My Sister's Keeper

by GradGirl2010

After seven long years, Lydia, an ambitious Sorceress and older sister to Sofia, has returned to Enchancia. Come to live her family - old and new. Her presence has Cedric fuming. His goal to take over the kingdom has yet another obstacle. And, so long as he threatens her family, Lydia intends to stay there. No matter what the Royal Sorcerer has to throw at her.

6. Duel of the Sorcerers Round 1

Duel of the Sorcerers

Round 1 – Hardened Resolve

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Alright peeps! I'm going to try a music fic! (Insert scary music). If it doesn't work, I'll rewrite the chapter! But I want to give this a chance. Not to mention, I will be using familiar scenarios and songs from some oldie but goodie shows/movies.

Song that will be used –

1) This Day (personal revision)

By: Princess Cadence and Queen Chrysalis – My Little Pony

Hope you enjoy. ;) You don't? Well keep it to yourself and walk away.

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3:00am – Also known to many as the witching hour. The hour when supernatural forces are at their peak and all magic in the land is at its zenith. The glow of the crescent moon light up the stars of the night sky, basking the Kingdom of Enchancia in its loving light. Owls and Crickets sang their hymns in reverence of the moon and stars. Fireflies danced about each other's in sync with light breeze whistling through the leaves of the trees. Pleasant trickles of the rivers flowed listlessly down their streams, reflecting the ambient moon.

Bright, multicolored flashes ignited in the window of Cedric's tower. Off key singing trilled, victorious cackles sounded. Wormwood perched on the ridge of the roof, escaping the too bright lights and explosions. Surprisingly no one woke up. A firecracker of light whisked out the window, exploding in a flamboyant display of color, startling Wormwood. Again, no one woke from their sleep. A silence bubble around his tower helped with that.

Cedric, after putting the finishing touches on a particular potion, laughed victoriously and held it to the moonlight shining in from the window. Make shift lightning, caused by a mixture of powders and magic. "Yes, yes, yes, OH YES!" He congratulated himself. He hugged the potion beaker to his cheek adoringly. "That little brat…this day, she will fall to my feet!" He tossed the beaker into the air. It twirled, spilling the content in midair. Cedric sent a stream of magic from his wand, catching the liquid in the air, and orbited it around its beaker.

"This day is going to be perfect." He slithered the contents back into the beaker and placed it on his work desk. "On this day" He admired the beaker, "I shall bring Princess Lydia to her knees." He raised his wand over his head, "Every noble will gather round," He whirled the wand, summoning figures of the royals, "Gasp in horror when she's on the ground." A miniature figure of Lydia appeared in his hand. "And she shall be the first who falls to me." He crushed the Lydia.

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Lydia stood in the center of her room, several books orbiting around her. She flourished her wand like a conductor of an orchestra. The words within the pages highlighted themselves. The knowledge she retained from her years in school flowed into her mind, refreshing her memory. Potions, spells, simple herbs – everything came back. The glow from the moon reflected off the marble floor, alighting the determination flaring in her eyes.

"This day is going to perfect." She flicked her hands out, stopping the books dead. "The very day in which Cedric shall fall to me." She flicked her wand toward the ground, creating a life size figure of Cedric. "No more mercy, punches pulled," The books flared open, pages flipping, "I will not look like a fool!" Lightning roared from the books, turning the false Cedric to Ash, "He shall regret the day he ever crossed wands with me."

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"I care not if the king hates me!" He struck a shadow Roland. "I could care less about the queen!" He shooed a shadow of Miranda away. "The Kids," He conjured Amber, Sofia, and James, "At her funeral they will say," He made James speak, "'You should have heeded Amber's warning." Sofia spoke next, "'Why didn't you back down when you could?'" He hoisted them into the air, "But truthfully I'd be disappointed if she did." He imploded the hollowed figures, turning them into dust. He stomped onto the dust, "I WILL MAKE HER A MARTYR! I WILL NOT SHOW HER MERCY!" Wormwood flew in and perched onto his wrist, "But if she doth beg for it, I MIGHT!" The two cackled sinisterly

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Colored smoke from finished potions puffed from beakers on Lydia work desk. "Must be on my toes and keep alert!" She spiraled her wand, gathering the smoke into a cyclone, "Mustn't falter or show weakness!" The smoke turned into liquid and was slipped into the beakers. "My mother and Sofia both see," Eezeyal landed on her shoulder, "All these years that I've been leaving," She hugged a hand to him, "The months I'd commit to training," He cuddled to her cheek, "Today will show that work hasn't been for naught!" She stumbled back, collapsing to her back on her bed. "This will prove to Sofia," Tears welled in her eyes, trickling to the blankets, "These seven years have been for her." Eezeyal stood at the top of her head, gazing to her somberly, "I vow to beat Cedric." She stroked Eezeyal on the head with a confident smile, "And keep my family safe." She rolled onto her knees and hugged Eezeyal close.

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Beakers, filed notes and spells, powders and herbs were all placed into Cedric's bag. His wand was polished, and soothing incents filled the air, clearing his mind. "In hours the moment will arrive!" He sauntered out to his balcony, basking in the moonlight. "This duel," Wormwood sat on his shoulder, "Will be last test of her life." He pet his Raven, gaining a grin from the black beak.

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Lydia leaned on the railing of her balcony, staring keenly at the moon. "For this duel - I cannot wait!" Eezeyal sat next to her. "Six feet under Cedric will be placed!" She clenched a confident fist. Her blue eyes ignited with fires, "This duel's VICTOR will be-"

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"ME!" Cedric boasted with a fist to his chest. He glanced to Wormwood with a smirk. "The winner shall be me. HA-HA-HA!" They laughed the night away.

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The sun rose from beyond the horizon, only to be obscured by the overcast clouds. There was a cooling breeze blowing over the land, but there was a thick and unbearably tension filling the air. The heat of a duel – anxiety, anticipation, excitement. It was hard to contain. Even from those serving spectators.

Barely 6:00am and already The Kingdom of Enchancia was flooded with carriages – sky and land – bringing nobles and royalty from all around to the castle. Friezenburg, Tangu, Weiling, Kaldune, and even farther. Teachers from Royal Prep arrived as well. Gossip and news of the upcoming duel that Friday morning was literally the talk of the town. Their excitement raged on like children waiting for the circus to begin. The servants of the palace were all abuzz with excitement as well. Refreshments and munchies were being prepared in the masses. An audience tends to get extra hungry during, what could be, an exciting event. Jade and Ruby arrived at the behest of Sofia. They were overjoyed to see Lydia again.

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"I can't believe how many people are showing up!" James gaped in utter awe from the banquet hall window. "Look at 'em!" Royalty and nobles in their finest attire herded over the bridge to the palace grounds. "I don't think this many people showed up from the wedding!"

"This is an auspicious and rare occasion." Miranda clarified, standing behind James. "The new Princess of Enchancia - also a Sorceress in Training - dueling a Royal Sorcerer?"

"What do they expect to happen?" Amber asked worriedly. "What are they hoping for?"

"I think it's more like they want to see if a Princess Sorceress can handle a balancing Magic and Royal studies." Roland corrected, placing a hand to Amber's shoulders. "This will be their way of determining if Royalty should balance magic and their kingdom."

"So if Lydia loses they'll ask her to stop training in magic?" Sofia questioned in outrage.

"Not necessarily." Roland motioned his hands for her to calm down. "But they may ask that she put the kingdom first and her magic second." He added regretfully

"But magic is Lydia's life." Sofia stressed. "She's trained and studied for the last seven years!" Every year Lydia would return with a new spell and a new way of helping her family. "They can't just ask her to stop."

To that Roland agreed completely. Since her arrival on Tuesday, Roland has been amazed by the level of commitment Lydia has put into preparing for this duel and the amount of time she spent studying. He's watched her train her mind and body to handle high levels of magic. The strain hurt her, but she was determined. He's witnessed the skill she displays, and the control she demonstrates. To say she's earned the Honors Certificate was a mild way of putting it. Were she granted to do so, he'd make her the new Royal Sorcerer. To ask her to stop…would be unconscionable. But as a princess – future queen of the realm – the kingdom does need to be made a priority.

"Speaking of which," Amber glanced to Lydia placed at the table. Her food was untouched, "Why hasn't Lydia come down for breakfast yet?"

"She has held herself up in her room." Baileywick announced, entering the Banquet Hall. "Lydia wishes to use this time to mentally and physically prepare herself."

"By starving herself?" Amber gasped. "Don't tell me she's done this while at school?"

"There was a case where Lydia forgot to eat the day of finals her fourth year." Miranda informed everyone, recalling somberly. "She collapsed on the way back to her dorm. She woke up the next day in a daze." James, Amber, and Sofia gaped in horror. Sofia never heard about this.

"Well that's not going to happen today." Roland scooped up Lydia food onto a tray and covered it with a large lid. "Wait for me in the throne room." The area where Sofia and Miranda first arrived to the kingdom. "I'll be back with Lydia."

"Shouldn't I go?" Miranda urged. "I know her."

"This is true. But I know better than you what it's like to study under stress." Miranda bobbed her head lazily. Roland kissed Miranda's forehead. "I'll get her out." He smirked. "Don't worry."

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"Hoo-hoo-hoo-HA-HA-HA!" Cedric stamped his feet uncontrollably. "So many people! Truth is I'm more nervous than medusa in a mirror shop!" He admitted to Wormwood. Cedric had a bad case of stage fright. "But knowing I'll be rooting that haughty princess deep within her own shame and humiliation is numbing that apprehension!" Wormwood cawed excitedly for him. He perched himself on Cedric's shoulder, showing he was right there with him. Cedric ran his fingers down the ebony wings, "And once she's gone…I'll feel freer than a bird."

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"Liddy!" Eezeyal cried to the ceiling. "Liddy I know you can hear me!" Lydia hovered in the air in a meditative position on a thick, plush pillow. Her eyes were closed, her thumb and index finger touching – A bonsai tree, two books, three beakers, and four pouches of some sort of powder orbited her. "Liddy come down before ya give yerself altitude sickness!" Her brow twitched. Eezeyal licked his beak in dismay. He looked around for some sort of help. Nothing and no one. Lydia's stomach growled loudly. "Lydia please! If ya keep doing this, you'll pass out!"

Knock-knock-knock! "Lydia! It's Roland." Eezeyal's scraggily ears shot up."Are you there?" Eezeyal screeched in alarm. He grasped the door handle with his talons and wrenched the door open. Roland peered in confusedly, holding the tray of food. Eezeyal flapped and screeched urgently. He pointed a talon to Lydia. "Oh my-Lydia!" He cried fretfully.

Lydia's eyes flashed open. "Huh-ugh…" She felt lightheaded. The books and cushion fell from under her.

Roland dart forward. "LYDIA!" He tossed the tray to her bed. Lydia plummeted head first for the ground. Roland slid on his knees, his arms outstretched. Lydia landed in Roland's arms like a bride. He wrapped his arms around her protectively, desperately keeping her from hitting the ground. "Lydia! Lydia!" Roland shook her.

"Ugh…" Lydia ruffled her bangs dazedly. "My head…" She grumbled. She peered past her hand. Her vision cleared, revealing a terrified Roland. "Roland?" She rasped.

"Oh thank goodness." Roland breathed in relief. "You had me scared for a moment." He climbed to his feet, cradling Lydia in his arms. "Are you alright?" He lied her down on her bed.

"I'm fine…" She mumbled. "What are you doing here?"

"You didn't come down for breakfast." He set the tray beside her. "So I brought you some food." Under the lid was a helping of French toast with strawberries and maple syrup, bacon, orange juice, and eggs.

Lydia stomach growled aloud, making her blush. "Oh…right." She giggled. She put the tray to her lap and started to eat. She shoveled the French Toast into her mouth. "THIS IS GREAT!" She exclaimed with powdered sugar on her cheek. "Thank you, Roland!"

Roland chuckled adoringly, "You're welcome! But try to slow down. We don't need you choking." Lydia laughed heartily as she ate. The orange juice tasted especially good. Refreshing and rejuvenating. "How long were you up in the air like that?"

"What time is it?"

"6:15."

"Five minutes."

"Not very long, but just long enough." He touched a hand to her forehead. Lydia ogled at him curiously as he cupped her cheek and stretched her ender eyes down. The black rings were gone, but her eyes were blood shot. "Did you get enough sleep last night?"

"Yeah…" She swallowed her food. "I woke up at three – feeling restless – but went back to sleep. I'm just food deprived."

"Good. You had me worried when you fell."

"Oh right. Sorry about that."

"Not a problem." Roland ruffled her hair lovingly. "Just promise me you won't do something like that again."

Lydia nodded under the hand. "I promise."

"Good." He nodded approvingly. Lydia smiled at him warmly. Roland beamed with glee. Lydia returned to her food, feeling her strength return. Roland may have entered Lydia's life at - what was considered - a late age, but he felt a sense of pride knowing she had come so far in her training. Now he would get a chance to see it come to fruition.

"What is it?" Lydia questioned, seeing his blank expression.

"N-nothing." He shook his head. "I was just thinking about how hard you've been working this week."

At this Lydia froze with dread. Food an inch from her mouth was lowered back to her plate. "Right…" She moaned dryly. Roland tilted his head inquiringly. "Um…Roland?"

"Yes?"

"If…uh…" She glanced to and from his face. She was unable to make eye contact. "If I…don't win today…" Her fingers fiddled with her fork nervously, "Will…" She hid her face away, trying to hide her reluctance, "Will you be mad at me?"

Roland was taken aback by the question. Shocked beyond words. "Why on earth would I be mad at you?" Lydia grunted embarrassingly. She looked away. "Lydia, what's this about?"

"I've been disappearing from my mom and Sofia's life for seven years." She looked toward the ground, "I just want to prove that hard work wasn't for nothing."

"Ah, I see." He touched a hand to his chin, "You're afraid Miranda and Sofia will be disappointed if you lose." Lydia sank into her shoulders. The heat rose to her cheeks. Roland removed the tray from her lap. Carefully he shuffled beside her and draped an arm around her shoulders. Lydia was caught off guard when he pulled her into a hug. "You know I felt the exact same way you are when I became king. I always worried, after all the studying and hard work I endured for many years, if my father would be proud of me. Would I become a king worthy of carrying his name? Should I even carry the title of king?" Lydia gazed up to him intently. In fewer words, that's exactly how she felt. "As king, many expected me to live up to my father's expectations and become exactly like him. Do what he did, speak how he spoke, and think like he thought."

"What did you do?"

"Somewhere along the way I realized I couldn't be my father. I could only be me. Therefore I did my best and lived up to my expectations. Things turned out alright, and my father was proud of me." He placed a hand to Lydia's head and massaged it side to side, ruffling her hair, "Which is why, so long as you do your best, Miranda and Sofia will be extremely proud of you. Me especially." He hugged her tighter.

Lydia smiled happily. Her heart fluttered, filling her with a warmth she hadn't felt in quite some time. She rested her head against Roland, closing her eyes. "Thanks, Roland."

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"There you are!" Miranda beamed. Cedric and Baileywick darted their attention to the door. Roland and Lydia walked into the Throne Room with smiles on their faces. Eezeyal was on her head. "We were worried you both locked yourselves away." Sofia, James, and Amber sighed in relief at seeing Lydia. Baileywick nodded his head, pleased Lydia appeared fed and ready for her day. "Are you feeling alright, Lydia?"

"Great mom!" Lydia bent her arm up and placed a hand to her muscle, "I'm pumped and ready to take on the world!" Her smile faded when she noticed Cedric and Wormwood. "Hmph!" She glared. Eezeyal flared his wings.

"Hmph!" Cedric glared back. Wormwood growled. Sparks of lightning surged between the eyes of the adversaries.

"Whoa!" James flinched. "Anyone else seeing the sparks?"

"Why wouldn't there be?" Amber retorted, flourishing her fan. "These two have been waiting for this day for a long time. I'm glad my cold cleared up."

"Now I'm even more excited!" Sofia squealed. "I can't wait for this duel to start!"

"Neither can we!" A heavenly voice trilled. Baileywick, Roland, Cedric, and Miranda turned toward the door.

"It's so exciting!" A soft voice giggled. Sofia, Amber, and James gaped in disbelief.

"Seeing our Rumbling Lydia in action! What a treat!" A more curt voice exclaimed. Lydia cried out in utter disbelief, gasping with a trembling pointing finger to the door.

Three women with fairy wings stood at the door. "Hello, Lydia!" The woman greeted excitedly.

"Long time no see!" The blue dress woman waved both hands fervently.

"You've grown so much." The woman in the green dress marveled, cupping her hands together.

Lydia dashed across the room with open arms. A gust of wind blew back the tails on Roland's coat. "FLORA! FAUNA! MERRYWEATHER!" She hugged the three fairies tightly, laughing giddily. "Hi you guys!"

"HELLO THERE!" The three chimed happily. Miranda wrapped her arms around Roland's arm. They were enchanted by how overjoyed Lydia and the three fairies were. James, Sofia, and Amber were a little baffled, but glad Lydia was loosening up.

"Lydia!" Sofia walked over with Eezeyal sitting on her head. "You know the Head Mistresses of Royal Prep?"

"Oh! You guys run Royal Prep?"

"We sure do." Merryweather boasted.

"They used to be the Headmistresses of the sorcery school I attended. They left around my fourth year. I'm glad it was somewhere fitting for the best teachers."

"You're too much!" Fauna blushed. Eezeyal squawked in a chuckle. "Now who is this little fella?"

"This is Eezeyal. My partner in crime and best friend."

"Well hello there." Flora pet him. Eezeyal leaned into the pet, loving the fingers scratching his ear.

"We're so glad to see you again!" Merryweather cupped Lydia's hands. "Have you been well?"

"Very."

"It's been so long. Have you been keeping out of trouble?" Flora checked.

"Always."

"You've grown into such a lovely young lady." Fauna cupped a hand to Lydia's cheek. "And your eyes – the anger once burning ablaze within them has definitely been quelled."

"Anger?" James and Amber gasped. Lydia swallowed nervously.

"You MUST be mistaken!" Amber scoffed with a half-smile. "Lydia doesn't have an angry bone in her body."

"No kidding." Sofia agreed. "She gets firm, but I've never seen her angry." Cedric and Wormwood exchanged smirks. They knew better.

"While Lydia may wear an impassive face," Flora began, "She used to hide a nasty temper beneath her mask." Lydia grumbled and hid her face away in shame. "In fact she did everything she could, her first year, to get expel-"

Lydia clamped her hands to Flora's mouth. "SHUSH, SHUSH, SHUSH! SHUT IT!" She stammered bashfully. Nervous beads of sweat dripped down her brow. "THEY DON'T NEED TO HEAR THIS!"

"I wanna hear this." Cedric raised a hand with a wide grin.

"Me too!" Sofia, Amber, and James jumped.

"LOOK! It's nothing special!" Lydia roared through flushed cheeks. "I didn't want to be at the school in the first place," She shrugged one hand and scratched the back of her head pensively, "So I tried everything I could to get expelled." Roland and Miranda were aghast. Miranda in particular. She never heard about this. Lydia fiddled with her fingers seeing her mother glare disappointedly at her, "Sorry mom."

"Oh but she changed her mind in the middle of the semester." Merryweather snickered, nudging Lydia with an elbow. "A young man whom she took a shine to."

Roland arched a brow. "Oh reeaally." He purred tauntingly. Lydia's mouth fell wide open. Her entire face turned completely red. "Who was this lucky young man who captured her heart?"

A skull and crossbones blared in Lydia's eyes. "He didn't capture anything! He was just someone I took second to!"

"I always thought he was more than that." Fauna hummed teasingly. "Given how much time you both spent together." Lydia was going to die.

"Ooohhh!" James, Amber, and Sofia crooned bouncing their brows. Baileywick and Cedric were trying their hardest not to laugh. Well Baileywick more than Cedric.

"What was his name again?" Fauna tapped her cheek. "Lezard-"

"SILENCIA!" Lydia blurted. A zipper zipped Fauna's mouth shut. "Sorry, Fauna…" Lydia winced. "But can we please stop picking on Lydia for five minutes? What are you three doing here?"

"Zey are vith me." Dr. Merr hobbled into the throne room with a walking stick. "Zey vill be ze judges of zis little competition vhile I referee."

"Dr. Merr!" Roland announced, shaking his hand, "Welcome back!"

"Good to be back." He bowed his head.

"You're refereeing?" Cedric questioned disconcertedly. "No disrespect, but what gives you the qualifications?"

"I am the grandson of Merlin." Merr announced proudly with his head held high. "Vhat I lack in magic, I make up for vith my knowledge and handivork." He winked at Lydia and Cedric, "I promise not to let you both down."

"In that case," Lydia pumped her fists eagerly, "Let's get to the courtyard and get this party started!" She turned to Cedric. Determination gleamed in her eyes. "I think Cedric and I have been forestalled long enough." She rumbled.

"In that much of a hurry to lose, Princess?" Cedric purred, smirking. He whisked his wand from his sleeve, "Then en garde!" He held his wand like a sword. Lydia drew her wand and matched his stance.

"Now hold on a minute!" Roland interjected. "There is something that must be addressed first." All eyes in the room turned to Roland. Curious anticipation plastered to their expressions. "Earlier Sofia stated Lydia has been training her whole life to become a sorceress. A dream we all wish to come true." Lydia and Sofia exchanged glances. Sofia erected a thumb of luck to her sister. Lydia was glad she had faith. "But the fact is she is a princess." Roland added grimly. Lydia's stomach tensed. "I do not wish to put this on you moments before the duel, but it is an situation that we can't ignore. While becoming a Royal Sorceress is a wonderful dream, you are the eldest princess – next in line for the throne – and are months away from a marriageable age." Lydia, in truth, was 17. She turned 18 in October. She just liked to say she was 18. Adult age and all that. "I don't want you to give up on your magic! Far from it!" He quickly added noticing Lydia was growing sad. "But I would like you to reconsider your previous request and consider taking up your role as Future Queen."

An eerie and beyond awkward silence covered the room. Roland cleared his throat shamefully. As king, sometimes he had to give dissatisfying news. Miranda and Baileywick sighed solemnly. Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather knew this issue would arise, what with Miranda marrying into the royal family. Sofia, James, and Amber huddled closely, worried Lydia's enthusiasm was chilled. Merr was unsure how to feel. Eezeyal bored his gaze into Lydia, wishing she'd say something. Cedric, on the other hand, found this predicament intriguing.

"Can…" Everyone tensed, "Can I give you an answer later?" She asked sheepishly. "I'd rather just focus on kicking Cedric's butt."

"PFFT! Please!" Cedric scoffed. "I'll duel so many circles around you, you won't know yer wand from a stick!"

"We'll see!" Lydia squared off to him. She narrowed her thundering eyes to him, "You know better than anyone to underestimate me." Her voice resounded ominously. Cedric and Wormwood chuckled gravely. How they will love putting her in her place. Eezeyal perched himself to Lydia's wrist. They laughed as well, eagerly awaiting the chance to burn him into the ground.

"Seriously…" James trembled, his legs quaking, "What happened between these two?"

"Not sure." Amber blinked in alarm. "But it's a little scary."

"You can say that again." Sofia quivered from behind James and Amber.

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Horns trumpeted loudly in celebration of the beginning of the Coronation Duel. A little nickname for Lydia's welcome into the family. Dukes and Duchesses sat from top to bottom on wooden bleachers set up on either side of the massively spanned courtyard. Royal families had personal, separate chairs arranged. People of their stature would too prominent to sit on bleachers. Roland and his family had their seats setup on the area just up the first flight of stairs. A perfect view for them to spectate and out of the way of the sure to ensue chaos.

James visited with Zandar, Jin, and Hugo. Hugo may be pompous and arrogant, but he had his moments where he was tolerable. Especially when no one had any other choice but to deal with him. Amber spent a little time with Hildegard and Cleo. In all honesty, Hildegard didn't want to come out. But she supposed it would be a good laugh. Sofia, Ruby, and Jade squealed with excitement. Jade and Ruby were friends with Lydia since the day Sofia met them. They were happy she was back.

Cedric and Lydia stood at attention in the center of the courtyard upon the emblem. Their hearts pounded against their chests. Such a huge audience. They hoped they wouldn't make fools of themselves. Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather stood on either side of Merr. Proud smiles were plastered to their faces. Flora drew her wand and tapped it on her palm. Screeches like a microphone silenced the mutters in the crowd. She flew into the air, drawing all eyes to her.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," Her voice echoed throughout the courtyard from the wand, "Lords and Ladies, boys and girls – thank you all for coming to Enchancia's first Duel of Sorcerers! I am Flora. These are my sisters, Fauna and Merryweather! We shall be judging todays duel. Applause reverberated from the large crowd. The four Flora motioned her hands, quieting them. "And here with us today as referee is World Renowned physician, son of Merlin, Dr. Leonard Merr!" Loud cheers erupted from all sides. Cedric and Lydia were taken aback by his popularity.

Fauna entered the air, "Allow us to begin by introducing our competitors! First is resident royal sorcerer of King Roland II, with 15 years of training under his hat, and the Son of Goodwin the Great – Cedric the Sorcerer!" A grand applause was given for Cedric. He bowed appreciatively yet shallowly. He couldn't care less about their applause. Wormwood rested on the castle roof, waiting for his moment to enter. "And next we have a Sorceress in Training who is also the first daughter of King Roland and Queen Miranda – Princess Lydia!" The same applause was given for Lydia. Sofia, Jade, Ruby, and James were heard over the crowd. Lydia blushed and curtsied with a sweep of her hands and a bend at a knee. Amber nodded her head. She gave Lydia a quick lesson in a proper curtsy when not in a dress. Eezeyal sat in James's lap, wishing Lydia all the luck in the world. Mia, Robin, Clover, and Walnut were huddled around Sofia.

"Today is a very special day!" Merryweather announced anxiously. "For the first time in Enchancia History, we have a princess who is also a practioner of magic! This duel will not only serve to test the skill of a graduated student of magic, but will also serve as a royal welcome for the new Princess, Lydia!" A light applause rumbled. "Now without further ado, allow Dr. Merr to explain what will be happening."

"Zsank you, Mistress Merryveather." Merryweather allowed him to used her wand to project his voice across the field. "Zare vill be zsree rounds – as zis is a standard duel. Potion brewing, Transfiguration battle, and Spell casting duel. Ze general rules of zis duel are simple. No physical contact is to be made by ze sorcerers, only use vhat is permitted, and no involving of ze audience." Cedric and Lydia bobbed their heads. Neither one needed to glance in the direction of the other. Neither one was going to need cheap tricks to win this. "Ze first round shall be Potion brewing." Lydia froze. Dang! Fauna waved her wand. Four tables of numerous herbs and ingredients appeared out of thin air. Merr faced Cedric and Lydia, "You both vill be given a subject and you must brew ze potion designed for zat subject. You vill be judged on presentation, speed, and efficiency – but the winner vill be whoever makes all or most of ze concoctions correctly. You may not use any magic, only your hands and knowledge. TO YOUR PLACES!"

Flora waved her wand. Two tables with beakers, cauldrons, bowls, and other tools appeared in front of the four tables with the ingredients. Cedric and Lydia sauntered stiffly to the tables. Lydia nibbled on her lip nervously. Potions aren't my strong suit. I barely passed. She removed her earrings, not wanting Eezeyal to scream the answers to her.

Eezeyal watched her put the earrings into her pocket. He lowered his head somberly. "Listen Ezee…"

Flashback

"During this duel I'm going to keep my earrings off. So I won't be able to hear you." Lydia instructed Eezeyal in her room.

"BUT WHY?"

"Because I don't want Cedric calling me a cheater and I want to win knowing I did this on my own."

"You don't honestly believe Cedric's gonna play by the rules?" Eezeyal roared in outrage. "Him and Wormwood are probably plottin' against ya right now!"

"I doubt it." She shook her head. "Cedric's a creep, but he won't jeopardize a chance to prove he's superior to me."

"True. True. But still Liddy…"

Lydia touched a finger to his beak, silencing him. "This is no longer up for discussion." She declared. "I want to win…knowing it was because it was me." She tilted her head with a smile, "But so long as you're rooting for me, I know you'll be right by my side."

Flashback end

"Liddy…" He grumbled under his breath. "Please…do your best."

"Are you ready?" Cedric and Lydia nodded. "Zen, Mistress Flora, please announce ze first assignment."

"Yes." Flora waved her wand. Two dead roses in pots appeared. "Create a means to revive these withered plants." Lydia maoned dreadfully. The thing about potions – there's a number of ways to make them, but only one will work correctly.

"You have ten minutes." Merr warned. "BEGIN!"

Lydia and Cedric whirled around to the tables. Not even three seconds past and Lydia was already scrambling. "Cedric has his ingredients ready!" Merr announced.

"What?" Lydia gasped. Cedric, with little to no effort, already had the ingredients he needed. He was already at the table grinding up some leaves. Lydia may have graduated with honors, but when it came to potions she only passed because of the extra help a friend gave her. "No way…" She touched a hand to her forehead. Her other hand was frozen in front of a vial. "I…my head…I can't think..."

"Hee-hee-hee," Cedric cackled, "That porcelain mask is cracking."

"She's falling behind!" Sofia fretted. Eezeyal bit his beak nervously.

"Don't count her out yet." Jade touched a hand to Sofia's shoulder. "They've only begun."

"Oh dear…" Miranda touched a hand to her chest, "Lydia's never been great under pressure."

"She'll be fine." Roland assured her. "Lydia just needs to get into the swing of things."

"Who does this girl think she is?" Hildegard's mother scoffed, waving her fan haughtily. "Believing she stands a chance against a royal sorcerer." She threw her head back and laughed. "What a joke this Peasant Princess is." Hildegard and Hugo laughed along with her.

James glared at the queen of Friezenburg. Amber glared at Hildegard and Hugo. The two flinched and looked away. Cleo, Jun, and Zandar coaxed them into returning their attention to the field. Worse opinions were being spoken than what Hildegard's mother was saying, or what Hugo and Hildegard were laughing at. Many whispers of doubt were heard through the crowd. All about Lydia.

"She'll be fine!" Amber said loud enough for the Queen, Hildegard, and Hugo to hear. "Lydia's going to do great." Amber rose from her seat, placed her hands on the side of her mouth, and screamed, "COME ON, LYDIA!" Lydia jumped at her voice. "SNAP OUT OF IT! GET YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME!"

"YEAH, COME ON!" Sofia cheered her on. "YOU CAN DO THIS LYDIA!"

"GO LYDIA!" James jumped into the air, "SHOW 'IM WHAT YOU GOT!"

A confident smile graced Lydia's cheeks. "Right." Lydia clapped her hands to her cheeks, snapping herself out of her daze. "Alright." Lydia reached into the sea of ingredients. "Bay leaf for zest, catfish eyes for protein, goat milk for calcium, cow fertilizer for nutrients, agua de vida extract for rejuvenation." Baileywick, Roland, and Miranda leaned in eagerly as Lydia went to her work table to her work table.

"Hmph…" Cedric smirked, nearly finished with his potion, "Finally decided to join in?" He crooned. "I thought you'd given up."

Lydia started to grind the seeds and leaf. "No." She smirked at Cedric, "Just giving you a head start."

Eezeyal hooted loudly, cheering Lydia on. "THAT'S MAH GIRL!"

Fauna's task was for Cedric and Lydia to create a cure for Dragon Sneezes, and Merryweather's a fast acting treatment for chicken pox. Concoctions exploded, the order of ingredients was added incorrectly, and liquids spilled, but Cedric and Lydia did not falter. A single mistake did not distract them. They simply bounced back and calmed any brewing catastrophes their mix ups brought. Eyes were glued to their fast reactions. Jun and Jin were glued to their binoculars. Sweat beaded down Cedric and Lydia's brows. They were feeling the pressure. And it was invigorating.

"TIME'S UP!" Merr howled. "Beakers down and fires off." Lydia and Cedric threw themselves onto their stations. They completed their first potions seconds before their time ran out.

"Mistress Merryveather? Vye down vee begin vith you?"

"Thank you…" Merryweather flew over to the table. Cedric and Lydia laid out their treatment for Chicken pox. Cedric created a red ointment, in a small jar, easily applied with a common popsicle stick. Lydia's was a blue paste on a mint leaf. "Hmm…" Merryweather inspected the creations. She hovered them in the air, twirling them about to inspect them. "Nice presentation on both. And they were made rather swiftly." Cedric restrained his hands behind his back while Lydia chewed on her thumb nail. "Now will they work, is the question?" She motioned a hand to someone from the crowd. A boy and girl sauntered onto the field. Both with a bad case of chicken pox. Merryweather applied Cedric's first. One dab on the forehead, hands, arms, and legs. Next was Lydia's. Same dabs in the same places.

10 seconds had to have passed. Cedric's ointment oozed and slithered over the boy's skin. The young boy grunted in discomfort. The ointment was stinging his bumps. They turned cherry red. The itching was going away, but the stinging hurt. Lydia's ointment, on the other hand, sank into the girl's skin. the bumps turned icy blue, sending chills washing over the girl's body.

After 15 more seconds the weird sensations in both children washed away. Along with them were the bumps plaguing their skin for the last three days. "OHH…" Merryweather gaped in awe. These were very interesting results. Different reactions yet same results. "Amazing!" She beamed. "Top score both of you! Well done!" Lydia and Cedric bowed. Lydia breathed with relief. The crowds cheered heartily for them.

"Mistress Fauna?"

"Oh yes." Fauna flittered over to them. "Let me see what you both have." Cedric and Lydia placed beakers of strangely smelling concoctions. Again, both were very different, but the results should be the same. "Now if you both made these properly, they should smell of summer with a hint of winter." Lydia and Cedric nodded. Fauna put her nose over Lydia's position first. She inhaled deeply. She tiny pops tingle her nostrils. "ACHOO!" Fauna sneezed. Lydia's heart skipped a beat. A grin appeared on Cedric's cheeks. "Any icy hot sensation…" She muttered, rubbing her nose. "But…" She allowed her nose to clear and could feel the refreshing air fill her nostrils, "An excellent blend of summer and winter!" Lydia touched a hand to her chest. Fauna inhaled Cedric's creation next. "Hmm…A bit fizzy…" She took another smell, "But an excellent blend all the same. You both pass." Once again congratulatory cheers rang out.

"Mistress Flora." Merr invited.

"Thank you, Doctor." Flora curtsied. Everyone was on the edge of their seat. This was the final potion. Who would win the round? "Let's see what you have." She placed the withered flowers on pedestals. "Cedric, you first."

"Thank you, Mistress Flora." He bowed. Lydia watched him intently. Her hands were folded behind her back, hiding her creation. "Ta-da!" He displayed a spray bottle. A bubbling green liquid tempered inside. Lydia titled her head. Cedric sprayed once, twice, then blew on the bud. He took a step back. "Just wait three seconds…" 3…2…1 – from the stem up, the brown and withered body of the flower returned to its lush green radiance. The wrinkled leaves unraveled, puffing up. The petals became beautifully red, blooming fully. Whoas were heard from the distance. "Again," He bowed at the hip, "Ta-da." Cheers and applause roared from the audience Lydia's mouth gaped in nervous awe. Cedric strutted back to his station. "Top that." He dared Lydia.

"Gladly!" Lydia stomped to her flower. Flora nodded for her to proceed. Unfolded her hands from behind her back, revealing a vial of a lightly greener liquid. Using a dropper Lydia sucked up a small sum of her potion. She set the vial down and went to the flower. She tilted the bud up and dripped two drops into the spot where the pollen was. Lydia kept the bud up right for a few seconds, allowing the potion to work its way.

Slowly the petals started to bloom into a beautiful rose. Going down the leaves and stem started to have life breathed back into them. Lydia could see victory at hand. "Oh how lovely! Thank you!"

"HUH?" Lydia gaped in disbelief. The flower twisted and morphed. The lower half of the stem puffed out like a dress. White veins traveled down for aesthetic. The leaves lengthened into limbs, folding like hands. The rose bud suddenly had a face, and the petals shaped like an old hairstyle. "Well…that wasn't supposed to happen." Cedric stifled a laugh under his hand.

"Ooh! That felt good!" The rose spoke with an elegant accent. "I must say, my dear, you saved my life, you did." Lydia blinked in utter disbelief. "Thank you so much for saving me."

"Um…" Lydia raised a hand, "No problem?"

"Well I'm off!" The rose wrenched herself from the pot and jumped down. "I have places to go, people to see." Lydia and everyone watched as the, animated, rose walked off. "Thank you again, young miss! Tootaloo!" The rose walked into a flowerbed and disappeared.

"Uh…" Lydia glanced lifelessly to Flora. "I brought it to life…" She smiled and laughed at herself, "But I'm not sure that's what you wanted."

"Unfortunately no." Flora laughed. "But it was interesting." She gave Lydia that much.

"Round vun goes to Cedric ze Sorcerer!" Merr announced. Cheers and applause rained in for Cedric. He cupped his hands together, basking in his glory.

"Hmph!" Lydia blew her bangs out of her eyes. "Don't celebrate just yet, toad!" She forewarned. "This contest is just beginning!"

"Oh is it?" Cedric crooned. "You were moving so slow I thought we were warming up."

"I'm done warming up!" Lydia clenched her hand. Fire burned in her eyes. "I'm taking you down in round two!"

"Bring it on, Little Princess!" Cedric dared. "Bring it on!"

TO BE CONTINUED!

Sry if the ending seemed rushed. It's midnight. Later