One day after school, Ember and her friends were looking at fliers for after-school activities they could all do together. They look at ideas like the basketball team tryouts, football tryouts, cheerleading, baseball, chess club, book club, drama club, debate, dance and outdoor.
But something else catches Ember's eye. She noticed a sign with the words 'Softball tryouts! Boys and girls and all species welcome'.
"What's softball?" Ember asked.
"Softball is a bat and ball game. Similar to baseball only a few differences." Isfrid answered.
"Yeah. It's pretty fun. We played a few times before." Marette said.
"Really?" Ember asked.
"Yeah, but the problem is we lose every time against the Moldenhaur Elementary School team!" Abel complained.
"Yeah! They win every time!" Cliff added.
"You could say that again…" A male voice said.
The group turned and saw a tall, handsome, blonde-skinned white-haired human-like boy approaching them.
"Oh no, it's him." Abel grumbled.
"Uh oh…" Cliff said.
"Who's he?" Ember asked.
"That's Veton Thunderton. He's the hottest, most popular guy at the school. He has lightning powers." Marette answered as she was blushing.
"Ugh. He's the star player, but his talent isn't enough to help the team win." Isfrid added, not happy to see him.
"Come on guys. I think we got a good shot at winning this time. At least till we have another coach." Veton said.
Ember looked confused until Veton notices her.
"Oh hey. You must be the new girl, Ember. Daughter of the Devil?" Veton asked.
Ember nodded, feeling shy.
"I must say you look beautiful. You ever played softball before?" Veton asked.
Ember shook her head.
"Oh. Well, it's easy. We'll teach you." Veton said as he wrapped his arm around Ember's shoulder and smiled, making Ember feel uncomfortable.
Isfrid feels jealous and removes Veton's hand from Ember's shoulder.
"Hey, hey! Easy bolt-brain. You're making her uncomfortable." Isfrid stood up for her best friend.
"Woah, woah icy stare. I was just being friendly." Veton said.
"You don't wanna mess with Ember. She's the toughest, most powerful cambion in the school. And you don't wanna get her dad involved." Isfrid warned.
"Ooh. That dangerous, huh? Maybe she's what we need to win this year." Veton said, now fascinated.
Ember wasn't sure about signing up for softball. Just then, her father the Devil approached the group.
"Ember! There you are! Time to go home!" The Devil said.
"Oh, hey father. We were just looking at some after school activities to sign up for." Ember said.
"You can decide later. Now, let's go." The Devil said as he took Ember's hand.
"Wait, you're the Devil himself?" Veton asked.
"Who wants to know?" The Devil asked.
"Well, I was saying your daughter's got potential. She should sign up for the softball team." Veton said.
The Devil gave a suspicious look at Veton.
"Look boy, if you're trying to persuade my daughter into joining your loser team, you are mistaken." The Devil warned.
"Loser team? We haven't had a good coach to help us win. I'm just saying this year could be different with Ember." Veton nervously explained.
"Well, that's just too bad. Come on Ember. Let's go." The Devil said and leaves with Ember.
"I bet you couldn't turn our losing team into champions!" Veton called.
The Devil stopped and turned around.
"Is that so?" The Devil sternly asked.
"Yeah!" Veton answered.
"I'll take that bet!" The Devil said.
"Great! If you coach us and help us win this year, state your terms. If you don't, I get to take Ember on a date and make her my girlfriend." Veton stated his terms.
Ember's eyes widened as she hid behind her dad. Isfrid comes to Ember's aid.
"Oh, I'm gonna make sure that never happens. If I succeed, you leave my little girl alone… forever!" The Devil sternly made his terms.
"Okay, okay." Veton nervously agreed.
"Good. I expect you kids at the softball field first thing after school tomorrow." The Devil said.
"You're really gonna do this Mr. Devil?" Isfrid asked.
"Of course, my dear. You seem to know that boy very well." The Devil said, noticing Isfrid's behavior.
"Yes, I do." Isfrid reluctantly answered.
"How?" Ember asked.
"Girls, why don't we discuss this back home?" The Devil asked.
Henchman appears in the elevator and opens the door.
"Duh, ya ready to go boss?" Henchman asked.
"Yes, Henchman. Come along girls." The Devil instructed.
Both girls join the Devil and Henchman inside the elevator and disappeared to Hell. The Devil takes Ember and Isfrid to the conference room to talk. He seats them next to his large seat.
"Alright Isfrid, tell me about that bolt-brain." The Devil said.
Isfrid cleared her throat.
"Veton is the most handsome, popular guy in the school. His father is an all-powerful lightning and thunder deity. He and I were once…" Isfrid said until she stopped.
"You were once what?" Ember asked.
Isfrid sighed.
"… a couple." Isfrid hesitantly answered.
Both Ember and the Devil gasped.
"He was your boyfriend?" Ember asked.
"At one point… yes. I thought he was what I needed to be happy since I never had a true friend. So, we went on a few dates everything was good. He was romantic, charming and said he'd always be there for me." Isfrid continued.
"How cliché." The Devil said.
"Father." Ember scolded.
"What? I've heard all that nonsense before. I know where this is going." The Devil explained.
"Please continue." Ember said to Isfrid.
"Then one day, things got really bad. I wanted to invite him to a dinner with my mother to meet her, so I went to the softball field after school. But when I arrived, I saw him flirting with that water nymph Aqua of the three nymphs. I was devastated and betrayed. So, out of anger, I froze them and told him we were done. I got in trouble that day and got detention for the rest of the week. Since then, I never wanted to date boys ever again." Isfrid finished her story as she had tears rolling down her face and they froze on her skin.
Ember was heartbroken at her story.
"Isfrid… I had no idea. I'm so sorry." Ember said.
"And that's why I forbid any boy from dating you my little princess." The Devil said.
"Father, I don't wanna date anyone. Especially after Pricilla's ordeal with Gary." Ember assured him.
"Oh, good." The Devil said, feeling relieved.
The Devil looked at Isfrid.
"Isfrid, you're too young too for dating. How did your mother allow that?" The Devil asked.
"Oh, she didn't know. It was a secret. She didn't want me dating anyone either. But I disobeyed her." Isfrid answered.
"Ooh, a rule-breaker, are you?" The Devil asked.
Ember held Isfrid's hands.
"Isfrid, it's okay. You tried it and it didn't work out. But you can't let Veton ruin your life." Ember assured her.
Isfrid smiled.
"You're right. I'm not gonna let that stupid bolt-brain ruin my life. I have you, the first true friend I've ever had." Isfrid said.
"And you're the first true friend I've ever had too." Ember said.
Just then, Henchman entered the conference room.
"Duh, boss? I got a call from the school. The softball team has enough kids that signed up, and they expect you at the school tomorrow for first practice!" Henchman announced.
"Excellent. I might as well get the preparations ready. Come girls, we have a lot of work to do." The Devil ordered.
Ember and Isfrid join the Devil as he started to make plans for the softball team.
The next day after school, Ember and Isfrid join their friends Marette, Abel and Cliff to the softball field wearing softball outfits. To their shock they find Nick and Holly Claus along with Billy the satyr there too. They all meet each other in the field.
"Hey guys! You signed up too?" Ember asked.
"Yep. This should be fun." Holly said.
"We'll see about that." Nick said.
"I just hope Veton isn't mean this time." Billy said nervously.
"I wouldn't count on it." Isfrid warned.
Just then, a lightning bolt struck, and Veton showed up posing.
"In a flash!" Veton greeted.
Isfrid scoffed while Marette and Holly blushed.
"Ah good. You're all here. This year should be interesting." Veton said.
Ember was unsure about Veton and didn't like the idea of being his girlfriend.
"So, Ember, where's your dad?" Veton asked.
"Oh, I'm sure he'll be here." Ember said, feeling confident.
Suddenly, an explosion was heard, and the kids notice the Devil wearing a baseball cap and a coach sweater. Henchman appeared beside him with a clipboard.
"There you all are my little demons." The Devil greeted.
"You're the coach Mr. Devil?" Cliff asked.
"Demons?" Nick asked.
"We're not demons!" Holly scolded.
"That's right. I picked demons as our mascot for our team! The Inkwell Isle School for Supernaturally Gifted Youth Demons! Now as your new coach, I'm gonna whip you all into shape!" The Devil announced.
"Oh boy." Abel said worryingly.
"First things first: warmups! I want you all to run 20 laps around the field!" The Devil instructed.
All the kids stare at him and groaned.
"NOW!" The Devil yelled.
All the kids quickly start running the 20 laps around the softball field. Afterwards, they all grew tired.
"Alright everyone! Grab your mitts and let's start throwing and catching!" The Devil called.
All the kids groaned but do as they were told and grabbed their softball mitts as everyone paired up and threw softballs at each other. Ember paired up with her father and practiced her throwing. Ember felt happy spending time with her father playing catch like she noticed with her brother Timothy and her adoptive father Clarence. Ember continued to train with her team under her father until practice was over.
Everyone goes home exhausted and tired. The Devil and Henchman take Ember back home to Hell. They arrive and go to the dining area for dinner. Ember drinks lots of water to cool down from practicing.
"You're awfully thirsty." The Devil said, noticing.
"Yeah father. You trained us too hard!" Ember complained.
"Hey, this is good for you and your classmates! You'll see that my training and coaching will make you tougher and stronger." The Devil reminded her.
"Oh boy." Ember said worryingly and continued eating.
At next practice, Ember and her team practice hitting softballs with their softball bats. Once again, the kids were getting exhausted from the Devil's disciplinary tactics.
One evening, the Devil takes Ember to the area where he summoned his finest demons for her lesson of her training. Ember looked up at the giant demons lined up before her father.
"Uh, father? Why are all your demons summoned for today's lesson?" Ember asked, feeling unsure.
"Good question darling. Today, you're going to learn how to command an army of demons like your dear father." The Devil answered.
"How do you do that?" Ember asked.
"First, you need to block out your fear. I can tell you're scared, but they are forbidden from hurting you since you are my daughter. They are at my command and do anything I tell them to do." The Devil explained.
"Oh. That's good to know." Ember said, feeling relieved.
"You need to stand your ground, raise your voice, show them who's in charge without any fear." The Devil continued.
The Devil demonstrates by standing firmly in front of his army and commanding their next assignment on tormenting souls. Ember watched in fascination as he sent the demons away to carry out their assignment.
"You see my dear? No fear." The Devil said.
"Yeah. Do I get an army of demons of my own father?" Ember asked.
"You will, just not yet. When you're older." The Devil answered.
"Oh." Ember said disappointedly.
"Don't worry. Now, let's have dinner." The Devil said.
Both of them leave for the dining area for dinner.
At the next practice, the Devil continues training the kids on the softball field. Believing they were ready, he decided to summon several of his imps to practice playing against his team.
"Alright kids, we're gonna have our first practice game with my finest imps!" The Devil announced.
Ember was first up to bat. One imp threw the ball and Ember swung the bat, but she missed.
"Strike one!" The umpire imp called.
Ember grumbled.
"Ember! Keep your eyes on the ball!" Veton called.
Ember prepared herself once again. The imp threw another pitch, but Ember misses again.
"Strike two!" The umpire imp called.
Ember groaned frustratingly.
"Ember!" Isfrid called.
Ember looked at Isfrid.
"Lead your swing with your hands so the bat snaps forward quicker!" Isfrid advised.
"Oh." Ember said.
She posed herself again for one more pitch. The imp threw the ball and this time… WHACK!
Ember finally hit her first ball.
"Run to first base before they catch the ball and throw it to first base, otherwise you're out!" Isfrid called.
Ember ran to first base while the second base imp quickly ran after the ball, picked it up and threw it to first base, thus making Ember safe.
"Yay Ember!" Her friends cheered.
Ember felt happy hitting her first ball and not getting out. Marette was up next to bat. She prepared to hit the ball as the imp prepared to throw. He threw the ball and Marette hit the ball and started run to first base. Ember started running to second base, only for the right field imp to catch the ball.
"You're out!" The umpire imp called.
"Aw, dang it!" Marette angrily exclaimed.
Ember managed to make it to second base safely. Veton is next up to bat. He shows off his softball poses to the girls. Holly and Marette blush while Isfrid scoffed. The imp throws the pitch and Veton hits a homerun, to the Devil's shock. Ember runs to third base then home while Veton ran his home run.
Everyone cheered for Ember and Veton. Isfrid hugged Ember.
"Nice job Ember! You made it home!" Isfrid said happily.
"Thanks, Isfrid." Ember thanked.
"Don't forget it's my homerun that brought her home." Veton reminded her.
Isfrid grumbled as some of the teammates congratulated Veton.
"Don't worry. I'll help us win the upcoming game." Ember assured Isfrid.
"I know you will." Isfrid agreed.
That evening before the big game, the Devil takes the team out for pizza as a reward for their improving teamwork. One of the Devil's imps brings a platter of glasses of root beer and gives each kid a glass. The Devil takes a glass and gets the kid's attention.
"Attention kids! We're improving a lot! We're ready to take on the Moldenhaur Elementary team tomorrow! Keep up practicing and we'll have our first victory all thanks to my brilliant leadership!" The Devil announced.
"Psst! Is he always like that?" Abel asked.
"Yep. He thinks it's all about him. Just go with it." Ember whispered.
"So, let's make a toast… to me!" The Devil finished as he raised his glass.
Ember gestured her team to go with it and they all raised their glasses and put on fake smiles. After having dessert, the kids all return home as the Devil and Ember return home to Hell.
The Devil escorts Ember to her room. She changes into her nightgown and gets ready for bed.
"Father? Do you think we'll win tomorrow?" Ember asked.
"I don't think… I know we will." The Devil answered.
Ember smiled, but then remembered the deal he and Veton made.
"But if we lose, I'm gonna be that jerk's girlfriend." Ember said, feeling nervous.
The Devil wrapped his arm around her.
"Don't worry sweetheart. I swear that it will never happen. That boy isn't even fit for you." The Devil assured her.
"Do you think anyone would be fit for me?" Ember asked.
"Sure, someday. But you're too young to think about that stuff. You're still a child Ember, live your childhood out while you can with me, your family and friends. You only get one childhood. Make it one to remember." The Devil advised.
"Oh, okay father." Ember agreed.
"That's my girl." The Devil said as he tousled her hair.
He tucks Ember in bed, kisses her goodnight, petted her kitten Umbra and leaves her room to go to bed.
The day for the big game had finally arrived. All the kids' parents and friends arrived at the softball field to watch them play. Even Ember's human family arrive to watch Ember play in her first sport.
Ember is with her team as her father gathers them around in the pit.
"Alright my little demons. Are you ready?" The Devil asked.
"Yeah!" All the kids answered.
Just then the announcer started talking.
"Welcome all parents of Moldenhaur Elementary School to the Inkwell Isle School for Supernaturally Gifted Youth! Let's get this game started!"
Ember notices the opposing team were various anthropomorphic objects, animals, food and insects. She notices them bragging on how they are going to kick their buts once again. She was determined to prove them wrong with her friends.
Her team was up to bat first and Isfrid goes first to bat. The lamp pitcher threw the ball and Isfrid hit it and managed run to first base.
"Yeah Isfrid!" Ember cheered.
Isfrid smiled at Ember cheering her. Abel was next to bat, but he unfortunately strikes out. Cliff is up to bat next and hits a hard ball and runs to first base as Isfrid ran to second base. Ember is next up to bat. She hits a good ball and runs to first while Isfrid ran to third base and Cliff ran to second base.
The opposing team is shocked that their rivals have improved their skills. Veton is up to bat and to everyone's shock, he hits a homerun. Isfrid, Cliff and Ember run home with Veton following behind, giving them points. Everyone cheered including Ember's human family.
The Moldenhaur team is up to bat and Ember and her team take their places in the field. Isfrid was the pitcher, Abel was first base, Cliff was on second base, Ember was on third base, Marette was on right field, Veton was on center field, Nick was on left field, Holly was shortstop and Billy was the catcher.
Ember managed to get one player out by catching her first ball, which everybody cheered. The rest of the team managed to get two more players out.
As the game continued, they make it through six innings until they finally reached the seventh and final inning with the score with a tie of 3-3. Ember knew they needed one more point to win their first ever game. The Devil is impressed that his daughter's training is paying off. Veton becomes worried that Ember could be outshining him and devises a trick.
Ember is once again up to bat. The lamp pitcher throws the ball and Ember hits the ball and runs to first base. Veton makes a little lightning strike her feet and trips her.
"Ow!" Ember exclaimed.
Everyone is shocked, but Ember makes it back up and barely makes it to first before the first base play caught the ball and get Ember out.
"What just happened?" Holly asked.
Isfrid looked at Veton looking disappointed at his attempt and immediately knew he was responsible. Holly was up to bat and hits a ball and Ember makes it to second base but unfortunately Holly's hit was caught, thus was out. Nick was next up to bat. He hits a good ball and runs to first base as Ember ran to third base.
Billy was next up to bat and hits the ball. He tries to run to first base, but the first base caught the ball and tagged him out. Ember ran back to third base to save herself.
"Ugh! Two out! One more out and we're done!" The Devil groaned.
"Mr. Devil don't overreact. We still got Ember and Nick out there. If Ember makes it home, we score one more point and we win." Isfrid assured him.
"You're right dear. Time for her to shine." The Devil said, calming down.
"We'll see about that." Veton grumbled to himself.
Billy overhears this and goes up to the Devil as Veton left to bat next.
"Uh, Mr. Devil?" Billy asked.
"Yes?" The Devil asked.
Billy whispered what he overheard to the Devil. His eyes widened.
"You're sure?" The Devil asked.
"Yes, I heard with my own ears." Billy confirmed.
"Mr. Devil, Veton caused Ember to trip with his lightning. He's trying to cheat the deal by making us lose!" Isfrid backed Billy up.
The Devil gets enraged and looked at Veton angrily. Veton purposely gets two strikes. Isfrid gets an idea and decided to give Veton a taste of his own medicine. She inflicted a little icy blast at his feet, making him hit a homerun.
"Ow!" Veton exclaimed.
"RUN YOU IDIOT!" The Devil called.
Veton fearfully runs as Ember and Nick run home with Veton following in last as the game ends.
"That's it! Inkwell Isle School for Supernaturally Gifted Youth wins the game 4-3!" The announcer proclaimed.
Everybody cheered as the Devil lifted his daughter, swung her around and hugged her as the kids cheered. The headmistress Professor Cyfrin presents the Devil the softball trophy.
"Congratulations Mr. Devil. You lead our team to their very first victory ever." Professor Cyfrin congratulated.
"Why thank you Professor. I trained these kids well." The Devil bragged.
"Indeed. We look forward to you coaching next year Mr. Devil. Your team have shown tremendous teamwork. Except one." Professor Cyfrin said.
The team glared at Veton for his petty attempt to cheat.
"W-w-why are you all looking at me? I haven't done anything!" Veton fearfully exclaimed.
"Uh, uh, uh! I know it was you who tripped my little girl." The Devil sternly said.
"You tried to get her out, so we'd lose, and you'd win the bet!" Isfrid added.
Veton chuckled nervously.
Professor Cyfrin is disappointed.
"Veton, I am very disappointed in you young man. We'll talk about this in my office Monday morning where we'll discuss an appropriate but reasonable punishment." Professor Cyfrin sternly said.
"Aww!" Veton groaned as his parents take him away.
"You are in very big trouble young man!" Mrs. Thunderton angrily yelled.
"We're discussing this when we get home!" Mr. Thunderton added.
The Thunderton family disappeared back to the clouds as Ember and her team continued cheering. Ember's human family comes up to the team with a baby carriage.
"Ember!" Gwen exclaimed.
"Mama! Papa! You all came!" Ember said.
She gives her human parents a hug as they hugged her.
"We're so proud of you Ember." Clarence said.
"You really kicked butt out there." Priscilla said.
"Thanks, Pris." Ember thanked.
"Yay, Ember!" Joy cheered.
Ember tousled Joy's hair as Timothy gave her a high-five.
"Way to go!" Timothy complimented.
Ember smiled then looked in the baby carriage and noticed her baby brother Noah smiling at her.
"Hey Noah. You came too." Ember said gently.
The Devil lifted Ember in his arms and turned to his team.
"Alright my little demons, what do you say we celebrate at our favorite pizza joint?" The Devil asked.
All the kids cheered and hugged the Devil. Henchman stood in tears, feeling proud of his boss.
"That's my boss." Henchman said to himself.
That evening, the kids along with their parents and Ember's human family gathered at the pizza restaurant and dined on pizza and root beer together and socialized until everybody returned home.
On Monday after school, Ember was hanging out with her friends until they come across Veton picking up trash.
"Well, well, well. Look what the demon dragged in." Isfrid taunted.
"Ha, ha. Very funny icy stare." Veton said unamused.
"So, how's detention going for you?" Ember asked.
"I don't wanna talk about it. Uh, Ember? I know we won the game but if not now, maybe someday we could… go out? We won't tell your dad." Veton nervously asked.
Ember looked at him unamused, clearly seeing he had not learned his lesson.
"Hold your breath till I call." Ember said as she and her friends turned to leave.
Just then, the Devil appeared before Ember and her friends.
"There you are darling. Let's go." The Devil said.
The Devil noticed Veton doing community service for his punishment.
"Well, well, well. Looks like you've got your hands full." The Devil taunted.
"Don't remind me. I didn't even wanna date your freak daughter anyway." Veton grumbled.
Ember grew furious at his insult and her eyes started glowing. Her friends back away behind the Devil.
"Ember, what are you doing?" The Devil asked.
"I got this father." Ember answered.
Ember raised her hands and made the ground crack open, an army of demons emerged from the cracks and growled at Veton.
"You know what bolt-brain? Even if my father did allow me to date, I don't think this would've worked out between us. You're just not my type." Ember said evilly.
She turned to the demons.
"He tried to sabotage our softball game and he called me a freak! Teach him a lesson he'll never forget!" Ember ordered.
The demons prepare to attack Veton, making him tremble in fear. They chase after him as Veton took off running for his life screaming and crying. Ember and her friends all laughed at Veton's torment as the Devil wrapped his arm around her.
"That's my girl!" The Devil said proudly.
Ember smiled as her friends cheered her on. Isfrid comes up to Ember and hugs her.
"That was amazing! You sure showed him!" Isfrid exclaimed.
"Thanks, Isfrid. You and father were right about him." Ember said and hugged Isfrid back.
Isfrid blushed a little until Ember released her. Ember joined the others as the Devil approached Isfrid.
"I saw that." The Devil said.
Isfrid looked at the Devil.
"What?" Isfrid asked.
The Devil smirked, knowing how Isfrid felt about Ember.
"Look, I know you secretly like my daughter, but I don't want you dating… yet. Not until you girls are older. Okay?" The Devil advised.
"I promise." Isfrid promised.
"Good girl." The Devil said as he patted her shoulder.
"Ember! Time to go!" The Devil called.
Ember rejoins her father and Isfrid.
"See you tomorrow?" Isfrid asked.
"You bet! See ya!" Ember said and left the school with her father.
Ember continued doing her homework and spending time with her father as usual until bedtime. She felt proud of herself for succeeding her first sport with her father's support and takes his advice on living her childhood while she can.