Something was amiss in The Constant. Wickerbottom just couldn't figure out what it was though and why it was happening.

First we have a dangerous stranger appear, then Wilson goes missing and William not too long after? What is going on here?

She sighed, rubbing her temples, looking down at the Codex Umbra before her on the desk she was sitting at. She was hoping maybe there would be some answers to the current situation but yet she started to wonder if it was just a waste of time.

Ugh… I can't think straight. This headache from the nightmare monsters is killing me so clearly something is bothering them and with Wilson AND William going missing just as this is happening there is probably some connection.

"I see you're aware of the situation too, aren't you, Your Highness?"

Wickerbottom's head snapped to the side, seeing a woman who resembled Charlie approach, with smaller versions of the giants clinging to the ends of the skirt of the dress she was wearing. Wickerbottom didn't need to ask questions to know who this was.

The Grue… But why does she look so different now?

Wickerbottom shook her head, raising a hand to defend herself with magic but then took note of Scarlet's stance and expression. She showed no sign of hostility. Instead, she saw sorrow in the woman's amber eyes and her stance was more so protective of the little creatures grabbing at her dress.

"Why have you come to me, Grue?" Wickerbottom asked, standing up fully.

"Scarlet." She corrected. "My name is now Scarlet."

"I shall respect that but answer my question." Wickerbottom narrowed her eyes. "Why have you come here?"

I'll ask about the changes later.

Scarlet was silent, staring at her before bowing in respect.

"Your Highness… I am in dire need of your help. Something terrible has come upon our beloved Constant."

Wickerbottom eyes widened.

"Pardon?"

Is… Is she serious?

Wickerbottom stared at her for a moment, seeing no falters in Scarlet's pleading look.

… She's serious.

"This isn't a trick, Your Highness." Scarlet bowed again. "I was never one for tricks. That was Maxy's style, not mine. What I speak is the absolute truth." She looked Wickerbottom directly in the eyes. "Does the name Cato ring any bells?"

Wickerbottom's blood went cold. She hadn't heard the name in over 20 years.

"Yes." Wickerbottom said, practically hissed. "What about that snake?"

"He's come back. He finally broke the man he's been trying to fully possess for the past nearly 30 years. His power combined with that man has given abilities like Max and I have never seen. It's bad, from combat magic to teleportation. He might even be stronger than Maxwell ever was during his time as king but regardless, if that's true, he is posing a threat against us. I don't know what his plans are but some things are clear. He wants Max dead and he wants the throne and he will do whatever it takes to get it."

Wickerbottom remained silent, taking all this information in.

The headaches the nightmare monsters have been giving me… The stranger… The sudden disappearance of William and Wilson… Cato resurfacing just as this all happens.

Her hands clenched into fists.

That heartless monster! He's trying to start a war!

"I know we're not allies of any sort but I beg you, please, help me." She looked to the giants at her skirt, kneeling to their level, holding them close. "Help us. Maxwell has suddenly disappeared and we fear Cato has done something to him. I haven't been able to find him anywhere. I can't sense him. I can't afford to lose him. I need him and our giants need him. Cato is not just a threat to us, so please… just this once, I am willing to let by gones be by gones if it means I can get Max back and we can defeat this monster once and for all. It would benefit both of our causes if we do."

Wickerbottom thought about it for a moment before kneeling to Scarlet's level, helping her to her feet.

"We both have scores to settle with that snake. I see no reason for us not to work together."

Scarlet's eyes lit up, tears brimming in them.

"Thank you… Thank you, Your Highness. I'll do whatever I can."

"Which I'm sure is plenty." Wickerbottom looked her over. "Seems you have new powers yourself, considering your appearance."

"Courtesy of my King." Scarlet smiled, fingering her dress. "As his knight and queen, it only makes sense I'm well equipped. Still figuring out the new powers though."

"I think I could assist." Wickerbottom smiled, looking to the Codex Umbra. "That book might have some answers we're missing."

Scarlet nodded.

"I believe so. Maxy had quite a lot put into it. Spells I don't think he even recalls putting in there."

One of the giants tugged at her skirt, Scarlet picking them up quickly.

"Shh, Wynter. I got you."

Wickerbottom eyed the giants, humming in thought.

"Would they like to help too?"

The other giants below all squeaked, jumping up and down.

"They do but they're still so weak and Max has been worried about their forms staying stable. Cato did quite the number on all of them."

Wickerbottom picked up the Codex Umbra, eying the page she had been looking at.

"Well… the page I was on mentioned some transformative spells and some others that might be useful if done correctly. I wasn't sure about attempting them since one magic user, even a queen might not be able to pull it off… But two magic users who just happen to be queens..."

Scarlet grinned, her fangs showing.

"I like the sound of that." She looked to the deerclops fawn in her arms. "What do you say?"

He nodded, squeaking quietly.

"He says let's do it." She set him down, going to Wickerbottom's side, glancing at the spell. "Let's see now." She closed her eyes, focusing as shadow magic gathered in her hands.

Wickerbottom did the same, chanting the spell in the book in the ancient tongue, Scarlet joining in. Once the chant ended, the magic came around Wynter, his form being engulfed in the magic.

He became completely black as his form changed. His legs became longer and as did his arms. His form as whole grew bigger but not into a form that was familiar to anyone. His form soon landed on the ground, the magic around him dissipating to reveal what he had become.

Scarlet and Wickerbottom couldn't believe their eyes. Before them was a young man who was taller than both of them with snowy white hair and antlers growing out of the top of his head. He only had one eye visible, his other covered by his bangs. He was dressed in a coat that was a pale blue grey in color and had a furry collar. He opened his one eye slowly, looking to the two women, worry present in his features.

"Did… Did it work…?" He spoke, covering his mouth, surprised at being able to speak. "W-What happened…?"

Scarlet covered her own mouth, stunned, relief in her eyes. Part of her had been concerned something would happen to him.

"Oh, Wynter, thank goodness!" She went up to him looking him over. "Look at you.. You're a human -erm sort of."

Wynter looked at himself, shock coming to his one eye.

"W-Whoa… I… I… I wasn't expecting this."

Wickerbottom brought a hand to her chin.

"Seems the spell we used chose the next best stable form for you. I was expecting your original giant form but guess this was the one we got. You might be able to shift to your true form but probably not for very long. Either way… Seems you've now become a man monster hybrid. Heh… You kind of resemble Maxwell now that I think about it."

Wynter rubbed the back of his neck, pausing as he looked at his hands, mesmerized.

"Y-Yeah… I guess so."

"He does take after his father." Scarlet remarked fondly. "And I don't think I would've liked it if he was a giant right off the bat. I've gotten pretty attached."

"Mother…"

Wickerbottom chuckled.

"I see your relationship with Max is more than a knight now. This is quite a surprise, especially the relationship you now share with the giants."

"It was odd at first but… we realized how much we actually cared about each other. I was mad for a good while at Max but I couldn't stay mad forever. He's all I ever had and… anything that happened, I don't excuse him but he's trying to be better than he was."

"Considering you stand here today looking to get him back and protect him."

Scarlet smiled, a gentle look in her eyes.

"Yes. He's my everything." She looked to Wynter and the others. "They're my world."

Wynter smiled, bringing his arms around her.

"And you're our world, Mother. Both you and Father."

Scarlet nuzzled him, kissing his head.

"And we love you very much."

The other giants came up to Wynter, looking up at him in wonder before looking to Scarlet and Wickerbottom, pouting.

"I guess they want turns too."

"Indeed." Scarlet pulled away from Wynter, grinning at Wickerbottom. "I believe we have work to do."

"We do. I'm going to need your help with someone else in regards to shapeshifting but we'll start with your children. Then after we get some other matters settled… We hunt down the snake. Deal?"

"It's a deal." She looked to the giants. "Alright little ones you ready?"

They gave a loud squeak.

"Let's do it!"