Chasing Fate
Summary: Sofia is in for quite a shock when an alternate version of herself appears, bearing surprising information that no one ever could have seen coming. (Photo cover and plot by MarionetteJ2X. Story works as a meeting of Alternate Realities. Ties to my plot of the Never Realm.)
Disclaimer: I don't own Sofia the First. I own the concept of the Never Realm. The Alternate Reality characters and locations/situations belong to MarionetteJ2X. She also created the photos and plot concept.
A/N: You want a resolution? You've got it. 😊 The very ending of this story will allude to our next story: "Bittersweet." Pay attention to what's going on, because you'll get a pretty good idea just what kind of ride you'll be on next. Ha!
PS: Whenever I switch back to the Abstruce Realm toward the end, "Ceddy" and "Fia" will go back to being called "Cedric" and "Sofia," since we no longer have multiple of them walking around. Lol. Just wanted to clear that up before we get to it. 😉
Chapter 10: Starting Over
Not too long after the defeat of Arcadios, the Enchancian residents were finally able to return to their homes safely. Cedric and Ceddy were able to help fix most of the damage caused during the battle, with a bit of help from Cordelia, Calista, and Angel as well.
Sofia, who was still trying to regain her energy with the help of her E.S. Bracelet, had been bedridden for a couple of hours since the day's events. Fia had even stayed with her to keep an eye on her if she should need anything. Most of the family was also there, listening to Fia recount the battle and how her Cedric was actually alive, which had surprised yet relieved them all.
After the sorcerers had finished their task, they headed back to the castle together before running into Desmond just inside.
"Prince Desmond," Cedric began with a small bow, though the fair-haired prince just laughed and told him that he didn't have to do that (especially with all they'd experienced together not too long ago), "any word on how Sofia is doing?"
"She's resting," he informed the royal sorcerer. "I'll take you guys to her if you want to see her."
"Certainly."
To say they were surprised at the crowd of people in Sofia's room would be an understatement. Not only were the two counterparts (as in Sofia and Fia) on her bed, but Roland, Miranda, Amber, Corban, James, and even Baileywick and some other workers had all paid a visit to check on her. Granted, with the craziness of the last few days, who could blame them? The two sorcerers settled in to chat with everyone soon enough.
Sofia was elated at how well everyone seemed to be getting along. This was what she'd needed to feel better: the closeness of family and friends. Spending time with people she cared about was the best medicine, as far as she was concerned. However, before long, she began yawning—something that didn't go unnoticed by her mother.
"All right, everyone," Miranda told the group with a patient smile. "I think it's time we let Sofia get some rest. Let's maybe take our conversation elsewhere." Hearing obliging agreements, she laughed before turning back to her daughter, gently kissing her cheek. "Feel better, Sofia. And get some rest."
"Thanks, Mom." She smiled tiredly as the queen ushered the majority of the people out of the room. However, Fia stayed sitting on the bed with her, and Cedric and Ceddy had remained since they hadn't gotten to check on her just yet.
Ceddy conjured a chair and scooted up next to the bed, smiling at the princess.
Sofia blinked in surprise as she finally got a good look at him. Yes, he looked like Cedric all right, but his outfit was quite different. It was something that she'd expect a rather powerful person to wear. Based on the battle she'd seen earlier, she had a feeling her prediction was correct. And, while she couldn't quite place it, there almost seemed to be an air of exhausted wisdom about him that Cedric didn't quite possess yet, and he certainly came off as being a bit more serious and less silly or innocent.
The Abstruce Realm sorcerer raised an eyebrow at the princess as he noticed her staring at him. "Do I have something on my face?" he asked lightly, smiling softly as he noticed her blushing and lifting the blankets to hide her face.
"Sorry…"
Ceddy chuckled good-naturedly and patted Sofia's head reassuringly, causing her to lower the blankets a bit to see him. "I meant to thank you, Sofia, for looking after Fia for me." He caught the other girl's eye, a meaningful glance shared between them. "I must admit that I'd felt so helpless just watching her grieve over losing me, and there was nothing I could do… I wanted desperately to force my way out of the amulet, but it just wouldn't let me. It's almost like it knew what Arcadios had been planning, and it had me wait… So I did. I waited in agony for the amulet to let me go." He then turned his gaze toward Cedric, who blinked. "You both have been a great support for my princess, you know. I will forever be grateful for that."
"It was an honor," Cedric told him, smiling at Fia, who sighed and returned the smile. "And it has been wonderful getting to know her a bit better too." He was about to move over to Sofia to check on her, but he paused in his tracks when he noticed Ceddy leaning down to Sofia, placing a chaste kiss on her forehead. "Um…" While his eye twitched a bit and he was prepared to chastise the other sorcerer, he felt a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.
"Watch," Fia whispered as she nodded in the direction of the other two.
To Cedric's surprise, Sofia sat up on her bed, her features much healthier and her energy seemingly renewed. She looked much better. "How did you do that?" Cedric asked, turning to Ceddy.
"Look in the Book of Magical Healing Remedies. Page sixty-two, section B. While it will take a bit of training, you could easily heal anyone just as I have." Ceddy smiled toward Sofia, who giggled.
"Does it have to be a forehead kiss?" Cedric asked, placing his hands on his hips. "What if it's King Roland or Baileywick I have to heal? That could get rather awkward very quickly."
Ceddy laughed. "You could always use the hand method as well. Section C."
"I see."
Sofia reached over and gave Ceddy a quick hug. "Thank you so much."
"Of course. Anything for any Princess Sofia."
She grinned before eyeing her partner, a mischievous look on her face. "Oh, Mr. Cedric…"
"Hmm? Whoa!" Cedric was surprised when she jumped off the end of her bed and into his arms, hugging him happily. "Sofia, you've got to—ahh!" He lost his balance as he tripped over his own robe and fell backwards, the laughing princess falling next to him. "Ugh…" He smirked up at the girl, who smiled apologetically at him. "I've said it before, and I'll say it again: you're rather mischievous for a princess."
Sofia snickered. "I learned from the best." She leaned down and hugged him as he sat up, wrapping his arms around her. "I love you, Mr. Cedric."
He chuckled, gently tugging at her ponytail and making her laugh. "I love you too, Sofia."
Fia and Ceddy happily watched their two counterparts before exchanging smiles with each other. This was the peace and happiness they'd fought so hard to keep, and they were glad to see it was completely worth it.
A few hours later, close to nighttime, the Abstruce Realm duo decided it was time to go back to their own realm. Fia, who had forgone her armor for the final time, stood with Ceddy outside as Cedric, Sofia, and a host of others from the castle gathered to bid them farewell.
"Thank you guys so much for all your help," Fia told them all, smiling. "I don't know what I would have done without you." She hugged Sofia first and then Cedric, and then she saw Ceddy hug Sofia before shaking Cedric's hand. Turning around, she unfastened the amulet from around her neck and created a circle in the air, forming a portal, which swirled before them almost like a vortex.
Just beyond the portal, those who were standing nearby could see the parallel version of their own realm.
Fia replaced her amulet before turning back to Sofia. "You remember how you told me to move on and start anew?" Seeing Sofia nod, she smiled as she held out her left hand. "I think you were right."
Sofia was a bit confused by her statement at first, but she blinked with wide eyes as she saw Fia summon a dagger into her hand.
"Fia," Ceddy began uncertainly, reaching out toward her, but he was too late.
Fia grabbed her long braid in her right hand and, placing the dagger just behind her, she sliced through her hair, shaking her head out as the locks now fell around her shoulders once more, just like when she was younger. She smiled at her shocked audience before sending the dagger away. "I'll start again fresh, and this only reminds me of the years of war I lived through." She bundled the braid up, tying it off with the ribbon that had been on the end of the braid, before summoning a small bag and slipping it inside. She tied the bag to the belt around her waist. "I'll bury it in my secret garden when we get back home. Since that's where I thought I'd buried Cedric's body, but instead it was just an illusion of that terrible period of time, it seems more than fitting." Once again, she reached out and gave Sofia a tight hug, whispering to her, "Remember to be strong and always be yourself."
Sofia nodded eagerly as her eyes pooled with tears. "I will. You too."
Fia grinned before stepping over toward Cedric. "Thank you for being my rock the last few days and putting up with my chaotic emotions." Her grin softened into a smile as he chuckled at her words. "Your kindness and support were so helpful during my darkest hours. Seeing that side of my Cedric was a major surprise, but I really, really liked it."
Cedric only scratched the back of his head in embarrassment and laughed nervously. "I was more than happy to help as much as I could. After all, you're part of Sofia, and I would do anything I could to help her. So, why not extend it to her counterpart?"
Fia blushed modestly before smiling sweetly at him and reaching out to cup his cheek, pulling him down a bit to her level as she kissed his cheek. She grinned at him. "Thanks, Cedric."
Sofia giggled and tried to cover her mouth at the scene.
Meanwhile, Ceddy stood there with his mouth slightly agape. He cleared his throat, folding his arms. "Fia, I think it's time for us to go."
Cedric tried to recover from his embarrassment by coughing and attempting to hide his flushed cheeks.
Fia laughed at everyone's reaction before finally joining Ceddy, who was clearly growing impatient with her, at the portal. She grinned and wrapped her arms around his right arm, winking at him and causing him to finally smile again. Before they entered the portal together, she glanced toward Sofia. "I have one last question for you."
Sofia blinked. "What is it?"
"Do you like strawberries?" She didn't even wait for her counterpart to respond as she smiled mysteriously and turned, guiding Ceddy into the portal at last, the entrance sealing up behind them.
Sofia just stood there, staring at where the portal had been, before glancing toward Cedric. She noticed his worried glance and frowned. Strawberries. Why strawberries?
"Well, that was exciting," Amber finally declared, breaking the silence. "But I think it's time to get back to some important things." She grinned toward Desmond, who blinked. "Wedding seating arrangements?"
"Oh, fun," the prince laughed as he took her hand and led her away.
Everyone dispersed soon after, but Sofia stood staring at the empty space before her where the portal had once been. She felt a hand rest on her shoulder, and when she turned and saw Cedric, she smiled gently. "Do you think we'll ever see them again?"
"At this rate, my dear… I'm inclined to believe that anything is possible." He glanced up as he heard a small clap of thunder. "Hmm. I suppose it's time to get inside now." He extended a hand to the princess. "Coming?"
Sofia chanced one last glance at the empty space before sighing, smiling at her partner and nodding as she took his hand. "Let's go."
*Abstruce Realm*
"Hey, guys!" James announced excitedly as he walked up to the castle with his arm resting around Sofia's shoulders. "Guess who just got back victorious!"
Amber (who was holding Little Berry) and Calista were standing outside near the steps and each looked excited to see the princess.
"Sofia!" Amber gasped in relief, her eyes widening. "Thank goodness you're okay!"
"Ah! Mama!" the little girl called excitedly as she waved her hands while struggling to get out of her aunt's hold. "Mama! You're home! Mama—ah?" Her large green eyes widened as someone else walked up beside Sofia, placing his newly-gloved hand on her head.
"It seems everyone's gathered here today," Cedric joked with a smile. "What's the occasion?"
Gasps escaped the girls as Little Berry sat there, staring at him with wide, teary eyes.
"It… It can't be…" Calista was shaking, her own eyes full of tears as she observed her assumed-fallen uncle before her.
Amber's mouth dropped open. "C-Ce—CEDRIC?!"
Calista rushed toward her uncle and jumped into his arms, sobbing into his robe. "Uncle Ce-e-e-e-d-d-d-d-y-y-y!" She cried a bit harder before Cedric wrapped his arms around her, enveloping her in a much-needed hug before placing a kiss to the crown of her head.
Amber finally placed the struggling girl to the ground, watching her in awe as she stood there, her tiny form shaking and tears streaking down her face.
Sofia smiled at the little one. "We're home, dear. Sorry to keep you waiting…"
"Muh… M-Mama… P…" She gasped and took off running toward both Cedric and Sofia, wailing, "PAPA!" She dived at both of them, sobbing as they simultaneously scooped her into their arms. "You're both home!"
Cedric and Sofia exchanged happy glances before laughing as Amber, James, and Calista all nearly knocked them over in a group hug.
After a long night of explaining the situation to the rest of the castle, and a very emotional reunion with Cedric (especially with Cordelia, who'd sobbed openly to her brother about how devastated she'd been to hear of his supposed death), everyone decided it would be best for Cedric and Sofia to finally get some much-needed rest after their long journey.
In Sofia's bedroom, now magically decorated in a way that reminded her more of her counterpart's, Little Berry slept in the middle of the large bed while Cedric and Sofia sat next to each other at the end of the bed, watching the little girl sleep. It was a long stretch of comfortable silence that they shared right then: quiet, content, and peaceful. It was something that they'd both craved for a very long time now.
Sofia was the first to break the silence as she whispered to Cedric, "I'm so glad you're here now… I missed you so much, like you wouldn't believe."
Cedric reached out and wrapped an arm around her, trying to comfort her as she held him tightly. "I know, Fia…" He rested his head on top of hers and gently rubbed her back, trying to soothe the now silently weeping princess. "Shh. I'm not going anywhere any time soon… You've already suffered, along with Little Berry, with my disappearance." He sighed and loosened his hold on her a bit as he reached out and wiped some of the tears from her face. "How could I do that again? Not after I saw your sorrow when I was trapped and helpless inside your amulet."
Sofia let out a shuddering sigh as he lowered his forehead to hers.
"I promise, I'll never leave you like that again."
She blushed a bit as she felt him gently playing with some of her hair, twirling the auburn locks around his fingers.
He noted that she now had the same hair length as when she was younger. It was a bit nostalgic, really… Back during a time when they were both more carefree and much happier before all the wars had started. Maybe now, this could be a new start for them, and they could pick up where they'd left off.
She gasped lightly when he gently kissed her forehead before moving off the bed. "Cedric…"
"You two should get some rest," he acknowledged. "Goodnight, Fia." Before he could leave, he felt the princess grab his hand. He sighed as he saw her imploring blue eyes, silently begging him not to leave. Not now—not after everything that had happened… He sighed in resignation before smiling at her. "Scoot over."
Sofia grinned and moved backwards on her bed, lying down on the right side of the sleeping little girl. She sighed happily as Cedric lay down next to Little Berry's left side and conjured a comforter, which he draped over them all.
He quirked a brow when he heard the princess laughing softly. "What is it?"
"Nothing… It's just…" She reached out and gently caressed his cheek. "You're here… And… You're smiling." She remembered what she'd recalled back in the Ever Realm, about how much the sorcerer there smiled. And she recalled noting that her Cedric almost never smiled at one point. But that certainly wasn't the case now. "Does that mean you're happy?"
Cedric was taken aback by her question, but he soon nodded and offered her another gentle smile as he wrapped his arm around her. "It means I'm happy."
"Good."
Sleep finally overtook them as they lay comfortably in the darkness, the quiet, and the peace for the first time in years. And the fact that they could now share it together meant more to them than they ever could have imagined.
Footsteps rushed through the forest, crunching through the leaves and the snow as the small form panted, sounding rather frantic. The light up ahead, just at the edge of the forest, grew ever nearer as the footsteps propelled the little body forward. Just when the light was in view, a sharp voice cut in behind, and the little form turned around, green eyes widening in fear.
"Where do you think you're going?"
*Ever Realm*
Sofia sat up, panting in alarm as she heard a huge clap of thunder pound directly outside her window. She looked around frantically, seeing nothing out of the ordinary in her darkened room, and hearing nothing either. "A dream" she deduced, sighing. "It was just a dream…" She lowered her head to the pillow again, closing her eyes as she listened to the rain for a little bit. "But what does it mean…?" As she drifted off to sleep, she could have sworn she smelled…strawberries?
The end (and to be continued in "Bittersweet")