"Alright. Easy, chum."

Newton held Melody's hand as the two climbed off the lift. It landed just right next to Stitchem Manor. Once the two were off, the lift flew off back to Bunkum Lagoon.

Nana Pud then opened the door, wondering what the commotion was. She then looked to where the lift was taking off and gasped when she saw Newton.

"Newty!" Newton jolted and turned around. Seeing Nana Pud, a smile formed on his face. Back in the belly of the Monstrous Monster, he believed he wouldn't see his family again. Tears formed in his eye-lights and he ran to her. His arms were open as he embraced her firmly.

She returned the loving embrace and kissed his bulb cheeks and forehead with motherly affection. "Oh Newty. Are you alright?"

Newton smiled in a sort of shy manner. "Y-yes. Mumsy please. Not in front of Melody." Melody, meanwhile, was off to the side and smiling warmly. Family reunions always warmed her heart. Sometimes even brought her to tears.

Newton then realized she needed help and held Nana Pud's hands to get her attention. "Mumsy, really. Melody is the one you should worry about. Here, come see."

The two walked up to Melody and that was when Nana Pud noticed the tear in Melody's arm. She gently lifted her right arm and looked it over.

"I...is it bad," asked Melody timidly.

"Hm...it's not good, but it's not horrible. I've seen far worse. Once it's all stitched up, you should be good as new. Let me just get my kit." She turned around to enter her home, but Newton stopped in front of her.

"W-wait, mumsy. I was hoping maybe...I could sew her up?"

"You? ...I don't know, Newton. I-"

"Please, mumsy. She only seems to trust me with the treatment and...I really want to help her."

'It is your fault, after all. She wouldn't have gotten it if you hadn't just gotten yourself trapped in that monster's stomach.'

'Not now.' Newton looked down, but then back up, keeping his determined and mildly desperate look to Nana Pud. "Please…"

She stared at Newton for a good minute, reading his expression. Until she reluctantly sighed and said, "Alright...but if anything happens, you call me, okay?"

"Yes, mumsy." He then took Melody's hand with her good arm and headed inside. He took her up a flight of stairs and to the first door on the left. Once the two were in Newton's room, which Melody quietly admired its decorative outlook, Newton motioned her to sit down on his bed.

"Wait here. I'll grab the sewing kit." He then ran out and back down the stairs. Melody gave a small nod and looked around, still cradling her injured arm.

Newton dug through the storage closet outside the living room. He eventually finds the first aid kit, which was mainly filled with needles, thread, bandages, and stuffing. He came back up into the room and set it on the dresser, preparing the needle and thread.

"By the looks of it, chum, you haven't lost a lot of stuffing, so we should be okay on that part." He held up the needle and carefully put the thread through the eye of it. Melody's 'blood' ran a bit cold at the sight of the needle.

He then turned to her and asked, "Alright. Are you ready?" Melody's fear returned as she shook her head no, covering the injury with her hand and curling up a bit, trembling. Newton's smile faded. He lowered the needle and approached, then gently tilted her head up to him by putting his hand under her chin.

"Chum, look at me." She opened her eyes. They were a bit misty due to fear, but she tried to keep her composure. He gave her a small comforting smile.

"I'm not going to hurt you. I promise I wouldn't. This will help you more than you th-"

'Oh, but that's not true, is it Newton?' Newton froze. Through his eyes, dark images and memories started to show. Melody sobbing when trapped by him. Her falling to her doom after he shot her off the carrier in Bunkum Lagoon. 'Don't you remember? You've already tried to kill her. Many times.'

Newton felt his stomach go sick. If Swoop hadn't caught her...if the team was never there...dark thoughts swirled his mind as he heard his own evil laughter.

"Newton?" He gasped, snapping out of his petrified state. Melody was now looking at him, with no longer fear, but great concern. "Are you okay?"

He held his head, rubbed his eye-lights, and said, "Y-...yes, my dear chum. It's just…" He turned away, refusing to look at her. "I understand why you're a-afraid...after all I did, I can see how you don't trust me to take care of you and–"

Melody stopped him, immediately waving her good arm to catch his attention. "Oh no no no! Newton! No, it's not that; it's not that at all!" Once he turned his head a bit to look at her, she continued. "I'm just...scared of the needle itself. Back home, I've never had stitches. Never needed them when hurt. But the thought of having something sharp go through your skin and pull it together just...gives me chills."

Then, to Newton's surprise, she held her arm out and showed a small smile. "But I mean it when I say this: I trust you, Newton. If you say that you'll be gentle and it's the best way to fix this tear, then I'll push past my fear."

Just hearing her say "I trust you" was enough for Newton to smile back. Regaining his lost confidence, he gently held her arm in one hand and held up the needle in his other. "Thank you, dear friend. Now, I'm going to need you to hold still. But if the pain is too much, let me know, okay?"

She gave a timid nod. Despite her trust, she was still slightly shaking at the sight of the needle. When she figured that seeing the process would only scare her even more, she turned her head away and closed her eyes for extra measure. She relaxed though when Newton then said, "Just remember. You'll be okay. I promise."

With that stated, he stuck the needle through the end of her wound and threaded it through to the other side. She already squeaked in pain and started to tremble once more. Every nerve in her body told her to pull away, but she held her ground and tried to remain still. Her trembling did not stop though.

At least, not until Newton held her hand. She jolted, but all tension was released. When he started threading through again, she squeezed his hand to release any tension from the pain. After that, she was calming down.

"You're doing really well, chum. We're already close to being done." She managed a small smile, hearing that. "If I may also ask, how did this happen?"

"Well...when I came back to find you, I met Oleg at the Ziggurat. He needed my help with changing the music for his bears."

"Bears?! Those large predators that attack any innocent creature?"

"In a way, yeah. Long story short, a bear managed to slash my arm with its claws and tear it open a bit."

Newton now glanced up to her, but kept his focus on the needle. "Chum, you didn't have to do all this just for me."

Melody opened one of her eyes, while avoiding her gaze to the needle, as she looked at Newton with a tiny smile. "Nonsense, Newton. Like I said, we're ohana. Nothing means more to me in the world than that."

Newton gave a small nod in understanding, then decided to quietly ask another question. "If I may ask, who else is a part of your ohana?"

"Well let's see...there's my two sisters and my parents in reality. But in the world we'll go to, I have Lilo and Stitch. Lilo is a girl like me and Stitch is actually an alien experiment. Those two have a strong bond and are the ones that taught me the importance of ohana. Then there's Scratch and Grounder. They're robot brothers that fight a lot. But they're loyal and determined. Plus, they make me laugh with their shenanigans."

Melody smirked on this next statement. "Y'know, if it makes you feel better, they were actual bad guys."

Newton now looked up, interested. "Really?"

"Yep. They used to work for this disgusting villain called Robotnik. He's hated by everyone where they lived and he created the two bots to work for him. Scratch and Grounder did terrible things, from threatening innocent people to kidnapping me and my friends."

Newton was quietly shocked. They weren't possessed and doing evil acts like him. They were doing it because that's how they were. "And yet despite everything, you let them join your family?"

"Yes. And that's because I saw good potential in them. They've actually saved me and my friends a couple times. True, they didn't do it for good intentions, but I still kinda owe them. But, I also welcomed them because of their last 'family.' When they worked for Robotnik, he was nothing but abusive to the poor bots. Tearing them to pieces or threatening. 24/7. Not to mention the mistreatment they get from doing his work. I wanted to give them a better home than that. And believe it or not, after some time, they've grown to love staying with me."

"You might actually know those two and Stitch, actually, because they were Oddsock, Toggle and Swoop in this world." Newton froze. The three heroes of Bunkum were her ohana members? The same ones that accused him of being the true evil one? A drop of sweat beaded down his bulb as he finishes up stitching.

"A-and...they were fine with me joining?"

Melody looked to the side. "Uh...not yet. But I'm sure when you arrive and I explain, they'll welcome you with open arms like I have." Newton, after tying a tiny knot to finish it off, cut the extra thread off and looked up at Melody.

"Well. That should do it, chum." Melody looked down at her arm and smiled as she moved it a bit. It was still a bit sore, but she can at least move it again.

"Awesome!" With a bright smile, she gave Newton a hug in a way of saying "thanks." He only smiled a bit and hugged back.

"Heh. Alright, chum. Mumsy should probably be almost done with your jacket as well. You should go find her."

She unhugged and then booped his nose...or at least, his bulb where the nose would be. "As long as you get packing."

He chuckled a bit and replied, "Alright." With that, Melody hopped off the bed and headed out the door. Newton then called out to her saying, "Mumsy should be in the living room! Down the stairs on the right!" He knew the house was large and he did not want her to get lost.

"Got it!" He heard her footsteps head down the stairs.

With a small smile, Newton grabbed a suitcase out of his closet and started packing. 'Life sure is going to be different with her.'

Once Melody got her jacket back from Nana Pud, she stood at the rooftop of Stitchem Manor. Newton, packed with a couple suitcases and accompanied by Nana Pud, then came up next.

Nana Pud then asked, "You sure you don't want to wait for your father to get back?"

Newton replied, "I'm…certain, mumsy. I will visit anyhow; it'll be like going to the academy." He gave her a reassuring smile, but that was to hide the dreary feeling in his heart. He did not want to wish his father goodbye because he did not want to be disappointed right as he leaves. His father may not care and he does not need to hear another scolding.

Once Newton turns the Dimensional Doorway back on, Nana Pud looked down. Newton, glancing back to her, walked up to her and held her gloved hands. She only said, "The manor's gonna be so quiet without you…"

"I'll visit as often as I can, I promise." Nana Pud looked up to Newton, then gently kissed his forehead. The two hugged firmly.

"I know you will. And...I'm certain you'll be happy where you will be."

After a small pause, Newton said in a muffled manner due to the hug, "I love you, mumsy."

"I love you too, my sweet Newty."

The two finally un-hugged and Newton gave her a warm smile, then walked to Melody's side. He stared at the glowing portal. The coordinates are still set at the same place, everything seems stable about it, Melody is here and ready to take him to a whole new world...so why is he so nervous?

Melody looked to him and asked this. He fidgeted and quietly asked, "...What if no one likes me?"

Melody thought about that for a few seconds, then held his hand. "Don't worry. You're not alone anymore."

Newton blinked and looked up to her, seeing her warm, reassuring smile. He gave a small nod and grabbed his suitcases. The two then entered the portal together, leaving a bright flash of light behind them.

Newton blinked, finding himself in a cavern with various other portals. Is this Melody's 'kingdom'? He pictured a castle and a town. He then patted himself down; he still felt and appeared the same. But he then gasped seeing Melody.

She was a couple inches taller and her cloth looked so...refined. He could barely see the stitching. And what is her hair made of? It doesn't look like yarn...maybe silk? She glanced to the side a little awkwardly as he continued looking at her up and down.

"Yeah...this is my real form as a human. I'm sorry if it's weird."

"No, no. It's fine, chum. Just...something I would need to get used to," Newton timidly said as he smiled shyly. To his relief, she showed the same smile.

"C'mon, you gotta see where you're staying." She picked up one of his suitcases and the two headed to the exit of the cavern. Once Newton got the view of the castle, he let out a very soft gasp of awe. It was large, grand, and...well, everything wonderful about a castle! The white walls with their gold and blue rooftops just shows its true royal appearance.

"Yep. I gotta get your room all set up decoration-wise, but other than that, you do have a space there."

"This...is incredible, chum."

Before Melody could speak, she then heard her name being called out. Not too far away, Scratch, Grounder, Stitch, and Lilo were all coming her way. Melody practically forgot she snuck out until they started coming up to them. But maybe they brushed it off.

"Hey guys, great to see you–Whoa!" Just before she could finish her sentence, Scratch practically tackle hugs her. Grounder goes to her side as the two embrace her.

Scratch spoke up first, "Don't ever scare us like that again!"

Grounder next, "We thought something really bad happened to you!" The two robots were practically on the verge of tears. They really did seem worried for her.

"Aw I'm sorry guys...but don't worry. I'm home now, safe and sound." She patted their heads as they continued hugging her. They hardly noticed Newton standing close by, but Stitch and Lilo did.

Stitch growled, causing Newton to turn to him and look a bit fearful. Newton remembered him and it seems Stitch remembered him as well. But Lilo then puts her hand in front of Stitch, causing him to stop.

"Stitch, stop that." Newton looked up to Lilo. She was certainly new; least she seemed friendly. "Aloha, my name is Lilo. Newton, right?" She held her hand out for a handshake greeting.

Newton timidly smiled and shook her hand while replying, "Wh-why yes. Newton Pud. Pleasure to meet you."

Lilo smiled and motioned to Stitch, who was still glaring at Newton. "And I'm sure you met Stitch as Oddsock."

Newton timidly looked to him and only replied, "Ah...yes." Stitch huffed at him, ears tilted back and still glaring. Lilo then glared at him and put her hands on her hips.

"Hey. You be nice." She then looked up to Newton apologetically. "I'm sorry, Newton. He's just cautious around people he doesn't know well enough."

"Oh, it's quite alright chum. Understandable."

Then Scratch and Grounder shouted, "YOU WHAT?!"

Melody was talking to the two bots about agreeing on Newton staying in the kingdom. Seems like they're not in full agreement.

"Yes. Newton's staying here. I want him as a part of the team and the ohana. I want you bots to give me a good reason why not."

Scratch then held up four fingers. "We'll give you three good reasons! He took the Creative Heart…"

Grounder added, "Kidnapped you and tried to take over Bunkum…"

Scratch finished with, "And he's meant to be a villain in his realm!"

Melody's patience was running thin on this argument. She firmly pulled the bots close to her in an enclosed circle, causing them to yelp in slight pain. She then said lowly and a little through her clenched teeth, "May I remind you that I am leader of this group, so whatever I say goes. And on top of all that, Newton is not the true villain here. You two are to welcome him like he is one of us, got it?"

The two bots were not going to argue with her at this state. They stood up straight and saluted while saying, "Yes, your mistress."

Melody crossed her arms. "Good. Now I want you to apologize to Newton for your behavior."

Newton, overhearing, nervously adds, "Chum, I don't think that's necessary–"

"No...she's right." Newton blinked and looked up at Scratch. He continued, "We weren't exactly...good guys ourselves and yet…"

Grounder added, "We just kinda jumped to conclusions and...thought badly of you."

They both bowed a little and said, "We're sorry."

Lilo then looked down to Stitch with a small glare. Stitch sighed, ears wilting back and down. He quietly walked up to Newton and said, "Stitch...sorry too."

Newton was a bit surprised. Those apologies seemed very genuine. He smiled a little and said, "All is forgiven…for all of you."

Melody smiled, her happy mood returning. "Great! Now we're all one big happy ohana. How about we head to the castle for a feast to celebrate our new team member?"

Scratch and Grounder cheered to that and Lilo and Stitch excitedly made their way to the castle. Newton couldn't help but smile a little. He felt so...welcomed. It's been way too long since he's felt this way.

Melody took his hand and the two headed into the castle. At the feast, there was laughter, stories to tell, and care to show. Not to mention great food to enjoy. Newton's room quickly got set up and everyone settled in for the night. Looks like things are finally getting better.

...Or so it seems.