Chapter 11: The Crowning Ceremony

By Jessie/Dory

Cindy's heart boomed speedily against her chest, as if begging to jump out and run away – which was quite how Cindy was feeling at the moment. There she was- backed up against the wall, the church bells ringing caused an echo through her mind. She was about to be made Queen and ruin the lives of the people in this country – she couldn't go through with it! She had to stop this – but how?

She was helpless – completely helpless. She had to protect her friends as well, and if she ignored the Captain's orders, everyone would be dead. It was one thing if it was her life – which in fact, it did include – but killing her friends was the worse thing anyone could do.

She wanted more than anything to sit on the floor and cry right now, but she knew that would wrinkle her outfit, and one of the maids that had attacked her with clothing had threatened that she would iron it while it was still on her if she got it wrinkled. Hanging her head down in shame, she just wanted someone to lean on, and for them to tell her everything would turn out right. If only she knew if Sheen had pulled through and saved them or not – she dreaded the answer.

Touching her heart, she recalled the few things she slept with every night that calmed her down in the toughest of situations. They weren't with her, however, because they were back at her real home – which was so far away right now. Under her pillow was the card Jimmy had made her for Valentines Day. Despite the fact the heart was a real heart and not quite romantic – it was very, very sweet and unique, and that's why Cindy kept it despite their constant bickering. Even if he claimed he didn't like her that way – she kept it, for reminding her that there was always some sort of chance for anything – even for rivals to get along. She also had a locket her cousin once gave her – her cousin specifically told her to put the picture of someone she loved dearly in it.

"Remember Cin," her older cousin had told her when Cindy hadn't even turned five years old, "You have to wait to put in a picture of someone you REALLY care about – but you may not know until you're a lot older. Maybe ten, maybe eighteen, maybe thirty, but you'll know when you meet him that he'll be the guy," she smiled. Cindy had been terribly confused about the whole love thing – she figured that she wouldn't be able to put a picture in until she was an adult like all the girls in the Disney movies. None of them were four year olds, right?

The next day, Cindy Vortex met Jimmy Neutron – as they say, the rest was history, and Cindy knew, when ever she got the chance to find the right picture, she would have the right person for the beautiful, golden, heart shaped locket.

Every night, except for the past nights that she had been away, she would always put the necklace on for comfort.

"That's what has been missing," Cindy whispered under her breath, she knew why things were horrible – she didn't have the people she cared about there to help her. If her friends lived in the castle, and if she really were the Princess, everything may have turned out a little better.

Wanting so badly to start crying and bawling, but she knew it would mess up her makeup, and if she did that- well then her makeup dressers would be the ones to have her head.

"Your highness," a voice said, and Cindy turned her head to see someone she did not recognize, but knew was one of the employees, "Be prepared to walk."

Cindy nodded and gulped; she just recalled where she was. Right outside the doors of an incredibly crowded and large room – numerous floors and an impossible amount of seating – everyone who was anyone was there to watch the Princess being crowned. She could hear so much chattering going on just past the large and important doors it gave her a headache.

Music began to play – this was symbolizing that she should begin walking, she gulped – she had to save her friends, which was her first duty. She had to rule from her heart, like the King had told her, and her friends, especially Jimmy, were in her heart.

But no one said she couldn't walk incredibly slowly.

"You're going the wrong way!" Victoria shrieked, grabbing Jimmy's collar and pulling him the opposite direction, "The auditorium is THIS way!"

Jimmy, being dragged backwards by Victoria, crossed his arms and growled, "I heard the bells coming from that direction."

Miss Jones shook her head, "No, no dear – they can't have it in the auditorium."

Victoria stopped in her tracks and turned to face Miss Jones, still taking Jimmy with her, "And why not?"

"It's simply not big enough! The princess being crowned Queen is a HUGE deal!"

"Oh, tell me something I DON'T KNOW!" Victoria screamed back.

"Guys -," Carl hesitated.

Sheen walked up to them, still in all black, Libby and Josh standing next to him, watching Victoria hanging on to Jimmy and arguing with Miss Jones.

"Don't use that tone of voice with me, young lady!"

"Oh EXCUSE ME," Victoria jerked her arm forward, bringing a really ticked off Jimmy with her, "Some of us happen to be trying to save a country here! Now I think it's this way," she turned to the right and started heading down the hall, unaware she was still dragging poor Jimmy. Sheen snickered; covering his mouth with his hand and Libby slapped his shoulder to stop.

"Excuse me, but -," Carl tried to interrupt in a quiet voice, but no one heard him.

Miss Jones stomped her foot, "If you think, for just ONE SECOND that I don't care for this country, well you're wrong Miss Kingsley," her voice was like ice.

"Conflict," Sheen whispered to Libby.

"No duh," she mumbled back.

"Five pounds says Victoria would win if they try to duke it out," Josh whispered.

Sheen blinked, "Pounds?" He looked at his stomach, "What are you like cannibals or something?"

"You would bet for your friend over your mom?" Libby asked, as she and Josh ignored Sheen's stupid question.

Josh smiled, "You haven't seen Victoria fight before."

"GUYS," Carl yelled a little louder, but Miss Jones and Victoria muted him out.

"Don't – you – DARE call me Miss Kingsley right now – Miss Jones, I still say they're in the auditorium, and I think my word is best at the moment," Victoria scowled at the one person she had been forced to always listen to and obey her whole life.

Miss Jones crossed her arms and came closer, "I say it's in the Imperial Auditorium, and I believe it's my word we should listen too, if we ever want to save our country in time."

Victoria raised her arms above her head, and dragged Jimmy up as well, him being so light and all apparently.

"HEY!" Jimmy yelled and she realized suddenly what the extra weight she was carrying was.

"Oh!" Victoria squealed slightly, and let go, causing Jimmy to drop to the floor on his buttocks, he winced in pain as he rubbed his bottom with a glare. Sheen, Libby, and Josh began laughing hysterically, while Victoria put her hands to her mouth with a gasp, "I'm so sorry Jimmy!" she said through her fingers.

"Yeah, yeah -," he muttered.

"WILL SOMEONE JUST LISTEN TO ME?" Carl finally screamed at the top of his voice, causing everyone to stop in silence and spin around to face him.

"What's wrong Carl?" Libby asked.

Carl went rather shy and pointed his finger to a large sign right behind them that said "SEE THE PRINCESS CROWNED TODAY – in the brand new Super Wonderful And Really Big Imperial Auditorium".

"Oh," Miss Jones and Victoria responded together in a monotone voice.

"The new S-W-A-R-B-I-A, - forgot about that," Miss Jones laughed nervously.

Victoria shook her head, "When did they build that?"

Sheen read it, "Swarbia – sounds like a country."

"That's because it's our country, we live in Swarbia," Josh explained.

Jimmy scratched his head after standing up, having slight rug burn on his legs, "Swarbia? I've never heard of that country."

Victoria hesitated, "Well, that's why we always call it 'the country' – we keep changing the name – last week it was Jessie Land."

"Why'd they change it?" Carl asked, scratching his head.

"Guys – if we're going to save Jessie Land, or Swarbia – whatever, I suggest we get going!" Jimmy yelled at them, heading for the 'this way' sign.

"Right! I agree Jimmy, lets go everyone, we've already wasted enough time being idiots," Victoria declared, and she, Josh, Miss Jones, Libby and Carl followed Jimmy.

Sheen arched his non-existent eyebrows, "Then, I've wasted my whole life!"

Libby rolled her eyes, turned around and grabbed Sheen by the black robe, "Lets go Idiot Reaper."

"Miss Kingsley!" A voice urgently whispered from inside the doors, "We've been waiting several minutes – start walking already!"

Cindy laughed hesitantly and finally entered through the door and her mouth dropped open and let out a gasp. The S.W.A.R.B.I.A. room was huge and magnificent; there were several levels, full of people, the top balcony has a large material leading to the huge diamond chandelier in the middle of the room – it was so glamorous it made Cindy feel disgusting, and so large it made her feel like an ant. Being fixated on the chandelier, she took her gaze off it, reminding herself to walk as slow as possible, she looked to the side of the room and saw the Captain glaring at her from behind one of the red satin curtains, running his finger under his neck with an evil smile to remind her of the consequences

At the end of the red carpet, there was this odd man all dressed up in fancy clothing with a very tall hat, in his hands he held a pillow, and upon the top of that pillow was the dreaded crown. Sitting so silently there it seemed deadly.

The music seemed to go on forever, but Cindy kept her lack of pace, this country could wait for their Queen, darn it!

"Shh!" Jimmy put his finger to his lips as they rounded a corner.

"What is it?" Victoria, being nearest, asked.

Jimmy shook his head, "Dunno, but I think I hear something."

"If anyone doesn't believe it's me, I have the royal ring for proof," She whispered, but Jimmy didn't respond as he heard something else, they both turned around and put their fingers to their lips so everyone knew to be quiet.

Luckily Libby had plenty of control over Sheen, because he had almost tripped over his robe and would have smashed into everyone, creating a loud commotion and causing them to spill to the ground – she was able to grab him and flick his forehead for his stupidity.

"Why are you still wearing that thing? It's freaking me out," Libby mouthed in as low as a whisper as she could.

Sheen shrugged and did a pose like he was some sort of runway model or something, "Black makes me look slimmer," and to this Libby just rolled her eyes and slap her hand to her forehead.

"We're just supposed to guard around the area? Everyone is in that auditorium, who are we suppose to guard the room from?" A voice down the hallway asked another person.

Victoria gave a small smile; she knew just what to do as they watched two guards walking down the hallway.

"I don't know, but orders are orders, I say we will not have much to deal with anyways, we should be thankful we don't have to sit through that little brat's crowning," the other responded.

"Agreed," the first nodded.

Victoria turned and whispered to the others, they all smiled in agreement at what she suggested, "Miss Jones – you distract them, Jimmy and I shall head for the balcony – and the rest of you will know when to come out."

Cindy stared at the seat, and up to the man with the crown on the pillow, "Hi there," she smiled, waving.

"Princess – you may now sit down," he smiled back, waiting anxiously.

"Oh! You first," she smiled, fully knowing beforehand that she would milk every second for what it was worth – her friends just had to be coming any time now, they just had to be.

The man arched his eyebrows, "Erm – my dear, you are the one who is to be crowned, you sit first."

"Oh, but it's too lovely a seat for me – and after all, we have to let the elderly sit before the young," Cindy quickly refreshed her mind about everything she learned in girl scouts.

The man seemed to grow a tad annoyed at the elderly comment, "Beauty before age, Miss Kingsley."

Cindy laughed sweetly, with her hands behind her back, "Age before beauty, sir."

"Sit – NOW," he narrowed his eyes enough for a bit of terror to strike Cindy, but not enough for anyone else to really notice.

She gulped and quickly sat down, shaking in the rather large seat. Compared to her small size, it almost dwarfed her.

"It is my honor, and pleasure, to do such a honorable deed, and in the name of all the country, I crown you-," he took the crown and tried to place it on her head, but she dodged it, he raised an eyebrow and tried again, "I crown you!" But she ducked it another time, he became irritated and there was a low mumble amongst the crowd as Cindy sat there, inching away from the crown in an awkward sitting position.

"Princess," he leaped to crown her again, and again, and again, "Would you please – just – sit – still!" He came closer and closer as Cindy went deeper into her seat. The audience seemed to scoot closer in anticipation, their faces full of excitement.

Horror filled her face, and her body completely tensed up, her heart exploding against her chest. Out of the side of her eye she could see Captain grinning evilly, and her eyes narrowed, she could NOT let this man control her life.

"STOP!" She shrieked, holding her hands up, stopping the crown. There were numerous gasps throughout the room.

"Your highness -?" The man backed away uncertainly, as Cindy jumped out of her seat and faced him.

She gulped but stood straight, "Listen – I'm the Princess, right? And that means --," she hesitated, "You have to do what I say, right?" she glanced at the old man while she moved her hands to emphasize her words.

"Err – yes?" He cocked his head, unsure of what to conclude about this bizarre turn of events. The audience began murmuring under their breathes, but they all stayed dead-on focused at the events – dreadfully curious as to what would happen next.

"Well that means," she crossed her arms, "That I order you to lock up that man," she pointed to the Captain who seemed taken aback, "He's trying to take over the kingdom – lock him away at once!"

The Captain smiled, "No, lock HER away – she's a fraud! She isn't the real princess."

Instantly numerous guards surrounded Cindy, she slumped back into her chair, terror on her face – what was going to happen to her?

"She's not the real Princess- but I AM, Captain!" A voice from the top balcony yelled. There were instant gasps as everyone looked up to see Victoria standing at the top of the edge of the balcony. A smile spread across Cindy's face as she saw Jimmy right behind Victoria – she was saved for sure!

Victoria jumped down and hung by the strong material that lead to the chandelier – sliding above her citizens as the chandelier clashed glass against glass, she let go near the end and swung herself to the curtains, letting herself hang there for a moment.

"I shall not let my country be run to the ground by a greedy and ruthless Captain," she yelled, and then slid down and grabbed a sword out of dazed guard's hands, "thank you sir!" She smiled.

She flung her sword forward at the guards surrounding Cindy, and they slashed back at her. She ducked, dodged, and defended herself, nearly losing body parts, but barely getting a scratch. The Captain dashed forward and began to chase after her as Jimmy swung down to the chandelier.

Out of nowhere, Sheen, Libby, Carl, and Josh ran out with swords and began attempting to fight the guards as well.

Sheen jumped at one guard, "Halt you fiend! I shall perform what Ultra Lord preformed in episode 747!" He swung his sword around, but he dropped it in mid swing. The guard erupted in laughed, dropping his sword and holding his stomach.

KLANG, a loud object hit the back of the guard's head and he collapsed to the ground, behind him was Libby, holding a heavy vase with an evil grin.

Sheen smiled, "That's my girl! Good job," he laughed nervously, "helping me out!"

She rolled her eyes in response, "Helping YOU out? Please!" She turned around and tossed the vase at another unsuspecting guard who dropped to the ground moments later.

Josh, who was sword fighting with a skilled guard, seemed rather bored and walked up to Sheen while still fighting, "Jeez she has some great moves," he smiled.

Sheen narrowed his eyes and picked up his sword, "Hey – you stick with your Princess chick, and I'll stick with mine, got it buck-o?"

"Wouldn't have it other way," Josh grinned in response, slashing his sword across the guard's pants –causing them to fall down and the guard to pull up his pants and run off.

Cindy sat in her seat, terrified of moving, as Victoria teased the captain from behind her, she stuck her tongue out on the right side, the Captain swung and created a huge dent on the right side of the throne as Cindy dodged sides. Victoria waved on the left side and the Captain swung there, causing a shriek to come from Cindy, but she dodged it all the same.

"Fooled you again!" A voice from above called, and Captain looked up to see Victoria waving on the top of throne.

"Oof!" He yelled as Cindy came to her senses and kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying backwards.

Carl was one of the more skilled fighters, he was knocking down every guard who came up to him, "Take that! And THAT you slimy bottom-feeders!" He kicked down another guard, "Hazzah!" He shouted.

The audience didn't do anything, but gasp and shriek – they were rather lifeless almost, and seemed to be waiting to see what would happen next. It was far too exciting to leave.

"Gah! No!" Cindy heard yelled above and she turned her head up to see Jimmy stuck in the large material stuck, right before the chandelier – he was dangling by his watch which was dangling on a loosening thread, as he struggled to gain better grip.

"Jimmy!" Cindy's hands cupped her mouth in horror; she uncapped him and shouted, "Use – use – something from your watch!"

Jimmy flailed around, trying to grab hold of something, he yelled back, "It broke though, the only thing that works is the grappler hook!"

Cindy gave him a 'duh' look as she kicked a guard who had advanced towards her, "Well use that, you idiot!"

Gulping, hoping this would work, Jimmy struggled but eventually pressed the button on his watch for the grappler hook. Instantly an iron box that attacked to Jimmy with a sturdy rope shot out, claws escaped from it and it grabbed the chandelier. Relieved, Jimmy swung down and used his watch to lower himself to the ground. Pressing another button, the grappler released and popped back into his watch.

During the same time, Victoria advanced towards the Captain, her sword sticking out, right to his neck has he lay on the ground after Cindy's kick.

"Anything you'd like to say, Captain?" She smites her words.

The Captain gave a pleasant smile, "Your highness, you are such a wonderful and understanding person – you'd let me give a few words to let you see my point of view on the whole situation. You've practically known me your whole life, after all."

Everyone paused, just as Jimmy landed and detached the grappler hook, and all the guards and the heroes stared at Victoria and the Captain. Victoria narrowed her eyes while the sword was still pointed at him.

"You deserve no explanation," but never the less, she put her sword into her side belt, "But I shall hear your view on the situation."

The Captain stood up, and the others lowered their weapons slightly, he bowed deeply, "Thank you your highness – you are so very, very, generous -," he put his hands on the red carpet.

"VICTORIA! WATCH OUT!" Cindy shrieked as Victoria turned her head slightly and the Captain yanked on the carpet, making Victoria fall backwards.

He grabbed a sword and flung it at Victoria – it now being at her neck as she lay on the ground with a throbbing headache. She was now in the same position that she had the Captain in moments ago; she gave a loud groan in pain.

Josh ran towards her, but Sheen and Carl held him back. It'd be disastrous if he tried to save her this very moment.

The Captain turned to the others, a horribly wicked smile on his face, "If any of you makes even one minuscule move, your Princess will be no more!"

There was total silence – a dreadful silence. Tears were silently spilling out of Josh's eyes and he had no clue about what to do.

But Victoria, though she could scarcely breath under the pressure, knew exactly what to do.

To Be Continued