A/N: The day to end all days has ended! Huzzah!

After nine chapters, nearly 15000 words(roughly 1/4 of the total 60000+ word count atm) and the most quasi-outlining I've ever done for any fic ever, its over.

Now, its pre-transition transition time!

No Mike POV this chapter. Maybe in the next one.

Thank you again to Kitkatkatester for the review last chapter. :)

Enjoy!

The afternoon went by in a flash, as so many often do, and soon the sun set and rose once again over the sleeping town.

Duncan entered the square that morning intending on heading straight to work, his usual routine following a day off. There weren't too many people out this early, but he did wind up running into a friendly face near the bakery.

"Duncan, mate, 's been awhile!" Manitoba greeted him as he leaned against the wall, a newly bought pastry in hand.

"Hey, Mani, don't usually see you out this early," Duncan observed. "How've you been?"

"The usual: keepin' meself outta trouble, gettin' my pay on time most weeks...it's been rough some lately but I'll be alright. Always am," he insisted. "Was grabbin a bite 'fore I go off."

"That's good, at least…I was about to head into work," Duncan replied.

They chatted briefly before they heard the sound of a nearby door opening very loudly. "Update tiiiiime~" Mildred sang as she sprung over to her board to take it down. She spotted the two and waved. "Good morning boys!" she called out with a wave.

"G'morning, Sheila," Manitoba replied with a tip of his hat. "Anything interestin' recorded this week?" Everyone in town knew Mildred, as they'd all been in her office at one point or another. She was very thorough with keeping the records up to date, most of the time, in no small part thanks to an assistant she had that never showed their face in public.

"Oh, absolutely, yes. And it's Blaineley, Mr. Smith," Mildred corrected him before heading back inside.

"Eh, I don't do well with names, miss," Manitoba excused himself with a shrug.

"Huh, nothing too interesting ever happens...maybe I'll wait a bit to see what it is," Duncan figured.

"Your boss won't mind?" Manitoba asked, not wanting his friend to miss out on any money since he knew he was the main provider for himself and Zoey.

"B is pretty lax about stuff as long as it gets done on time." Satisfied with that answer, Mani and Duncan resumed their conversation; by the time Blaineley returned with the updated board more people had arrived in town for work. It became a bit crowded near it as people whispered around and checked if they recognized any names.

"Let's go see," Manitoba decided, leading the way and nudging his way to the front. His eyes widened when he recognized a name. "No way…"

"What is it?" Duncan asked, still making his way to the front.

"Aw, poor 'roo...he ain't got no one left now," Manitoba said solemnly, taking his hat off and holding it to his chest.

"Huh? What do you mean by-" Duncan stopped when he read the sign. His eyes went even wider in shock seeing the blurb at the top of the list of obituaries:

Mal *last name*, 20, was declared legally dead on this date.

Having gone missing from town for 8 years, he is survived only by his brother Michael.

It seemed Mildred couldn't keep up with everything about everyone.

"Huh-but-that...that's wrong! How could-" Duncan sputtered in disbelief.

"Whattya mean, mate? You're makin' no sense at all," Manitoba asked, confused by his reaction.

"He's not-" Duncan started.

"Not what?" Manitoba interrupted.

Duncan stopped and took a deep breath in and out. "This is a problem. A big problem. And I can't explain it to you, unless…" Idea. It was risky, but he knew he could trust Manitoba with the truth.

"Do you have dinner plans tonight, Mani?"

Later that day it was time for both Ella and DJ to return to the capital; DJ's 'time off' had run out, and the princess had been gone two days too many already. Both were bracing for their return, for different reasons of course.

The carriage they'd hired had arrived with as little fanfare as possible. The driver looked a bit sleepy still, only snapping out of it when DJ nudged her. "I'm awake!" she insisted.

DJ nodded, going back inside to get his and Ella's luggage situated.

The princess was eating her last Momma-made breakfast and would certainly miss her cooking, as would DJ. "They better feed you more in that palace of yours, honey!" Momma remarked as she gave Ella seconds.

"I will try and get the message across when I return," Ella said as she tried to polish it all off. "I don't know how much more I can eat…" She didn't need to eat much to feel full.

"You got a long ride ahead of you-gonna need all the energy you can get," Momma insisted.

Ella sighed but pushed through. "Thank you so much for all the hospitality, Momma," she said with a smile as she stood up from the table. "It's been wonderful meeting you, and I felt well taken care of here." Being doted on by a motherly figure was something that had been missing for her since her own mother had left the country many years ago for 'the life experience' and had yet to come back. No one really talked about the absent queen nowadays since the king had such a large personality that she didn't really cross the people's minds. Occasionally there'd be a letter that arrived for her daughters, but they were far and few between.

Momma smiled. "You've been a real treat havin' here, Your Highness," she said with honesty. "You better not get my boy in trouble, you hear?"

"Oh I wouldn't dream of it. DJ is a wonderful guard, he was so kind to let me come here with him," Ella said. "If anything happens it will be my responsibility, I promise."

"Your Majesty, it's time to go," DJ announced, appearing by the front door.

"I'm coming, DJ!" Ella called back, giving Momma a farewell hug for everything and exiting the house.

She said her last goodbyes to the town for now, hopping into the carriage and anticipating the bumpy, stomach churning ride ahead.

"Have a safe trip!" Momma said from the doorway.

"Love you Momma, I'll try and come home again soon!" DJ replied.

"Dont worry 'bout me, son. You write me when you get there, got it?" Momma asked.

"Of course!"

Ella smiled as she leaned back while DJ got himself seated. "I hope you found your time well spent, Your Highness," he said.

"I did, I really did, DJ...thank you," Ella replied before looking out the window as the town started to recede away from them once the driver began to drive.

She had a feeling she'd be back someday soon.

Thoughts and feelings? Hm?

Virtual school has been killing my brain cells and ability to type comfortably so this chapter being done is kind of a miracle ngl. Lemme know what you think of it and any final thoughts on the one day arc since its officially over now.

Stay safe out there y'all, and I'll see ya next time :)