Chapter 1
It had been ten years since Sofia moved into the castle and became a princess. She's now 18 years old. Her shoulder-length wavy auburn hair grew down to her waist. She often tie her hair in a braid or ponytail whenever she would have flying derby practices, but she also just lets it down. Her fair skin and rosy cheeks remained. She grew taller, almost the same height as her mother though still a few inches shorter. She had developed all her body parts splendidly, she even developed an hourglass figure. She even became more popular at the academy, especially with the princes though she never noticed it. Her innocence and kind heart never changed and that's what made people love her even more.
Prince James also grew up to be a great man. He's 19 years old. He got his hair trimmed neatly, though still wanting to look like same hairstyle he used to have. He grew up so tall that he was taller than his mother but a bit shorter than his father. His body was well-built. He was the most popular boy at the academy. He became more muscular. He still possessed the easy-going, playful, and sometimes mischievous personality he had since he was a kid. But he also gained a keen sense of responsibility. He learned to be wiser and proper. And he never lost his kindness for his friends and family.
They were all preparing for their return to Royal Senior High Academy. They were all in their senior years. They have graduated from the Royal Preparatory Academy. Sofia, James, and Amber were at the top of the class. Sofia even though she's the youngest joined to the class of James and Amber so she can be with them. Sofia was also the smartest girl in the class and everyone admired her. And James was also the smartest boy in the class and he also became the captain of the Academy's flying derby team.
Sofia woke up and stretched her arms up.
"Good morning, princess. Sleep well?" asked Clover
"Yup." Sofia smiled at her best friend
"Well you better get dressed. Today's the day you will return to the academy after all. You wouldn't want to be late now."
"I know, Clover. Ah, I'm so excited. Today's the day the seniors will greet the new students at the Royal Prep after all. And we will give them a tour and become like a role model to them." She giggled and started to find a great dress.
Suddenly, she heard someone knocking at the door.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Amber."
"Oh come in Amber."
"Sofia, are you ready yet? Mommy and Daddy are probably waiting for us at the dining room already."
Amber also became more beautiful. Her hair grew longer, it passed her waist. Her hair became more golden and radiant. Some say she's as beautiful as Princess Aurora. She developed her parts like a true lady. She's still a spoiled and bossy girl but at times she became more mature, and kind to the people around her. She acted as a true older sibling to both Sofia and James as she often takes care of them and worries for them though she doesn't show it often. She still loves to throw parties and have beautiful tiaras and dresses. She even became a sort of a fashion consultant that most of the princesses would just do anything to ask for her help, especially when there's a ball.
"No, I'm not yet ready. I'm still choosing a dress to wear. It's a special occasion after all."
"Oh Sofia, you don't know how happy I am to finally see you actually considering what you wear for once instead of just wearing the same thing over and over again… so what do you have?"
"Well how about this one?" Sofia showed Amber a simple purple dress with white pearls around the waist and a few on the bottom.
"Err… well… it's nice but frankly speaking, it's too plain. This is a special occasion like you said so you need a special gown to wear… let me see now…" Amber started to rummage her closet. "No… not this one… no…" Amber started to throw one dress after the other.
Sofia couldn't do anything but sit on her bed and watch and wait for Amber. She knew she couldn't stop Amber from doing this anyway.
"Ah! Here we are!" Amber finally picked the dress for Sofia after 15 minutes of searching
"Wow, it's beautiful. I don't think I've seen this one before." Sofia admired the dress Amber gave her. It was a lilac colored gown with diamonds and pearls around the waist and neckline and a sparkling white ribbon at the back. The dress was shining with the glittery-like cloth around the skirt.
"Of course. I made a few changes in that dress just now to make it look better than ever." Amber smirked
"Thanks Amber. You're the best!" Sofia hugged her older sister
"Hey, Sof are you ready yet?" a certain prince asked as he entered the room
"James!" Sofia hugged James. "Good morning."
"Good morning."
"Seriously, James don't you ever knock." Amber glared at James and crossed her arms
"Oh hey Amber so this is where you were. Sorry about that but the door was opened—"
"That's still no excuse. What if Sofia was changing?"
James thought about it and started to blush a bit. "Sorry…"
Amber sighed. "What are you doing here anyway?"
"Oh, Mom and Dad told me to come get the two of you."
"Okay tell them, we'll be down in a minute. I'll just prepare Sofia and we'll go down."
"Okay, then."
"See you there James." Sofia said
"Yeah!" James smiled and stared at Sofia for a while
"Ahem!" Amber glared at James again
"Oh right… I'll just go… now… uh…" James quickly got out of the room and started running to the dining room
"Geez… my stupid brother…"
"Oh you two…" Sofia giggled
"Nevermind about him, let's get you dressed."
"Okay…"
"That was close, I almost let them notice my feelings for Sofia… I seriously need to be more careful. Good thing Amber snapped me out back there." James thought to himself. He liked Sofia for a long time now, like ever since they first met but kept it a secret from everyone and tried hard to hide it though if anyone had noticed something it would be Amber but he's not entirely sure of it. James had a bit of crush on her when they were young but as the years passed that simple innocent crush became bigger until James finally fell in love with her.
"James! Where are the girls?" King Roland asked
"Oh, they're still preparing and Amber's getting Sofia dressed so it might a while." James took his seat
"Well, it's Amber after all…" Queen Miranda chuckled
"In the meantime, why don't we talk about you James… how are things going with your lessons?"
"They're fine. I'm still getting used to the responsibilities and duties a king has but I'll get used to it in no time."
James has started to learn how to be a king since in three years he will take over the crown. He's really excited but at the same time nervous because he really wants to be a great king like his father.
"That's good to hear. I know you'll make a great king. Right Miranda?"
"Of course Rollie, he's your son after all."
"Thanks, Mom and Dad."
"Your majesties, Princess Amber and Princess Sofia have arrived." Baileywick announced
"We're here!" Amber shouted
"Oh finally…" King Roland sighed with relief
"Geez Amber what took you—" James jaw dropped as he saw Sofia walk towards them
"Sorry we're late…" Sofia frowned
"No, it's alright, sweetie…" Queen Miranda smiled
"I see that it paid off after all. Amber you did a great job on Sofia." King Roland praised his eldest
"Thank you father, though it would've been even better if we weren't in such a rush." Amber sat down
"Here, Sofia…" James pulled a chair for her. "You look really beautiful."
"Thanks James." Sofia said as she sat down
"What about me?" Amber pouted
"Of course you look beautiful too as always sis." James chuckled nervously
"So let's eat already so you can go to the Royal Prep early…" Roland said
After they were done, they headed to their carriage which will take them to the Royal Preparatory Academy.
James reached out his hand to Sofia to help her get on the carriage.
"Thank you…" Sofia took James's hand and immediately sat down and James got on and sat down beside her
"Hmm…" Amber fluttered her fan and looked at James
They were flying for a few minutes and then they finally saw the Royal Prep.
"Hey, James, Amber look! We're here!" Sofia smiled widely
"Wow, it hasn't changed a bit…" James said
"Yes, brings back a lot of memories… oh look I can see Clio and Hildy down there…" Amber waved at her friends
"Oh look there they are!" Hildegard pointed at the flying carriage
"Hi Sofia!" Vivian waved enthusiastically at Sofia
When the carriage had landed, their friends came running towards them.
"Vivian!" Sofia hugged her friend
"It's great to see you again." Vivian said
"Hey Zandar, long time no see!" James patted his back
"Good to see you too."
"Ladies…" Amber bowed to Hildegard and Clio and they did the same
"Amber, it's been such a long time." Hildegard said
"Yeah…" Clio agreed and they formed a group hug
"Come on guys let's go, Miss Fauna, Miss Flora, and Miss Merryweather are probably waiting for us." Sofia said
They all nodded and head to the ballroom where they will meet the new students. While they were walking down the hall they saw a familiar face.
"Hey is that—" Zandar questioned
"Hugo!" Sofia called
Hugo turned around and saw Sofia and the other princesses and princes.
"It is Hugo!" they all exclaimed
"Oh! Hello Princess Sofia. It's good to see you again." Hugo grabbed Sofia's hand and kissed it
"Hey hands off my sister." James interrupted them. He was really angry. He was never in good terms with him and neither did Hugo.
They all had a hard time accepting Hugo as Sofia's friend especially James but they eventually did especially Amber, though they'd expect her to be the second to the last to accept Hugo, but she did because she saw how Hugo changed for the better ever since the championships at the Flying Crown race when they were younger. But James apparently still isn't though they talk to each other sometimes but when Hugo's around Sofia, that's when jealousy strikes James and their fight begins but of their fights were started by Hugo.
"Hey, calm down James. No need to be so overly protective all the time, it was just a greeting." Hugo held both his hands up in defense
James said nothing and gave him a threatening glare.
"James, please. Promise me that both of you will be on your best behavior today." Sofia pleaded
James just sighed. "Fine, Sof."
"Okay… for you Sofia." Hugo defeatedly said
"Good, let's go."
"Welcome students to Royal Preparatory Academy. And as to welcome you all, we personally picked some of our top students of Royal Senior High Academy to be your guide." Flora said
"We hope that you'll learn a lot from these wonderful princes and princesses. And we hope you will enjoy this day." Fauna said
"Now without further ado, we would like to introduce to you our top students at the Royal Senior High Academy." Merryweather gestured for Sofia and the others to come in
"We have our top princes: Prince Hugo of Sagax, Prince Zandar of Tangu, and of course Prince James of Enchancia." Flora announced
The girls started shrieking and fawning over the princes. The boys also shouted to their role models.
"Ahem, quiet please! Now we have our top princesses: Princess Hildegard of Friezenburg, Princess Clio of Corinthia, Princess Vivian of Zumaria, and you all know Princess Amber and Princess Sofia of Enchancia." Flora continued
The students started shouting even more. The princes and princesses kept hearing, 'We love you', 'You're the best', etc. which made them sort of blush though Hugo composed himself to not blush, as this isn't a princely thing for his book.
"Please quiet down young princes and princesses. Now I know you are all excited but as princes and princesses you need to control such emotions to be more proper." Flora scolded the students
"Yes Miss Flora." They all said in unison
"Ok then, why don't we all introduce ourselves first so we can get to know each other. Then later we will take you on a tour to the academy and even play some fun activities." Sofia smiled at the students
"Yes!" they all cheered
"But first we'll sing a song to introduce and welcome you all to RPA." Amber said and looked at Sofia and the others
'Sofia: When someone new enrolls here
at good ol' Royal Prep
They're at that great beginning
They're taking that first step
Amber: Your lessons will commence here
once you pass through this door
James: So why not come and join us
And see what lies in store?
Vivian: You'll learn the art of manners
Of royal protocol
Clio: That's right
Hildegard: And when to bow and curtsey
for functions big and small
Zandar: You'll read books of fact and fiction
Of poetry and prose
Hugo: You'll learn to give a royal speech
while perfectly composed
All: At Royal Prep, step-by-step
You'll gain wisdom and pep
So heed the call
Come be all you can be
Amber: Every task, every test
Sofia: Just give it your best
James: And we'll do the rest
You'll see
And don't forget our motto
Amber: To which you'll be true
Sofia: "Rule over others
as you'd have them rule over you"
All: You're taking your first step
at Royal Prep
Hugo: We'll explore enchanted objects
Each creature, every charm
Sofia: So spells of evil magic
will never do you harm
Vivian: In arts and crafts, you'll draw and paint
Or maybe work with wood
James: You'll learn to fence as well as dance
For footwork both are good
All: At Royal Prep, step-by-step
You'll gain wisdom and pep
Boys: So heed the call
Come be all you can be
Girls: Every task, every test
Boys: Just give it your best
Girls: And we'll do the rest
You'll see
Boys: And don't forget our motto
To which you'll be true
Girls: "Rule over others
as you'd have them rule over you"
All: We're royal all the way
Boys: All the way
Girls: At good 'ol RPA
Boys: RPA
Girls: It's step by step
All: With wisdom, grace and pep
At Royal Prep'
They all bowed and the students clapped and cheered.
"So this is the Royal Prep stables. This where we take care of all our flying horses that will participate in derby races. In the past, only princes can be on the team but apparently thanks to my sister, Sofia, it changed and she proved to everyone that even princesses can do princely things." James explained
"And ever since then, princesses can now participate in the flying derby all thanks to my dearest sister, Sofia." Amber added as she hugged Sofia in a tight squeeze
"Thanks James, Amber but it really wasn't a big deal."
Then one of the students started to pull Sofia's dress.
"What is it? Is there something that you want?" Sofia bent down and asked the little girl
"C-can we see you race?"
"Huh? Well…" Sofia glanced at James
James nodded to Sofia and she smiled at James.
"Ok." Sofia answered
"Hey why don't we have a little friendly competition between the three greatest flying derby racers?" Hugo suggested
"Sure, why not…" James accepted his challenge
"Geez, there you two go again…" Sofia sighed
"Alright children, why don't we all sit at the benches while Princess Sofia, Prince James, and Prince Hugo get their horses ready." Amber clapped her hands and guided the students and the others helped Amber watch over them.
Amber really changed. She really had developed the older-sister-figure. If it were the old Amber, she wouldn't know what to do and just whine of how they could leave her with all the children, but now it seems like she can take control of any difficult situations.
Sofia, James, and Hugo prepared their horses. They grabbed their saddles and place them on their horses.
"Hey, Electra. Ready for a little race?" Hugo asked as he got her out of her place and put on the saddle
Electra just neighed to Hugo saying 'of course'.
"Hello Bolt, great to see you. Hope you're ready for a race…" James smiled at his horse
"Oh Minimus, I'm so happy to see you again." Sofia hugged her friend
Minimus had grown a lot. He was no longer the little pony he once was, though he's still shorter than most of the other horses but he was still proud. He gained a lot of strength and improved his agility. He became a magnificent flying horse. He and Electra were requested to stay at the Royal stables so they can teach new trainers and new flying horses so they weren't able to stay with their owners for a while.
'Hey Sofia, what's happening today?'
"Today we are going to have a race with James and Hugo so we can put on a little show for the new students. It might even be a great way to encourage them to try out for the derby team." Sofia whispered
'I see, but I don't think that's what Hugo and James had in mind.'
"I know. I just wished they wouldn't turn this into another one of their 'competitions' and hurt themselves… again." Sofia sighed
'But even if you try—'
"I wouldn't be able to stop them anyway. It's those two we're talking about after all." Sofia laughed nervously as she rode Minimus
James and Hugo rode their horses, too.
"Alright, let's go." Sofia said
James and Hugo nodded and they all went to the practice field.
"Alright you know what to do." Amber said to the students as they all nodded
They all started to sing and dance the cheer.
"Huzzah! Huzzah!
RPA!
Huzzah! Huzzah!
For Royal Prep, for the red, and green, and blue
We're all for one, and one for all
At RPA, you'll hear our royal call
Huzzah! Huzzah!
For Royal Prep! Yes, we're loyal through and through
We rule on the field and off it too
That's for Royal Prep to a T we're true
Sofia and James and Hugo too
Huzzah! Huzzah!
For red, and green, and blue
That's Royal Prep to a T we're true
Huzzah!"
"Ok let the race… begin!" Zandar yelled
The race began and Hugo and James went on full speed.
"Oh boy…" Sofia sighed "Let's go Minimus." They flew fast to catch up to the two princes
"And James and Hugo take the lead!" Zandar announced
"Here they go again…" Amber sighed and placed her hand on her forehead as she sat down
"Oh tell me this isn't happening." Clio said
"Oh it is alright. It's another one of their 'rivalry matches'. And we all know how this ends." Hildegard said
"I'll call the infirmary." Vivian said as she walked back to the school
"Well on the bright side— umm." Clio said as they all turned to her
"What bright side? We all know that when it James + Hugo + competitions = disaster." Amber complained
"Chill Amber at least the kids are happy."
"Yeah until they see James and Hugo in the infirmary."
"Sofia's there, I'm sure she's stop them before anything happens to them."
"Let's just hope so."
Meanwhile, an old enemy is watching them from a magic cauldron.
"Soon, I will finally have my revenge! Just have to wait for the right moment."
"Hey they're going to the last course!" Zandar said
"I brought the nurses." Vivian said. "Did I miss anything?"
"Not much, they're almost at the finish line. They just have to get through the last obstacle." Clio said
Hugo and James are still tied at first and kept on speeding up. They were headed to the last obstacle, passing through the hoop hedge.
"Good, in this obstacle there can only one horse to pass through at a time so there won't be any injuries made any time soon." Amber said
"I guess but no one knows for sure. Those two are definitely going to take this chance to win it." Zandar said
"Finally! Now's the time to finish off that pesky little princess! I call upon the ancient power. I command you to curse this flower!"
The hedge was turning into dark thick sharp thorns. Sofia's amulet slightly glowed and Sofia noticed it.
"Oh no what's that?!" Sofia noticed the thorns, "James! Hugo! Stop!" she yelled but they couldn't hear it and they were too busy fighting each other to notice the thorns.
"I am so winning this!" Hugo said
"Yeah you'll win second place!" James answered back
"Minimus, we have to go and catch up with them. We have to move at maximum speed."
'We might crash into them."
"It will be better instead of them going through that hole."
'Got it!'
Sofia and Minimus increased their speed as fast as they could. Minimus flapped his wings with all he got.
"What is Sofia doing?! They're going to hit each other at this rate!" Amber exclaimed
"Hey look at the hedge! Something's wrong with it!" Hildegard yelled
"I don't the boys have noticed it. They're seriously not stopping." Clio said
"But I think Sofia has and now she's trying to stop them." Vivian said
"Oh no!" Amber cried
"Huh? Sofia's speeding up!" James said as he looked behind him
"If she doesn't slow down she's gonna crash into us."
"Come on, its Sofia she'd never—" James looked behind him again and saw Sofia still flying fast. "Or not…"
"Sofia! Slow down!" Hugo yelled as he tried to go faster
Sofia was still going. She shut her eyes and braced herself.
"Ahhh!" They all yelled as they crashed. The others gasped and quickly went down.
The impact made Sofia fall off Minimus and she went through the hoop.
"Yes! My plan worked! Hahahahaha! At last! The cursed has been placed on Princess Sofia! Now it's only a matter of time."
"Urgh, what happened?" James rubbed his head
"Are you alright?!" Amber asked as she helped his brother up
"Yeah sort of." James replied
"What's with the weird plant?" Hugo asked
"We don't know. Sofia flew to you fast so you wouldn't reach it." Hildegard said
"Sofia? Where's Sofia?!" James panicked that he didn't see her
"Oh no Sofia?!" Amber cried
"There! She on the other side!" Vivian yelled
"Sofia!" James ran towards Sofia and held her in his arms
"Sof, are you alright?!" Amber said
"I think so. I don't feel anything." Sofia answered
"Still, let's get you to the infirmary and get you checked up." James said as her carried Sofia in a bridal carry.
"You don't seem to have any broken bones or any bump in your head. Do you have a headache or feel any pain in your body?" the nurse asked
"No. I feel fine."
"Let's check first to be sure, can you remove your coat."
"Ok." Sofia removed her riding coat and revealed a big bleeding wound in her arm.
"Oh my!" the nurse exclaimed
"Sofia!" James yelled with a lot of worry and felt the pain struck his heart as he saw Sofia like this
"Sofia how could you not feel this?! Look it's still bleeding and… and I think I'm gonna faint…" Amber slowly fell but Hugo caught her
Hildegard and Clio started to wave their fan at Amber as she sat down the chair while Hugo put his arm around her to support her.
"But I don't feel anything. Even I'm shocked to see this." Sofia said
"Princess Sofia, please don't move so much. I have to put the bandage on you."
"Sofia, a-are you sure?" James held her hand
Sofia only shook her head and looked into James eyes. James knew Sofia was telling the truth but still this confused him.
"We've already sent the children home for today. And we've already asked the headmistresses to look at the weird thorns." Zandar said as he and Vivian walked into the room
"Sofia are you alright?" Vivian asked
"I think so but I have this odd wound but I didn't feel any pain."
"How could that be?" Vivian thought out loud
"The thorns! I think those thorns did this!" James exclaimed
"You're right Prince James." Flora said as she entered the room
"But how?!" Amber asked
"It's called Maledictus Spinam or Cursed Blackthorn. It happened to Sofia because she hit the thorns earlier. It causes slow death to the victim and the worst part is that she won't feel anything. She will gently fall asleep and close her eyes forever." Flora exclaimed
They all gasped.
"But there's a cure right? There is right?!" James bawled
"We haven't found a cure for that now, but we will try to find it. We've already summoned the Magic Council to discuss this."
James faced his head to the ground and closed his fists, trying to stop his tears from falling.
"Please don't lose hope, Prince James and all of you too." Flora placed her hands on James' shoulders.
"There has to be a way!" James couldn't help it and a tear from his eye fell.
Suddenly, Sofia's amulet started to glow brightly. It glowed bigger and brighter than ever.
"What's happening?!" Sofia exclaimed
"Sofia, what's going on with your amulet?!" Amber asked
A beautiful lady with long platinum blonde hair and fair skin, wearing a long violet dress with long sleeves, and silver shoes and jewelries with diamonds, and a diamond tiara with purple gem in the middle.
"Whoa…" they all gasped
"Who are you?" Sofia asked
"My name is Princess Cynthia. I am from the kingdom of Avalor."
A/N
Sorry for suddenly cutting it. Hope you liked it so far.
I would just like to tell you that Princess Cynthia is my OC and as for the rest of the story will not have ANY relation to the series/upcoming series "Elena of Avalor" which will be a prequel of the story of Sofia the First in 2016.
Please write a review of your comments and suggestions but please don't too harsh on the mistakes in grammar. I'm not really good in English.