Piercing Blue
Summary: Sofia is summoned to the Secret Library to help finish a story about a fallen warlock and imminent captain, though she couldn't possibly anticipate the roles she and Cedric will be forced to play while trying to offer others a happy ending. *Summary proposed by and artwork by MarionetteJ2X*
Disclaimer: I don't own the show! The original characters, the plotline, and the artwork all belong to MarionetteJ2X. 😊
A/N: MarionetteJ2X proposed this plotline several weeks ago and sent artwork for me to get a feel for the story as well as a basic outline for the way things could go. I'd like to thank her for the details and determination, because without them, I likely wouldn't have known how to go about writing this story. Haha. Also to others who've requested stories, I've got them in my queue and will be working the next few weeks/months to try to make those happen. Since I'll be returning to work on Monday, I won't be updating as frequently as I have been the last two and a half weeks, so bear with me. 😊 Hope you all enjoy! This WILL be a chapter story, so hold on tight!
PS: References to my original artifact, Sofia's GuardoRing, are made in here. The original story with its origins is "Dream Team," and if you're unfamiliar with its purpose, it's a ring Cedric created for her to help protect her; it can create magic forcefields, alert his wand when she's in danger, and so on. 😉 Just thought I'd make mention of that.
*Story*
Chapter 1: The Tale of the Enchanted Rapier of Lady Esper
Sofia was playing outside with Clover one afternoon, enjoying the freshly-fallen snow as much as she could while they still had it, when her amulet began glowing blue. She paused, realizing she hadn't had a summons to the Secret Library in a good while, and it sort of caught her off guard. After all, she was more used to being called to the Mystic Isles these days, but Story Keeper was still part of her repertoire, so she felt inclined to respond.
"I've got to go, Clover," she told the bunny as he was soon joined by Mia and Robin. She gestured toward her amulet. "Duty calls."
"Okay, Sof! We can play again tomorrow." He grinned and glanced up at the birds. "Last one to the big pile of fluff over there gets pelted with snowballs!" He laughed and hopped off, followed closely by Robin.
Mia, who realized she'd been left behind, yelped and flew after them. "Wait for me!"
Sofia smiled in amusement and shook her head before hurrying back into the castle. After gathering her key to the library, she used the secret passageway via her room to follow the familiar path to the exclusive room. After taking the boat ride as usual, she hurried up the stairs and unlocked the door, stepping inside and having a seat on the blue chaise.
A few moments passed before a deep blue book flew down from several stories up and floated before her.
The princess blinked at the cover before opening it to the first page, noting with curiosity that there was a picture of what appeared to be a sword glittering radiantly. She tilted her head as she read the title. "The Enchanted Rapier of Lady Esper…"
The book was absorbed into the large, glowing pendulum before her, and she watched as the story came to life as usual, the narrator reading aloud.
A century ago, in the middle of the sea, there was a teenaged girl named Esper. Unlike other higher ups or rich people at the time, she wanted to grow up to be a captain of her late father's ship called the S.S. Esperanza.
Sofia tilted her head as she watched the girl on the screen in interest. The teen, Esper, had long flowing dark brown hair and light brown eyes, and she wore what she would describe as an aspiring captain's outfit: a navy-blue captain's uniform dress echoing that time period with encrusted gold detailing making it stand out a bit more, dark boots, and epaulettes resting on each shoulder. The girl seemed so full of life, and Sofia couldn't help smiling in excitement as she watched her.
Esper had a magnificent crew onboard with her, each one dear to her. Unfortunately, there was one particular member of the crew she didn't get along with too terribly well: her newly-hired warlock named Dio.
"A warlock, huh?" Sofia blinked as a young man with dark hair and the most intense blue eyes she'd ever seen stood off to the side, staring at the young girl with a scrutinizing gaze. This Dio character had on a pair of black slacks and matching boots, a somewhat dirty undershirt tucked into his pants with a red vest overlaying it, and lastly a billowing brown coat capping off his outfit. Instantly, Sofia could tell he was going to be one of the more serious types.
Dio was hired to protect the ship along with its crew. He had accepted it wholeheartedly since he secretly wanted to be a sailor rather than a warlock.
Sofia laughed softly. "Did not see that coming…"
He didn't appear to have a good relationship with his captain, because he grew irritated with her active and optimistic nature, as it was the exact opposite of his own due to his being isolated from time to time.
The princess shook her head as she leaned against the chaise. "What is it with magical people and isolation?" She giggled.
However, one fateful day, things changed. A raging storm hit the crew with full force, tossing the S.S. Esperanza back and forth on the angry sea. Esper urged everyone to get into position to steer the ship away from the storm, and everything seemed secure. But she noticed that a sail had yet to be released, so, being the stubborn girl she was, she climbed up the poles to release the sail. However, she accidentally lost her footing and slipped, falling from the high platform.
Sofia gasped and held her hands up to her eyes, peaking through them. She didn't want to see anyone hurt, especially someone so close to her age.
While Esper waited to feel the raging sea engulfing her, she was in for quite the surprise when that never did occur. Upon opening her eyes, she was surprised to see Dio aiming his wand in her direction, a look of determination in his blue eyes that she'd never seen before. Before she knew it, she was being levitated back onto the deck and was carefully placed into a sitting position.
The Enchancian princess let out a sigh of relief and lowered her hands. "This story is intense…"
Esper was about to stand when she felt a pair of warm hands grab hold of her shoulders, startling her. She looked up to see those same blue eyes, only this time they were glaring at her. Dio scolded her for being foolish and trying to get herself killed—again. Esper, feeling ashamed, apologized to everyone and also to Dio, who had yet to release her shoulders. She offered him a kind smile, and he immediately released her and tried to hide his blushing face.
Sofia laughed. "Aww. How sweet!"
After that incident, Esper's and Dio's relationship grew into an actual friendship, and they spent from nearly dawn to dusk together. They learned more about each other: Dio teaching her magic and Esper teaching him sparring with rapiers. Soon, their friendship began developing into something more, though they hadn't realized it until the day of Esper's eighteenth birthday.
"It's always the eighteenth birthday," the young princess murmured. "Why not the twentieth? Or the nineteenth?" She snickered as the pendulum seemed to pause as she kept musing to herself. "Okay, sorry! Continue."
When the two were alone that evening, Dio gifted Esper an enchanted rapier: a weapon that would protect her from any harm that may befall her. Esper was so happy and delighted that she hadn't noticed she'd crushed him in one of her fierce hugs. And even though it lasted only a minute, to Dio, it seemed everlasting and he'd do nearly anything to get one of those from her again.
"This story just took a drastic turn… Didn't they hate each other two minutes ago?" She smiled and shook her head, nonetheless enthralled with the story.
But those happily-stolen moments couldn't last forever…
A band of pirates led by a man known as Hunter attacked the S.S. Esperanza in the middle of the night. Esper guided her crew to safety before remaining behind to hold off the pirates with the use of her new enchanted rapier. She was able to attack a few men but didn't notice the shadow creeping up behind her.
Dio, who had been securing the other members of the crew, returned to help Esper, only to see the most horrifying thing he'd ever seen.
Sofia gasped.
Esper was lying on the deck, and she didn't seem to be breathing. When he knelt to her lifeless body, he cradled her and begged her to wake up. She didn't. Heartbroken and angry, he stood and grabbed Esper's enchanted rapier, all his sorrow and pain flowing into it with one battle cry erupting from his lips. He swung the rapier, blinding everyone with a blue light. When the light disappeared, the crew of the S.S. Esperanza was highly baffled. The band of pirates, along with Dio, had mysteriously disappeared. Esper's body and the enchanted rapier, still pulsing with a strange blue light, remained on the deck as a new storm rolled in.
Sofia blinked a few tears away and used her hands to wipe her cheeks.
It is important to locate the enchanted rapier and toss it back into the sea in order to allow the souls of the two friends to be at peace at last.
She sniffled before asking, "Where can I find it?"
The pendulum pulsated before demonstrating an image of a worn-down history museum near a pier. It appeared to be called Clam Shell Museum.
She gasped. "I know where that is." With a determined look, she stood up. "Okay, I just need to think of a plan…"
The next day at Royal Prep, Sofia sat in her desk, disappointment written all over her face. Despite her best efforts, she couldn't think of a plan to get the rapier from the museum. No method seemed plausible, and it was frustrating her to no end. While she pondered more on the dilemma, Ms. Flora called the class to attention.
"Children," she announced, "we have decided to take you all on a field trip this weekend, especially after having to deal with the stress of your exams. Think of this as a treat."
Sofia blinked as she finally looked up at the fairy. Wait a minute…
"Does anyone have any suggestions for a location? Remember, it must be educational."
The auburn-haired girl's hand immediately shot up. "Ms. Flora, how about we go to the Clam Shell Museum?"
"Clam Shell?" Vivian asked as she peered over to her friend, who just shrugged and grinned innocently.
Ms. Flora clapped her hands together and nodded in agreement. "Wonderful idea, Sofia! However, please keep in mind that since this museum is located close to the sea, you will need to be in a group at all times."
Sofia cheered silently, nearly doing a happy dance in her seat.
The fairy continued, "However, since we are short on staff right now, we'll need some adult chaperones on this trip. Each royal family should ask at least one member to accompany them."
Her mood dropped instantly. Her parents were currently away on a royal business journey, and the twins were bedridden at least the rest of the week with pneumonia. Luckily, she'd avoided that predicament and they were getting a little better each day, but she wished they fully recovered so she didn't have to go on this adventure by herself. Baileywick would be too busy to go with her, and he would insist on staying to take care of the twins anyway. Besides, if he did accompany her, he would probably have a panic attack if he saw the young princess handling a rapier. No, no…best to avoid mentioning anything to him at all. He couldn't know her mission.
That only left one logical person. She gulped nervously. "Mr. Cedric," she whispered to herself, seeming defeated.
It wasn't that she didn't want Cedric going with her on the field trip. In fact, she'd have a great time with her friend accompanying her—if it were just a field trip… She knew better though. Cedric couldn't know about her seriously dangerous "job" of sorts. Well, one of the few she had anyway… She'd have to make an excuse; however, any time she came up with an idea, she'd dismiss it, because Cedric could likely see through each one and discover her deepest secret.
Deciding here and now was not the time to ponder over her predicament, she took a deep and calming breath and told herself she'd come up with a plan during their trip.
Once school ended and she was home for the day, Sofia inquired about her siblings' state from Baileywick. The steward informed her that they were still a bit weak, but they were getting better each day. However, he didn't want her around them right now, since their immune systems were still pretty frail. She nodded in understanding and then headed off to her next stop: Cedric.
"Mr. Cedric?" she called once outside his door, her usual knock accompanying. She smiled as he opened the door and guided her inside. "I'm so glad you're here."
Cedric blinked, seeing the relieved smile on the girl's face. He then folded his arms and raised an eyebrow at her. "Out with it," he commanded. "What do you want?"
"Could you escort me on my class field trip to the Clam Shell Museum this upcoming weekend? Since Mom and Dad aren't going to be here to do it, and since Baileywick is taking care of the castle, not to mention James and Amber, I figured…" She shrugged as he eyed her curiously. "Maybe you could go with me?"
He would have denied her, because the last thing he'd want to do would be to be around a bunch of spoiled royals, but he paused. The Clam Shell Museum was said to be one of mystery, and he'd heard tales of old magical items stored there, and he would love the opportunity to study them for himself… He cleared his throat and nodded. "Of course, Sofia. But just this once."
She grinned and hugged him. "That's what you said last time too."
"Clearly, I need to work on my emphatic responses then."
She giggled. "Thanks, Mr. Cedric."
On the day of the field trip, everyone from the class, their chaperones, and Ms. Flora gathered on the bottom steps of the Clam Shell Museum. The air was breezy, and the salty sea was visible just a very short distance away from the museum. Sofia had worn her sailor outfit for the occasion, feeling it was appropriate for their destination. She also had her hair tied into two low, wavy ponytails for a change. After Ms. Flora issued instructions and cautions to her class and their company, she ushered them all inside before closing the door behind them.
"Good morning, everyone," a guide greeted as he smiled at the group. His hair was graying and swept back from his face, his green eyes peering at the group before him. He wore a black undershirt, gray vest, white coat, and dark pants and shoes. His skin was lightly tanned, evidence of being in the sun often enough. "My name is Alonzo, and I will be your guide today. If you would, follow me, please."
The group did as requested, everyone murmuring to either friends or accompanying adults, pointing out different things about the museum. As they walked, Alonzo began indicating various historical artifacts.
"That right there is the Diadem of Queen Isadora," he remarked as they looked at what appeared to be a ruby-encrusted tiara. "Legend has it that the queen used it for warding off predators, until she lost it one night fleeing from one of those very people." He then gestured toward a large suit of armor behind another case. "And this is the Enchanted Suit of Sir Rogers. It aided him in every battle until his last nearly two centuries ago now."
Sofia noted with amusement as Cedric, fascinated with the information, seemed to be jotting down notes in a journal he'd brought. "Always working, aren't you?" she teased, causing him to smile.
As they neared the middle of the tour, Alonzo stopped yet again in front of what appeared to be a glass dome. He stepped aside to allow the students and their guardians to have a look inside. While everyone gasped at the contents, Sofia did so the loudest, in awe of what she saw. Inside the glass dome was a floating rapier that had a strange vivacious blue glow surrounding it.
"This is called the Enchanted Rapier of Lady Esper," the man explained to them.
Sofia's eyes widened as she paid particular attention to what he was saying, her hands grasping Cedric's robe as she did so.
"Sofia?" Cedric realized she was absorbed in the man's story, so he didn't question her further and instead turned his attention to Alonzo.
Alonzo's rendition of the rapier was nearly identical to what Sofia had heard in the Secret Library. "There are rumors that the warlock Dio's soul has been trapped inside the enchanted rapier," he added, new information to Sofia's ears. "However, no one can prove it since it only floats and pulsates this peculiar light, quite like a heartbeat, if you will. Also, if anyone were to touch it, he or she would be electrified immediately." He chuckled wryly as the group stepped back a bit. "Yeah, some crew members found that out the hard way…" He cleared his throat. "Anyway, magic wielders with wands may levitate the rapier, but that's about the only method I can think of."
"Interesting," Cedric murmured, though his attention once again turned to his apprentice as she seemed to be enthralled in the story. He'd never seen her so focused on something before.
Releasing Cedric's robe, Sofia folded one arm toward her and rested the other atop it, her chin settling on her fist. She pondered the situation. How could she talk to Alonzo without Cedric knowing and asking questions? She needed to garner permission to take the rapier for a very important reason, as crazy as it would sound. Her eyes lit up as she made a realization. She had her backpack with her, and inside was her training wand. Grinning to herself, she felt relieved. So she had a means and a method…now she just needed the opportunity.
A little while later, near noon when everyone had paused for some lunch, one of the students pointed out the window. Curious, everyone looked out to see that the sky had begun darkening, and a thick fog was starting to envelop the pier.
Cedric frowned, sensing danger. He grabbed Sofia's hand and began pulling her backwards. "Come on, Sofia," he told her calmly, so as not to worry her.
"Mr. Cedric?" she asked, confused. "What's wrong?"
Alonzo, also sensing danger, announced clearly, "Everyone, do not ask why and do not hesitate. We must leave the museum immediately. Now!"
Without giving it a second thought, surprisingly enough, the crowd of students, as well as their chaperones and anyone else who happened to be in the museum at that time, hurriedly left the building. At the end of the crowd were Cedric and Sofia, the latter of whom was reluctant to leave since she needed to get the rapier. Soon enough, it was only the three of them remaining in the museum. Just as she was about to ask Alonzo, who'd come up near them, for permission to take the artifact, a loud crash came from the side, a window shattering and glass scattering about the floor.
A rough-looking bunch of men, whom Alonzo swiftly and agitatedly described as pirates, entered the building. They had some sort of eerie red aura surrounding them, the two friends noticed. Seeing as there was no time to run, Cedric, now wielding his family wand for a change, stood in front of Sofia along with Alonzo, who'd grabbed two swords from the magical artifacts.
Cedric glanced anxiously at the other man. "What's going on?"
The guide sighed heavily as he clutched the swords tighter. "Every year, this band of pirates crashes the museum and steals all the powerful artifacts. They used to try to steal the Enchanted Rapier of Lady Esper, but they failed to do so as each pirate who tried got electrocuted. Oddly enough, when they did, they'd lose their memories of being pirates and they would run away in terror instead." He turned to the sorcerer and frowned. "I know it sounds odd, but it's true. I was tasked with protecting the museum along with the rapier each year. However, I didn't predict that they would attack today of all days, with a bunch of royals here…" He was about to say more, but he heard a loud, gravelly voice yell out a command.
"Attack and rob!" a man, evidently the captain of the pirates, ordered as he pointed his sword forward.
Cedric glanced behind him, noticing Sofia was still there. "Stay back, Sofia," he instructed as he turned to face the oncoming threat. He released attack spell after attack spell against the men as Alonzo beat down one of the pirates with his dual magical swords.
Observing the situation, the captain of the pirates scowled in Cedric's direction as he took down another of his crew members. "Grr…" He then looked behind the sorcerer and noticed a young girl, who seemed as if she were contemplating whether to step in and help or not. He smirked and faded into the shadows as the battle continued.
The fighting continued, and after taking down the final pirate, Cedric cheered silently at the success. However, he froze and felt chills course through his body when he heard a familiar scream behind him. He turned, Alonzo doing the same, and saw the captain raising his own sword toward a horror-stricken Sofia. His heart dropped, and he couldn't think fast enough as the pirate's sword soared down toward his apprentice. "Sofia!"
In a split second before her impending doom, Sofia's GuardoRing released a powerful shield and surrounded her, protecting her from harm, much to the captain's chagrin. He growled as the sword broke as a result of colliding with the impenetrable protective shell.
Cedric released the breath he didn't realize he was holding as his free hand clutched his chest, his heart pounding. She was safe… His breathing intensified from anger, though, and he pointed his family wand toward the captain in an attempt to release an attack spell when he felt arms grab hold of him, and he dropped the wand in response. "Let me go!" he demanded as he noticed that a member of the once-thought defeated pirate crew had grabbed him. Looking to the side, he noticed Alonzo in a similar predicament, his limbs flailing as he attempted to free himself.
To Cedric's horror, the captain smirked and walked forward to pick up his family wand. Swooping up the item, he smirked and waved it around, releasing a blast of power toward the middle of the museum.
To Alonzo's shock, the captain managed to levitate the museum's prized possession, the Enchanted Rapier of Lady Esper, in his direction. "No!"
The captain, satisfied, looked down at Sofia, who was still encased in the shield. He chuckled darkly and used the wand to levitate her as well—shield and all.
"No, put me down!" Sofia yelled, her fists beating against the barrier.
Panicking, Cedric tried to thrash his way out of the pirate's clutches, but the captor shoved him down and watched as his captain, who had both Sofia and the rapier at this point, began to walk away with both of them. Cedric shouted, "What do you want with the princess?!"
The captain paused and smirked, turning to face the sorcerer. Seeing Cedric was glaring at him, he returned the glare as he spoke, "I sense she has some powerful magic about her, and she could be a key in unlocking the powers of the Enchanted Rapier of Lady Esper." He chuckled evilly. "Worth a try anyway, right?" With that said, he turned and continued his trek, disappearing into the thick fog with both the rapier and Sofia, who was desperately calling out to Cedric until she, too, disappeared.
The pirates holding onto Cedric and Alonzo suddenly vanished into thin air.
Angry, distraught, pained, dismayed… All these emotions coursed through him. Cedric's mind was filled with furious fits of anguish as he realized Sofia was gone, not to mention his family wand, and he didn't know how to get either back. He fisted his hands by his sides. "SOFIA!"
To be continued…