It was a sunny spring afternoon in the human world. Gwen and the three cups were out in Boston exploring downtown.

"So, guys, what do you wanna do today?" Gwen asked.

"Let's go shoot rockets!" Cuphead suggested.

"No Cuphead. Remember what Elder Kettle said?" Gwen reminded him.

"Oh yeah. We'd get into big trouble." Cuphead said.

"Wanna go scam some humans?" Ms. Chalice asked.

"No Chalice. Remember what Rose said?" Gwen reminded her.

"Oh yeah. No scamming or stealing from people." Ms. Chalice answered.

"I know. Wanna get something to eat?" Mugman asked.

"That sounds great Mugsy. I'm starving." Gwen agreed.

"Ha!" Mugman taunted, angering Cuphead and Ms. Chalice.

The four friends stop at a local restaurant and Gwen orders them four bowls of clam chowder.

"Try this guys. We have the best clam chowder in the country." Gwen said as she started eating.

The three cups slowly tried the clam chowder, they are delighted by the taste as they started digging in.

After lunch, they all go get an ice cream cone from a local ice cream parlor. While licking their ice cream cones, they noticed an event in the park happening with artists drawing various cartoons.

"Ooh, look at this girlfriend. A cartoon contest!" Ms. Chalice said.

"Huh. Let's check it out." Gwen said, now fascinated.

The group walks over to the park and approach the admissions table.

"Hi. What is happening here?" Gwen asked the attendant.

"Oh, we're having a cartoon drawing contest. First place gets a blue ribbon and $100. Second place gets a red ribbon and $50. Finally, third place gets a white ribbon and $25. Are you interested ma'am?" The attendant asked.

"How much is it to get in?" Gwen asked.

"No charge. Anyone can participate." The attendant answered.

"Sweet, I'm in. Where should I sit?" Gwen asked.

"There's a space over there by that Japanese girl." The attendant pointed out.

"Thank you." Gwen thanked.

Gwen and the cups head over to the table and take a seat next to the Japanese girl drawing her cartoon.

Gwen grabs the art supplies provided and gets started on her cartoon. The Japanese glanced at Gwen and scoffed. Gwen wasn't sure why she did that but ignored her and continued drawing. Cuphead along with Mugman and Ms. Chalice start drawing their cartoons.

Later, Gwen's drawing was complete as she drew her three best friends. She noticed the cups had their own drawings. Cuphead drew himself shooting rockets blasting in the sky, Mugman drew himself reading a book and sipping a cup of tea like a sophisticated cup, and Ms. Chalice drew herself dancing and stealing wallets.

Gwen shook her head. Then she noticed the girl next to her drew a beautiful anime woman in a kimono dress.

"She's beautiful." Gwen complimented.

The Japanese girl gave Gwen a stern look.

"What do you care?" The girl asked rudely.

"Easy, I was just giving you a compliment." Gwen said, trying to calm her down.

"I don't need your compliments; I need to win the contest to please my chichioya." The girl said, determined to win.

The cups look at her with a confused look.

"Your who?" Gwen asked.

"My father you baka. It means 'moron.'" The girl translated rudely.

"Ooh. Not too friendly is she." Mugman quietly said.

"Why are you talking to me like that? What did I ever do to you?" Gwen asked.

"Because I need to focus and become the best. You and everyone are an obstacle. Now if you will excuse me." The girl rudely answered and got up and walked away with her drawing.

"Wow. And I thought Judith was the meanest girl I've ever met." Gwen said as she hung her head in her hand.

"Why is she so rotten like garbage?" Ms. Chalice asked.

"I could tie her up to a rocket and shoot her up in the sky." Cuphead offered.

"No, Cuphead. There's always gonna be mean people who will hurt you, even if you haven't hurt them." Gwen said.

"Gwen, forget about her. You have us. You have Clarence." Mugman reminded her.

"That's true. I do." Gwen said.

They all got up and walked with their drawings to submit their artwork. Later, the judges go over each artwork and choose the winners.

All the contestants gather toward a stage where the attendant stepped up to the microphone.

"Alright everyone, we have determined the winners of our Cartoon Drawing Contest!" The attendant announced.

Everyone cheered except for the Japanese girl who felt confident she would win.

"Our third-place prize goes to… Walter Monroe for his cartoon rabbit!" The attendant announced.

Everyone cheered as Walter goes on stage to accept his prize money and ribbon.

"The second-place prize goes to… Misaki Kobayashi!" The attendant announced.

Gwen looked at the Japanese girl who is Misaki Kobayashi as she gave a shocked look. She angrily goes on stage as the attendant prepared to give the award to her.

"No, there must be a mistake! I never win second place! I always win first place!" Misaki argued.

"There is no mistake Misaki. You came in second place fair and square. Now please be a good sport. Here is your ribbon and prize money." The attendant sternly answered as he handed her the prizes.

Misaki groaned frustratingly as she stormed off the stage. Gwen and her friends look at her in shock.

"Wow, she really hates losing." Cuphead said.

"She said she needs to impress her father. Sounds like she's being pushed to be the best." Gwen guessed.

"And finally, our first-place winner is… Gwendolyn Emmons!" The attendant announced.

Everyone cheered as the cups high-five Gwen. Misaki looked shocked at Gwen as she stepped up on stage and accepted the prize money and ribbon.

"This drawing of these cute cups was astounding." The attendant complimented.

"Wow. Thank you." Gwen thanked politely.

"Thank you all for participating! You all did a fantastic job! We look forward to seeing you in our next contest!" The attendant said to the audience.

Everyone cheered as everybody gathered their art pieces and leave the park.

Gwen and the cups start their way back home when suddenly, Misaki blocked their path.

"Oh, hello again." Gwen nervously greeted.

"I knew there was something strange about you. You think you are better than me just because you won?" Misaki angrily asked.

"What? No! I don't ever think that…" Gwen tried to explain.

"Zip it, baka! You may have won, but I will have my chance to defeat you! I will get even!" Misaki threatened.

"That is enough!" A familiar male voice sternly yelled.

The group turned and saw Gwen's cousin Virgil approaching the group. Virgil gives Misaki an angered look.

"You dare to hurt my cousin; you will answer to me." Virgil warned.

Misaki felt scared of Virgil's large muscular size.

"Gwen, friends. Let us go home." Virgil said.

Gwen held Virgil's arm and leaves with him and the cups. Ms. Chalice looked at Misaki.

"Girl, you have issues." Ms. Chalice said.

Misaki felt insulted and stormed off.

The group approach the Emmons residence.

"What is her problem? Why does she care about winning and hurting her competition?" Gwen asked frustratingly.

Virgil placed his hand on Gwen's shoulder.

"Gwen, there will always be people who will do you harm. Even if you have done them no harm." Virgil said.

Gwen sighed, knowing he was right.

"Don't worry big fella. We'll make sure that dum-dum never hurts our Gweny." Ms. Chalice said as she hopped on Virgil's shoulder.

"Yeah!" Both cups agreed.

"Thanks guys. But I doubt we'll see her again." Gwen said.

"I hope you are right." Virgil said.

Gwen and the cups return to the Inkwell Isles as Virgil returned home to his parents.

Later that week, Gwen and her cup friends return to the human world and hang out at the Emmons residence. They decide to go out into the front yard and play while Gwen decided to sketch in her sketchbook.

Cuphead and Mugman use the garden hose and chase each other squirting water at each other. Ms. Chalice wanted to stay dry and plays with her marbles on the lawn as Gwen continued to sketch.

Just then, Cuphead and Mugman tripped on the hose and fall to the ground.

"OW!" Both cups exclaimed.

Gwen got up and approached her brothers.

"Are you guys, okay?" Gwen asked.

"No…" Both cups complained.

"Did you guys get boo-boos?" Ms. Chalice asked.

"Hold on." Gwen said as she got out her ink pen.

Gwen magically heals her brother's injuries. Both cups sigh of relief.

"Thanks, Gweny." Both cups thanked.

Both cups hug Gwen. Meanwhile, the Devil appeared in the front yard, preparing to kidnap Gwen again.

"Uh, guys?" Ms. Chalice asked nervously.

"What's wrong Chalice?" Gwen asked.

Ms. Chalice pointed in front of them. Gwen and the cups look, only to discover in horror Misaki standing in front of them shocked. The Devil hid behind a tree to avoid being seen.

"You again!" Gwen exclaimed.

"You… you are magic." Misaki said in shock.

Gwen and the cups look at each other then back at Misaki.

"What are you talking about?" Gwen asked in denial.

"I saw you. Magic came out of that ink pen. Your inkwell glowed. You healed those cup freaks!" Misaki exclaimed.

"Hey! Who you callin' freaks you big sour bully?" Ms. Chalice angrily confronted Misaki.

"Chalice, don't even!" Gwen scolded.

"How dare you…" Misaki angrily said as she prepared to attack.

Gwen quickly used telekinesis on Misaki, stopping her from attacking.

"How? How do you do that?" Misaki asked shockingly.

"It's a long story. But I don't need to explain myself to you." Gwen sternly answered.

"Yeah, you oughta know she's the last person you wanna mess with." Cuphead taunted.

Misaki breathed heavily in anger.

"I think somebody's envious of you." Mugman said.

"I can see that. I pity you Misaki. You really are insecure." Gwen pointed out.

Misaki gasped in shock.

"Jealous and insecurity can cause people to do terrible things they will regret. I warn you not to do that Misaki." Gwen warned.

"I don't want your pity and advice! I want the same magic as you so I can be better than you will ever be!" Misaki yelled.

Gwen sighed of disapproval.

"Woah. That girl is really jealous of Gwen. Impressive." The Devil said to himself.

"I'm sorry Misaki but you leave me no choice." Gwen said as she raised her ink pen.

Gwen magically erases Misaki's memories of the magic inkwell. Gwen magically teleports Misaki back into Boston and leaves her alone and heads back home.

Misaki snapped out of her trance and looked around her and finds herself in Boston.

"What… what happened? How did I get here?" Misaki asked herself.

With no clue of what happened, Misaki returns home.

Meanwhile, Gwen and the cups sigh of relief.

"Man, that girl needs help." Ms. Chalice said.

"I agree." Mugman agreed.

"I hope so too. Hopefully that'll keep her away from us." Gwen said.

"Well, that's over. Let's go home. Elder Kettle's got dinner cookin'!" Cuphead said excitedly.

The group head back to the Inkwell Isles to have dinner with Elder Kettle.

The Devil still standing behind the tree thought for a moment and got an idea.

"Hmm. Maybe that jealous human can be useful to me. Jealous humans can so easily be tricked into doing anything." The Devil said evilly and laughed.

That night, Misaki is home with her parents in their small house. Misaki is in her room trying to sketch some anime while trying to hold back tears.

"Why? Why is nothing I do good enough for father?" Misaki sadly asked herself.

Just then, her bedroom window opened, making Misaki gasp. She got up from her bed and looked outside. Thinking it was the wind, she closes her window.

"You will never be good enough for daddy." A familiar voice said.

Misaki gasped, quickly turned around and saw the Devil standing at her door smiling evilly at her.

"Hello…" The Devil greeted.

"You… you are… Akuma!" Misaki exclaimed.

"Hai." The Devil answered in Japanese.

Misaki grabbed a broom and pointed it at the Devil.

"Why are you here? To take my soul?" Misaki fearfully asked.

The Devil chuckled as he pulled up a file.

"Now then. Let's take a look at your file. Shall we… Miss Kobayashi?" The Devil asked as he magically made reading glasses appear on his face.

The Devil reads Misaki's history and past.

"Ooh! What's this? You are the daughter of a famous Japanese artist, and he expects you to be the best like he is. But it's never enough for him. You got so competitive it's no wonder nobody wants to be friends with you. They're all 'obstacles' to you. Does that sound right?" The Devil asked as he learns about her tragic past.

"I was stuck being the best all my life! It's not my fault! I need to make my father proud!" Misaki protested.

"Ooh. Denial, are we? You always had a choice, Miss Kobayashi. But alas, you let your hard-boiled father control you and now you turned out like him. Very impressive." The Devil taunted.

"What do you want?" Misaki asked.

"I couldn't help but notice you met a girl who is… better than you?" The Devil asked.

Misaki's eyes popped, then she grew angry.

"What about that baka? I promised myself I will be better than her!" Misaki angrily said.

"Ooh. I can hear jealousy and hate in your tone. You really hate her that much?" The Devil asked tauntingly.

"She ruined my one chance of winning that contest and making my father proud of me! And now he is disappointed in me, and I will never make him proud." Misaki angrily said then she started to tear up.

The Devil tsked at Misaki as he handed her a tissue.

"I understand your pain. Which is why I've come with a… proposition for you." The Devil said.

"What proposition?" Misaki asked.

The Devil raised his pitchfork and restored Misaki's memories Gwen erased. Misaki gasped, now remembering Gwen's powers.

"Gwen! Her magic inkwell! They were real!" Misaki exclaimed.

"Indeed, they were. You desire to have the same magic as she does?" The Devil asked.

"Yes! I need to be more powerful than she is!" Misaki desperately answered.

"I hear desperation in your tone. Would you like to make… a deal? I could offer you the power you desire. To bring your creations to life like she does." The Devil offered.

"But more powerful?" Misaki asked.

"Well, I suppose I could do that. Yes." The Devil said, having an idea.

"What is the payment?" Misaki asked.

"So glad you asked. That payment is… you either defeat Gwen in a magic duel and the magic will be yours permanently." The Devil answered.

"And if I lose…?" Misaki asked.

"Well, I'm afraid I'd have to strip you of your powers and your soul will be mine." The Devil answered.

Misaki is stuck with a tempting decision. The Devil reached his hand to her.

"Do we have a deal?" The Devil asked evilly.

Misaki hesitated until she suddenly hears her parents talking.

"Our daughter is a big disappointment! She has failed to win that contest!" Mr. Kobayashi angrily said.

"But love, that doesn't mean she is a failure. She is still a talented wonderful artist." Mrs. Kobayashi argued.

"No! Her art failed and she has disappointed me… again!" Mr. Kobayashi yelled.

Misaki's heart sank, then she angrily faced the Devil.

"Deal!" Misaki said, now desperate.

They both shook hands. The Devil burns Misaki's hand, scarring her. Just then, she noticed her ink bottle and paint brush were glowing. Misaki touched her ink bottle and felt a power flow through her.

"What was that?" Misaki asked in shock.

"Go ahead. Unleash your imagination." The Devil said.

Misaki imagined something and her paint brush glowed and magically brought her drawing of a woman in a kimono to life. Misaki gasped and realized the deal worked.

"It works! I am all powerful now!" Misaki exclaimed as she made everything magical in her room.

"Yes, you are. But don't forget, you still need to defeat Gwen if you want to keep these powers." The Devil reminded her.

"Oh, I will. I am going to make her regret the day she crossed me!" Misaki angrily said.

The Devil smiled evilly, knowing his plan was falling into place.

"Then you better get started. You have 24 hours from now to succeed." The Devil warned her as he disappeared out of her room.

Misaki looked outside and noticed it was after sunset. Misaki placed her items on her nightstand and goes to bed.

Meanwhile in Hell, the Devil laughed evilly as he sat on his throne. Henchman comes in with his cup of tea.

"Duh, how'd it go boss?" Henchman asked.

"It went better than I expected. Now that dumb human is in debt with me, she'll fight Gwen and I know she won't stand a chance against Gwen since I forgot to mention the tiny little detail of Gwen's celestial powers. But who knows, maybe she might defeat Gwen and I'll have my fiancée." The Devil said evilly.

Henchman gasped in horror.

"B-b-b-but boss! It'll only make things worse!" Henchman protested.

"Exactly." The Devil said.

"Aw jeez." Henchman said worryingly.

The next day, Gwen, her fiancé Clarence and her cup friends were out in the park enjoying a sunny afternoon picnic. While the cups were eating sandwiches, Gwen still thought of Misaki and felt bad for her.

"Honey? You okay?" Clarence asked.

"I'm fine." Gwen lied.

"Gwen, forget about her. You are here with friends." Clarence reminded her.

"I know, but I wish she could get help for her jealousy." Gwen said.

"Gwen, that's her problem, not yours. Now come on, let's eat." Clarence said.

Gwen sighed then started eating her sandwich.

Later, Gwen, Clarence and the cups go to their favorite spot on the hill by the tree to watch the sunset.

"This oughta be a good sunset." Mugman said as he laid a blanket on the grass.

"Oh yeah fellas. Sunsets are always beautiful." Ms. Chalice agreed as she sat on her blanket.

"Then I'll get to launch my rockets!" Cuphead said excitedly as he brought his box of rockets.

Gwen shook her head, knowing Cuphead loved rockets.

"Can you believe our wedding is almost here?" Clarence asked.

"I know. We waited so long for this." Gwen agreed.

Suddenly out of nowhere, a big red beam blasted at Gwen and her friends, blowing them away from the hill.

"What was that?" Clarence asked shockingly.

"I'll bet that stupid Devil is behind this… what the?!" Gwen said until she saw something that shocked her.

Misaki angrily approached the group with her glowing ink bottle and paint brush.

"Misaki! How did you find this place?!" Gwen asked shockingly.

"I have my ways. Did you think erasing my memories would stop me?!" Misaki angrily yelled.

"What? How did you…?" Gwen was about to ask until Misaki interrupted.

"Shut it!" She yelled and fired another blast at Gwen. She barely dodges in time.

"What are you doing? Where did you get those powers?" Gwen asked, now full of questions.

"That is none of your concern! I challenge you to a duel!" Misaki yelled.

The cups gasped in horror.

"Woah lady, calm down. Let's take a deep breath and…" Clarence said until Misaki attacked him with another beam.

Clarence managed to dodge her attack.

"Leave him out of this!" Gwen angrily yelled.

"Accept my challenge or he dies!" Misaki threatened as she used telekinesis on Clarence, choking him.

"STOP! I accept! Don't hurt him!" Gwen yelled.

Misaki releases Clarence to the ground as he caught his breath. Gwen angrily glared at Misaki as she grabbed her ink pen, preparing for a duel.

Meanwhile, the Devil and Henchman sit on the hill in seats watching the battle.

"I dunno about this boss." Henchman said worryingly.

"Relax Henchman, it'll all be over soon." The Devil said as he munched on some popcorn.

Gwen and Misaki prepare to battle each other. Gwen noticed Misaki's burn mark on her hand, making her realize something.

"The Devil came to you, didn't he?" Gwen asked.

"Yes, he did. He gave me my new powers! Now I am more powerful than you! And I will prove it by defeating you!" Misaki confirmed.

"You're a fool making a deal with him. He never keeps his promises." Gwen warned.

"Shut up!" Misaki yelled and fired her beam attack.

Gwen magically makes a forcefield, deflecting her beam. Misaki growled in anger and started firing a range of attacks on Gwen. She bravely fights back with her attacks and fights Misaki.

Clarence and the cups watch in horror at the girls fighting while the Devil watched amusingly.

Just then, Gwen got hit by Misaki's ribbon attack, knocking her to the ground. Gwen tries to get up, but Misaki destroyed her ink pen and stood over Gwen, pointed her glowing paint brush at her.

"Any last words before I win against you?" Misaki asked.

"No." Gwen calmly answered.

"Hmph. You are pathetic." Misaki taunted.

Misaki prepared to finish Gwen off with her red beam attack and created an explosion.

"GWEN!" Clarence yelled.

Misaki looked, hoping she won the battle. But to her shock, she finds Gwen with her glowing celestial hair. Gwen angrily opened her eyes, revealing them to be glowing gold.

"Oh yeah. She's still got the astral plane powers in her." Clarence said, remembering.

Misaki gasped in shock at the sight of Gwen in her celestial form. Gwen magically restores her ink pen and placed it back on her belt.

"I was hoping I wouldn't do this. But you leave me no choice." Gwen said bravely.

Misaki growled in anger and once again started attacking with her magic. Gwen raised her hands and stopped the attacks from hitting her. She makes the attacks vanish into thin air.

Misaki charges at Gwen, preparing to attack her again. But Gwen raised her hand at Misaki, making her stop. Misaki looked in horror at Gwen as her eyes glowed gold. With all her might, Gwen blasted Misaki away with her celestial beams. Misaki fell to the ground defeated.

Misaki struggled to get up as she tried to reach for her paint brush. But Gwen magically lifted it off the ground and also took her ink bottle.

"No! What are you doing?!" Misaki yelled.

Gwen used her powers to drain the magic from the ink bottle and Misaki, thus stripping her of her magic. After draining her powers, Gwen returns the ink bottle and paint brush back to Misaki.

"What… what did you do?" Misaki asked fearfully.

"I have stripped you and your ink bottle of the magic the Devil granted you. You are back to your old self." Gwen answered.

"No! NO!" Misaki yelled and pounded her fists in the ground.

Just then, Gwen noticed the sun has set over the horizon.

"No! No! The sun has set!" Misaki fearfully exclaimed, realizing her deadline was up.

"That's right Miss Kobayashi. You failed our deal. You know what that means…" The Devil said as he approached the women.

Gwen raised her hand and magically gave the Devil back the powers he granted to Misaki.

"Here! Take them back!" Gwen yelled.

"Huh. You would give me back those powers I granted her?" The Devil asked.

"Yes. Now, let her go!" Gwen bravely yelled.

"Not a chance Gwen! Her soul is mine now! We made a deal!" The Devil argued.

The Devil prepared to take Misaki's soul out of her body. Gwen knew she needed to think fast when suddenly…

"EHM! Excuse me!" A nasally voice called.

"What?! Can't you see I'm busy here?!" The Devil yelled at Stickler, his auditor.

"According to the bylaws of subsection 10, paragraph 3 through 33 clearly states that if whatever was granted to the mortal is returned to you, the collection of the mortal's soul is now null and void." Stickler explained as he held up the rule book.

The Devil's eyes widened, and his jaw dropped as Stickler closed the book.

"Therefore, taking that mortal's soul is now unauthorized." Stickler finished.

The Devil gave a furious look. Then, he turned to Gwen and her friends. Clarence held Gwen close to him.

"You may have won this time Gwen, but this isn't over!" The Devil warned.

Clarence gave the Devil a glare as the Devil and Henchman summons the elevator and disappeared back to Hell.

Gwen looked at a distraught Misaki and approached her.

"You, see Misaki? The Devil is never true to his word. You were just a pawn to him. He cheated you." Gwen explained.

Misaki gasped and felt duped. Gwen reached her hand to her.

"Come on, your debt is cleared. Let's get you home." Gwen calmly said.

Misaki glared at Gwen. Then, she tried once again to attack Gwen only for her to feel something shot in her neck. Misaki drops to the ground unconscious as Kai-Ming approached the group with her tranquilizer gun.

"Kai-Ming!" Gwen exclaimed as she transformed back to her regular form.

"It's okay Gwen. I saw everything and I know this was the Devil's doing. Well done." Kai-Ming assured her.

Kai-Ming lifts Misaki in her arms.

"What's gonna happen to her?" Ms. Chalice asked.

"I'm going to get her home and call an ambulance. But first, Gwen?" Kai-Ming said then she gestured Gwen to do something.

"Of course. And this time I'm gonna make sure she never remembers everything about all of this." Gwen said as she raised her ink pen.

Gwen once again erased Misaki's memories of everything that has happened.

"And I really hope she gets the help she needs." Gwen said.

"I will make sure she does. I know a therapist who helps people who deal with family abuse and perfection. I'll put in a word for him." Kai-Ming said.

"Thank you, Kai-Ming." Clarence thanked.

"Just doing my job. I'll take it from here." Kai-Ming said.

Gwen magically makes a door portal back to human world.

"Thanks Gwen." Kai-Ming thanked.

Gwen nodded as Kai-Ming stepped through the door portal carrying Misaki in her arms. Kai-Ming returns Misaki back to her house. Mr. and Mrs. Kobayashi quickly exited their house and run up to Kai-Ming and take Misaki from her.

"Misaki! Misaki! My baby! What happened to you?" Mrs. Kobayashi frantically exclaimed.

Mr. Kobayashi stood in horror, realizing his views of Misaki being the best has driven her to do terrible things.

"What have I done?" Mr. Kobayashi said in horror.

"Don't worry Mr. and Mrs. Kobayashi. I found her like this. She tried to get in a scuffle with another girl who didn't want to fight her. I called an ambulance. They're on their way. She's just unconscious." Kai-Ming assured them.

The ambulance arrives and Kai-Ming helps Misaki get to the hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Kobayashi drive to the Boston Hospital and wait for any news about their daughter.

The next day, Misaki wakes in the hospital and finds herself in a hospital bed.

"Where… where am I?" Misaki asked.

"You're in the hospital Miss Kobayashi." Kai-Ming answered.

Misaki looked and saw Kai-Ming in a chair.

"What happened to me officer?" Misaki asked, confused.

"You were found lying in the park and a girl told me you needed help when I just happened to be around." Kai-Ming said, covering the events up and that Misaki had her memories erased.

"I was? I feel like I let jealous consume me and drove me to madness. Like it was a dream or something." Misaki said, still feeling something happened.

"Kid, jealousy can make people do terrible things." Kai-Ming said.

"You sound like that redhead girl who beat me." Misaki grumbled.

"Of course. I told her that." Kai-Ming lied.

Misaki's eyes popped.

"You did officer?" Misaki asked.

"Yes, I've encountered her before. Something similar happened to her before and it got her into trouble. But I taught her that we can't let jealousy of others blind us and do bad things. You are a very talented anime artist. I've seen your work. You don't need to win first place to be talented. Tormenting that girl who won first place isn't the answer. You wouldn't be here if it weren't for her. Despite all the things you said to her, she saved your life." Kai-Ming explained, recalling Gwen's desire for revenge on her high school bullies.

"Wow. Arigato." Misaki thanked in Japanese.

"Don't thank me. You can thank her when you get out of here." Kai-Ming answered back.

Just then, Mr. and Mrs. Kobayashi entered the hospital room.

"Misaki!" Both parents exclaimed and hugged their daughter.

Misaki felt their love as they embraced her. Misaki started crying as both parents looked at her.

"I… I know you want me to be the best. But… I can't always be the best. I just want to follow my dream to be an anime artist." Misaki said through her tears.

"Sweetheart, you don't need to prove anything. You are a wonderful artist. And we love you no matter what." Mrs. Kobayashi assured her.

"Hai. And I am so sorry. I shouldn't have been so hard on you." Mr. Kobayashi apologized.

Kai-Ming felt happy watching Misaki make amends with her parents.

Later, Misaki was out of the hospital and resumed her life drawing anime and seeing the therapist Kai-Ming recommended.

In the Inkwell Isles, Kai-Ming meets with Gwen at her art studio. They both sit in Gwen's office while her assistant Akilah watched over the studio.

"So, how's Misaki doing?" Gwen asked.

"She's doing much better. She started going to that therapist every week." Kai-Ming answered.

"I'm glad. I hope there's no hard feelings." Gwen said.

"Give her time Gwen. She'll come around." Kai-Ming advised.

"Well, thanks." Gwen thanked.

Kai-Ming kept an eye on Misaki to monitor her healing process while Gwen continued to live her life with her friends and to focus on her upcoming wedding which was getting closer.