The trail was leading them seemingly in the direction of Brightland. They assumed Livia was stocking up on supplies. Hopefully they could catch her off guard and apprehend her before things got out of hand. They landed swiftly and dismounted but the sorceress was not in sight. However the sparkles seemed to be leading around the castle. The duo spoke nary a word to the other and Minerva stayed entirely silent too as they snuck around the castle walls.

They didn't have time to warn the king, queen, or any of the guards if they did they might lose her in the process and no one would know where she would go after that. In the shadows they could vaguely make out a cottage of sorts with a tall pointed top like a witch hat. Under the moonlight they saw the big emerald gem glistening on the front door. It was definitely where Livia's workshop was. A silhouette passed by one of the windows quickly but it was a woman's figure that much was for certain. She was still there which was good luck for them. Too good even in Sofia's mind. She should have already been gone, grabbing one wand doesn't take that long. It was as if she was biding time or something.

Whatever she was up to they had to put a stop on it and now. They readied their wands together, Cedric stepping a little more in front of her, and approached the door cautiously then unlocked her door and came right inside, wands pointed right at the figure. It was indeed Livia standing in her living room appearing as if she was searching for something frantically. Her orange hair was a little disheveled but she seemed not surprised at all to see them. Her dark shiny green lips smiled at them smugly.

"Well if it isn't the little princess and her...lap dog."

Cedric sneered at both of the insults used. He had hated hearing her call Sofia little when in his hypnotized state. Even if she was small in size it was incredibly rude to call someone that, especially a royal. Sofia's face scrunched up into one of anger. She did not like Cedric being equated with an animal or beneath her. He was so much more to her than a servant and he always had been.

"I must say I wasn't expecting guests so you'll have to forgive the state of my abode."

"Enough with the idle chit chat, Livia! I'm already tired of hearing your annoying voice."

"How rude! After all the fun times we had together, Cedric?" She put on a fake sad voice and pouted, bringing a hand to her chest in offense. "All those precious moments we shared?"

"You know it wasn't real. None of it was real. If I knew what you would do to me I would have sent you packing the day you came to the kingdom! Now drop the act and your wand. It's over, you're through. You are far too weak to take on two people."

At this a flash crossed her eyes, a flicker of true anger that faltered her façade. Her mouth twisted into a scowl and her eyebrow twitched. She let out a scoff and rolled her eyes.

"You truly think that child is some match for a true sorceress?" She questioned sharply, waving a deep leafy green wand around.

"Watch your tongue, woman," Cedric seethed, a fire in his eyes. He was truly angered anyone would still think of her as a child. True fifteen was young but by their laws she was already a woman and thus should be treated like one. He was sick and tired of this person already for what she had done to him and now the insults she used on his beloved. "And yes, she is a match for someone as low leveled as you are."

Again it was a near subtle change from looking confident to looking furious and outraged, however she pulled herself together easily enough. She swished her wand then tapped it on her open palm twice. "It is true, I am not some magical marvel but that will change soon enough, dear Cedric."

"Don't you ever call me that, ever! You haven't the right to even say my name after the stint you pulled!"

"Oh did I do something wrong?" She bat her eyelashes and put on a fake innocent voice and demeanor. "Hmm. Can't recall in the slightest what I've done that's put a bee in your bonnet. Oh wait...yes, I remember. I used the hypno spell on you. Whoopsy daisy!" She shrugged nonchalantly, pacing, more like casually strolling, back and forth. "I thought I was doing you a favor. You should want to be with someone of your own kind not...well...a little girl."

"She is not a little girl!" Cedric roared back at her, sick of all this back and forth talk. He was about to strike her just for saying that alone. In his culture for a long time it was unheard of for magical beings such as he to get with unmagical beings. A wizard should find a lady wizard to be with and a sorceress a sorcerer. That's just the way things were. There were half wizards but they were always a little frowned upon. Now a days not so much, though some still held these holier than thou ideals of a pure perfect world with no halflings whatsoever. It appeared Livia was one of those.

"We've had enough of you and your cruel words, Livia. We are here to stop you and nothing you can say or do will get in our way of doing just that!" Sofia proudly claimed, undeterred by insults. She could call her anything under the sun but Sofia was not going to let that get her down.

"Oh did I hurt the poor baby's feelings?" She mocked with a whiny small voice, putting her hands on her knees. "Tell me did your heart hurt when you thought for a moment your precious sorcerer was going to leave you for me? It must have been so sad thinking you weren't worth it at all. Even now you have that doubt in you, that you can't compare to a real spell caster."

"Don't listen to her, Sofia. She's just trying to rile you up. I've had it up to here with your insolence! Entrapio!"

Out of Cedric's wand came a long rope but Livia moved quickly out the way. Instead of tying her it tied up her lamp. He tried again but yet again she moved just in time. Sofia, still not caring about whatever was said to her, helped him along. She knew a couple capturing spells and used them with him. There was only so many places she could go before they caught her. Of course she could just poof away at any point. Why wasn't she? And why wasn't she fighting back? She had a wand right in her hands and was not doing a thing about it. Sofia stopped her spells and told Cedric to stop as well, leaving Livia standing there amongst tied up furniture and ropes lying on the floor.

"Oh are you giving up already? Have you finally seen that you aren't any match for a real-?"

"You're just stalling," Sofia claimed, interrupting her entirely with a perceptive hard stare. A slow wicked smile spread on Livia's face and her eyes glistened like two emeralds. Sofia put away her wand and started to back up. Livia had meant to lure them here, it was a trap after all. She was just doing this so someone else could have time. That meant there was another master mind in this ploy. Sofia came to this conclusion quickly and worried about her kingdom being in peril. If Livia had teamed up with someone else and she did in fact want to take over Enchancia then they were letting the culprit get closer to that goal while they stood here. Cedric realized this too, they were being led on a wild goose chase. Still they had to take care of Livia too, she was a part of it and if they left now that would mean leaving Livia to be free. They were stuck between letting one villain get away or another. For now they would have to deal with this one.

"Oh so I see the princess does in fact have a brain. Bravo. Now then with that out of the way you two won't be leaving to go warn anybody! I won't have you ruining my plans anymore!" Livia announced, raising both of her hands and starting to magically close the windows and lock them one by one. Without any thought Minerva left quick as she could through one before Livia could do anything about it or notice. She knew this is what she had to do, what Merlin sent her with Sofia to do. Go and get help. Clearly she couldn't warn Enchancia, nobody there spoke to animals, but if she made it in time to Merlin they could warn them together. She just hoped that she would not be too late. Cedric was never more happy to have Minerva than he was at that moment.

Livia didn't seem to care at all about the owl leaving. In her mind it was just a bird and couldn't do much that could save them now. It would be useless and besides she wasn't going to waste energy and magic trying to stop it anyhow. What was important was keeping these two here for as long as she could while the more powerful components of her team got together. Once all doors were locked and windows sealed she had them trapped there, at least for a while. She knew at least Cedric could unlock them all with just a flick of his wand but she would distract him and stop them both entirely. She had just been playing around thus far but she had a secret weapon up her sleeve that none of them knew about.

"I'm afraid I don't have any more time to play with you, princess. Besides its way past your bedtime. I think you ought to go to sleep, don't you agree, Hissette?"

Neither of them had any idea what she was talking about or who she was talking to but neither one put their guard down one solitary moment. Even though they kept both eyes on her she didn't move an inch, she just stood there smiling. Not attacking at all still, just frozen in place with her evil grin. Suddenly Sofia felt a sharp stabbing pain in her leg, it was rapid but felt like two thick needles jabbed into her. The pain from it surged through her veins causing her to let out a shriek and drop her wand immediately. Cedric could not spare a moment with Livia once he saw that Sofia was in agony. That's all that mattered to him at the moment. He knew he was letting his guard down now and that was a bad thing to do in front of a wicked person but Sofia needed him.

She was clutching onto her leg with a tight face displaying nothing but anguish. She let out a small cry of distress then fell to the ground with a thud, stiff as a log. Cedric's wand dropped too, right now it didn't matter. Nothing else in the world mattered but Sofia. His heart dived deeply once she hit the floor and yet broke at the same time. Her eyes were closed and her mouth was still open in a silent scream. He tried rousing her but to no avail. She was completely still. His Sofia was not moving a single inch no matter how hard he shook her and it caused him to panic. He didn't care a bit who he was around it couldn't be helped he started to cry.

"Sofia...please..." He weakly called out, lifting her up from the ground and seeing her hand go limp. She felt like a ragdoll in his hands. Sadness and grief coursed through him fast as lightning and yet with it came rage such as he never felt in his entire life. He was shaking and the tears were pouring out of his eyes. That wench of a woman, she had done something to his darling and given how lifeless she was... He looked up at her, she was as calm as could be, now just smiling with her green lips at what was before her. His eyes blazed with both hatred and despair at Livia.

"Don't look at me like that, Cedric. I'm not so heartless, I'll let you join her."

Cedric in blind anger leapt up from the ground, carefully laying Sofia down beforehand, and immediately went over to Livia so he could tear her apart with his own hands for what she did. He would have gladly done it with no remorse on his part, she had taken away his Sofia, she had taken away the only thing that he cared about in this world and for that he would end her life. He couldn't though because he too felt a stab in his leg and just as quickly succame to the pain that flared throughout him. With his last breath, squeezed through pained windpipes, he called her the worst name he could think of calling her.

"Now that's just uncalled for," She responded, watching him fall flat on the ground and his eyes closed slowly. The last thing he saw was her standing above him, petting a jade colored snake fondly. He was surrounded by darkness and filled with agony for many reasons. His Sofia was gone now and it was his fault for dragging her into this. Why didn't he just go alone? She didn't have to come and fight but now it was too late. He could hear his heart throbbing, broken within his chest, calling out her name. In his madness, during what he supposed was his own death, he swore he heard Sofia's voice calling his name back.

He followed the sound of it, thinking she was leading him to the hills of Elysium where they could be together now but instead of that he found a bright light that wasn't any heaven. He had opened his eyes now, the pain that had coursed through him was gone though his leg still stung. He was...alive? He realized he was chained up to some kind of stone wall and in some sort of dungeon. He could faintly hear rats and bugs scurrying about and the slow dripping of water. However there was something else he heard, something he thought he had made up. It was Sofia calling his name accompanied with the rattling of chains. He turned to his side and his heart sang loudly. Sofia was right next to him, also chained up but that wasn't the first thing that went through his head.

"S...S-Sofia... you're not..." He couldn't get the words out, he shuddered and let out more tears of both relief and left over depression. For a moment there in his life he thought he had lost all that was right in his world, lost his sunshine, lost her. The thought alone and the joy of finding out she was okay made him cry. "Thank the gods..." He whispered through his sobbing.

"Oh Cedric please don't be sad, I'm not hurt," She begged with her gentle compassionate voice. She did not like seeing him this way at all but she understood why he was so upset. It was like she had been when he got struck by Fadile's zap. She had wished she didn't have to put more imagery of death in either of their heads again but it seemed the people they dealt with lately were of the most evil sort and sought to not just get them out of the way but to permanently erase their existence.

"Yes please don't," Livia's voice retorted from off to the side. They both turned to her and saw her standing at the bottom of the dungeon stairs, holding a small candle in her hand, lighting up her face causing her to look less beautiful and more creepy. "It's unbecoming of someone of your stature."

"You sneaky vile condescending foul repugnant despicable wretched-"

"I'm still a woman and your mother should have told you not to speak to ladies like that," She cautioned, looking at her nails without concern.

"You are no more a woman than I am the king!" He screamed at her, moving so violently the bolt holding the chains to the wall shook. "When I get out of here I swear on my life I will eviscerate your sorry-"

"Hate to interrupt again but you're utterly boring me," She said with a yawn. It was then that he noticed, Sofia couldn't see Livia that well from where she was shackled but knew it was missing, the amulet was being twirled in the other hand like a toy. "I see you've noticed I have your pretty jewel princess, not only that but I'm not so stupid that I left you with your enchantlet either. I'm well aware all protectors wear one. It really wouldn't matter though, there's no way out of here. I do hope you enjoy your stay, this was our finest suite in the castle."

"You mean we're still in Brightland? How did nobody notice you taking two bodies with you to the dungeons?" Sofia questioned. She was upset that her amulet was stolen but more so that this situation she was in seemed like she couldn't escape from it.

"I have my ways, you nosy imp. Now then, I have a kingdom to overthrow."

"Don't you mean we?" Another voice called from behind her, stuck in the shadows. It was a male voice for certain so that eliminated her sisters at least...for now. Once the person stepped out of the darkness it was revealed who it was. It was the last person anyone would guess, someone Sofia had almost entirely forgotten about at this point. The dethroned Lord Reginald. He stood there with an arrogant nature displayed in his smoky grey eyes and on his curved mouth.

"Reginald...? You're behind all this?"

"So glad to see I left an impression on you enough to remember my name, girl. I suppose it won't do me any harm in telling you all about my plans. Who are you going to tell anyways? The rats?" He ended his comment with a short laugh, Livia joined him in their wicked glee. "Ah you see, 'princess' once you left, I was thrown in here and I used my time to plot and scheme my next move against Enchancia. Livia has always hated the royals of that land."

"Yes," She added on, "I've always disdained the mortals who lived upon the greatest magical land mass in all our realm. It was started by those with magic blood and should have been inherited by them. But no, we were relegated to be playthings for royal children and entertainers of kings and queens alike. It's disgraceful to our kind. I'm only taking back that which was ours to begin with. Besides it's too much power for the likes of you all to have. I should have it. All of it."

"This is what she told me when she found me in the dungeon one day and from there, we made up our plan. She would put a spell on Cedric and then she would let herself get caught, here. She knew you would chase her down. While you were being distracted I was gathering the troops to attack Enchancia and they are already on the move as we speak. I don't care who attacks them you see as long as they go down so I didn't mind it being all magic users and malevolent fairfolk. They could have the land for all I cared, I just wanted to eradicate those who sat on the thrones. Livia's sisters have all joined.

Morgana was sad that she didn't get to dish out the punishment on you two. Said you've been a thorn in her side. Oh well, it doesn't matter in the end. I only wish you could see the destruction of your once proud kingdom but not to worry you will be reunited with your family soon enough. You will all rot here in the dungeons once we use our forces and I become the rightful king of Brightland. Maybe I'll have a bit of mercy and turn you all into mindless slaves for me. I could always use a maid," He explained, grabbing Sofia's chin and making her look at him. "You'd do just fine."

"Get your filthy hands off of her you contemptible cur!"

"And you, you could make a fine court jester but oh...that's what you are already isn't it?"

Cedric growled at him and tried to lean forward, thrashing more in his confines but it was no use. "You conniving son of a-"

"Ah, there's a lady present. Have some manners and show some respect to your future ruler. Well then I best be off, can't miss the faces of good old King Roland when he sees the gift I've brought for him."

"Tata ducky," Livia called out, merrily following behind Reginald up the flight of stairs, both of them laughing maliciously into the darkness. The door slammed so hard it made the walls reverberate the sound for a whole minute. Sofia let out an exasperated sigh causing Cedric to look over at her. She looked defeated which is not something he was used to seeing and hopeless too. What were they to do? Livia had the amulet and the enchantlet and even if Minerva flew her fastest she wouldn't make it but she was their only hope.

"Don't give up now, love. There's got to be a way out of here."

"Where Cedric and how? I know I'm usually optimistic but I see no way out. I can't call anyone to come and help and Minerva can warn Merlin but even Merlin would be no match against an entire fleet of magic users. Besides which he doesn't even know that's what he'll be up against so I don't know if he'll bring others with him. What are we going to do?"

"I don't know Sofia...but it's not like you to lose hope. We have to at least have that if nothing else."

"Hope for what? My family is defenseless against them and Merlin can only take on so many by himself. Even you and Callista had to help take down Morgana and that was WITH the dragon claw wand. Now there's three more and who knows how strong they are plus they have an army. I'd only have hope that he could bring more wizards with him. My dad...my mom...Amber...James...they are all in trouble and I'm not there to even be with them. What if they win? What will happen to my animals? What will happen to the soldiers and the servants and the villagers? I hate to think about them all coming to a fate worse than being jailed..."

"Sofia...I'm not giving up just yet. You've taught me that much. No matter how bleak the situation is there's always a ray of hope. Always."

"I don't see it...not anymore...," Sofia glumly admitted, hanging her head.

Cedric was distraught to hear those words coming out from her mouth. Sofia never gave up or lost hope. Sofia always saw a way out and thought positive. It took a while but she had finally been broken down to the point of just resining herself to failure. He frowned deeply, wishing he could hold her, caress her, even just touch her fingertips but alas he was too far to even do that. If this was to be their end he wanted it to be holding her, comforting her in this hour of need. He sighed deeply, hanging his head as well. Perhaps it was as she said, perhaps the villains would win and perhaps they were doomed. He didn't want to think that way but as the minutes ticked on he grew more and more sure that sooner or later he'd be seeing the royal family dragged down here to be chained up too.

He'd have to watch them all of them including his Sofia slowly but surely wither away that's if they didn't just use them. This was worse than with Queen Vor because Sofia had the amulet then and other people. As they were both settling into their hopelessness they heard a noise off to the side. At first they thought it was just an animal running about but then it became louder and more obvious. It sounded like bricks being moved. They turned towards where that sound was coming from unsure of what was happening now. They could see the floor beneath them shake a little and the bricks pushed upwards and to the side, leaving a gaping black hole. They both hoped there wasn't some type of earthquake causing a disruption or perhaps the floor was just unstable.

However that was not the case at all as they saw hands peeping out from the hole, small delicate feminine hands. The hands belonged to a body which was being lifted upwards and out of the hole with a slight groan. It was a girl, younger than Sofia but as blonde as Amber. She was dusting off her pink and purple dress and complaining about the pesky rats and how she didn't like them. A small golden orb exited the ground and appeared next to her, glowing brighter in flashes as it went towards Cedric and Sofia, seemingly alerting the girl to them. She turned towards them and exclaimed in surprise.

"Oh! You are in a fix, aren't you?"

"I'm...confused...are you a prisoner that's escaped?" Cedric asked, befuddled by the fact a child had been imprisoned and had escaped too. She laughed a little at him.

"No of course not. I'm sorry allow me to introduce myself. I am Princess Eilonwy," She stated with a curtsy. "Your amulet sent me here to help, Sofia, and you do appear to need it badly."

Sofia and Cedric gaped, stunned at the sudden turn of events that seemed to be in their favor. "But...how could it have sent for you when I don't have it on me?"

"It was on you when it called for me it just it took a while for me to get here and find you. Besides I had to wait for those two to leave," She said, nodding her head towards the stairs. The glowing orb floated towards the keys left hanging on the nail by the stairs and pulsated. "Oh good you found them! We can get you out of here then."

"I...still don't understand... why did the amulet send someone so, and no offense here, young?"

"Well sir, it's because I've been in this situation before. Not so long ago I was nabbed by a wicked evil creature known as The Horned King. He sought to rule the world and thought my bauble could help him find the tools to do it. However I was clever enough to get out and saved my friend. It was thanks to me and me alone that we both got out, even though I'm just a princess and I'm young. I think Sofia is proof enough to tell you neither of those things means you are incapable of fighting battles or getting out of sticky situations."

Princess Eilonwy grabbed the keys and headed back over to them with a small smile on her face. "You should never give up hope Sofia," She told her as she unlocked the chains from her hands then her feet. "I never gave up on my mission to save the world even when things looked their blackest and all hope seemed lost. In the end it was hope, courage, friendship, and love that got us through those dark dark times."

Cedric was now freed and almost instantly went to Sofia so he could hold her in his arms. He kissed the top of her head and her forehead and everywhere he could think of kissing her. He knew time was of the essence but he needed to do this. He had almost lost her and almost gave into the thought that they would be forever trapped or slaves for the rest of their lives.

"You're right...I did lose hope back there...and I shouldn't have. I remember I've done it a couple times but each time I did I found the strength to carry on and the will to persevere. I won't ever doubt again. I should know help is always around the corner when needed most and that there is always a way out even if it isn't clear at first. Thank you so much for saving us Pr-"

Sofia turned towards her and only saw the floating gold orb, bouncing up and down before popping like a bubble leaving a faint golden outline of itself. She smiled to herself. That princess was very similar to her and she had done the most at the most important time yet she was so small and so young. It gave Sofia more hope than ever that they could indeed get out of this alright. First things first was to get out of here entirely. If they were lucky there would be no one in the kingdom that could stop them because all the evil doers were on their way to Enchancia. Then perhaps they could finally warn the king and queen and hopefully get to Minerva and Merlin so they could explain the situation. They would also need wands, since theirs were stolen, unfortunately. Cedric's family wand could have been a big help to them at this time and now it was in the wrong hands.

"We have no time to waste, we must get out of here and warn the others!" Sofia exclaimed. "We can grab Livia's other wands and use those. C'mon let's go quickly now."

He nodded and followed her along going up the stairs. The front door at the entrance was unlocked and unguarded. Either Livia was overly confident or she wasn't too bright to remember to lock it too. Either way they used it to their advantage but quietly opened it just in case. They exited from the basement but were confronted with another door and this time it was guarded but the guards were from Brightland. They banged on the door to get their attention, telling them who they were and that they weren't meant to be locked up. They only seemed to turn around because they were confused as to how prisoners had escaped but then they saw the princess, a face they recognized, and immediately went to open the door, fumbling with the keys.

"How on earth did you lot get in there?" One of the guards questioned when they were both out.

"It's a long story and one the queen and king must hear. Quick as you can, show us where they are! We must speak with them!"

"I'm afraid they are both asleep at this hour, your lady and sorcererness."

"Please you must wake them up! This is an emergency! Their kingdom and mine are in grave danger! If you don't do something soon my family, my whole land will be destroyed!"

The guards seemed in shock hearing this and immediately went to showing them the way. They all hustled along as fast as they could towards the royal bedchambers and when they got there the guards knocked hard upon the door waking up the apparently grumpy king. All that it took to get him going was that it was urgent news from Sofia and the king immediately went to the door, followed soon after by his queen, who was modestly covering herself in a robe. The two of them saw Sofia and Cedric there looking panic stricken and before they could even ask they both explained in depth what was going on. There was a look of horror on their faces hearing that not only had their royal sorceress betrayed them but had released Reginald and that they were going to demolish Enchancia.

"How did you ever escape?" The queen asked, flustered.

"We just had a lot of luck...and hope," Sofia answered for them. "But right now that isn't an important issue. We need to hurry! They could already be there by now!"

"Sound the alarms! Call the guards! We need every knight in the kingdom and surrounding kingdoms!" The king announced and immediately the two went to do it dutifully.

"That will be of some help but we need magic help too. We have to go now, we have a lot of people to get to and fast!" Sofia quickly explained and then started to run in the direction of the outside. Cedric followed after without hesitation. The first thing they needed to do was locate Minerva and Merlin. The two stole two wands from Livia's stores easily enough then boarded their flying horses and flew into the sky quick as a flash. At around the time Cedric had awoken from being bitten by Livia's deadly, but not poisonous, pet snake, Minerva had finally made it to Dragon Hold, Merlin's home. He left his study window open usually for his own bird to fly free from but he also left it open just in case and he was glad he did. Minerva flew straight on in almost knocking over everything that was on the table but being graceful could wait for another day. This was of the greatest importance. Merlin didn't even need to be told something was wrong, he knew what it was and he immediately grabbed the wand he required.

"We need more than me to accomplish this though. I'll have to call the W.A.N.D"

"The what now?" Archimedes asked sleepily from his bird house.

"The wizards army and national defense, oh what does it matter?! We must go go go! Time is of the essence, Sofia's life and her land are in danger. We cannot let anyone take over that kingdom, they will use its magic for nefarious purposes and we cannot under any circumstance let Sofia's light go out!"

Merlin stormed out of his tower with Minerva in hot pursuit and Archimedes coming with too. He supposed he might as well and he wanted to look at least somewhat brave. As Merlin went about summoning who he needed to, standing right outside his tower sending up flashes of colored light, Sofia and Cedric had escaped and told the king and queen. Now they were on there way over to Merlin but even at the distance they were at now they could see the bright colored lights shooting up into the sky.

"What's going on now?"

"Not to fear, dear. Merlin is just contacting the W.A.N.D. A brilliant idea by a brilliant man."

"Oh...is this some type of magic group?"

"Exactly so. They are a union of magical fighters that are always ready to protect their world when it needs them most but they need to be called to do it. Consider them like your royal army, they can't just go out into a random field and start a war, they have to be commanded and told. So Merlin is sort of like their general. If anyone can help us, they can."

"That's just what we need! But do you think it will be enough? We could still ask for the fairies and elves and witches."

"It should be plenty. Trust me on this, they've gone through huge wizarding wars before. However if it makes you feel any safer you can go ahead and go get the others while I go with Merlin."

"I think I will, just in case. We can't be too prepared and it doesn't hurt to have more people. It might take me a little bit of time though."

"That's fine with me, the farther you are from all this nasty business the better. I would prefer you not to take part in this at all. I...could have lost you today...I won't let it happen again."

"I have to defend the Ever Realm and my people not to mention my family. If you happen to do it all on your own that's great but when I can, if I can, I will join. I have to do this. Besides remember I have a protection ring," She remarked, showing off her hand with the twinkling ring on it. "So you'll know if I'm in need of help. I know we will come out on top. We always have."

"And we always will," Cedric replied back, lacing his hand with hers. He gingerly pulled her as close as he could, given that they were still on flying horses, and leaned over to kiss her. "I love you Sofia, you're the bravest warrior in all of Enchancia."

"We both are. I love you Cedric. Please stay safe. I'll be back soon."

"You too...be careful alright?"

"I will be."

Sofia flew off going to get more help from the other sources while Cedric joined Merlin and his group. Sofia had an endless supply of people she could gather the trouble was getting to all of them. She trusted in the wizard army and in Cedric but she wanted to make sure without a shadow of a doubt there was no way they would lose. Her first stop was to go to the witches, they were the fastest option, then she would go to the elves the second fastest option, and she'd gather her protectors too, if they haven't already been alerted by others.

On her way she went forward with nothing but happy thoughts to fuel her so that she wouldn't become overcome with the weight of this entire situation. She thought of her future with Cedric, happy times with her family, the funny jokes, the smiles, the hugs, the times she played with Clover, the adventures she had, the stories she helped, the people she met but more than that she thought of the ending of all this. She kept a burning hope inside of her that this would all end alright, that no one would be hurt. As long as she kept it burning, she knew that they would make it and that they would succeed, and this time she would not lose hope. She promised it.

Getting to the witches was in fact the easiest task on her list to do and she employed only the good variety even though, thanks to Lucinda, a few not so good ones like her mother joined the group. They all went on broomstick towards the kingdom while Sofia headed off to Elvenmore. Once there the elf king sent out his finest archers and swordsmen that he could spare as well as any who could do magic. Now it was time for her to go to the isles to gather the protectors. She made it to the Mystic Isles just fine and instantly hopped off Minimus as fast as she could to go find them all. Everyone was there, Orion, Vega, Chrysta, everyone, and that was a good thing because she needed all of them and then some.

"Sofia, what's going on? There's something stirring in the Ever Realm. Do you know what it is?" Vega inquired.

Sofia explained from the beginning but rapidly about Livia, about Reginald, about the four sisters, and about Cedric. They all knew even if it wasn't their realm, they had to protect it anyways. Any evil had to be taken care of. Those that can fly flew and the others got there other ways. The winged fighters were called by Vega, Chrysta found powerful faes. Garrish called giants, even ogres. Centaurs, dryads and elementals, griffins, hippogriffs, and all else all joined in, all following behind Sofia, riding their way into battle. As this was going on Cedric had joined Merlin who had summoned almost all of the W.A.N.D. Spell users came from the north with icy powers galore, from the east with ancient traditional oriental magic, from the south with charms and spells and talismans, and the west where some of the strongest lie. Every person from islands, kingdoms, castles, and caves came that could. Once they were all gathered Merlin bid them to quiet down so he could tell them what he summoned them for.

"My friends, my fellow wizards, enchantresses, mages, and shamans alike. Today marks another day in which we must all band together to fight for the world's balance between magic and non-magic, between good and evil. As we speak the Enchancian kingdom and its inhabitants are under siege by the sisters of Sinestra and many others who fight for the side of the wicked. I ask you, I beseech you to join me and my colleague, Cedric, to save this kingdom, save the land where magic thrives, save the people who live there, some of our very own people, and save the family of Lady Sofia. Who is with me?"

Everyone lifted their staffs or wands and cheered loudly. Not a single one among them disagreed. It made Cedric proud to be a part of this group, to be considered a colleague of Merlin, to be fighting for his kingdom, for Sofia. He would do all he could to end this madness so that at last Enchancia could remain in peace. They flew, they transported themselves, they magicked their way there. Any way they could go they went. As they made it there, they took notice of the broomstick flying women and warlocks, they took notice of the elven archers, they took notice of some others arriving, even a genie seemed to have joined the cause.

Sofia's friendship and kind heart had brought all these people here to fight for her, to fight for her land, to protect this castle. Sofia made it with all of the group to her kingdom and just in the nick of time too. The front doors of the castle were being blown open and the troops who worked for Reginald and the rest were going to barge in but she wasn't about to let them step one foot into her castle. She landed right in front of the large group of people, standing regally in their path with her hands outstretched in front of her. Minimus, though small as could be, reared his wings and showed off his fierce side, kicking the ground with his one hoof like a bull ready to charge.

"STOP!" She shouted out loud. "You will not make another move! This is my kingdom, my home, my family, and I won't let you take or hurt anyone or anything there!"

Reginald was near the helm of this battle, sitting closely around him were four women, of which Sofia recognized two-Morgana and Livia. There was one who was round in body shape with swirly brown hair and a yellow dress washing out her skin tone. The other had fiery red hair but there were oranges and yellows melded together in it. Her eyes seemed red too and so was her clothing, black and red everywhere like a molten volcano. Sofia could assume which one was which just based on appearance. Reginald threw back his head and laughed and soon everyone joined him. Sofia was not budging, not crying, not pouting, not doing anything that would make her appear weak. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction.

"Oh how precious! You think you can take us all on by yourself? I don't know how you got out but it was almost worth it for that joke. If you don't move aside we will crush you in our path. I have no qualms either way but do the smart thing and just back down."

"Never!"

All the commotion got the attention of the guards who were patrolling the perimeter of the castle and had not noticed anything until now. Sofia quickly told them to gather the rest, to run and hurry, and to make sure the rest of the staff and her family were safe. Without any questions her faithful soldiers did just that but it seemed to only make Reginald laugh some more.

"Pitiful little humans can't stop us," The red eyed woman, assumedly Ira, supposed, flexing her long sharp black nails. She looked like some type of creature not a normal woman at all. "But it will be fun watching you try."

"Perhaps you are right, humans alone can't stop you which is why I brought a little help. Alright everyone, attaaaack!" Sofia commanded, pointing at the group in front of her.

That was their cue and from out of nowhere it seemed they were being stormed by all manner of beasts from flying polar bears to wild mountain cats and all other subhuman creatures too. Now they had no choice but to direct their attention to the others and fight back with them. Sofia urged Minimus to go and protect the horses and stable but he was worried about her more than them. She mounted her friend Wilfred the wombeast and told him she'd be alright. It took some convincing to get him to go but he did, after promising her he would not only defend the other horses but the other animals too. Sofia was about to rush into the heat of the battle when she heard some commotion behind her. When she turned around she noticed her entire family was trying to rush down the stairs and get to her but they were being stopped by the guards who were telling them to go where it was safe.

"Please listen to them. Mom, dad, Amber, James, you have to go! This isn't a safe place for you."

"It's not a safe place for you either, Sofia! You need to be with your family let the others handle this!" Roland called out to her.

"Yes please! We don't want to see you get hurt," Amber pleaded but Sofia was not listening.

"I have to do this! It's my job as a protector!"

"Then I'm coming too Sof!" James proclaimed. "It's a knight's duty to protect his castle!"

"No! You all have to stay inside, please. I'll be fine, trust me."

Sofia didn't have time to sit here and argue with her family all day so instead of doing that she just left them there, the wombeast bounding into the fray and faintly hearing her family call her name. She did not like doing this but she had to. She yanked on Wilfred's fur to make him go faster and tell him where to turn. She made him do a sharp turn to the left and found her way to the small warehouse outside where James kept his gear. There she found one of his many swords and picked it up. It was heavy but it would have to do for now. She brandished her sword letting it shine in the light, a beacon to all that she was not going down, not today, not so easily. It didn't matter if she had no amulet, no enchantlet, no magical powers to contend with the rest, nothing besides one little bit of protection. She would fight. She would fight even if it was to the end but she knew it would not be to the end, at least not her own. It would be their end, of this she was certain because she would make sure of it. That was her job, that was what she was born for, to protect people she loved, with or without the amulet. She was Lady Sofia of Enchancia and she would use her light to extinguish the darkness once and for all.