"You sure you sensed magic here?"

Sebastian looked to Wickerbottom, giving his best grin.

"Mel, would I ever lie to you about ssssssomething like thissss?"

Wickerbottom shook her head.

"No just… what if they got scared off if they sensed you or any of the other nightmare monsters? They might think Maxwell is looking for them."

"I promisssssse they're sssssstill here. Besssssssidessss, I'm ssssssure by now they had to have noticed a change in the air ssssssince dear old Maxy isssssn't on the throne anymore."

"True."

The two came up on a cluster of thick trees, noticing a distinct path could be found between them if looked at it closely.

"Trademark sssssign of a village."

"Indeed… Well, here goes."

Wickerbottom took a deep breath before making her way through, minding her dress as she stepped over roots and brambles. Soon, the path lead to an area full of small houses, gardens and various other things.

"Ssssssee! It'ssss real!" Sebastian exclaimed.

"I…" Wickerbottom was in shock. "I can't believe it." She moved further down the path, looking at the structures carefully. "It… It's just like our old village, Sebastian."

"Yeah! Only thing misssssssing is people. Ssssspeaking of, where issss everyone!?"

"I was about to ask the same-"

"Hault!"

Both froze in place, seeing people come out from behind the structures, weapons drawn, eyes narrowed at the two.

"Don't. Move." One of them warned, pointing a blow dart pipe at her.

Wickerbottom did as told but stood tall, looking at the villagers carefully.

All were now visible, standing in a circle around Wickerbottom, their weapons pointed at her. One stepped forward, armed with a sword.

"Usually we're not hostile towards survivors but thing is it's pretty clear you're not one since you're in association with that terrorbeak." He gestured his sword to Sebastian. "Don't think we didn't sense you, you scum."

"Hey! That'ssss Missssster Ssssscum to you!" Sebastian hissed. "Ssssso what'sss your deal with me?"

"Don't play dumb. The only people who associate with the nightmare monsters are Maxwell and those who serve him. So, if our guesses are correct, your friend here is here to cause us trouble on his behalf. Well, we're not going to have it. We'll make her a bloody mess and send her back to her king as a warning to him to not dare try finding us. He may have been our king once but he turned his back on us so we do the same to him and any of those that pledge loyalty to him!"

The villagers shouted in agreement, readying their weapons.

"Uh… Mel. Thissss isssn't looking sssso good. I would hope they would sssssense Maxwell isssn't the king."

Wickerbottom narrowed her eyes, looking to them all.

"I understand your hatred of the king but I am no servant to him and he is no longer who you answer to." She growled. "I am THE QUEEN!"

The villagers froze in place, staring at Wickerbottom.

"What?" The leader blinked. "Maxwell… isn't the king?"

"He got dethroned!" Sebastian hissed. "He'sssss been off the throne for nearly a month! Haven't any of you noticed a different feeling in the air? The fact nightmare monsterssssss haven't been as common! It's because of her! And sssssssince it'ssssss clear none of you numskullsssss recognize her, she'ssss Melinda Wickerbottom! Daughter of Julessss and Veronica Wickerbottom!"

At once, the leader lowered his weapon, shock in his eyes.

"If she's Melinda… Someone fetch Jules. Now."

One of the villagers hurried off to another home, the others all lowering their weapons entirely.

"But… how?" a younger villager asked. "Maxwell always said he would never fall. Never to any shadow being. How did you do it?"

"I didn't do it alone." Wickerbottom made shadow flames in her hands, showing images of the survivors to the villagers. "These brave survivors were the ones to cause his downfall. In particular." She showed an image of Wilson. "Wilson Percival Higgsbury was the one to trick the king and dethrone him. I became queen as a means of not subjecting him to the fate that comes with being ruler."

The leader's eyes grew wide as he took this information in. "My goodness… You really are her." He lowered his head in respect. "M'lady."

The others followed suit, bowing their heads in respect.

"Your Highness." They said in unison.

"Now that'sssss more like it." Sebastian grinned.

Wickerbottom shook her head.

"Sebby…"

"Melly?"

Wickerbottom's head snapped to the side, eyes widening at the sight of her father and her mother. The villager that lead them out stepped aside as Jules made his way over to her.

"Melly… Is… Is that really you?" He asked, his eyes having tears welled up in them.

Melinda felt her eyes sting with tears. She nodded.

"Father….?" She moved closer.

Jules brought a hand to her face, cupping a cheek in it.

"... Oh Mel. It is you. Veronica, it's our girl. She's come home."

Veronica nodded, looking at Wickerbottom carefully.

"We thought we'd never see you again after you ran away to Earth. Oh look at you."

Wickerbottom smiled sheepishly.

"Older now. Much older… but I'm doing well."

"More than well! Your great grandssssson kicked Maxwell off hissss throne!" Sebastian laughed. "Our world isssss oursssss again!"

"Wilson… Edward's boy." Jules chuckled. "Who would've thought?" He shook his head. "But one thing is clear. We don't have to hide anymore."

"No. It's safe now. Our world is ours again." Wickerbottom smiled.

Jules nodded, looking to the villagers.

"Everyone, this is a time of celebration. Maxwell is no longer our king. Our world can now flourish once more like it did before. May we learn from our ancestors again and let them guide us to a brighter future!"

The villagers cheered, raising their weapons in the air.

"To a brighter future and long live Queen Melinda!"

Melinda felt her cheeks turn a bit red.

"P-Please, just Melinda. I'm still me."

"They can't help, Melly." Veronica giggled. "It's respect. Regardless though, this is the best news we've heard in a long time. It means we can pick up the pieces again and make things better than they were before."

"Yes… and I can finally introduce you to Wilson. He's never known this part of himself."

"We look forward to meeting him then but for now, please, how about some catching up? We haven't seen you in so long."

"There's a lot we have to talk about."

"We have time. The night is still young." Jules smiled. "Come everyone, let us enjoy it, for a new era has begun."

Wickerbottom smiled, following her father and everyone else to main structure.

It's good to be home.