Hilda wasn't having the best day. Or night, for that matter.

"If you could let me explain-"

"That you lied to me and then disappeared while there's a sea monster attacking the harbor?! I was worried sick!"

That exchange constantly played again and again in Hilda's head, but no matter how many times she remembered it, she kept walking ahead into the forest, arms pocketed with a weary expression.

Alongside her was her critter companion, Twig, who looked worried for his owner as he followed her steps.

"Uh, Hilda, we really should go home."

The girl stopped and looked around for a moment... only to remember the tiny elf known as Alfur that basically lived on her hair.

The miniature elf came out of it and spoke to her ear:

"It's getting pretty late. Don't you remember what your mother said-?"

"Yes, Alfur, I know what she said; I couldn't forget it even if I wanted to," Hilda responded sternly. "I'm just going to take a midnight stroll to clear my mind."

"But you're grounded!"

"Of course I'm grounded; I'm walking, aren't I?"

"Hilda, I understand that you're angry about what happened, but even you have to accept that you're only digging yourself deeper by doing this."

Twig whimpered in agreement.

Hilda kept walking, avoiding eye contact with the duo as she reached the edge of the wall surrounding Trolberg.

She raised her head, growing angrier as the wall just seemed to get taller and taller the more she looked at it.

Then, she walked to the nearest rock, verified it wasn't a sleeping troll, and sat on it to catch her breath.

"Hilda, I insist, we really should go back home now," Alfur said worriedly. "The police go on patrol tonight! If they find you here outside, you'll be in even more trouble!"

Hilda's eyes widened, but she quickly calmed down as she grabbed the little elf and brought him to her face.

"Fine, you have a point. But before we go, will you at least listen to what I have to say?"

Alfur thought about it, then nodded with visible worry. Hilda stood up, put him on the rock, and paced back and forth as she spoke:

"It's just so unfair! Every other time I've dealt with the supernatural happenings on this city, she's been worried, yes, but that's it! And it's not like it's something recent; I've had to deal with fantastical creatures since we lived alone in the plains! So why is she now suddenly getting on my case and grounding me for doing something?!"

Alfur and Twig exchanged raised eyebrows.

"Well, I'm not sure what happened between you two, but I'm sure if you talk things out-"

"I wasn't finished."

"Oh, sorry."

"It's fine. Now, where was I? Oh right: and that's without considering the fact that, whenever something supernatural happens, I'm the only one that tries to solve it: when the Thunderbird lost his memory, who ultimately helped him remember who he was? Me! When David was being fed nightmares by the Marra, who was the one who tried to get her off his back? Me!"

"But you had someone to help you," Alfur pointed out. "I helped the Thunderbird find you when your Mum locked us out, and Frida helped you with the Marra."

"And I'm grateful for that. However, that doesn't change the fact that I was still the one who took the lead, and that ticks me off the most!" Hilda raised her arms. "I'm the one who has to get her hands dirty to deal with the problems! I'm the only one who chooses to try deal with them-!"

"Is somebody out there?"

Hilda flinched and turned around to see not only the light of the flashlights, but the shadowy forms of the police in the distance.

"And I'm gonna be grounded forever for this."

"I told you the police went on patrol tonight!"

"Save the smart comments for later, Alfur!"

Hilda grabbed the elf and bolted away alongside Twig, but her footsteps only caught the police's attention even more.

"I definitely heard something over here!"

"In the name of the law, stop right now!"

"Yeah! Don't make us be competent!"

Hilda looked to her back, and stopped as soon as she heard something like a whistle in the distance.

"Did you hear that?"

Moments later, a long train with a green glowing appeared out of nowhere and stopped in front of Hilda. The cart Hilda was facing opened its door, revealing a glowing void with no features whatsoever.

"Okay, I definitely didn't see that coming," Hilda remarked.

"None of us did," Alfur frowned. "But, Hilda, maybe we shouldn't hop on board. Who knows what's inside that thing!"

Twig nodded in agreement. Sadly, the police's approaching footsteps reminded Hilda she had to make a decision quick...

And she seriously hoped she wouldn't come to regret this.

"Whatever's inside, I can handle it!"

And so, Hilda jumped into the cart alongside Twig and Alfur, the cart snapping its door shut just as the train began to move again.

As for Hilda, she screamed as she and Twig rolled down what seemed to be a steep hill, with small patches of snow slowing her down repeatedly. She kept rolling until she hit a rock, Twig crashing right on top of her soon after.

"Well, that was a rough ride," Hilda said as she stood up. "Is everybody okay?"

Twig quickly got up and barked, waggling his tail in relief.

"I'm fine too," Alfur said, wobbling out of Hilda's hair. "But next time, we should try to-"

Alfur wobbled off Hilda's ear, the girl quickly catching him with her hand.

"Thanks, now excuse me while I wait for the world to stop spinning."

Hilda nodded and stood up, taking a brief moment to look at where she was.

For the most part, the "cart" seemed to be some sort of forest, with several trees and circular rocks decorating the vast greenfield pastures.

And in the night sky, not only was the sun rising, but the birds were flying, alongside the living puff balls known as Woffs.

"It's like the field Mum and I used to live at," Hilda said out loud. "But, where are the elves?"

Hilda hummed at the thought, then looked at the distance... with her quickly spotting a cottage that looked very familiar to her.

"Well, I'm not going to get any answers standing still," Hilda said with a yawn. "Let's go, guys."

And so, Hilda put Alfur on her hair and began to walk towards the cottage, unaware that one of her palms was glowing green...

And that she was getting a little... sleepy...