It had been a long day of scouting for Wilson in the Shadow World. He decided to handle this one on his own. While he enjoyed the company of others, he needed some time on his own… well, relatively speaking.

Chester bounced alongside him, keeping close to the man. It felt like old times having it just be him and Chester traveling together.

But unlike those times, I have a real safe home to go back to.

He looked at the surroundings they were in. He had decided he wanted to go further into the swamp he and Woodie had found a while back. Sure, it was risky to explore alone but he made sure to mind his footing and he had Chester to help him detect any danger in the terrain.

He sat down, drawing out the area around him on his map, making careful notes.

"Alright, we should be done soon." He rubbed his head a little. "And thankfully so. I think this place is giving me a headache with the stench."

"Bark."

Wilson sighed, shaking his head, trying to clear it.

"I'll take a nap when we get to a place to settle for the night."

Chester whimpered, nuzzling him.

"I promise."

Wilson continued with his drawing. While the swamp was mostly silent there was the faint sounds of creatures moving under the surface and bugs buzzing around. It wasn't peaceful but it was nice, so to speak. Though all of that was soon interrupted by a shriek that ripped through the air.

Chester perked up, as did Wilson.

"That… didn't sound like a monster shriek." Wilson said.

That sounded human.

Wilson quickly packed his map away, grabbing his spear and headed towards the source of the shriek. He looked around, unsure what he was searching for exactly till something caught his attention. He saw a pack of humanoid fish like creatures piling on top of something, beating whatever it was to what he could assume was to death.

He growled, running in, swinging at one hard, striking it in the head.

"HEY YOU MONGRELS! Try something else on for size!"

The creatures snarled, two of them making their way for him. Wilson dodged a few hits, striking once again.

They shrieked at him, trying to land more punches but he was too fast for them. He struck one to the ground dead, the monster disappearing instantly, leaving behind a fish.

This world is still so odd in how it works.

He went to attack the other, only to find himself punched in the back by one behind him. He cried out, falling over. The two charged at him, ready to strike. He braced himself for a hit… only for it to never come. Instead, he heard a loud sound of a punch followed by a howl of agony from one of the beasts.

"Hands off you bloody mongrels!" said a voice.

Wilson opened his eyes, quickly sitting up. Before him, he saw a woman with short black hair, dressed in a button up shirt with a purple sweater vest and black skirt taking on the beasts with just her mere fists. He couldn't see her face due her back being turned to him. She took the beasts head on, punching one of them hard in the chin, causing it to fall back before turning into a fish. She turned her attention to the other one, delivering a few blows before it met the same fate as its companion.

She looked to the others that were off the side, getting into a ready stance.

"Any of you other blokes want some of this!?"

The creatures rushed off, fleeing in terror. The woman snorted, crossing her arms.

"That's right, you better run ya lowly scum!"

Wilson couldn't help but stare.

I'm being reminded a lot of when Willow saved me… but who is this woman? Her voice… it… it sounds familiar.

Wilson got up, making his way towards her but stopped, not wanting to startle her. He kept a few feet away before clearing his throat.

"Um… Miss…?" He asked.

The woman turned around, facing him entirely. A gasp escaped her mouth as soon as her eyes landed on Wilson. A gasp escaped Wilson as well as he got a better look at her face. He knew that face anywhere.

They were silent as they stared at each other, not sure how to react or even what to say. Finally, the woman broke the silence.

"Wilson?" She asked, tears stinging her eyes. "Is that you…?"

Wilson nodded, his jaw dropping open a bit, hardly able to believe his eyes. He thought he'd never see her again.

That she might no longer be living.

Finally, he spoke, his voice cracking.

"Mother..?"

Cecelia approached him slowly, bringing one of her hands to his face. She looked at him carefully, her thumb brushing across his cheek. She knew those eyes anywhere. Those deep blue eyes that were just like his father's.

"Oh heavens… It's you… It's really you." She bit her lip. "Wilson… My little boy."

Wilson felt tears sting his eyes as he brought his arms around her.

"Mum… Oh Mum!" He sobbed a little. "I… I.."

Cecelia brought her arms around him tightly, running one her hands through his hair.

"You're alive. Oh thank goodness you're alive!"

Wilson nuzzled her hand, tears rolling down his face.

"I'm here… I'm here… And you…"

She pulled back a little, kissing both his cheeks before kissing his head.

"I thought I would never see you again after being brought here but… Oh Wilson, you have no idea how happy I am to see you after all this time."

Wilson smiled, relief going through him as he nuzzled her.

"I'm so glad to see you. I was wondering if you… If you were still… I didn't know how much time I..." He brought a hand to his head. "Oh Mother."

Cecelia frowned, bringing her hand over his.

"Wilson, I haven't heard from you in over eight months. I was so worried something terrible had happened to you since I never got a reply to my last letter."

Wilson felt guilt settle into his stomach as he gazed at her.

"I..." He looked down going quiet.

Cecelia nuzzled him, bringing him closer to her again.

"But I don't care. You're here now and that's all that matters to me."

Wilson hugged her tightly, resting his head on her shoulder.

"Mother, I really have missed you a lot."

"And I have missed you." She kissed his head. "Oh my son."

Wilson smiled a bit, enjoying her embrace before pulling back a bit, getting a better look at her. She hadn't changed too much, she was still the same as he remembered her, yet the shock still held strong of actually seeing her here.

"I have so many questions." Wilson said

"And hopefully I can answer them all but how about we head to back to mine and Emmett's camp and I can answer them along the way?"

Wilson's eyes widened.

"UNCLE EMMETT'S HERE TOO!?"

"Yes it was… quite the freak accident in how we got here." Cecelia shook her head, remembering how they got here in the first place. "I'll tell you on the way."

Wilson nodded, whistling as Chester bounced up beside him.

"Bark! Bark!"

Cecelia smiled, giggling a bit.

"Awww! You made a little friend!"

Wilson chuckled. "This is Chester. He's a dog of sorts."

Chester nodded before opening his mouth producing a canteen for Wilson as he took it out.

"A useful one."

"I see." Cecelia petted Chester's head. "So cute…"

"Bark!"

Cecelia giggled.

"Alright, this way."

She lead Wilson on a path out of the swamp, telling her tale as they went along.

"And then we found this weird contraption in the attic amongst the mess up there." She looked to Wilson. "Wilson, what was that thing?"

Wilson cringed.

"It was a portal to this world. I was tricked, you see."

"By what?"

Wilson sighed.

"Mother, I just want you to understand that what I am about to tell you is true. I was tricked by a voice I heard through a radio. I didn't know who the voice belonged to till I was brought here. It belonged to the king who once ruled the world. A shadow king to be exact and… he gave me knowledge through shadow magic. Shadow magic that I now have control of. He's no longer in power now and things turned out differently than I expected but that's what happened."

Cecelia was silent, taking all this in.

"I see… Reminds me a lot of what Melinda told me so long ago."

Wilson's head snapped to the side, looking to her in shock.

"You… Knew?"

"She told you about your father right? What actually happened to him?" She asked, picking a berry off of a bush they passed and tossing it into her mouth.

"She said he was attacked by shadow creatures and went insane. I just… I didn't think you knew about it. How long have you known?"

"Since that incident, which was when you were five so… about 28 years." Cecelia frowned. "I've been aware that this place existed but I never imagined I'd wind up in the thick of it." She sighed. "I admit, when we found the state of your home I was worried that you had suffered a similar fate like your father."

Wilson frowned, lowering his gaze.

"I… I'm so sorry I put you through that. I'm sane, I promise."

"And I believe you, Wilson." Cecelia smiled gently, brushing one of his cheeks with the back of her hand. "You seem so different now. Your eyes have life again and you look so confident too."

He smiled a little standing up straighter.

"You really think so, Mum?" He asked.

"Oh, I know so. Not just think, know. I know it's been rough for you back home."

"I won't deny that I was in a bad place but I promise it's not like that anymore. I have so much I need to tell you."

"And as do I but for now." She looked ahead. "You have an uncle to greet.

They came upon a small camp that had two small tents set up with a fire pit in the middle. There by the firepit was Emmett, cooking meat on a stick.

"Emmett! I'm back!"

"Ah Cece, find anything good-" Emmett stopped short as his eyes landed on Wilson. "Wilson!?"

Wilson smirked.

"I like to think she found something good." He retorted. "Good to see you too."

Emmett set the food aside, hurrying over to Wilson, giving him a good strong hug.

"You crazy boy! You gave me and your mother a heart attack!"

Wilson laughed, hugging him tightly.

"I'm very sorry for that. I'm so glad to see you both!"

"And I'm glad to see you." Emmett pulled back, looking him over. "You look good. Healthy and strong." Emmett gestured to the fire pit. "Come, sit. I was just making dinner. We got some catching up to do."

"That we do." Cecelia smiled, sitting down. "We've got quite a few stories to tell and so does Wilson."

"That I do." Wilson sat beside his mother. "But I mainly want to hear yours first."

"Sounds fair." Emmett grinned. "Though keep in mind Wilson Boy, it's gonna be a loooong story. You sure you're up for me rambling along with your Mum?"

Wilson looked to his mother, bringing an arm around her.

"I don't think I'm too old for stories from Mum."

Cecelia smiled warmly, bringing an arm around her son.

"It started quite a few seasons ago…"

oooooo

The family was up late into the night, exchanging stories. Some good. Some bad. It was near dawn when they decided to head back out.

"You sure you're up for this Wil?" Cecelia asked him as he lead the way, following his map.

"I'm sure. We can sleep like kings once we get home."

Emmett looked over his shoulder.

"So we'll be seeing your Light Village. Hm, you sure you want to be around us, Your Highness?" He smirked.

Wilson grinned, playfully shoving him a bit.

"Surely you jest. You're still my family - I mean I wouldn't invite just ANYONE on your side."

"Neither would we."

"See my point?"

Cecelia nodded.

"It'll be wonderful to see Mother again. To think this whole time she's been alive and well."

"As well she can be. She's had her lumps too but she's doing well for herself in the position she's in."

"Sounds like she has a lot on her shoulders."

"She's does, but it's nothing she can't handle."

Wilson smiled as the arch came into view.

"There it is."

Emmett let out a whistle at the sight of the arch.

"Fancy."

Cecelia gazed up at it impressed.

"Incredible."

Wilson smiled.

"Ready?"

"Ready."

He nodded, leading the way through the portal as the Light Village came into view. Wilson sighed happily, Chester barking as he bounced off to greet everyone.

"Welcome home."

Cecelia looked around, her eyes wide in amazement at the site before her.

"Incredible…"

"It's beautiful." Emmett smiled. "And those structures. Did you make those yourself Wilson?"

"With some help."

"You've been quite the busy man."

Wilson chuckled as he lead the way, showing them around.

"It's been interesting to say the least. We work together and we do what we can. One of my friends, Woodie, makes most of our clothes. He could even make Mother something if she wishes. He made another friend's wedding gown-"

"How about you? When are you getting married?"

Wilson stuttered, going red.

"HEY!"

"Shouldn't have brought up anything related to weddings, Wilson Boy." Emmett chuckled. "You know she just wants you to be happy right?"

Wilson rubbed the back of his neck, smiling sheepishly.

"I know but there is something related to that happiness.. Not a wedding but something." He grinned, seeing his own home - finally all finished as he mentally patted himself on the back.

"Hm? And what might that be?"

"You'll see."

Wilson opened the door, calling upstairs.

"Girls! I'm home!"

"Papa!"

The twins came running down the stairs, throwing their arms around Wilson, hugging him tightly.

"You're home!"

Wilson laughed, scooping them up, hugging them tightly.

"And I'm so glad to be home. I missed you both!"

"And we missed you!" Abigail giggled, playing with his hair a bit. "We were good though."

"Ahuh. I helped Wigfrid make dinner every night!" Wendy chirped.

"That's my girls."

Emmett grinned at the site.

"Well, would you look at that Cece- Cece?" Emmett looked to his sister, seeing she had tears in her eyes and her hands were over her mouth. "Eh… Cece?"

"I have grandchildren." She squealed, bouncing in place a bit. "I. HAVE. GRANDCHILDREN!"

"Oh boy." Emmett moved to the side as Cecelia hurried over.

Wilson chuckled, seeing the excitement in her eyes as the twins gave her a curious look.

"That reminds me. Girls, I brought some family home as well. This is your grandmother Cecelia and your great uncle Emmett."

"Ooo."

"We have a grandma!?"

"Yes. Yes you do."

Cecelia looked at them both, trying her best to contain any other squeals she had in her.

"Oh they're so cute. Oh Wilson, where did you find them?"

"Well, out wandering on their own." Wilson held them close. "And after I took them in they grew on me. The rest is history."

The twins hugged Wilson one more time before wiggling out of his arms, walking up to Cecelia, curious.

"Hello." Abigail said with a smile.

Wendy gave a shy smile waving.

"Hi."

Cecelia knelt to their level giving them a gentle look.

"It's so nice to meet you both. Oh you two are so cute!"

The twins giggled.

"Hee?"

"So, if you're our grandma… Do we get hugs and stuff too?"

"Of course!"

Cecelia brought them into her arms, hugging them close, just savoring the moment.

I'm in utter BLISS.

The twins giggled, cuddling up to their grandmother, all more than happy to have a new member in their family. Wilson smiled, feeling his heart warm at the sight.

Emmett smiled, patting him on the back.

"Way to really brighten up Cece's mind, Wilson. We were scared for the longest time we lost you but now not only did we find you but find out you're doing better than we ever could've thought."

Wilson chuckled.

"I'm glad I could ease your minds… And honestly? This is the happiest I've been in years." He shrugged a bit. "Who would've thought an evil shadow king would've been the key to changing my life around?"

"Life works in strange ways my dear nephew."

"That it does Uncle Emmett."

That it does.