Blackout

Summary: Something strange is going on in Enchancia. The sun isn't rising, and neither is the moon. Instead of stars at night, the sky is covered in strange glowing points of colored light, which grow dimmer each evening. Concerned, King Roland urges Cedric and a team he's assembled to investigate, lest the kingdom be plunged into darkness for good.

Disclaimer: I don't own Sofia the First.

A/N: One of my favorite genres is mystery (as well as suspense), so I'm excited to write this story. This will be a chapter story, though I'm going to attempt to update as often as I can. I've changed my original direction for this story somewhat due to changes in the show's story line (*cough* Greylock *cough*), but I think that might be a good thing once all of this is said and done. I hope you like it! :D

A/N 2: In chapter 3 and onward, there will be references to my recent story "Nashoba," so make sure you're familiar with the character of Nashoba before reading it. ;)

*Story*

Chapter 1: Midday Madness

"They say something bad is about to happen. Look how dark it's gotten, and it's only noon!"

"At night we don't even see stars anymore—just some random sprinkling of rainbow-colored lights!"

"Perhaps it's just a change in the weather?"

"There is no logical reason for Enchancia to be this dark right now—and getting darker by the minute!"

"Maybe it's the end of Enchancia…"

Roland sighed heavily as he heard his subjects' fears and discussions. He knew as well as they did how strangely dark it had gotten across the kingdom. It had started two days ago, with only half of the sun shining in the daytime. As of yesterday, the sun hadn't even risen at all, leaving the area rather dark. With the moon in its waxing phase, it had not yet become whole on its own, but he still knew it, too, was likely affected. "Please," he began calmly yet firmly, getting their attention. "I know you're troubled and scared. I understand wholeheartedly. However, let me be the first to assure you that whatever is going on, you're safe here in Enchancia. No harm will come to you. I'll see to that."

"But Your Majesty," a man with a long beard began earnestly, "we're worried this may be something evil… There's so much darkness in peoples' hearts and too many with corruptive power these days…" He frowned when he saw Roland's eyes narrow. "H-How do we know something bad isn't about to happen?"

The king's stance softened a bit as he smiled reassuringly at them all. "Don't worry. I'll personally investigate this matter and get to the bottom of it. As it is, this darkness will become a bit of a burden for us all, especially in terms of travel. I suggest you all return to your homes while we take a look into everything. Don't be afraid. Enchancia is safe."

"Long live the king!" a few shouted, causing a chain reaction of echoed sentiments before the crowd dispersed.

"Rollie," Miranda started with an uncertain glance toward her husband, "when they said that thing about people having corruptive power…"

He frowned before looking toward two of his guards. "Get Cedric." He sighed as the two men nodded in affirmation and left.

"Oh, Roland, you don't think…?"

"I hope not, Miranda. I honestly do. But it's happened before, so…I have to eliminate all possibilities."

The brown-haired queen sighed and held her hands to her heart. For Cedric's sake—for Sofia's sake—she sincerely hoped the sorcerer wasn't responsible for their current situation.

"…And that's how you sew on a button," Sofia concluded with a confidant grin toward her mentor.

Cedric grumbled in annoyance and huffed when the button he was attempting to sew onto a piece of fabric popped up and shot across the workshop. He sighed in resignation before pulling out his wand. "That's it. I give up. I'm horrible at sewing. Magic it is."

"No, Mr. Cedric!" Sofia lowered his wand and gave him a disapproving look. "Not everything has to be solved with magic."

"Well, no, Sofia…it doesn't have to be. But since it can be, I say go for it." He smirked and waved the wand a few times, to her displeasure.

"I wanted to teach you how to do something for a change—something I'm actually good at. And what I can tell you through all the trial and error I had with sewing is that while it may seem easy to give up or resort to other methods (such as magic), practice really does make perfect." She smiled sarcastically. "Or does the sorcerer's secret not apply in this case?"

Cedric deadpanned at the girl. "A button popped up from my hands and flew across the room, nearly knocking out Wormy." He rolled his eyes when the raven squawked his obvious annoyance on cue. "I think it's safe to say that we're a bit past the sorcerer's secret now. This sorcerer is hopeless when it comes to sewing." He held up his gloved hands. "These hands know how to handle magic and not much else, I'm afraid."

Sofia giggled and took his hands, smiling gently. "That's not true. You can do anything you set your mind to, Mr. Cedric."

He returned the girl's smile before gasping at the loud knock at his door. "Who on earth could that be?" He released her hands and walked to the door, pulling open. He frowned at the sight of the guards. "May I help you?"

One of the guards stepped forward and took his arm. "King Roland wants to speak with you now," he insisted as his partner grabbed Cedric's other arm, the both of them leading him down the stairs.

"Unhand me at once!"

"Mr. Cedric!" Sofia called worriedly as she hurried after them. What in the world had gotten into her father anyway?

Roland looked down seriously as the guards released Cedric, enabling him to bow—though obviously not so enthusiastically, as the sorcerer was preoccupied with rubbing his sore arms. "Cedric, I need to speak with you."

"You don't say," he murmured sarcastically under his breath before standing fully and looking a bit more sincerely toward the king. "How may I serve you, Your Majesty?"

"Have you looked outside lately?"

Cedric blinked, thinking that was a rather odd question. "Um…I can't say I have, King Roland. Am I missing something?"

"How about the sun?" the king retorted impatiently. "The sky is growing darker every minute." He looked to the side as Sofia finally made it into the throne room, followed by her siblings. "There were earlier reports of only half of the sun shining."

"It's true," James affirmed with a nod. "I saw it yesterday when I took Rex for a walk. It was kind of cool and creepy at the same time." He then shrugged. "Of course today, there's no sun at all."

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," Cedric stated in confusion. "I'm afraid I'm not following you."

"Did you cause this, Cedric?" Miranda asked, seeing that Roland's indirect interrogation was getting them nowhere.

The sorcerer shook his head. "No, Queen Miranda. I promise you and give my word of honor: I have nothing to do with any atmospheric changes going on in Enchancia. Until King Roland mentioned it, I wasn't even aware it was going on."

"I'm not surprised," Amber joked playfully. "He's locked in his tower all day long with potions and spells. Of course he wouldn't realize what was going on."

Sofia walked forward and placed a comforting hand on Cedric's arm in case she had to plead his case again. "Dad, Mr. Cedric really didn't have anything to do with it this time. I've been with him all this morning, and the last two days we've been working together on a few spells. We were very busy and were in his workshop the whole time. Whatever is going on, he is not responsible."

Cedric smiled gratefully. At least he could always count on one royal to back him up.

"Hmm." Roland sighed as he leaned back against his throne. "I was actually kind of hoping you were responsible… At least we'd have a more definitive answer and a faster solution."

"Gee, thanks," Cedric muttered so only Sofia could hear, causing her to giggle softly and nudge him. "King Roland, while I'm not sure what's going on, I'd be happy to help in any way I possibly can. If something is threatening Enchancia, it could potentially be magical, and all it would take is the process of elimination and a bit of investigation to decipher who or what is behind this."

"I'm glad you said that," the king responded with a determined stare. "Because here's what I'd like you to do…"

To be continued

Chapter List:

1: Midday Madness

2: Assembly

3: Nashoba and the Rainbow Queen

4: Alleviating the Mystery

5: Sacrifice