To Serve and Protect
Summary: When Sofia decides to pass off her Protector duties to her girls, they go through training (along with a few familiar faces) to become official Junior Protectors of the Ever Realm.
Disclaimer: I own Corban, Serena, Ira, Sapphire, Davina, and Avius. Nana and Tanya belong to MarionetteJ2X. Everyone/everything else belongs to Craig Gerber.
A/N: Okie dokie! I decided to post a little early since I'm about to be very busy this week. ;) Time to wrap up this story with a little celebration! See y'all in the next story! (Coming Monday)
Chapter 5: Badge of Honor
After a few months of continuous training with Ira, their skills having increased tenfold, and many successful missions behind them, the girls were finally ready to be recognized as official Junior Protectors of the Ever Realm.
Orion and Vega arranged a ceremony for them and invited the girls' parents so that they could partake in the festivities.
"It's so weird thinking of Nana and Tanya as Protectors too," Sofia gushed happily as she and Cedric sat together in the headquarters, Serena in Cedric's lap, a sleepy expression on her face (she'd just woken up from a nap). She smiled and reached up, playfully tugging at one of her daughter's pigtails, laughing as Serena giggled softly. "Weird, but also expected, I guess… It makes sense, doesn't it?"
Cedric hummed as he rested his chin on his daughter's head, smiling as she played with his gloved hands. "Mm, perhaps… A job filled with danger, adventure, and mystery… Sounds like something our family does."
She grinned before leaning against him, sighing, her hand resting on her abdomen. She had to wonder if Serena and the new baby would follow in their big sisters' footsteps one day, but she wasn't about to say that out loud. While Cedric had been supportive of their endeavors, he was still nervous for them. Even she was a bit nervous, even though she knew they could hold their own. In any case, their youngest two were still far too young (or…not quite out of the womb yet) to even think about that for now.
Sir Finlay and Gabriella walked over and sat next to the other couple, Finn (now a bouncy toddler with his hair tied back into a short ponytail and wearing a rather dapper blue suit) hurrying over to hug Sofia and then Cedric, and then flashing a shy smile at Serena. The parents had noticed how close their children had gotten since meeting, and they were always so sweet to each other.
"Hi, Finn," Serena greeted sweetly as she waved down at him from her place in Cedric's lap.
"Hi, Serena," he responded just as sweetly, blushing a little bit. "I like your dress; it's blue like your eyeballs."
Sofia stifled a laugh as Sir Finlay cleared his throat to keep from doing the same. Cedric wasn't sure what to say or do, but Gabriella…
"Oh, geez, son," Gabriella laughed, snorting as she did, which amused the others. "We have got to work on your compliments."
"I thought it was sweet," Sofia acknowledged, smiling at the little boy, who proudly returned the smile. "Her Gramma Miranda made her that dress, Finn. I'm glad you like it."
"It's pretty, but not as pretty as Serena," he told the princess honestly, smiling shyly toward his friend again, blushing as she giggled and hid her face in Cedric's robe.
Cedric shook his head before glancing at Sir Finlay. "I can already see where this is going."
"We'll see where we are in sixteen years," the other sorcerer laughed before holding out his hands to Finn, who hurried over and clambered onto his father's lap.
Once they were all settled, the four girls walked onto a small platform set up just for them. They were in matching outfits: black tights with purple boots, a soft blue dress with maroon fabric lining the long sleeves and around the collar. Similar to Sofia's old Protector outfit, they wore capelets, but theirs were black with silver lining underneath. Each girl had a pair of black gloves and hair tied back into a functional ponytail. Despite their nerves and excitement, each girl stood perfectly still, soft smiles on their faces.
Ira soon walked next to the stage and stood beside them, watching as Chrysta, Orion, and Vega stepped forward to greet the parents.
"We're glad that you could make it today," Vega told the small crowd with a smile. "I know these girls have worked very hard to get where they are today, and having their families here to see their accomplishments means a great deal, I'm sure."
"Princess Sofia," Orion began, smiling as his dear friend nodded with a bit of an emotional smile, "it wasn't that long ago that you yourself were standing where your daughters and their friends are now. They have every bit of bravery, honor, loyalty, and leadership that you exhibited at quite a young age. Given the functionality of the program, upon this day, these girls will be inducted as part of a hybrid team: the Mystic Isles and the Ever Realm."
Vega continued, "But given that they are still young and will still be in more advanced training as they grow up, there are some limitations: they're only allowed two missions a month, accompanied by either Ira or another stand-in Protector; they will not be allowed on missions that are deemed too dangerous; and lastly, their new Enchantlets have a safeguard where, if they are lost or in danger, they will be transported back to the Mystic Isles."
Cedric sighed in relief. "I'm…actually quite satisfied with those stipulations."
Orion chuckled. "We thought you might be. We know how worried you were when Sofia was on her missions. I can only imagine how it feels with your daughters. Thankfully, with the newer technology and magic advancements, and with Ira's guidance, they'll be in very good hands."
"And that leaves only one more thing," Vega added. "Girls, there is an enchanted structure behind the platform, housing well over a thousand different Enchantlets. When you approach it, a new one will be selected for you at random, based on your abilities. Your Training Enchantlets will be replaced with the new ones."
"Training Enchantlets," Sofia echoed, blinking. "I only got one when I went through the training." She absently brushed her fingers over her own Enchantlet.
"Yes, well, things have changed," the female windwalker informed her. "Through the program, we see how much the juniors have improved and what sorts of strengths they have, and they acquire their final Enchantlet to accommodate for those abilities."
"Interesting," Sir Finlay murmured, chuckling as he noticed Finn reaching over and playing with Serena's hair. He simply rolling his eyes, choosing to leave the boy to his innocent actions.
Chrysta laughed. "Yeah, normally, in the past, you'd have to earn one in the Cave of the Arcticonders on the Isle of Forever Frost. But since the island is going through some weird freezing phase where literally no one can approach, we figured this solution would be safer."
"Step forward, Davina," Orion urged, watching as the youngest of the group breathed in deeply then walked toward the structure. "Hold out your wrist, and your Enchantlet will be bestowed to you."
She nodded and did as told, gasping as a pink band with a white heart and pure diamond wrapped around her wrist. "Ooh, it's so pretty!"
"Yep," Chrysta laughed as Davina turned and grinned at her parents, pointing at the Enchantlet in excitement. "Okay, Nana, your turn, kiddo."
Nana inhaled slowly before stepping up to the structure, hesitantly holding out her wrist. Slowly, a black and pink band formed, a few strawberry symbols sprinkled along the surface, and an emerald-colored disc settled onto the band, now wrapping around her own wrist. She gaped at the Enchantlet, stunned by the colors and the precision.
Sofia smiled knowingly. She knew how Nana was feeling. Getting her own Enchantlet was nothing short of amazing. Surely, her daughter felt much the same, especially since she knew it would have to be synced with her own powers and nonverbal commands. Enchantlets chose their owners, after all-not the other way around.
"Sapphire, you're next," Vega told the light-haired girl.
Sapphire bravely marched up to the structure, holding up her wrist. An aquamarine band formed, sprinkles of purple glitter along the base, and a pure sapphire gem rested in the form of a heart on the top, the edges lined with small gold trim. "Oh, this is beautiful," she whispered, smiling.
"And last but certainly not least, Tanya," Orion announced.
Tanya frowned curiously as she approached the structure. She was expecting a solid dark band with onyx gems or something that would represent her origins. It reflected who they were, right? She breathed in slowly and held up her hand. When the lavender band first appeared, she was shocked. Lavender was less her color and more…her parents'… Who had given her another chance… She smiled as she watched the silver trim line the band before a purple, magenta, and white spiraled disc settled into place atop the band, a circular crystal settling on top. "Wow…"
"You are now officially recognized as Junior Protectors of the Mystic Isles and the Ever Realm," Vega told them proudly. "We know you'll do well."
"Of course, they will," Chrysta laughed. "It's in their blood!"
Ira chuckled as the girls hurried over and hugged him, and he swiftly returned their hugs. "I'm very proud of all of you."
While the others hurried over to see their parents, Sapphire lingered and shifted from foot to foot, asking, "Do you think we really have what it takes to be real Protectors, Ira?" She blinked when he smiled and leaned down, gently kissing her cheek. A small, shy smile found its way to her face as she stared up at him.
"I know you do," he told her kindly. "You're going to do great things, Sapphire."
She giggled, blushing softly. "Thanks, Ira…"
"We should celebrate," Sir Finlay told them all. "Protectors, you're welcome to join us."
"Thanks, but we have to get back to our duties," Orion acknowledged. "Do enjoy your celebration, though. It is very well deserved!"
"We should eat cookies!" Finn cheered, grinning at the laughter around him. "With frosting and chocolate chips!"
"Yeah!" Serena echoed, clapping. "Because Nana and Tanya are now big-girl potatoes!"
"Protectors," Tanya corrected with a smile.
"That too!"
"And perhaps somewhere in there, we'll throw in some real food," Cedric chuckled. "Back to Enchancia then?"
"Sounds good to me," Gabriella agreed, followed by a chorus of affirmative responses.
As they were all exiting, Nana stopped Tanya and held her hand over her sister's Enchantlet, smiling as the crystal gem glimmered a bit. She leaned forward and hugged the taller girl, much to Tanya's surprise.
"Oh, Nana… I love you too." She nodded as Nana beamed up at her. "This is a good thing. We are Junior Protectors. We will do…ah-mazing things." She grinned as Nana lifted a hand to her face, smiling sheepishly at the clear pun. "I know. Maybe I should leave the silly sayings to Mama." She took the girl's hand and quickly led her after the others.
The end