"What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?" Gwen asked, confused.
"Y-y-y-y-your… hair! Y-y-y-y-your eyes!" Tatiana struggled to answer.
Gwen's eyes widened, realizing she once again activated her powers. Gwen quickly changed her hair and eyes back to normal.
"Tatiana, I can explain!" Gwen fearfully said.
"Gwen? You… are… magical?" Tatiana asked.
Gwen held her head in her hands and sighed.
"Okay, okay. You caught me. I do have powers. But I didn't do anything out of the ordinary! I really wanted to learn ballet to have control of my body! Magic can't do that!" Gwen fearfully explained.
"So, you are magic, but you still wanted to learn ballet?" Tatiana asked, trying to understand.
"Yes." Gwen answered.
Tatiana approached Gwen and felt her hair.
"Can you make me Odette with your magic?" Tatiana asked.
"What do you mean 'make you Odette?' I can't turn you into someone else." Gwen asked.
"What do you mean?" Tatiana asked.
"Because magic doesn't create talent. You do." Gwen answered, recalling her experience from the talent show of winning without using magic.
"That's right! She didn't need magic to win the talent show!" Ms. Chalice said as she tap-danced her way in with Cuphead and Mugman dancing along.
Tatiana watched the cups dance, noticing there was no magic involved. Gwen demonstrated her dancing again, this time not triggering her celestial powers, proving her point to Tatiana.
"You see? No magic. I learned all from you and from Mrs. Ivanov." Gwen said.
"Wow. I guess you're right." Tatiana said.
"What do you say you rehearse before your audition? I'll help you out. A deal's a deal." Gwen said.
"Thank you, Gwen." Tatiana thanked.
Gwen magically makes the piano playing and Tatiana started dancing. Gwen magically made Tatiana's ballet outfit transform into a beautiful white swan ballet outfit with feathers in her hair and on her tutu.
After rehearsing, the cups applaud Tatiana for her performance. Tatiana discovers her new outfit and is amazed.
"I love this! Thank you!" Tatiana thanked.
"Just wanted to make you presentable." Gwen said.
Just then, a ballerina walked in.
"Tatiana! You're up next!" The ballerina said.
"Coming!" Tatiana said and hurried to the stage.
Gwen and the cups go backstage to watch.
The orchestra started playing and Tatiana began to dance for the director and Mrs. Ivanov.
Gwen smiled at Tatiana while the cups go to the dressing rooms.
"So, you think Tatiana will pull it off?" Cuphead asked.
"I think so. Gwen believes in her and so should we." Mugman answered.
"Yeah, this is gonna be…" Ms. Chalice said until something catches their eye.
They catch the Devil in a pink tutu and pink ballet slippers performing a dance until his eyes popped, realizing he was not alone anymore. The cups looked at each other and laughed hysterically at the Devil. The Devil growled furiously and attempted to attack the cups with a grand jete move. Before the Devil could land, Gwen enters and blasts her cyan-blue beam attack at the Devil.
"Why did I think this was gonna happen?" Gwen asked sarcastically.
The Devil struggles to stand up until Tatiana enters the dressing room.
"Gwen, I did it! I…" Tatiana said happily until she noticed the Devil.
"Tatiana, get out of here!" Gwen instructed.
"What's going on?" Tatiana asked.
The Devil stood on his feet holding his pitchfork, noticing Tatiana.
"Well, well, well. Another friend you made while taking classes?" The Devil asked.
"Who is he?" Tatiana asked.
"Umm… what do you call the Devil in Russian?" Gwen asked nervously.
"We call him D'yavol. Why?" Tatiana asked.
Gwen stood quietly, making Tatiana's eyes widen.
"Wait, the D'yavol himself?!" Tatiana exclaimed fearfully.
The Devil clapped slowly at Tatiana and approached them.
"Da, D'yavol." The Devil said in Russian.
Tatiana held Gwen fearfully.
"Will you quit spying on me and my friends?!" Gwen angrily asked.
"What? I couldn't help but notice you taking up a new hobby all the way here in Russia. And I couldn't help but notice you made a new friend here like you did in Ireland." The Devil said as he held Tatiana's chin.
Tatiana trembled in fear until Gwen used her giant glove punch attack to knock the Devil away from Tatiana.
"Leave her out of this!" Gwen yelled.
The Devil stood up angrily, preparing to kidnap Gwen until suddenly, the elevator emerged from the floor. The elevator doors open, and Henchman and the Devil's therapist arrives with disappointed looks.
"Boss, boss, boss. You said you were done trying to kidnap her!" Henchman scolded.
"I thought we discussed the matter of letting go your obsession with the human girl." The imp therapist added.
"What? I wasn't trying to kidnap her!" The Devil lied.
Gwen and the cups gave an unamused look.
"And why are you dressed like a ballerina?" Henchman asked.
The cups snickered as the Devil gave a glare.
"Look um… I was fascinated with ballet I just wanted to come here to learn, and Gwen just happened to be here by coincidence and I…" The Devil lied until Henchman interrupted.
"Gwen? Is he telling the truth?" Henchman asked.
Gwen shook her head.
"I thought so." The imp therapist said.
"Come on boss, it's time for your therapy session." Henchman said disappointedly.
The Devil groaned in agony and entered the elevator. Henchman attempts to close the elevator until the Devil realized something.
"Give me the file!" The Devil ordered.
"Oh, this file?" Henchman asked pulling up a file.
"Yes!" The Devil yelled.
The Devil takes the file and tooked at Tatiana.
"Before I go, I wanna take a look at your file… Miss Mikailov." The Devil said as he opened her file and started reading.
"Wait a minute! What's this? You were raised by your mother your whole life in a poor background. Never knew who your father was and trained all your life to join the famous Mariinsky Ballet and strive to be perfect. Am I right?" The Devil revealed.
Tatiana's eyes widened, knowing the Devil knows of her past.
"Poor, poor Tatiana. It must be hard coming from a poor background with a single mother and working your way from the bottom to the top. Really pathetic if you ask me." The Devil taunted.
"SHUT UP!" Gwen yelled and fired her ice blast at him, freezing him.
"Thank you, Miss Emmons." The imp therapist thanked.
"No problem. Just keep him away from me." Gwen said.
"Yes ma'am." The imp therapist said as Henchman closed the door.
The elevator disappeared back to Hell.
"Gwen? Is this all real? D'yavol? Magic?" Tatiana asked.
"Unfortunately, yes. But don't' worry, I can fix it." Gwen assured her as she raised her ink pen.
"Wait, what are you doing?" Tatiana asked.
"Forget you saw D'yavol. Forget everything." Gwen said as she prepared to erase Tatiana's memories.
"NET!" Tatiana yelled as she slapped the ink pen away.
"I don't want to forget everything that's happened! I don't regret meeting you or your friends! You made me realize that I didn't need magic to be perfect and that only I can do that!" Tatiana explained.
"Really?" Gwen asked.
"Yes, really. I owe you everything." Tatiana said.
Tatiana and Gwen hug then the cups join in. Just then, one of the ballerinas enters the dressing room.
"Tatiana! Gwen! Come on! The director is about to announce who got the roles!" The ballerina said.
"Coming! Let's go!" Tatiana said.
The group join the other ballerinas and sit in the audience seats as Mrs. Ivanov and the Director step on the stage. The director announces the roles of Rothbart, the Queen, Odile the Black Swan, and Prince Siegfried. Everyone applauded as the Director prepared to announce the role of Princess Odette.
Gwen and Tatiana held hands.
"And finally, the role of the beautiful fair maiden Princess Odette cursed as the White Swan is…" The Director was about to announce.
Everyone was anxious for the announcement. After a pause of silence, the director finally announced the name.
"Tatiana Mikhailov!" The Director announced.
Everybody cheered as Gwen hugged Tatiana, succeeding at getting her the lead role.
"WOO-HOO!" All three cups cheered as they boiled their milk in joy.
"Thank you, Gwen." Tatiana thanked.
"And thank you Tatiana." Gwen thanked.
Mrs. Ivanov approached the group.
"Congratulations Tatiana. We'll expect you along with the others for our first rehearsal next week." Mrs. Ivanov congratulated.
"Thank you, ma'am." Tatiana thanked.
Mrs. Ivanov turned her attention to Gwen.
"You Gwen have truly proven yourself to be in control. Perhaps there is hope for you after all." Mrs. Ivanov complimented.
"Thank you, ma'am." Gwen thanked.
"You could always audition for next season for my company if you want." Mrs. Ivanov offered.
"Thank you for the offer, but my place is with my best friends." Gwen kindly declined as she wrapped her arms around her friends.
"Very well. I would love to see you attend our opening night performance in a couple of months." Mrs. Ivanov said.
"I look forward to it." Gwen accepted.
"Us too!" Cuphead added.
Gwen and the cups get up from their seats and prepare to leave. Tatiana goes up to them.
"So, this isn't goodbye, is it? I want to see you again. You and your cup friends." Tatiana asked.
"Don't worry. This isn't goodbye. I'll be back to visit soon." Gwen answered.
"Wonderful! I'll see you!" Tatiana said.
"Bye!" The three cups said and waved goodbye.
Gwen and the cups leave the theater, step outside and Gwen teleports themselves back to the Inkwell Isles.
At the next ballroom dance class, Gwen and Clarence are dancing the waltz again and Gwen shows her improvement after learning ballet.
"Wow, Gwen. You're much in control this time. How'd you do it?" Clarence asked.
"Oh, I had some help." Gwen answered.
"Gwen! Clarence! Back to dancing!" Sally Stageplay called firmly.
"Yes Mrs. Stageplay! Sorry!" Gwen answered.
Gwen and Clarence continue to dance with their classmates.
Down in Hell, Henchman unfreezes the Devil's head and seats him on a couch as the therapist sat in his chair.
"Alright Mr. Devil, let's begin your next session about your unhealthy obsession with the human." The imp therapist said.
The Devil whined in agony, unable to go through another session.
Gwen felt proud of herself for learning ballet and earning a new friend. Gwen often visited Tatiana as well as Darcy in Ireland and was looking forward to Tatiana's stage debut as the Swan Princess.