The Amulet of Enchancia
Summary: Amber learns from a traveling fortune teller that the Amulet of Avalor had a twin jewel cut from the same stone: The Amulet of Enchancia. The princess makes it her mission to find the amulet so she can finally have a magical gem of her own.
Disclaimer: I only own a few secret characters in here and the Amulet of Enchancia (and I can't even believe I'm saying that, lol), but I don't own the descriptive title, of course.
A/N: After chatting with Creepy-Pasta about a few things, this whole scenario just started sounding more and more amazing. What started off as a simple conversation turned into a whole full-blown, detailed, really cool story line, and I wanted to make sure to get this story written down. 😉 A *huge* thank you to Creepy-Pasta for the awesome input and ideas, many of which did make it into the final product. Enjoy!
Note: The ending sequence of this story (and a good part of the plot line, which you'll see) may be considered a bit AU, but, eh… It's an enchanted world, so I figure just about anything is possible. Although I wouldn't take things at face value in here, if I were you. 😉 Many of you know how I operate by now, so let's see who catches on. 😊 Also, there is a reference to my story "What's Inside" in here. Have fun!
Chapter List:
1: The Legend of the Twin Amulets
2: Fact or Fiction
3: The Heart of Enchancia
4: Two Sides to Every Story
5: Storybook Ending
*Story*
Chapter 1: The Legend of the Twin Amulets
"I just love it when the bazaar comes to Enchancia," Amber gushed as she, James, and Sofia walked along, looking at the new variety of goods the vendors had to offer. "There are just so many things to see."
"So many things you don't need," James teased with a grin before waving his hands defensively as his twin shot him a look. "I'm just saying, Amber… I mean, really, how much jewelry do you girls need anyway? You with your tiaras and earrings, and Sofia over here with her amulet and that huge clunky bracelet she practically never takes off."
Amber and Sofia exchanged glances before looking in different directions. James was still in the dark about Sofia's secret life as a Protector, and while Amber only knew the basics of what Sofia would offer, she still knew more than James…or anyone, for that matter. Still, the less their brother knew, the better.
"I just came for fun," Sofia laughed, changing the subject. "I don't usually buy anything at these events. I just like to look around and see what sort of specialties people have." She gestured toward an artist's booth. "Like him, for example. Look at those beautiful paintings!"
"Or at these lovely shoes!" Amber squealed as she picked up a pair of slippers made of hand-spun gold. "Simply amazing…"
"Amazing indeed," came an old, nearly withered voice from nearby.
The siblings turned and saw an older woman dressed in a rather colorful outfit sitting at a table, her gnarled fingers gently caressing a crystal ball. Her hair was as white as snow, thin and wispy as it curled around her shoulder blades. Her eyes were a beautiful violet, a strange color not often seen in Enchancia. She appeared to be a fortune teller.
"Did you say something?" James asked, fascinated by the old woman and her mysterious nature.
"I see before me the keeper of the Amulet of Avalor." She smiled gently, her eyes flickering over to Sofia, who blinked. "Speak your name, child."
"Sofia," the youngest royal responded almost instantly. "Princess Sofia of Enchancia."
"Ah, yes, I've heard a great deal about you, little one. Many good things." She pointed toward the pink gem. "Your amulet has changed color yet again, I see."
Sofia laughed. "Yes… I've heard it's been red, purple when I first got it, and now pink…"
"It's not so surprising, especially with its Maruvian roots." She chuckled softly. "Its twin is far more colorful though, I must say."
"Yes, well," Amber began distractedly, "it's been nice talking to you, but we must—" She paused before turning quickly toward the old woman. "Wait a minute. Did you say its twin?" She slid over to her sister, grabbing up the amulet and pointing at it emphatically as Sofia struggled to get the blonde to lower it. "As in, the twin of the Amulet of Avalor?"
"Of course," the old woman said airily. "Are you not aware?" She waved one hand over the crystal ball as the older princess released the amulet, causing Sofia to sigh in relief. "Well, it is a rather ancient story, so you young ones may not be familiar with the tale. The Amulet of Avalor was cut from the same stone as its twin: The Amulet of Enchancia."
The siblings gasped sharply.
"The Amulet of Enchancia?" Sofia repeated, shocked.
"Is it here?" James wondered.
"Are you serious?" Amber finally voiced, eyes narrowed and focused on the woman and her languid movements. "Why haven't we heard about this until now? We've lived here our entire lives, and this is the first we've ever heard about an Enchancian amulet."
"Some things simply remain a secret, dear girl," the woman offered with a slight shrug. She reached out to Sofia, a kind smile playing on her features. "Take my hand, Sofia."
Hesitating only momentarily, Sofia finally sighed and did as the mysterious fortune teller requested. Her blue eyes widened as the crystal ball cleared its typical foggy imagery to reveal an amulet similar to hers, only it had a triplicate of colors: blue, gold, and red, the colors of the Enchancian flag. "Wow…"
"It is said that the amulets are named after their primary kingdoms they were meant to inhabit," the woman explained. "However, you probably don't know how the kingdoms got their names." She waved her hand over the crystal ball, producing a new image of two people standing next to each other. "Each kingdom was named after each twin. Avalor took its name from the female twin, and Enchancia took its name from the male."
The twins in question looked rather surreal. The girl in the image wore a pale purple floor-length dress, accented by black lacing details. Her long pink hair nearly reached the floor as well, but it appeared to curl around her legs. Her eyes were a softer shade of pink, and they practically peered into one's soul.
The boy in the image had long royal blue hair tied into a thick ponytail and matching eyes. He wore a navy and gold long-sleeved tunic over red pants and blackish-blue boots. A ring lay around his left ring finger, the same shades as his color scheme.
"So," Sofia began uncertainly as the woman released her hand, "are those two…in these amulets or something? Like, is the spirit of the Avaloran twin in my amulet right now?" She picked up her amulet, staring at it curiously.
"No one knows for sure, dear. Like I said, it's all quite a mystery."
"Never mind those twins," Amber interrupted as she hurried over to the fortune teller. "Where is the Amulet of Enchancia?"
"It's here," she answered, her violet eyes turning to the older princess. "It's here in Enchancia. It always has been."
"What happens if someone finds it?" James asked inquisitively, getting his sister's attention. Yeah, apparently that was something else she wanted to know.
"Like the Amulet of Avalor, the Amulet of Enchancia may have the ability to choose its wearer-someone it deems worthy. However, it is possible that the amulet is…sleeping right now."
"Oh, great," Amber sighed. "Amulets sleep now."
The old woman laughed. "Not literally, Princess Amber. I only mean that perhaps it is simply in a quiet state."
She frowned. "How do you know my name?"
"Everyone knows the Crown Princess of Enchancia…" She waved her hands over the crystal ball a few more times, avoiding their gazes. "If you wish to seek out the Avaloran amulet's twin, then I suggest seeking out the Heart of Enchancia."
"What does that mean?" Amber asked, distressed by all the code lingo that she just couldn't understand.
"Children," Baileywick's voice called from near the entrance to the bazaar, the kids turning to face him. "It's time to return to the castle."
"We're coming, Baileywick!" Sofia answered. "Thanks for all the…" She turned to address the old woman again and then blinked in surprise when she realized she was gone. "Okay… That was weird."
"Sofia, you're good with riddles and words with double meanings," Amber pointed out as the trio began walking toward Baileywick. "What did that woman mean, the Heart of Enchancia? And how are we supposed to find the Amulet of Enchancia?"
"Do we want to?" Sofia countered, smiling uncertainly as Amber offered her an exasperated look. "Apparently we do…" She shrugged. "Well, Mr. Cedric has a book with information on my amulet. Maybe there's something in it about the other amulet, and maybe he knows about the 'Heart of Enchancia.'"
"Maybe it's like buried treasure or something," James suggested excitedly. "And we'll have to fight off pirates to get it!"
Amber rolled her eyes. "It wouldn't be the first time we've dealt with pirates." She smiled back to her sister. "When we get home, let's go talk to Cedric."
Sofia nodded, though she had to wonder how her mentor would respond to this whole scenario, and whether he was even aware that the supposed twin amulet even existed.
To be continued…