*Marla's POV*

My little girl and I were fleeing from Rudistan. I decided to move us to Enchancia, a little village of Dunwiddy, which just so happened to be the village closest to the castle. Why Enchancia you may ask? Well, there was this little girl. She was such a sweetheart. She had been in town with her mother for a job because her mother was summoned to make a pair of shoes. I had found her playing with Lucinda and saw a happy toothy grin as they played. Soon though, an older woman, presumably her mother, came over just as I stepped out and was about to call Lucinda in for dinner.

"Sofia." the older woman called.

Ah, so that's who the other kid is.

"Mom." she said.

"Come along now. We've got to be getting back to our village in Enchancia." the older woman said.

"Okay mom." Sofia said.

I watched as Sofia said goodbye. Then I saw something that shouldn't be on a kids face, especially one so young. A wall was put up as she left. She was still smiling but I could tell there was a barrier. I decided that if there was a witch meeting somewhere in Enchancia, I'd ask about Sofia and find where she lives. The kid was intriguing because well, for one, not scared of witches, even the 'evil' ones. I had been flying over when I realized that it was literally just the kid and her mom in a shop. I kept an eye on the kid as she was doing something no five year old should have been doing. She had been out in the forest alone, just building something. She went back to the village and along the way, kids were teasing her. They were downright mean to her. She said something that shut them up. Dang she has a sharp tongue for a five year old. I was wondering where her mom was but it became apparent that her mom was busy working. For good reason too as I saw that the dresses were tattered but held together with patches of fabric.

That day, I didn't go to the meeting and spent the day hugging my daughter and telling her I loved her. I made sure she knew her magic because she was going to run into some situations where she'd need to get out of. Ever since then, I'd fly over that village to check in on the kid. I flew over at a good time to watch as she got out of school early because of her high grades in school, work that should really be at a higher level. Over time, I watched as she gained more skills to help her mom. Heck, I've even bought her stew for Lucinda because of how well it sold. I paid her well and told her to keep the change.

I always told Lucinda about her friend. Told her that her friend was special and that when they meet again, to be ready for adventures. So when it got dangerous for us to live in Rudistan, I decided to move us to Enchancia.

Lucinda had come home one day, sad that most of the village kids didn't care about her. Only two of them did and that was Ruby and Jade. Jade seemed like she'd hold grudges but Lucinda said that Jade knew Sofia. I found out that Sofia was the new Enchancian Princess through word of mouth from the adults of the village, especially from the butcher. They were proud of her, happy that she was somewhere she could be a kid.

*Ruby's POV*

I was helping Jade with her party. After Sofia left for the castle, the other children warmed up to us and that now we were friends with most of the village. It had been a few months after Sofia left that a new family moved in. I went to say hi to the new kid and found out they were witches. Because of Sofia, I knew to give them a chance, Jade too. I had seen some of the others picking on her and went to stop it.

Jade and I learned that she knew Sofia too. It was a good thing to because we didn't get hexed like the others. The hexes stopped if the kid apologized for what they did.

Sofia came down to help. Apparently she remembered Lucinda and they greeted each other. I liked that Sofia had another friend. She was also doing well in school, as always. She writes to us as often as she can, telling us about her day and what she's been up to.

Jade actually invited Lucinda because she could make it fun with party tricks. Sofia was grinning from where she was in the rafters, hanging the streamers. Sometimes we got a little tired of protecting Sofia and on those days she'd accept that we'd be busy and go do something else. More often than not though, we'd be free and try and help Sofia as much as we could. Both of us could see how much Sofia was doing just to keep her and her mom in the house. We helped her by providing a safe space where she could play. The other kids weren't helpful at all.

We were excited for her when she moved to the castle because it meant that she didn't have to do so much. It was Sofia's kind nature underneath her walls that kept us close to her. I knew Sofia held many things close to her heart. She didn't tell us because she didn't want us to worry.

Jade was the tallest of us but I noticed that Sofia must have gone through a growth spurt as she was taller than Jade now. Sofia tried to help Jade's mom cook for the party but her mom shooed her away. I smiled as Sofia seemed to relax when it was just us. She smiled at me as she fiddled with something in her hands. The party was starting soon and the others were coming. They were shocked that Jade invited Lucinda and Sofia, but got over it. Sofia sort of hovered to the outside of everyone. Lucinda was doing party tricks. When the party was over, Lucinda created fireworks. Sofia had a talent of walking off without being noticed and I caught her walking away from everyone and to the forest.

Jade and I ran to catch up with her. We held our own little party.

*Amber's POV*

When Sofia came back from her party, she looked a little uncomfortable. She's good with people but after a while she prefers the quiet. I found her in her room working on something as always. Which does not make this a good announcement. I told her about the invitation to Zandar's palace in Tangu. She agreed to go because I was going. Though when she saw the coach, she immediately wanted to go on the carpet. I sighed but understood so I went with her, no arguments. Her tense muscles relaxed as I held her. Surprisingly, the carpet did what Sofia told it to. Of course she spoke in a calm tone and the carpet listened.

"Amber?" she said.

"Yes Sofia?" I said.

"Can…can we go somewhere else? I don't really feel like dealing with a large crowd at the moment." she said.

I sighed a little but I agreed. So the carpet took us to the Hanging Gardens. Along the way we got to see the kingdom so that was a plus. As was just hanging out with my sister. While in the Hanging Gardens though, we came across Princess Jasmine, who led us out of the gardens when we wanted to leave. I had a great day because I spent it with her and she managed to deal with the party after the party. Though I think that was because she was busy talking to Vivian.

The next couple weeks were a little crazy. Luna had run off and Sofia went after her. We got Sofia's amulet from a baby griffin. Then we finally had a calm week.

*Sofia's POV*

I was excited because Buttercups had been a calming influence where I could play. We finished our meeting with Ms. Hanshaw telling us that tomorrow we were going hiking through Peppertree Forest and earning badges. The new girls, Meg and Peg, were going to be earning their first badges. I had my sunflower pin already because of how many badges I had from what I had to help mom out.

"Dad." I said as he came rolling in.

"Hey Sofia." he said, "What are you dressed in?"

"My Buttercup uniform. We're going on a hike tomorrow through Peppertree Forest." I said.

*Unknown POV*

I was flying over this kingdom in the Ever Realm, I believe the name is Enchancia, when I felt a source of magic. I followed it to a little princess. I got closer to see why I was drawn to the kid. She didn't seem like the normal princess. For one, she was lean and from the muscle I could see on her, she was used to hard work.

The kid had wanted to go on the hike by herself with her troop, but the king had told the well dressed man next to him to go with her. I'll have to keep an eye on her. She has the makings of a great protector. Now, I was late for a giant party.

*Baileywick's POV*

I knew I wasn't going to fit my old Groundhog uniform so I went in something else. I put what I needed in the pack and left to wait for Sofia at the front. Surprisingly though, Sofia was ready before me and she was waiting on me.

"Baileywick, thank you for doing this." Roland said.

"You're welcome." I said.

"Dad, we have to go now." Sofia said.

She ran off and I had to catch up. When we arrived, I told Ms. Hanshaw that I was to accompany Sofia on behalf of the king. I had no intention of stopping her. Roland said to watch her, not do everything. I watched as she constructed a simple bird house out of the sticks she found. I was going to do what Roland told me to do, but I saw the toothy grin she was giving while doing this. I couldn't let my orders stop her from having fun.

We crossed a river that Sofia crossed with ease. She actually had to help me across. Ms. Hanshaw called out to the girls, announcing that they were to collect wood for their cookout. I watched as Sofia was the one to build the fire from the wood that was gathered. She picked up two rocks and struck them together, creating a spark that built the fire.

"Ms. Hanshaw, can I go get my own food?" Sofia asked.

I watched Ms. Hanshaw, who insisted that I call her Helen, as she looked at Sofia. I saw a sadness in her gaze but let Sofia go.

"What was that look about Helen?" I asked.

She sighed and pulled me away from the others.

"I'm sure you've noticed that I haven't given Sofia any badges for what she's doing." she said.

"Yes. Why?" I asked.

"Well, Sofia has actually received most of the badges that can be earned at her level in the Buttercups. There's only two that she hasn't and its the leadership badge and the last one she has to get before leveling up in the troop." Helen said.

"So why the look? Aren't you proud of her?" I asked.

"Oh, I'm very proud of her. But its unfortunate that she has had to grow up so quickly. I haven't said anything because I knew that Miranda was struggling with earning enough to care for Sofia. Sofia, being the sweetheart she is, she began pitching in. She did odd jobs around the village but eventually became the light of the village because of how well liked she was by us adults. She picked up trades very quickly and by the time she was five, she was the one to be taking care of the shop. I know you've seen the inside decor of their shop, Sofia was the one to do that. Miranda had been out of town for work to try and earn more money for her and Sofia. I had gone over to check on Sofia and found her redoing the shop. I left her too it as she seemed to be working hard and I didn't want to interrupt. A week later, Miranda was still out of town and had written Sofia that she was coming home soon. Sofia stepped up her work and was finished by the time Miranda was back. Sofia had surprised Miranda with a better looking shop." Helen said, "I'm sad because in order to save on food, they cut out meats because it was expensive to buy."

"They cut out on meats? But Sofia told me that they had some." I said confused.

"Yes, she had learned how to hunt from the village butcher. He's an older man with no family and was mean to everyone in the village. Sofia managed to worm her little way into his heart and he taught her. She had been there enough to start calling him Grandpa. I just so happened to be passing the shop when she did and I saw his face light up in happiness. Sofia asked me if it was okay to go hunt for her food." Helen said.

"Hunt?!" I said.

"Yes." Helen said. "She should be coming back any minute. Ah, there she is."

Sofia came back holding strips of meat in her hands. She put the meat in the fire to cook it. I looked at the others in the troop to see they all looked sad but resigned. I watched as she cooked the meat she got and ate. She went to go clean off in the stream before coming back ready to go. So we moved to a flower patch and the girls had to gather flowers. This one I wanted to help and picked up some lovely looking flowers and showed them to Sofia,

"That's Meddlesome Myrtle." the girls said.

"Oh dear." I said as I dropped it.

"Don't scratch!" Sofia said.

The sharp tone of her voice stopped me from moving. I was shocked that she had yelled that loudly. She grabbed the back of my shirt and dragged me to the water.

"Do not touch anything with those hands right now Baileywick." she said.

I didn't move my hands. I followed Sofia as did Helen, who had told the other girls to watch. Sofia then pushed me into the water.

"Rub your hands together to get as much of the oil off of your hands. Its what causes the itchyness in the first place." she said before looking to Helen, "Ms. Hanshaw, can you bring my bag over here?"

"I got it Sof!" Jade said as she ran over.

"Thanks Jade." Sofia said.

Sofia then pulled out a much smaller bag and in it was some plant leaves. She placed one in my hand.

"Wash your hands with this. Then eat this." Sofia said as she pulled out yet another plant based thing.

I did as I was told since Sofia seemed to know what she was doing. Once I washed my hands with the surprisingly soapy leaves, I ate the thing Sofia wanted me too.

"There, that should stop the swelling and the itchyness." Sofia said.

I stood up out of the water and Sofia pulled out a towel from my pack for me to dry off.

"Sofia, you have earned your last two badges. You have earned the right to level up in the Buttercups." Helen said.

"My…" Sofia started, "Are you serious?"

"Yes. You just helped Baileywick in a way that displayed true leadership, thus earning the leadership badge, and for the quick thinking, you earned the pin that deams you ready for the next level of badges." Helen said.

Sofia just took it gratefully, "Thank you."

I smiled at her and we made our way back to the castle where Helen pinned Ruby and Jade with their Sunflower pin. She also made me an honorary troop leader. She turned to Miranda, who was watching.

"Miranda, it is my greatest pleasure to tell you that Sofia has completed the badge set required for her current level in the Buttercups. She is ready for the next set of badges, those of a Gladiolus, the strength set." Helen said.

Miranda looked proud, "Oh I'm so proud of you Sofia."

"Thanks mom." Sofia said.

Roland turned to me once Sofia was out of earshot.

"Thank you Baileywick." he said.

"Oh, she didn't need me. I needed her. If it wasn't for her, I'd be stuck in a wheelchair and off of stewarding for a couple weeks as the rash went away. The doctor said that if I hadn't gotten such immediate help, then I would be in a much itchier situation." I said.

"Hmm…" he was considering something.

"You should have seen her take charge. She reminded me of you." I said.

AN: To the one who asked if James was being a brat in this one, then yes. He is. I decided to make this one as if James was the one who didn't really like Sofia at first. And yes Cedric is still going to be in this just not as much. The interactions between Sofia and Cedric in any of the episodes I decide to skip or shorten still happen.