On the Contrary
Summary: Cedric and Sofia take Nana with them to a mystical realm called Opakari, which is said to be the reflected version of the Ever Realm. Here, they must navigate the unusual qualities of the new realm while also trying to solve a lingering mystery: the disappearance of the Immortal Princess Orenda.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sofia the First. However, I do own the OCs mentioned in here (minus Nana, who belongs to MarionetteJ2X) and the Opakari Realm.
A/N: I'm back! 😉 This is my first story in a while, and the first in a line of new stories. We'll consider this a new "series" of sorts, because many of these focus on a variety of new things and situations. (Yes, I'm aware how many times I typed 'new' in there. I'm trying to emphasize this. Lol!) You'll also see focus on some of my OCs (both new and old), as well as a continuous story line with Amber (hmm, haha). Nana will be rather important in this new series, which you'll find out more about later on. All of the upcoming stories (thus far) are listed on my Wix site! Also, I'm still not accepting requests for now; instead, I'm working on satisfying either older story discussions from the last year (that pertain to my post-story line) or working on my collaborations and/or my own stories. If I open them up again, I'll post this information on my bio page. Please be patient with me on this. 😊 Hope you enjoy the story!
PS: Just a reminder that Sofia dropped Cedric's title at the end of "Heartsong." Let's just say it took a while before they both got used to it. Lol!
Chapter 1: On Holiday
It was late March in Enchancia, and spring had finally arrived in the kingdom. After an active and snowy winter the last few months, most were glad to see the new blooms and green grass once again. Of course, that also meant that there were a few more days with rainfall as opposed to snowstorms, but most everyone seemed to prefer the former anyway.
The last few months had been relatively calm. Desmond and Amber were now married and settled into that new life together, and they were flirting a bit more openly since their marriage. Very few days went by when someone (royal family members, maids, servants, Baileywick, or whoever) didn't catch them kissing somewhere in the castle.
One morning, Cedric and Sofia (who had traversed outside to speak privately) happened to find Desmond without Amber for a change. He was relaxing outside with a book, enjoying the warmth of the sun on his back as he leaned against a tree.
"Morning, Desmond," Sofia greeted cheerfully as Cedric stopped next to her, his arms folded.
The prince smiled up at them. "Good morning, Sofia. Cedric." He placed his book aside for the time being. "How are you guys?"
The princess laughed. "We're fine. We haven't seen you and Amber very much in a while…"
He blushed modestly at his sister-in-law's teasing tone. "Sorry… We've been…discussing a lot of things."
"I see," Cedric murmured with a nod. "I'm guessing one of those 'discussions' included the pitter patter of little royal feet or something like that."
Sofia offered her partner a slightly sarcastic look before hearing the other royal sigh.
"Yeah, actually… We talked, and we'd love to have children as soon as possible, so…" He shrugged.
"Oh," Cedric responded, a bit taken aback by the prince's admission. "You're actually wanting children so soon?"
Desmond blushed a bit more, uncertain why this topic was so fascinating to the sorcerer. "W-Well, yes…"
"Why?" Cedric winced as he felt a sharp jab in his side.
"Cedric!" Sofia chided, frowning at him.
"Ow!" He chuckled nervously upon seeing the disappointed yet stern glare from his partner. "I-I mean… I apologize, Prince Desmond." He turned slightly so that Sofia wouldn't have such easy access to his side again (especially if he accidentally said something else insensitive). He noted the princess's eye roll and finished, "I know that probably came across as rude."
"You think?" She sighed, shaking her head. "Desmond, ignore him. He doesn't exactly have the 'paternal' gene."
The prince actually laughed at that comment, smiling as Cedric offered his friend a pathetic pout. "I don't know about that, Sofia. I've seen him with Nana… And even with Calista as she was growing up. He can be very fatherly when he wants to be."
Cedric laughed uncertainly, tugging at his gloves. "Yes, but we're not talking about me, now are we? Enjoy your book, Prince Desmond." He grasped Sofia's arm and pulled her away. "Come along, Sofia."
Desmond smiled and rolled his eyes before reclining against the tree once more, opening his book to the page where he'd left off.
"What was that all about?" Sofia asked curiously as they walked together at a bit slower of a pace.
"Nothing," he insisted, sighing. "Ah, the reason I asked to speak to you alone…" He gestured toward a bench. After she sat down, he followed her, his expression contemplative.
"I know that look," she admitted, folding her arms and glancing away. "When are you leaving?"
He smiled softly at her assumption before taking her hand, getting her attention. "Before you go jumping to conclusions, let me explain a few things. A few days ago, the Conjuror's Board contacted me about a potential disturbance in a mirrored realm to ours. It's called Opakari."
"Opakari?" She frowned.
"Yes. Evidently, Opakari is the 'reversed version of the Ever Realm,' according to Malango the Magnanimous."
It had been a while since she'd heard the board leader's name, but every time she did hear it, she never really associated it with anything good. No offense to Malango the Magnanimous, but he didn't exactly have the best track record for 'good reasons to contact.' The first time they'd met him was when he was bent on stripping Cedric of his powers and title. Another time was when they were needed to find a corrupted member of the board itself. And again with the Never Realm uprising… So yes, Malango's name alone didn't exactly fill her with joy.
"From what he told me, the realm has some strange underlying issues that need to be addressed, though none of the members of the Conjuror's Board, including Malango himself, can seem to pinpoint exactly what these 'issues' are. So… He's asked for my help."
"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, folding her arms. "We're partners, Cedric. We tell each other everything." She narrowed her eyes curiously at him. "Or do we?"
"For your information, I meant to tell you sooner, but…I forgot." He smiled sheepishly as she offered him a dubious stare. "It's true! I was so caught up in helping Baileywick and Cordelia decorate for the upcoming Spring Ball that I completely forgot."
"Uh-huh." She shrugged. "Well, I know what it's like to get caught up with something, so…fine. But look." She turned on the bench, tucking her legs underneath her as she leaned toward him, causing him to lean backwards a bit. "The last time you left for that week, Nana was so sad the whole time."
He smiled inwardly. 'Right. Nana was the only sad one. Mm-hmm.' Outwardly, he nodded. "I remember you telling me…"
"And how long would this mission take?"
"Maybe a month…or two…"
Her eyes widened. "I can't la—I mean… Nana will be upset if you're gone for a whole month, never mind two." She sat back against her ankles, folding her hands into her lap. "What am I supposed to tell her, Cedric?"
"That…you and Nana are both coming with me?" He smiled as she blinked at him.
"What?"
"If you want to, of course." He gestured vaguely toward the castle. "I mean, you could always stay here—"
"No!" She laughed as he jumped a bit upon hearing her insistent quip. "I mean… No, it would be best for all of us to go. For Nana's sake."
The sorcerer smirked at her reasoning. "Right. For Nana's sake…" He shook his head. "I was even thinking of bringing Wormwood with us, so that he can get out of here for a while, and Cordelia won't have to look after him like the last time you and I were gone."
The princess nodded. "That sounds like a good idea… Now we just need to tell my mom and dad."
"Which is always such a 'fun' thing to do," Cedric concluded, sighing. "It's bad enough you and I will be gone during the summer for the Magical Ambassador tour. I can't imagine how your father will react to this news."
"Sure."
Cedric and Sofia blinked simultaneously. They'd just explained to Roland and Miranda their upcoming adventure (or rather, quest), and the solitary word spoken by none other than the king himself had surprised them both.
"Really?" Sofia asked, a small laugh escaping her. "Just… Just 'sure?' No questioning, no stipulations, or anything like that?"
"I figure that you two have been on enough journeys and missions at this point to know my stipulations, Sofia," Roland chuckled. "Just come back safely, is all I ask. Both of you, and Nana, and even Wormwood."
Cedric hummed thoughtfully. He knew there was still a bit of lingering bad blood between his familiar and his friend, but it had certainly died down the last several years. "I'll protect them all with my life, sire."
"We know, Cedric," Miranda added, nodding. She smiled as Corban hurried over from his tiny throne (which was seated next to Sofia's) and threw his arms around Cedric's legs. "Aww, Corban."
Sofia grinned as her partner froze upon feeling the little boy's vice grip around his legs. "It's called a hug, Cedric," she teased, winking. "I'd think you'd be used to those by now."
He laughed nervously. "Yes, from you," he whispered back before leaning down and gently patting the prince on his head. "There, there, Prince Corban. All will be well. I will take care of your sister."
"I go too?" Corban asked, his large blue eyes watering.
"No, sweetie," Sofia cooed, picking up her little brother and cuddling him as he sniffled. "You need to stay here with Mommy and Daddy. Amber, James, and Desmond will still be here. And everyone else!"
"But no Sofia. No Ceddy." He hung his head. "No Nana?"
Cedric winced. This kid really knew how to go for the heartstrings. "Um… I'm afraid she's coming with us, Prince Corban… I'm sorry."
Corban broke down into tears, burying his face against his sister's shoulder as she gently patted his back. Nana was obviously his best friend, so not having her around was really upsetting to him.
Miranda smiled sympathetically. "I think he's going to miss you guys," she joked with a chuckle. "We're working on the whole attachment issue thing."
"Well, at least we know how you're related now," Cedric mumbled playfully to Sofia, who nudged him as best as she could without disturbing the little boy.
Corban sniffled again and raked his arm across his face, drying his eyes, before looking toward Cedric, his bottom lip trembling.
Cedric blinked before sighing. "Oh, for goodness… Come here." He held out his hands and chuckled as the boy practically dived into his arms and hugged him. "There, now. It's not going to be so bad. We'll be back before you know it."
"Promise?" he asked softly, his tiny fists curling into the sorcerer's robe.
"I promise."
"You promised that?" Sofia asked later as they were in the workshop, Nana now sitting on Cedric's lap as Sofia was packing things they'd likely need for the trip. "Cedric, we'll be gone at least a month, you said. Don't make promises like that to Corban. He doesn't understand why we're going anyway."
"I'm sorry, Sofia," he sighed, now focused on his task of brushing the little girl's hair before her bedtime. "I only meant to cheer him up. I hate seeing children cry."
"Me too," Wormwood remarked, yawning. "It's annoying." He rolled his eyes as Sofia glowered at him. "And tell me something. Why am I going on this oh-so-interesting adventure again?"
"Because you need a break as much as we do," Cedric responded before magically casting the brush away and hugging Nana to him. "Consider it going on holiday—a vacation, if you will."
The raven scoffed. "Cedric, give me a break. You said this whole thing was orchestrated by the Conjuror's Board. Nothing involving those fools is ever going to be a 'vacation.'"
"Well," Sofia began as she turned to the other three after finishing her task, "if nothing else, maybe we can figure out what these 'issues' are pretty quickly, and then take a short vacation before coming back here. I don't know about you guys, but as much as I've enjoyed the relative calm and peace the last few months since the Never Realm's destruction, I do miss the adventure and excitement of new places and missions."
Wormwood gave the princess a peculiar stare. "You are a strange princess. You want peace, yet you want action. Make up your mind, would you?"
Sofia giggled.
She had no idea just how much 'action and excitement' they were all about to be in for.
To be continued…
Next Chapter: The Other Side