*Chapter 10: Home at Last*

Maria is laying on the soft grass, sleeping peacefully. Shadow is next to her, sleeping as well. Nature is around them. Maria slowly opened her eyes as she heard birds singing around her. She sat up and look around. Where is she at? She and Shadow are in the fields. There are city buildings seen ahead of them. Are they home? Did the spell work? Voices were heard from behind. Maria turned and saw her grandfather, Professor Gerald, calling for her and Shadow. Tears of joy came to Maria's eyes. She's home at last!

"Grandpa!" She cried. She ran towards him and embraced him. Shadow woke up from the start and saw Maria hugging Gerald. He got up and ran towards them. Gerald embraced Maria, laughing with joy. Maria's tears flew out of her eyes. She is home. All safe and sound. Shadow watched them with a smile.

"Oh, I am so worried about you two! How did you get here from space?! Are you all right?" Gerald asked. Maria pulled away and stare at him. "Everyone thinks you two are dead, but I didn't believe them! Oh, thank goodness you're all alright!" He was crying with tears of joy when he embraced his granddaughter and same with Shadow.

"Oh, grandpa! I'm so glad we're back! But now we are here on Earth. The place where I dreamed of going!" She said. "But we went to the strange world. We meet new friends and met some bad people. But it was so beautiful! Me and Shadow told everyone there we wanted to go home, and now...here we are!" Gerald stares at her with a blank look. Maria noticed his expression. "...Don't you believe me?" She asked with a frown. Gerald chuckled a little at her. Maria lowered her head a little. Seems like Gerald didn't believe the story. "You don't believe me..." Maria said in a quiet voice.

"Oh, Maria. I think you've gone mad. But...that doesn't really matter now, my dear." Gerald said. "I'm just glad you and Shadow are here all safe and sound."

"I have to admit that Oz is quite a journey." Shadow said. "But yes, we're glad that we are home at last." Maria giggled and hugged Shadow.

"There is no place like home, Shadow." She said. "Everything's fine now. There is no place like home."

"Come on you two. I have found a place to stay." Gerald said. "And Maria, your cousins will be thrilled to see you, and they may want to hear your new story..." He went on as he walks away. Shadow looked up at Maria with a neutral look.

"Come on. We don't want to keep everyone else waiting, do we?" He asked. Maria nodded a bit. Maria and Shadow followed Gerald to the fields to get to their new home on Earth. Maria stopped and turned around to look up at the sky. She smiled. Maria will never forget her friends and a wonderful world of Oz. If only she could visit it again so she could see her beloved friends...someday.

*The End*