A/N: Credit goes to Grojbandian180 for helping me write this chapter.


The next day, Laney arrived at the train station with her stuff, wearing her usual outfit. For those of you who didn't read the previous story (Laneabella: the Secret Disney Princess), she changed up her look for a more feminine design. Her outfit consisted of a sleeveless casual lime green and black striped dress with a yellow long-sleeved shirt underneath, red legging shorts, and tall laced-up black heeled boots. She still wore her yellow barrette. After all, Corey gave it to her when they became friends.

Since the letter said there will be outfits provided for her, Laney only packed her bass, her pet cat, and her favorite princess trinkets, which included the pearl necklace she got during the week-long vacation in Disneyland. It was that vacation that changed her life. She learned that people accepted her true self and she should no longer dress up as a tomboy to hide her natural beauty. In fact, according to the letter, it was why she had to leave Peaceville. It was time to embrace her true destiny.

Soon, a train pulled up. But it wasn't like any other train. It was deep red with golden details. When it stopped, the door opened, waiting for Laney to step through. So after taking one last look at Peaceville, the red-haired girl picked up her bags and entered the train.


As the train left Peaceville, Laney took her seat. Looking out the window, she saw her hometown getting further and further until she could no longer see it. She felt a stray tear drip down her cheek. She was going to miss her friends and family. She knew the guys were probably wondering where she was and Mira was trying her best to come up with some excuse. She wasn't sure what she would say, but it would have to be convincing. After all, she had to let go of the past. The guys can always find another bassist to take her place.

A soft meow broke her thoughts. Looking at the cat carrier, Laney saw Esmerelda, a cute little kitty cat with light orange fur. "What is it girl?" the bassist asked. "See something?"

Esmerelda lifted up her paw, pointing at a nearby light blue book. Curious, Laney walked over to the book. There was a note on the cover.

To help uncover your inner magic. -Maremell

Laney recognized that name. Maremell was the one who sent her the letter. She knew why he was important, how he knew about her father. It seemed like he did everything he could to make her new life enjoyable. Wondering what this book was about, she opened it to a bookmarked page. From what she read, it appeared that she was reading some kind of spellbook. Was she supposed to learn magic? If so, why?

Pushing those questions aside, Laney decided to experiment with one of the spells. After going over the listed spells, she went with the simplest one. All she had to do was recite a Latin phrase out loud. So she did. "Vestimenta Reformabit."

In a swirl of diamond sparkles, Laney's outfit changed. Gone were her casual dress, long-sleeved shirt, legging shorts, and heeled boots. Instead, she wore a sparkling dark green ballgown and black flats. Upon closer inspection, the gown matched the exact same shade of her eyes. She felt absolutely beautiful, even moreso than when she attended the fantasy ball in Disneyland.

An idea appeared in Laney's head. She started to go through the spellbook, wondering what other spells she could use...


By the time the train pulled in, Laney stepped off with her bags, looking extravagant. Her new dress sparkled in the sunlight, her long red hair was perfectly curled, and her eyelids were decorated with emerald green eyeshadow and black mascara. And to top off her look were her yellow barrette and her pearl necklace. Everyone nearby was surprised to see her, but instead of feeling uncomfortable, she knew this felt right. Even the whispered compliments made her smile.

"Is that her?"

"She is prettier than I imagined."

"After all these years, she has finally come."

"I hope she will be just like her kind father."

When Laney arrived at the entrance of an extravagant castle, a few maids approached her. "Ms. Penn, it is an honor for you to come," one of them said. "Do you remember what the letter said?"

"Yes, I remember," Laney answered, still smiling.

"How wonderful," another maid said. "And I can see you are already dressed. Shall we take your supplies to your new room?"

"Of course," Laney said, handing over her bags. "Just be careful with Esmerelda. She's a bit feisty."


Inside the castle, Laney walked over to a pair of tall doors. She could hear someone talking from inside the throne room.

"We are gathered here today in celebration of a momentous occasion. Ten years ago, the great Alexander Penn died in an unknown accident. After this tragic loss, I have done my best to manage this land. But just recently, I discovered something extraordinary. Alexander has an heiress to take his place. From what I saw through the World Wide Mirror Network, she has proved without a doubt that she is ready to take his place. People of Magica, may I present for the very first time: Princess Laney Penn!"

As if on cue, the doors opened, allowing Laney to enter the throne room. Thousands of people watched her walk down the aisle. Everyone was silent as classical instrumental music played. All the red-haired girl could think about was how real this felt. It was so...natural.

Waiting for her was an older man. He looked just like Mayor Mellow, except he wore a dark purple robe and a golden crown. When Laney approached him, she kneeled, allowing him to place a silver tiara on her head. She then stood to her full height and faced the cheering crowd. This was her moment, and she was pretty darn happy.

"WAIT!"

A familiar big-boned preteen boy ran in, a terrified look on his face. "Kon?" Laney asked. "What are you doing here?"

Kon got on his knees. "You have to come back to Peaceville!" he begged. "Grojband is nothing without you! If you never walked up to Kin and me that day, we would still be weird outcasts at school!"

"That still doesn't answer my question," Laney said.

Corey and Kin entered the throne room, walking over to the two preteens. "Kon made us come," Kin explained. "As soon as Corey told us you were leaving Peaceville and never coming back, he didn't take it well."

Flashback

"LANEY'S GONE?!" Kon yelped.

"It's for the best, guys," Corey said. "She's probably better off in this unknown place."

Kin frowned. "Too bad she couldn't say goodbye."

"WE CAN'T LET LANEY LEAVE!" Kon hollered, tightly griping his brother's shirt. "WE HAVE TO FOLLOW HER AND MAKE SURE SHE STAYS IN PEACEVILLE!"

End Flashback

"And how did Corey know?" Laney asked, still confused.

"My mom told me," Corey answered. "She said it's best for me to let you go."

"Hold up," Laney said. "How did your-" She didn't finish her sentence. The only other person who knew about the letter was Mira. And since she's friends with Amethyst...

Mira must have known telling Amethyst would lead to the guys finding out.

"So what's all this?" Corey asked. "Did this kingdom mistaken you for a princess lookalike?"

"It's about my dad," Laney answered. "According to a letter I received last night, he was the king of Magica before he left."

Kon got back on his feet. "For real?" he asked.

"Does this mean...?" Kin asked.

"I'm technically a blood-born princess," Laney said.

Corey was surprised to hear that. Was this true? Is Laney an actual princess? He looked as his girlfriend, noticing how different she looked because of this new information. She look too cute for words with her princess curls and emerald-green eyes. A dozen thoughts ran through his mind, a soft smile appearing on his face. Without thinking, his demon instincts kicked in, and he...gently grasped her hand and kneeled before her.

"Forgive us for the intrusion, your highness," Corey said. "We did not know of your royal heritage, for you had the appearance of a mere commoner. But looking at you, wearing such fine clothing and jewels, I now see the truth. You have beauty that leaves all other girls envious. I am blessed to have a beautiful maiden as my beloved, and no other girl can take your place."

Laney, Kin, and Kon were surprised to hear that. Corey never spoke like that. Even his behavior was strange. "Core...?" Laney asked.

"I hope this does not tamper with our relationship," Corey said, rising to his full height. "I still love you with all my heart, sweet Laneabella. You are forever my beloved."

The Mayor Mellow lookalike stepped in. "Laney do you know these people?" he asked.

"They're my friends from the other dimension," Laney explained. She looked over at her friends and boyfriend. "Guys, this is Maremell Richards, the royal advisor and my dad's closest friend. He was the one who sent me the letter."

"Pleased to meet you, sir," Kin said as Kon smiled and waved.

Maremell looked suspiciously at the boys. "I thought my instructions were clear," he told Laney. "You were forbidden to tell anyone."

"I didn't," Laney explained. "My mom couldn't keep her mouth shut."

"Figures," Maremell said. "I always thought those real world people were bad influences. If Alexander listened to me and agreed to marry Queen Meredith of Patronus, he would still be alive today!"

The kingdom natives immediately spoke in agreement. "We were without a proper ruler for years!" a woman said.

"Our dimensions should have never crossed!" a man said.

"So if you wish to keep Magica pure, I suggest you boys must leave immediately," Maremell said.

"Isn't there another option, Lanes?" Corey asked, still holding her hand. "Can't you still rule back in Peaceville?"

Laney shook her head in response. "You said it yourself," she said. "You can't imagine a world without me. But this kingdom needs me as well. Either the people of Magica lose their princess..."

"Or Grojband loses Laney Penn," Corey finished. He frowned. "So this is what you really want? To marry a prince charming and live happily ever after?"

Laney frowned as well. "I'm sorry, Core," she said. "But this is what my dad wanted. Someone to take his place as the next ruler."

Corey let go of Laney. "I thought so," he said. "But even when I go back to Peaceville and live a life without you, just know that I will always love you. I can never fall for another girl because of you. You're my special little princess, you always have been. Ever back when I first saw you seven years ago."

"On the school playground during recess?" Laney asked.

Corey slowly nodded in response. "And do you know what I saw that day?"

"Some mute loner with no friends?" Laney guessed.

"Not even close," Corey answered. "I saw the world's cutest girl. I didn't know it at the time, but I fell in love with her. And when she finally became my friend, that cute little girl changed my life for the better." He blinked, small tears coming from his eyes. "I just had no idea her cuteness would blossom into beauty. She ended up becoming beautiful, and I still love her."

Laney couldn't help but shed tears of joy as she kissed her boyfriend. He kissed back as he held the red-haired beauty in his arms. Kin and Kon smiled at that, knowing the two were always meant to be together.

A few seconds later, the kiss ended. "I love you too, Core," Laney whispered. "You were the first friend I ever made. You helped me change into a better person, and I love you because of it." She looked at their intertwined hands. "I'm glad you feel the same way." Tears emerged from here own eyes as she separated her hands from Corey's. "But we can never be together. I'm a princess and you're just a rocker from Peaceville." She took out her barrette, the same one Corey gave her all those years ago, and put it in his hand, her sideswept bangs partially covering her face. "I'm so sorry."

Corey's smile vanished as Laney covered her face with both hands. He could tell she was quietly crying. "Lanes?" he asked. "A-Are you..."

"I'll never see you again," Laney said, still crying. "And over time, I may end up forgetting about you. It's the only way we can both have happy lives."

Corey looked at the barrette before he tightly closed his hand. He looked back at the red-haired girl one last time. "You're my sweet angelic princess," he said. "Even if I become a forgotten memory in your mind, I can never forget you." He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll always love you Laneabella."

And with that, Corey, Kin, and Kon left the castle, leaving Laney alone and heartbroken. "Come on, your highness," Maremell said. "You have royal duties to accomplish."