In Cedric We Trust
Roland was in his study, Sofia, Madeline and Baileywick nearby. He was looking for something.
"I could've sworn I left it here." He frowned. "Sofia, would you look behind the couch?"
As Sofia did so, Cedric entered the room.
"No, not here." Sofia declared.
"Now, where did I put my white necktie?" Roland checked a desk drawer. "I wear it to all big events in Dunwitty..."
"And the opening of the Dunwitty museum today will be one of the biggest events of all, your majesty." Baileywick added.
"I can't wait to see the 'crowns of the kingdom' exhibit!" Madeline smiled as she lifted up a cushion.
"I also heard there will be jiggly-wiggly pudding." Sofia smirked.
"Don't think I haven't heard the same." Roland smiled.
"Your highness." Cedric announced. "Allow me to conjure you a new necktie."
Cedric waved his wand, creating a white necktie, and floating it over to Roland.
"That's quite alright, Cedric." Roland found a yellow necktie and put it on. "This one will be fine."
Cedric lowered his wand, crestfallen.
"Would you like to go over your speech for the museum opening, your majesty?" Baileywick held up a scroll.
"Ah, good idea." Roland nodded.
"Oh, I have a spell that can help you instantly memorize the entire speech, sire!" Cedric offered.
"That won't be necessary." Roland declined. "I have it written down right here."
"But-but-but-" Cedric stuttered.
"That will be all, Cedric." Roland said sternly. "Thank you."
"As you wish, sire." Cedric bowed his head sadly.
"Mr Cedric?" Madeline frowned as Cedric departed.
"Something's wrong." Sofia declared. "Let's find out what."
They followed Cedric outside.
"Are you okay?" Madeline asked him.
"Not really, princess." Cedric admitted. "Your father has wanted nothing to do with me, ever since I froze your family with the Stand-Still Stone."
"And tried to take over the kingdom." Sofia added.
"No need to remind me." Cedric sat down. "I shall never forgot those shameful actions."
"It seems like our dad is having a hard time forgetting too." Madeline noted.
"Oh, perhaps he shall never get over it." Cedric sighed. "It makes me so sad. Roland and I shared a special bond when we were lads."
"You did?" Sofia asked.
"Oh, yes." Cedric nodded. "Growing up together in this castle, in the shadows of our larger-than-life fathers... when the pressure became too great, we escaped to the fields and played Dazzleball."
"What are you two doing in this painting?" Madeline pointed out a nearby painting, depicting he and Roland as boys, playing Dazzleball together.
"Oh, that's a special play he and I invented together." Cedric smiled. "The Royal Ricochet. Boom! Oh, but ever since that fateful day when I let your family down, whatever trust Roland once had in me, I fear it's gone forever."
"Then we'll help you get it back." Sofia smiled.
"That's right." Madeline nodded. "Come and see the crown exhibit with us and our dad today. Please?"
"How will browsing jewels get me back in your father's good graces?" Cedric frowned.
"It'll be like two friends spending a whole afternoon together." Sofia declared.
"Hmm... lots of chances for him to disapprove of me." Cedric pouted.
"Lots of chances for you to show him you can be trusted again." Madeline countered. "Just like when you were kids."
"I suppose it's worth a try..." Cedric admitted.
A short while later, Cedric was in his workshop, getting ready.
"Wormy, this could be my chance to get back on the king's good side." Cedric smiled.
"Well, you can do it without me." Wormwood scowled.
"Oh, but I need you there!" Cedric protested. "Your knowledge of crowns will help me impress King Roland! And I only passed Crownology back at Hexley Hall because you were my study buddy, remember?" He conjured three tiny crowns, which circled Wormwood. "Ten points if you can identify these famous crowns."
"Crown of Corinthia, Diadem of Dunbrock, and the Tangulvian Tiara." Wormwood said flatly, causing each crown to focus in turn. "But I still refuse to go with you, you... goody-goody!"
"I've turned a new page in the spell book, Wormy." Cedric frowned. "You know that. But I am still your master, and I say you're coming with me!"
"Yes, master." Wormwood said sarcastically. "Whatever you say, master!"
Wormwood perched himself on Cedric's arm.
Soon after, Roland was outside the museum, finishing his speech.
"...And with that, I hereby declare the Dunwitty Museum officially open!" He announced.
The crowd applauded as Roland cut the ribbon.
"Now, come enjoy the spectacular 'crowns of the kingdoms' exhibit!" Roland offered.
The guards opened the doors, and the villagers filed in to look at the crowns. As Roland perused one, Sofia, Madeline and Cedric stood nearby.
"I bet our dad would love to have a friend to see the exhibit with." Sofia urged.
"And I shall try to be that friend." Cedric smiled. "But first: Wormy, tell me a tidbit about that crown. Some factoid with real wow factor."
"The Wreath of Rudistan, made of phoenix feather filigree and the finest woven gold." Wormwood sighed.
"Thank you." Cedric grinned. "Time to win over the kingy-wingy!"
"'Kingy-wingy'?" Wormwood sneered, perching on a nearby exhibit. "Ugh!"
Unbeknownst to all, Prisma was nearby, disguised as a villager. Twitch the Strangeling was in her arms, disguised as a cat.
"Silly villagers." Prisma scowled. "A powerful magic crown hidden in plain sight, and they don't even know it!"
"Uh, Prisma?" Twitch spoke up. "We don't even know which one is Snow White's step-mom's crown. What was her name again?"
"Grimhilde." The Locket of Vor answered. "And this is her crown." It showed an image of the crown. "The powerful Wicked Nine object you've come to steal."
"Steal?" Wormwood overheard. "Well, that's not very goody-goody at all..."
"Got it." Twitch nodded. "Now let's go nab it in one humdinger of a heist!" He chuckled.
"Oh." Prisma noticed all the crowns. "Finding Grimhilde's crown may take longer than we thought..."
Meanwhile, Sofia and Madeline were encouraging Cedric.
"Ready to go talk to our dad?" Madeline asked. "Friend to friend?"
"I have the perfect bit of knowledge to get the conversation rolling - no pun intended." Cedric declared. He walked over to Roland. "Sire, you know this crown is made of... phoenix gold?"
"Is that so?" Roland mused. He turned to a nobleman. "Lord Stiv, greetings. Did you know this crown is made of phoenix gold?"
"Well, that is quite untrue, sire." Lord Stiv frowned. "I happen to know that it is made of Elven gold."
"Oh, I beg your pardon." Roland apologized. He glared at Cedric. "That's the last time I rely on your knowledge of Crownology, Cedric."
"I misspoke, sire!" Cedric yelped as Roland walked away. "It was an accident!"
Sofia and Madeline joined him.
"Oh, this isn't working!" Cedric groaned. "Your father is unimpressed, and still untrusting."
"Okay, winning him over may be a little harder than we thought." Sofia admitted. She noticed a food cart nearby. "Maybe you just need to do something really sweet for him. Come on."
Meanwhile, Prisma approached one of the crowns.
"Could that be Grimhilde's crown?" She wondered. She then noticed Sofia and Madeline. "Princess Sofia and princess Madeline? Ugh! We can't let them see us. Come on!"
Twitch followed Prisma as she went to hide outside. Wormwood flew after them, perching on a tree and listening in.
"No way are those princesses gonna stop us again!" Twitch declared.
"Oh, I agree." Prisma nodded. "We must get all of the Wicked Nine. Then I can drain their power and become oh-so-powerful!"
"But how can we swipe the crown without Sofia and Madeline spottin' us?" Twitch asked.
Wormwood flew down to them.
"Excuse me, but I, er... do believe I can be of some service to you in this endeavor." He announced.
"And who are you?" Prisma frowned.
"Allow me to introduce myself, my dear." Wormwood bowed as he landed. "My name: Wormwood. My aim: To aid you in this wonderfully wicked theft I heard you plotting."
"Why, what's in it for you?" Twitch inquired.
"Oh, my current master is such a do-gooder now." Wormwood scowled. "I long for some good old-fashioned scheming! Would you be so kind as to let me join your evil band?"
"Well, that's a nice story, but we can find the crown on our own, thank you." Twitch declared.
"Did I mention I'm an expert on Crownology?" Wormwood asked. "I can locate Grimhilde's coronet before you can say 'boo-hoo'. And you won't have to worry about the princesses spotting you."
"Okay, I'll make you a deal, Wormwood." Prisma smiled. "You steal Grimhilde's crown, then meet me at the old cabin in the woods outside of town."
"You mean the old cabin with the crooked chimney?" Wormwood asked.
"That's the one." Prisma chuckled. "Once the crown is in my hands, and only then, will I consider letting you join us."
"I am honored for the chance to connive and steal for you, my lady." Wormwood announced.
"What are ya doin'?" Twitch asked Prisma as Wormwood flew back inside. "We don't need no loony bird on our team!"
"Oh, Twitch, are you... jealous?" Prisma smirked.
"Actually... yeah, a bit." Twitch scowled. "But I'm also worried. How do we know we can trust that sack of feathers?"
"That's why I want you to follow him, silly." Prisma revealed. "Make sure he delivers the crown like he says he will."
"Oh, right." Twitch smirked. "I'm on it!"
Twitch raced back into the museum.
"So I just gotta make sure that raven doesn't deliver the goods." He muttered. "Then I'll be Prisma's one and only partner in crime."
Back inside the museum, Sofia and Madeline led Cedric to the food cart.
"Our dad would really like it if you got him some-" Sofia started.
"Jiggly-wiggly pudding!" Cedric finished. "Oh, the king's favorite! One pudding for the king please, my good man!" He told the person running the cart.
"Um, I'm so sorry, sir." The man said awkwardly. "I just sold my last pudding cup."
"No more pudding?" Roland frowned, as he and Baileywick walked over.
"Luckily, dad, Mr Cedric can conjure you some." Madeline smiled.
"Superb idea, princess!" Cedric produced his wand. "Desertius wigglius!"
A large cup of jiggly-wiggly pudding appeared in Roland's hands.
"Yummy!" He smiled. "Nicely done, Cedric!"
"Th-th-th-thank you, your majesty." Cedric beamed.
"Did someone say 'pudding'?" A member of the crowd asked, as they gathered around.
One person bumped into Sofia, who bumped into Cedric, knocking him into Roland, spilling the jiggly-wiggly pudding all over him.
"Cedric!" Roland yelled.
"I am so sorry, your majesty!" Cedric apologized.
"It wasn't his fault, dad!" Sofia declared. "Someone bumped into me, and I bumped into Mr Cedric!"
"It's true, I saw it!" Madeline added.
"Let me clean it, sire!" Cedric waved his wand. "Stainius removius!"
Cedric's spell removed Roland's outer clothes, leaving him in his undergarments.
"Cedric!" He yelped, as the crowd laughed.
"Oh, boy." Sofia cringed.
"Can this get any worse?" Madeline groaned.
"Oh, I am so sorry!" Cedric apologized. "I'll conjure you a new outfit right away! Um... vestimento... gnomio?"
Roland ended up in a jester's outfit, earning further ridicule.
"Cedric, are you trying to make me a laughing stock?" Roland scowled.
"Oh, my deepest apologies, your majesty!" Cedric cringed. "I'm just nervous. Here, let me try that spell again."
Roland grabbed Cedric's wand.
"No, no, no!" He refused. "No more magic, please. I have a change of clothes in the coach."
Up above, Wormwood perched on an open window, and spotted the crown.
"Five pointed, with a pearl, looks very evil step-mothery... that is it!" He smiled. He then saw two guards around the exhibit. "Oh, please..."
Twitch watched from behind a statue as Wormwood perched on the chandelier.
"Let's see 'im get past those two, huh?" He smirked.
Wormwood took a moment to think, his gaze falling on the chandelier's chain.
"Stay right there, boys." He smirked.
Wormwood flew up and removed the pin that held the chandelier in place, causing it to fall to the ground. While the guards, and everyone else, were distracted by the commotion, he flew down and grabbed the crown, flying back out through the open window.
"No!" Twitch growled.
The guards, realizing the crown was gone, rushed away, one of them picking up one of Wormwood's feathers. Twitch changed into a hawk and followed Wormwood.
Outside, Roland had finished changing.
"Ha-ha-ha!" He smiled. "I knew I'd find my lucky white necktie!"
The guards rushed outside.
"Alert, there's been a theft!" One announced.
"What?!" Roland gasped. "Did you see the thief?"
"No, sir." The guard shook his head. "But we did find this." He held up Wormwood's feather.
"A raven's feather?" Roland frowned.
Baileywick noticed Wormwood flying off in the distance, carrying the crown.
"With a crown?" He asked. "Is that Wormwood? Your majesty! I just saw Wormwood flying off with a very important crown!"
"Did you?" Roland frowned, as Cedric joined them. "I wonder what my royal sorcerer has to say about this?"
"What's going on?" Cedric asked.
"It seems while you distracted me with that pudding fiasco, your raven went and stole a precious crown from this exhibit." Roland glared.
"Wormwood?!" Cedric gaped. "No! Why would he do that?"
"All I know is that this was found at the scene of the crime." Roland held up the feather.
Cedric took the feather.
"Sire, I have no idea what's going on, but in no way did I put Wormwood up to this." He declared. "I have no need for a crown."
"Forgive me if I don't quite believe you, Cedric." Roland frowned.
"Dad, Mr Cedric wouldn't do something like this!" Sofia told him.
"Not anymore... would he?" Madeline faltered.
"I'm sorry, girls." Roland declared. "People don't change as easily as you think." He snatched the feather back from Cedric. "Alert the rest of the guards. I want search parties sent out."
"Right away, your majesty." Baileywick nodded.
"Pardon me for intruding, sire, but how will the guards even know where to look for Wormwood?" Cedric stepped forward. "May I see that feather? I can cast a spell on it to help us track where Wormwood went."
"Fine, go ahead." Roland gave the feather back to Cedric.
"Plumius navigachio!" Cedric waved his wand.
The feather started spinning in mid-air.
"It's like a compass." Sofia realized.
"Yes, of sorts." Cedric nodded. "It should point the way to its owner."
The guards suddenly raced by on horses.
"Come on, men!" The lead guard urged. "To the castle! We need reinforcements!"
The feather rose up and pointed in one direction.
"Wormwood is headed that way!" Cedric announced.
"It's too late to tell the guards." Madeline pointed out.
"We shall have to go catch him on our own, then." Cedric declared.
"You'd really lead me to the accomplice in your own crime?" Roland asked skeptically.
"Sire, if I had plotted this theft with Wormwood, it would be madness to help you find him, wouldn't it?" Cedric pointed out.
"If Mr Cedric helps get the stolen crown back, it will prove he's on your side, dad." Sofia declared.
"Yeah, give him a chance!" Madeline urged.
"Alright." Roland gave in. "But should my suspicions be confirmed, I'm afraid it's off to the dungeons with you, Cedric."
"Fair enough, your majesty." Cedric gulped.
Meanwhile, Cedric was flying towards his intended destination.
"Keep going, Wormwood." He panted, struggling to carry the crown. "No pain, no evil new master!"
Twitch was following Wormwood. As Wormwood stopped to rest on a cliff, Twitch descended, screeching.
"Oh, what now?" Wormwood groaned, as Twitch perched on a small tree.
"Aw, that hunk a' crown too heavy for ya?" Twitch smirked.
"Excuse me?" Wormwood frowned.
Twitch changed back into his cat form.
"Relax, it's me." He jumped off the tree. "And I'd be happy to bring the crown to Prisma, if you can't hack it. No shame in droppin' out..."
"I can bring it myself, thank you very much." Wormwood insisted.
Wormwood picked up the crown and flew off. Twitch changed back into a hawk and followed.
Elsewhere, Cedric, Roland and the girls were following the feather's lead.
"Cedric, if you're leading us into some sort of trap..." Roland growled.
"I promise, your highness, I am not." Cedric pledged. "What can I say to make you believe I'm on your side?"
"I'm not sure there's anything you can say." Roland said coldly.
"Then maybe he can show you." Sofia suggested.
"He sure can." Madeline agreed.
"Right!" Cedric nodded. "I'll show you over and over. Sooner or later, you'll have to see that I can be trusted!"
Cedric: I've said sorry again and again
For my past wrongs
And for the man I was back then
But still there's a wall around your heart
So brick by brick
I'll try to break that wall apart
I'll lend a million hands
I'll bridge the great divide
Jump through a million hoops until you're satisfied
That I am on your side
Yes, I am on your side
Roland spotted Wormwood flying over them.
Roland: I see Wormwood up there in the sky
Sofia/Madeline: Now aren't ya glad we gave Cedric's way a try
Cedric: I want your forgiveness for all that mess
But I want to prove that I deserve it
More than less
As they reached a river, Cedric conjured a bridge so they could cross it.
Cedric: I'll lend a million hands
I'll bridge the great divide
Jump through a million hoops until your satisfied
That I am on your side
Yes, I am on your side
As they passed by a field, Cedric created a Dazzleball field with images of a young Roland and himself playing.
Cedric: Do you remember when we were like a team?
You had my back
It was better than any dream
Sofia/Madeline: What's in pieces can still be repaired
It's not too late
To fix the friendship that you once shared
Cedric conjured up a Dazzleball, and threw it over to Roland.
Cedric: And so I'll lend a million hands
I'll the bridge the great divide
Jump through a million hoops until you're satisfied
That I am on your side
Roland: I am starting to see that you on my side
Cedric: I am on your side
Roland: My side
My side
Meanwhile, Wormwood was nearing the cottage, with Twitch right behind him.
"Rats!" Twitch growled. "I can't let him get that crown to Prisma!" He landed on a nearby tree branch, pulling back another branch with a beehive on it. "So I'll just slow him down a bit. Oh, boy, would that sting!"
Twitch held the branch in place as Wormwood drew nearer.
"Wait for it, wait for it, wait for it..." He whispered.
When Wormwood was close enough, Twitch let go of the branch, sending the beehive flying. It missed Wormwood, but shattered on the tree behind, and the angry bees chased the raven.
"Oh no!" Wormwood tried to flee. "Oh, you nasty creatures! Shoo! Shoo! All of you, get-ow!"
A short distance away, the feather reacted to Wormwood's attempt to escape the bees by pointing in all directions.
"What is Wormwood doing?" Cedric frowned. "Something isn't right. I'll go on ahead and see what's wrong."
As Cedric followed the feather, he saw it point straight up. Wormwood was right above, still trying to evade the bees.
"Just get away!" Wormwood yelped.
Attempting to escape, he dived through a tree, crashing to the ground right at Cedric's feet, and dropping the crown.
"Wormy, hand over that crown!" Cedric ordered.
"I will not." Wormwood refused.
"I am your master." Cedric growled. "You must!"
"You won't be my master much longer, Cedric." Wormwood sneered.
"You are leaving me?!" Cedric gasped.
"You're too nice now!" Wormwood complained. "I miss the old Cedric. The Cedric who used to plot day and night to take over the kingdom!"
"And that's more important to you than our friendship?" Cedric growled.
"Only a million times so, my dear boy." Wormwood declared. "What do I care of your buddy-buddy with the king? What power will that give me?"
"Hopefully, Wormwood, it won't give you any power at all!" Cedric lunged for the crown.
As the two struggled, Sofia, Madeline and Roland drew closer.
"Hand over the crown, you back-stabbing raven!" Cedric demanded.
"Not if my life depended on it, you goody-two-shoes!" Wormwood refused.
Cedric managed to free the crown from Wormwood's grasp.
"Ha!" He yelled triumphantly. "Good riddance, Wormy! You are no longer needed! The crown is mine!"
Just as he yelled that, Roland and the girls arrived.
"Mr Cedric!" Sofia gasped.
"I don't believe this..." Madeline frowned.
"Cedric!" Roland yelled.
Cedric froze, knowing how things currently looked. Wormwood took advantage of his paralysis by snatching the crown and flying off with it.
"No!" Cedric yelped. "Oh, your highness, you let him get away!"
"At least I've got the mastermind behind this heist." Roland glared at him.
"Me?!" Cedric gaped.
"You just admitted it." Roland declared. "You want the crown all to yourself!"
"I was only trying to get it from Wormwood, the real thief!" Cedric protested. "Sofia? Madeline?"
"I don't know, Mr Cedric..." Sofia said, unsure.
"You were holding the crown..." Madeline pointed out.
"And just when I was starting to trust you again." Roland scowled. "You can spend the night in the dungeons until this is sorted out."
Meanwhile, Prisma and Twitch (still in hawk form) were outside the cabin, a horse ready to carry them away.
"Looks like the raven's a no-show." Twitch smirked. "Guess it's just you and me, Prisma..."
"Dastardly greetings, my lady!" Wormwood called as he descended.
"What?!" Twitch gaped. "How did you get here?"
"May I present you, Grimhilde's crown?" Wormwood announced.
"You did it!" Prisma smiled. "The crown is ours! Wonderful teamwork!"
"So you're saying he's part of the team now?" Twitch frowned.
"Why, yes, of course." Prisma nodded. "I always keep my word." She held up the crown. "I can't believe it. It's really ours!"
"Beware, Prisma." The Locket of Vor warned. "When that crown catches the light at exactly the right angle, it creates Earth-shattering lightning."
"Sounds delightful!" Prisma declared.
Both Prisma and Wormwood started laughing evilly.
"Yeah... ha-ha-ha-ha!" Twitch joined them.
Meanwhile, Roland the girls and Cedric were walking back through the woods.
"Cedric, your wand, please." Roland suddenly demanded.
"Fine." Cedric held up the wand. "But I will need it back."
Roland snatched the wand out of Cedric's hand.
As they continued on, Sofia heard the laughter.
"Maddie, do you hear that?" She asked.
"Yeah." Madeline nodded. "Sounds like it's coming from over there..."
As they peered through two trees, they saw Prisma.
"Oh, no." Sofia frowned.
"Time to get to work." Madeline declared.
As the girl stepped forward, Roland looked back, noticing their absence.
"Where are the girls?" He asked.
Sofia and Madeline climbed on top of a nearby rock.
"Prisma!" Sofia declared.
"Fancy running into you again!" Madeline frowned.
"Princess Sofia." Prisma growled. "Princess Madeline."
"You can hand that over to us now..." Sofia started.
"Or we can call the Protectors." Madeline finished. "Your choice."
"Hand over one of the Wicked Nine?" Prisma mused. "Hmm, I don't like that idea. But I do love this one!"
Prisma tilted the crown so it caught the light, producing a bolt of green lightning that Sofia and Madeline barely dodged.
"Ahh!" Sofia yelped.
"That was close." Madeline declared.
"Funny weather we're having, isn't it?" Prisma smirked.
"Sofia, Madeline!" Roland called, as he and Cedric raced over.
"Oh, my!" Cedric gasped.
"There you two are." Roland declared. "The crown!"
Roland over to Prisma.
"Not so fast, my dear king!" Prisma created another bolt of lightning.
"Take cover!" Roland urged, as the bolt barely missed them.
They all hide behind trees and bushes.
"Sire, my wand!" Cedric called. "I can stop this villainess!"
"Right!" Roland held up the wand.
Before Roland could throw Cedric the wand, a bolt of lightning downed a nearby tree, blocking Roland's way.
"I can't get to you!" Roland frowned.
"Oh, just toss it over!" Cedric urged.
"How?" Roland asked.
"The Royal Ricochet!" Cedric declared.
"The Royal Ricochet!" Roland smiled. He threw the wand at another tree. It bounced off and flew right into Cedric's hand.
"Got it!" Cedric declared.
"Well played!" Roland grinned.
"Powerum beemio!" Cedric fired a bolt from his wand.
Prisma dived to avoid the blast, which struck the tree, knocking down several apples.
"How do you like these apples?" Cedric jeered.
Prisma fired another bolt. It struck Cedric dead-on, knocking him on his back.
"Now then, princesses." Prisma smirked. "You have been a couple of thorns in my side once too often."
Prisma fired a bolt at the ground, causing a fissure to appear, and move towards the girls.
"Oh no!" Sofia yelped.
"Run!" Madeline urged.
They ran, but the fissure followed, backing them against the boulder.
"Hang on, princesses!" Cedric rushed forward.
"Mr Cedric!" Sofia called.
Cedric pulled them out of the way, but fell into the crevice himself.
"We got what we came for." Prisma got on her horse. "Let's go!"
Prisma departed, Wormwood and Twitch following.
"Sofia, Madeline!" Roland said worriedly.
"Over here, dad." Madeline called.
"Oh, you're okay." Roland sighed with relief. "Thank goodness!"
"Dad!" Sofia smiled, as she and Madeline hugged him.
"Where's Mr Cedric?" Madeline looked around.
"Cedric?" Roland called. "Cedric, where are you?"
They saw the wide gap in the ground.
"You don't think..." Roland frowned.
"Mr Cedric!" Sofia gasped.
"Ohh..." They heard a groan.
"Look, there!" Roland pointed, as Cedric's hand rose out of the crevice. "In the rubble! Quick, girls, help me pull him out!"
"Are the princesses... safe?" Cedric asked weakly as he was helped to his feet.
"I can't believe how you saved us like that!" Madeline declared.
"You could have gotten really hurt." Sofia added.
"So could you, girls." Cedric smiled.
"Cedric." Roland said sternly.
"I know." Cedric sighed. "Off to the dungeon..."
"I was wrong about you." Roland smiled. "You sacrificed your own safety for Sofia and Madeline. That means more to me than you will ever know."
"It's... wonderful to hear that." Cedric said gratefully. "I'm sorry the crown's been lost. Who was that woman, anyway?"
"I don't know." Roland admitted. "But at least we're all okay." He surveyed the damage around them. "What a mess! Cedric, do you have a spell to return all this to normal?"
Cedric nodded. He found and picked up his wand.
"Terra refirma!" He recited.
All the damage caused by Prisma, even the crevice, vanished.
"Excellent job... old friend." Roland patted Cedric on the back.
As Cedric and Roland smiled, Sofia and Madeline went behind a bush, and contacted their fellow Protectors.
"Vega, Orion?" Madeline declared. "It's Prisma. She has one of the Wicked Nine."