Moonlight Magic

Summary: Cedric takes Sofia and the girls to a magical festival held on the first full moon of the new year to celebrate both the festivities and the recent engagement.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Nana and Tanya belong to MarionetteJ2X.

A/N: All right, guys! This is the first story of Season 4, which consists of twelve total stories. Each story takes place in a different month. So, this one is in January, Encore is in February, and so on, all the way to the final story, which will be in December. This one is full of sugar and sweetness, which you'll likely miss later in the season, so I do hope you enjoy this. 😊 Here we go!

*Story*

Nearly a month had passed since Cedric had proposed to Sofia, and the excitement of the reality of their engagement hadn't dwindled one bit. However, what had seemingly calmed down was the constant fear of the unknown: the dreadful feeling that something bad was going to happen. They'd not heard from any villains, experienced any danger, or anything. To be honest, it was both wonderful yet eerily frightening for them, since they were used to something bad happening at this point. They didn't want it to be one of those 'too good to be true' situations, but they knew it was best to take what they could get. With them being a very powerful duo, known to many enemies, they would probably always be a target.

But for now… It was late January, and they were simply enjoying being engaged and in love, butterflies still filling them each time they hugged or kissed, like it was still something new. Granted, considering their history and the trials and tribulations they'd faced to get to this point, they made it a point to treat it as if it were still new and consciously made the effort not to take these moments of loving peacefulness for granted.

Currently, they were with Nana and Tanya at a festival called Moonlight Magic, which took place in a mountainous village just outside of Enchancia (not even a twenty-minute flight via AutoCoach). The villagers here celebrated each full moon phase, though the first one (often referred to as the Wolf Moon) was the most intriguing, for during this time, the moon was said to emit magical energy during its first full phase of the new year.

The little family had settled on sitting near a cave toward the top of the mountain, a small fire keeping them warm (just like all the other small groups of people along the mountain). Nana and Tanya were snuggled together in a warm lavender blanket, holding hands as Tanya told Nana some random story about a mischievous fairy and her pet beetle.

Sofia was amused listening to the white-haired girl relay the story to her sister, the smaller girl's eyes widening in wonder as Tanya emphatically did varying voices and small gestures to get into the story. "Something tells me they'll be great Story Keepers," Sofia laughed, leaning her head against Cedric's shoulder.

Indeed, the girls had just recently received Sofia's former Story Keeping duties. Instead of being summoned via the Amulet of Avalor, though, they were each summoned via Tanya's Death Bringer and Nana's necklace. It was just one thing Sofia had decided to relinquish to the girls, because she knew given all the new changes and all the challenges she and Cedric had faced recently (and likely would face in the future), she wouldn't be able to continue that role. Besides, Nana and Tanya were a powerful team and could solve unfinished stories with no problem, given their magical and thoughtful nature.

As of right now, she still harbored her Protector duties and would do so as long as she felt capable. She still enjoyed saving the day and helping people, and with Cedric along for many of the missions, she was that much more effective.

"Yes, they will," Cedric agreed before standing and pulling Sofia to her feet, guiding her around the small fire. "Come here. I want to show you something."

Sofia blinked but did as he asked, holding onto his hands as he led her closer to the edge of the mountainside. "U-Um, Cedric…" She cautiously peeked over the side, an anxious feeling stirring in her as she remembered the time years ago that she'd nearly fallen off a mountain very similar to this one. Simon the Silent had certainly changed in the last decade, but there were some things that didn't go away. Not to mention, they'd confessed on the side of a mountain last year. What was it with them and mountains, anyway? "Can we…not be so close to the edge? We already live our lives on one…"

He chuckled, stopping a few feet from the edge, holding onto his fiancée tightly. "I know, my darling, but watch." He lifted his hand, pointing toward the clearing clouds. "I don't want you to miss this."

The princess stared in awe as the clouds faded, the large face of the Wolf Moon appearing, its surface magically coated in a pastel gradient of colors. It was unlike anything she'd ever seen before. Most times she'd seen the moon, it was white, or sometimes a soft gold, and even on occasion a pale blue or pink. But rainbow? This was different.

"Close your eyes." He smiled as she did what he asked, and he reached up, brushing her bangs aside, as he placed a gentle kiss to her forehead. He then lowered his lips to her ear, whispering, "You will feel something warm and energizing soon… This is what they mean by 'Moonlight Magic.' Just be still and wait…"

Sofia did as he suggested, her breathing calm as he played with her ponytail while still holding onto her. She heard a soft gust of air encircle them, causing her to shiver a bit. It was still January, after all, and still winter. But feeling Cedric hold her closer, pressing her against his warm robe, helped a lot.

Before she knew it, she could feel that rushing warmth of magical energy he'd told her about. It was sudden but certainly not unpleasant. She already possessed powerful magic after all her experiences, but this just boosted her even more, she felt. It was like it rushed through her veins, melded into her bloodstream, flooded her lungs, and encased her heart. Her whole body was flooded with renewed magic, and it was amazing.

She only opened her eyes when she heard giggling behind them. She smiled as she looked toward Nana and Tanya, who had obviously gotten their own magical enhancement, the sparkling aura surrounding them in that same rush of warmth she'd felt. And they seemed so happy to experience it. "Cedric, this was a great idea…" She trailed off as she turned to look at him, her mouth falling open as she noticed something different about him.

He was surrounded in a pale purple glow, his features soft and calm, his own eyes closed, the magic radiating around him and through him (she could feel it like she'd felt it in her own body). She didn't remember ever seeing him so peaceful, so quiet, so…

Cedric slowly opened his eyes, smiling at the princess in his arms. "Sofia…" He lowered his head, brushing his lips over hers, only slightly surprised when she took the opportunity to deepen the soft kiss. A few moments later, he chuckled as she leaned back to smile shyly at him. "Feeling refreshed?"

"Refreshed, renewed, relaxed…" Her shy smile turned more flirtatious as she placed a hand on his cheek. "Really good…"

He returned the smile, taking her hand and placing a kiss to her knuckles. "That's the magic of the Wolf Moon, my love. It gives you that new sense of energy and strengthens your powers, preparing you to take on a new year. And this could be a…yearly thing, if you'd like."

She giggled. "I would like that. Oh, by the way…" She grasped both of his hands as she whispered, "The moonlight suits you…" Without another word, she leaned up, kissing him once again, hearing the giggles or snickers from their girls a few feet away.

This was definitely a great start to the new year, and it was sure to be an even better year than any in the past.

…Right?

The end