One morning in Heaven, Gwen and her friends were in another newly discovered room: the gym. Gwen does some workouts while Clarence lifted weights to get stronger. The cups were just running around playing tag.
"Tag! You're it!" Cuphead called as he tagged Mugman.
Mugman chases Cuphead and Ms. Chalice around the gym.
"Tag! You're it!" Mugman called as he tagged Ms. Chalice.
Gwen watched her friends play tagged as she started to lift weights with Clarence.
"They're having fun this morning." Clarence said.
"Yeah. Any room of this palace we discover they have a lot of fun." Gwen agreed.
"So do we." Clarence said.
Gwen smiled then continued working out.
Later, the group rests in a sauna.
"Ah, this is the life." Cuphead said.
"You said it." Mugman agreed.
"Boy if the Devil saw that we're hiding in luxury, he'd blow higher than the moon." Ms. Chalice insulted.
"Speaking of which, he hasn't sent anyone to attack me or he himself hasn't tried to come after me for a while. He's gotta be planning something big." Gwen said, feeling concerned.
"Well, we'll be ready for him if he does." Clarence said.
Later, the group feel refreshed and go about their day.
"So, what do you guys wanna do now?" Gwen asked.
"Where should we go this time?" Ms. Chalice asked.
"Hmm. Well, we've been to many countries together and there's many countries we haven't seen yet." Gwen said.
Clarence looks at a globe of Earth. He spins it around and looks at many countries in Asia, Europe, Central America, Africa and South America.
"Looking at some choices?" Gwen asked.
"Yeah. What do you think honey?" Clarence asked.
Gwen looked at some countries.
"Well, I recently read that scary book Dracula. His castle is in Romania." Gwen said, getting an idea.
"You wanna see Dracula's Castle?" Clarence asked.
"Sure, but if you don't want to, we can go somewhere else. I understand." Gwen said.
"No, I'd like to see if this Dracula guy is for real." Clarence said.
"Love, there's always some truth behind a legend or myth." Gwen pointed out.
The cups gathered around them.
"Did you say something about that vampire?" Cuphead asked.
"Yeah. Dracula. We decided to see if this guy's real or not. His castle's in Romania." Gwen answered.
"But he kills his victims by sucking their blood then they turn into vampires themselves!" Mugman said fearfully.
"Aw, you worry too much Mugsy. It'll be fun." Ms. Chalice said.
Gwen shook her head, then teleports themselves to the city of Bucharest.
"Wow, what's this city?" Cuphead asked.
"Welcome to Bucharest, Romania." Gwen answered.
"Bucharest. This place looks old-fashioned." Mugman said, looking at the buildings.
"And there's so many people laying on the sidewalks." Ms. Chalice said, noticing people laying on the sidewalk.
"That's because they're going through tough times. Many people here are unemployed and jobs are so hard to come by. And worse of all, their king rules this country with an iron fist." Gwen explained.
"It's really tragic." Clarence said, feeling bad.
"Anyway, wanna look around before we go to Dracula's Castle?" Gwen asked.
"Sure, since we're already here." Cuphead answered.
"Now fellas, don't look at anyone. Don't talk to anyone. They are desperate and will do anything for money and food even if they have to rob us." Clarence warned.
"You got it handsome. I know how these people think. They'll do anything to get what they want to survive." Ms. Chalice said.
"Yeah, you and Clarence were on the streets once yourself." Mugman said.
"Exactly." Both Clarence and Ms. Chalice answered.
"Okay, stay close and keep your pockets guarded." Gwen said.
Gwen leads the group around the city until they come across an outdoor museum.
"Ooh! What's that village?" Cuphead asked.
"That my friend is the Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum. Instead of going inside, we are outside looking at the exhibits." Gwen answered.
They look around at old houses from both the 18th and 19th centuries.
"Amazing how humans lived without electricity and technology." Mugman said.
"Yep, people got by without those things." Clarence said.
"Yeah, and yet these buildings are nice." Gwen said.
After exploring the museum, they leave and walk through Herǎtrau Park.
"The park is lovely." Gwen said, looking around.
"Hey look! Ducks!" Mugman exclaimed and pointed.
They look and notice a group of ducks swimming near the dock.
"Wanna feed them?" Gwen asked.
"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!" Both cups exclaimed.
Gwen magically makes 5 bags of breadcrumbs. They walk up to the dock and tossed breadcrumbs at the ducks. The ducks started eating them as more ducks approached them.
"Here ducky ducky ducky." Cuphead called.
They continued feeding them until there was no more breadcrumbs. They move on to walk some more.
"Hey look! Cotton candy!" Cuphead exclaimed.
They looked and noticed a cotton candy stand.
"Okay, okay." Gwen said, knowing they loved cotton candy.
Gwen purchases 5 cotton candy and started eating. After eating cotton candy, they decide to head to Transylvania.
"Alright guys, ready to go to Transylvania to find Dracula's Castle?" Gwen asked.
"Yeah!" All 3 cups exclaimed.
Gwen summons Cerulean Bolt, they hop on and fly north to Transylvania. They traveled for a while until something catches Mugman's eye.
"Ooh! Look at that pretty castle!" Mugman said.
They looked down and noticed Peleş Castle.
"Oh yeah. That was built about 20 years ago. Their current king is a dictator." Gwen explained.
"Yeesh. Sounds like a tyrant." Ms. Chalice said.
"Yeah, no kidding." Gwen agreed.
They continue flying until they reached the village called Bran. They land and noticed up on a hill, a large creepy-looking castle.
"Is that Dracula's Castle?" Cuphead asked.
"Yep, that's it alright." Clarence said.
"Guys? Can we quickly grab lunch? I'm starvin'.'" Mugman asked.
"Sure buddy. There's a restaurant nearby." Gwen said.
They grab a table and order sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls), mici (caseless sausages), balmos (shepard dish) and papanasi (fried donut and spongecake) for dessert.
"These cabbage rolls are awesome." Cuphead said, eating a sarmale.
"Yeah. This Romanian food is nice." Mugman said, eating a bite of mici with mustard and bread.
"Too bad the vampire is missing out on this food. Why can't he eat this instead of blood?" Ms. Chalice asked.
"Two reasons. One, vampires are undead and have to live off of blood. Two, there's no such thing as vampires." Gwen answered.
"Hey, we're here to see that castle and find this guy." Cuphead reminded her.
"Fine whatever." Gwen said.
The cups grab their glasses of Elderwood lemonade, and the couple grab their cups of Țuică (plum brandy).
"A Romanian day of fun." Gwen toasted.
They clinked their glasses and sipped their drinks.
"Hey, there's a girl doing cool moves over there." Ms. Chalice said.
The group look and noticed a local teenage girl doing acrobatic tricks as a few people watched and toss a few coins in her hat.
"Cool. A gymnast." Mugman said.
"I hear that takes intense training to become a gymnast." Gwen said.
"Yeah. And you gotta be very flexible." Clarence added.
The teenage girl finishes her act with a few back flips and posed. She gains some applause, a few more coins as the crowd leaves. The teenage girl looked sad, not earning enough coins.
Feeling bad, Gwen goes up to the girl, reaches in her enchanted wallet and pulls out a few lei bills (Romanian currency) and places it in her hat. The girl is shocked at the donation as Gwen nodded and leaves.
"That was very kind of you honey." Clarence complimented.
"Thanks love. You inspired me to help people who were in your situation before we met." Gwen said as Clarence smiled.
Just then, the teenage girl approached their table.
"Oh, hello again." Gwen greeted.
"Buna ziua. I didn't properly thank you. Mulțumesc." The girl thanked.
"You're welcome." Gwen said.
"May I join you? I need to eat something with this money." The girl asked.
Ms. Chalice grabbed an extra chair for their table and the girl joins them. Their waitress takes the girl's order and leaves.
"Oh, I am very rude. I haven't introduced myself. My name is Viviana Balan. What's yours?" Viviana introduced herself.
"Gwendoyln Mae Emmons. Gwen for short. This is my fiancé Clarence Hopewell and my best friends Cuphead, Mugman and Ms. Chalice." Gwen introduced.
The waitress brings Viviana a plate of chiftele (meatballs) with mashed potatoes on the side in a tomato sauce. Viviana started eating like she hasn't eaten in a while.
"Were you starving?" Clarence asked.
"Da. I'm struggling to make money for something to eat. I've recently been kicked out of my apartment when I could no longer pay the rent. Been on the streets for a while." Viviana explained sadly.
"I know how you feel. I too was on the streets until I met the love of my life." Clarence said.
"She helped you out of poverty?" Viviana asked.
"Yeah. I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for her." Clarence said as he held Gwen close to him.
Gwen sighed happily.
"You two are really in love. I can tell." Viviana said.
Viviana noticed the cups looking at her.
"What are these children with cupe for heads?" Viviana asked.
"Cupe? Is that the Romanian word for cups?" Mugman asked.
"Da. I never seen that before." Viviana said.
"You're not the first human to say that." Cuphead said.
"Those was great acrobats. Are you a gymnast?" Ms. Chalice asked.
"Da. I am training to be one. I hope to get into competition and maybe Olympics someday." Viviana explained her dream.
"I have a friend who's training for the Olympics. Not in gymnastics." Gwen said, referring to Kizzy.
"Cool. So, what brings you here to Romania?" Viviana asked.
"We're here to see if Dracula's real or not." Cuphead answered.
Viviana absorbed what Cuphead said then started laughing.
"What's so funny?" Ms. Chalice asked.
"You are funny. There is no such thing. He's just a myth." Viviana said, laughing.
"Laugh all you want but we're gonna prove he's real!" Cuphead said determined.
"You know that castle is off limits for a reason." Viviana pointed out.
"Eh, I ain't too worried about it." Cuphead said dismissing her point.
Viviana looked at Gwen.
"Is he like this with you?" Viviana asked.
"All the time. He craves fun and adventure." Gwen answered.
"You have no idea." Mugman agreed.
"Okay, now that lunch is over, let's go to the castle!" Cuphead said excitedly.
"Can I come with you? I want to watch." Viviana asked.
"Sure. You can help prove Cuphead wrong." Gwen agreed.
"Wonderful. Besides, I know this area." Viviana said.
They all leave the restaurant and walk up the path up on the hill where Dracula's Castle stood tall and approached the large main door.
Mugman nervously gave a very light knock.
"Well, nobody's home let's go!" Mugman quickly said and quickly turned to leave.
Cuphead grabbed Mugman's handle and pulled him back.
"Don't be such a wussy Mugsy. We're goin' in!" Cuphead scolded.
Cuphead pushed the doors open, revealing a grand hall. Cuphead runs inside excitedly.
"Cuphead! Get back here!" Gwen quietly scolded.
"Come on guys! It's empty!" Cuphead called.
Gwen groaned and facepalmed.
"Come on, we better make sure he doesn't scare himself to death." Mugman said.
They enter the castle and are intrigued at the sights.
"Huh, nice place. What's so scary about it?" Clarence said.
"It is nice in person." Viviana added.
"I think we'll be okay as long as nobody finds us here." Ms. Chalice said.
"Hey guys! Check this out!" Cuphead called.
They enter another room and find Cuphead playing various loud notes on a grand organ.
"Cuphead!" Gwen yelled as she yanked him off the organ.
"Are you crazy?! You're gonna draw unwanted attention!" Gwen scolded.
Cuphead chuckled nervously.
Just then, they noticed the organ playing a creepy melody by itself.
"Ah! Ghosts!" Mugman screamed.
Ms. Chalice revealed herself in her ghost form and laughed at Mugman.
"Chalice! Knock it off!" Clarence scolded.
"Aw come on. Where's your sense of humor?" Ms. Chalice asked as she turned back into living form.
"She's a fantomă!" Viviana exclaimed.
"It's a long story." Gwen said.
"Guys? Can we go now? I'm starting to get creeped out." Mugman asked.
"Sure, let's get out of here before we get into trouble." Gwen said.
Just as they turned to leave, Cuphead was nowhere to be found.
"Cuphead! I swear if you…!" Gwen yelled until she heard Cuphead's voice.
"Hey guys! Look at this!" Cuphead called.
The group sighed and followed Cuphead's outside and saw him looking down a water well.
"Cuphead, that is a water well." Viviana said.
"If I had a coin, I'd make a wish." Cuphead said.
Just then, they hear an eerie wailing coming from the well.
"W-W-W-What was that?" Mugman asked nervously.
"That's probably some kid playing a prank on us." Clarence guessed.
"I dunno Clarence. It sounded eerie." Ms. Chalice said.
"Don't worry about it. Let's just go." Gwen said, losing her patience.
"Ugh fine. You're no fun today." Cuphead whined.
The group started their way back to the entrance. As they passed a curtain, a little wind blew inside, making the curtain touch Cuphead.
"EEECK! What was that?!" Cuphead asked, freaking out.
Viviana shook her head, knowing it was just a curtain blowing in the wind.
"You silly ceaşcă. That was just the curtain blowing in the wind." Viviana answered and laughed.
Mugman snickered at his brother freaking out.
Just then, they hear creaking noises.
"Okay, that's just the floorboards creaking." Gwen said, unfazed.
"I don't know Gwen. It sounded like it was coming from that creepy chapel over there." Ms. Chalice said.
The group looked and noticed a mini chapel outside and a stairway underground.
"Oh! That's where Dracula sleeps during the day!" Cuphead exclaimed.
"Ugh! Cuphead, will you get over your stupid vampire assumptions?!" Gwen finally snapped.
"But Gweny!" Cuphead whined.
"No, Cuphead! I'm done! As I suspected, it's just an old empty castle! Let's just go!" Gwen argued.
Suddenly, the doors to the crypt mysteriously blew open, startling the group.
"Okay, that was just the wind and the doors weren't locked." Clarence said.
"What's down there?" Ms. Chalice asked.
"One way to find out." Cuphead said.
"Cuphead…!" Gwen tried to protest but the cups were already making their way down the crypt.
"Honey, I know you're frustrated with him. But maybe if he learns for himself the hard way, he'd finally start listening to you." Clarence advised.
"Da. Let them scare themselves to death." Viviana agreed.
Gwen took a breath.
"You're right. It's the only way he ever learns anyway." Gwen said after calming down.
Down in the crypt the cups explore in the darkness. They notice cobwebs, creepy goblin statues and tables with books. They follow a trail of lit candles.
"Hey, what's that?" Mugman asked.
The cups looked and noticed what appeared to be a coffin in the center of the crypt.
"Oh! This is it! That's where Dracula sleeps during the day!" Cuphead said excitedly.
He quickly runs up to the coffin as Mugman and Ms. Chalice stayed behind unsure. Cuphead lifted the lid off the coffin, but to his disappointment, there was nothing in there.
"It's empty!" Cuphead said disappointed.
"Maybe Gwen was right. It's just an empty castle." Ms. Chalice said.
"Yeah, we should go before something happens." Mugman said.
"Eh, fine." Cuphead whined.
As the cups prepared to leave, a wind suddenly blew out the candles, making the crypt dark.
"Ah! What was that?!" Mugman exclaimed.
"I don't know!" Cuphead yelled.
Suddenly, they noticed the wind howling as the tables were being blown away, boxes knocking over and sheets blowing all around.
"Guys! I think we disturbed something!" Ms. Chalice yelled.
"Aw come on! Gwen's probably tricking us to scare us!" Cuphead yelled.
"AHH! LOOK!" Mugman yelled.
The cups looked and noticed a dark tall figure in the shadows raising his arms. The cups screamed and ran for their lives, running through various hallways trying to find the exit until the cups ran into each other.
"OW!" All 3 cups exclaimed in pain.
"Watch where you're going!" Cuphead scolded.
"You watch where you're going!" Mugman argued.
"Dingdongs! Look!" Ms. Chalice yelled.
They looked and noticed pairs of glowing eyes.
"RUN!" All 3 cups yelled.
They run away screaming until they finally reached the stairs. They jump outside as a flock of bats flew outside.
The humans were laughing at the cups.
"What are you guys laughing at?" Cuphead asked.
"You guys. You guys were screaming and freaking out over nothing but bats!" Gwen answered and laughed.
"Hey! They were scary!" Mugman argued.
"Bats do not like to be disturbed." Viviana said with a smile.
"Yeah, your screaming woke them up." Clarence added.
"Okay Gwen. You win. There's no vampire here." Cuphead finally admitted.
Gwen smirked.
"That's what I thought. Now, let's go before we get in trouble." Gwen said.
They finally leave the castle and back to the village.
Unknown to the group, the tall figure from the crypt watching the group leave from a distance was revealed to be the real Dracula himself.
"Ugh! Finally! I thought they'd never leave! I can't a good day's sleep around here with those noisy brats!" Dracula complained.
He climbs back in his coffin and goes back to sleep.
The group reenter the village, feeling relieved.
"Cuphead, I hope you learned something from this whole thing!" Mugman scolded.
"Yeah, yeah Mugsy. I know." Cuphead complained.
"That wasn't so bad. There was nothing really scary about it. It was just an empty castle." Clarence said.
"Yep. Just like I told you." Gwen said.
"And hey, thank goodness there's no such thing as vampires. Otherwise, we'd be dead." Viviana said, laughing.
"Thanks for your help, Viviana." Gwen thanked.
"No Gwen, I should be thanking you." Viviana said.
"Really?" Gwen asked.
"Da. You helped me when no one else would." Viviana said.
Mugman gasping in horror.
"Guys! We got company!" Mugman exclaimed and pointed.
The group looked and noticed a group of demons searching the village along with the Devil.
"Oh no! They're hunting me!" Gwen exclaimed.
"Is that… Diavolul?" Viviana asked shockingly.
"SHH!" Clarence shushed as he quickly moved them in an alleyway, barely avoiding detection.
"Any sign of them?!" The Devil angrily asked.
One giant demon shook his head.
The Devil sighed and facepalmed.
"There will be no rest until we find that girl and kill that boy!" The Devil angrily yelled.
The giant demons nodded and continued searching.
"What are we gonna do? What are we gonna do?!" Cuphead asked panicking.
"We need to get back to the castle so we can teleport out of here without being spotted." Gwen said.
"But girlfriend, there's too many of them this time!" Ms. Chalice pointed out.
Viviana looked and noticed they were cornering the villagers as they all panicked. But they don't find Gwen and her friends there.
"I will distract him." Viviana said, getting an idea.
"No! You can't fight him!" Gwen protested.
"I do not plan to fight him. I will keep his attention occupied as long as I can." Viviana said, feeling brave.
"I can't let you do this!" Gwen said, fearing for her safety.
"Hey, I am great gymnast. Remember?" Viviana asked.
"She's braver than I am." Clarence admitted.
"When I have Diavolul's attention, you go back to Dracula's Castle and get out of here. Get as far away as you can. Then I will pretend to betray you, and they'll search the castle after you're gone." Viviana instructed.
"I get it. You'll pretend to betray us so the Devil wouldn't suspect you helping us." Ms. Chalice said, figuring it out.
"Exactly Chalice." Viviana confirmed.
Before Gwen could argue, Viviana runs off towards the crowd of villagers.
"I hope she knows what she's doing." Mugman said worryingly.
"Me too." Gwen agreed.
The group peeked from another alley and watched the Devil approach the citizens.
"Salutări. I suppose you're all wondering what are all these monsters doing here hmm?" The Devil asked, intimidating them.
Viviana discreetly sneaks into the crowd and watched the Devil look at everyone.
"I am looking for… a girl. A redhead American girl, wears glasses, very beautiful. Recently turned 21. Word has grabbed my ear she was last spotted here in this humble village, home of the mythical Dracula himself. Oh, and she hangs out with 3 idiot cups and engaged to a dumb blonde American boy." The Devil described Gwen.
Clarence held Gwen tight, preparing to protect her as her heartbeat fast.
"Shh, shh, shh." Clarence shushed, calming her down.
"I'm so scared." Gwen fearfully whispered.
"Me too." Clarence whispered.
The cups hug the couple, feeling scared too.
"Anybody seen them around here?" The Devil asked.
Nobody would talk, not knowing anything.
"Nobody wants to fess up? Too scared to talk?" The Devil asked, lifting his pitchfork.
"I am not a patient demon. Somebody better talk or…!" The Devil was about to shoot fire from his pitchfork.
"Stop!" Viviana's voice yelled.
Everybody looked and saw Viviana bravely run out of the crowd, standing up to the Devil.
"You there." The Devil said and pointed at her.
The Devil approached Viviana.
"You have information on the girl and those cups?" The Devil asked suspiciously.
"There is no American girl here. So don't you come harassing my people!" Viviana bravely scolded and lied.
The Devil gives her a suspicious look as she stood her ground.
"You know something, don't you my dear?" The Devil asked.
Viviana kept looking at the Devil as her friends quietly make their way up to Dracula's castle.
"Hmm, let's see what your file says about you… Ms. Balan." The Devil said as he pulled up a file and started reading.
Viviana briefly looked up and noticed the group making it safely to Dracula's Castle. Gwen looked over and gave a thumbs up. Viviana gave her a wink. Gwen and the others quickly teleport out of Romania.
"Ooh! What's this? You were orphaned so young, grew up in harsh conditions of an orphanage, trained in gymnastics since childhood and now you struggle to get by with your acrobatics on the streets." The Devil revealed.
Viviana's eyes widened of his knowledge of her past.
"Poor poor Viviana. I'm afraid your fellow villagers will be joining your parents. Unless you cooperate." The Devil warned as he raised his flaming pitchfork at the villagers.
"Wait!" Viviana exclaimed.
The Devil stopped and looked at her.
"Dracula's Castle! I know it sounds crazy but that's where I saw them going!" Viviana confessed with fear in her tone.
"Of course! That old dump where that pathetic demon lives in that story!" The Devil said, now convinced.
Viviana slumped feeling guilty.
"Mulțumesc my dear. You made the right choice." The Devil taunted.
Viviana had tears welling up in her eyes.
"Dracula's Castle! Let's move!" The Devil ordered his demons.
The demons start their way up the hill to the castle to continue their search. The Devil floats up to join them.
After they leave, Viviana smirked and started laughing.
"What's so funny?" A villager asked.
"That dumb monstru! She got away before they could reach her! And I pretended to betray her! And he stupidly believed me!" Viviana revealed and continued laughing.
The villagers all smiled and cheered for Viviana, hailing her as a hero.
Meanwhile, the demons find their footprints in the dirt but lead to nowhere.
"Ugh! These are their tracks but no sign of them!" The Devil yelled.
Henchman flew up to his boss.
"Well, if what that girl said was true, maybe they did come here then teleported." Henchman said.
"Hmm, maybe that girl was telling the truth after all. Come on! We're going with plan B!" The Devil yelled.
The Devil tapped his pitchfork, and all the demons disappeared.
Meanwhile, Gwen and her friends were watching from the reflecting pool as they all sighed of relief.
"She did it. She kept him distracted long enough for us to escape!" Cuphead exclaimed.
"And best of all, he doesn't suspect Viviana's involvement. Mugman added.
"So, she's safe for now." Ms. Chalice said.
"Let's hope he doesn't find out she covered for us." Clarence said.
"Let's eat, I'm starving." Cuphead said.
Clarence and the cups go to the dining area. Clarence looked at Gwen still watching the water.
"Are you coming honey?" Clarence asked.
"I'll be right there. There's something I gotta do first." Gwen said as she raised her ink pen, and it started glowing.
"Your kindness will not be forgotten. Your wish is granted my friend." Gwen said.
Back in Romania, Viviana heard Gwen's words in her head.
"Gwen?" Viviana asked, looking around.
Just then, an older well-dressed man approached Viviana.
"Salutări. Are you Viviana Balan?" The man asked.
"Da. I am." Viviana confirmed.
"I am Andrei Friptu." Andrei introduced himself.
Viviana's eyes widened.
"The gymnastics coach for the Romanian gymnastics team in the Olympics?" Viviana asked shockingly.
"I received word from someone that you are very talented gymnast. How would you like to try out for my gym team for the next Olympic games?" Andrei proposed.
"It would be an honor sir." Viviana excitedly accepted his offer.
"Wonderful. And I understand you live in poor conditions." Andrei said.
"Da, I have no home." Viviana answered.
"Not to worry. I provide apartments I own for my athletes. I will have one for you in exchange you work for me at my gym." Andrei stated.
"You have a deal sir!" Viviana said.
They both shook hands and Andrei led Viviana into his car with him and drive away. Viviana looked up in the sky and smiled, knowing Gwen granted her wish.
"Mulțumesc, Gwen." Viviana quietly thanked.
"Who are you thanking?" Andrei asked.
"Oh, no one sir." Viviana denied.
Back in Heaven, Gwen smiled until she finally joins Clarence and the cups for dinner.
But things were not going well down in Hell, it is revealed that Maile Alika of the Humans of the Inkwell Isles Society was kidnapped and brought before the Devil sitting on his throne held captive by the large toothy guards for an interrogation.
"Ah, Miss Alika. Aloha. Word has grabbed my ear that you know Gwen's current whereabouts." The Devil greeted with an evil smile.
"I ain't tellin' you nothing." Maile said bravely.
The Devil snickered as he got up from his throne.
"My dear, Gwen is vitally important to me. For my plans for the future. She must be brought back to marry me and take her place as queen." The Devil said before glaring down at the Hawaiian teen.
"MY Queen." He growled in a dangerous voice as though his rage could barely be contained of not having Gwen and her powers in his grasp, but managed to hold it in.
"She's marrying Clarence. Never you." Maile bravely insulted.
"Clarence. Now that you mention him, why should I hurt him? He doesn't matter to me. Not you, not her family." The Devil said.
Just then, more toothy guards bring in Cordelia, Rose, William, Kizzy, Isaiah, Akilah, Elijah, Virgil, Lisette and Temperance.
"Not even them." The Devil said, pointing.
Maile looked and noticed her fellow members captured.
"Cordelia! Guys!" Maile yelled until the guards restrained her.
"Don't tell him anything Maile!" Cordelia yelled until a guard restrained her down.
The Devil grabbed Maile by her arm.
"All it takes is one little answer. Where is Gwen?" The Devil sternly asked.
"I don't know! She just disappears without telling me where! That's all I know!" Maile yelled.
The Devil gave a blank stare, not believing her and tsked.
"I tried to be reasonable with you. But I guess that's not enough. Things will have to get more drastic." The Devil said as he grabbed his pitchfork.
"Wh-What are you doing?" Maile asked nervously.
The Devil stood in front of the HIIS.
"Let me ask you something Maile. Who's more important to you? Gwen or your beloved members of your stupid human club?" The Devil asked.
"What do you mean?" Maile asked.
"Let's see. Who's first?" The Devil asked.
He raises his finger, moving across the captive humans until he pointed at Cordelia.
"Ah yes. The beloved president and the sister of that stupid boy." The Devil said as the guards threw her in front of the Devil.
"What are you gonna do?" Maile asked fearfully.
"Since you don't know where Gwen disappears to, I guess she's more important to you than they are." The Devil said as he raised his pitchfork at Cordelia.
A thundering sound was heard and a black cloud formed at the tips of his pitchfork. A death cloud was unleashed and consumes Cordelia as she shrieked. But to her shock, nothing happened.
"Huh, nothing happened." Cordelia said.
But the Devil gave an evil smile.
Suddenly, her body starts decaying as she screams weakly.
"Aw jeez, here we go again." Henchman said as he cringed at Cordelia dying.
Everyone watched in horror as Cordelia succumbed to her death until she was a pile of bones and dust.
"CORDELIA!" Virgil yelled in horror.
"NO!" Maile cried.
Virgil dropped to his knees with tears welling up. The Devil snickered as Maile glared at him.
"Stop it!" Maile yelled angrily.
"Okay I'll stop if you remember where she goes every time she evades my capture." The Devil warned.
Maile hesitated to speak.
"Nothing? Okay then." The Devil said then faced the humans.
"Who's next?" The Devil asked.
He points his finger until he stopped at Virgil.
"Ah yes. Her big hulking cousin." The Devil said with a smile.
"NO!" Rose cried until a guard restrained her.
The guards tossed Virgil in front of the Devil.
"Tell me Maile, how many lives will you sacrifice to save only one person?" The Devil asked, being manipulative.
"Stop it!" William yelled.
The Devil unleashes his death cloud on Virgil, killing him next as he didn't struggle.
Maile started sobbing uncontrollably.
"Do you remember now?" The Devil asked, not feeling any remorse.
Unable to control her sobbing, the Devil shook his head.
"Maybe a little more pressure should jog your memory." The Devil said.
He snapped his fingers. Two guards brought in her boyfriend Sérgio Romas.
"I didn't wanna have to do this. But I'm running out of options since apparently you're running out of loved ones that mean nothing to you." The Devil said coldly.
Maile looked and noticed Sérgio being held captive with the others.
"Sérgio!" Maile cried out.
"Malie!" Sérgio yelled as the guards tossed him in front of the Devil.
"If Gwen is still more important, then I guess this wretched animal-loving boy you're dating isn't either. Like your last boyfriend I killed." The Devil said.
He casts his death cloud on Sérgio, killing him until Maile finally cracked.
"HEAVEN!" Maile yelled.
The Devil stopped and looked at Maile breathing heavily from all the pressure. The Devil walked up to her and lifted her chin up.
"Say that again?" The Devil ordered.
"Heaven. I know it sounds crazy, but that's where she is." Maile's voice cracked as she finally confessed.
"That's impossible. Mortals are off limits in Heaven. And so is the boss." Henchman said, finding it hard to believe.
"Unless…" The Devil said, thinking about it.
Suddenly it clicked as his eyes widened.
"She was turned into a…" The Devil was about to say until Henchman interrupted.
"A goddess?" Henchman finished.
All the humans slumped, knowing the big secret was finally out.
"That's it! She, that stupid boy and those little cup brats are hiding with the Gods this whole time! That's why my mirror couldn't find her!" The Devil exclaimed, now making sense of everything.
"Please! Don't hurt her or my friends!" Maile begged tearfully.
"Oh right, I almost forgot." The Devil said.
He snapped his fingers, resurrecting Cordelia, Virgil and Sérgio. They all caught their breaths, realizing they were alive again.
"What happened?" Cordelia asked looking around.
"We appear to be resurrected." Virgil said.
"Guys!" Maile cried and ran up to them.
Maile hugged Cordelia sobbing uncontrollably.
"Sugar, what happened?" Cordelia asked.
"I… I did something terrible." Maile confessed.
"Oh no. He knows." Virgil said worryingly.
The Devil patted Maile on the head like a pet.
"You made the right choice my dear child. They are more important to you than Gwen is." The Devil taunted.
However, the Devil couldn't resist the cruel delight to make Maile suffer a little further.
"Although I wonder how Gwen's going to feel when she discovers one of her so-called friend who she helped her to get out of that miserable and pathetic time from her old life back from Hawaii only for her to end up stabbing her in the back?" He harshly asked with a sadistic grin.
His words caused Maile's eyes went wide, causing her to feel horrible guilt and shame that she betrayed the very person who had helped her. Maile slumped on her knees, horrified of her actions with tears falling from her face. Sérgio hugged Maile, comforting her.
"What are you gonna do now boss?" Henchman asked.
"Things get simple now Henchman. We invade Heaven, fight their defenses so I can capture Gwen once and for all." The Devil answered evilly.
Henchman gasped in horror.
"B-B-But boss! The gods will have your head! You know they banned you from going back after you betrayed them long ago in the beginning of time!" Henchman protested.
"Well then, it's time for a little long overdue reunion." The Devil said, not backing down.
The Devil faced the grieving humans.
"Take them back to the surface world. Their usefulness has ended." The Devil ordered.
"Let's go!" A guard ordered.
The HIIS were dragged away with Maile and Sérgio back to the apartments.
In their conference room, Cordelia calls an emergency meeting.
"Everyone! It's worse than we thought! He knows where Gwen's hiding and he's planning an attack!" Cordelia exclaimed at the podium.
"That's not all! He also dismantled my powerful protective spell that protected you all! No wonder we were captured!" Temperance pointed out.
Maile hid in the corner, avoiding the group.
"Maile, come up here please." Cordelia called.
Maile looked to the floor avoiding everyone's stares.
"I committed treason. I violated the oath. I understand if you want me out and never trust me ever again." Maile said tearfully, accepting her fate.
Cordelia paused and thought for a moment.
"No, you didn't violate the oath." Cordelia said.
Maile looked shocked as she turned to face Cordelia.
"You did it to save me, Virgil, Sérgio and us." Cordelia said.
Maile was still shocked.
"Everyone, I know Maile revealed Gwen's whereabouts. But she only did it to save us from a cruel fate that awaited at the Devil's pitchfork, and she didn't want to. You all saw what he did. Virgil, Sérgio, or any of us wouldn't be standing here. He put her under too much pressure. Therefore, we cannot hold it against her. He would've killed all of us." Cordelia gave her speech, understanding Maile's actions.
Everyone thought about it then nodded in agreement.
"I will do anything to mend my mistake. If not now or someday, I hope you all can forgive me." Maile said, willing to do anything.
Cordelia put her hand on Maile.
"Sugar, we all forgive you. And you will help us. You are still one of us. There may be a chance we could stop the invasion." Cordelia said.
"We've gotta warn her! It'll be a matter of time before he starts his invasion!" Maile exclaimed.
"I know. I have an idea." Cordelia said
Cordelia goes up to a telephone and dialed Gwen's magic phone number.
"Sugar, you are in great danger." Cordelia said, getting to the point.
Maile looked scared.
"Listen to me, we have warn you. The Devil is coming for you. He forced Maile to reveal your secret location. He must have found out she was the only person who knew exactly where you, Clarence, Cuphead, Mugman and Chalice were really at. He knows where you're hiding and he's planning a full invasion on Heaven to capture you!" Cordelia explained.
Maile looked scared, but also feeling extremely terrified that Gwen must be feeling absolutely furious, hurt and betrayed for what she had done.
After a pause and Cordelia listening.
"Sugar, he killed me, Virgil and Sérgio, pressuring her into confessing. It is not her fault! He was gonna kill all of us! He was not bluffing at all!" Cordelia assured her.
Another pause.
"Good, you need to prepare yourself for the invasion. Warn the gods, tell them everything. Get an army ready." Cordelia advised.
"Okay, I love you too. Bye." Cordelia said and hung up.
"What did she say Cordelia?" Lisette asked.
"Gwen has accepted that Maile is not to blame either. She will talk to the gods and prepare them for battle. We'll help out anyway we can. Gwen will give us the word." Cordelia answered.
Cordelia walked up to the group.
"My brothers, sisters. This is bigger than all of us. This is about the future of the worlds." Cordelia said bravely.
Everyone stared wide eyed, understanding the severity of the situation.
"When the Devil strikes, we will be ready." Cordelia said.
Everyone nodded.
Maile still felt guilty for her actions and wanted to make things right. Sérgio comes up to her and holds her.
"You too?" Maile asked.
"Sim. I know it's not your fault." Sérgio assured her.
Maile sunk her head into his chest, still have tears streaming down her face.
"Don't cry meu amor. I want to join this HIIS with you. I want to help Gwen just like you do." Sérgio said.
"Meeting adjourned." Cordelia said, concluding the meeting.
Everyone leaves the conference room. Cordelia has Gwen teleport Sérgio back to his parents in Brazil. Then she escorts Maile back to her apartment and helps calm her down. Cordelia wiped Maile's face with a warm towel.
"Sugar, I want you to go to bed. You need to calm down. Beating yourself up won't fix anything. We all forgive you, but you need to forgive yourself." Cordelia advised.
Maile subtly nodded.
"Good. Now go lay down." Cordelia instructed.
Maile goes to her room, crawls under the covers and continues crying until she fell asleep.
Back in Heaven, Gwen is crying in her room as Clarence and the cups hugged her.
"It's over guys. He knows where we are." Gwen cried.
"No honey. It's not. Cordelia explained the plan. Tomorrow, you're gonna go before the gods, tell them everything and we need to prepare for the invasion." Clarence assured her.
"At least they warned us in time." Cuphead said, trying to be positive.
"Besides the Devil killed Cordelia, Virgil and Sérgio and was gonna do the same to the others unless Maile cooperated." Mugman added.
Gwen looked at her friends.
"Girlfriend, we're with you. We'll fight to stop the Armageddon and the Devil once and for all." Ms. Chalice said.
Gwen looked at her knees then grew angry.
"You're right. All of you. I'm gonna have a word with the gods and assemble an army to strike back." Gwen said, now determined.
"That's our girl." Clarence said, giving her a kiss.
The servants approached the group.
"And we will be ready to fight too Lady Gosa. We will protect you at any cost." The lead servant said.
"Thank you. All of you. I'm gonna need all the help I can get." Gwen thanked everyone.
Everyone turns in for the night, preparing to start their planning the next day for the upcoming invasion.