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 38. Not a Guarantee

"You don't think he's actually going to agree to it do you?" Mim asked. She walked alongside Merlin as they walked from the forest, slowing moving from the Dark Forest and back into the light again.

"Good heavens no," Merlin cried. "Everything about Yen Sid seems to indicate that he would be against it." Merlin gave her a suspicious look. "Do you think he will help?"

"Of course not," Mim cried. "It took the entire Circle to convince him last time, there's no way he will even consider it."

"Of all the things you two choose to agree on," Sophia grumbled. Merlin looked slightly sheepish, Mim on the other hand sneered.

"Well, you can't say that no one warned you."

"So… why is Yen Sid so opposed to the Circle?" Will asked. "He was a member. He's not a villain. He was willing to help us in the past."

"Well, you see," Merlin explained. "Yen Sid isn't the most… sociable person in the Kingdom. He's always been a suspicious sort. In a way he actually predicted the breaking of the Circle."

"He did?" Sophia cried.

"Don't give him too much credit," Mim sniffed. "He was a cantankerous old coot who mistrusted everyone. He kept all of his secrets to himself. Never wanted to share any of his spells lest someone use it against him."

"Why so paranoid?" Sophia asked.

Merlin and Mim exchanged glances. Both seemed surprised when neither had an answer. "We don't know," Merlin concluded.

"He helped Kelsey," Sophia said. "He might be willing to help us as well."

"Well, when your options are help Kelsey or let the Kingdom get destroyed…" Jack pointed out.

"This is it," Merlin pointed ahead at a large tower. It was a simple, narrow brick tower with a turret top roof, but it was hard not to be impressed by its sheer height. There was a round door at the base. Sophia stepped forwards and knocked on the door. No one responded.

"How do we get his attention?" Sophia asked. "How do we even get up there?"

Before anyone could answer, the door swung open and a small figure popped his head out. "Oh hello everyone," he smiled happily. The figure wore red robes and had large round black ears.

"Mickey," Sophia cried. "It's good to see you."

"It's nice to see you too, Sophia," he grinned offering her a white gloved hand. Sophia shook his head as he smiled at the rest of them. "How can I help you all? I'd invite you up, but it's a LONG way to the top…"

"Please tell me your master isn't all the way up there," Sophia pleaded gazing up at the top tower. What was it with sorcerers and heights?

"Oh no he's in the forest," Mickey said. "He spends most of his time there with Bambi. The steps are a bit much to manage with four legs."

"Of course," Sophia said. "Do you happen to know where he is? We need to speak with him."

"Sure," Mickey said. "I'll take him to you in a jiffy." Mickey turned and retreated into the tower again. He emerged seconds later, clutching something under his arm that was nearly as large as he was. Sophia recognized it instantly. It was the Book of Songs. Yen Sid's spellbook. Even though it rightfully belonged to Mickey, it was odd to see him carry it. It had spent nearly a year tucked under Kelsey's arm or under her hat. It was arguably the most powerful artifact in the Kingdom and Mickey was lugging it around like it was a schoolbook.

"This way," Mickey said. Sophia and the others followed Mickey across the clearing towards a meadow. "Master?" Mickey called, searching the tall grass. "Master can you hear me?"

A massive set of antlers emerged up over the grass. Two brown marble-like eyes blinked groggily as a deer looked around. "Mickey!" he snuffled before he became fully awake. "Mickey!" he scolded this time. "What did I tell you about disturbing me during my nap?"

"I'm sorry, Master," Mickey apologized, "But we have some guests and they would like to speak with you."

"Guests?" Yen sid asked in confusion before rising to his feet. Yen Sid was still very much a deer and intended to remain so until he deemed that his adopted charge bambi was fully grown and capable of protecting himself. Sophia couldn't help but find it a bit odd that this cantankerous old sorcerer who had apparently been suspicious of everyone's intentions could adopt a baby deer or have a mouse serve as his apprentice with no real concerns. Admittedly, Mickey didn't seem to have an inauthentic bone in his body. Yen Sid made his way over to Sophia's side and looked her up and down. "I remember you," he said by way of greeting. "You're the maid."

"I am a former maid, yes," Sophia interrupted. "My name is Sophia."

"One of Kelsey's friends," he continued dismissively. "Dare I ask why you're here?"

"Well," Sophia began. "We've actually come a very long way to ask you to help us establish a new Circle."

It was hard to read a deer's expression, but Sophia sensed that Yen Sid was not impressed. "No," he said without even thinking about it. He turned and trotted away, focusing on the grass in front of him intently. Sophia frowned and turned towards Merlin and Mim for help who responded with helpless shrugs.

"But… you're the most powerful sorcerer in the Kingdom," Sophia insisted.

"We?" Yen Sid asked. He lifted his head and turned towards Mim and Merlin. "So she talked you into saps into it did she?"

"Hey!" Mim cried while Merlin sputtered indignantly.

"Yes, as you pointed out," Yen Sid scoffed without a trace of humility. "I am the most powerful sorcerer in the Kingdom and I see no reason why I should have to align myself with such peons."

"You aligned yourself with us in the past," Sophia cried. "You helped Kelsey."

"Kelsey wanted to stop the Thirteen," Yen Sid retorted. "I wanted to stop the Thirteen. And thus they have been stopped." He gave Sophia a shrewd look. "You can only play the "Kelsey was my friend" card so many times, my dear," he scolded. "It may have worked on these two, but I don't want to join a club."

"Aww come on, Master," Mickey implored.

"Mickey," Yen Sid scolded, a warning tone in his voice. Mickey clamped his mouth shut.

"We have the opportunity to keep another Thirteen from forming," Sophia insisted.

"The Thirteen wouldn't have formed if the Circle didn't give them ideas in the first place," he snapped. Sophia scowled he had a point.

Sophia drew a deep breath and took a few steps forwards. "It will be different this time."

"Oh will it?" Yen Sid asked. "What is your plan then?"

"We gather the greatest sorcerers and watchdog the Kingdom for any suspicious actions," Sophia said. "Put out any fires before they start."

"My! That seems awfully familiar," Yen side snapped caustically. "And who's going to gather all of these sorcerers?"

"Me," Sophia said. "Us." She gestured to the rest of her companions.

Yen Sid took step closer and gave her an appraising look before blowing a strand of grass from lips dismissively. "You're no Kelsey."

"What?" Sophia cried, taken aback.

"You're nothing like her," he said. "She was different."

"She was completely unsufferable," Sophia snapped.

"Exactly!" Yen Sid grinned. "I couldn't ignore her if I wanted to and boy did I want to. You on the other hand, I can easily ignore and in fact, I think I will." Yen Sid flicked his tail and casually strolled towards the field.

"Who needs him," Mim muttered under her breath.

Sophia could feel Jackie's hand on her shoulder. She shook it off and stomped forwards.

"What will it take?"

"Eh?" Yen Sid asked.

"I've always been more than just Kelsey's friend," Sophia insisted. "I've been defending myself and my sister for years before she arrived. I'm smart, and resourceful and just as stubborn as her. You clearly don't think I'm capable. What would it take to prove you wrong?"

Once again, it was hard to read the deer's expression, but Sophia could have sworn that he seemed amused. "Hmmm," he said thoughtfully pausing to think. Finally, he turned towards her. "Go find me a song."

Sophia blinked. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Yen Sid said. "I want you to do the same thing she did. I'm sure you recall how The Book works. All of my spells are scattered to the winds in the form of songs. One of these days I'm going to have to retrieve them. You can save me the trouble and fetch one for me."

Sophia swallowed hard. "Which one?"

"Anyone you can find," Yen Sid said. "I'm not picky. Shrinking. Enlarging. Transformation. Heck, Kelsey didn't even get all of the nature related ones. My stone spell is out there somewhere." Yen Sid shrugged. "Surprise me." He turned towards Mickey. "My apprentice will go with you. You'll need the Book after all. He's been in the tower a while. I'm sure he won't mind."

"Oh not at all sir!" Mickey said eagerly.

"Okay…" Sophia said. "Where can I find them?"

Yen Side threw back his head and laughed. "How should I know? Kelsey figured it out."

"Kelsey was from another world," Sophia insisted. "She… she could see the future… sort of." Sophia had to admit that her knowledge of the movies from Kelsey's world and how they worked was slim.

"She had an advantage," Yen Sid said. "I'm sure you have your own advantages. Figure them out."

Sophia clenched her teeth. "And if I'm successful?"

"I'll consider joining your little club," Yen Sid said.

Sophia frowned. "That is not a guarantee."

"No, it's not," Yen Sid agreed. "But it's the best you're going to get." And with that, Yen Sid turned and sprinted across the meadow.