They landed uncomfortably on the stone floor of the magic classroom. Both girls sat up immediately, groaning as they rubbed their heads and backs from the harsh impact.

The room around them was still a disaster from the first portal. Papers remained scattered across the floor, chairs sat crooked, and decorations still hung lopsided from the walls.

Not a second had passed since they left.

Felicia let out a startled laugh. "Ha! We actually did it! You did it!"

The state of the room would no doubt get them into trouble. Vanity instantly stood and began waving the wand around as purple and pink glitter spiraled through the air in ribbons. Chairs slid neatly back into place, broken bottles pieced themselves back together, and the portraits along the walls adjusted until they hung perfectly straight once more.

Within seconds, the classroom looked untouched.

She then drifted the wand down her body, changing her servant outfit to her Academy uniform. She did the same for Felicia.

Vanity lowered the wand slowly and crossed over to the artifact box. She lifted the lid carefully. For a moment, she simply stared at the wand resting in her hands, recalling everything she had witnessed.

Felicia stepped quietly beside her. "You okay?"

Vanity didn't answer right away. Her wounded arm still stung, but that's not what she was thinking about. A part of her wanted to keep the wand. It was hers, after all. But another part of her knew it was safer here, preserved as an artifact of the past.

Vanity smiled faintly and placed the wand gently inside the box before closing the lid. Beneath the glass, the purple glow dimmed little by little until it finally settled into stillness. Maybe this wasn't goodbye forever.

Outside the classroom door, footsteps echoed down the hallway.

Both girls immediately looked up.

Either they were about to get caught for staying too late in Fowlfeather's classroom, or somehow someone knew exactly what had happened.

The doorknob turned slowly, and the door creaked open.

Both girls stiffened, bracing for the worst.

Instead, Hugh carefully peeked his head through the narrow opening. "Is... everything okay?" he asked cautiously. "I heard a loud noise."

Both girls exhaled in relief.

"Hugh," Felicia said. "I thought you left."

"Well..." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I did. But, then I didn't." He shrugged sheepishly. "I was sort of hoping that after you two talked, I could somehow whisk you away for the evening?"

"You waited?" Felicia asked. "For me?" She immediately felt her cheeks and ears grow warm.

Vanity snorted quietly at Hugh's awkward expression.

"Everything's fine!" Felicia reassured quickly. "But after what Vanity and I—uh—what Vanity just told me, I should probably stay with her tonight."

At the mention of Vanity, Hugh glanced toward her, then frowned as his eyes caught the slash across her forearm. "What happened?" he asked, pointing to the wound.

Felicia followed his gaze. "Oh! Hold on."

She hurried around the classroom, throwing open cabinets with practiced ease. Dried herbs, glass bottles, powdered crystals, and bundles of flowers flew into her hands as she moved. She returned to a worktable and immediately got to work, measuring ingredients without hesitation.

Hugh watched in amazement as she crushed herbs with a mortar and pestle, added a few shimmering drops from a tiny vial, and stirred the mixture until it glowed a soft emerald green.

"...You've done this before," he said.

"A few hundred times," Felicia replied without looking up.

Within moments, she corked the finished potion and handed it to Vanity. "Drink."

Vanity accepted the vial without question and swallowed it in one gulp. She recoiled at the taste. "That is revolting."

Almost immediately, her arm began to itch.

She looked down just in time to watch the sword wound knit itself back together. The cut shrank until only a faint pink line remained before disappearing completely.

Vanity flexed her arm in disbelief. "It's gone."

"Healing potion," Felicia said simply.

Hugh looked between the empty vial and Vanity's arm. "...That's incredible."

Vanity nodded in agreement. "I'm starting to think I've underestimated you."

Felicia smiled. "You've met Fergus. I can brew one with my eyes closed at this point."

Vanity regained her composure, though her expression softened slightly. "After what we just went through," she said quietly, glancing toward Hugh before looking back at Felicia, "I think we both deserve one night to actually have fun." She smiled. "Enjoy the present."

Felicia smiled sheepishly before looking back at Hugh, who still hovered awkwardly in the doorway. "Can Vanity come too?" she asked.

Hugh blinked in surprise, though he didn't seem disappointed. "Of course," he said quickly. "I'm sure she'll make plenty of friends."

Felicia suddenly felt a hand touch hers. Looking down, she realized Vanity had reached out.

She smiled up at Felicia. "I already have all the friends I need."

Felicia squeezed her hand tightly.

Together, the three of them stepped out into the hallway toward the school's theater, toward music, laughter, and a future that suddenly felt much brighter than before.

Halfway down the corridor, Vanity glanced sideways at Felicia with the faintest smirk.

"By the way," she said, "you can call me T."

* * * * *

Winter arrived quickly at Worcestershire Academy. After completing their end-of-term exams, the students were finally allowed to head home for winter break.

After much questioning and prodding by Maris, Felicia eventually decided she could trust her with what had happened. She and Vanity explained the entire time-travel adventure from beginning to end. Maris, skeptical at first, quickly became fascinated, though admittedly a little jealous of the whole experience. More than anything, she was glad Felicia and T could finally see eye-to-eye again.

The three girls spent much of the following weeks together, studying, laughing, and slowly growing closer.

After writing countless letters to her parents and King Arthur, Felicia finally convinced them to spend winter break in Far Far Away with the whole family. Fergus and Farkle didn't mind the change at all. In fact, they welcomed it. Traveling to Far Far Away was much easier than making the long journey all the way back to the swamp again. Farkle, especially, had no interest in enduring another boat ride.

Fergus had asked if his girlfriend, Maris, could come along too, but there simply wasn't enough room in the carriage. That only made him more annoyed when he learned T would be joining them instead.

"I told you," Felicia said for what felt like the tenth time, "she has a meeting with Arthur. She has to come with us. It's not like I'm bringing Hugh."

The carriage ride passed quickly as the four of them talked about classes, exams, and their excitement for the holiday break.

By nightfall, the kingdom of Far Far Away finally appeared in the distance.

Snow blanketed the rooftops in soft layers of white while garlands, wreaths, and glowing lanterns transformed the city into something warm and golden against the cold night sky. Light music drifted through the streets from carolers, mixing with the smell of roasted chestnuts and cinnamon wafting from the market stalls closing for the night.

Felicia had almost forgotten that the roads and storefronts Mongo destroyed had been repaired years ago. Seeing them whole again felt strangely comforting.

As their carriage crossed the drawbridge toward the castle gates, a crowd of Far Far Away citizens crowded the entry plaza, despite the cold and the nightfall, obviously here for the trial. Fiona and Shrek stood waiting outside for the children's arrival.

Felicia's stomach twisted nervously. She glanced toward T, who looked equally queasy.

"Feeling alright?" Felicia asked quietly.

T scoffed softly. "Oh yes, just spectacular."

The carriage wheels crunched across the snow as they approached the entrance checkpoint. Guards hurried forward to unload baggage and open the carriage doors. Fergus and Farkle immediately jumped out and ran straight toward their parents, wrapping them in enormous hugs.

Felicia stepped out next, followed closely by T.

The guards stiffened almost immediately at the sight of her. Several hands lowered instinctively toward their weapons, not out of direct threat, but habit.

Both girls noticed.

One guard stepped forward cautiously. "Princess Felicia," he greeted respectfully before his eyes shifted toward T. His posture straightened further. "Miss Charming."

The name hung heavily in the cold air.

Another guard left and went inside the castle, no doubt informing someone important that Prince Charming's daughter had just arrived at the kingdom gates.

"...This is going well," she muttered under her breath.

Felicia elbowed her lightly. "Breathe."

"I am breathing."

"You look like you're about to jump into the frozen moat."

"That's because I'm considering it."

Before Felicia could respond, the girls were ushered inside towards the throne room, alongside the boys and Felicia's parents.

The throne room had never felt so large. Every seat was filled with Far Far Away citizens awaiting the trial of Prince Charming. Some even stood cramped together just to catch a glimpse. Rows of guards stood lined against the walls in rigid silence. Nobles and advisors whispered quietly among themselves from the edges of the chamber, their voices hushed but tense. King Aurtur sat straight in on his throne, though every eye in the room remained fixed on the center aisle. Shrek stood on one side of the King, while Lillian on the other.

Felicia stood beside Fiona near the base of the throne dais, trying not to fidget with the sleeves of her dress.

On Felicia's other side stood T, who looked perfectly composed on the outside, but Felicia knew better.

At the far end of the hall, the enormous doors slowly creaked open. Prince Charming entered wearing handcuffs, flanked by two guards.

The entire room shifted uneasily.

Even now, years after his attempted coup, Charming still carried himself like someone stepping onto a stage. His blond hair was immaculate despite the circumstances, and his posture remained perfectly straight. But the performance stopped there. Rather than smirking or dazzling the audience, he seemed exhausted. His eyes were drooping and his face was pale. The chains of his iron cuffs clinked softly with each step across the marble floor. His once regal clothes were now worn; patched in places and slightly stained.

T went completely still beside Felicia.

The inaudible whispers around the room grew louder.

Arthur moved to the edge of his throne in suspense, trying very hard to appear every bit the king he had become. Shrek crossed his arms, calm but observant. His eyes tracked every movement Charming made.

The guards finally stopped Charming in the center of the room behind the single podium for those on trial.

Long silence followed.

Charming glanced around the throne room slowly, taking in the dozens of suspicious faces staring back at him.

Then his eyes landed on T. And for the first time since entering the room, his composure cracked. "...Vanity."

T swallowed hard.

Felicia glanced toward her friend and realized her hands were shaking.

Arthur finally spoke first. "Prince Charming," he said carefully, voice echoing through the chamber, "you understand why you're here."

Charming nodded once. "Apparently public opinion matters."

Shrek groaned loudly. "Oh good. He's still got jokes."

"Would you rather I monologue, or sing?" Charming asked dryly.

Several guards immediately tensed.

"See?" Shrek pointed aggressively. "This is what I'm talkin' about!"

"Shrek," Fiona warned.

"No, Fiona, I'm serious! Every time this guy opens his mouth, something's bound to go wrong!"

Charming looked genuinely offended. "You try to overthrow the kingdom ONE time-"

"TWICE!" Shrek yelled.

A few nobles awkwardly avoided eye contact. The audience stirred in hushed conversation. Even Arthur pinched the bridge of his nose.

Arthur leaned back slightly in the throne. "And why exactly should this kingdom trust Charming now?"

That question hung heavily in the room.

Charming himself answered it. "They shouldn't."

Audible gasps echoed through the room. Everyone looked at him, including T.

Charming lifted his cuffed hands slightly with a humorless smile. "Honestly, if I were any of you, I wouldn't trust me either."

Shrek narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What's your angle?"

"I don't have one anymore."

That answer hit harder than anyone expected.

Charming looked around the throne room slowly before continuing. "My mother, rest her soul, spent my entire life convincing me I was owed a crown. Owed a kingdom. Owed a happily ever after." His voice remained calm, but quieter now. "And when everything fell apart..." He gave a small shrug. "I blamed everyone except the people actually responsible."

T lowered her eyes.

"Without Mother, I didn't know what to do or who I was. I was angry," Charming admitted. "Embarrassed. Bitter. And eventually..." He exhaled softly. "Very tired."

No one interrupted him. Even the advisors had stopped whispering.

Charming finally looked directly at Shrek. "I know you hate me."

"That's the smartest thing you've ever said."

"But you were right."

Shrek blinked.

"You fought for your family," Charming continued. "You fought for Fiona. I fought because I thought I deserved something." A weak smile crossed his face. "Turns out those aren't the same thing."

Fiona's expression softened first.

"I never fought for my family. And clearly, that was a huge mistake." he quickly glanced at his daughter before fixing his eyes on the floor. "I was just another fairy tale for my mother to write."

Then T stepped forward, causing the guards to shift.

Charming noticed and instantly stopped moving altogether.

T continued walking right up to him.

For a horrible second, the room seemed unsure whether this reunion would end in tears or shouts.

Neither of them spoke at first, then Charming smiled weakly. "You've gotten taller."

T stared at him in disbelief. "...That's your opening line?"

"It's not like I was given a script."

A few startled laughs and murmurs escaped somewhere in the room. Even Felicia snorted.

Charming looked slightly relieved that nobody had thrown him out yet.

T shook her head slowly, though a tiny smile tugged at her mouth. "You're unbelievable."

"So I've been told."

Then her expression cracked. "You never cared for me. Or Rapunzel."

The room fell silent again.

Charming's face dropped instantly. "I know."

"You constantly disappeared. Forced me to do your bidding. To find you a happily ever after and not my own."

"I thought..." He stopped himself, struggling for words for perhaps the first time in his life. "I thought your happily ever after would be to find mine. For both of us."

T looked furious at that answer. "That wasn't your decision to make."

"No," Charming admitted softly. "It wasn't. I was selfish. I see that now."

The vulnerability in his voice stunned even Felicia. This wasn't Prince Charming performing anymore. This was just a father standing in chains in front of his daughter.

Vanity continued. "You sent me to school to infiltrate and destroy Shrek's entire family, once and for all. That was my goal, at first, but I learned I was wrong. And I hope you realize how wrong you were too."

T looked back at Felicia for confidence, blinking back her tears. Felicia gave a nod.

Charming's expression twisted with guilt. "I'm sorry," he said quietly.

T snapped back to Charming stared at him for a long moment. Then finally muttered, "You're an idiot."

Charming let out the smallest laugh. "I've also been told."

And somehow, against all odds, the tension in the room eased slightly.

Arthur stood from the throne, gaining the entire room's attention. "This kingdom was built by people who failed," Arthur said steadily. "People who made terrible mistakes. Some worse than others." He glanced meaningfully at Charming. "Far worse."

Shrek pointed at Charming again. "Thank you."

"But Far Far Away was also built on second chances. I was a coward but now am King." Arthur continued. He descended the steps slowly and stopped directly in front of Charming. "You will remain under constant supervision."

"Expected."

"You will not hold political power."

"Honestly sounds relaxing."

"No mysterious factories."

"...Fair."

"And if you so much as hum a villain song—"

"That feels targeted."

"It is targeted."

A few nobles laughed nervously.

Arthur finally looked toward the guards holding Charming. Then, after one long pause, nodded for the guards to unlock his chains.

Charming stared down at his freed wrists in disbelief. He slowly looked towards Arthur, then Fiona, then Shrek, who immediately pointed a warning finger at him. "Don't make me regret this."

Charming actually smiled. A real smile. "I'll try."

T moved first, practically colliding into Charming in a fierce hug.

Charming froze in complete shock before immediately wrapping his arms around her and closing his eyes.

For a moment, nobody in the throne room spoke. Even the guards looked emotional. Felicia smiled so hard her face hurt.

Charming broke his hug and wiped his eyes. Shrek noticed. "...Are you cryin'?"

"No." he lied.

"You are absolutely cryin'."

"It's winter. My eyes are cold."

"That's not how eyes work."

Arthur sighed heavily. "Why is this family like this?"

Felicia grinned.

Arthur returned to his thrown and addressed the audience. "I, King Arthur of Far Far Away hereby declare Prince Charming and Vanity Charming are now welcome citizens of the kingdom."

The crowd approved with a hearty "Huzzah!"

Because standing there between former villains, reluctant heroes, second chances, and one great King, Far Far Away somehow felt whole again.