Chapter Twenty:

Vincent walked over and helped Nick to his feet. Partha ran over along with Justin and embraced him immediately.

“It’s really you,” she said smiling holding his face in her own hands.

Justin shook his hand as Peteritus walked over with Tayulr who had alighted from the Hydrox.

“Thank you Nick, once again” Peteritus replied taking his hand this time.

“You’re welcome your majesty” Nick nodded, “It was my pleasure.”

“And to all of you” Peteritus spoke to the entire group, “In light of my gratitude I would like to offer you the same gift I bestowed upon Nick” he clapped his hands and medallions appeared around the neck’s of Vincent, Partha, and Justin, “The ability to transform into any creature imaginable.”

“Thank you your Excellency”: Vincent replied proudly.

“And as for you Tayulr” Peteritus, “You did well my son” he patted his shoulder.

“Son?” Nick exclaimed confused as Tayulr grinned at Partha.

"Yes Nick, Tayulr is my son, but he has kept the secret from the village.”

"Then” Nick thought as Tayulr smiled kindly down at him, “You never really wanted a reward did you?”

“No, not at all” Tayulr shook his head, “I had to be sure that you would have gone to any length to do the right thing. And you passed with flying colors Nick. I am proud to have you as my friend” he held out his hand for Nick to shake.

“Hmm” Nick smiled back, “You too Tayulr.”

“And now” Peteritus replied stepping in the middle of them all, “I will use my power to send you four back to your side of the bridge, along with your horses. It’ll be much faster that way.”

“Wait” Nick interrupted, “Martin” he turned to the large animal and bowed his head, “Martin, I guess this goodbye.”

“Yes I guess it is, for now,” Martin said with a grin as Vincent shook his paw, Partha embraced him, and Justin gave him a high five, “But I’m sure that we will see each other again.”

“I’ll never forget how you helped me” Nick replied embracing him tightly.

“And I shall never forget you either, young prince.”

“Martin” Nick chuckled, “The next time you and I meet could you do me a favor?”

“What is that?”

“Call me by my first name. We’re friends, you don’t have to be so formal.”

“I will do that, Nick,” he said with a wink that made Nick smile once more as he returned to his friend’s sides.

“Are you ready?” Peteritus asked them.

“Yea” Nick nodded and then turned to the others, “Let’s go home you guys!”

They nodded, made their final goodbye waves, and in the next instant as Peteritus snapped his fingers, they disappeared from the throne room.

(Next Scene)

In Debain Telou marched into the throne room the sweat dripping from his brow but with an excited look on his face.

“My queen” he replied as Nicki looked at him in concern.

“Yes, Telou what is it?”

“Wonderful news your highness! The prince has returned!”

Outside the townspeople were all cheering and celebrating for Prince Nicholas had indeed finally returned to Debain. Vincent rode in first with Justin next to him. Partha rode in the rear, and in the middle of them Nick rode astride his own horse dressed in fancy blue royal robes. Across his forehead was a shiny headband that held back his now medium length brown hair. No one was surprised at his young appearance believing he had been under some kind of spell. The procession rode all the way in to the palace gates just as Nicki and Gabriella arrived down in the courtyard. Nick climbed off his horse at once and immediately ran over to his sister to embrace her.

“Nicki” he cried, “I missed you so much.”

“Oh Nick,” she said with tears in her eyes as she pulled away and took his face into her hands lovingly,"At last my true Nick.”

“Mommy, who is this?” Gabriella asked shyly.

“Hmm” Nick smiled and then knelt slightly, “Hey Gabers! Did you miss me?”

“Uncle Nick?” she exclaimed.

“Yes it’s me” he nodded.

“Uncle Nick!” she said happily as he threw herself around his neck and hugged him tightly.

A few moments later they all strolled into the throne room where Thomas was waiting for them. He had a distinct frown on his face as Nicki moved to the front.

“Thomas look” she replied, “It’s Nick” she held his hand up, “The true king has returned.”

Thomas continued to frown as she walked over to him and took his arm.

“Thomas what is it?”

“What do you mean true king?” he snarled, “I’m the true king!” he shouted angrily.

(Next Scene)

They all stared at him stunned as Vincent took a step forward just as angry.

“You most certainly are not!” he retorted, “Nick is the true king of Debain, and he has returned.”

“Do you want to make a bet?” Thomas said, “I won’t be tossed aside so easily” he grabbed Nicki by the arm roughly and then began running towards the top of the palace.

“Thomas!” she shouted, “Let go! What are you doing?”

“Nicki!” Nick cried out.

“Mommy!” Gabriella shouted.

“I’ll get her” Vincent replied volunteering at once, “Hang on Nicki! I’m coming!” he called as he dashed after them.

“Be careful Vincent!” Partha said.

“We should go after him,” Nick suggested.

“Yea” Partha nodded so the rest of them at a run followed Vincent to the top.

(Next Scene)

Vincent arrived at the top only to find Thomas on the edge pointing a knife towards Nicki’s throat.

“Stay back your highness” Thomas said to the other man, “Or she goes over.”

“Do you really think I think that you’re going to push your wife over the edge? Just put the knife down” Vincent replied as he held his sword out and noticed Telou coming from behind Thomas at an angle.

“Desperate men do desperate things” Thomas said through gritted teeth, “Besides I need a prisoner and my wife seems like the perfect choice” he added as Nick and the others arrived at the top.

“Wife?” Nicki retorted angrily, “I should have never married you. I shall see you in prison for this treason.”

“And how do you propose to do that my dear?” he asked Nicki as Telou was just right behind him.

“Now!” Vincent shouted.

All at once Telou wrapped his strong arms around the other men as Nicki dashed over to Nick’s side once more. Telou stared at the other man angrily as he thrashed about.

“Excuse me your highness” he replied, “But you’re under arrest.”

Nick embraced his sister tightly as she picked up Gabriella who was a bit confused by the whole thing.

“Thank you Vincent” Nick said happily, “For saving her.”

“It was the least I could have done” Vincent smiled placing his sword back in his belt as Nicki smiled back at him.

(Next Scene)

Later that evening Nick entered the old familiar laboratory and looked in.

“Zacbar!” he called out, “You here?”

“Welcome back my boy!” Zacbar answered from the back room.

Nick smiled and walked to the back where he saw his old friend was working on the same stuff as always.

“It’s good to be back” he replied making the old man lift his head, “Well what do you think?” he asked when he saw his stunned expression.

“Well my boy” Zacbar said adjusting his glasses, “My Nick, is that really you?”

“Yes, it is me Zacbar” Nick nodded, “And thank you so much.”

“For what, I didn’t do much.”

“Oh you did more than you’ll ever know. After all, you showed me the way.”

(Next Scene)

A few days later after Nick had settled in once more in his home he was wandering around the castle remembering the old days when his parents were alive. Thomas who has only been in prison a day, had somehow managed to escape so the guards were looking all over the country for him with no luck so far. Enough guards were posted around the palace so no one was in eminent danger as of yet. As Nick arrived at one of the balconies he noticed his sister Nicki and Vincent talking quietly one another. As he watched behind a pillar he saw Vincent give her a sweet kiss on the lips. He smiled as he walked away. Smiled as he realized that his adventures on his quest to seek the Emerald Hand were over, but he was equally certain that his adventures had only just begun.

(The End)

Authors Note: Finished it! I hope you liked it and I will see you all for Book Three: The World of Mists!!