Gwen and the cups were out in Inkwell City one day, leaving the bowling alley after an evening of bowling.
"That was some game guys. You really have a strong arm Cuphead." Gwen complimented.
"Thanks, Gweny. I don't overthink it. Remember?" Cuphead bragged.
Mugman sighed and said,
"I need to work on my upper arm strength."
"Don't worry Mugsy. You'll have better luck next time." Gwen assured him.
Just then, there was a rumbling noise and the whole city rocked as the streets cracked.
"What's happening, an earthquake?!" Cuphead yelled.
"I don't know!" Mugman yelled back.
"Guys! Look!" Gwen yelled and pointed at something.
In the distance, they witnessed a large Hellish-themed sports arena appear out of the ground with large flames spouting out of the ground.
"Oh no! What's that monster up to this time?!" Gwen yelled, immediately knowing who was responsible.
Just then, the Devil appeared in his giant form from the ground, raised out his arms and laughed evilly. People started to scream and run for their lives.
"My fans, they love me." The Devil said in a loud voice.
"What does he want this time?" Mugman asked.
"Looks like we're about to get our answer. Quick! Hide!" Gwen quickly said and took cover with the cups behind a car.
"Citizens of Inkwell City! I have come with a very big announcement! I am holding the very first Soulympic Games in one week! Come compete against the best of the best and win the gold medal and other big prizes! Come on down here and sign up!" The Devil boomed.
Gwen and the cups look up at the Devil as Gwen scoffed at his latest attempt to steal souls.
"Yeah, right! Like people are gonna fall for that!" Gwen said.
But to Gwen's shock, people are signing up for the Soulympic Games. Gwen looks to her friends and warns them,
"Guys! Don't sign up for those games! It's all a trick to steal our souls! That means you Cuphead!"
"Yeah Cuphead!" Mugman scolded.
"Okay! Okay! Fine! So, we don't go then." Cuphead groaned.
"Good, let's just go home." Gwen said.
They get up from their hiding spot and start their way back to the cottage. But before the trio could go any further, she hears the Devil call out,
"My beautiful flower! Where do you and your dumb friends think you're going?"
Gwen cringed, realizing the Devil already spotted her.
"Let's beat it guys!" Gwen yelled.
"No kidding!" Both cups agreed.
The trio try to make a run for it. But before they could go any further, the Devil snapped his fingers, making the trio disappear. They reappeared in the palm of the Devil's hand as he laughed evilly.
"What just happened?" Cuphead asked as he hugged Gwen.
"Oh no, not this again!" Gwen groaned in frustration.
"Again? What do you mean again?" Mugman asked, hugging Gwen in fear.
Gwen tried to tap her ink pen to teleport them back to the cottage. But the Devil snapped his fingers and made them reappear in his hand. Gwen tried to fight back with her range of attacks, but to no avail. The Devil wiped his face of the smoke from Gwen's attacks.
"Are you finished yet dear?" The Devil calmly asked.
"No! But you are!" Gwen yelled as she once again fired her attacks.
"Here she goes again." The Devil said, annoyed with her attempts to hurt him.
The Devil patiently waits for Gwen to stop firing her attacks. But after a while, Gwen started to wear herself down. She knelt down in his palm and tried to catch her breath.
"Gwen, I think you better stop. This isn't working." Mugman said.
"No, I'm never gonna stop! Whatever he's planning, I don't wanna hear it!" Gwen yelled in frustration.
"Uh, Gwen? You need to stop it. Let's just hear him out." Cuphead added.
Gwen groaned and held her head in her hands.
"Fine." Gwen said.
"That's better my dear." The Devil said, satisfied as he stroked her head like a pet, to her annoyance.
She glared up at the Devil.
"What do you want now?!" Gwen yelled.
"Well, I'm holding the first ever Soulympic Games! So far, I have a few teams to challenge me and my team. I just need one more team of challengers. So, I thought I'd interest you three into challenging me along with others for the gold?" The Devil proposed.
"The answer is no! We want no part of your stupid games! Now, leave us alone!" Gwen yelled.
"Oh, come on Gwen. There's lots of big prizes in store." The Devil said, trying to persuade her.
"We're in!" Cuphead yelled excitedly.
"Cuphead! Shh!" Mugman scolded as he covered his brother's mouth.
"Great! Then it's settled!" The Devil said excitedly.
"No! We're not in!" Gwen tried to dissuade the Devil.
"It's too late dear. Your names are already signed on the list for the games in one week."
Gwen and Mugman's jaws hung open and realized too late Cuphead already signed them up. They both glared at Cuphead.
"What? It sounded like fun!" Cuphead said defensively.
"What's gonna happen if we lose?" Gwen asked suspiciously.
"Oh, I'm just gonna collect all the souls of the losers and take you away forever… and marry you my dear." The Devil said evilly.
Gwen groaned and facepalmed. Then, she glared at Cuphead.
"I'm gonna kill you!" Gwen angrily said.
"I'm sorry! I didn't think that one through!" Cuphead fearfully said.
"You never think! That's your problem! Someone's gotta really discipline you!" Mugman yelled.
"Well, see you all in a week! And if you three don't show up, I will find you!" The Devil warned and laughed evilly as he magically gives Gwen a pamphlet.
"Okay then, off you go."
The Devil said as he raised his hand and snapped his fingers, making the trio disappear back to the cottage.
The trio sighed of relief, but not for long.
"Ugh! What are we gonna do now?! We don't know anything about these games or how to play!" Mugman complained.
"Eh, how hard can they be?" Cuphead asked.
"I'll tell you how! Look at this!" Gwen angrily said as she held up the pamphlet of the Soulympics.
Gwen showed him the list of the games which listed: Archery, Pole-vault, High-Diving, Fencing, Wrestling, Weightlifting, Relay Swimming, Rowing and finally Cross-Country Racing.
"Oh, yeesh. I don't know how to play any of those!" Cuphead exclaimed.
"This is all your fault Cuphead! Now, we're gonna lose our souls and Gwen will lose her freedom all because of your stupidity!" Mugman yelled.
Mugman jumps at Cuphead, and both started fighting each other. Gwen thought for a moment until she remembered something.
"Wait! I think I know someone who can help us!" Gwen said.
Both cups stopped fighting and looked at Gwen.
"You do? Who?" Cuphead asked.
"An old childhood friend of mine. I did have a friend when Rose and I were kids but then she moved to a town called Mattapan in Massachusetts. She's a star athlete and very hardcore. I hope she's still there." Gwen answered.
"You had a childhood friend before us?" Mugman asked.
"Yes, I'm sorry I never mentioned her until now." Gwen said.
"What's her name?" The cups asked.
"Her name is Keziah Thompson. But she goes by the name Kizzy." Gwen said.
"Kizzy?" Both cups asked.
"It's getting late. I'll head to the human tomorrow morning and head to Mattapan and find Kizzy and see if she can help us." Gwen explained her plan.
"We'll go with you." Cuphead said.
"No Cuphead. You and Mugsy need to stay here until I prepare her. Aside from my family knowing about you guys and this world, many other humans don't. If they see you, they're gonna freak out like we freaked out when we first met each other in the forest, remember?" Gwen reminded them.
"Oh yeah. That explains a lot when people were staring at us at Rose and Will's wedding." Mugman remembered.
"Yeah, once I find Kizzy and prepare her, you guys can meet her, and we'll start training. Okay?" Gwen asked.
"Okay." Both cups answered.
"Good, but I must warn you. She is a no-nonsense and tough-as-nails girl. She is very disciplined when it comes to training." Gwen warned them.
Both cups shuddered at the thought of Kizzy, but remembered they need her help. Both cups and Gwen went to bed that night. The next morning, Gwen prepares to leave for the human world. She went through the door portal and headed to the bus stop. She takes the bus to Mattapan and arrived in the town. Gwen pulled out a piece of paper which had Kizzy's current address. She heads to a neighborhood and finds the house with the matching address. She goes up to the front door, took a deep breath and knocked a few times. She waited for a while until a middle-aged bearded African American man opened the door.
"Uh, hi Mr. Thompson. It's been a long while." Gwen politely greeted.
"You look familiar. Refresh my memory, what's your name again?" Mr. Thompson asked.
"Gwendolyn Mae Emmons. Your daughter Kizzy and I were friends years ago in Boston?" Gwen answered.
"Oh, right. You were that nice red-head Kizzy played with." Mr. Thompson said, now remembering Gwen.
"Come on in." Mr. Thompson gestured Gwen to come inside.
Gwen goes inside the home and Mr. Thompson has Gwen sit at the kitchen table.
"I'll let Kizzy know you're here." Mr. Thompson said as he goes upstairs.
Gwen waited patiently at the table, she then noticed the pictures on the wall of Kizzy and her father along with a boy, her younger brother named Theo Thompson. Gwen also noticed a picture of Mrs. Thompson, who Gwen remembered passed away from an illness when she and Kizzy were kids.
Just then, a young teenage African American boy entered the kitchen and noticed Gwen.
"Woah, didn't think we had company." The teen said.
"Hey, Theo. It's been a while." Gwen said.
"You know me?" Theo asked.
"Yes, Kizzy and I were friends. You, Kizzy and your dad lived up in Boston years ago until you guys moved out here. You really grew up so fast." Gwen explained.
"Yeah. You know it." Theo answered.
Just then, Mr. Thompson comes downstairs with an African American girl around Gwen's age with wavy hair tied in a side ponytail.
"Alright daddy, who's here to see me?" She asked.
"She's right there. You and her were friends when you was kids in Boston." Mr. Thompson explained.
"It's been a long time, Kizzy." Gwen said, feeling nervous Kizzy didn't remember her.
Kizzy took one look at Gwen and recognized her.
"Gwen? Is that you?" Kizzy asked.
"Yes, Kizzy. It's me." Gwen answered.
"Oh my gosh! Gwen!" Kizzy happily exclaimed.
Kizzy goes up to Gwen and embraces her.
"You finally came to see me!" Kizzy said happily.
"Of course, I did. I'm sorry it took so long. So much has happened." Gwen said.
"I know. I heard you just disappeared months ago until you were finally found! You gotta tell me everything!" Kizzy said.
"I will. I thought you were going to try to get into the Olympics?" Gwen asked.
"I did tryout, but I didn't get picked. I still need to train harder." Kizzy sadly explained.
"But Kizzy, you're the best athlete I know. You were the star athlete of your high school; I remember you led your team to state in cross-country." Gwen assured her.
"Aw, thanks girl. I still got the trophies and medals to prove it." Kizzy bragged.
"Well, Theo and I will let you two reconnect. Come on son, let's get your homework finished." Mr. Thompson said as he led Theo away from the girls.
"But daddy!" Theo protested.
"Don't you 'But daddy' me!" Mr. Thompson scolded.
Kizzy and Gwen sit down at the table.
"So, where'd you disappear to?" Kizzy asked.
Gwen hesitated to tell her about the Inkwell Isles.
"Gwen, I know it's been years since we've seen each other, but maybe I can help you." Kizzy assured her.
Gwen sighed and said,
"I didn't just disappear… I was kidnapped."
Kizzy's eyes widened.
"Are you serious? Who did that to you?" Kizzy asked, now full of questions.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Gwen answered.
"Try me. Anybody I know?" Kizzy asked.
Gwen thought for a moment, then she asked,
"Can we go outside, and I'll show you something?"
Kizzy looked at Gwen confused but she said,
"Uh, sure."
Both girls got up from the table.
"Daddy! We're going out! I'll be back later!" Kizzy called out.
"Okay! But don't be out too late!" Mr. Thompson called back.
Both girls leave the house and head outside. Kizzy noticed the magic inkwell on Gwen's belt.
"Wait, what's that bottle on your belt?" Kizzy asked.
"It's called an inkwell. And this is no ordinary inkwell." Gwen said as she grabbed her ink pen.
She raised her ink pen and the magic inkwell started to glow, to Kizzy's shock.
"It's glowing! Why is it glowing?!" Kizzy asked in shock.
"Please don't freak out!" Gwen tried to calm Kizzy down.
"Okay! Okay! What is it?" Kizzy asked.
"Watch this." Gwen said.
Gwen demonstrated her powers by bringing some flowers into reality in their empty garden. Then, Gwen magically made some colorful butterflies come to life and they flutter around Kizzy. Gwen finally proves herself by magically restoring some of her damaged house into a fixed one.
Kizzy stood there wide-eyed and with her mouth hung open.
"How… how did you do that?" Kizzy asked.
"With this magic inkwell, I have the power to bring anything to life with my imagination." Gwen hesitantly explained.
"Oh wow. So, you're magic now?" Kizzy asked.
"Yep. And someone is after me to marry me for the inkwell's magic and power through me." Gwen continued.
"Who?" Kizzy asked.
Gwen took a deep breath and answered,
"The Devil."
Kizzy looked shocked and confused.
"Uh, that's definitely not what I thought you were gonna say."
Kizzy suddenly realized Gwen was serious.
"Wait, the Devil? The Big D himself? What did you do?" Kizzy asked.
"I didn't do anything! I found this inkwell at the park one day, then I got in a fight with my parents. I planned to runaway to California in the morning but then the Devil showed up in my bedroom and said he was after the magic inkwell, but it chose me to be its owner. So, he decided to take me instead and took me away to Hell in another world called the Inkwell Isles and I made two new friends." Gwen told her story.
Kizzy stood there in shock.
"What are you talking about? Inkwell Isles?" Kizzy asked in disbelief.
"Would you like to see for yourself?" Gwen asked, knowing Kizzy wouldn't believe her.
"Oh, yes please." Kizzy answered.
"Very well." Gwen said.
Gwen wraps her arm around Kizzy, raised her ink pen and both disappeared back to her house in Boston. Kizzy gasped and looked around.
"What the? What just happened?!" Kizzy asked.
"I'm not finished yet." Gwen said as she used her ink pen to activate the door portal.
"Whoa! What is that?" Kizzy asked.
"This is a door portal to the Inkwell Isles. Do you want to see it or not?" Gwen asked.
"Okay, yes! I need to see this for myself!" Kizzy answered, now full of curiosity.
Gwen takes Kizzy's hand and leads her through the door portal into the cottage. Kizzy stares at the cartoon-like surroundings. Then, she noticed she was a cartoon version of herself. Kizzy gasped at her new appearance and was about to freak out again.
"Don't freak out!" Gwen quickly said.
Kizzy tried to calm herself down.
"I'm sorry, this is so much to take in. So, this cartoon world is real?" Kizzy asked.
"Yes, everyone here is anthropomorphic like in the picture shows back home. People here are either objects, animals, plants, food or human-like. We humans stick out as realistic because we're from the human world." Gwen explained the Inkwell Isles inhabitants.
"Oh wow." Kizzy said in wonder.
"Anyway, after I escaped the Devil, I ran out here in the forest until I was found by two younger brothers and brought me here to live ever since. They're my second family." Gwen finished her story.
"Who are your new friends? Your 'second family'?" Kizzy asked.
Just then, they hear the cups coming downstairs.
"Here they come now." Gwen answered.
Cuphead and Mugman run downstairs excitedly.
"Gwen! You're back!" Both cups exclaimed.
They both run up to Gwen and hug her. Kizzy gasped at the sight of the cups, realizing Gwen was right about the inhabitants being toons like in the movies.
"We were starting to get worried Gweny!" Cuphead said.
"You didn't have any trouble, did you?" Mugman asked.
"No guys. I'm fine. It went better than I thought." Gwen answered.
"Uh…" Kizzy said, fascinated with the cups.
Both cups then look at Kizzy and gasped at the sight of her.
"Is that her?" Cuphead asked.
"Your childhood athletic friend?" Mugman asked.
"Yes, guys. This is the girl I told you guys about." Gwen answered.
Kizzy slowly approached the cups, knelt down to them.
"I'm Cuphead." Cuphead introduced himself.
"And I'm Mugman." Mugman also introduced himself.
Both cups shook Kizzy's hands.
"Hi, I'm Keziah Thompson. But everyone calls me…" Kizzy introduced herself until the cups interrupted,
"Kizzy."
"Oh, she told you guys about me?" Kizzy asked.
"Uh huh." Both cups nodded.
"Gwen said you could help us train for the Soulympic Games!" Cuphead said excitedly.
"When do we start Kizzy?" Mugman asked.
Kizzy looked confused and asked Gwen,
"What are they talking about? And what is this 'Soulympic Games' they speak of?"
"Come outside with us. I'll fill you in." Gwen said as she helped Kizzy on her feet.
The four head outside and Gwen explained to Kizzy the situation of Cuphead signing her and themselves up for the Soulympic Games and need help training to win the games in one week or else the Devil will take their souls and Gwen will be taken away to marry him. Gwen shows Kizzy the pamphlet of the games to prove it.
"Oh, my goodness. So, their souls and your freedom are on the line?" Kizzy asked as she looked at the list of events.
"Yes, because someone impulsively signed us up for stupid big prizes like the gold medal and who know what else!" Gwen scolded Cuphead.
Mugman glared at Cuphead as he nervously laughed.
"Look Kizzy, I really want to reconnect with you, I really mean it. But I also need your help to save me from being taken away by the Devil… again." Gwen sadly said.
"But what can I do?" Kizzy asked, unsure.
"You can train us, like you trained yourself to be the best athlete at your school. We'll do whatever it takes to win the games and save ourselves." Gwen said.
Kizzy thought for a moment, then she gets an idea.
"Okay, I'll help you guys. But if you guys think you're up for it, I can whip y'all into shape." Kizzy said, now willing to help.
"Yay!" Both cups cheered and hug Kizzy.
"Aw, you just made new friends." Gwen said to Kizzy.
"Okay, okay. Where we gonna do this?" Kizzy asked.
"Leave that to me. Follow me." Gwen said.
Gwen and the cups lead Kizzy into the forest to her training grounds. Kizzy is fascinated with the sights of the Inkwell Isles. They arrive at the training grounds and Gwen magically creates another section with a track and field with equipment for the events.
"Isn't she amazing?" Cuphead asked Kizzy.
"Yeah, I never knew she'd be all magical now." Kizzy answered.
"Yep. Gwen became not just our best friend, but our sister." Mugman added.
"Sister?" Kizzy asked.
"Yeah, she was just a housekeeper at the cottage for a while, then overtime she became part of our family." Mugman explained.
Gwen approaches the group and says,
"Okay, I think that's everything we need to train."
"Hmm, this is like the track and field back home." Kizzy complimented.
"Thanks. So, are you ready to start training us?" Gwen asked.
"Mm-hmm. But first though, we need the proper training outfits. Can you do that Gwen?" Kizzy asked.
"Can do!" Gwen said.
Gwen magically creates athletic outfits on Kizzy, the cups and herself.
"Perfect." Kizzy said, admiring her workout outfit.
"Now then, if we're gonna do this, couple things y'all need to know. One: I don't tolerate balderdash from anybody. Two: There are no shortcuts to success, we're gonna do this the hard way! It's only way we're gonna be victorious!" Kizzy declared.
The cups and Gwen looked nervous but were willing to put up with Kizzy's training. Throughout the week, Kizzy has the trio start each day of training with warmups of stretching their arms and legs. Kizzy disciplines the cups on each of the events, especially Cuphead who has a hard time dealing with Kizzy's strictness. Gwen and Mugman improved their skills and are almost prepared for the games. Cuphead eventually started to improve his skills over time.
On the last day of training, Kizzy has Gwen and the cups practice shooting bows and arrows at targets and shows them how to properly hold the bow and arrow. But Cuphead accidentally shot an arrow in the distance.
"Uh oh!" Cuphead said worryingly.
"I said 'Hold the bow steady!' you ding-dong! When we get the arrow back, you're gonna give me 50 pushups!" Kizzy scolded Cuphead.
Cuphead gulped and placed his bow down. The group run in the forest to find the arrow but realize too late the arrow shot through Porkrind's Emporium open door. Gwen, Kizzy and Mugman glared at Cuphead while hiding in the bushes outside the shop.
"Cuphead! You could've killed Porkrind!" Gwen quietly scolded him.
"Yeah, Cuphead!" Mugman agreed.
"What were you thinking ding-dong?!" Kizzy scolded as she slapped Cuphead on the back of his head.
"Ow! Uh maybe he won't notice?" Cuphead asked nervously.
"AHEM!" A familiar angry voice called.
Kizzy, Gwen and the cup's eyes popped.
Porkrind is standing in the doorway, holding the arrow with an angry look on his face.
"I noticed." Porkrind angrily said.
Gwen and the cups gulped in fear while Kizzy looked at Porkrind in shock.
"Uh, who is that pig?" Kizzy quietly asked.
"A really ill-tempered shopkeeper who really hates us." Gwen quietly answered.
"Kid! Get over here! You too new girl!" Porkrind angrily called out to Gwen and Kizzy.
Gwen gulped and whispered to Kizzy,
"Stay quiet! I'll handle this."
Gwen and Kizzy nervously walked over to Porkrind.
"It was an accident! Cuphead didn't mean it! We're training for the Soulympic Games. We're so sorry Porkrind!" Gwen apologized.
"Sorry ain't gonna cut it kid. You don't want me to say anything to his parent, you remember what happened last time?" Porkrind asked, reminding her of the last time she was in trouble with Porkrind.
"Let me guess, I gotta work it off?" Gwen nervously guessed.
"That's right kid!" Porkrind answered.
"But Gwen, the games are tomorrow! You gotta be there!" Kizzy protested.
"Kizzy, you have to go in my place." Gwen said, getting an idea.
"What? Me? I can't! I don't want the Big D to take me away!" Kizzy argued.
"No, no Kizzy. It's me he wants, not you. I need you to tell him that I can't come anymore, and I sent you to fill in for me. That's all." Gwen explained.
Kizzy sighed and said,
"Okay, but you owe me big time for this."
"Deal." Gwen said.
"If you two are finished, I expect you at the shop first thing in the morning kid! Don't be late!" Porkrind warned Gwen.
"I won't I promise!" Gwen promised as she took the arrow back from Porkrind.
Gwen, Kizzy and the cups head back to the cottage.
"Okay, Elder Kettle's gonna have dinner ready so…" Cuphead nervously said as he tried to go inside until Kizzy sternly interrupted,
"Not so fast Cups! You're not off the hook! Now, drop and give me 50!"
Cuphead quickly gets down on the ground and struggles to do pushups while Mugman snickered. After Cuphead finishes his pushups, he weakly gets up and the group head inside to have dinner with Elder Kettle. Kizzy gets acquainted with Elder Kettle and have dinner together. Kizzy stays the night with Gwen in her room like a sleepover.
The next morning, Gwen magically makes an athletic outfit for Kizzy, helping her get ready.
"You got this Kizzy." Gwen said.
"Thanks. I may've not gotten into the Olympics, but at least I get to compete in something bigger." Kizzy said.
"And thanks for doing all of this for me. And for punishing Cuphead too." Gwen said.
Gwen and Kizzy hug each other and Gwen leaves the cottage to go work for Porkrind.
Kizzy and the cups go the training grounds to do some last-minute training before they head over to the arena in Inkwell City. Just as they finish their training, a puff of smoke appeared, scaring the cups behind Kizzy. The Devil appeared before them as the cups yelled,
"Ah! The Devil!"
Kizzy gasped in horror, finally in the presence of the Devil himself.
"Alright, my dear are you ready to…" The Devil said until he took one look at Kizzy, realizing it was not Gwen.
"Wait a minute!" The Devil said as he grabbed Kizzy's arm and pulled her up to him.
"You're not my beautiful flower! Who are you?!" The Devil demanded to know.
"K-K-K-Kizzy?" Kizzy nervously answered.
"Where's Gwen? What is going on?!" The Devil yelled, pointing his flaming pitchfork at Kizzy, demanding answers.
"S-S-S-She got called into work at the last minute for that pig! She asked me to fill in for her at the games! Please don't hurt me!" Kizzy begged.
The Devil doused his pitchfork, looked at Kizzy suspiciously.
"Sorry my dear, but you will not be filling in for my beautiful flower. I'll go find her and clock her out of there myself. But she had better be there… for your sake. I'll just take your soul if she isn't." The Devil warned Kizzy.
The Devil releases Kizzy, tapped his pitchfork and disappeared. He appears outside Porkrind's Emporium and looks through the window. He witnesses Gwen sweeping around the shop without her inkwell and ink pen on her belt as Porkrind kept an eye on her. The Devil realizes that Kizzy was telling the truth.
Inside, Gwen sweeps around the shop, hoping Kizzy and the cups were alright. She gives herself some hope by remembering that Kizzy is a strong woman and can handle herself. But her luck runs out when suddenly, the Devil forcefully opens the door open. Gwen gasped and fearfully backed away.
"There you are!" The Devil said as he entered the shop.
Porkrind is shocked the Devil would come to his shop for Gwen. So, he grabs Gwen's shoulder and pulls her behind him. Gwen is shocked that Porkrind was willing to protect her.
"Give me the girl! She's got games to compete in!" The Devil demanded.
"Get out of my shop! Leave the kid alone!" Porkrind yelled.
"Fine, then I'm gonna have to do this the hard way." The Devil said, losing patience.
The Devil uses his pitchfork to levitate Porkrind up and backed him against a wall.
"No! Stop it! Don't hurt him!" Gwen begged.
The Devil magically unlocks the counter door, revealing the magic inkwell and ink pen.
"Well then dear, I suggest you grab your stuff. Let's go!" The Devil ordered her as he snapped his fingers.
Gwen sighed, grabbed the inkwell and ink pen and approached the Devil nervously as he releases Porkrind. He wraps his arm around Gwen, tapped his pitchfork and disappeared. They appear at the training ground s where Kizzy and the cups were waiting.
"Gwen!" The cups called.
"Kizzy! Are you alright? Did he hurt you?" Gwen asked, concerned for Kizzy's safety.
"Gwen! I'm so sorry! He threatened to take my soul if I didn't tell him where you were!" Kizzy fearfully explained.
"It's okay, it's not your fault!" Gwen assured her.
"Now that I have you all here, we got games to play. To the arena!" The Devil said as he tapped his pitchfork and they all disappeared to the arena.
Gwen, Kizzy and the cups appeared in the arena and a torch-lighting ceremony was starting. Henchman goes running up the stairs, holding a lit torch as the torchbearer. He reaches the top, almost out of breath and says,
"Let the Soulympic Games begin!"
But just as Henchman was about to light the cauldron, a wind blew, and the torch was blown out.
"Uh oh!" Henchman fearfully exclaimed.
The Devil grumbled frustratingly and goes up to the cauldron, pointed his pitchfork and shot a fire and lit the cauldron himself. Spectators were cheering as the games were about to begin.
For the first event, archery, which to win, the opponents must get the most bullseye shots of three targets. Gwen volunteered to participate while the Devil goes against her. The Devil goes first and manages to hit 2 out of 3 targets. The other competitors try but were not able to shoot any bullseye targets. It was Gwen's turn, she managed to shoot the first two targets. When she goes up to the final target, Gwen focused on her aim, released her arrow and it splits the Devil's arrow down the middle. The Devil's mouth hung open at Gwen's victory and threw a tantrum. Gwen walked by the Devil.
"Bullseye!" Gwen taunted and laughed.
The Devil grumbled angrily as Gwen is declared the winner.
The next event, Fencing. The Devil manages to defeat the other opponents until Gwen's team was left. Cuphead volunteered to face the Devil. But Cuphead is easily overwhelmed by the Devil, thus losing the event. The Devil is declared the winner and walked up to Gwen.
"Touché!" The Devil taunted and laughed.
"Don't get too comfortable Big D, it's not over yet!" Kizzy stood up for Gwen.
The Devil glared at Kizzy as she led Gwen away from the Devil.
"Laugh away hothead, while you still can." Gwen warned.
The Devil growled angrily as the games continued.
Throughout the games, Gwen's team overall won 4 out of 8 with Cuphead winning at the High-Dive, Mugman winning wrestling, and her team winning the Relay Swimming. The Devil's team won 4 out of 8 with King Dice winning the Pole-Vault, Henchman winning the Weightlifting and his team winning the Rowing.
"The score is tied with Team Gwen and Team Devil. We have one more event to break the tie: Cross-Country Racing! Whoever runs the 5K path to the finish line first will determine the winner of the Soulympic Games!" The announcer said.
Gwen, Kizzy and the cups were resting up and trying to decide who will run the cross-country race. Just then, Kizzy noticed a strange tube coming out of the ground and aimed at the losing teams gathered in a corner. Gwen and her team witness in horror souls being taken out of the losing competitors, leaving their bodies soulless.
"No! Their souls are being taken!" Gwen exclaimed.
"And we're next if we lose the final game!" Mugman fearfully added.
The Devil approaches the group snickering.
"That's right. Now, I assume you've chosen your runner for the final game yet?" The Devil asked.
"Not yet! We're still deciding!" Cuphead answered.
"Well, you better hurry up before I decide to get a head start without you!" The Devil warned.
"Hey! That's cheating you jerk!" Kizzy scolded.
The Devil glared at Kizzy again.
"You give me anymore of that attitude of yours and I'll take the souls of a couple humans precious to you!" The Devil warned.
Kizzy's eyes widened.
"Oh no…" Gwen said worryingly.
"W-What do you mean?" Kizzy asked, feeling scared.
"Oh, I have a little surprise for you my dear." The Devil said sinisterly.
The Devil snapped his fingers, revealing a cage coming up from the ground with Mr. Thompson and Theo trapped. The group gasped in horror.
"Daddy! Theo!" Kizzy cried out.
"Kizzy!" Mr. Thompson called out.
"What is happenin' here?!" Theo cried out.
"Let them go please! They've done nothing to you!" Gwen cried.
"Uh, uh, uh! We have a final game to play!" The Devil reminded her.
"Wait! I got a proposition for you!" Kizzy interrupted.
"What?" The Devil impatiently asked.
Kizzy goes up to the Devil and asked,
"How about we raise the stakes a bit?"
"Ooh, what do you have in mind?" The Devil asked eagerly.
"I'll race against you. If I win, you give me back my daddy and brother and all the souls you stole from those folks." Kizzy stated her conditions.
"Fair enough. If I win, I get take Gwen away and marry her, I get to keep all the souls of the losers including the cups… and yours too." The Devil stated his conditions.
Kizzy looked nervous as Gwen was getting nervous.
"Do we have a deal, Kiz-Kat?" The Devil evilly asked while insulting her.
Kizzy reluctantly reached out her hand.
"Deal."
Kizzy and the Devil shake on it, and both leave to get ready.
"Kiz, you sure you know what you're doing?" Mugman asked.
"I got faith you guys and myself." Kizzy answered.
"Good luck Kiz." Cuphead nervously said.
"Thanks guys." Kizzy said.
"Hey Kizzy? Be careful. He's known to be a liar and a cheater. He might try to do something bad to you." Gwen warned her.
"Don't worry Gwen. I gotta save my family and you too girl. I can't let him take my friend away and marry her." Kizzy said.
Kizzy goes to the starting line with the Devil and prepared to race. The gunshot is fired and both Kizzy and the Devil started running. The run for a while as the Devil realized Kizzy is a faster runner than he is. He attempts to slow her down by magically making tree branches fall. Kizzy quickly notices and managed to dodge them just in time. Kizzy kept running as the Devil struggled to keep up with her. He tries another tactic and makes large boulders roll at her. Kizzy manages to dodge them with quick thinking. Kizzy is nearing the finish line when the Devil tried one last tactic. He magically makes himself faster, trying to catch up with her. But the Devil was too late as Kizzy crossed the finish line before she could. Everyone cheered.
Gwen and the cups run up to Kizzy and hug her. The Devil hung his mouth open at Kizzy's victory.
"Kizzy has crossed the finish line! Team Gwen is the winner of the Soulympic Games!" The announcer said.
Mr. Thompson and Theo were released from their cage and run up to Kizzy and hug her.
"Daddy! Theo!" Kizzy happily exclaimed.
"My little girl! You did it!" Mr. Thompson said.
"Way to go sis!" Theo said.
Gwen and the cups stood happily, watching Kizzy reunite with her father and sister. But Gwen felt unsure if she could trust Mr. Thompson and Theo with her secret of the Inkwell Isles. Just then, the Devil grabbed his pitchfork and prepared to attack.
"I may've lost the games, but I'm not finished with you four yet!" The Devil angrily yelled and pointed his pitchfork.
With quick thinking, Gwen used her ink pen and fired her cyan-beam attack at the Devil. Then, she fired her shot at the soul pipe, freeing the souls of the losing competitors.
"NOOOOOO!" The Devil cried out.
The souls all return to their bodies, and everybody cheered Gwen on. The Devil attempted to go after Gwen until Kizzy bravely stepped in the way and punched the Devil in the nose.
"YEOW!" The Devil cried in pain.
"Serves you right you selfish, lying, cheating jerk!" Kizzy said angrily.
Kizzy goes back to her friends and family as she and her team are presented gold medals. Henchman helps the Devil on his feet.
"Duh, come on boss, let's go get you to the ER… again." Henchman said.
"That stupid girl broke my freakin' nose!" The Devil angrily said while holding his injured nose.
The Devil, Henchman and King Dice head into the elevator and disappear back to Hell.
"Oh, wait till everybody back home knows about this place! We'll be famous, more people are gonna wanna come here!" Theo said.
Gwen's eyes popped and said,
"No, Theo. Nobody can ever know about this place." Gwen tried to reason with Theo.
"No, Gwen. People need to know. We need to learn more about this world." Mr. Thompson said.
"Fine, then you leave me no choice."
Gwen said as she got out her ink pen. She made the magic inkwell glow as she pointed at both Mr. Thompson and Theo's heads. She magically made their eyes closed unconscious while they were still standing. She magically pulled out their memories of the Devil kidnapping them and imprisoning them. She magically altered their memories of watching Kizzy win a cross-country event and winning a gold medal in the human world, thus erasing memories of the Devil and the Inkwell Isles. After putting their altered memories back into their heads, Gwen teleports Mr. Thompson and Theo back to their house in the human world.
"Woah, what did you just do?" Cuphead asked.
"I erased their memories of the Inkwell Isles and the Devil to protect them and this world. I recently learned a new ability from Elder Kettle's book." Gwen explained.
"Will they be, okay?" Mugman asked.
"Yes, Mugsy. They'll be okay. They're gonna wake up in the human world and remember nothing of the Inkwell Isles or the Devil. But don't worry, I kept the memory of watching Kizzy win the game." Gwen assured them.
"Oh, thank you Gwen. I'm sorry Daddy and Theo said they were gonna tell everyone." Kizzy said, feeling relieved.
"It's okay Kizzy and you're welcome. Now, let's get you home. Your dad did say he didn't want you staying out too late." Gwen said.
"Okay Gwen." Kizzy said.
"I'll be back guys." Gwen told the cups.
"Okay Gweny." Both cups said.
Gwen wrapped her arm around Kizzy and disappeared to outside of Kizzy's house. Both girls entered the house and are greeted by Mr. Thompson and Theo.
"Hey, there's my gold winnin' girl!" Mr. Thompson said, hugging Kizzy.
"Congrats sis!" Theo said.
"Thanks daddy. Thanks Theo." Kizzy said happily, knowing they still remembered her winning.
"Now what do you say we celebrate? I'll whip us up some clam chowder!" Mr. Thompson announced and heads to the kitchen with Theo.
Gwen and Kizzy look at each other.
"I'll talk you soon Kizzy. Thank you so much for all your help." Gwen thanked Kizzy.
"Thank you, Gwen for the adventure. I almost lost faith in myself but thanks to you, I'm gonna keep training until I do get into the Olympics one day." Kizzy said.
Both girls hugged and Gwen disappeared back to the Inkwell Isles. She rejoins her friends, and both disappeared back to the cottage. Gwen remembered Porkrind and said to the cups,
"I need to take care of something first. I'll be right back."
"Okay Gwen." Both cups said.
Gwen disappeared to Porkrind's Emporium and enters the shop. Porkrind looked up from his horse-racing book and noticed Gwen.
"Oh, you're okay kid." Porkrind said, feeling relieved.
Gwen is shocked that Porkrind did care about her safety. She approaches Porkrind at the counter.
"Listen, I defeated the Devil once again and escaped him. I haven't forgotten our agreement. So, what do I need to do now?" Gwen hesitantly asked.
"Don't worry about it kid. You're once again off the hook. You may go now."
Porkrind said as he was coming around the counter to prepare to close the shop up. Gwen is touched by Porkrind's kindness and does something she never thought she'd ever do for him. She gives him a heartwarming hug, to his shock as he lightly gasped. After a few seconds, Porkrind grabbed Gwen's shoulders and said,
"Okay kid, that's enough. Now, go home."
Gwen smiled and left the shop and headed home. But she knew that she can't get used to Porkrind's kindness because he was still a penny-pinching grump. She rejoins her family and have dinner together, Gwen felt happy that she and her friends triumphed over the Devil once again and have gold medals to prove it.