I knew this feeling. This feeling of excitement, bliss…

I was finally back.

I opened my eyes and looked around. I had landed on a sandy beach, full of rocks and various Poptropicans. Next to me was a house built into a tree (not a treehouse, the tree was the house). In the distance was the bright blue sea and forests of green bushes. The air smelt salty and fresh, full of adventure and potential. Old childish excitement raced through me and I couldn't wipe the goofy smile off my face.

It felt great to be home again.

"Alice…?" a familiar voice asked me. I turned around, and she was standing there. Fierce Fox, my loyal partner in crime.

"Fierce!" I exclaimed, rushing towards her. I leaped into her arms, giving her a tight hug. She stiffened up for a moment, but slowly returned the hug.

"It's about time you came back," my Poptropican chuckled, holding up her hands. "A lot has changed, I bet you can tell…"

"Yeah…" I nodded in agreement. I pointed at her body. "Look at you! You've got hands, and shoes, and socks, and…"

Fierce Fox wiggled her fingers, almost looking bewildered. She shrugged at me, her wild red hair falling over her shoulders.

"It is," she chuckled. "So… anyway, I heard there's a new prophecy?"

"Yeah…" I said. "I'm kinda worried about it. The last one got us all into a huge mess… hopefully this one won't be so bad." I made a face. "I think we're gonna meet some new friends on the way…"

"Pfft, we always meet new friends," Fierce Fox laughed. "We'll probably end up kicking Zeus' butt again."

I nodded. "Yeah, I still don't get why he tries."

"Anyway, wanna check out my house?" Fierce Fox gestured at the tree. "Unless you already know what it looks like, of course."

"Seeing it behind a computer screen is one thing, seeing it in person…" I winked. "That's a whole new factor."

Fierce Fox shrugged. "That's true."

With that, we entered the tree, holding a light discussion about the prophecy. I stopped talking to gawk at the tree house.

The wallpaper was a fiery red, much like the owner's hair (and personality might I add), and the floor was covered in grey carpet. A large, green sofa was underneath a huge flat-screen TV (lucky Poptropicans got that installed when they got their homes, why couldn't that be the same in my world?).

On the second layer, up the stairs, were two extra rooms, surrounded by portraits and trophies from islands we'd completed. On the third floor was basically the same thing, except with more furniture. Ropes were dangling from the ceilings, because we all know Poptropicans are far better at rope climbing than us humans.

"Want an ice-cream?" Fierce Fox asked. She grabbed an ice-cream out of a freezer (which she also has, because Poptropica logic) and held it up.

"Sure." I shrugged. I took off the wrapper and licked the cool, red popsicle. Raspberry. Fierce Fox got an ice-cream of her own and bit into it. It was one of those chocolate-dipped vanilla cones. She flinched.

"Brain-freeze…" she grumbled, holding her head. I snorted.

"That's why you don't bite straight into ice-creams." I told her. She gave me a half-hearted glare.

"If that prophecy is dangerous, you'll be the one with a brain-freeze." she replied sassily.

"What? Is Zeus going to force-feed us ice-creams or something?" I laughed in response. Fierce Fox sighed and shook her head. Then in the corner of my eye I saw something…

I turned back, but there was nothing there. I shook my head. I must've been seeing things. It happened all the time.

"Anyway, honestly aside from that weird guy who dresses up like a pirate and some explorer chick, this place isn't that interesting," Fierce Fox said. She smirked. "You know what it is interesting?"

We both shared a glance.

"ISLAND QUESTS!" we said in harmony.

"The blimp's right out there," Fierce Fox said. She winked at me. "Are you ready?"

"When am I ever not ready?" I chuckled in response. We raced outside to the golden, floating blimp which now had a motor attached to it. Fierce Fox climbed on board and held out her hand. I grabbed onto it, and clambered into the blimp. I still couldn't stop smiling.

An island quest at last!