The Council of Immortals met in the Forest of Burzee, with Melvin standing before them. Heat Miser stood near Melvin, and Tingler stayed next to Snow Miser and Nina after he had announced each Immortal.
"Melvin Bennett, you are being charged with spreading misery and despair to many children," the Great Ak stated. "You attempted to rot the world from the inside out. How do you plead?"
"I am guilty," Melvin told them all, hanging his head.
"The Council shall decide on your fate, but first, does anyone wish to speak on his behalf?"
"I do," Nina said, approaching the Council. "Melvin has been my friend for many years, and he is a wonderful man. He carries a lot of pain around, and he chose to deal with it in a bad way."
"After my father died, I abandoned the people who loved me most and almost didn't let anyone else in," she continued, then looked at the Miser brothers. "But then, I met some amazing people who helped me remember that the world isn't all bad. I needed support, help, and most of all, love. Melvin is no different. If given the chance to undo the damage he did, I know he'll put every effort into doing so, and he'll have all the support he needs."
The Great Ak thought this over. "We must discuss our decision," he said, then the Council talked amongst themselves.
Melvin looked sick. "Wh-whatever they decide, I'll have to accept it."
Heat Miser held his hand. "And whatever they decide, we'll be there for you."
The Great Ak addressed everyone after a short time. "We have made our final decision. Melvin Bennett, you are to find every child you manipulated and renounce your previous ways to them. You will be watched very carefully, so should you fail in your task, you will be punished."
Melvin looked relieved and told the Council, "I won't let you down!"
When everyone was dismissed, the Great Ak took Nina and Snow Miser aside. "Nina, there is something I want to discuss with you before you leave."
"What is it?" Nina asked, turning toward him, holding Snow's hand.
"After much consideration, we have decided to offer you a position on the Council."
"What?" Nina asked, shocked.
"You handled the entire situation with grace and bravery, as we hoped you would. We would like you to be on the Council of Immortals. There has never been a former human on the Council before, but in order to improve, there must be change."
Nina looked at Snow Miser, who gave her a pleasant smile of approval. Nina said, "I'll think about it."
"Very well. It is not a decision to take lightly, and you will have other foes to face in the future."
Nina nodded, solemnly, then squeezed Snow's hand. "There's nothing I can't handle since I'm never alone."
The Great Ak faced Snow Miser. "Take good care of her. She will need you more than she ever has."
Snow kissed Nina's cheek. "Don't worry about that. I'm never going to let her go unless she wants me to."
When Nina, Snow Miser, Heat Miser, and Melvin were getting ready to leave the Forest of Burzee, Nina hugged Tingler goodbye. The Sound Imp sniffled as he wrapped his arms around her. "I will miss you all," he said.
"Ah, you'll see us again before you know it," Snow told him. Tingler gave him a big hug, which Snow gladly reciprocated.
After they left, Tingler sighed, heavily. The Master Woodsman saw this and asked, "Tingler, what is the matter?"
The Sound Imp begged, upset, "Oh, Great Ak, I will miss my friends terribly! Isn't there a way I could visit them more easily?"
"I believe I can find what you need. Wait here." The Great Ak left and returned with something in his hand. "Here," he said, opening his palm and revealing a dark blue ring. "This is a teleportation ring. Just think of where you want to go, and it will take you there."
Tingler immediately cheered up and gingerly took it. "Oh, thank you! Thank you so much!"
"You're welcome. I see you've gotten quite attached to them, and they to you. They'll be happy to see you when they return home."
As Tingler skipped home, the Commander of the Wind Demons approached the Master Woodsman and asked, skeptically, "Are you sure it is a good idea to allow that former human on the Council? She barely has any powers!"
"Powers aren't the only thing that makes one worthy of being here. She is very special, and she is going to need all the strength she has to face her real enemies."
"I hope she will be able to do this. We will be watching, as always."