It was December in the two worlds and Gwen was helping her cup brothers decorate the cottage for the holidays. Gwen magically sets up the trinkets until she heard a knock at the door. She answered the door and discovered her assistant Akilah was outside.

"Oh, hey Akilah." Gwen greeted.

"Hey Gwen. I was wondering if you could help me with something?" Akilah asked.

"What is it?" Gwen asked.

"Elijah told me Hanukkah, the 'Festival of Lights' is almost here, and he wants to celebrate it with me. So, I was wondering if you could help us with Hanukkah this year?" Akilah asked.

"Oh yeah. Hanukkah usually happens before Christmas. Well, I suppose I can help you two out celebrating." Gwen agrees.

"Wonderful! Why don't you come by the apartment and help us decorate later this afternoon?" Akilah asked.

"Sure. I just have to finish decorating the cottage first." Gwen said.

"Alright boss. I'll see you later!" Akilah said and left the cottage.

Gwen resumes decorating the cottage with her family. Later, they were finished and Gwen heads over to Akilah's apartment at her art studio. Gwen notices Cuphead and Mugman following her, making her shake her head.

"You guys wanna help me?" Gwen asked.

"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!" Both cups exclaimed.

"Alright guys." Gwen said and walked down the road together. They arrive at the art studio, enter Akilah's apartment. Elijah and Akilah notice their arrival.

"Salam boss." Akilah greeted.

"Shalom." Elijah greeted.

"Squawk! Salam! Shalom!" Squawked Akilah's parakeet Alyaqut.

"Hey guys. We're here to help with Hanukkah." Gwen said.

"Uh… What's Hanukkah?" Cuphead asked.

"Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday Cuphead. It lasts for eight days." Akilah answered.

"Why do you celebrate it?" Mugman asked.

"You guys don't know?" Gwen asked.

"It's alright Gwen. It is how we learn by asking questions." Elijah said.

"Squawk! Hanukkah! Eight days!" Alyaqut squawked.

Elijah sits down on the couch and gestures the group to sit with him, they do so as Alyaqut flew on his shoulder.

"Allow me to tell you the story of Hanukkah and how it came to be a holiday. Hanukkah translates to 'Dedication' in my native language Hebrew, and it lasts for eight days. They do not have a specific date like Christmas you celebrate is on December 25 because the Jewish have a lunar calendar. Therefore, it could either be in late November or late December." Elijah explained.

"So, it depends on the moon cycle when you celebrate Hanukkah?" Mugman asked.

"That is correct Mugman. It all began in the second century when my homeland Israel was once part of Syria was ruled by the good King of Syria. It was peaceful for a while until the king's son who became the next king, he wanted the Hebrews to practice worshiping other gods, but they refused. When that happened, the evil king sent an army to attack the Hebrews and destroyed our sacred temple. That's when a group of Jewish warriors called the Maccabees led by a priest named Mattathias and his five sons and fought against the Syrian soldiers. After Mattathia's death, his son Judah Maccabee led the Hebrews to victory and drove the Syrians out of their home." Elijah continued.

"Wow, that's quite a war story." Cuphead said.

"Yes, it was a very difficult time for my people. Anyway, the Hebrews celebrated their victory, and our sacred temple was rebuilt, and they placed a menorah with eight branches and lit the candles. They thought they had enough oil for the candles to burn for one day but to their surprise, the candles burned for eight nights. During that time, the Hebrews searched for a fresh supply of oil. It was from then on, the elders proclaimed those eight nights to be celebrated as a holiday to burn the menorah oil every year to this very day." Elijah finished the story.

Gwen and the cups applaud Elijah.

"That's an amazing story Elijah." Gwen complimented.

"Thank you, Gwen." Elijah thanked.

"So, what do you guys do at night during those eight nights?" Cuphead asked.

"Good question Cuphead. On each night of Hanukkah, we light a candle for each night on the menorah. Then, families gather and eat food, sing songs, play games, recite prayers and open presents." Elijah answered.

"Food? Songs? Games? Presents?" Both cups asked excitedly.

Akilah giggled at the cups.

"Yes, young cups." Elijah answered.

"Don't forget guys, you're getting your presents on Christmas day." Gwen reminded them.

"Oh yeah!" Both cups said.

"So, Gwen? Will you help us with decorating the apartment and get everything ready for Hanukkah? I can do the cooking for the eight nights." Akilah asked.

"Well, okay. I'll see what I can do." Gwen said, getting an idea.

"Thank you, Gwen." Elijah thanked.

Gwen got out her ink pen and magically created a banner that said, 'Happy Hanukkah' and hung it on the wall with another banner with the Star of David symbols. Then, she magically made glowing blue light balls float above the table, decorated the table and made Jewish trinkets. Elijah pulls out a menorah and placed it on a little table in front of the window. Gwen kindly creates nine candles on the menorah.

"Thank you. This was my family's menorah. I saved it before rioters destroyed the music shop along with my dreidel." Elijah said.

"Well, now you can keep their memories alive here." Gwen assured him.

Gwen finishes the decorating by creating a blue wreath and hung it on their door.

"Well, I think that should do it." Gwen said, feeling proud of her work.

Akilah hugged Gwen in joy.

"Thank you so much Gwen. We'd also love to invite you guys to celebrate with us maybe the last night of Hanukkah." Akilah offered.

"Well of course we'd love to. This'll be good for the cups to learn another holiday at this time of year." Gwen said.

"Yay!" Both cups cheered.

"Alright. We better get going. Elder Kettle's gonna have us go get another Christmas tree. Hopefully it doesn't burn to a crisp this time." Gwen said.

"And I hope Porkrind doesn't raise the price… again!" Mugman said frustratingly.

"He better not." Cuphead grumbled.

Elijah and Akilah look at Gwen confusingly.

"Anyway, we'll see you guys later!" Gwen said and left the apartment with the cups.

"Bye!" Both cups called.

"Bye!" Both Akilah and Elijah called.

A few days later, it was the first night of Hanukkah and Elijah and Akilah start the holiday by Akilah lighting the first candle and Elijah reciting a prayer. Afterwards, Akilah served herself and Elijah dinner of brisket, latkes (potato pancakes), kugel (egg noddle casserole), and roasted vegetables. For dessert, they eat sufganiyots (jelly doughnuts). Elijah played a kinnor and Akilah danced for him, and both have fun over the seven nights of Hanukkah.

On the last night of Hanukkah, Gwen along with Clarence, Cordelia, Ms. Chalice, Elder Kettle, Cuphead and Mugman join Akilah and Elijah for the celebration. They knock on the door and Akilah answered.

"Happy Hanukkah!" The group exclaimed.

"Bestie!" Cordelia exclaimed.

Both Akilah and Cordelia hugged each other. They enter inside the apartment and gather around the menorah with seven candles lit. Elijah prepared to deliver the blessings as Akilah prepared to light the last candle as the sun sets.

"Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid'shanu b-mitzvotav, v-tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Hanukkah." Elijah delivered the first blessing.

"Blessed are you, our God, ruler of the universe, who makes us holy through your commandments, and commands us to light the Hanukkah lights." Akilah translated.

"Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olan, she-ash nisim la-avoteinu ba- yamim ha-heim ba-z'man ha-zeh." Elijah delivered the second blessing.

"Blessed are you, our God, ruler of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in their days at this season." Akilah translated.

The group applaud them as the festivities began. Akilah served brisket, latkes, kugel and roasted vegetables. For dessert, she served jelly doughnuts and chocolate coins.

Elijah teaches the cups how to play with a dreidel, a spinning four-sided top with four Hebrew symbols and teaches them a song that goes with it.

Later, Elijah played his kinnor for the group Hanukkah songs with Clarence with his ukulele joining in with Elijah and both played in harmony. They are both applauded as the men bowed.

"This was a great idea honey. Helping them celebrate Hanukkah." Clarence complimented Gwen.

"They needed my help, so I was glad to help them." Gwen said as she held Clarence.

"Alright everyone. As Hanukkah comes to an end this year, it is time to exchange our last gifts." Elijah announced.

Akilah gets her present and hands it to Elijah. He opens it and pulls out a framed picture of him and his parents. Elijah is moved to tears.

"I thought you'd love that either here or your music shop." Akilah said.

"Thank you. I love it." Elijah said, wiping a tear.

Elijah puts the picture down on the table and pulls out a little present from his pocket. He hands it to Akilah. Gwen's eyes widened, realizing what he was about to do. Akilah opens it and reveals a diamond ring, making her gasp.

"I… I don't know what to say." Akilah said.

"Well, I have one thing to ask of you." Elijah said.

He gets down on one knee and took a deep breath.

"Will you marry me?" Elijah popped the question.

Akilah stood there in shock and thought for a moment.

"Yes, I will." Akilah said as she was tearing up.

Everyone cheered as Gwen and Clarence held each other, feeling happy for the newly engaged couple. Cordelia along with Cuphead and Mugman cry as Elder Kettle held them.

After the proposal, it was time for the group to head on home. They all say goodbye and congratulations to their engagement to the couple. Akilah and Elijah give each other a kiss as Elijah slides the engagement ring on her right ring finger. Afterwards, they head to bed for the night.

The next day, Akilah and Elijah pack up the decorations for next Hanukkah. Akilah joins Gwen downstairs for work as Elijah heads down to his music shop to start work. Akilah felt happy to start her life with Elijah together in the Inkwell Isles in their newfound freedom.

But something came to Akilah's mind lately. After work, she decided to talk to Gwen once again.

"Hey boss?" Akilah asked.

"Yes Akilah?" Gwen asked.

"Can I talk to you in your office?" Akilah asked.

"Sure." Gwen agreed.

They both enter Gwen's office; she sits behind her desk and Akilah sat in a chair.

"What's up? Nervous about marriage?" Gwen asked.

"It's not that ma'am. I was wondering if it's possible if you could show me something." Akilah said.

"What?" Gwen asked.

"M-m-m-my parents." Akilah struggled to answer.

Gwen's eyes widened.

"But I thought you disowned them. Weren't they gonna marry you off to some older creep before you came to America?" Gwen asked.

"Yes, I know ma'am. But I just want to see how they are doing without me. Because maybe they miss me or maybe they don't want me back. But I want to know to be sure." Akilah voiced her concern.

Gwen sighed, unsure if she should once again look into Akilah's past.

"Well, okay. But we'll keep it brief, okay?" Gwen asked.

"Yes ma'am." Akilah agreed to Gwen's terms.

Gwen magically creates an eyeball and held it in her hand.

"Show me Akilah's parents and if they are alright." Gwen ordered.

The eyeball glowed and Gwen took Akilah's hands and were both whisked away into their subconsciousness.

They find themselves in Damascus, Syria in front of Akilah's old house. Akilah goes inside with Gwen following behind her.

"Is this where you grew up?" Gwen asked.

"Yes. I used to live with my parents." Akilah answered.

They look and see Akilah's parents at the table eating dinner. Gwen noticed Akilah's mother with tears in her eyes.

"What's eating her?" Gwen asked.

"That is my mother, Halimah. I think she misses me." Akilah said, noticing her mother's sadness.

"Is this your father, the one who tried to betroth you to someone you don't like?" Gwen asked.

"Yes, my father Hakeem. He is the dominant of the house." Akilah answered sadly.

Both girls watched Akilah's parent's talking to each other in Arabic. Gwen had no clue what they were saying.

"Oh no." Akilah said worryingly.

"What's wrong? What are they talking about?" Gwen asked.

"Mother is arguing how my father drove me away and it was his fault I am gone." Akilah sadly translated.

"Oh…" Gwen said uncomfortably.

"And father is worried that the man is angry and wants what he was promised: Me." Akilah translated.

"This guy they wanted you to marry sounds like a bad person. I should know, the same thing almost happened to me." Gwen said, growing concerned.

Just then, they noticed armed gunmen bursting into their home and take her parents hostage and take them away.

"Oh, my goodness! It's the terrorist organization!" Akilah exclaimed.

Their leader is revealed to be the man Akilah was to be married to.

"Oh no… he's their leader!" Akilah realized.

"What?! The guy you were gonna marry?!" Gwen asked fearfully.

They watch in horror Halimah and Hakeem were taken away. The girls follow them and discover they took them to their hideout in the caves in Anti-Lebanon Mountains. They watch their leader angrily yell at her parents and has a man write a letter.

"He said they're going to hold them hostage and are going to threaten me to surrender to him or else they will die." Akilah translated, feeling scared.

"Oh no. They're trying to draw you out." Gwen said worryingly.

"I-I-I have to do something!" Akilah exclaimed.

"What?! You can't go back! It's suicide!" Gwen warned her.

"But I must! He'll kill them!" Akilah argued.

"Akilah, calm down." Gwen ordered.

Akilah took a deep breath.

"Good. I know you're scared for them but have got to keep our heads." Gwen reminded her.

"I have to go back and save them. Even if they'll never approve of me marrying Elijah. They are my parents." Akilah said feeling determined.

"Oh boy." Gwen said and sighed.

Gwen then yelled,

"Wake up! Wake up!"

Both girls returned to their bodies and wake up.

"Wow, that was intense." Gwen said, regaining control of her mind.

"Boss, I really want to save my parents. Even if they don't consider me their daughter anymore. Please, will you help me?" Akilah begged.

Gwen thought for a moment.

"If I take you back to Syria save your parents, will you do as I say?" Gwen asked.

"Yes boss. I promise." Akilah agreed.

"Okay then. Let's go." Gwen said.

"Wait, you need to blend in. You need to wear a hijab and we have to be escorted by a man." Akilah warned of Syrian's strict laws against women.

Gwen thinks for a moment and gets another idea. Later, Gwen called for Elijah to the art studio. Akilah explains the situation of her parents to Elijah, making him gasp in horror.

"So, you see we need your help. We're going back to Syria and rescue my parents from the terrorists." Akilah said.

"Love, it's too dangerous. Someone could recognize you." Elijah warned.

"I know, but we need you to get us through Damascus to the mountains. Gwen was able to find out the terrorist's hideout.

"I don't know about this. Your parents hate me. They won't accept us together." Elijah warned.

"I know that. But I want to save their lives." Akilah said.

Elijah sighed, knowing the mission was too risky.

"If we help you save your parents, will you let it alone and we return to the Inkwell Isles?" Elijah asked.

"Yes. I promise." Akilah promised.

Gwen makes herself a disguise to blend in with the Syrians. Then she approached the couple and teleport themselves to Damascus.

They arrive in Akilah's old house, which was empty and deserted.

"Oh my. They were kidnapped." Elijah said, noticing the damage.

"Yes, we saw it in the vision." Akilah said, looking at her childhood home.

"Ok, we should get going. We remember the plan?" Gwen asked.

"Yes boss." Akilah said as she puts on her hijab.

Elijah wears a cloak to avoid attention.

"Then, let's go." Gwen said.

The group leave the house and head into Damascus. They pass various people and avoid eye contact and looking at anyone. They make it to the outskirts of Damascus and finally reach the Anti-Lebanon Mountains.

"Okay, we got one shot at this." Gwen said.

Gwen teleports themselves up to the cave where the terrorists were hiding out. They discover a few guards guarding the entrance. Gwen thinks for a moment and gets an idea. She magically turns herself and the couple invisible. Gwen used telekinesis to make a boulder fall off a cliff, making loud noise.

This draws the guard's attention, and their captain sends a few men to investigate. Gwen, Akilah and Elijah quietly sneak past the remaining guards and make their way inside the cave. They find their leader talking to his men as they took cover behind some crates.

Gwen thinks for a moment and whispers to the couple,

"Wait here."

Gwen sneaks off down another tunnel and finds a barred door where Akilah's parents were held captive. She rejoins the couple after discovering their location.

Gwen hand signals them to follow her. They follow her down the tunnel and find Akilah's parents in their prison cell.

Gwen removes their invisibility and quietly unlocks the door. Both Halimah and Hakeem are shocked the door is unlocked. The trio enter as Gwen gestures them to be quiet. Gwen gets to work, magically removing their restraints off their wrists.

"Do you speak English?" Gwen asked the parents.

"Yes." Halimah answered quietly.

"Ah, good. We're here to rescue you." Gwen answered.

"Akilah?" Hakeem asked, recognizing his daughter.

"Baaba! Maama!" Akilah answered quietly.

Just then, they hear some men coming.

"Mr. and Mrs. Jassim. Do me a favor and close your eyes." Gwen whispered.

"Who are you American?" Hakeem asked.

"Just do it!" Gwen scolded.

Hakeem and Halimah cover their eyes. With quick thinking, Gwen teleports the group out of the cave. The terrorists arrive, but find the prisoners gone, leaving them baffled.

The group reappear at the Jassim House safe and sound. Hakeem and Halimah open their eyes and are shocked they are in their own home once again.

"We're home maama, baaba! You're safe now!" Akilah said excitedly.

Hakeem gives Akilah an angry look.

"You disobeyed me for the last time! You broke the agreement to marry Abdul!" Hakeem scolded.

"What? You were gonna marry her off to that evil terrorist leader!" Gwen argued, speaking up for Akilah.

"You are not allowed to speak American! You have no place here!" Hakeem yelled at Gwen.

"Oh nice. I save your sorry butt from the terrorists, and this is the thanks I get?" Gwen scolded.

"Silence!" Hamilah scolded Gwen.

"Do not be mad at her. She's unfamiliar with the customs here." Elijah said, trying to calm them down.

"You! I thought I told you to never see my daughter again!" Hakeem yelled.

"Baaba, we're engaged!" Akilah bravely yelled.

Hakeem stood in shock and looked at his daughter showing the engagement ring.

"I now live a free life with Elijah all thanks to my best friend Gwen! She has done so much for me! She has my back as I have hers! She even saved Elijah from rioters in Jerusalem and brought us back together! And now we are happy with our new friends! I thought you'd both be happy for me!" Akilah angrily explained everything she'd been through.

Gwen stood by Akilah's side and wrapped her arm around her shoulder.

"Akilah! Marrying a Jew is strictly forbidden! I will give you two choices! Either come home and marry Abdul who we arranged for you to marry or go back with him and her and never come home and you will no longer be our daughter! Choose!" Hakeem angrily said, giving her an ultimatum.

Akilah stood in shock with tears rolling down her face. Gwen patted her back.

"Akilah let's go home. You both have every right to get married since you both love each other. You both deserve to be happy." Gwen said, getting her ink pen.

Elijah goes to Akilah's side and holds her and nodded in agreement. Akilah smiled, then faced her parents.

"I am sorry baaba, but this is the path I choose. If Gwen can live her life the way she wants to without her parents controlling her, then so can I. You will never see me or hear from me again. Goodbye forever." Akilah bravely said, making her choice.

The trio leave the parents behind, walk around a corner and teleported back to the Inkwell Isles. Halimah runs around the corner and to her shock, they are gone leaving her baffled.

The trio reappear in the art studio, all of them heartbroken.

"I'm sorry Akilah." Gwen apologized.

"It's alright boss. I figured they'd never approve of my choices." Akilah said sadly.

"We are free from them now. We will build a new family here in the Inkwell Isles." Elijah assured his fiancée.

"Guys let's put all this behind us. We saved her parents, that's all that matters." Gwen reminded them.

"Yes, I'll be happy knowing they are alive. Thank you, Gwen." Akilah thanked.

"You're welcome. I'll be going now." Gwen said as she leaves the art studio to rejoin her family.

Akilah and Elijah return to the apartment upstairs where Alyaqut squawked at them. To cheer Akilah up, he grabbed his little dreidel and a handful of chocolate coins.

"Wanna play a game?" Elijah asked.

Akilah smiled and both sat down at the table to play with the dreidel game as the glowing lights floated above the couple.

"Happy Hanukkah." Elijah said.

"You too, love." Akilah said back.

They both kiss each other as Alyaqut squawked. Akilah accepts her choices she made even though her parents do not support her and cuts ties with them for good. Elijah and Akilah look forward to getting married hopefully next year.