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 35. The Future
"You want to do WHAT?!"
Sophia had given Will a few hours to relax after he and Elizabeth returned from their all too short honeymoon before telling him about her plans. His reaction was more or less what she anticipated. Will was a good man and goodness knew that they needed someone in their little group to fret over all of them, but Sophia was beginning to think that after the shock wore off Will would be happier in the long run with one less person to worry about. Of course, he still had Jack to give him headaches…
"Sophia… why?!" Elizabeth's concerned voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Because I think the Kingdom needs this," Sophia explained.
"Haven't you given the Kingdom enough?" Will asked. "We risked our lives for the Kingdom… repetitively! In fact, you were constantly lecturing Kelsey on doing reckless things."
Sophia had to admit. It was a strange turn of events. Kelsey was supposed to be the brazen one while she was the logical, practical one who tried to keep everything in order. "No one is trying to kill us, Will," Sophia said. "Backet is dead. The Thirteen is gone. I'll be fine."
"No one is trying to kill us now," Will specified. "But who knows how long it will take before that changes? The Thirteen is gone, but the Kingdom is full of villains. Who knows how long it will be before someone else tries something? Especially if word gets around that you're trying to start up the Circle again?"
"But that's why we need it, Will," Sophia insisted. "If The Circle was still together, the Thirteen would have never been able to get off the ground. There needs to be some sort of organization to protect the weak. And keep crazy godmothers like Rosamund from going rogue and transforming their charges, AND ensure that future godparents receive proper training." Sophia sat back in her chair, "Disney, there's lot of things that need doing."
"But why do you have to be the one to do it?" Will asked wearily.
"Because no one else will," Sophia answered. She smoothed out her wrinkled skirts. "And before you offer, yes I'm fully aware that I have a variety of options. As much as I admire you and Elizabeth…"
"Eh ahem," Jack cleared his throat.
Sophia rolled her eyes. "And Jack I suppose… I don't think I'm destined to spend the rest of my lie on the Black Pearl. And even though I love my sister dearly, a quiet life without magic would just feel empty now."
"I'm beginning to think you're right, Hallie," Jack muttered to the air next to him. "They're all mad as hatters. Yes, that pun was intentional. You didn't think it was clever?"
Will let out a sigh before giving Elizabeth a helpless, exasperated look. Sophia had to admire the way that they were able to speak to each other without words. "Say something! Talk her out of it!" Will pleaded with his eyes. Sophia couldn't help but wonder if she would ever be able to share that with another person.
"The Circle broke before," Elizabeth pointed out gently. "What makes you think that it would work this time?" The two of them looked at her respectively.
"I don't," Sophia shrugged. "But maybe now that they've seen the consequences of dark magic people will be less wiling to invite it in."
"Maleficent witnessed Chernabog's first summoning," Will pointed out. "And she turned around and did it again."
"And she died," Sophia said coldly.
"So did The Circle," Will muttered.
"Will," Sophia sighed, reaching across the table to clasp his hands. "If we stay together, nothing can defeat us. Haven't we learned that already?"
Elizabeth and Will exchanged another look. This time Elizabeth inclined her head slightly in reproach. She's made up her mind, Will. She seemed to say with her expression. Will sighed heavily. "There's not talking you out of this?"
"I'm afraid not," Sophia said crossing her arms.
"Then, we have no choice but to help you," Elizabeth said resignedly.
Sophia smiled at them. "Thank you."
"So what now?" Will asked wearily.
"I'll start in England," Sophia said. "I'll find Jackie and Arthur. See how they are getting along and let her know that I'm okay. Plus, I need to speak with Merlin. Then, I plan on seeking out Mickey and Yen Sid."
"And Mim," Jack chimed in.
"Mim?" Will and Elizabeth cried in unison.
Sophia shot Jack a glare. Her original plan was to leave that piece of information out. While Mim had aligned with them and did seem to have a soft spot for Sophia, it was hard to call the little witch a friend. "Will you recruit Facilier as well?" Will asked.
"William," Elizabeth admonished.
"No, I don't plan on winning over every villain in the Kingdom," Sophia said. "But Mim spent her whole life trying to impress the villains because the heroes would have nothing to do with her. She's proven that she can do the right thing once, we have to give her the chance to do it again." Neither Will nor Elizabeth looked particularly convinced.
"Besides," Sophia pointed out. "I won't be alone. There will be plenty of magic on my side."
"Well, I guess there's no point gabbing about it anymore," Jack said. "Hallie! Go alert the crew." There was an awkward second while everyone else in the room exchanged concerned looks. Jack groaned and rolled his eyes. "Fine! I'll go alert the crew. You certainly didn't hope to it." Jack rose to his feet. "Yes, I know that Kelsey wouldn't have done it either, I was just hoping that you were a bit more accommodating…"
Will pressed his head into his hand as Jack wandered out of the gallery. "I think you'll have enough to worry about without me," Sophia said gently.
-888-
Several days after her discussion with Will and Elizabeth, Sophia made her way back to her cabin and opened the small chest which held all of her belongings. On top was a few bolts of fabric, her sewing kit, and a clean tunic and pants, and enough soap to supply a small army. Sophia pushed aside all of these items and lifted out one of Giselle's shimmering gowns. She shook it out and smiled at the pink taffeta fabric. A faint smell of roses hovered around the dress. It was a gown fit for a princess and it would be nice to feel pretty again.
Before changing, Sophia hugged the dress close to her. It was a habit that she had developed after leaving Giselle. She missed her sister. She missed Kelsey. She missed Jackie. There was even a small part of her that missed Aaron, and in a few days she would miss Will and Elizabeth… and maybe even Jack. And more than just people, Sophia would miss being a godmother. It seemed like all of her training with Madam Leota had been for such a short time.
But Sophia also knew that she couldn't look back. She couldn't keep mourning all that she had lost. Instead, she needed to keep moving forward. Giselle was right, but she had also been wrong. She had to find her own way, but it was in her nature to protect people. Now with the Circle, she would protect the entire Kingdom if she had to.
Sophia changed into her gown, she scrubbed the lenses of her golden spectacles until they shone and then managed to pile her unruly red curls up onto her head. Last of all she removed one final piece from her chest. The elegant tiara that Edward had given her so long ago. It felt like another lifetime. Back when the worst possible thing imaginable was the thought of having an idiot prince as a brother-in-law and her airhead sister ruling over a kingdom.
Sophia made her way up the steps to the main deck of the Black Pearl. The wretched ship was no cleaner than when she first arrived, despite her best efforts. She finally admitted to herself that perhaps a cursed pirate ship simply didn't want to be clean. The creaking vessel was about ready to fall apart, but in an odd way she would miss the ship as well. Apart from her tree where she had lived with Giselle, this was truly the only other place where she had lived for a long period of time that ever felt like home.
The breeze tossed free stray curls and they wisped around her face as Sophia stood beside Jack at the helm. He was muttering to himself, or possibly to his new imaginary friend. Who could tell lately? Was there even much of a difference? Sophia watched the horizon as the mist cleared and land gradually came into sight. Ahead lay England… and her future.