What We Do Best
Summary: Cedric and Sofia decide to team up for a sorcery competition at her school called 'Spell It Out.'
Disclaimer: I don't own Sofia the First!
A/N: Well, I knew this one was coming sooner rather than later. I've always wanted to see Cedric help Sofia out with a competition, so now I can. This will be a bit lengthy of a story, so it's divided into three chapters. It also involves a lot of detail, so this will be a challenge for me during my (happy sigh) summer break! Haha. :D Enjoy!
*Story*
Chapter 1: Be Prepared
"Sofia, are you paying attention?" Cedric asked as he waved his hand in front of his young apprentice, attempting to get the girl to focus.
"Huh?" She blinked as she came around and then smiled in her mentor's direction. "Oh, sorry, Mr. Cedric… I guess I spaced out for a minute there." She glanced down at a piece of parchment in her hands. "I was just thinking…"
"Care to share?" he inquired as he leaned forward on his arms. He was curious as to his student's recent tendency to drift off during their lessons. He had previously wondered if it had something to do with the recent events, but that didn't quite add up. He decided to give her the opportunity to explain for herself.
"Well…" She sighed, handing him the announcement she was holding. "Royal Prep is hosting something called 'Spell It Out.' It's a competition for people who excel at sorcery, and it's basically our school versus—"
"—Hexley Hall," he finished as he read over the information. "I remember hearing something about this a few years ago. Granted, we didn't have this competition when I was in school, but I'm not entirely surprised there would be a competition between the two schools. Rivalry and all that…"
"But Mr. Cedric, even though I do want to enter it, I'm kind of nervous about it." Seeing his look, she shrugged. "Obviously, there are going to be gifted students who have aced sorcery from Hexley Hall, since that's basically what they're known for…and well, what about Grimtrix?"
He frowned. "What about him?"
"He's probably going to be present at the competition. What if he tries to sabotage the whole thing?"
"He wouldn't do that, my dear. Not when there are so many witnesses around." He folded up the announcement and pushed it toward her. "I say don't let that fear keep you from doing what you want to do. If you want to enter the competition, go for it." He gave her a genuine smile, relieved to see her smiling back.
"Thanks, Mr. Cedric…although there's another problem. We're supposed to team up with an outside source for the competition, so I have to find a partner."
Cedric raised an eyebrow at her. Was she seriously contemplating just who would make a good partner for her? "And…you're thinking of a partner then?"
"I had considered asking Aunt Tilly, but she's out of the country right now." She sighed and put her head in her hands before glancing at her friend. "And I would've asked you, but I figured you wouldn't want to be involved in it, since it's my school against your old school."
"Sofia, don't be silly. I'd be honored to team up with you."
She grinned. "Really? You don't mind the circumstances?"
"Why should I? The Hexley Hall I attended was far grander than the current state, as it were. I say, 'Long Live Royal Prep.'" He sat up straighter. "So then, what are the rules and requirements for this thing anyway?"
Sofia unfolded her announcement parchment and flattened it out. "Here you go," she said as she turned it to face him.
Rules
There can be no more than two to a group.
One must be a current student; the other must be an outside source.
No dark magic is allowed.
Genies are not permitted to enter due to Lamp Ordinances.
No spells with detrimental intentions.
Note: No outside help from spell casters such as Merlin is allowed.
Requirements
Each team is required to create and utilize two spells intended to aid others, three potions intended to alter appearances and/or cause a change of personality, and design a wand replica (which must be either red, gold, or purple and be standard sized). Wands must be functional according to magic standards.
Each checklist item must be demonstrated on the day of the competition, and all must meet regulations.
Cedric massaged his temples after having read the entirety of the announcement. "It's as if they make this competition unnecessarily rigid in its rules," he complained.
"They have to, I guess," Sofia responded with a shrug. "I think it's to keep kids safe and to make everything fair." She smiled pleasantly. "So…do you want to get a head start on our entry? I'll let Ms. Flora know we're entering tomorrow."
"Certainly. When is the competition?"
She smiled sheepishly. "This weekend…"
Cedric gave the girl a deadpanned look. "Today is Wednesday! You expect us to come up with two spells, three potions, and a functional wand in three days?"
Sofia giggled. "You're worrying over nothing, Mr. Cedric! We can do this. You're the best sorcerer I know, and I don't give up easily."
He sighed and nodded. "Well, that's most definitely true. Still, I'm afraid a victory is questionable at the moment…"
"It's not about victory, Mr. Cedric. It's about working together and having fun." She smiled. "Even if we don't win, it's not the end of the world. I'm just glad I get to be your partner for once!"
Cedric smiled at the sweet comment from his apprentice. It meant a lot to him that she still thought so highly of him. Then again, it always had. "As am I, Princess." He grabbed his wand from the table and stated, "Let's get started."
The student and mentor studied options for both spells and potions the rest of their session and finally began to decide on the ones that would likely produce a favorable outcome for themselves.
"Starting with the two spells meant to help people," Cedric began as he turned the spell book around to face Sofia, "we could try this one here. What do you think?"
Sofia scanned the page before nodding. "A healing spell," she summarized before smiling at him. "Have you had to use that spell often?"
"Not really, though you'd think with Prince James and his shenanigans, I'd use it quite a bit." He smiled as she giggled. "Why don't you pick the second spell?"
"All right." Sofia returned to the spell book and grabbed a book mark, placing it into the crease to keep her place. She then turned the pages until she came across another promising spell. "What is a Rewind Spell exactly?"
Cedric tapped his fingers against his hand, unsure if he should tell his apprentice about this one. Sure, she'd figure it out eventually, and he expected her to be able to handle and utilize the spell well, but even some of the most experienced and mature magic wielders in the past had abused this one in particular. Still, he knew she'd continue inquiring about it, so he sighed and let her in. "It's something of a do-over spell." Seeing the confused look she had, he gestured lightly with his right hand. "Say you made a mistake that could be problematic for you, and you want to go back in time and undo what's been done. With the Rewind Spell, you can actually do that; however, it's only intended for the previous five minutes. Any occurrence prior to that will not be affected."
She pondered his information before asking softly, "Have you ever used that spell on me, Mr. Cedric? Or during any time related to my amulet?"
Cedric shook his head fervently. "No, Sofia. In fact, I've not used it in several years now. After an incident between Cordelia and myself when we were younger, I decided it would be best to avoid it for the time being." He shifted slightly. "Time is a tricky thing, my dear. Many argue it doesn't even exist, that we as humans made up the concept in order to be able to cope with the passing of the days. Others argue that it is a 'virtue' and that we should be careful not to let it slip by. In reality, time means something different to everyone. Yet even the tiniest detail in the ripple of reality can alter a path someone is on and possibly change things forever."
The princess blinked at him before holding a hand to her head. "That's a lot to take in, Mr. Cedric."
He chuckled. "Indeed. Which is why we should probably look elsewhere for a different spell. I'd rather not mess around with time, because while this spell could in fact be helpful to people, there are those who would misuse it and cause more problems."
"I agree. I'll keep looking." She turned a few more pages before smiling triumphantly. "Ah-ha! How about a Weather Neutralizer spell?"
"Hmm, now that might be useful and doable for this competition." Cedric twirled his wand absentmindedly as he continued, "Sometimes the weather can be a bit of a nuisance or even dangerous. It would be a great help to people if they did have this spell: something that could control nature, as it were… Brilliant, Sofia."
She grinned. "James won't be too happy if you steal his favorite adjective, Mr. Cedric," she joked, making him chuckle. "Okay, now onto the potions!" She read over the requirements for the potions once again. "We need three potions for changing someone's appearance or personality…"
"I recall my professor mentioning a potion several years ago in regards to changing personalities. One sip, and the person in question has a—shall we say—altered state of conscious?"
Sofia blinked. "What?"
Cedric hummed thoughtfully before shrugging. "All right, take yourself for example. In general, you're quite humble, modest, caring, and all around good."
She beamed at his summary of her personality.
"If you were to sip the potion, you would probably be the opposite of that: vain, irresponsible, and careless."
"So…Slickwell?" She giggled as Cedric rolled his eyes. "I understand. Well, I mean, if it's just for the competition and it's not used as something bad, I don't see why not. What's the potion called?"
"Potion 180. Mathematical relations aside, it was quite entertaining to see your father accidentally consume some when we were younger." He started snickering.
Sofia couldn't help laughing a bit. "Wait, so Dad actually drank some? He became, what? Shy?"
"Mm, among other things… Anyway, Potion 180 it is. Now we need to come up with two more potions… Let's focus on physical appearances now."
The princess looked through the potion list and frowned. "I kind of wish there was a potion that would change you into someone you admire."
"Who said there wasn't?"
She looked up at Cedric with wide eyes. "Are you serious? And I'm just hearing about it now?" She leaned forward excitedly. "What's it called?"
"'When You Wish Upon a Potion,' ironically enough… Or WYW for short." He turned the book around so he could find the necessary information and then pushed the book back in her direction. "When one drinks this particular potion, he or she can become whomever is requested via a wish. For example, say I were to drink the potion. Immediately afterward, I'd say, perhaps, 'I wish I were Merlin.' Then poof! I'd have the outward appearance of Merlin. Of course, I could never physically be the man himself, because there can only exist one of every person in the world, so this is sort of like replicating someone… Understand?"
"…Magic is complicated sometimes, isn't it?" She giggled.
"You've no idea… Okay, WYW is our second one."
"You don't think my amulet would counteract with these potions and spells, do you?" Sofia suddenly wondered as she held onto her gem.
"Oh, I hadn't considered that… Well, I suppose we could try during our trial and error phase. If for some reason your amulet negates the spells and potions, I will be the one to take over and demonstrate. Fair enough?"
Sofia nodded. "Yeah… Hey, can our last potion be an aging potion?"
"Certainly. I have at least three of those… It could be rather interesting to see the outcome of that. And I suggest that we use the Fountain Potion."
"What's that?"
"You've heard of the oft-spoken Fountain of Youth, correct?" Seeing her nod, he shrugged. "Well, some of us sorcerers ages ago got together and created something of a mock potion for youthful appearance. It's only temporary, of course, but it will get the job done. Therefore, it's simply named the Fountain Potion based on its intent."
"Great. Since I have only so far I can go back, if I do end up demonstrating, hopefully it won't go too far." She laughed.
"Right," he agreed with a small laugh. "All right, then. We're settled on those. Now it's time to see to this magical wand business. I can design a wand with little trouble; however, we'll need to look into the magical insertion. First: what color should it be?"
Sofia gave her mentor a sarcastic look.
"Purple it is then," he chuckled. "Each wand should be between nine and fourteen inches, so I say let's go with a standard foot." Seeing her nod, he conjured up a wand with his own and a few muttered phrases that the girl didn't quite make out. The empty vessel lay between the friends, waiting for its purpose.
"So what now?" she asked curiously.
"We'll need to put some magic into it somehow, but I'm generally not very good at such a thing… Perhaps we should seek out my father…or Merlin himself."
Sofia smiled as she picked up the wand. "Or maybe there's a spell that—whoa!" She gasped as her amulet reacted, the pink jewel reflecting an undetermined source of light and reacting with the wand vessel. Before long, the amulet settled and relaxed against her dress again as the wand shimmered with sparkling magic coursing from its source. "…What just happened?"
Cedric stared at the wand in awe before looking toward the girl. "I don't believe I'm wrong in saying that you may very well be a 'magical princess' after all, Sofia…"
She gazed at the wand in question before laughing lightly and smiling at her mentor. "It's only every little girl's dream, and now…now, I guess I finally get to live that dream." She lifted the wand slightly. "Should we test it?"
"Go ahead. Try a simple spell. Bounciglius, perhaps?"
She nodded and aimed the wand at a random book lying on his floor. "Bounciglius!" She grinned as the book responded and bounced several times around the room before obeying her command to stop. "Wow, this is so neat! We made our own wand, Mr. Cedric!"
"Yes, I suppose it's fair to say that it's our first official collaboration. Well, that resulted in a physical object, anyway." He stood to his feet and stretched momentarily before looking back toward the girl. "I believe it's close to dinnertime, my dear. We can reconvene tomorrow and begin creating those potions and gathering necessary information for the spells."
"Okay. Here, will you keep this somewhere safe? I really don't want anything to happen to it." She handed him the wand.
"Absolutely. I have just the place for it." He walked over and lifted the case she's made him a few Wassailias ago and nestled it beside his family wand before turning back to her. "Till tomorrow then?"
Sofia nodded and gave him a hug. "Good night, Mr. Cedric." She turned and left the tower in high spirits.
Cedric turned back to the wand in question and observed it curiously. Sofia's amulet was indeed more powerful than he'd imagined…if it could do something like that. He'd relinquished his objective of taking over the kingdom and using her amulet, but that didn't mean others had. And the fact that they would be up against others from Hexley Hall, led by none other than Grimtrix, did worry him. He hadn't wanted to admit such a thing to Sofia, because the last thing he'd wanted to do was worry her. Still, he made a vow to protect her and her amulet, and hopefully this competition was indeed just that: a competition.
Meanwhile, a low and impressed chuckle echoed in a dark room. The Enchancian sorcerer's face hovered midair in a hologram. "That's right, Cedric," the voice taunted in amusement, "just keep the princess busy and happy. Soon enough, I'll harvest her power and yours and teach you both a thing or two…so be prepared."
To be continued….
List of chapters:
Chapter 1: Be Prepared
Chapter 2: Spell It Out
Chapter 3: What We Do Best