Silhouettes
Summary: When Sofia suffers a strange attack at school, the royal family turns to Cedric for answers. He determines that she's under attack by someone who possesses dark magic, and it's up to them to figure out who the culprit is before it's too late.
Disclaimer: I don't own the show. I own only a few particular characters mentioned in here.
A/N: Hi, guys! Let's start off by answering a few questions. For Curly J, in my stories, yes, Cordelia is aware that Cedric nearly took over the kingdom (it's suggested that they've had a private discussion about that in my works). Also, yes, Calista will show up in the story. In this chapter, actually. :D For bridgeportfox: nice observation for chapter 2! Sofia's threat has occurred now in Mr. P's class and Miss Fauna's class. So, yes… ;) There's a reason! And to all of you, thank you SO much for the excellent feedback. It helps so much and puts a smile on my face. You all are the reason I keep writing. ;) I enjoy seeing your speculations and takes on things. They make things even better. With all that said, enjoy chapter 4! You're about to find out just how Sofia got that dark mark in the first place. ;)
*Story*
Chapter 4: The Mark of Mayhem
While Sofia got some rest, Cedric decided it would be best to transfer his research to the library for the time being so as not to disturb the girl's much-needed slumber. His sister joined him not long after informing Roland of recent developments. Further digging into the books proved that the Mark of Mayhem was technically used to physically and mentally attack victims from afar, and it was usually passed to a human via contact with a plant known as the Snapping Dragon.
"What on earth kind of a plant is that?" Cordelia wondered curiously after Cedric had read aloud the information.
"A disastrous kind, I'm sure…" Cedric rolled his eyes. "Leave it to the malevolent-sounding plant to be the one that could transfer a dark mark. So original."
"That begs the question," the sorceress began with a frown, "of who would know enough about these plants to explain their origin—not to mention how they even came to bear the Mark of Mayhem in the first place."
The Royal Sorcerer pondered momentarily before heaving a sigh. "I think I might know someone who can help."
The next day, a Saturday, Miss Nettle arrived as a proper guest of Enchancia for the first time. She was in awe of how kindly they treated her now as opposed to the unfortunate last time during the feast. But she digressed. She was here on a mission, and she was determined to see it through.
"I'm here to see to Princess Sofia," she announced to a set of guards who'd stopped her to question her. "I was summoned by the Royal Sorcerer Cedric."
One guard laughed. "Cedric summoned a fairy to help the princess?" he snorted. "Classic."
"Oh, grow up, Nedley," the older guard scoffed with a roll of his eyes. "At least he is trying to help the princess. Show a little class."
The younger guard hung his head in shame as the fairy smirked while being allowed through to the castle. Call it her leftover troublemaking side, but she still enjoyed seeing self-righteous people being put in their place. She quickly fluttered through the doors of the castle and paused, blinking as none other than Cedric approached her. "Where is she?" she asked calmly.
"Before I lead you to her," the sorcerer started apprehensively, "you must swear you are not going to harm her, even though she has said over and over again that you've changed." He folded his arms. "It's not necessarily that I don't believe it, but it's just that you and I aren't as different as one would assume, and I know the mind of a previously misguided person, so…"
Hearing his words and understanding where he was coming from, Miss Nettle held up one hand and placed the other over her heart. "I promise you, Cedric, that I'm only here to see to Sofia and her wellbeing. I mean her no ill will. She's helped me, you know…"
He nodded and hummed softly. "I'm quite familiar with the situation. I've been there myself." He turned and began walking before she had a chance to question him. "Anyway, I suppose I should fill you in."
"That would be nice."
So he started from the beginning with Sofia's experiences at school, her sudden sensations of attacks, the presence of the dark mark, the concept of dark magic being present, and every other thing he could think of. He saw little use in holding back, because in the long run, it wouldn't help Sofia to leave out crucial or seemingly trivial details. He finalized his explanation as soon as they entered Sofia's room, where the princess was actually sitting on her window seat and staring out the window.
"Sofia," Cedric greeted gently so as not to surprise her. "Someone has come to see you."
Sofia turned slowly and actually lit up at the sight of the fair-haired fairy. "Miss Nettle?" she gasped before standing and walking over to them. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to help you," she responded simply with a smile. "I hear you've fallen under the effects of dark magic." She sighed when Sofia frowned and nodded reluctantly. "We'll get to the bottom of this. Come, let's sit down so we can discuss everything."
Sofia climbed onto her bed and gestured for her friends to sit down on it as well. No sooner had they gotten settled than a knock fell upon the door. She smiled. "I know that excited knock. Come in, Calista!"
The tiny sorceress-in-training quickly bounded through the door and over to the bed, where she hopped onto the mattress and fitfully began observing her friend. "Sofia, Mummy told me you're quite unwell," she lamented dramatically as she felt her forehead. "Are you ill? Do you have a fever? Have you gone mad?"
"Calista," Cedric chided as the child calmed her hysterics.
"Uncle Ceddy? I didn't even see you there." She tilted her head as she observed Miss Nettle for the first time. "Hello! I'm Calista. What's your name?"
"I'm Miss Nettle. I'm here to help Sofia."
"Help her? Is she going to be all right?" Calista whirled around, tightly hugging an unprepared Sofia and wailing dramatically, "I can't lose her! She's my bestest friend!"
Sofia smiled and gently loosened the younger girl's hold before stroking her hair in a soothing manner. "I'm going to be okay, Calista. Your uncle and Miss Nettle are working to help me."
"You're an uncle?" Miss Nettle asked in surprise. "Strange. I would have fancied you an only child."
Cedric shot the woman a pointed look. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Anyway," Sofia interjected, just in case old habits really did die hard and those two started yet another argument (she did not want another Sascha event on her hands). "Miss Nettle, if there's anything you can do to help, I'd really appreciate it. I don't really know enough about everything I'm going through right now, and any perspective would be great." She smiled lightly as Calista clung to her arm, obviously afraid for her friend.
"Well, Cedric filled me in on what has been going on. From what I'm told, his research has revealed that your dark mark—the Mark of Mayhem—came from a flower known as the Snapping Dragon."
The princess simply blinked. "…What?"
"Yes. They're extremely rare and very sinister, and even I won't keep them in my own gardens, nor do I want anything to do with them at all." She waved her wand and produced a floating image of the flower in question: a deep red flower with exactly five petals and a white tip to each petal. "This is the Snapping Dragon. Obviously, you must have somehow come into contact with it in order to garner the mark, Sofia. Though honestly, I don't see your castle keeping any on its grounds, and why Royal Prep would have them is beyond me…" She paused as she placed her hand to her chin. "Though I suppose they may have been disguised as another type of flower…"
Sofia's eyes widened. "Wait a minute. I just remembered something." She sat up straighter as Calista leaned back and folded her legs under her. "Desmond and I went to the greenhouse on the first day of my attack; we needed to tend to some of the plants before class started." She frowned thoughtfully. "There was a new plant I didn't recognize in there." She gasped in realization. "It was dark red and had white tips on the petals. A-And when I reached out to touch it, I felt a small zap. I was kind of surprised, but I didn't feel hurt or anything like that, and Desmond didn't say anything or see anything for that matter, so I just kind of…forgot about it, I guess." She sighed. "A few minutes later in class, that's when my first attack happened."
Miss Nettle nodded. "Yes, I'm afraid that is indeed the Snapping Dragon. It's known for its malicious coloring and 'zapping' quality. Typically, though, it's only used in dark magic rituals and such…hence the reason it produces the Mark of Mayhem."
The young girl now appeared quite frightened. Great. It wasn't enough to have to deal with bad guys, schooling, royal versus non-royal obligations, and other general things… Now she had to worry about an evil flower basically possessing her? "How do I get rid of it, Miss Nettle? I can't take much more of this…"
"I'm afraid the only person who can alleviate your problem is the conjuror who created it. Now it's only a matter of figuring out exactly who that particular conjuror is."
"Are you kidding me?" Cedric huffed as he folded his arms. "This dangerous flower power is worse than a blooming curse."
Miss Nettle couldn't help snickering. "I'm loving all the flower puns, Cedric."
He rolled his eyes. "Oh, come off it, Nettle. It was unintentional. My only focus right now is Sofia and removing this ridiculous dark mark from her before it causes her any more grief."
"I understand, trust me." Miss Nettle gazed at the tired princess. "All I recommend, Sofia, is pay particular attention to the students when you return to school. Look for the signs. Detachment is a big key factor."
She nodded in understanding. "Thanks, Miss Nettle."
After the fairy had left, Cordelia had arrived to pick up Calista for her studies, leaving the two friends alone to discuss.
"So what do you think?" Cedric asked as he leaned against the wall next to her bed.
Sofia sighed as she collapsed against her headboard. "I think this is only the beginning, Mr. Cedric…"
To be continued…
