Gwen and the Magic Inkwell (The Cuphead Show OC)

by JamiMunji

Gwen is an 18-year old who dreams to be free from her parent's restriction during the Great Depression and choose her own path. After picking up a magical artifact she found that gives her incredible powers, she is kidnapped by the Devil and brought to the Inkwell Isles to be his wife. After escaping Inkwell Hell, she befriends two cup brothers and bring her on their adventures.

110. Gwen and the Indian Tiger

I wanna thank and give credit to user RaptorsRtheBest for this wonderful story suggestion

It was morning and Gwen was in a meeting with the gods in her goddess form. She stands with the fellow gods and goddesses before Zeus and Hera on their throne.

"Thank you for all for coming everyone. We have received word that one of our greatest enemies the Devil now has knowledge of Lady Gosa's whereabouts. He is no doubt planning an all-scale invasion on Heaven on Mt. Olympus to kidnap her." Zeus announced.

"Yes." Hera agreed.

"I believe together, we can fight back and save the world and Lady Gosa from the Devil once and for all." Zeus said.

Everyone nodded in agreement. Gwen felt uneasy and scared. Hera notices Gwen's sad face.

"I know that face Lady Gosa. What troubles you child?" Hera asked.

"My lady, I know what the Devil is capable of. He recently killed 3 of my friends to get my friend to talk. And now she's traumatized and blames herself. But we know it wasn't her fault; she saved everyone from the Devil's wrath and those 3 were resurrected. But now at this point, I will do anything to make sure he never marries me for my magic and power." Gwen said.

"But?" Hera asked, knowing Gwen had doubts.

"But I also fear of what will happen if I fail to stop him." Gwen answered.

"No." Zeus said.

Gwen looked confused.

"I mean, no you will not face him this time. We along with our angel armies will fight the Devil and his forces of evil. You are his main target. Therefore, you and your friends will remain in your palace where you will be safe. Our army of well-trained angels will fight. They have fought the Devil before, and they will do it again with the help of his creator's angel armies." Zeus explained the plan.

"What? But I don't want anyone to get hurt. Especially all of you." Gwen expressed her concern.

Hera placed her hand on Gwen's shoulder.

"My child, we have fought great adversaries long ago and we have won all battles." Hera said.

"Oh yeah. The great war against the titans." Gwen said, now remembering.

"Exactly." Hera confirmed.

Gwen still felt unsure.

"Do not worry yourself Lady Gosa. We will assemble the armies and prepare for the war." Zeus assured her.

Gwen sighed, knowing she can't talk the gods of out of handling preparations for the war.

"Now then, Ares, prepare your armies. Make sure they are ready for battle." Zeus ordered Ares.

"Yes, my lord. I will get on it right away." Ares agreed.

Ares disappears to train the angel army.

"Everyone else, enforce the defenses. Lady Gosa, return to your palace; never leave or go anywhere on Earth this time. The Devil could be waiting to strike if you leave Heaven again." Zeus instructed.

"Yes, my lord." Gwen hesitantly agreed and bowed.

Gwen teleports back to her palace and rejoins Clarence, the cups and her servants.

"Hey honey. How'd it go with the gods?" Clarence asked.

"Well, they're preparing lots of armies of angels to fight. Zeus wants me to stay put in my palace and not to leave until this blows over." Gwen sadly said.

"Don't worry, Gwen. They'll handle it. Knowing they got this will make the war go by easier." Clarence said, trying to be positive.

"It's not them. It's the Devil I worry about. You know what he's capable of. And he won't hesitate to kill anyone to get to me." Gwen said.

"Eh, don't worry about it. I'm sure things will work out." Cuphead said, joining the conversation.

"Well, the god's armies and the barrier won't stop the Devil." Mugman pointed out.

"Fellas, take it easy. We got nothing to worry about." Ms. Chalice said, eating a croissant.

"I have an idea. Let's go relax in the hot tub." Clarence suggested.

The group change into their swimwear and relax in the hot tub with bubbles blowing.

"Ah, that's better." Gwen said, feeling relaxed.

"I knew just what you needed." Clarence said.

"So did we." Cuphead added.

"What else should we do since we can't leave for real this time?" Mugman asked.

"We could go play outside on the clouds." Ms. Chalice suggested.

"I suppose so." Mugman somewhat agreed.

Later, the group are outside. The cups play around with the clouds while Gwen and Clarence strolled through the garden with the spirits of his mother Mary and her grandfather Earnest.

"Grandpa? I'm so scared for everyone fighting for me. I feel guilty." Gwen said.

"Doodlebug, I know you feel bad for them. But sometimes you have to let others help you instead of handling it by yourself. You need to trust them to help you." Earnest advised as he sipped some coffee.

"I guess." Gwen said.

"I'm sure they know what they're doing. I think it will all work out." Earnest said.

"You think so?" Gwen asked.

"I believe so." Earnest said.

"I hope you're right grandpa." Gwen said.

"Yes dear. You need to have hope. It's what we have left when everything else is gone." Earnest said.

"Hope." Gwen repeated.

Meanwhile, Clarence was walking with his mother's spirit.

"Mom, you think the gods will win against this war?" Clarence asked.

"I should think so son." Mary answered.

"Gwen's getting scared and feels guilty everyone's willing to fight to protect her." Clarence said.

"I know dear. To a degree, we can't blame her. The Devil's caused her so much suffering for 3 years. It has really taken a toll on her emotional state." Mary said.

"What do I do? She still feels guilty. And I fear if things go wrong, she'll surrender herself to the Devil." Clarence expressed his fear.

"You need to be there for her. She's scared and you are her light as she is your light like in the beautiful song you wrote for her. Show her she's not alone as you and the cups always have." Mary advised.

Clarence went quiet. He was thinking of her words and the encouragement in them after his mother spoken those words.

After several moments, he turned to look at his mother's ghostly loving face with the warm smile and then, he smiled back at her.

"You're right mom. I'll stay with Gwen when the war starts. I won't let her out of my sight." Clarence said.

"That's my boy." Mary said proudly and gave him a kiss.

"Thanks mom." Clarence thanked.

Later, Gwen and Clarence rejoin the cups while Earnest and Mary go about their day.

"So, any idea when the Devil will strike?" Cuphead asked.

"We don't know but we need to be ready when he does." Clarence answered.

"Can't Kai-Ming and those triplets do something?" Mugman asked.

"I've already put in a word to her. She had the brilliant idea of me creating an imp to be sent in deep undercover in Hell to find out the plans for the war and what he's gonna do." Gwen revealed.

"She knows the Armageddon when it's coming." Ms. Chalice said.

"It's getting too intense now. I don't know what I'm gonna do." Gwen said with tears welling up.

"Gwen stop it. You didn't ask for any of this. You never brought this on anyone. This war will put an end to this. When are you gonna start trusting us and everyone who wants to help you?" Clarence asked.

Gwen was stunned by his words.

"Wow. That was impressive." Ms. Chalice said, impressed.

"Thanks. The point is you have to let them help you." Clarence finished.

Gwen thought of his words.

"Yeah. You're right." Gwen admitted.

"That's right honey." Clarence said, feeling proud.

"Gweny, we'll be with you too." Cuphead said.

"Yeah, we'll hunker down until the war's over." Mugman added.

"And we'll have fun too." Ms. Chalice finished.

"Yeah." Gwen said.

Later, Gwen takes a nap in her bedroom. Later, she wakes up and her boredom was starting to kick in.

"I wanna go somewhere but you heard Zeus. Never leave the palace." Gwen reminded herself.

Gwen sighed heavily.

"Well, I could get away with going to one place. I mean, that's not gonna hurt them right?" Gwen asked herself.

Gwen looked around, making sure nobody was watching. She prepares to tap her ink pen when she felt three arms wrap around her.

"Suprise!" All three cups exclaimed.

But to their surprise, Gwen didn't tap her ink pen. For she always had known the cups would jump at the first chance to go to another part of the world with her. But for her not tapping her ink pen when they jumped on her, it caught them off guard.

"Guys, what are you doing?" Gwen asked.

"We should be asking you that." Cuphead said.

"Gwen what are you doing? You know the king of the gods said you can't leave." Mugman reminded her.

"I know. I know. But I'm bored again. It'll be just one quick trip. Besides, the Devil's distracted with his planning anyway." Gwen said defensively.

"Well, we're getting bored too. Maybe one trip won't hurt us." Ms. Chalice said.

Clarence came into the bedroom.

"Gwen, what are you doing?" Clarence asked.

"Gwen wants to go somewhere!" Cuphead tattled.

Mugman slapped Cuphead.

"Gwen, you heard Zeus. We can't leave." Clarence said.

"Honey, it's just a quick trip. We'll just slip in and out and be back before they notice. And I already instructed the servants not to say anything." Gwen explained.

Clarence sighed.

"Fine." Clarence hesitantly agreed.

Gwen tapped her ink pen, and they disappeared. They appear in a city called New Delhi, India.

"Ooh! Where are we now?" Cuphead asked.

"Guys, welcome to New Delhi, India." Gwen greeted.

"New Delhi?" Mugman asked.

"India?" Ms. Chalice asked.

"Oh yeah. That's where that peaceful protester Ghandi lives. And we could see the Taj Mahal and maybe Bombay." Clarence said remembering.

"Yes dear. We can see all those things." Gwen assured him.

"What are we waitin' for? Let's go!" Cuphead said excitedly.

Gwen summons her magic carpet Cerulean Bolt; the group hop on and fly off to explore the sights of India.

First, they fly to the famous mausoleum the Taj Mahal, where an Indian emperor's wife was buried in her honor alongside her husband.

"Really nice place to be buried." Ms. Chalice said looking around.

"Yeah. This place is now sacred to India." Gwen said.

"There's where they're buried." Clarence said, pointing.

The group looked and noticed a chamber with two cenotaphs.

"Aw, at least they were placed here together." Gwen said.

"Yeah. Together forever just like you and me." Clarence agreed.

Gwen sunk her head into Clarence's chest.

"Ooh! Look at those pretty gardens and pool!" Mugman exclaimed.

They stepped outside and walked along the pathway through the gardens.

"It's really nice here but can we see something exciting?" Cuphead asked, getting bored.

"Fine." Gwen said.

They fly to check out other sights. Next, they travel from city to city looking at palaces, tombs and temples in honor of Hindu gods.

"Wow, these people also believe in many gods." Mugman said.

"Yep. Hinduism has multiple gods like Buddhists do." Gwen said.

"Cool." Cuphead said.

They travel to a local gift shop and buy some souvenirs such as kondapalli toys, kutch embroidery, blue pottery, sandalwood carvings and mala beads.

After shopping, they traveled to a city called Mumbai.

"Gee, this country has mostly temples and palaces." Ms. Chalice said.

"I know. That's what attracts tourists." Clarence said.

"Ooh! Guys! I heard Ghandi himself is doing a peace rally today! Let's go!" Gwen said excitedly.

"Who's Ghandi?" Cuphead asked.

"He's a famous political ethicist an anti-colonial nationalist. Mahatma Ghandi is holding a peace rally to free India from the British." Gwen answered.

"He's brave, I'll give him that." Mugman said.

"Yes, Mugsy. Come on, we'll get a good view from the roof." Gwen said.

They noticed a large crowd of Indian citizens gathering at the peace rally Gandhi was giving his speech on obtaining independence from the British.

The group managed to find a spot on top of a restaurant and order lunch. They order samosas, chickpea curry and chicken tikka masala. Then they order gulab jamun (Indian dumplings) and dosa for dessert.

"Nice spicy food this place has!" Cuphead complimented as he was eating a samosa.

Mugman gulped a glass of milk after tasting the chickpea curry.

"Maybe a little too spicy like the food in Korea." Mugman said, cooling his mouth.

"Oh, I don't think it's so bad. It's really delicious." Ms. Chalice said eating a dosa.

They grabbed their glasses of chai.

"To a secret day of fun!" Gwen toasted.

They clinked their glasses and sipped the chai and looked down.

They notice a bald mustached man wearing only a cloth, glasses and sandals approached the podium and began his speech about the oppression of the British.

After the rally, the group takes off in the sky to continue exploring. They fly outside the city to the jungle to explore.

"Wow, it's a jungle out here." Cuphead said.

"That's because it is a jungle Cuphead." Clarence said.

"Hey guys! Look at that small village!" Mugman said and pointed.

They look down and noticed a remote village.

"Let's check it out." Ms. Chalice said.

The group fly down outside the village and noticed a young teenage village girl gathering water. Suddenly, she caught sight of the group and gasped in shock.

"It's okay. We're just tourists. We were just passing by." Gwen assured her.

The girl watches in surprise and intrigue as Cerulean Bolt lowers to the ground for his passengers to get off. Once they're all off, he goes back into Gwen's satchel.

"We never get outsiders. You fly here on a carpet that flies. And those 3 small ones have kap for heads. And their form is strange to me." The girl said, amazed.

"We get that a lot." Cuphead said.

"What's your name?" Gwen asked.

"I am Maya Banarjee. What are yours?" Maya introduced herself and asked.

"I'm Gwendolyn Mae Emmons. Call me Gwen. This is my fiancé Clarence Hopewell and my best friends Cuphead, Mugman and Ms. Chalice." Gwen introduced.

"Come, you must meet my family. Maybe have dinner with us." Maya said as she took Gwen's hand.

They walked through the village as the villagers stared at the outsiders as they approached a farm. Maya's parents and grandmother were outside when they are shocked to see Maya bring outsiders to their home.

"Maan. Pita. Nina. I brought the visitors." Maya announced.

Maya's father looked at each of them with a suspicious look.

"Who are you outsiders? Why have you come?" Maya's father asked.

"We mean you no harm sir. We're just tourists exploring India. That's all." Gwen explained.

"Pita, be nice to them. This is Gwen, her fiancé Clarence. And these kap are Cuphead, Mugman and Ms. Chalice." Maya introduced.

"Maya, you know how he feels about outsiders." Maya's mother reminded her.

"I know, but I believe they can help us." Maya said.

The group looked confused.

"Forgive me. This is my father Durai Banarjee and my mother Samira Banarjee. And my grandmother Nani." Maya introduced.

"Please come in." Nani said and gestured.

The group awkwardly entered the house. Durai glared at Maya.

"You dare bring outsiders into our home." Durai scolded.

Maya felt sad.

"But I will make exception if they are no threat to us." Durai stated his conditions.

Later, the family sat down and ate dinner together and Maya explained how things worked in their village. Cuphead grabbed a ghost chili pepper and ate it in one bite.

"Cuphead don't that's…!" Maya protested but it was too late.

Cuphead's body started glowing read and suddenly, he started breathing fire out the window. Everyone stared at Cuphead in shock as he ran outside to the water well and started gulping as much water as he could.

"What was that?" Ms. Chalice asked.

"That is India's hottest pepper: the ghost chili pepper. We grow them here." Samira answered.

"Ouch." Clarence said as he winced.

Suddenly out of nowhere, a loud roaring noise erupted from outside, halting their conversations.

"What was that?!" Mugman asked fearfully.

"The man-eater tiger! It is attacking again!" Samira exclaimed.

Durai quickly grabbed his shotgun and ran outside with the group following from behind. They looked and noticed a large Bengal tiger that was two times the size of a normal tiger was limping on its right foot from an old wound. The tiger was attacking a cow that was mooing in terror.

Gwen, Clarence and the cups were amazed yet shocked and scared of the large and ferocious appearance of the big cat. Cuphead finally cooled off and caught sight of the tiger.

"AH! That's the biggest tiger I've ever seen!" Cuphead exclaimed.

The big striped beast was almost to the fence when it heard the people. It turned to look at the nearby witnesses with a savage and loud snarl. It's left eye had a trio of scars and was milky white, revealing its half blind.

They noticed that it was limping on its right hind foot from an old wound.

The tiger was attacking a cow that was mooing in terror. The great feline predator used its large jaws to hold the back of the neck of its prey before it began to drag the bovine towards the fence. The weight of the cow was nothing to the beast who stubbornly kept taking it.

The other cattle bellowed in fear and helpless distress on the other side of the fence as they watched their herd mate be dragged by the great and powerful beast who had earlier launched out of the bushes, over the fence and tackled their herd member.

Durai aimed his gun to shoot it.

"NO!" Maya yelled.

Maya impulsively shoved behind her father on the back that caused him to fire.

BANG!

His shot barely grazed the tiger's right ear. That startled the one-eye tiger to release the still living cow that got up and run off. The ferocious Tiger snarled before it leaped over the fence, running away into the thicket.

Holding his smoking gun, Durai stared in absolute silence and wide-eyed disbelief that his chance to kill the beast was ruined by his own daughter.

His shocked look turned into infuriated anger before he turned to face Maya.

"Maya! You ruined my shot! I would've ended the man-eater tiger's reign of terror of killing our livestock and your brother!" Durai furiously yelled.

"But Pita! Killing the tiger isn't the answer! There must be a better way!" Maya protested.

"Maya! That monster has taken many of our livestock and your brother, and it will be a matter of time before it starts hunting our people too!" Durai yelled.

"What's the deal with that tiger?" Mugman asked.

"That monster had been killing our cattle and pigs every few days. It had been hunting our livestock for 3 and a half months and it will get worse. We have no more pigs and the number of cattle that is left was dwindled to only 8, counting the one that was almost taken. We had searched in the jungle to try and find the beast dozens of times, but we had no success of locating it. Once the village livestock is gone, the tiger will soon start hunting humans which started with my dead son." Durai angrily explained.

"Pita! Amir is not dead! I'm sure of it!" Maya protested.

"Are you really gonna kill that tiger?" Cuphead asked.

"That tiger must be stopped because we can't let it choose to hunt whatever is around it, including people." Samira answered.

"I can't believe you would do this!" Maya tearfully yelled at her father before she turned and rushed back into the house.

She runs upstairs to her room slammed her door hard.

Her father scoffed unmoved. While Gwen and the others looked more concerned.

"That didn't go well." Clarence said.

The group go upstairs to her room to comfort her.

The five of them stood in front of the door.

"Hey girl, umm, you ok in there?" Ms. Chalice kindly yet unsurely asked.

When there's no response, Gwen gently knocked the door.

"Maya? It us. Can we come in please?" Gwen asked.

A moment of silence.

"If it were my father, I never let him in. But for my new friends, I can accept you. Come in." From behind the door, they heard Maya's voice was calmer and polite though still filled with sadness.

But since she's given them permission, Gwen opened the door and she and the others slowly walked in the room.

They all saw Maya was sitting on the bed in her room, alone, hugging her body, hanging her head down in misery. Gwen, Clarence and the three cups walked up to her bed before sitting on it.

"Hey um, we're really sorry about what nearly happened to one of your cows and for your dad swearing he'll kill the tiger, I mean." Cuphead spoke with compassion.

"I do love my father, but sometimes, he can be very stubborn, cold and bitter if something goes wrong against his family and his animals. He never listens to reason most of the time." Maya's voice was unhappy.

"Hey, I know what it's like to have a father who does not let you do the things you choose to nor support you. Like mine for example. My father was not only really strict; he was a lot unfairly harder, more difficult and he never supported my dreams and my choices and forced me to do what he wanted me to do without concern or care of my feelings."

As Gwen talked, she felt the nearly forgotten discomfort and pain she went through when she was near her late teens as she remembered of how her father Edgar Emmons used to be a very strict and unfair man who didn't care about what she was feeling and her talents. And he had burned her art and papers into the fire to her devastation and even tried to force her to marry a man who claimed to have lots of money only that he never had.

She shook off those awful memories as she brought up the new and positive ones that her father was now more happy, supportive and proud of how she's grown during her time in Inkwell Isles. She gave a deep breath as her mouth grew a soft smile.

"But then several experiences him and my mother went through. It changed them as well as him for the better and hopefully soon your father will change for the better too." Gwen spoke with empathy and encouragement for Maya to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

However while the teen was surprised of how Gwen had a similar father and that he changed for the better, that didn't change her upset mood.

"Well, at least your father never went out to kill animals because he believed they're a threat against you." Maya stated.

There was quiet silence for a while.

But then they heard the sound of hundreds of voices. They sounded urgent, desperate and angry.

"Hey listen to that." Mugman said.

Gwen, Clarence, his brother and Ms. Chalice to turn to look at the open window.

That's when they overhear Durai rounding up the villagers.

"Everyone! We will go out and start our hunt tomorrow. We'll go into the jungle again and this time they won't come back until we find that monster. And when we corner it, we will kill it once and for all and avenge Amir!" Durai angrily explained.

Everyone yelled in agreement, forming an angry mob.

From inside Maya's room, the group heard it all. Maya lowered her head in despair.

"Wow. They are all very angry at what happened before and now today." Mugman spoke who overheard their aggressive yells.

"You can't blame them. A big scary and frightening cat, attacking your cows like that in broad daylight can make any all to be so scared and mad as heck." Ms. Chalice told him.

"But still, the lion looks more of a puny little bitty witty kitty compared to that gargantuan striped beast." Cuphead said, still in shock and surprise of what he had saw with his own eyes.

"That was the biggest tiger I've ever seen." Gwen said.

"We have to stop them." Maya said sadly.

Mugman remembered something.

"Guys. I read in a book about Earth jungle animals that tigers are 10.5 feet long and weigh nearly 650 pounds. But this specific tiger they saw was freakishly larger, even for its species, twice bigger than its kind; it might be the largest and most powerful of all tigers!" Mugman explained.

"Wow. That's huge." Ms. Chalice said.

"That's not an exaggeration; the way its body looks like it's massive enough to take down a full-grown buffalo." Gwen voiced her thoughts.

"I agree. The way it stood on all fours, it looked like it was almost tall enough to look at a grown man right in the eye." Clarence said in disbelief and slight amazement.

"And it probably would be brazened to attack a young elephant if it wanted. Just like how it was brazened to attack farm animals from the village, almost not even caring that it could've got shot had Maya not stopped her father." Mugman shuddered, his mind picturing that.

"And for its blind scarred left eye, maybe it must had fought with another tiger long ago that cost it its sight." Mugman suggested, pointing to his own left eye.

"Why is it hunting the village animals?" Cuphead asked.

"It all started when I had saw the tiger one time. It was during in broad daylight when I had seen the cat was dragging away one of our neighbors' cows. I noticed there is a big old wound on its right hind leg which caused it to move in a limp. Then our neighbor came and saw the tiger and he shot at it, but it got away along with the dead cow." Maya answered.

"Limping on hind right leg? I think someone shot it sometime ago and it wasn't able to run fast and hunt its habitual prey anymore, so it changed to targeting livestock." Gwen guessed.

"Gwen, I highly believe Amir is not dead." Maya said.

"Maya, why do you think your brother is alive?" Clarence asked.

"From the previous search party in search of Amir, they had found his discarded gun and a small pool of blood. But there's no body, so that means he's still alive though could be slightly injured. But everyone including my father believe the tiger had claimed its first human victim and will be bolder and more dangerous enough to hunt humans." Maya answered.

"Kinda like the Champawat Tiger." Gwen said.

"What's a, uhh, Champ-whata Tiger?" Cuphead asked, unable to pronounce the words correctly.

"The Champawat Tiger Cuphead." Gwen pronounced slowly so that her brother figure could understand.

"It's the most prolific killer in the history of man-eating animals. It killed over 400 people and people tried to catch but it was clever and evaded capture until a man named Jim Corbett shot and killed it." Gwen said, remembering a story.

The cups were very much disturbed and uneasy.

"So you're saying that… this big bad cat was like a serial killer?" Mugman said, a little freaked out.

"Only it hunted and ate about 400 of them poor humans?" Ms. Chalice exclaimed with horrified and disbelief.

"Oh yes it was." Gwen nodded in confirmation.

"But, low long did that beast kept doing these things and why it chose to hunt people instead of its own regular food?" Ms. Chalice asked, wondering of these two things.

"Well, for your first answer Ms. Chalice: For seven long and intense years to be exact. From 1900 all the way to 1907. And as Gwen said, it was too clever and evaded capture and traps." Clarence explained, remembering of reading an old story of that when he was younger.

"And for your second answer, that after Jim finally took it down, it was revealed that she was a female Bengal tigress who had her teeth broken by bullets, probably by some previous hunter who shot her long ago. And that she couldn't hunt her natural prey anymore. So, with no other choice, she had moved to hunting humans in Nepal." Clarence explained.

The cups winced as they rubbed their lower jaws.

"I can't imagine of having broken teeth if you got shot in the mouth." Mugman spoke, disturbed of the thought of it.

"She must've been very hurting there that forced her to go and get 400 man-snacks to stay living until her end." Ms. Chalice said, having pity for the long dead striped beast.

"That's messed up." Cuphead said.

"My Nani's father, my great grandfather was attacked by that tiger as a boy. He had the claw marks on his right arm to prove it. And yet, I love and respect animals It's not fair they want to kill the tiger just because it needed to survive." Maya said.

She gave a disappointed sigh for unlike her father and the rest of the villagers, she held no resentment nor fear against what the tiger had to do for its own survival.

"We're so sorry. We understand your love for animals." Clarence said.

"Maybe my family, livestock and the village should come first so we don't have to live in terror again." Maya said.

"But there's still thousands of tigers in the world that wouldn't hunt livestock and humans. But we can help look for your brother." Gwen assured her.

The village teen considered Gwen's words.

"I… guess that's true. There are still those of its kind, at least normal sized, that would not have to hunt and prey on village livestock and people." Maya said.

"You know, I lived for most of my life that I believed I did not have any siblings until Gwen went looking for clues to learn about my past and discovered that my father was with another woman who had a daughter named Cordelia, my half-sister. Yet they treated her as a slave and a punching bag for them. But Gwen saved her and now that me and Cordelia are together at last, I made it my dedication to make sure nothing will ever threaten her safety nor separate us again just like how you care deeply to find Amir." Clarence explained his story.

After listening to his story, Maya thought for a few seconds. Until she took a deep inhale and sighed out. For she does indeed care for her brother just as much Clarence's cares deeply for his sister, even if she's half related.

"Look, as much I can't stand to see a marvelous and beautiful creature be shot, I also wanted to find Amir that was lost in the forest for 3 days. It's not just the injured tiger I'm worried that could attack him: there are venomous snakes, leopards and red dog dholes that could attack." Maya expressed her fear.

"Gwen's got the magic inkwell. She can perform magic and incredible powers." Cuphead revealed.

"CUPHEAD!" Mugman and Ms. Chalice scolded.

"What? I'm just sayin' Gweny here can help find Amir and save the tiger." Cuphead said defensively.

Maya was surprised. She looked to the cups then to Gwen, pointing at her.

"Wait. You… possess magic and powers?" Maya asked.

Gwen sighed, knowing this was coming.

"He's right. I can help you. But we have to do this discreetly. And I need you to promise me to not tell anyone of my magic. Especially your father." Gwen wanted Maya to promise.

"I promise. Pita will suspect you are a demon." Maya promised.

"Hey. The five of us know what a real demon is." Cuphead exclaimed as he frowned.

"What they really look like." His brother spoke next.

"And what HE does with many horrible things against you." Ms Chalice concluded as the three of them were speaking about the Devil.

"You do?" Maya asked.

"Yes but that's another story. But the point is, Gwen is many, many things. A demon is never one of hers." Mugman said, referring to Gwen is never a demon.

"Exactly. But moving on. Here's what I can do and what a real demon can never do." Gwen announced as she pulled out her magic inkwell and summoned her powers.

Gwen demonstrated her powers, filling her room with bright colors and silhouettes of animals.

With her eyes widen in amazement and wonder, Maya was very impressed and mesmerized of her new friend's power.

She looked to Gwen.

"You are incredibly marvelous."

"Yeah, I get that from most people when they see a remarkable performance and a sight they've never had seen before." Gwen responded a flattered smile.

"Trust us girl. We all seen it all and we still are blown away." Ms. Chalice told Maya.

Gwen then ceased her powers and everything in Maya's room was as the way it should be.

"So, you will help me find Amir?" Maya asked.

"I promise. For now, we need to return home. We'll be back first thing in the morning." Gwen promised.

Gwen teleports herself and her friends back to the palace in Heaven to head for bed.

The next day Gwen, the cups and Clarence teleport back to the village and appeared in Maya's room.

"Hey, Maya. We're back." Gwen greeted.

"Hey, why are you so sad?" Cuphead asked.

"Pita grounded me for my behavior yesterday. Also, he wants 'to keep me safe'. But no one's going to stop me! I must find Amir!" Maya said bravely.

However, her dishearten expression changed to firm determination and unwavering persistence.

"But I will not obey my Pita's rules and will not be stopped by anyone when that is my brother lost in the jungle, wounded and alone!"

Gwen was impressed.

"Ok, that's what I like about girls with rebellious yet strong hearted and loving spirits who will do anything for the people they love so much."

"Believe me. Gwen's got a powerful, strong yet loving and caring spirit herself. For that's one of the best qualities that I love about her." Clarence said, his voice filled with respect for his future wife before he kissed her on the cheek.

That caused Gwen to lightly smile with a soft blush.

Gwen summoned her magic carpet Cerulean Bolt to Maya's shock.

Cerulean Bolt looked at the village girl, to Maya's shock.

"I remember you." Maya said.

"This is Cerulean Bolt. But don't worry, he's friendly and helpful." Gwen introduced.

Hovering in the air, Cerulean Bolt stood out his tassel hand, offering a handshake, just like he did for Heidi.

"And looks like he already likes you." Cuphead grinned.

Maya nervously raised her hand. And in response, the carpet grabbed her hand and shook it. Maya smiled.

"Wow. He is a very polite gentleman. Even if he's not a human. Uh, no offense."

Cerulean Bolt used his tassel as though to say, 'Nah, none taken.'

"Well then, everyone climb aboard." Gwen told them as the carpet lowered himself for his passengers to come aboard.

The group hop on, and Maya joins them.

"Let's fly." Gwen said.

They fly out of the house and fly over the jungle to find Amir.

Maya was nervous as she held Gwen tightly.

"Uhhh… have you… done this before Gwen?" Maya hesitantly asked.

"Countless times." Gwen answered.

"Trust us. Us and handsome, Clarence's nickname, have been doing this many times as well." Ms. Chalice assured Maya.

"Though you might wanna hold on just in case, since it's your first time." Mugman cautioned her.

During their search, they discover the wildlife below them.

They flew over scrub forests to lush jungles to dry plains and valleys, many of which were flooded with herds of animals and birds.

"Wow. I may have walked through the forest on foot before. But I've never seen how such the jungle could be so lush, colorful and filled with amazing life from above." Maya looked with fascination and enthusiasm.

"There's lots of things in the jungle we can show you in its own beauty and wonders from high above." Gwen said with a grin.

They see deer grazing in the open areas, then the animals flee as the carpet flew above them.

"Those are spotted deer or as they're called Chital here in India." Maya told her new friends, for she had knowledge of the wildlife.

Near the jungle, their eyes caught sight of a sloth bear scratching its back on a tree.

"Never thought that there would be bears here in the jungle." Cuphead said intriguingly as the bear curiously looked up at them

"Me neither. But the way he's doing to that tree carefree, it makes him look like he's having the 'bare' necessities of life for him." Mugman joked before the two laughed with Gwen rolling her eyes in amusement and Maya giggling.

Then, Cerulean Bolt flew by a tree and his passengers noticed a black panther lazing in the tree branch, it gave a deep yawn to show its sharp teeth.

"Oh! Oh! If I remember right from the Earth Jungle Animal books, that there is a Black Leopard or a Panther as they call it for very few like him are born with black fur." Mugman described from what he had learned from the book.

"Very knowledgeable about that Mugsy." Gwen said, impressed.

"You are a very clever cup. Mugman." Maya complimented.

In the plains they spotted a one horned rhino and its calf.

"That's a mother rhino and its baby." Maya said.

"The two of them sure are endearing together." Clarence was moved of the horned beast being a gentle and caring parent.

"Only as long we keep a safe distance from them." Gwen said knowing how much rhinos are very bad-tempered and especially when they're protecting their babies.

"Very wise words Gwen. They are not to be bothered and prefer their solitude except when they have calves to care for." Maya said with a nod.

In a clearing, they see colored feathered ground dwelling birds called peacocks. The males giving out loud crowing wailing calls as they display their spectacle fan feathers to attract a female.

"Wow. Those peacocks are such showmen. With those feathers like those, they allow them to show everyone to see their beauty." Gwen said with admiration.

"Correct on that. The male birds open their feathers to appear big and vibrant to attract any females to be their mates." Maya said.

"Although, if you ask me, their tailfeathers look like they have eyeballs in them."
Ms. Chalice felt a bit creepy out.

"And they're really loud." Cuphead rubbed his ear from hearing the loud cries that continue to echo around the area.

"They may be creepy to you and their noises are irritating to your ears. But when a male peacock fans out his tail feathers, the eyespots on them create a visually striking display that catches the attention of lady hens to be his mate. And their cries are to sound more pronounced, impressive and stunning." Maya explained.

"Well, I guess that's what they are to look handsome, pretty and sound lovely to get the right girl." Cuphead nodded.

"But unlike them, I don't need to have pretty feathers or eyeballs in them to get my girl who's soon to be my permanent mate." Clarence joked as he eyed to Gwen who grinned at him.

"Well, except my pronounced, impressive and singing voice." Clarence corrected.

"Don't worry about it. And thanks to your singing voice, that's how we came to be in love with each other and we'll soon be mates for life once after we are married." Gwen winked as she replied back.

Then, they see, in the tall trees, a troop of monkeys that hung around. They see the little animals jumping from branch to branch.

"Ha Ha! Look at them swinging around like they own the place!" Ms. Chalice laughed as she pointed at the screeching and long tailed primates.

"Well, this is their place, Chalice. For the trees, the vines and the branches are their homes." Maya said.

"As well as the other tree-dwellers that call their jungle home." Gwen added.

"Hey monkeys! Over here! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!" Cuphead taunted the monkeys, acting like one of them.

Some of the monkeys who noticed Cuphead's antics laid on the branches and they did not look amused.

"Uhh, Cuphead. I don't think they like you making fun at them." Mugman warned.

"He's right, they won't hesitate to retaliate for that insult." Maya also informed him.

"Aww C'mon you two. We're right here and they're over there." Cuphead pointed his thumb at the trees unconcerned.

"Besides how they gonna teach me a lesson if I'm…"

SPLAT!

He was interrupted when banana was thrown and hit Cuphead in the face.

The others winced in surprise.

"Ohhh! Did not see that coming." Ms. Chalice said.

"Yeah, they can't jump this far. But they know how to throw bananas at you." Clarence said as Cuphead wiped the banana off, his fuming face with banana bits remaining.

The monkeys were sounding like they were laughing in their hoots, cries and clapping their hands.

Cuphead glared at the primates.

"Oh yeah? Why don't you try that again you-" Cuphead dared.

SPLAT!

He got hit again in the face with another banana. The monkeys chatted in triumph at their second strike.

Their next retaliation caused Cuphead to get mad after he wiped his face again.

"Ohhhh, why you, flat-nosed, little-eyed, banana throwing creeps! I'll gonna jerk a hundred knots in each of your tails!" Cuphead shouted as pointed at the monkeys.

Gwen and Ms. Chalice held his shoulders to calm him down.

"Cuphead! Calm down. Pull yourself together." Gwen sternly said.

"Easy you dumb-dumb. You provoked them but now's not the time for primate payback. We're looking for Maya's brother remember?" Ms. Chalice reminded him.

Taking a couple breaths, Cuphead calmed down and reluctantly had to let this go for the sake of helping their new Indian friend.

"All right. All right. I'll let this go." He said to his two sister figures.

But not before he turned to the heckling primates that kept on hooting and cried in amusement. "

You long tailed furry boys are lucky that I got other things to do with my pals than to get payback on you." He shouted one last time before he made a stuck his tongue out at them in an annoying and immature manner.

The three humans and two cups were unamused. Even Cerulean Bolt shook his 'head' in disapproval.

Continuing on, the flying carpet flew to another part of the jungle and the riders see a herd of Indian elephants feeding by the trees.

"Hey, there's elephants here!" Cuphead smiled.

"Indeed there are. The herds will move to one place to the next in order to find food." Maya said.

"Absolutely stunning. That these must be the cousins of their African counterparts." Gwen said in awe.

"Really, I never knew there was cousins of the African elephants living here." Mugman exclaimed.

Then Ms. Chalice waved at them.

"Hey fellas. We know your cousins from Africa! We wish to pass this message to you from them. They are saying 'Hi from Africa. Wish you all were there for a family reunion!'"

The elephants ignored them while some only took a few glances and went back to eating.

"Well, that's not what I was expecting for when cousins are supposed to be elated about hearing their relatives from across the other side of the world." Ms. Chalice frowned as she crossed her arms.

"Yeah Chalice I don't think they want to know if their relatives are sending a message to them." Clarence said.

"But the one thing you're not wrong is that all elephant herds have strong family bonds with each other. Those of here and the ones you've seen in this Africa you mentioned." Maya briefed them.

Moving on, Cerulean Bolt flew over the trees, flying near a flock of parrots and storks. Much to the passenger's amazement.

But despite the magnificent sight-seeing of the wild jungles of India, they were not close to finding Maya's brother.

Gwen and Clarence could see on Maya's face showing worry and concern dwelling upon her.

Seeing this, they decided to try and cheer her up as Gwen spoke to her.

"Don't worry Maya. We'll find him."

"Trust her, my Gwen never gave up of finding and saving my sister from the barbarian excuse of our father. And I know we will not give up on finding your brother." Clarence's voice was of strong faith and beyond doubt.

Despite her unease for her brother's wellbeing, Maya was touched by their courage and willingness to help her find her sibling.

"I hope so."

As Cerulean Bolt flew, they were getting near a barely seen clearing of several old buildings with trees that had grown into and out of the walls; the most tops of the walls were tumbled down and decayed, and wild vines and creepers hung out of the windows of the towers on the walls in bushy hanging clumps.

"Hey, what are those ruins over there?" Mugman asked and pointed.

Maya looked down.

"Oh, that those have long been abandoned and reclaimed by the jungle over the centuries. It's only seven miles from my village."

But just when they were about to pass, Cuphead spotted something.

"Hey, what's that in those ruins?" Cuphead asked.

The three humans and two cups also noticed.

"Hey, I think I see something. Go down there!" Gwen ordered Cerulean Bolt.

Complying with his owner, the carpet flew down towards the abandoned ruins. And there in their view, lying in the ancient ruins, was Maya's missing brother, Amir.

Maya's eyes widen in recognition, surprise and relief.

They looked, and they finally spotted Amir lying in the ancient ruins that was a few miles farther from their village. His leg was bleeding with a cut.

"AMIR!" Maya exclaimed.

The group got off the magic carpet. They saw Amir's leg was bleeding with a cut.

"Amir! You're hurt!" A concerned Maya cried out for her brother.

She went to him, followed by the others.

Until she saw something that made her eyes go widen and gasped in horror. She, Gwen and the others also stopped which they too were frozen in dread.

"Snake!" Clarence exclaimed.

A long great snake was approaching Amir and, unlike Clarence, Maya instantly recognized what kind it was.

"Not just any snake, it's a King Cobra." She spoke low and intensely.

"AHH!" Both cups screamed.

Cuphead tries to run away but he accidentally tripped and landed too close to the snake's tail. The cobra quickly turned to face Cuphead. It raised six feet of its body as a means of intimidation. Its hood expanded in threat as its sharp deadly fangs show as it hissed menacingly.

"Nice cobra. Nice cobra." Cuphead said nervously as he slowly backed up.

"Everyone! Be quiet! No sudden moves!" Maya quietly instructed.

The petrified Cuphead and the group stayed still as they faced the towering reptile, who gave a vicious hiss, showing its fangs.

"One bite from cobra's fangs is powerful enough to kill even an elephant." Maya warned.

"Anyone got any ideas?" Mugman asked in a low and petrified voice for he couldn't help his brother without causing the snake to bite him.

"Because I don't think Cuphead's going to hold it any longer."

Trying to keep his nerves under control, Cuphead looked into the cold and empty eyes of the cobra as though should it decide to strike.

"P-P-Please your majesty. Have mercy on me." Cuphead hoped that by speaking to it like it was a real king, it would not bite him.

But the serpent only gave another vicious hiss baring its fangs as it was about to launch a striking attack now.

"Don't worry Cuphead. I'll make 'his majesty' to go somewhere else." Gwen replied in a cool and calm tone.

This made the cups shiver with fright.

With quick thinking, Gwen slowly grabbed her ink pen and used telekinesis to lift the snake and threw it far away from the ruins where the serpent crashed to the ground in a tangled mass of coils.

Bewildered of what happened, the snake took a hasty retreat and slithered back into the undergrowth.

Cuphead breathed heavily in shock and relief for the close call.

His brother and Ms. Chalice rushed over.

"Ding-dong! Are you ok?" Chalice asked for his wellbeing.

"Easy there Cupsy. Breathe it easy." Mugman said to him.

"I'm ok. I'm ok. Nothing to worry about." Cuphead said as he recovered himself. He turned to Gwen.

"Thanks Gwen." He gave a nod and a thankful smile.

"You're welcome. That serpent may have the title of king, but he never stood a chance against a goddess." Gwen smirked.

"But with that snake gone, now we can deal with him." Clarence pointed to the injured young man.

The group approached a wounded Amir. The injured young man, after he recovered from shock of seeing the venomous snake and seeing the unexpected arrival of his sister and these strangers, stared in disbelief and in wide eyes.

"Maya!? You're here?" Amir asked, taken aback to see his younger sister out of all the places right here along with her being accompanied by these unfamiliar strangers and these three unnatural children with odd heads.

"Brother! You're hurt!" Maya exclaimed.

Clarence looked at the wound.

"Honey, can you heal this cut?" Clarence asked.

"Like you have to ask." Gwen said.

Gwen used her ink pen to heal his injury.

Amir stared in astonishment of the disappearance of his bleeding wound that was once on his leg. He was helped by his sister and Clarence to stand on his two feet.

Amir still felt very shocked before he looked to Gwen.

"You… you're magic!" Amir exclaimed.

"Yes, I am." Gwen said.

"And you three… you have…" Amir was about to say until Mugman interrupted.

"Cups for heads. Yeah, we know. We get that a lot." Mugman said.

Amir and Maya happily hug each other.

"Amir, these are my new friends Gwen, Clarence, Cuphead, Mugman and Ms. Chalice." Maya introduced.

"How'd you end up here?" Ms. Chalice asked.

"How did you escape the tiger?" Clarence asked.

"Well, it started 3 days ago when I tried to hunt the tiger." Amir started the story.

Everyone gathered around Amir.

"I couldn't stand the beast terrorizing and hunting our livestock anymore as well making our village live in fear. So, I went out one night hunting for the tiger. But I immediately got lost and tried to return home until I was attacked a wild boar. It chased after me until I felt its tusk scrape my leg. Despite my injury, I was able to climb up a tree and spent the night there." Amir started the story.

"Wow." Cuphead said amazed.

"Ohh! Attacked by a wild pig." Ms. Chalice shuddered. "Not a very nice experience."

"Compared to Porkrind, his wild, brute of a cousin here makes him look more of an angel." Mugman stated.

"A grouchy, money hungry yet harmless angel." Cuphead added before they were shushed by Gwen and Maya.

"The next day after the boar was gone, I climbed down to find my way home. But after a while of walking, I was spotted by the biggest and scariest tiger with one eye and limping. I tried to run away but I tripped, and I feared I was going to die. It came up to me and sniffed me, that was all it did. But to my surprise, it wasn't alone. Following the tiger was 4 little cubs, therefore the tiger is a mother. They were biting on my shirt, and I felt their little claws on my back. Then, I heard the distant noises of the villagers; apparently, they were out in search for me. Since she sensed my people were nearby, the tigress couldn't stay any longer, she made her cubs to move on, which all five of them vanished into the dark bushes while leaving me behind." Amir continued.

"It has cubs?!" Cuphead and Mugman explained in unison.

"Four of them?" Gwen and Clarence asked in unison while Maya looked stunned at the revelation.

"Aww! The tiger's a mama!" Ms. Chalice said in a cute voice.

"But the cats have left. Why did you not answer to your people when they've been looking for ya?" Cuphead asked.

Amir gave Cuphead a hard and fairly shaken look.

"You think it's that simple to call for someone after you were almost about to die on the spot?" He gave a shuddering breath.

"I couldn't even make a move, not a sound to bring back the search party: I could still feel the beast's presence of how massive it was, how that's filled with such raw untamed power and primal ferocity. I felt so small, helpless and insignificant. Even if I could not see them, I felt like I could still feel their presence. Like they're watching me, hidden in the darkness and bushes, as though warning me not to make a sound or it'll be my final mistake."

"He's not wrong. You should know of how much you felt when that cobra came close to attacking you." Gwen reminded him.

Thinking of Amir and Gwen's words and then remembering the cobra and how terrified he felt, Cuphead felt the shudder down his back. "Ok I think I understand what he meant."

Maya reached for her brother.

"Ok relax Amir. Relax now. She's not here. You're in no danger. You're safe among us."

Cerulean Bolt comforted him despite his stunned look of seeing a flying carpet.

Taking several breaths, the young man heeded his sister's advice until he was fit.

"I'm ok. I'm ok." Amir said when he took a final breath and calmed himself.

"Now, Amir. What were you saying? After the tigers left, how did you manage to get all the way to this jungle ruins?" Mugman asked.

"It's took a few hours when it felt like I was finally felt safe until I finally got my strength to rise up and got moving, even though I had no idea where to go." Amir continues his story.

"After a few hours, I went on trekking deeper though the jungle for one more day until I came across the ruins, too tired to move until I was almost attacked by the cobra until the unprepared arrival of you Maya, your new friends and this magic carpet." Amir finished the story.

Once he has finished his story, the group was astounded to learn that the giant tiger who had been terrorizing the siblings' village and hunting their animals was only an injured mother who was only desperately trying to provide food for her and her young to survive.

"I knew there was a reason the beast was killing our cattle." Maya beamed of the tiger's true motives for attacking her village livestock.

"So, this entire time, this tiger is no man-eater, it's just a mom who was just trying to feed her cubs to survive." Mugman said.

"Exactly Mugsy." Gwen confirmed to him before she looked at Amir.

"And the reason she didn't kill you on the spot nor did she attempt to eat you when you were down and flat on the ground was that she thought she saw you as a danger to her cubs."

"And she needed to see closer to check if you really were a threat before if she should decide to finish you off had it not been for your people that were searching for you. That proved that she isn't really a man-eater." Clarence said, theorizing about her behavior.

But it would only a matter of time before she starts going after humans when the cows are all gone." Cuphead said.

After Amir recovers, it was safe for the group to explore the ancient ruins.

"So, now that we found Maya's big brother, and you helped him better girlfriend, what do we do now?" Ms. Chalice asked.

"Well, for starters we'll think of something to find the tiger mother, catch her, I'll make her better and bring her and her family to a new and different but safer home without any problems with people and their animals." Gwen said.

"Yeah that's a good plan sis." Cuphead agreed though he looked up at the ruins.

"Though there's no need to hurry. Why don't we check out this jungle dump?" He pointed his thumb to the ancient temples.

The group looked at the ruins.

"Well, as much as the priority is to find the animal, I probably guess it wouldn't be bad idea to check out the ruins that you said it was reclaimed to the jungle." Gwen suggested, her curiosity about the buildings to tempting to ignore.

"As much as I'm not sure, but I suppose it would be quite an opportunity to explore these ruins." Clarence said with a little reluctance but even he couldn't resist the desire to find out more of the old and abandoned buildings in the jungle.

"Yeah! Can we please?" Ms. Chalice asked.

Maya and Amir were a bit unsure as they glanced at each other.

"I promise we just only going to just check them out and then we be gone. How's that?" Mugman guaranteed.

"He's right. It won't be too long and besides there's no danger around and that cobra is long gone." Gwen confidently told them.

After pondering of their words, the siblings made their decision.

"Well, I guess it would not be right to deny you to show these buildings here." Maya said as she gave her brother a look to give them this opportunity.

After some hesitation, even Amir gave in.

"Very well, as long there's no danger, we will explore these ruins but not too much longer." He firmly said.

"YEAH!" The three cups jumped in joy.

They started exploring the Ruins.

In the long-abandoned buildings, it seemed very wonderful and splendid.

"These are amazing." Whispered Clarence.

"You took the words right out of my mouth love." Gwen agreed.

"I–I've never seen anything like this." said Ms. Chalice.

"I'll admit that I've never even been here before until now." Maya opened, feeling the awe of walking in the ancient walls that people had once lived here thousands of years ago.

"It's been confirmed: you humans are impressive." Complemented Cuphead before he spied something that caused him to jump back in fright.

"Woah!"

"What? What is it!?" Cried his brother and Gwen as they flinched.

Clarence, Maya and Amir looking in all directions, as Cuphead's reaction startled them in turn. Cuphead took a quick glance back at the source of his disturbance: the imposing statue of a snarling tiger.

"For a second I thought it was that momma tiger." He laughed in mild embarrassment as he held his chest to calm his pumping heart, resulting in his brother, Chalice, Gwen and Maya chuckling at his expense.

While Clarence and Amir smiled as they shook their heads.

"It's a good thing big cats don't live in dumps like these." Ms. Chalice said.

As the group continued into the next hallway, Mugman decided to ask something to their new friend.

"Say Maya? How did these buildings come to be and why the previous folks abandoned them?" He asked to Maya.

"These Ancient Ruins were once made and was a human city. Before the people abandoned it and was reclaimed by nature." Maya explained.

"Cool." Cuphead said.

But then when they enter another room, they picked up a nasty smell.

"UGH! What's that stench?!" Mugman exclaimed, holding his nose.

"We're gonna go back outside to get air." Cuphead said.

"Wouldn't want to miss more but I prefer the outside walls where the air's more cleaner." Mugman spoke in a changed tone as he held his nose.

"Yeah, we'll be waiting for you by the entrance folks. You keep on exploring without us." Ms. Chalice cringed at the smell.

The 3 cups quickly run back outside.

"Fine you little chickens." Gwen said.

"We heard that!" Ms. Chalice called.

The four humans looked at the three cups racing out of the temple.

"Well, you can't blame them love. This stench is something I've never smelt before." Clarence said as he waved his hand to ward off the smell.

"Almost smells like something is rotting and dead." Amir guessed.

"I get it. Temples are not supposed smell anything like this in here." Maya cringed as she was bit disturbed of how strong the smell was.

Despite that she didn't want to stay there any longer than she wants, Gwen couldn't ignore her unwavering curiosity that was telling her to head deeper into the chamber to locate the source.

"As much I would be outside with the cups, I think it's better we investigate of where the smell is coming from. Would you three wish to come and check with me of where the source is, but I understand if you prefer to be outside with fresher and clear air?" Gwen asked though she respects their choices if they do not want to go further.

The three humans hesitated for a moment.

"Well, I'm not letting that smell keep me away from you. If you're going in more, I'm going in with you." Clarence said faithfully.

"You have helped me find my brother Gwen. I'll support your decision. Besides, I am wanting to know what is that stench is too." Maya supported.

"As much I do not wish to know what it is, I'm back with my sister. And I'm not parting from her again. So, if she goes, I'm going with her too." Amir made his decision, not letting his sister to go alone, even if she has friends with her.

"I know the feeling there." Clarence sympathizes for he understood of not willing to be parted from his sibling after being parted for so long.

After hearing they made the same choice, Gwen smiled at them.

"Very well then. But as I mentioned, you can still leave if the stench gets too much.
Come on." Before she led the other three as they moved down the hallway.

Following the stench, the humans ended up in another chamber. To their horror, they discover littered cow and pig skeletal remains.

"EW! Animal carcasses!" Clarence complained.

"Wait a minute! This is the tigress's den!" Maya realized.

"Of course! This is where she's has been taking the town's livestock and where she's been hiding and evading these past few months!" Amir added.

"Wait a minute guys. She could still be here." Gwen said cautiously.

"But where are the little cubs?" Clarence asked.

Outside, the cups looked around.

"Whew! It's greatly relieving to breathe fresh air again." Cuphead inhaled and exhaled in relief.

"That smell was torture to our noses." Mugman exclaimed as he stuck his tongue out until he was fine.

"You said it there ding-dongs. That garbage filled alleys back in Inkwell Isles would be better than to be smelling that rot." Ms. Chalice shook her head in disgust.

"Yeah and if Gwen and the others wanna be walking in…" Cuphead was saying until…

"Mew!"

A little sound ceased their conversation.

"Hey? Did you hear that?" Ms. Chalice said as they listened for whatever it was.

"Mew!

"Hey there it is again." Mugman heard the sounded.

"Mew!"

"Yeah those sounds like little kittens." Ms. Chalice.

"Mew!"

The three cups followed the sounds. And then Cuphead came across the culprits.

"Hey, what are those?" Cuphead asked.

The cups looked and noticed 4 little tiger cubs huddled in a corner.

"It's the little tiger cubs!" Ms. Chalice exclaimed.

The tiger cubs were nervous at first, but they approached the cups and started played with them.

"Aw, you guys are so cute!" Mugman said in a cute voice.

"Aw, they wanna play with us!" Cuphead added.

Just then, the 4 cubs started drinking the milk in the cup's heads.

"Again?" Both cups asked.

"Maybe they're hungry." Ms. Chalice said.

The humans come out of the ruins and noticed the cups and tiger cubs playing after drinking their milk.

"Guys! What are you doing?" Clarence asked shockingly.

"We were just playing with the little guys." Ms. Chalice said, holding a cub.

"Yeah. Aren't they just so cute?" Cuphead gently rocked the second cub while his brother held the two others.

"Are you crazy?! Their mother could be nearby!" Gwen scolded.

"She's not wrong: touching the offspring of a gargantuan tiger is the worst thing you could ever do." Maya harshly said in slight panic.

"Aww come on. Momma is not around here and we're just having fun with these little boys and girls. Just not too long." Cuphead shrugged as he told them.

"But who knows how long until she returns and what's she'll do when she…" Amir ttried to say until he went silent as his eyes went wide in terror.

Then Maya, Gwen and Clarence saw what he saw, and their faces instantly showed petrified fear. The three cups looked at their expressions.

"Hey, what's with the looks? You look like you saw Chalice as a ghost again?" Cuphead joked.

Until a low and menacing growl silenced him. This made him, Mugman and Ms. Chalice to freeze, causing them to become extremely nervous very quickly.

"Actually… it's mom… and she's very angry." Gwen quietly said as she pointed to what was behind the cups.

The cups slowly turned to what Gwen was pointing to.

Suddenly, the tigress appeared from behind the bushes. But they see her face showing the frightening fury of seeing her cubs in the cups' hands.

All 3 cups gasped in horror. The massive tigress growled furiously, with her face showing her feral intensity and dangerous protective instinct as she bared her deadly fangs as she prepared to attack.

As if warning the cups to release her offspring NOW.

"Guys! Put the cubs down!" Maya quietly instructed.

"And don't look their mother in the eye!" Amir added.

The cups complied and put the cubs down as they playfully ran up to their massively large mother. All while the three cups slowly backed away to make it back to the humans.

The mother tigress nuzzled her 4 little cubs. One got a hold of her face while its siblings rubbed on her legs except for her right back leg that slightly held up from the ground.

Despite the danger, it was heartwarming of seeing a magnificently dangerous and powerful beast showing a docile and sweet nature to her offspring as long they kept their distance.

But then, a large spider crawled onto Cuphead's foot. His eyes widen as he felt the spider crawling on it and when he looked down, he could not stop himself.

"AHH! SPIDER!" Cuphead screamed loudly to kick it off.

Everyone looked to him in horror and dumbfound of his panicked stupidity.

His loud cry caused the mother tigress to immediately look up at them, before she gave a thundering roar and despite her right hind leg injury, she launched herself into the air, right towards the intruders that have found where she and her cubs were hiding, her one yellow eye filled with protective rage. Her long sharp teeth exposed, and her claws extend out.

At the last second, Gwen used her ink pen to summon a force field to protect them just in time.

"PHEW!" The group sighed of relief.

Gwen, Clarence, Maya, her brother and the cups watched in silence, filled with fascination and fear of the beastly feline's intense presence of her enormous body. Where they can see giant rolling muscles all hidden by her orange hide and black stripes that show her beauty and indomitable power. Even though she moved with an undignified grace, circle the shield, due to her right leg limping.

Her left scarred milky eye was blank and cloudy, but her good right yellow eye is filled with eerie intensity, locking onto the ones that dare stepped into her domain and to be near her offspring. Her growls reverberating through the air.

"What do we do?" Maya asked.

"That bigger than normal kitty won't leave us alone!" Cuphead exclaimed in fear.

"Well we can't risk being attacked ourselves if do not want the tiger to be harmed." Amir stated in concern.

"Since there's no way out and we can't have the cat be harmed, I know one person who can get this done." Clarence said in confidence. He then turned to his soon-to-be wife, faith in her gleaming in his eyes.

"Gwen, you know what to do, right?"

"Right and I got an idea." Gwen said determinedly.

She used her ink pen to make a large cage, used her telekinesis to lift the massively bodied feline that wildly roared in panicked fury of being off the ground and was placed into the cage which the door slammed shut. The giant feline moved back in surprise; she roared in surprise of the object appearing right in front of her.

But they still were highly on guard and kept their distance of the wild feline's intense wrath as her large paws would reach out, her claws extending out, but her larger body can't fit through.

The tigress was furious and frantically slamming the cage bars to get out. With the tiger contained, Gwen dissolved the shield for them to move. The 4 cubs rush up to their trapped mother, making her stop her desperate attempts to get out. Everyone see the little tiger cubs were small enough to fit through the bars.

Seeing the great predator that he feared and despised for all the things she had done, only now seeing a poor, trapped and helpless mother who tries to calm her cubs while also trying to calm herself, Amir was staring to have second thoughts of killing it as its death was not anymore, a priority.

For his heart that telling him that killing a majestical and beautiful animal and an injured, caring mother is seriously wrong.

"You know, maybe killing that tigress is wrong after all." Amir sincerely admitted.

Hearing that, Maya looked at her brother with a proud and at ease smile, acknowledging that he no longer has any hate and resentment against the majestic creature.

"I wanna check that injured leg." Gwen said.

Moving to the other side with the mother occupied on her four cubs, Gwen and the others look to see her slightly raised up right back leg. At closer inspection, Gwen discovers the wound was a bullet wound.

At closer inspection, Gwen discovers the wound was a bullet wound.

"Whoa! That's her injury?! Cuphead exclaimed.

"I never thought that she was this badly hurt." Amir said with newfound sympathy for the creature.

"Guys! I was right! She was shot in her leg long ago. But she's unable to run fast and hunt her natural prey like she used to." Gwen said in surprise

"So, she targeted the villagers' livestock in order to feed herself and her cubs." Clarence added.

"And she chose these ruins to feed the cubs and herself!" Maya finished.

"What kind of monster would do such a thing to that poor mama tiger?" Mugman asked.

"The kind who would shoot at moms and make them disabled when all they wanted was to be alone with their kids." Ms. Chalice bitterly said.

"They call the tiger a monster and yet they have the dead and rotten guts to shoot at a mom, especially when she's half blind." Mugman said in disgust.

"Well don't worry. I'll make her leg and her eye be all better Mugsy." Gwen said to him before she looked to the caged family.

Feeling empathy, Gwen used her the magic inkwell to heal the tigress's left leg and restore her left vision.

The orange bodied, and black striped cat felt the magic at her injured right hind limb and her left eye. She turned to face the captors, especially at Gwen, glaring coldly at them while snarling, baring her fangs, pawing her face, shaking her head until her vision of her useless left eye changed from blurry to rapidly clearing outline and blank pale color was restored to yellow just like her other good eye.

Unsure what happened, the tigress glared coldly at them until realization slowly dawned upon her. Her right back leg that ached from her wound was gone; the noticeable wound that's she had and the bullet that was stuck in her hindquarter vanished for good.

To the tiger's astonishment, she could place her foot onto the cage floor without any more feelings of discomfort or hurting. And, though she still has the claw marks on her face, she can now see from both yellow eyes once again. And they locked into Gwen's.

Even as the female tiger stood on all fours, the young female human's head barely reached up to her face as the cat looked at her.

"It's okay, your eye and leg are healed." Gwen spoke to the tigress.

The tigress growled at Gwen as the tigress moved on her healed leg again and regained vision in her blind eye.

"I'm happy you're back to normal again. Yes, I possess magic." Gwen said.

"Are you talking to her?" Amir asked confused.

"She also can talk to animals." Ms. Chalice answered.

The tiger growled loudly and harshly at Gwen which caused her to be offended.

"Hey, hey! I understand you don't trust humans. But there's no reason to insult me as a hairless monkey freak." Gwen sternly said.

"For I'm not like any other humans. I healed your injures, I can hear your voice, I can listen to how did you get hurt that made you go on a cattle-killing spree despite risking angering the people." Gwen continued.

The feline was silent as she stared into Gwen's unfazed, fearless and compassionate eyes.

Then the tiger gave off a series of rumbling growls, bitter snarls and low moans as though she was telling Gwen her story.

Amir, Maya, Clarence and the cups couldn't understand what the cat was saying but the way Gwen's expression showed amazement, then astonished to horrified and distain satisfaction and frowned in sympathy

"Oh my! He didn't. Well, he certainly got what he deserved."

Gwen sighed.

"No wonder you did what you had to do for them."

That was all they heard her say.

"What is she saying?" Maya asked.

Gwen looked at her friend.

"She told me that she was born as the largest of her mother's litter. Which explains why she's grown much more bigger and powerful than the rest of her kind. She is proud of the scars she received from a smaller normal member of her kind even though it costed her sight in her eye. But then, a few weeks before she gave birth to her cubs, she was passing by a farm until she was struck in her right back leg by a human with his death stick." Gwen translated.

Hearing the scars part, Mugman realized he was right of that suggestion that she got those from another of her, though smaller normal sized, kind.

Quickly realizing what Gwen meant, Maya was horrified.

"A gun. From an angry farmer who thought she was going to attack his livestock."

"Except she wasn't. She ran for her life until she heard the raging farmer fell into a tiger trap with spikes at the bottom. The poor idiot ended up being a victim of his own trap. But now because of his bullet in her leg, it crippled her speed and agility. She's not able to keep up with deer nor bring down buffalo as she once could. That's when she found the ruins here to where she gave birth to her two sons and two daughters. But to feed her cubs and herself, she was forced to hunt the cattle of the village for three and a half months. For it was very easy, of how they were trapped by fences. Nowhere to run, so easy to kill. But her attacks and taking their animals provoked the villagers' wrath and fear. As much she never wanted to have anything to do with humans but for the sake of her family, she had no choice." Gwen continued until she finished with a sad and sympathetic look.

As Gwen translated the tiger's story, Maya, and the others couldn't help but feel sorry for the big feline. That no creature like her deserved such suffering and not to be labeled a monster for what she had to do to ensure her cubs survival.

The tiger growled some more as Gwen listened. Then she turned to the others.

"She said that while she would never trust a human, but after I healed her, she willing to make me as an exception for she needs my help to find a new home that's not around human areas so she can raise her cubs in peace." Gwen translated.

Cuphead then thought of an idea.

"Say Gwen, how about we take a fly on your carpet to fly around the jungle until we find the perfect place for Ms. Tiger momma and her kids to be safe with no humans around?" Cuphead suggested.

Gwen and the others beamed in delight and enjoyment of this plan.

"Yeah, that's a great idea there Cuphead." Gwen smiled.

"Yeah! That's using your ding-dong head there Cupsy!" Ms. Chalice pointed at her own cup head.

"So that's the plan, we'll be out flying to find a good and human-free habitat for this striped family." Mugman said until he turned to the tigers.

"But who's going watch this family of five until we get back?" Mugman asked.

"Amir and I will watch them while you guys find a safe new home." Maya said.

"Good idea.

The group hop on Cerulean Bolt and fly away as the siblings remain behind.

They flew farther away from the village until they came across a secluded and uninhabited valley where there's some jungle, scrub forests, dry plains and rivers which were flooded with herds of buffalo and deer grazing on the grass.

"This is perfect!" Cuphead said.

"Yeah, the tigers will be safe here." Mugman added.

"And no humans to hunt them down." Ms. Chalice finished.

Mugman had a slight unsure expression.

"But aren't there any other tigers that might be living here already?"

"Relax Mugsy. There's not a single other tiger we have spotted that'll be any trouble to that giant feline's family." Ms. Chalice said with an unworried grin.

Mugman was still not sure. "But what if there's a resident already here and will attack the family?"

"Mugman, for we already had seen her and as I heard her story, she's grown much more bigger and powerful than any other tiger. She's got the scars to prove it. And with her freakishly larger size and formidable ferocity, that would make those normal small cats think twice about messing with her and her cubs." Gwen pointed out of what she heard from the story.

Mugman took in her words then smiled.

"You're right Gwen. With her bigger body and strength, she can take care of herself." He said, confident in the tiger's uncanny strength, size and abilities to survive on her own.

"And this is the perfect and safest place for a family of tigers to roam and hunt freely with no more hunting for farm animals and no more angering the humans." Cuphead stated.

"We should head back and tell Maya and Amir." Clarence said.

"Let's do it." Gwen said as they flew on back.

However, when they all flew back to the ancient ruins, there they find that the siblings and the caged tiger family are surrounded by the angry mob with Durai leading them.

Most of them held spears, lit up torches and several guns.

Oh no, Durai and the mob are here!" Gwen said in alarm.

"And they got Maya and Amir! But it's the tigers that are in real trouble!" Clarence spotted the two siblings that were trying to hold back the mob while the caged larger feline snarled at the humans.

"If we don't do something, that tiger family is gonna be executed on the spot for something that's not their fault!" Cuphead worryingly cried out.

Seeing her new friends being held and the armed men about to kill that helpless animal and her cubs, a great power and anger rose within her.

"Then we will." Gwen eyes glowed yellow as she glared down at the crowd.

Back at the ruins, Durai and the mob, their eyes blazing with fury, hatred and anger at the sight of the tiger that had taken their animals for three and a half months. They were bit surprised that the beast and its offspring was already caught but that didn't matter; they wanted the tiger's blood, and they will also not hesitate of harming the cubs as well.

Many of them were shouting their ferocity and eager for vengeance, speaking in chilling, actually quite horrid words. Maya was shocked to hear what vile and cruel things they were saying.

"That beast took many of our cattle away from us!"

"Shoot it in the face!"

"Set their hides ablaze so we'll watch them all burn alive!"

"Stab it in the neck!"

"Claim its head as our trophy!"

"What are you waiting for? We should kill the monster of our cattle!"

"End the killer before it hunts us!"

"We should put those cubs in the fire!"

"Out of my way!" Durai barked, making his way through the others until he faced his two children, his face with disbelief, shock and wrath.

"Father stop this!" Amir shouted. But his father shook off his disbelief.

"I will be very happy later that you're alive, and I don't know how the beast had been caught, but now we've got it, we have every right of killing the animal. And its cubs will suffer too!" Durai scornfully pointed at the animals.

"No pita! She won't terrorize the village anymore now that her leg and eye are healed!" Maya protested.

"Yes pita. She's only a mother with 4 little cubs and they will leave to faraway place and never bother us again!" Amir protested.

But Durai still refuses to listen.

"SILENCE! We're going to make sure that murderous monster and its killer offspring will never bother us again once and for all!" Durai screamed with fury and venom.

He turns to the mob.

"Get my children out of the way so we finish this killer beast for good!" He ordered.

Obeying Durai's orders without hesitation, four of his men went and grabbed Maya and Amir and moved them away from the cage.

"Unhand us! Let go of us!" Amir shouted as he struggled.

"No stop! You're making a mistake! They didn't hurt anyone!" Maya begged, tears coming out of her eyes.

The four men ignored their captives protests and pleas as more men of the mob, those with their spears and guns, approached the cage.

Despite being badly outnumbered and trapped, the tigress stood her ground, snarling a warning growl as the wary yet aggressive men crept closer and closer, flashing their torches. The four cubs meowed in fear as they huddled underneath their mother.

Those with spears use them to poke and jab at the enraged striped feline which she thunderously roared as she swiped at them.

"Ready! Aim!" Durai ordered.

The armed men aimed their guns at the tiger family.

"NO! PLEASE!" Maya yelled tearfully.

"FIRE!" Durai ordered.

Suddenly the guns were raised up to the sky and fired with multiple bursts of explosive gunshots. The mother tiger and her cubs that cowered underneath her flinched from the horrible sounds. The mother roared in defiance and fear. Her cubs were terrified and went silent.

Suddenly, the fire on the torches were put out, though the sun was still bright at noon.

The father and the men were surprised, angered and baffled of this.

"What is this sorcery?!" Durai angrily asked.

The gunmen tried to bring their guns down, but something was wrong. The villagers were further shocked as though by magic, their guns were taken out of their hands making them look in disbelief and fear. Their weapons instantly disappeared in poofs of smoke.

"No one is killing those tigers!" A familiar voice yelled.

The villagers tuned and see Gwen in her celestial and goddess form and her group riding on Cerulean Bolt and lands in front of the tiger cage.

"Gwen!" Maya cried happily.

"You came back!" Amir added.

"Release Maya and Amir!" Gwen demanded, sounding like the goddess she has become.

The angry mob fearfully obey Gwen and release Maya and Amir.

"Wow, you look like a goddess." Maya said.

She made an acknowledged look to Maya with a quick smile before turned serious as she faced to the furious Durai.

"Durai! What is the meaning of this?" She demanded.

"That man-eating monster tiger had been caught, and we were going to kill it for good. And you demon, can't do anything about that!" Durai argued and insulted.

Clarence, Cuphead, Mugman and Ms. Chalice stood in front of Gwen angry.

"Don't you dare call my fiancée a demon!" Clarence yelled.

"And how dare all of you trying to kill an innocent animal!" Cuphead yelled.

"She's no monster! She's a desperate mother who was doing what she had to do for her little cubs!" Mugman explained.

"You should all be ashamed of yourselves!" Ms. Chalice scolded.

"That tigress was hunting down your animals because of a leg injury by someone who had shot it and she needed to provide for her cubs like any desperate mother would do. But I healed her leg and gave her new sight to her left eye. So, she won't have to hunt farm animals or even humans. And I'm going to take this family to a faraway land from their village where they can be safe from all of you." Gwen explained her intentions.

But Durai and the mob furiously refuse to accept that, and they didn't hide their ferocity and disbelief.

"Liar! Her tongue is of demon blood she is!"

"Do not trust her voice for she'll deceive us!"

"She's a liar and a filthy creature of falseness!"

"Do not trust in demons like her Durai!"

"All of them are right! You're not a goddess; you're nothing more than a worthless vile demon! As for that monster tiger, it has become a permanent man-eater and there's no cure for that and that its offspring will follow the beast's paw steps to hunting our people. And if you ever dare try to stop us, we'll kill you, your fiancé and your cup-headed freaks like the unholy devils they are!" Durai threatened with extreme rage and violence.

"Then you will face the consequences of Gosa." Gwen firmly said as she raised her ink pen and summoned its magic.

You expect us to be afrai…" Durai's aggressive and defiant rants went silent as Gwen uses her magic inkwell on Durai and the angry mob's heads.

She magically made their eyes closed unconscious while they were still standing. The tiger family watched in stunned silence by the unexpected sight as well as Maya and Amir.

"What are you doing?" Maya asked.

"She's erasing their memories." Cuphead said.

"She can erase memories?" Amir asked.

"Yep. She can do a lot with her magic." Mugman said.

"We should know." Ms. Chalice said.

"That if anyone who tries to threaten us or try to reveal her secret to the world with no intention of keeping their promise to stay silent, Gwen will wipe out their memories to keep us and her powers safe." Clarence told him.

The effect was instantaneous as Amir felt dreading shock and gulped. For what would happen to him if he dared tried to tell what he saw to everyone. For in his mind, seeing what Gwen is capable of, she is not a human but not a demon; but a mystic, magical, mighty, powerful entity in a human body who can make dreams come true and make positive changes in people and animal's lives. But only few know of her secret and those who dare try to reveal her true self to the world, threaten her love ones or break their promise will lose their memories of what they've seen.

Gwen magically pulled out their memories of the tigers, of Maya and Amir being out here and of seeing her magic, powers, her goddess and celestial form displayed in front of them. She alters all their memories, thus erasing memories of the there ever was a tiger around. But she put in Durai's memories that his lost son that been missing for three days is headed back home safe and alive.

After putting their altered memories back into their heads, Gwen teleports the people back to their village then she changes back to her normal form.

"Well, the memories of what they and your father had seen are gone and they've been put back in their homes." Gwen spoke in content.

"As long they're not behaving like bloodthirsty savages on momma tiger and her cubs if their memories of what's been happening for the past three and a half months are gone, then I'm ok with that." Ms. Chalice gladly said.

"I don't get it. Why did you erase their memories of everything?" Amir asked.

"Because people like them only see what they want to see and believe what they want to believe. Even though we proved the tiger's innocence, they still refused to listen. That's how most humans are. Even though there are humans who will listen and accept the truth." Gwen explained.

"Gwen, thank you for all your help finding Amir and saving the tiger family." Maya thanked.

"You're welcome, Maya. Helping others and their problems is part of my nature especially for animals." Gwen says to her before he looked at Amir.

"Earlier yesterday, I asked your sister to promise not to say a word of what she saw about me and my powers. I hope that I can trust you can keep a secret too Amir." Gwen sweetly said with a hint of a warning.

After seeing what she can do and how effortlessly she erased his father's and the villagers' memories of what they tried to do against her, her friends, her fiancé and the tiger family, a slightly fearful Amir didn't have second thoughts.

"I-I swear that I will never speak one word of what I experienced and seen." He hastily vowed, for the sake of keeping his memories and out of appreciation of Gwen and her loved ones come and find him, Amir promised, now that he has a new appreciation and respect for nature.

His response satisfied Gwen who gave an appreciate smile.

"That's all I needed. Thank you." Gwen thanked.

Amir sighed in relief.

"Speaking of the tiger family, we gotta get the tiger family to their new home." Clarence said, remembering.

"Oh yeah. Leave that to me." Gwen said, raising her ink pen.

Gwen makes a portal that leads to the valley where she and the others had seen. Then she uses her telekinesis to lift the cage and places it on the clearing of the uninhabited part of the valley. Once the cage has passed through and safely far from the portal and settled onto the grass, Gwen makes the cage to open apart for the tigers be free.

The tigress was cautious about this unfamiliar place she and her cubs are in. But they soon become comfortable and safer. Having grown to see her cubs and herself are safe in a new and better habitat where they can grow up safely without having any trouble by vengeful humans, the mother gently licked her offspring in content.

AWW!" The cups exclaimed while Gwen, Clarence, Amir and Maya smiled as they watched in warmhearted happiness.

The tigress looked back at the odd humans and the three odd younger cups and softly growled.

"You're welcome." Gwen said back.

Maya, even though she can't speak animal like Gwen, couldn't resist of speaking up from what's in her heart.

"And may your cubs grow up to be giant, fearsome and powerful hunters, just like you." She said with a proud and encouraging smile.

The larger tigress made what looked like a soft nod, as though she understood her, before she turned and walked off into her new home with her 4 cubs happily following their mother as they went up a hill and disappeared over it.

Gwen closes the portal as Amir went up to his sister.

"Those were the sweetest words I ever heard you say to a tiger sis." Amir said as he proudly wrapped his arm around her.

"Thanks. And it was brave you tried to stand up for them with me." Maya said with a smile.

"Well then, now that the big cat family is where they belong now, let's get these two back to where they belong." Cuphead jerked his thumb at Maya and Amir.

"Best idea you have again Cuphead." Gwen praised which he had a flattered smile.

Clarence wrapped his arm around Gwen.

"I'm so proud of you honey." Clarence praised.

Gwen smiled as they both kissed as the group watched happily.

Returning to the village, the group entered the house where the Durai was sleeping until he is awoken by the calls of Amir.

"Pita! Maan! Nani!" Amir called.

Durai, Samira and Nani see Maya and Amir along with their outsider guests, much to his surprise and relief.

"Amir! Maya!" Samira called.

They ran up to the siblings and embraced them warmly.

"What has happened to you son? All I remember is you were lost, and we were looking for you." Durai asked, having no memory of the tiger and the attacks.

Maya and Amir looked at each other, remembering their promise to Gwen

"I was out on a walk, but I got lost until I was chased by aggressive boar that chased after me, forcing me to go farther from home. I had accidentally dropped my gun but managed to escape by climbing up a tree. I was lost for three days and headed over to abandoned ruins. But to my great luck, I was found and recovered by Maya and her new friends. They're the reason I'm fine and safely back home." Amir explained gesturing to his sister and their new friends.

After listening to his son's story, Durai looked to his daughter and Gwen, a happy and grateful smile grew on his face.

"Thank you, dear daughter, I'm so proud of you. And thank you Gwen for finding my son and bringing him home." Durai thanked with a smile of joy and appreciation.

"I really appreciate that father." Maya said with a praised smile.

"You're welcome, Durai." Gwen replied nodded in acknowledgment.

Gwen and Maya smiled, knowing it was better he didn't remember the tiger which filled his heart with hate. Gwen looked at Maya.

"See, I told you your father will change for the better as well." She winked at her.

"That you are right." Maya said softly as she returned the smile.

Later, it was time to return to Heaven before the gods discovered they were gone. Maya and Amir approached the group outside the village.

"Well, we have to go home now. This has been wonderful." Gwen said.

"Please come back Gwen. We'd love to see you again." Maya said.

"All of you too. You are welcome here anytime." Amir added.

"Perhaps you can show me this Africa that you mentioned about." Maya suggested.

"Maybe that's possible." Gwen smiled.

Cerulean Bolt flew up to the village teen and extended out his tassel hand, offering a farewell handshake.

"Goodbye to you too Cerulean Bolt. It was really thrilling of riding on you and maybe I can ride you again when we see each other again." Maya gave a smile as she shook her hand on his tassel hand.

Amir was saying goodbye to Clarence and the cups.

"It still amazes me that you are going to marry a goddess." Amir said in astonishment.

"Well, that's what makes me feel proud to have fallen in love with a goddess, but Gwen will always prefer to be herself especially as her human self." Clarence lovingly smiled.

"The next time when we come back here, I hope you don't mess with the monkeys again Cuphead." Ms. Chalice informed him.

Her words make Cuphead to be much annoyed, not forgotten of their mischief of hitting him with bananas.

"One day I get my payback on them banana tossing jerks." He muttered crossing his arms.

Amir looked at the cup with a serious expression.

"Should you try to retaliate against them, the monkeys will throw something much worse than just bananas. And believe me, if the chamber of dead animals in the tiger's lair of the ruins is revolting, you don't want to know what the monkeys will use after they 'popped' them out." Amir grimly explained.

At first Cuphead was confused and didn't get that.

"What are you talking about?" Cuphead asked.

Then Amir leaned down and whispered to Cuphead's ear. He listened and then his eyes to widen in horror.

"Ohhh! That's nasty!" He gasped.

"Trust me, I know. When me and Maya were kids once and I mocked them once, they tossed their 'unmentionable' at me." Amir shuddered at the memory.

"So please don't do the same mistake as I did."

"I'll keep that in mind." Cuphead nodded.

They hugged each other goodbye. The group teleport back to Heaven and make it back just in time before the servants or the gods noticed anything.

"Phew!" The group sighed of relief.

And as a matter of fact, a few seconds after they got back, the lead servant was jingling the knob of the door. Which the five of them turned abruptly to face the doors at the last second before the door opened as the lead servant peeked in.

"Milady. I come to see how you, along with your fiancé and the cups are adjusting since Zeus had given his instruction for you and the others not to leave your palace or go anywhere on Earth?" The lead servant asked.

"Oh! I… uhh… to be perfectly honest, my dear, being here in my palace, it's boring as a doozy and I'm sure the others are too. Right guys?" Gwen answered partly lying and part honestly before she looked to the others.

The rest caught on and played along.

"Oh, undoubtedly true." Mugman said.

"Unbelievably boring!" Cuphead whined.

"Feels like I nearly forgotten when I have last danced on the regular earth floor." Ms. Chalice's voice was filled with longing.

"Well I admit that it was magical and grand when I first stepped in my love's place. But even I am starting to feel the same thing as the cups and Gwen." Clarence responded.

Hearing their answers, the lead servant showed benevolence, understanding and slight seriousness.

"I understand that being in your palace for too long may be tiresome and, as Cuphead said in his words, 'unbelievably boring' Milady. But understand that this for your own safety as well theirs. The day that the Devil and his army comes to barge into our world, the gods will fight with all their might to protect you and your loved ones. And when he's finally defeated for good, you, your soon-to-be new husband and your cup siblings can leave whenever you want. And this is Zeus's orders. They are not to be disobeyed or else you'll risk being vulnerable and tracked by the Devil. Do you all understand?" The lead servant reminded them.

The five of them looked at each other then to Gwen who sighed.

"That's true. Zeus's word is law. If waiting for that horn-headed loser and his army to come here to your doors and the battle begins and that we will end him once and for all that'll have us to go back to earth and to Inkwell Isles, then so be it. No matter how long and boring this may be." Gwen seemly understood and turned to her friends and her fiancé.

"Did you four get that?" She asked.

"Well… ok." Mugman accepted it.

"Fine. Waiting for long time is not my favorite thing ever, but if Gwen can handle this, then I should have to give this the benefit of a doubt." Cuphead rolling his eyes but also acknowledges it.

"I'll do it too. But that doesn't mean I'm going to like it." Ms. Chalice huffed.

"Wasn't expecting you too Chalice. But I guess I too will get used to this and wait as long as possible with my future wife and her best friends." Clarence gave a respectful nod to the lead servant.

Their answers satisfied the lead servant.

"I'm very pleased that you all understand. Oh! I nearly forgot to let you know something Milady." The lead servant exclaimed.

"What is?" Gwen asked.

"That dinner is served." The lead servant announced.

"Awesome!" Cuphead said excitedly.

They all gathered at the dinner table with the spirits of Earnest and Mary joining them this time as a family talking about their adventure in India.

Meanwhile down in the depths of Hell, the Devil is making plans in his office. He writes everything down on his desk as Henchman brings him a cup of tea.

"Duh, here boss. Your favorite tea." Henchman said.

The Devil takes the cup and sips it.

"If I'm going to break into Heaven, I need the strongest magic I have." The Devil said.

"But boss, certain magic is off-limits." Henchman reminded him.

"Nothing is off-limits when things get dire!" The Devil argued.

Just then, the Devil remembered something.

"Wait! That just gave me an idea!" The Devil exclaimed.

"What boss?" Henchman asked.

"Follow me." The Devil said.

The Devil and Henchman go behind his throne behind the curtain. The Devil tapped his pitchfork, and a secret spiral staircase opened before him.

"But boss…!" Henchman was about to protest.

"SHH! This is a secret you idiot!" The Devil angrily shushed.

They both walked down the stairs, unaware an imp was secretly watching and taking notes.

Inside, they find themselves in a spell and dark magic chamber. The Devil clapped his hands twice and candles lit up, revealing a large cauldron and shelves of magic and potions.

"B-B-Boss? What are we doing here?" Henchman nervously asked.

"Henchman, there's something I want to show you, but you must swear to supreme secrecy!" The Devil firmly answered.

"Yes sir! You have my word! May I be blown up if I dare break my promise!" Henchman promised, crossing his heart.

"Good. You certainly do not want to be blown up if ever break your promise." The Devil said coldly and sinisterly as he leaned down to him to look him in his eyes before he straightens up and he turns to the bookshelf.

"Now then, one sec." The Devil said.

The Devil pulls a book from a bookshelf and the bookcase slid open. Revealing a secluded dark room.

The Devil enters with his pitchfork and grabs something from the black gloomy darkness. The Devil comes back out, holing a black glowing flask.

Henchman gasped in horror.

"B-B-B-Boss? I-I-I-Is that what I-I-I-I think it i-i-i-is?" Henchman asked fearfully.

"Yes, Henchman. It's the ultimate dark magic. This'll give me the power to break through that barrier and unleash my war. I was never allowed use it but now I have a good cause." The Devil said evilly.

"Aw jeez." Henchman said worryingly as the Devil laughed evilly.

The Devil suddenly started yawning.

"Oh, I was being so evil I made myself tired." The Devil said, feeling sleepy.

"It's time for bed then. Let's just put the ultimate dark magic away and get some shut eye." Henchman said calmy.

"No! The ultimate dark magic is coming with me!" The Devil argued.

"Ok! Ok! It goes with you. Kinda like it's your baby. You sleep it, nurture it and it'll grow up to be your biggest joy of destruction." Henchman puts up a fake smile as he said those words to keep his boss from losing his temper again.

Grinning evilly, the Devil looked at his flask.

"Yes Henchman, my little baby will grow up to break into Heaven and destroy anything that stands between daddy and his future queen." The Devil said evilly.

He then headed back to the stairs, getting tired.

"Now let's go for beddie bye. Come along Henchman." The Devil ordered as he yawned.

"Uh right behind ya boss." Henchman trailed after him.

They both head back upstairs to the throne room as the Devil retreated to his bedroom and goes to bed.

The next morning, the Devil wakes up feeling happy. He grabbed his pitchfork and headed to the throne room for his morning coffee and donut.

"Ah, what a wonderful way to start the morning." The Devil said as he picked up a donut.

He eats in one bite, feeling satisfied. Suddenly, without warning, his face started turning red hot and he breathed fire from his mouth.

"HOT! HOT! HOT!" The Devil yelled in pain.

The Devil tries to wash it down with his coffee, only for his head to start burning even worse as he uncontrollably blew fire everywhere, forcing his imps and Henchman to take cover.

Once the Devil finally cooled off, the Devil was severely sweaty, his eyes were watery, and his voice was hoarse and collapsed on the floor.

"Wha… what did I… eat?" The Devil hoarsely asked.

"I dunno boss. It seems like you ate something severally spicy." Henchman guessed.

While Henchman and the other imps help their boss, the secret imp quietly sneaks off and hides in a secluded cave. He pulls out a little mirror.

"Agent Hobgoblin to Agent Cheng. Over." The secret imp whispered.

Kai-Ming's reflection appeared in the mirror.

"Agent Cheng here. Report." Kai-Ming ordered.

"It's worse than we thought! The Devil has a secret hidden dark magic chamber and he's planning to use something extremely forbidden to infiltrate Heaven to start the war!" The secret imp warned.

"Hmm, we need to get word to Gwen then plan our next move. Keep on them!" Kai-Ming ordered.

"Yes ma'am! Agent Hobgoblin out!" The secret imp agreed.

Kai-Ming's reflection disappeared. The secret imp quietly rejoined the other imps helping the Devil rest in his bed.

At the FBI headquarters, Kai-Ming also held a small mirror and placed it down and faced the Connery triplets.

"It's a good thing I had Gwen create those mini magic mirrors so we can remain in contact." Beatrix said, holding her own mini magic mirror.

"And we could talk anywhere without using a telephone." Bethany added.

"Sisters, boss has something to say." Barrett said.

"Everyone, he has a secret magic chamber in an underground chamber. He plans to use a forbidden dark magic to break into Heaven." Kai-Ming reported.

The triplets gasped in horror.

"We need to move forward with more security measures and to be prepared for war. We do this quietly to prevent worldwide panic." Kai-Ming instructed.

The FBI agents go straight to work.

Back in Heaven, the group were laughing uncontrollably at the Devil's misery.

"That ghost pepper prank was genius!" Gwen complimented.

"Thank you! Thank you!" Cuphead thanked.

"Did you see the look on his face?" Mugman asked.

"Priceless!" Ms. Chalice said.

"Okay, prank time's over. Let's get some breakfast." Clarence said.

Everyone calmed down and head to the dining room for breakfast.

In the main palace on Mount Olympus, Zeus and Ares walk together to observe the armies training for the war.

"Is everything ready for the attack?" Zeus asked.

"Yes, my lord. They are ready to fight anytime." Ares answered.

Hestia approached the two gods.

"My lord, Lady Gosa is still in her palace with the 4 mortals and 2 spirits." Hestia reported.

"Excellent. With our young goddess secured, we can move forward." Zeus said approvingly.

The gods prepared for the war as the Devil was doing the same once he recovered from his spicy predicament.