Sophia's Story

A Disney crossover by talking2myself

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any recognizable Disney characters. All original characters are my own creations.

CHAPTER 34. The Second Godchild

"I expected my life would be relatively calm after that," Sophia explained. The wind whipped through her red locks and Bernard's curls as they flew through the air. "After all, how much trouble can a princess get into. All the girl wanted was to get married, be a good leader. I thought I would just build up her confidence, get her new dresses, teach her diplomacy. That sorta stuff." Sophia snorted. "I should have known that Kelsey wasn't about to exit my life that easily. What did I tell you about scratching?"

Bernard froze and shoved his offending hands into his pockets. "So Kelsey came back?" he said quickly.

"That she did," Sophia said. "And got me into even more trouble than the first time. My sister didn't hear from me for weeks. Probably thought I was dead more than once." Sophia sighed, "But everything worked out in the end, I guess. And Jackie came through like a champ. I had expected to serve as her godmother for most of her life, but one giant misadventure certainly forces you to learn and grow."

"Is that typical?" Bernard asked. "One godchild per parent?"

"Generally yes," Sophia said. "When you're not in constant fear of death for long periods of time, it normally takes a while for the average child to grow up."

"And most people don't get another godchild after that?" Bernard asked.

"Not unless you're immortal or vengeful like Rosamund," Sophia grumbled. Bernard made a mental note to avoid any subjects that would tie back to her former mentor. It was clearly still something of a sore spot years later.

"So…" Bernard asked. "You still spend a lot of time with Jackie?"

"Absolutely," Sophia said. "She's still my godchild. I love her like she is my own."

"You're not going to be her child's godmother?" Bernard asked.

Sophia thought about it for a moment, "I don't think so. The powers that be probably wouldn't allow it. It would seem like a conflict of interests. Plus, The Circle business keeps me plenty occupied. I wouldn't have the time to devote to a godchild anymore. Especially if she inherits Jackie's unfortunate habit of stumbling into trouble."

"So…" Bernard said timidly. "Do you ever speak to your other godchild."

Sophia turned to him and gave him a sharp glare. Her movements were so abrupt, Bernard had to grip the sides of the vehicle to keep from tipping over the side. "You really have done your homework."

Bernard shrugged. "His name was on the Naughty list. And the nice list. Then back on the Naughty list. His name shifted a lot."

Sophia sighed. Aaron was a subject that she tended to avoid. If the rest of the Kingdom spoke Kelsey, Rob and Emma's names with reverence and awe, the same way they spoke about Disney, Aaron was not discussed at all. Or if they did, it was never positive. "No, I have not seen Aaron since we said our goodbyes all those years ago," Sophia said. The worlds of the living and dead are not exactly encouraged to mingle with each other."

Bernard nodded. "He's still captain of the Dutchman?"

"As far as a I know, yes," Sophia said.

"Did he…" Bernard searched for the right words. "Did he hold up his end of that bargain? Ferrying souls to the other side?"

Sophia shrugged. "You tell me, what name was his list on?"

"I don't know," Bernard admitted. "That duty was passed on to Curtis. That was months ago. It took me a real long time to get down from the north pole and find out you. Totally worth it though," he added with a shy smile. For a moment, he swore that she was blushing. "Isn't he supposed to be able to come ashore every ten years?"

"He is," Sophia said. "But if he has come to land, he's not seeking me out. I'm not sure if there is anyone he would want to see here. Will and him ended on a positive note, but I wouldn't call them friends. Jack wouldn't particularly be interested in seeing him either. He might want to see this new mysterious Chelsea out of curiosity, but I doubt it." Sophia was quiet for a few moments, thoughtful. "He might want to see Jackie. He had a soft spot for her." Sophia shook her head. "But so far he hasn't. I have no idea where his fortunes lie. I hope he's doing good. That he's out there, making death a little less miserable for the souls who pass on at sea, but I could just as easily see him out there terrorizing the sea for sailors and pirates alike. I don't think the tenatacles would bother him much. If anything, he might like the heir of intimidation they give him."

"You could probably find out," Bernard said.

Sophia shrugged. "I'm sure I could, but I won't." Bernard nodded. "Aaron's fortune is in his own hands now. It's probably better if I don't know."

"And that's why you started The Circle?" Bernard asked.

Sophia shook her head. "I didn't start The Circle. I picked up the broken pieces of an ancient organization and put them together again…."

-888-

Sophia was exhausted. Her hair fell around her head in wet tangled knots and her whole body was soaked the bone. The salty air light blew a few tendrils around her face as she watched the mysterious Flying Dutchman vanish beneath the waves and with it, Aaron. Sophia blew out a breath, before struggling to get to her feet again. She couldn't help but feel very alone. Kelsey was gone. Jackie was gone. Aaron was gone. She was all that was left… again.

Well, not completely alone. Will had his family again. His father was free and he was now happily married to Elizabeth. In fact, the two of them were rowing away to the whistles and cheers of the crew. Off to a romantic island off the coast to celebrate their wedding night in privacy. It was hard to begrudge them that. After all, they had gone through so much to be together at last. Somehow knowing that the two of them were married, ready to start a family and bringing along old Bootstrap Bill for the ride made Sophia feel even more alone.

"So what now love?"

Sophia wearily turned to see Jack watching the happy couple row to the island. The other person who had been unceremoniously abandoned in the midst of all the happy endings. "Huh?" Sophia asked.

Jack shrugged. "Where do you want to go? I imagine we could drop you off any place you like. Did you have any ideas."

Sophia thought to herself. She had a number of options. She could to her sister back in New York. She could live there happily in their little apartment with her niece and brother-in-law. She could also go find Jackie or Alice. Help them run their respective countries? It was pretty clear that neither woman needed her to be there anymore. The company might be nice. Or she could retreat to Gracy Manor in New Orleans. Make herself comfortable amongst the 999 haunts until she became one herself. Let her magical powers fade away and never have any sort of adventure ever again. She was surprised at how hollow she felt at the thought. Kelsey had ruined her with all her danger and thrills. If she wanted a challenge, she could go search the forests until she found Flewddur and wander the lands together again. She didn't even really need to go anywhere. Will and Elizabeth would never turn her out. She could have a quiet existence aboard the ship that she had called home for so many months. Constantly mopping the decks and chasing after Will and Elizabeth's children. She could let her magical powers fade away and never have any sort of adventure ever again. She was surprised at how hollow she felt at the thought. Kelsey had ruined her with all her danger and thrills.

Or… she could do something useful.

"Well?" Jack asked. "What do you think?"

"England," Sophia said suddenly. "I'd like to go to England eventually."

Jack nodded. "That makes sense. Go find Jackie? I'm sure she'll be missing you."

"I plan to see Jackie certainly," Sophia said. "But that's not why I'm going there. I'll visit her, but I need to move on quickly."

"Oh?" Jack asked. He scratched his head, causing his dreadlocks to clack against each other. "And what exactly is your plan, love?"

"I need to find Yensid," Sophia said. "And Mickey…and Mim."

"MIM?" Jack cried in alarm. "Mimorka? Mad, mad, mad Madam Mim? That one?"

"Is there any other?" Sophia asked mildly.

"If you want to talk to mad folks you can go to Wonderland," Jack said. "Or really you can just stay here. I'm starting to think that there's something a little off about all of us. And Hallie thinks so too."

Sophia rolled her eyes. Jack had developed a habit of talking to himself or to some figment of his imagination. Initially, Sophia thought he was trying to talk to Kelsey, but now it would appear that it was some mysterious figure known as "Hallie".

"I'm not trying to talk to mad people," Sophia insisted. "I'm trying to talk to members of The Circle."

"Oh?" Jack remarked. "And talk to them about what?"

"About how we can go about fixing The Circle," Sophia said.