A/N: Alright, sorry I've been away for so long, but these chapters don't write themselves! Here's Chapter One of my seven-chapter Sondam Gaidenverse fic, which is the result of an ask sent by PrincessGumballWatterson777! These chapters roughly correlate to the themes of Sondam Week 2020. So this chapter's theme is "First Date", and it takes place after the events of "Leaving Jabberwock Island!" Please read and review, and enjoy!

The Ultimate Detective and The Ultimate Hope Gaiden: Novoselic's New Monarchy!

Chapter One: Calm Before the Storm!

"There it is!" Sonia exclaimed as they saw a nearby land mass on the horizon from the boat they were riding. "It's my homeland, Novoselic!"

Gundham smiled as he noted "So that's your domain…it's been ages since you set foot here, correct?"

Sonia nodded, frowning as she admitted "Yes, the last time I was here…was as the Remnant of Despair. My…memories of my time under Junko's control are…hazy at best, probably a result of the Neo World Program. But…I know I must have done…terrible things to my homeland while under her influence."

Gundham frowned at Sonia's forlorn expression before he walked up to her and held her hand, staring into her eyes as she turned to look at him.

"Princess…I know not the state of your domain. But, no matter what we find, I vow to stand by your side as your comrade as you help your domain restore itself to its former glory."

"Gundham…" Sonia smiled and sniffled "Th…thak you. You're such a good friend, Gundham."

"Th…thank you…" Gundham stuttered as he moved his scarf to hide his blushing face.

Sonia giggled, then turned to face the horizon as she laced her fingers with Gundham's and her heart hammered in her ribcage, nervously looking forward to setting foot on Novoselic for the first time in years.

And I promise…I'll atone for my crimes…by serving you all for the rest of my days. Not because it's my duty as the last surviving Nevermind…but because I care about you all, my citizens!

XXX

It's even worse than I thought… Sonia thought as she looked with horror at the state of her country's capital city while she walked through the streets.

Many homes were completely destroyed, while others suffered great structural damage. She was many people peeking out of tents set up on the sides of the streets as she walked towards the castle.

So much suffering and destruction…it doesn't even look like a remote village, let alone a proud capital city! And I…I'm responsible for this!

She felt a comforting squeeze and turned her head to look at Gundham's warm eyes before she sighed and stared back at the approaching castle.

No…I won't let my past destroy me. Once I get to the castle, I can start to make amends and help my people to rebuild. And with Gundham at my side, I can't fail!

Sonia narrowed her eyes in determination as they approached a gray stone castle. Though their was clear physical damage to the exterior, it stood strong like an iron fortress, the last remnants of a powerful nation among an island of destruction.

Well, here goes nothing… Sonia thought as she pushed on the front door before it swung open, allowing the disgraced princess to enter the main hall of her former home.

"Hello? Is anyone here?" Sonia called out hopefully. "I am Princess Sonia Nevermind, and I have returned to…oh!"

Sonia gasped as she and Gundham found themselves surrounded by men holding spears at their throats, hatred burning in their eyes as they stared down their former ruler.

"It's the Princess of Despair!"

"The one who destroyed our country!"

"Treasonous witch!"

"It's thanks to you that the people are still in poverty!"

"Off with her head!"

As Sonia shook with guilt at their angry accusations, Gundham narrowed his eyes and moved to stand in front of her protectively as he warned "Lower your weapons, or I will be forced to use my dark magical powers to hex you all."

As the assailants stared at Gundham in confusion at his bizarre threat, a blushing Sonia cautoned "Ano…Gundham…maybe we shouldn't increase tensions by threatening them with violence…or dark magic curses…"

"What's going on?"

The surprised assailants turned their heads as a wrinkled man with a long, white beard walked into view. Sonia gasped as her eyes widened at the sight of the man.

"Princess, are you familiar with this new intruder?"

Sonia nodded and replied "Yes, I remember him well. He served the royal family for years."

"Y…your majesty…"

"I told you not to call me your majesty. I'm not part of the monarchy." The man sighed and asked "Anyway, why are you all threatening two unarmed teenagers?"

One of the assailants stuttered "S…sir! It's the traitorous Princess! She's c…come back! We need to…"

The elderly man held up his hand, a curious gleam in his eyes as he silenced the assailants and made his way past them.

As Gundham tensed, the man assured him "Relax, young man. I have no intention of harming your companion. I just want to have a look at her, alright?"

Before Gundham could contemplate his request, Sonia tugged on his sleeve and assured him "Gundham, it's okay. He won't hurt me."

After a moment of hesitation, Gundham nodded and stepped aside, glaring at the man as he approached Sonia.

"Let me look into your eyes, alright?"

Sonia nodded, staring down at the elderly man as he looked up at her, seemingly entranced by her warm, yet nervous blue eyes. Meanwhile Gundham and the assailants tensed, prepared for battle should it arise. At last, the man smiled and reached up to cradle Sonia's cheeks.

"I recognize those eyes…your eyes. You're really Princess Sonia Nevermind returned to us. There's not a hint of despair in them, not like last time."

"Albus…" Sonia teared up as she apologized "I am sorry, but my memories of my time as a Remnant of Despair are hazy at best, so I…I don't remember much of my crimes."

"It's okay…it's best that those memories are forgotten. They need not be anything more than a bad dream."

"That cannot be!" Albus was stunned by Sonia's forceful denial as she continued "I might not remember them, but I cannot just ignore what I did! That would belittle the lives of all my citizens who died while I was under Junko Enoshima's influence. I need to atone for my crimes. That's why I returned, so that I could atone by helping my people to rebuild! It's the least I can do after abandoning them for so long!"

"Princess…" Gundham muttered as Albus closed his eyes.

"Spoken like a true Novoselic Princess…I knew you would return to us." Albus opened his eyes and turned to the assailants before he ordered "Guards, lower your weapons. Princess Sonia has returned to us, and has been cured of her despair. There is no need for such hostility."

The guards nodded as they lowered their spears and kneeled before the disgraced princess before they apologized "A thousand pardons, Princess Sonia!"

"Please do not apologize! Your skepticism was well warranted!" Sonia denied before she turned to Albus and introduced "Albus, this is my former classmate and friend, Gundham Tanaka."

Gundham nodded and replied "A pleasure, Albus."

As Albus nodded in return, Sonia asked "Albus, can I count on you to advise me as I help Novoselic to rebuild? I fear I have become ignorant to Novoselic's torubles, so before I can work to solve them, I will need the advice of someone who knows them intimately."

Albus bowed "It would be my pleasure to advise you Princess Sonia, just as I did for your parents before you."

Sonia nodded before she asked "Albus, what do you recommend I do first? I've seen the streets…the destruction, the poverty, the despair…"

Albus's brow furrowed before he advised "At this stage, the first thing to do is address the people directly. They need their Princess to assure them that their darkest days are behind them, and that things will get better for them. And since you're determined to not forget the past, let the people know that you intend to atone for your past misdeeds."

Sonia nodded solemnly and vowed "Then that is what I must do."

Albus nodded and turned his head before he ordered "Captain! Ring the bell in the belltower! Princess Sonia is going to make her first address to the people!"

The Captain of the Guard nodded and ran off until he disappeared. Sonia sighed and turned to Gundham with a pleading look in her eyes.

"Gundham…would you stand by my side when I give my speech? I'm…kind of nervous…"

Gundham laced his fingers with her own and assured her "Princess…I promise to stand by your side. My Four Dark Devas of Destruction and I will give you the confidence you need to serve your subjects!"

As if on cue, Gundham's hamsters jumped out of his scarf and landed on her shoulder before they nuzzled her cheeks. Sonia giggled as their assuring gestures tickled her skin.

"Thank you…Alright, with all of you by my side, I won't fail my people!"

The six of them were startled as the bell rung before Gundham's hamsters dove back into his scarf.

"Alright, it's time, Princess."

"Thank you Albus." She then turned to Gundham and urged "Alright, Gundham, Albus, let's go to the balcony! I have a lot to apologize for!"

Albus nodded and walked towards the nearby stairs, Sonia and Gundham following closely behind as the Ultimate Princess steeled herself for the most terrifying task of her life: confronting the people she had betrayed.

XXX

"Presenting Princess Sonia Nevermind, returned to us!" Albus announced as he stepped aside next to Gundham, allowing Sonia to step forward and stare down at the massive crowd that had gathered outside the castle.

Sonia gulped before she swallowed her nerves and began "Everyone! I am most sorry for the destruction I helped to cause to our country! I have seen the destruction and poverty of our kingdom, and I am most ashamed of myself for letting things get this bad. I have abandoned you, and for that, there can be no forgiveness. But…I have returned to atone for my crimes by helping Novoselic to rebuild."

Sonia took a deep breath and glanced back at Gundham and Albus, who nodded in encouragement before she turned back to face the crowd.

"We are going to take inventory of our finances and our supplies. Then we will develop an immediate strategy to distribute money and food to you all so that homes can be rebuilt and people can feed themselves and have adequate shelter. Afterwards, we will reopen global trade so that we can prosper once more and rebuild Novoselic as a stronger kingdom than it was before! The darkest days are behind us, and if we work together, we can and will rebuild!"

As Sonia trailed off, a minute of silence passed, causing Sonia to sweat nervously as she awaited her people's response. The nervous silence was soon broken by one clap, then another, then another, until the entrie crowd had burst into thunderous applause.

"As expected of the Ultimate Princess." Albus complimented as he stepped next to her. "You did marvelously, Princess Sonia. The people have been given confidence once more."

Tears of joy streamed down Sonia's cheeks as she cried "Thank you…it's just a step, but I've begun to atone for my crimes."

Albus nodded "Alright, we'll start looking over the Treasury tomorrow. For now, let us have a feast to celebrate your return!"

"I cannot accept that!" Sonia denied "What would it say if I ate luxurious meals while the people starved?!"

"Princess…" Gundham urged "You will not benefit your subjects by depriving yourself of nutrition. I can understand your desire to refrain from indulging in high-class meals, but you must eat to keep your strength up for the days ahead."

Albus nodded and agreed "Your friend is right, Princess. I shall have the cooks prepare a modest dinner for you until the people are properly fed. Is that acceptable?"

"I…" Sonia sighed as her stomach rumbled and she acquiesced "Okay, I suppose a small dinner would be acceptable."

Albus clapped his hands together and smiled before he cheered "Excellent. In that case, would you two care to follow me to the dining hall?"

Sonia and Gundham nodded and began to follow Albus through the castle halls, the royal advisor smiling as he occasionally glanced back at the two friends' blushing glances.

XXX

"Itadakimasu." Sonia and Gundham softly chanted as they sat across from each other at the royal dinner table.

The two friends picked up their forks and began picking at the exotic meat on their plates, blushing as they noted the twin candlesticks on either side of them which lit the room in a gentle glow.

Overcoming his shyness, Gundham coughed into his fist and began "So…you said this was called Skong?"

Sonia nodded "Yes…they're an animal native to Novoselic. Traditionally, one isn't recognized as an adult until they eat a Skong. I have concerns about this tradition endangering the species, but thankfully their population seems to have stabilized during the Tragedy, or so Albus assured me."

Gundham nodded as he and Sonia continued to eat at their food.

"Tell me…do you have mixed feelings about eating meat…since you were the Ultimate Breeder and all?"

Gundham smiled at Sonia's concern as he assured her "It is the way of the world for one animal to eat another for sustenance. As such, I have no qualms about eating other creatures, even ones that are the same species as my minions."

Sonia smiled and replied "That's good to know. I wouldn't want you to feel forced to eat something that made you uncomfortable."

"…Speaking of wildlife, I am curious…what matter of creatures can be found across your domain?"

"Oh, I'd be happy to tell you about the wildlife of my home country. The most important animal is the Golden Makango, which…"

As Sonia babbled on and on about Novoselic's flora and fauna, Gundham smiled as he hung onto every word, entranced by her angelic voice.

She looks happier now…her pure smile fits her much better than that guilt-ridden frown. It's what her subjects need…what I…

"Hello? Earth to Gundham?"

"Huh?" A startled Gundham exclaimed as he shook his head before he stared at a concerned Sonia.

"Are you alright? You haven't touched your Skong in a while…"

Gundham blushed before he assured her "I'm fine, Princess, merely deep in thought. Let's finish our dinner, shall we?"

Sonia nodded as an embarrassed Gundham went back to eating his Skong, the Ultimate Princess joining him as they ate their dinner in silence and occasionally stole glances at each other.

XXX

"Here we are Princess Sonia, your bedchambers. I made sure to keep it as intact as I could, so everything should be how you remember it."

Sonia nodded and thanked "Thank you for everything, Albus. You've been kinder to me than I ever deserved."

"Nonsense, Princess. The Remnant who destroyed Novoselic wasn't the real Princess Sonia, and you're taking every effort to atone for her sins, so your dedication deserves to be rewarded."

Sonia held back the tears in her eyes as she replied "Thank you, Albus. Tomorrow we'll review the Treasury and start working to rebuild Novoselic. For now, I'll do as you two have suggested and take the opportunity to rest."

Albus nodded "Yes, sleep well Princess. Gundham, I shall show you to your room in the guest suite."

As Gundham nodded in acceptance, Sonia replied "Good night Albus. Good night Gundham."

Gundham nodded "Good night, Princess, and thank you both for dinner. It was…delicious."

Albus nodded and replied "I'm glad you liked your first taste of Novoselic cuisine, Gundham. Good night Princess."

As Gundham followed Albus out of view, Sonia sighed and opened the door to her room. She walked inside before she closed the door behind her, briefly glancing at her old room.

"It is just like I remembered…thank you, Albus. I'd love to refamiliarize myself with my old room…but I'm tired and I need to get some sleep."

Not even bothering to change out of her clothes, she stumbled over to the bed and collapsed on top of the mattress, its familiar texture dragging her into sleep as she closed her eyes and smiled.

Today was the first step of my atonement. It's going to be a long, hard road, but as long as I have Albus and Gundham by my side…I'll be able to do right by my people!