Enchancian Expedition

Summary: In honor of his upcoming retirement, Roland decides to take nearly the entire Enchancian castle (including friends, family, and some workers) on an extended holiday. They have plans to travel to several countries and realms, and they'll make a number of surprising discoveries along the way. (Note: The setup is similar to but not exactly like AIM. :D)

Disclaimer: I own Corban, Alamea, Dominic, Serena, Angel (mentioned) Arnold (the newborn of Vivian and James), and several other familiar OCs you'll see in this story (including those from Mahiya, Helvetica-mentioned, Reimagia, the children of Mateo and Elena, and others). MarionetteJ2X owns Nana and Tanya as well as the characters from the Abstruce Realm. Mr. Shortman92 owns characters from the Absentia Realm as well as the 'Evil Cedfia' duo and their child Angelina (mentioned), Delilah, and Dana. Everyone/everything else originally from Sofia the First belongs to Craig Gerber.

A/N: There are some realms or kingdoms we will not visit, for a variety of reasons. This big expedition or vacation is in honor of Roland's retirement. Angel will not appear, because he is still in training with my OC Nakamo to study the ways of becoming a royal shaman; however, Calista will appear in chapter 5, since she is currently training in Reimagia. Just because some show-based characters and/or OCs don't show up in here, that doesn't mean it's the last you'll see of them (for now). ;) Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1: Abstruce

When Roland had told his family that he had big plans for his retirement celebration, they hadn't realized exactly how big. He wanted to travel from June to August, on the Floating Palace, to different places both throughout the realm and via other realms. Since he'd never really gotten to do a lot of traveling in his last few years of ruling, he was pulling out all the stops.

With some modifications to the Floating Palace (magically enhanced, thanks to many magic wielders), the renovated vessel could now float on water, fly through the air, transport to alternate realms, and house everyone onboard very comfortably. There were many cabins available for those he planned to have accompany him on this journey, which was nice to know. After all, there were now several different families with children, and they obviously needed their space.

Of course, traveling for the summer meant that there would need to be a stand-in for the throne. Happily, Tilly and Sir Bartleby had agreed to watch the kingdom for them while they were gone.

Once they'd sorted out the details, the travel plan included the following locations (in this order): the Abstruce Realm, the Absentia Realm, the kingdom of Corona, Merroway Cove, Reimagia, Mahiya, and lastly Avalor. Places like Helvetica, Namile, and various other realms or kingdoms were off limits for now, due to different circumstances: some inhabitants were traveling themselves, some were too busy with meetings or ruling, and some just simply were unavailable for any reason. Overall, Roland was satisfied to be going anywhere at all, since it hadn't happened often in the most recent years past, and it likely wouldn't happen very often after his retirement became official. He planned to live a quiet life in the castle, enjoying his later years with Miranda and Corban, and the rest of his family.

The Floating Palace was officially complete with its upgrades just four days before they were to set sail. Each cabin could host up to six people (three different beds were available), had extra seating, contained beautiful wardrobes for clothing, and even had a desk with a chair for writing or studying purposes (not that anyone suspected there would be much of either going on with the journey underway).

So, on June 1, everyone gathered on the Floating Palace, ready to head out. Roland stood near the helm, smiling fondly at everyone who'd come with him: Miranda, Corban, Amber, Desmond, Alamea, Dominic, Sofia, Cedric, Serena, Nana, Tanya, James, Vivian, their newborn son Arnold, Cordelia, Nigel, Violet, Baileywick, and several crewmates and a few other workers from the castle (like Marcie and Suzette). The animals were staying in the kingdom, which was likely for the best. Angel was finishing his training with Nakamo while Calista was finishing hers in Reimagia (on the list to visit), so they were not present on the voyage. However, given that they planned to visit Reimagia around the same time Calista finished, they planned to take her home with them.

"I can't thank you all enough for indulging me this one last time," Roland announced with a warm smile toward the others. "Ruling Enchancia the last several years has had its positives and negatives, but I assure you that the good far outweighed the bad. And as my daughter Amber prepares to ascend to the throne in a few months…" He nodded toward the princess, who smiled lovingly toward her father. "…I just want to commemorate this occasion with a grand adventure: something I know most of you enjoy."

Sofia laughed, leaning against Cedric as he wrapped an arm around her. Adventure, indeed… They'd had more than enough adventures the last few years, but this one sounded like fun. If they were lucky, they'd be uninterrupted for a change. And given that they hadn't heard from any evildoers in over two years, she finally had hope that such a thing could happen.

"We'll begin in Abstruce and carry on from there. I, for one, am interested to see how some of our counterparts are doing…" Roland smirked as he jokingly fluffed his hair. "And I'm really curious to see if their Roland is as rugged and handsome as I am."

Miranda rolled her eyes and nudged her husband, snickering as he groaned in light dismay before grinning at her. "Don't get too big of a head, Rollie."

"Too late," Cordelia joked, smiling playfully toward her friend, who pouted. "Sorry, Roland. I've got to call it like I see it."

After everyone was settled into their cabins, the Floating Palace began its journey.

The Abstruce Realm was far more beautiful than it had ever been before. The entire kingdom was now flush with greenery, and the castle was in immaculate condition. There didn't even appear to be any signs of previous destruction or decay. It was almost as if the location had been preserved, protected…

When the Floating Palace docked in the harbor, after traveling through a dimensional pull (like all the realms would require), the group travelled ashore in the updated land for the first time. Some of them, of course, were walking on this soil for the first time, so the entire experience was very much new for them anyway.

"Did anyone actually warn this realm that we're coming?" Amber asked as she held Dominic, who was snuggled into her arms and asleep. "I really don't want Fia and her group to try to attack us, considering their history here…"

"We gave them a heads up," Cedric assured her with a smile. "They're aware we're here. We made sure to contact everyone prior to the adventure."

"Oh, good, because I really didn't want to start off my rule with enemies."

James grinned, nudging his sister. "The only enemies you'll have, sis, are the ones who disagree with your aesthetic and methods. So...probably half the population. You've just gotta be cool and not let your opinions and emotions get in the way."

Amber deadpanned at her twin. "James, I'm not overly emotional." She heard a small cough from her sister and sighed. "Okay, I'm not as emotional as I used to be. I've grown up!"

"She has," Miranda agreed as they continued walking. "And she's going to do some great things when she leads Enchancia. I have no doubt."

The blonde princess offered the queen a genuine smile. "Thanks, Mom. That means a lot."

The group reached the castle, the guards confusedly admitting them entrance, not certain how to react to doubles of their own royal family (and then some). They led the group to the throne room, where the other King Roland and Queen Miranda sat.

"Y-Your Majesties," one of the guards began uncertainly, "um… Y-You have quite possibly the strangest types of visitors I think I've ever announced. Erm, presenting… The Ever Realm version of yourselves, and their traveling companions…" He held a hand to his head before vaguely gesturing for the others to step forward.

"Ah, yes, Sofia told us about all of you," the king acknowledged with a firm nod. "I'll admit, I was a bit apprehensive about meeting myself and other people's...selves…" He then grinned widely at his counterpart. "But you look respectable enough, so welcome to the Abstruce Realm."

"I'm not sure whether we should be flattered or insulted," Miranda joked lightly to Roland, who chuckled softly.

Roland stepped up and shook his counterpart's hand. "Outgoing King Roland II, ruler of Enchancia in the Ever Realm."

"Ah, outgoing, huh?" The other king shrugged as he released the retiree's hand. "I've got a few more years myself. Our Amber isn't quite ready for the throne yet. And ruling alone with no spouse to aid her may prove to be difficult."

Amber blinked at this information. "I married Desmond… My counterpart didn't do the same?"

"I'm afraid Desmond in our realm isn't in the picture," the Abstruce Miranda told the princess. "He transferred schools before the Royal Prep graduation and hasn't been seen since."

Desmond winced. "Must have had something to do with Aunt Nadine… She had talked about it at one point, but I managed to talk her out of it. I was happy where I was." He smiled toward his wife, who returned it. "For many reasons."

She giggled. "Smooth talker," she teased, leaning toward him and kissing him gently.

"Sofia? Cedric?"

The two in question turned to see both Ceddy and Fia entering the room, Little Berry (Nana) hugging her father's back as she peeped out from his shoulder to see them. They smiled at the other couple, and then they noticed a few things they deemed interesting. For one, Fia's hair was braided down her back, having grown a bit longer than the last time they'd seen her, and Ceddy wore a purple head scarf around his forehead and nestled into his short hair. Their clothing seemed far more relaxed now, instead of Fia wrapped in armor or Ceddy decked out in complicated robes. Even more interesting? Both of them had rings on their left hands: matching simple silver bands.

"You… You're engaged?" Sofia guessed, smiling at her counterpart and friend.

"Married," Fia corrected with a wink. "We eloped late last year."

"I'd like to point out that not only did we beat you two to marriage, but so did CeCe and Sofie," Cedric chuckled good-naturedly. "And I'm rather sure you both acknowledged your feelings far earlier than any of the rest of us did."

"Yeah, well, I wasn't sure about it at first," the princess admitted. "As much as I love Ceddy, I wasn't really ready for marriage yet. He was…"

"It's kind of weird how different Cedric and Sofia are in each realm," James told Vivian as she patted a sleeping Arnold's back. "Weird, but cool I guess."

"I just think it's neat that they're together in every realm," she returned quietly. "At least, what we've seen… Who knows? In another realm, maybe she's married to Hugo, or Zandar, or even Desmond or someone."

"Yeah, that would never happen," Fia told her counterpart's friend, a smirk on her face. "None of them could keep up with me. And they don't meet my danger quota." She reached up and stroked Ceddy's hair, smiling as he sighed in content. "You have to be at least a little daring to be good enough for me." She gasped, looking at Sofia with a grin. "Speaking of which, did you hear about our evil counterparts?"

Ceddy made a soft disgruntled sound when Fia dropped her hand from his hair, but he smiled when Little Berry patted his back instead. "Thanks, Nana."

She beamed. "You're welcome!"

Sofia shook her head at Fia's question and blinked. "Haven't heard anything since they were taken away. Why? What did you hear?"

"They have a child! Get this: her name is Angelina, or Angie for short. That's so close to 'Angel,' and considering their origins, I find that kind of hilarious." She shrugged with a smirk. "Ceddy and I actually accidentally came across them when we were on a mission, and we ended up in their little prison realm, and sure enough… There sat Mr. and Mrs. Baddies with the cutest baby ever. She basically looked like a mini us with very curly hair, and the frilliest pink dress ever. And the prisoners just loved her. They were playing peek-a-boo and singing songs to her. I didn't know whether to laugh, cringe, or cry."

"She sort of did all three at one point," Ceddy remarked with a roll of his eyes. "But yes, little Angelina is doing fine, even thriving...even in that environment."

"Well, that's great," Miranda remarked, unsure of how else to respond. Just knowing that her daughter and son-in-law had evil counterparts was chaotic enough, but to find out they had a child while imprisoned? She wasn't sure how to react.

"Meanwhile, I see you've been busy," Fia commented slyly, smiling knowingly toward Cedric and especially Sofia, who blushed. "So now you have Nana, Tanya, Serena… And your upcoming fourth team player, hmm?"

Sofia shrugged and smiled, lifting a hand to gently place it over her stomach. "I can honestly say that this baby was a surprise… Cedric and I…" She cleared her throat as Cedric placed his hands on her shoulders. "We didn't think I'd be able to carry another baby. I even had a miscarriage last year."

"O-Oh…" The other princess frowned sadly. "I'm so sorry, Sofia…" She reached out, taking her counterpart's hand. "No mother should ever have to suffer through losing a child…"

She smiled softly at Fia. "Thanks… In any case, things feel different this time around. No complications. And hopefully it stays that way."

The group continued talking, the kids from both realms eventually meeting up to play together and release some of that pent-up energy. It was still strange knowing that in this realm, there were no Desmond, Corban, Angel… Even Calista and Cordelia were rare visitors, apparently. Then again, as a reinstated former war-torn country, it wasn't too surprising that there were many differences. They'd literally had to build from the ground up and start all over.

"May I ask you something?" Abstruce Roland asked his counterpart once everyone else was seated at the dining table, waiting to eat supper. "You're getting ready to retire, you said." Seeing Roland nod, he mimicked the movement. "We've had a lot of ups and downs the last several years, as I'm sure you're aware. I've heard from Fia that your kingdom had its own share of invasions, near destruction, and so on, but you still managed to come out unscathed. How?"

"I don't ever do anything alone," the former king responded honestly. "I rely on my family, my guards, the magic wielders, my staff… We all work together to keep the kingdom running smoothly, and I honestly don't know how I managed without them in the earlier years. But you would do well to follow that advice: don't think you have to do everything on your own. They're called advisors for a reason. And your family will probably surprise you if you ask for their help. There's absolutely nothing wrong with admitting you need some assistance."

"Well, maybe someday, I'll feel comfortable doing that." He lit up when the food bell rang. "Oh, wonderful! I overheard Baileywick say they'd made jiggly wiggly pudding tonight!"

"Ooh, jiggly wiggly pudding?" Roland chuckled. "Wonderful!"

Abstruce Miranda just rolled her eyes as she glanced at her own counterpart. "It's his favorite treat. One of these days, he's going to turn into jiggly wiggly pudding."

Her husband snickered. "I somehow wouldn't mind that… I'd be a tasty treat all the time."

Some of the others at the table groaned at the horrible joke, with good reason.

Miranda giggled as she looked between her husband and his lookalike. "I'm glad to see some things don't change."

The other Miranda giggled. "Agreed," she acknowledged, a bit of laughter echoing across the table.

To be continued…

Next Chapter: Absentia