A/N: Welcome to this week's chapter of "Heart, Soul, and Mind". Today, we're diving into Katie's adventure in Inkwell Isle 3! How will she fare? Stay tuned!
(Katie's P.O.V)
I was completely alone, standing in a strange place that was a deep, velvety midnight color, surrounded by sparkling stars and streams of auroras in radiant blues and bright purples. I was rooted atop of what seemed like a stained glass floor shining in bright blue, white, midnight blue and soft purple. However, I was too awed by the view above to pay much mind to the ground. I was getting some Kingdom Hearts vibes as I took in my surroundings, but also not understanding where I am and why I couldn't see any of my friends here.
Suddenly, just like some letting out from the tutorial level of the first Kingdom Hearts game, orbs of light appeared around me, forming into winged hearts as they floated in the still air.
One heart was a heavenly sunshine yellow with butterfly-shaped angel wings, donning what appeared to be a small crown of feathers atop of it and a small silver butterfly in its center.
The second heart was a sweet rose pink with wings, cute little wolf ears at the top and in its center was a golden star.
The third heart, the radiant crystal blue one, was what I felt drawn to the most. It has draconic yet feathery wings, sports small white dragon horns and in the middle was a white teardrop-shaped crystal, similar to the symbol on my locket.
As I reached out for the blue winged heart, I jumped back as it suddenly formed into a giant silhouette of a blue dragon with bird-like wings.
The other hearts then transformed as well.
The yellow heart became a large, lithe phoenix with long tail feathers and its feathery wings were butterfly-shaped while the pink one changed into that of a winged wolf (a Pterolycus, I believe it's called in Greek Mythology).
Stunned, I looked over at the phoenix and pterolycus before glancing up at the dragon, which regarded me back with gentle eyes. Suddenly, the dragon, phoenix and winged wolf opened each of their wings and leapt up into the air, scattering pink, blue and yellow ethereal feathers.
All three of them soared around until they formed a swirling tornado of pinks, blues and yellows. I shielded my head with my arms as the tornado whipped my hair around my face. There was suddenly a blinding light and then…
###############################################################
I woke up… to see it's not in the hotel room I was staying at with Lexie and Natty, rather a lounge room of a sort, lying on a plush daybed couch as a blanket was draped over my form while my head had been laid on a soft cushion.
"Where… am I?" I wondered aloud in confusion and concern. "How did I even get here? And where are Natty, Lexie and the boys?"
Throwing back the blanket, I swung my legs over the end of the couch when I noticed that my medium blue jeans and black boots… were animated. Gasping, I lifted up to see my arms, which were clad in the sleeves of my light crystal blue denim jacket, were also animated. As was the silver bracelet watch with the square shaped face on my right wrist.
On my left wrist is my silver Nomination bracelet with charms consisting of silver and diamond encrusted stars, snowflakes, white opals and blue and purple heart-shaped gemstones. In the center of the bracelet is one of those personalized engraving charms with a small diamond encrusted star. Next to it was my personalized engraving that reads "May Our Dreams Shine". It was originally intended to be spelled with "Your" but there wasn't any room for the whole thing, so I had to edit out the "Y".
Seeing one of those full-sized mirrors to see your entire body close by, I shot up from the couch and hurried over to it to examine myself.
I was stunned and awed to see I was fully a cartoon character. My short dark brown bob-cut hairstyle was almost anime-like with a few cowlicks and my light blue eyes were mildly much larger and I was sure they were actually sparkling like stars.
I was wearing my midnight blue T-shirt underneath my jacket and a black belt around the waist of my jeans. Clipped onto the right breast of the jacket was the blue fox brooch with tiny blue gemstones encrusted into the tail in various shades I had gotten as a present last year.
Around my neck is a silver locket designed to look like a book with a heart that looks like the symbol from Kingdom Hearts, blue wings at either side of it, made from blue blue fire opal, and a teardrop-shaped diamond in the center. At the top and bottom of the locket are three small, round blue gemstones.
I gaped in amazement and disbelief as the wide eyes of the 2D version of myself in the mirror was staring back. I lifted my hand up, my reflection doing the same as each tip touched one another. I unconsciously counted my fingers, noting that I still have five of them.
It felt like right out of the 1994 movie, The Pagemaster, in which the kid protagonist, Richard Tyler, was transformed into an animated version of himself when he had to take shelter in a magical library from a terrible thunderstorm while searching for a telephone to call for home.
"How is this even possible?" I murmured.
Despite still feeling overwhelmed, I also felt a flow of excitement as I took in my new animated form. It… incredible! It was like my childhood dream of living in a world among toons while becoming a cartoon character myself is finally coming true!
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, making me jump in surprise.
From the other side I heard:
"Excuse me, miss? How are you feeling? Did I wake you?"
"O-oh, no. I actually just woke up." I answered.
"Is it alright if I come in and chat with you?" The voice asked.
I was a little uncertain since I'm not a fan of strangers, but judging from the gentle tone in their voice, this person seemed to have my best interests at heart. And perhaps they could help me know where I am and where I could find my friends,
"Um, yes, please come in."
The door opened and I was shocked to see who stepped in;
Sally Stageplay.
I was completely speechless. I couldn't believe that I was seeing Sally with my own eyes. She stepped in carrying a tray with a teapot, and a few tea cups, and had a gentle smile on her face.
"I thought you could use a little something." She replied, placing the tray on a small stool. She poured a cup and gave it to me, before pouring one for herself.
"Th-thank you." I said shyly. "Where am I and how did I get here?"
"Well, to answer the first question, you're backstage of my theater." Sally responded, taking a small sip. "As for the second one, my husband and I were out for a walk in the city, hoping to get more supplies for the upcoming production, when we saw you unconscious near the fountain. Thankfully, nothing was broken, but we took you back here to keep an eye on you. You sure gave us a fright."
I set my cup down to let all of this sink in, still in shock that not only am I a character now, but I'm also in the Cuphead universe.
"I'm very sorry for giving you both such a fright, Mrs. Stageplay, and thank you." I said.
"Oh, no worries. And you can call me Sally." She smiled. Then she asked "So, what happened? Why were you lying near the fountain unconscious?"
I sighed, running my hand through my hair, trying to regain my bearings while remembering how it happened.
"Well…" I started. "I'm not sure if you have heard of it, but my friends and I were in New York City, visiting the latest Comic Con convention. After we had dinner, we went back to the hotel and I wanted to show them this book I had bought from the bookshop back home in England. I remembered I had opened it, then the gemstones embedded into it started growling and…"
I then gasped, my eyes wide with horrified realization when I remembered the portal and the giant hands of the Devil grabbing me and others, dragging us into the book.
"The Devil!" I cried. "He reached out from the portal that formed into the book and grabbed me and my friends! We tried to escape, but he swatted at us, scattering us! I must have passed out after that happened, and got separated from the others!"
Sally nearly jumped when she heard the name of the Devil.
"T-the Devil? But he's defeated! And what on earth could he want with you and your friends? If I know him well enough, he wouldn't kidnap people just for a good show. It would be out of character for him to do. He must be planning something. But what?"
She paced a bit nervously in the room, while my mind was spinning. The memory of the Devil's enormous claw grabbing me made me shudder. But I was also worried about my friends. If the Devil had kidnapped us as part of an evil plan, I just have this feeling it isn't good.
And it's even worse that Matt — an innocent child at the tender age of 9 — is in danger of being targeted by that monster!
Then Sally spoke up.
"Regarding your friends, if they were scattered, then they must be somewhere in Inkwell. I didn't see anyone else besides you, so they still might be around the Isles. Where they are, I am not sure."
I hung my head low, feeling so helpless. Not just that, but I had this sinking feeling that I was partially responsible for our predicament. If I had known about the weirdness of that book, neither me nor the others would be in this mess.
"Do you think that whatever the Devil is planning might have something to do with gemstones in the book?" I asked. "They might provide some sort of clue. Anything that could help. Anything at all."
"Well, I'm not one to know about what those gemstones are, but if they were on the cover of the book, they might be important." Sally mentioned. "Also, I see the worried look on your face. None of this was your fault and if I know Inkwell, the residents might have run into them and are providing assistance."
I felt a bit better, but also stumped about what to do. And there's still the issue about those gemstones. For some reason, Lexie, Natty and I were drawn to them somehow. As they were connected to them. But if Sally doesn't know anything much about them, then who?
Then, Sally gasped and snapped her fingers, as if she remembered something.
"You know, I may not know about these gemstones, but I know someone who might. Give me a second." She rushed out of the room, and a minute or so later, she came back with a small flier in her hands.
"Here. You should take a look at this." She smiled, handing me the filer.
Arching a confused eyebrow, I looked over the flier. It was blue in color and it was beautifully decorated with silver stars and moons. The title on the flier was written down in such elegant writing. It read:
"Misterie's Mystic Grotto. Beads, charms and healing remedies."
I realized it was a flier for a shop of some sort. Like the kinds that sell crystals, and other mystical items I often see in towns.
"Misterie's Mystic Grotto?" I echoed. "I'm sorry, but how is a visit to a gift shop going to help me?"
"Oh trust me, this is no ordinary gift shop." Sally informed me. "She's new in town, but a lot of people say that what she sells actually worked. Huh, it might also seem that Porkrind might have some competition. I think if you go to her, she can provide you with some help and maybe clear up about those gemstones."
If what Sally had said is true, it's the best lead I have. Nodding, I folded up the flier and placed it inside my bag as I got up from the couch.
"Alright, I'll go there right now." I announced. "Thank you, Sally. For everything. You and your husband have been so kind to provide me shelter and I appreciate your help. I'll see if I can find a way to repay you for your kindness one day."
"Oh, you're so sweet! And it's a pleasure to help others." Sally smiled. "Want me to make you something to eat for the road?"
I politely shook my head. "Oh, no thank you. You've done so much for me, but I appreciate it. Thanks."
Sally nodded and then mentioned, "The location for her shop is at the bottom of the flier. Can't miss it."
"Okay, thanks."
After Sally had seen me out of the theater and wished me luck, I made my way through the city on the third Isle, looking over the flier for guidance. Eventually after a few minutes of walking, I had finally reached my destination.
The shop differs mildly from the usual stores you'd expect in a city from the 30s. It was foreign yet humble. Almost mystical. And I liked it.
Taking a deep breath, I gently pushed the door open, hearing the traditional silvery dinging of the small bell.
Inside, the shop was like being inside a hut. There were boxes and jars filled with colorful glass beads. Small racks bearing beaded bracelets and necklaces. There were shelves filled with different varieties of charms, crystals and containers of herbs, spices and candles. There were also several snow globes, toys, plushies, books and several watches, ranging between some of those pocket watches and the sort you wear on your wrists.
"Wow! This Misterie certainly has about everything here! I marveled inwardly.
As I looked around in awe, I heard singing in the back of the room.
***** Song: Murru's Chant from "Balto: Wolf's Quest" *****
Female Voice: Praise for the high tide
Praise for the seaside
Praise for the sun at the high noon
Praise for the singing
Praise for the Father Sun and Sister Moon
*Enchanted and curious by the singing, I began to approach the counter.*
Praise for the red dawn
Grass that we walk upon
Praise for the river's whispered tune
*I approached the counter as the singing was growing louder, soaring through the flap over the doorway at the back of the room. I titled my head, curious if it was the shop owner.*
Praise for the Earth Mother
Praise for the Father Sun and Sister Moon
Praise for the Father Sun and Sister Moon
*I was surprised to hear a younger male voice join in. It sounded oddly familiar, like I've heard it from somewhere before.*
Boy's Voice: Hey-ya, hey-ya, hey-ya!
Hey-ya, hey-ya, hey-ya-a-a!
*****END SONG*****
Assuming the song was over, I cleared my throat and meekly called out.
"Um, e-excuse me, please, but is there anyone serving?"
There was a pause before the female voice that had been singing earlier answered, "Ah, my deepest apology. Just a moment please. I'll be right there."
Stepping out from behind the flap was a female anthropomorphic painted wolf with the trademark mottled fur and large ears her species are most famous for, but instead of brown, her eyes are a pure forest green. Her build was lithe, but also athletic.
Her attire consists of a sleeveless, pine green halter neck dress that shows off a bit of her back and the bottom of the skirt is rimmed in silver. The dress has a slit in each side of the skirt for extra mobility and dark brown leggings that stopped just below her knees underneath. Around her waist is an elegant brown belt with a small pouch-like bag over her left hip.
On her left arm is a long leaf green, sleeve-like handless glove that covers her knuckles. On her right forearm is a deep pine green bracer lined with silver and a round light blue gemstone embedded into the end that covered her knuckles.
The painted wolf's pawed feet are bare as she wore only a silver anklet around her right ankle. Around her neck is a necklace made from woven dark brown cords with three glass beads as the pendant. The bead in the middle is green and the other two at either side of it are bright blue.
In her hand was a beautifully crafted staff with the wood carving of a martial eagle. The bird has black and white feathers, silvery-gray feet, black talons and a small silver-gray beak. It also has the familiar black stripes around its legs and the small black dots speckling its underside. However, the two things that make the beautiful carving stand out were its crystal blue eyes and the silver wings that remind me of Aiden the falcon from the movie, Quest For Camelot.
I was most surprised that the painted wolf and the eagle carving lacked the rubber hose atheistic to the Cuphead universe. While the martial eagle is more realistically drawn, the painted wolf almost looks like she would fit right in The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon.
"Hello." The painted wolf greeted. "I am Misterie, owner, founder and so on of this humble shop. How may I be of any service?"
"O-oh, yes. I-I was hoping you could help me." I answered. "Believe it or not, but I came from another world where these Isles are fictional, and I had gotten separated from my friends when we had gotten pulled into this book I had bought from a bookshop. Sally Stageplay, the one who had found me unconscious near the fountain, had given me one of your fliers and told me that you might have the answers."
The painted wolf (Misterie) raised an eyebrow before she said, "Ahh, I trust you must be the human named Katie Gemwing?"
I blinked in surprise and disbelief. How did she even know my name?
As if she had read my mind, Misterie responded, "Your little friend had spoken so highly of you after I had found him lying unconscious in the woods back on Isle 1 as I was making my way over to my shop."
"H-huh?" I uttered.
Misterie turns to the back of the room and slightly parts the flap with her staff as she calls out, "Come on out, little one. You can finally put your worries to rest."
Emerging from the door was a glimmer of white and blue. My eyes widened in shock and disbelief when I recognized the bushy tail, silver antlers and flowery wings.
Kaichi the Sprigon. He's ALIVE?!
Upon seeing me, Kaichi's eyes widened in shock. But also relief.
"Katie!" He cried in a voice that sounded like Ash Ketchum back when he was originally voiced by Veronica Taylor.
He literally threw himself at me, hugging my stunned face as I struggled to process what's happening. When he pulled away, I struggled to find my voice.
"You're… alive?" I uttered as a confused Kaichi tilted his head. "How is this possible?"
"Between cartoon logic and magic, anything is possible on the Inkwell Isles." Misterie spoke sagely. "Allow me to temporarily close my shop and care to join for snacks and beverages as you explain about this curious book you speak of. I was due to be on break anyway."
She had locked the door and flipped the sign from "Open" to "Closed" before motioning for Kaichi and me to follow her into the back of the shop, leading us into a humble little lounge room with just a small table, a pair of comfortable chairs at either side of it, a desk nearby holding a couple of jars of sand and a cozy little fireplace with a small cauldron brewing.
"Aren, my loyal companion, I require your assistance with our guests." Misterie said simply.
Suddenly, something like out of the Disney cartoon, The Owl House, the martial eagle carving perched on her staff sprung to life. Stretching his wings, which actually glinted like pure silver with a lens flare effect, the eagle screeched and flew across the room, picking up plates in his talons and setting them onto the table.
Despite my shock, I smiled. I could get used to this.
Once the table was set, Misterie had poured some herbal tea into each cup and set them down onto each side of the table, placing down a dessert type of food. Truth be told, I was still filled up on that pizza I had before the whole fiasco with the book and I didn't want to impose on Sally's generosity after she gave me shelter when she found me. But… who could say no to some dessert? I can have quite a sweet tooth.
The dish was something called "koeksisters", a traditional South African doughnut treat that's deliciously sweet, sticky and drenched in syrup, laced with cinnamon, lemon and ginger.
As we ate while Misterie had explained to me that she came from a place very far from the Isles. When she first opened her shop, she made the beads she sells from the very sands from the Isles' shorelines. And, unlike Porkrind, she sells all of her charms and other items at a fair and reasonable price.
"Now I can understand what Sally meant by Porkrind potentially having competition with Misterie." I thought with a giggle as Aren had perched himself on my shoulder.
Aren nuzzles himself up against my face, cooing affectionately. I playfully scratched his head while he ruffled his feathers.
Misterie smiled as she quipped, "Aren is certainly fond of you. Normally, he's a bit leery towards strangers, rude customers mainly. Clearly, he senses you have a pure heart. Palismans are best known for sensing an innocent soul."
I'm just good with animals." I shrugged as Aren fluttered back towards his perch off Misterie's staff as she fed him some fish she had picked up from a plate.
"Anyhow, you had said you and some friends — humans like you — have been pulled into this world through a book?" Misterie stated as Aren polished his fish. "Please, kindly explain how that could have happened. I had heard of 'getting into a good book', but that seems too literal even for my comprehension."
"Well… at first, I thought it was just a harmlessly normal book I had bought from the bookshop back in the UK." I explained as carefully as I could. "I brought it with me to New York City to show it to my friends after our visit to the local Comic Con convention. It all happened so fast. All I did was opened the book and then, the gemstones embedded into the cover started to glow, and-"
Misterie's eyes flashed with shock and familiarity.
"Begging your absolute pardon, but… did you say gemstones?"
"Y-yes." I answered.
"Were in each a different color?" Misterie inquired. "One pink, another blue and the third yellow?"
I nodded. "Yes, they are."
"I see…"
Kaichi and I looked on, puzzled as Misterie got up from her, frowning in deep thought as she trudged towards a bookshelf. She pulls out a book and skims through several pages.
"Anything else? Aside from glowing when you opened that book?" She inquired.
"Each of us felt oddly drawn towards them somehow." I answered. "As if they were calling to us. Like… we were somehow… connected."
Misterie had stopped at a certain page and was frowning in deep thought and familiarity. As though she had heard about this before.
"What does it all mean?" Kaichi piped up.
"Something I had feared would eventually happen." Misterie answered grimly. "And you say that the Devil had dragged you and your friends here?"
I nodded. "Yes. Lexie, Natty and myself. As well as Lexie's boyfriend, Liam Jones and his kid brother, Matt. But… when the Devil pulled us into the book, I'm afraid we had gotten separated…"
The deeper Misterie's frown went, the more worried by how much she know about these gems I started to feel.
"What does it all mean?" I asked, struggling to understand.
"I'm afraid I cannot answer that immediately." Misterie replied. "It is something that must be discussed with all three of you. It's imperative that you find your friends and bring them back here where it would be safe. If the Devil is slowly resurfacing after his defeat at the hands of those young cups, he is certainly planning something vile that would concern these fair Isles and many other worlds… perhaps even yours…"
"But we don't even know where to look for them." Kaichi piped up. "This is a pretty big place. Much bigger even for somebody my size."
"Where would be the best place to look for them?" I asked.
Misterie tapped her jaw in thought. "Do you have anything that belongs to one of your friends? A personal item they had dropped anything they had lent you before you were pulled into the book?"
With some careful consideration of the possibility, I searched through my belt bag and pulled out… Lexie's pocket knife? How did I-?
I then remembered that Lex had used it to slice at the Devil's hand to free me, herself and the others from his grip. After he had swiped at us, separating us, Lexie must have dropped it and wound up landing near the fountain beside me. Sally and her husband must have assumed it belonged to me and placed it inside my bag for safe keeping when they carried me back to the theater.
"Will this do?" I suggested, handing Misterie the pocket knife.
"What are you gonna do with that?" Kaichi asked, arching an eyebrow in confusion.
Misterie had a mysteriously knowing look as she took the pocket knife.
"Oh, you'll see…"
Misterie waved a hand over the pocket knife and after a few minutes, it started to float.
"I put the knife under a tracking spell." Misterie explained. "It will keep levitating until you reach where your friends are. You'll know when you reach your destination."
I gave her a grateful look after she handed me back the pocket knife.
"Thank, Misterie. How can I ever repay you?"
"For starters, you should be very careful and keep out of sight of any imps the Devil has sent out to search for you." Misterie answered. "Once you and your friends are reunited, be certain to return to my shop as soon as possible."
I nodded as I got up from the chair, turning to Kaichi.
"Come on, bud. We'd better get going."
He nodded, jumped on my shoulder and the two of us headed out of the shop. Once we were outside, I held up the pocket knife and it began to levitate up from my palm.
"Lex… Nat… boys… Hang in there, guys. I'm comin."
(Normal P.O.V)
Once Katie has left the shops, Misterie sighed, petting Aren's back as the martial eagle cooed in concern.
"So… he has finally found them." She muttered with a frown. "After all these years, it has come to pass…"
She looked over the book she had been skimming through. The pages showed an illustration of three silhouettes of winged creatures. One was a crystal blue dragon with large swan-like wings, the second was that of a yellow phoenix with long tail feathers and butterfly-shaped wings and the third appeared to be a pink wolf with feathery wings.
Misterie, staff in hand, approached an old trunk at the back of the room and opened it, taking out a small box. She walked over to her desk and settled the box down, opening it. Inside, resting on a purple velvet pillow were familiar looking gemstones, but they seemed to be mildly dull and their glow faint.
Misterie was planning to reveal that after she had found Kaichi in the forest, she had also found the gems close by. However, it would be wiser to reveal their connection with the three human females once they, along with their friends, return here safely.
"I pray to the Ancestors that those poor young women will be safe." She murmured solemnly. "If the Devil ever gets his claws on all three of them… I fear for the worst…"
A/N: And that was the introduction of our lovely Madame Misterie! Will Katie be okay out in Isle 3? And what did her dream mean in connection with the gems? Stay tuned for the next chapter of "Heart, Soul, and Mind"!