Once Upon a Time in Enchancia Chapter 28: Winter Adventures, a sofia the first fanfic

Once Upon a Time in Enchancia

Welcome to Chapter 28 of "Once Upon a Time in Enchancia". Song in this chapter: "Come Alive" from "The Greatest Showman".

Chapter 28: Winter Adventures

January 9, 1869

It was a Saturday afternoon at Enchancia Castle. In Amber's room, Amber was reading when Violet, Dorrie, and Candice walked in.

"Excuse the interruption, Princess Amber," Violet apologized. "We were just wondering ..."

"... if you'd like to come with us on a Voyager road trip?" Dorrie smiled.

"I'd love it!" Amber beamed in happiness.

"Excellent!" Candice smiled as she waved her wand over Amber's head, and transformed Amber's clothes into something appropriate for where they were heading. Violet, Dorrie, and Candice also waved their wands over their heads, and transformed their clothes into something similar to what Amber was wearing.

"Where are we going?" Amber asked, curious.

"The opening of the improved Barnum's American Museum," Violet announced as she, Dorrie, and Candice brought out their Omnis, and Amber took hold of Candice's arm. Violet, Dorrie, and Candice then activated their Omnis, and the four disappeared into thin air.

December 8, 1842

It was a Thursday afternoon in New York City. At Broadway and Ann Street, Violet, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber walked up to a five story building.

"Welcome to Barnum's American Museum," Violet announced.

"I've been wanting to come here for a while," Dorrie commented.

"So have I," Candice added.

Violet, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber stood looking at the building. Huge banners hung from the building, advertising performing acts, as well as Barnum's so-called oddities, such as the bearded lady, the Irish Giant, the tattooed man, and others.

Outside of the building, the man who owned the museum, P.T. Barnum, was looking out onto the crowd passing by as he sung to himself.

"You stumble through your days. Got your head hung low. Your skies' a shade of gray. Like a zombie in a maze. You're asleep inside. But you can shake awake."

"Cause you're just a dead man walking. Thinking that's your only option. But you can flip the switch and brighten up your darkest day. Sun is up and the color's blinding. Take the world and redefine it. Leave behind your narrow mind. You'll never be the same."

Violet walked up to the ticket booth with Dorrie, Candice, and Amber. "Four, please," Violet requested as the ticket man was taken off guard, surprised that there were paying customers for such a new attraction. The ticket man looked behind Violet, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber to see a line of people walking up. The ticket man sold Violet, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber four tickets. As Violet, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber walked into the museum, the ticket man started serving the other people wanting admittance to the museum.

As Violet, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber walked in, they noticed a huge arena surrounded by bleachers. As they stood admiring the arena, a blond haired white woman walked up with her two young daughters.

"Welcome," the woman greeted. "I'm Charity Barnum, and these are my daughters, Caroline and Helen.

"A pleasure to meet you," Violet smiled. "I'm Violet Cooper. These are my daughters, Dorrie and Candice, and our friend, Amber Milledtion. We thought we'd come by and see your unique individuals."

"You mean freaks," Charity cautiously corrected.

"I think unique individuals is a better term," Violet pointed out. "They may be different, but they are still people."

"It's a pleasure to be in the presence of a forward thinking person," Charity smiled. "Not everybody would be as kind."

As Violet and Charity were talking, Dorrie and Candice looked at Caroline and Helen. Caroline had brown hair, and Helen had blond hair.

"My God," Candice whispered to Dorrie. "They could be us at that age."

"I was thinking the same thing," Dorrie whispered back with a smile.

Further inside the museum, P.T. Barnum was walking among his performers, continuing to sing.

"Come alive, come alive. Go and ride your light. Let it burn so bright. Reaching up. To the sky. And it's open wide. You're electrified."

P.T. grabbed a pillow, and used it as additional padding for the Lord of Leeds, a 500 pound man. P.T. also put a pair of stilts on the Irish Giant, a very tall man, to increase his height.

"When the world becomes a fantasy. And you're more than you could ever be. Cause you're dreaming with your eyes wide open. And you know you can't go back again. To the world that you were living in. Cause you're dreaming with your eyes wide open. So, come alive!"

The Irish Giant, with stilts under his pants, was having trouble walking, and stumbled through a curtain that separated the arena from the back area of the building. As the Irish Giant stumbled forward, he was steadied by a few of the performers, including the tattooed man, the Lord of Leeds, a three legged man, and the dog boy (a man with thick hair all over his face and body).

The crowd gasped in fear at the sight of the performers before them. P.T. rushed over to Lettie Lutz (the bearded lady) who was standing nervously behind the curtain.

"Lettie. Lettie," P.T. urged. "They're waiting."

"For what?" Lettie asked, nervous.

"For you," P.T. smiled.

"No," Lettie said, afraid.

"They don't know it yet, but they are going to love you. Trust me," P.T. encouraged Lettie as he led her out to the crowd, who again gasped in fear.

Amber looked at Lettie, and saw Lettie's fear. Amber gently walked up, and smiled at Lettie. "A pleasure to meet you, ma'am."

Amber's friendly greeting put Lettie as ease, as Violet, Dorrie, and Candice smiled with pride at Amber's kind act. Amber's kindness also put the crowd at ease, as the crowd started looking upon the performers not so much as freaks, but as friends.

P.T. saw Tom Thumb, the midget of the show, standing off to the side, looking nervous. P.T. put Tom on a horse, as P.T. sang.

"I see it in your eyes. You believe that lie. That you need to hide your face. Afraid to step outside. So you lock the door. But don't you stay that way."

(Lettie) "No more living in those shadows. You and me we know how that goes." (the Lord of Leeds) "Cause once you see it, oh you'll never, never be the same." (Lettie / Lord of Leeds) "We'll be the light that's shining. Bottle up and keep on trying."

Tom rode around the arena, firing off cap guns, to the cheers of the crowd.

(Performers) "You can prove there's more to you." (P.T.) "You cannot be afraid." (P.T. and performers) "Come alive, come alive. Go and ride your light. Let it burn so bright. Reaching up. To the sky. And it's open wide. You're electrified."

(P.T. and performers) "When the world becomes a fantasy. And you're more than you could ever be. Cause you're dreaming with your eyes wide open. And we know we can't go back again. To the world that we were living in. Cause we're dreaming with our eyes wide open. So, come alive!"

The crowd cheered and clapped in awe at the performance.

(P.T. and performers) "Come one! Come all! Come in! Come on!" (Anne Wheeler, trapeze artist) "To anyone who's bursting with a dream." (Performers) "Come one! Come all! You hear the call." (P.T.) "To anyone who's searching for a way to break free." (Performers) "Break free! Break free!"

The crowd started clapping in tune to the music, and dancing in the bleachers.

The crowd in the bleachers clapped and cheered in loud approval of the performance. Dorrie and Candice whistled in approval, as Violet clapped.

"Bravo! Bravo!" Amber happily called out as she clapped.

After the performance, there was a meet and greet in the arena where the crowd and the performers could get to know each other better. As Amber mingled among the performers and the crowd, P.T. walked up to her.

"Young woman," P.T. smiled, "I want to thank you for the kindness you showed my Lettie earlier."

"It was my pleasure," Amber smiled back. "I saw she was scared, and my heart went out to her."

"You're an enlightened young woman, Miss?" P.T. commented.

"Milledtion," Amber introduced herself. "Amber Milledtion."

"Well, Miss Milledtion, I'd like to present you with a lifetime pass to my shows," P.T. said as he handed Amber a slip of paper. "And, a lifetime pass for each of your three companions," P.T. continued as he handed Amber three additional slips of paper.

"Thank you, Mr. Barnum," Amber accepted, pleased.

"You're very welcome, Miss Milledtion," P.T. happily said as he walked off.

"Well, Violet," a man remarked from behind Amber, "Princess Amber has the makings of a fine Voyager."

Amber turned around to see Violet, Dorrie, and Candice standing there. Standing next to them was a man, and a teenage boy.

"Amber," Violet started, "allow me to introduce you to Phineas Bogg and his sidekick, Jeffrey Jones."

"The same Phineas Bogg and Jeffrey Jones who saved my father when he was a teenager?" Amber asked in awe.

"Guilty as charged," Jeffrey grinned.

"How is Roland, anyway?" Phineas asked.

"He's King of Enchancia, now," Amber proudly answered.

"I always knew he'd go far," Phineas smiled. "And, nicely done with Lettie Lutz. You eased her fears, and kept history on track at the same time."

"Well, every so often, you have to give history a bit of a nudge to keep it on track," a woman's voice came from behind them. Phineas, Jeffrey, Violet, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber turned around to see ... Diana and Tricia standing there.

"Lady Diana," Phineas smiled. "Tricia. A pleasure seeing you, again."

"And it's a pleasure to see you again, Phineas, Jeffrey," Diana smiled back, before turning to Amber. "I'm hearing good things about you, Princess Amber."

"I'm honored, Miss Bearing," Amber responded in awe. "Although, I've been since told who you really are. Where are my manners? I should be curtsying in the presence of royalty."

"That's not necessary," Diana reassured Amber. "That's a life from my past. I'm now a Voyager, as you'll eventually be. You did a nice job back there with Lettie Lutz."

"I was being kind," Amber pointed out. "I didn't know I'd have an effect on history."

"As I'm learning," Amber smiled back. "I'm not the person I once was."

"We know," Tricia happily said as she gently patted Amber's arm.

"You, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber should be getting back to Enchancia Castle," Diana said to Violet. "Timothy is going to have one of his dreams, and that will lead into a new adventure. Voyager Command thought you should know."

"Thank you, milady," Violet acknowledged, appreciative.

Night of January 9, 1869

Back at Enchancia Castle, in eight-year-old Timothy's room, Timothy was asleep. As he slept, he was fighting an enemy in his sleep.

"Thank you for coming," Gwen gratefully said to Violet, Dorrie, and Candice.

"No problem," Violet smiled. "How long has Timothy been like this?"

"About fifteen minutes," Gwen answered. "I've never seem him this animated during a dream before."

Timothy, in his sleep, was talking as he battled an unknown enemy. "You let Sam go, now!" Timothy ordered in his sleep.

"Who is he talking to?" Amy asked, concerned, as she held Timothy's hand.

"Don't know," Candice responded.

"Lovisa's people?" Dorrie wondered.

"It's too soon after their loss at Castlehaven," Candice pointed out. "They will be licking their wounds for a while. Perhaps the Order of the Wand?"

"Except that we've pretty much taken care of the vast majority of them," Dorrie reminded Candice. "That only leaves ..."

"... Snively Sage!" Candice and Dorrie both exclaimed at the same time.

"That's right," Amy remembered. "He gave the two of you the slip at Wuton."

"A slippery customer, he is," Dorrie remarked. "Timothy's dreams are usually predictions of the future."

"Which means Snively could be coming back to Dunwitty," Candice theorized.

"I MEAN IT!" Timothy shouted in his sleep. "LET SAM GO, NOW!"

"Is there anything you can do to calm him down?" Wallace asked, worried. "I hate seeing Timothy like this."

"All we can do is to wake him up," Violet advised. "Luckily, I brought some smelling salts with me."

Violet opened a bottle of smelling salts, and waved it under Timothy's nose. In a few moments, Timothy sprung awake.

"What happened?!" Timothy wanted to know.

"You were having a bad dream," Violet gently explained to Timothy. "It's over, now. Do you remember anything about what you were dreaming about?"

"No," Timothy answered. "I must have woke up so fast that I forgot what I was dreaming about."

"Let's say we get you back to bed, little bro," Amy smiled as she helped Timothy lay back in bed.

"I am ... tired," Timothy admitted as he yawned.

"Just get some sleep," Gwen said as she gently kissed Timothy on the forehead.

"Good night, Mama. Good night, Papa. Good night, Amy," Timothy said as he rolled over, and fell back to sleep.

"A good night's sleep, and he'll be right as rain," Violet smiled.

After Timothy had fallen asleep, Violet, Dorrie, and Candice were walking down a hallway when Amber approached.

"Is Timothy all right?" Amber asked, concerned.

"He'll be fine, Princess Amber," Violet said in a reassuring voice.

"That's good," Amber smiled. "I rather like the little guy."

"As do we," Dorrie happily responded. "All he needs now is a good night's sleep."

"Mom, what about Snively?" Candice asked Violet, concerned.

"We keep our eyes open," Violet instructed.

"Snively?" Amber asked. "What about Snively?"

"We fear he may be coming back to this area, Princess Amber," Violet announced. "Timothy had a dream about somebody taking Sam, and Timothy's dreams are usually predictions of the future. Dorrie, Candice, and I have ruled out other suspects, which only leaves ... Snively Sage."

"Just when we thought we had seen the last of him," Amber sighed.

"I'll send a crystal ball message to the Captain of the guard of the village," Violet announced. "That way, they can keep an eye out for him."

Meanwhile, in the village, a dark haired white man entered the local hotel, and walked up to the woman who was manning the reception desk.

"Excuse me, ma'am," the man smiled. "I'm a traveler, and I've just arrived in your fair village. Do you have a room for rent?"

"I do, sir," the woman smiled back. "If you'll follow me, I'll take you there."

"Thank you," the man responded, pleased.

After the woman had shown the man the room, the man settled into his room. The man then took out a bottle from his suitcase, and looked at it.

"Polyjuice Potion," the man smiled. "Wonderful stuff, if you don't mind the taste. Thanks to this, I've been able to change my appearance. Nobody will know that I'm really Snively Sage. I'll get a good night's sleep, then get started on my plan in the morning."

Back at the castle, Timothy was still asleep, and having a dream. In his dream, Timothy's body was glowing. In a few moments, the glowing stopped, and some knowledge came into Timothy's mind.

"So, I now have the ability to temporarily borrow one ally's power," Timothy thought to himself in his dream. "Nice!"

January 10, 1869

It was a Sunday morning in the Village of Dunwitty. Snively Sage, disguised thanks to the Polyjuice Potion he was taking, walked along the streets of the village. At one point, he snuck into the back yard of a house he knew well - the house where he and his sister, Silvia, had lived. Snively used his elbow to break a back door window, and opened the door with his hand.

"The house is vacant, I see," Snively observed. "I suppose now that Silvia is married to Yuki, she's living with him. That's just as well. Nobody here to disturb me as I search for what I need."

Snively started walking around the first floor of the house. As he was walking around, Snively heard a girl's voice call out.

"Hello?" the girl called out. "Hello? Nobody is suppose to be in here, you know."

Snively used a hallway to get behind the girl. Looking at the girl from behind, he noticed it was nine-year-old Samantha "Sam" Cook. Snively quietly walked up behind Sam, grabbed her, and covered her mouth with his hand.

"Don't struggle, and you won't get hurt!" Snively barked.

Snively then gagged Sam, tied her wrists and ankles together, and sat her down on the floor.

"There," Snively smiled with a wicked grin. "That will keep you in your place until I'm done."

As Snively went off to another part of the house, Sam tried to break loose from the ropes that tied her wrists and ankles together, but the ropes were too strong for her to budge. In her desperation, Sam started calling out with her mind for help to anybody who might be tuned in.

At Enchancia Castle, Timothy, nine-year-old Marie, eight-year-old Nonya, and eight-year-old Molly were playing in the snow. Sitting nearby was Amber. As Timothy, Marie, Nonya, and Molly were playing, Timothy sensed that Sam was in trouble.

"Sam! She's in trouble!" Timothy exclaimed. Timothy then held out his hand, and said "broom attend" as his broom appeared in his hand. Timothy then mounted his broom, and flew off toward the village.

"Timothy! Wait!" Marie said, concerned as she made her broom appear in her hand, and flew off after Timothy.

"Timothy! Marie! Come back!" Amber ordered, concerned.

"We'll go after them," Nonya announced as she and Molly made their brooms appear in their hands. "Get Princesses Sofia and Lucinda, and Ladies Dorrie and Candice, and tell them what has happened."

"I will," Amber said as she ran into the castle, as Nonya and Molly flew off.

Back in the village, Snively was searching around the house when he came across a secret panel. He opened the panel, and pulled out a book in a cloth bag.

"There you are," Snively smiled. "The Book of Sowenda, an evil spell book I hid away."

Snively pulled out the book, and to his dismay, discovered it was not the Book of Sowenda.

"An atlas?!" Snively cried out in shock. "An atlas?! Where the hell is the Book of Sowenda?!"

A folded note then dropped out of the bag. Snively picked up the note, and read it.

Snively:

Imagine my surprise upon finding such an evil book within the walls of this house. I'm very disappointed that you would bring such a thing here. As you can see, it is no longer in this house. I've turned it over to somebody in authority for safekeeping.

Your sister, Silvia.

"What?!" Snively yelled at the top of his lungs. "Who do you think you are, woman, taking my property?!"

"Hold it right there!" a boy's voice demanded. Snively turned around to see Timothy standing there, with his wand drawn.

"Well, if it isn't young Master Timothy," Snively sneered.

"Technically, it's Sir Timothy," Timothy corrected. "I'm a male from a noble house, and under Enchancian law, as a noble male working in service for the Enchancian royal family, I'm entitled to use the title Sir without being a knight."

"Well, then, Sir Timothy, what service exactly do you provide?" Snively asked in a mocking tone.

"I'm a chef in training at Enchancia Castle ... in service to the royal family," Timothy answered.

"Well, forgive me if I'm not impressed," Snively laughed. "Give me a break!"

"The House of O'Toole is a well established noble house in Enchancia," Timothy countered. "My father, Sir Wallace, works in service for the Enchancian royal family as an assistant to Constable Miles."

"I'm still not impressed!" Snively mocked.

"Who are you, anyway?" Timothy wanted to know.

"You have no idea, do you?" Snively commented with an evil grin. "That's thanks to the Polyjuice Potion I've been drinking. Well, let me tell you who I really am. I'm Snively Sage, you brat!"

"Snively!" Timothy exclaimed as he pointed his wand at Snively, and started firing.

"Well, you've got some teeth, brat," Snively admitted as he ducked Timothy's wand fire.

"Where's Sam?!" Timothy demanded.

"Oh, she's around here somewhere," Snively smiled.

"You let Sam go, now!" Timothy ordered.

"I can't do that," Snively grinned. "Where's the fun in that?"

"I MEAN IT!" Timothy shouted. "LET SAM GO, NOW!"

"Come catch me first, brat!" Snively laughed as he ran off, with Timothy in hot pursuit.

Elsewhere in the house, Marie, Nonya, and Molly were freeing Sam.

"Marie," Nonya started, "take Sam outside to safety. Help should be arriving shortly. Meanwhile, Molly and I will help Timothy."

As Marie took Sam outside, Nonya and Molly rushed to a part of the house where wand fire was coming from.

"This will be just like when we took down the Daylight Thieves," Nonya smiled, as Molly nodded her head in agreement.

Nonya and Molly arrived at a room where Timothy and Snively were having a fierce wand battle.

"Come, brat," Snively mocked. "You'll have to do better than that."

"Oh! I'm just getting warmed up!" Timothy retorted.

"HEY!" Nonya and Molly shouted at the same time.

"Oh, what's this?" Snively joked as he turned to Timothy. "You bring an army? What do you call yourselves? The kiddie patrol?"

"That does it!" Nonya said in anger as she and Molly rushed forward with their Jo sticks in their hands.

Nonya and Molly swung their Jo sticks, quickly hitting Snively in various parts of his body.

"Ouch!" Snively gasped in pain. "Son of a wombeast! Enough of this nonsense!"

Snively quickly jumped through a window, landing in the back yard of the house.

"Nice going," Snively thought to himself in disgust. "I should have my head examined for coming back here."

"Hold it right there!" a teenage girl's voice rang out.

Snively turned to see Sofia pointing her wand at him, backed up by Lucinda, Dorrie, and Candice. As Snively ran for it, Sofia, Lucinda, Dorrie, and Candice fired their wands at him. Meanwhile, Timothy watched from the window that Snively had crashed through. As Timothy watched, he suddenly remembered his dream from the night before.

"Oh my God!" Timothy thought to himself. "I now have the power to temporarily borrow one ally's power."

Timothy raced out of the house, and ran up to Sofia, Lucinda, Dorrie, and Candice.

"That was Snively Sage," Timothy announced.

"What?!" Sofia, Lucinda, Dorrie, and Candice asked in shock.

"But he didn't look like Snively," Sofia pointed out.

"That's because he's using Polyjuice Potion to disguise his appearance," Timothy explained.

"We really need to develop some way of detecting evil doers who are using Polyjuice Potion to disguise themselves," Candice suggested.

"Snively's getting away," Timothy pointed out. "I'll get him."

Timothy concentrated while thinking of Candice. Timothy then changed into a large white dragon, and flew off.

"What the?!" Dorrie asked, confused.

"Whoa!" Sofia and Lucinda exclaimed in awe.

"Follow him!" Candice directed.

As Snively ran down a street leading out of the village, Timothy (as a dragon) started flying above Snively.

"Now what?!" Snively exclaimed, annoyed.

Snively looked up to see a large white dragon flying over him. Timothy (as a dragon) was having a bit of difficulty getting the hang of flying like a dragon, and was shaky as he flew.

"Looks like somebody needs some flying practice," Snively laughed.

Snively then pulled out his wand, and fired a shot at Timothy as a dragon, which forced Timothy to back off in order to avoid being hit. As Timothy backed off, he suddenly lost his balance, and started flying downward. Timothy was able to regain enough control to straighten out, as Snively ran out of the village, and into a cave.

Timothy managed to pull off a shaky landing, then transformed into his normal self.

"Are you okay?" Candice asked, concerned.

"Yeah," Timothy admitted, embarrassed. "Guess my dragon flying skills need a lot of work."

"Well, don't worry about that," Candice reassured Timothy. "When we have some free time, I'll teach you how to fly like a dragon."

"Golly," Timothy smiled at Candice. "Thank you."

"How did you change like that?" Lucinda asked Timothy.

"I now have the ability to temporarily borrow one ally's power," Timothy revealed. "I decided to borrow Candice's ability to transform into a dragon."

"Where did Snively go?" Sofia wondered.

"He ran into that cave," Timothy announced. "Let's go get him."

"Hold up, Timothy," Dorrie cautioned. "Sofia, Lucinda, Candice, and I will go in and check it out. You stay out here."

"But ..." Timothy started.

"We're looking out for your safety," Sofia gently said. "Stay out here, please."

"Very well," Timothy acknowledged, a bit put out.

Sofia, Lucinda, Dorrie, and Candice entered the cave with their wands drawn. They came out of the cave a little while later.

"Well, where's Snively?" Timothy asked.

"No where to be found," Sofia reported.

"He must have used his wand to magically transport himself to safety," Lucinda theorized.

"So, he's escaped ... again?" Timothy wanted to know.

"I'm afraid so," Candice admitted.

"Sam!" Timothy remembered. "I've gotta check on Sam!"

As Timothy ran back to the house, he found Sam standing with Marie, Nonya, and Molly.

"Sam!" Timothy exclaimed, relieved, as he hugged her. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, now," Sam smiled as she returned the hug.

Sofia, Lucinda, Dorrie, Candice, Marie, Nonya, and Molly smiled at the touching scene as a royal carriage pulled up.

"Is everybody all right?" Queen Miranda asked, worried, as she and Amber quickly climbed off of the carriage.

"We're fine, Mom," Sofia said in a reassuring voice.

"What happened?" Amber wanted to know.

"It was Snively Sage," Dorrie explained. "He was here, but he managed to escape."

"He was after some book in the house," Sam added. "Apparently, he didn't find it."

"What kind of book?" Lucinda asked.

"Something called the Book of Sowenda," Sam answered.

"It's a good thing Silvia Sage gave me the book for safekeeping," Lucinda said, relieved. "That is a book filled with dangerous dark magic spells. Be assured it is safely under lock and key, where nobody can access it."

"Lets be heading back to the castle," Miranda suggested. "We'll drop you off home, Sam, on the way."

"Thank you, Queen Miranda," Sam said, grateful.

Back at Enchancia Castle

That afternoon, Lucinda was in her bedroom when a knock came at her door.

"Come in," Lucinda invited.

The door opened, and in walked Sofia.

"Hello, Sofia," Lucinda smiled. "What may I do for you?"

"Just thought I'd drop by," Sofia smiled back.

"It's always good to have you here," Lucinda said, pleased.

"So, what is this?" Sofia asked, looking at a locked bookcase with some books in it.

"This is a collection of dark magic books," Lucinda revealed. "I've collected them over the past year, to keep them out of the wrong hands. Better they be under lock and key here, instead of being used by evil doers."

"Good idea," Sofia agreed. "But, aren't you afraid of somebody coming in here and breaking into this bookcase?"

"Well, to tell you the truth," Lucinda said to Sofia, "this bookcase and the books inside are nothing but decoys. If anybody breaks into the bookcase, all they are going to find is magically created copies of the books with blank pages."

"Whoa!" Sofia exclaimed, impressed. "But where are the real books?"

"I'll tell you, but you have to promise that it will stay between us," Lucinda responded.

"You have my word," Sofia promised.

"They are in the Secret Library," Lucinda announced. "It's the last place anybody would think of looking for such books, especially since the public doesn't know about the Secret Library."

"Good idea," Sofia approved. "Did you place them among the other books there?"

"I did one better," Lucinda smiled. "I had them put in the circular room that is located beneath the Secret Library - the room that contains dark stories that must never see the light of day."

"You actually gained access to that room?" Sofia asked, taken off guard. "None of us have ever been in there. It's always locked."

"The First Story Keeper allowed me access to the room," Lucinda revealed. "He and I are the only ones with keys to the room."

"If you don't mind me asking, what kind of books are in there?" Sofia asked, curious.

"Very dark fiction books, according to the First Story Keeper," Lucinda answered. "The First Story Keeper placed those fiction books in the room for safekeeping. Even reading one of those books would magically unleash its evil upon the world."

"I can see why they are under lock and key," Sofia admitted. "But why are such books in the Secret Library to begin with?"

"As the First Story Keeper explained it to me, to have balance in the world, there must be both good and evil," Lucinda explained. "But, that doesn't mean that evil should be allowed to run amuck, so the First Story Keeper created that room to safely store those books."

"A wise precaution," Sofia agreed.

"Changing the subject," Lucinda started, "did I see a carriage pull up a little while ago?"

"Yes," Sofia smiled. "It was Vivian. She and James are spending the afternoon together."

"Nice," Lucinda smiled back. "They make a good couple."

"They do," Sofia happily agreed.

In the Enchancia Castle sitting room, sixteen-year-old James and fifteen-year-old Vivian were having some tea. As the two sat together in the sitting room, the two held hands as Dorrie walked in with a plate of cookies. James and Vivian, embarrassed, let go of each others hands.

"Don't stop on my account," Dorrie smiled. "The two of you make a nice couple. And if you're worried about any gossip, you were just holding hands. And besides, I'm bound by the maid code of honor."

"Maid code of honor?" James asked, unfamiliar with the term.

"Simply, what happens in the castle, stays in the castle," Dorrie winked.

"Thank you, Dorrie," James said, appreciative.

"Yes, thank you, Dorrie," Vivian added in an appreciative voice.

"The two of you are welcome," Dorrie said as she smiled. "It's not like there hasn't been hand holding in the castle before."

"You and Frederick," James observed.

"And Candice and Everett," Dorrie added. "Even King Roland and Queen Miranda have been known to hold hands. It's a sign of deep love and respect."

"James and I are lucky to have you as a friend, Dorrie," Vivian smiled.

"And I'm lucky to have the two of you as friends," Dorrie smiled back.

"Have you seen Crackle?" Vivian asked Dorrie.

"She's outside with Candice, Sofia, and Timothy," Dorrie answered. "Timothy now has the ability to temporarily borrow one ally's power. Candice is teaching Timothy the finer points of dragon flying, and Sofia and Crackle are helping."

"I know that you, Candice, Sofia, and Lucinda can talk to animals," Vivian remembered. "But, can Timothy talk to animals as well?"

"When Sofia and Lucinda gave you the pendant that allows you to talk to animals, they gave Timothy a medallion that allows him to talk to animals as well," Dorrie revealed to Vivian.

"Brilliant!" James exclaimed in happiness.

Outside, behind the castle, Candice, Timothy, Sofia, and Crackle were gathered. Crackle was now a teenage dragon, and was now twice the size she was when she and Vivian were children.

"Are you ready?" Candice asked Timothy.

"Yes," Timothy said in excitement.

"Then transform into a dragon, and we'll get started," Candice smiled.

Timothy concentrated, and transformed into a dark green dragon. At the same time, Candice transformed into her white dragon form, while Sofia transformed into a purple dragon.

"Now, take flight like you did this morning, and we'll get started," Candice directed Timothy.

"Don't worry, kid," Crackle smiled at Timothy. "I'll be right beside you."

Timothy outstretched his wings, and took flight with Crackle beside him. Candice and Sofia followed. As Timothy flew, he started encountering some choppiness in the air which caused him to sway back and fourth.

"Think of flying like swimming," Candice said to Timothy. "Just fly through the choppiness in the air, like you would swim through ripples."

"Got it!" Timothy acknowledged as he flew through the choppiness in the air, flying straight and true as he went along.

"Now you're getting it," Crackle smiled at Timothy.

"Looking good, Timothy," Sofia praised.

"Way to go, Timothy," Candice said with a smile.

"Thanks, guys," Timothy said, pleased.

As the afternoon progressed, Candice, Crackle, and Sofia taught Timothy additional things about flying like a dragon. Timothy was a quick learner, and soon mastered what Candice, Crackle, and Sofia had taught him.

"You know, I just had an idea," Sofia announced.

"What, Sofia?" Candice asked.

"You, me, and Crackle always go to the annual Roast N Toast," Sofia started. "We could take Timothy along this year as our guest."

"That's a wonderful idea, Sofia," Candice smiled.

"Roast N Toast?" Timothy asked, unfamiliar with the term.

"It's an annual event where dragons get together," Crackle explained. "We have all kinds of fun. You could meet my friend, Sizzle. You could meet The Duchess, and the other dragons too."

"Golly!" Timothy exclaimed in glee. "I'd like that!"

"Then consider it a date," Candice happily agreed.

"You'll love it, Timothy," Sofia happily added.

"We'll have to teach Timothy to breath fire," Candice pointed out.

"That's just a matter of practice," Sofia said in an encouraging voice.

"We'll teach you how," Crackle smiled at Timothy. "We have until July, so that gives us plenty of time."

"Meanwhile, lets say we get in some more flying time," Candice suggested.

As Candice, Timothy, Sofia, and Crackle flew in the air, King Roland stood watching from a window in his study, and smiled. It was nice seeing them enjoying themselves. As Roland watched, Candice's cat, Creamy, walked into Roland's study, and jumped up onto a table next to Roland.

"Ah! Creamy!" Roland happily acknowledged. "Come for a visit, have you?"

Creamy purred in happiness as Roland gently stroked Creamy. Roland liked to have Creamy visit him. Creamy was the only cat that Roland wasn't allergic to, and the two had formed a close friendship as a result.

As Roland and Creamy watched through the window, Candice, Timothy, Sofia, and Crackle flew through the air, having fun performing flying stunts.

"This is a nice way to spend a Sunday," Roland smiled at Creamy. "Everybody out there is having a good time."

Creamy purred in agreement as he and Roland continued to look out the window. It was a fine time to be alive.

(End of Chapter 28).

Behind the scenes

In this edition of "Behind the scenes", a look at ideas I have for future chapters of "Once Upon a Time in Enchancia" (in no set order).

- A royal visit to Castlehaven by King Roland, Queen Miranda, Sofia, Lucinda, Amber, James, Violet, Dorrie, Candice, Scarlett, Faith, and Colette.

- A royal visit to Enchancia by Queen Elsa, Princess Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf from "Frozen".

- Dorrie and Candice having an adventure with the Jodie Whittaker Doctor, as well as Graham, Ryan, and Yasmin, from "Doctor Who".

- Sofia, Candice, and Timothy attending a dragon Roast N Toast.

- Some short stories featuring Candice.

- Violet, Dorrie, Candice, and Amber (as Voyagers) having an adventure with Madam Vastra, Jenny, and Strax from the Matt Smith episodes of "Doctor Who".

Author's notes

Anne Wheeler, Barnum's American Museum, Caroline Barnum, Charity Barnum, Dog Boy, Helen Barnum, Lettie Lutz, P.T. Barnum, the Irish Giant, the Lord of Leeds, the tattooed man, the three legged man, and Tom Thumb are all from "The Greatest Showman".

Castlehaven is from "Nella the Princess Knight". For more about what happened in Castlehaven, see Chapter 27 of "Once Upon a Time in Enchancia".

Creamy is a character created for Candice by Jolly Roger Brat. Creamy is used in this story with the permission of Jolly Roger Brat. Readers of "Once Upon a Time in Enchancia" will remember that in Chapter 11, King Roland is no longer allergic to Creamy, and Creamy is now allowed in the castle.

Faith is an earlier version of Faith seen in the "Torchwood" episodes "Dead Man Walking" and "Fragments".

For more about Diana, see Chapter 49 of my story "Dorrie". Meanwhile, for more about her adopted daughter, Tricia, see Chapters 42 and 43 of my story "Dorrie: Book Two".

Having a room beneath the Secret Library housing dark fiction books was first alluded to in Chapter 2 of my story "Dorrie: Book Two". The inspiration for such books came to me after watching the first "Goosebumps" movie which was released in 2015.

Having Snively capture Sam is based on an idea suggested by MisuteriTenshi / SailorWednesdayMercury.

Having Timothy gain the ability to temporarily borrow one ally's power was the idea of MisuteriTenshi / SailorWednesdayMercury.

Having Timothy having trouble flying as a dragon, and having Candice offering to teach him how to fly as a dragon, was the idea of MisuteriTenshi / SailorWednesdayMercury.

Having Timothy dreaming about Sam being captured is based on an idea suggested by MisuteriTenshi / SailorWednesdayMercury.

James and Vivian have had a relationship since my story "Incident at Royal Prep".

Jeffrey Jones, Omnis, Phineas Bogg, and Voyager are from the "Voyagers!" TV series.

Jo stick: a Jo stick is a Japanese martial arts weapon measuring 4.2 feet in length, and can be used for striking, thrusting, blocking, covering, pushing, holding or pressing, locking, throwing, as well as pinning an opponent.

Marie Perkins, Samantha "Sam" Cook, Silvia Sage, Snively Sage, Timothy O'Toole, and Yuki Moto are characters created by MisuteriTenshi / SailorWednesdayMercury, and are used in this story with the permission of MisuteriTenshi / SailorWednesdayMercury.

Milledtion: a long time ago, the Disney Wiki used Milledtion as the last name for the Enchancian royal family. Even though the Disney Wiki has ceased using the name Milledtion, I still use it as a last name for the royal family.

Molly (Red) and Nonya (Angry) are originally from "Tangled: The Series" and "Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure".

"Ouch!" Snively gasped in pain. "Son of a wombeast! Enough of this nonsense!" - Son of a wombeast! was inspired by Son of a nutcracker! from "Elf".

Polyjuice Potion is from "Harry Potter".

Roast N Toast, Sizzle, and The Duchess are originally from the "Sofia the First" episode "The Royal Dragon". Since "The Royal Dragon" originally premiered during a July, that's when I decided the annual Roast N Toast should take place.

"The same Phineas Bogg and Jeffrey Jones who saved my father when he was a teenager?" Amber asked in awe - this is a reference to Chapter 14 of "Once Upon a Time in Enchancia" (as well as a reference to Chapter 2 of my story "Glimpses").

The Scarlett Warrior (A.K.A. Scarlett) (A.K.A. Queen Scarlett) (A.K.A. Queen Scarlett Katherine Felchenerow) is a character created by Ben10Man, and is used in my stories with permission from Ben10Man. Meanwhile, the character of Colette (A.K.A. Lady Colette Cosmarune) is a character that I and Ben10Man created, and is based on Bayonetta from the video game "Bayonetta" (please note that Colette, and Madam Collette of Enchancia Castle, are two different characters who are not related in any way, shape, or form).

"This will be just like when we took down the Daylight Thieves," Nonya smiled, as Molly nodded her head in agreement - this is a reference to events in the "Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure" episode "Vigor the Visionary".

Timothy and Wallace's titles of "Sir" without being knights was the result of a conversation between myself and Jolly Roger Brat where Jolly Roger Brat was asking about titles. I came up with the idea of noble males being able to use the title of "Sir" without being knights as long as such noble males worked in the service of the Enchancian royal family. Afterward, I decided to use that in this chapter of "Once Upon a Time in Enchancia".

To more accurately portray P.T. Barnum's life, I combined together elements of P.T. Barnum's real life along with the fictional elements of P.T. Barnum's life seen in "The Greatest Showman". To this end, I used the real life date of December 8th of 1842 (when Tom Thumb made his first real life public appearance) for the scene with Barnum's American Museum.

"We really need to develop some way of detecting evil doers who are using Polyjuice Potion to disguise themselves," Candice suggested - this line was the result of a conversation between myself and Brigade701 (where Brigade701 suggested that perhaps at some point there should some way to instantly detect evil doers who are using Polyjuice Potion to disguise themselves).

"Well, it was a case of being in the right place at the right time," Diana smiled. "A wise man once told me - always try to be nice, and never fail to be kind - advice that will serve you well over the years" - the part about always try to be nice, and never fail to be kind is a reference to the Peter Capaldi "Doctor Who" episode "Twice Upon a Time", just before the Peter Capaldi Doctor regenerated into the Jodie Whittaker Doctor. Obviously, The Doctor would have given Diana that advice sometime before "Twice Upon a Time".

"When Sofia and Lucinda gave you the pendant that allows you to talk to animals, they gave Timothy a medallion that allows him to talk to animals as well," Dorrie revealed to Vivian - the bit about Sofia and Lucinda giving Vivian a pendant is a reference to events in Chapter 1 of my story "Incident at Royal Prep".

Disclaimer

Creamy and the other original ideas from Jolly Roger Brat are the property of Jolly Roger Brat, and are used in my stories with the permission of Jolly Roger Brat (under an agreement that the two of us may use things from each other's "Sofia the First" fan fiction stories).

"Goosebumps" (the 2015 movie) and everything associated with it © Sony Pictures Animation, LStar Capital, Village Roadshow Pictures, Original Film, Scholastic Entertainment, and Columbia Pictures.

"Harry Potter" and everything associated with it © J. K. Rowling, Bloomsbury Publishing, Arthur A. Levine Books, Little Brown, Heyday Films, 1492 Pictures, Patalex IV Productions, and Warner Brothers Pictures.

Marie Perkins, Samantha "Sam" Cook, Silvia Sage, Snively Sage, Timothy O'Toole, Yuki Moto, and the other original ideas from MisuteriTenshi / SailorWednesdayMercury are the property of MisuteriTenshi / SailorWednesdayMercury, and are used in this story with the permission of MisuteriTenshi / SailorWednesdayMercury.

"Nella the Princess Knight" and everything associated with it © Christine Ricci, Brown Bag Films, Channel 5, and Nick Jr.

"Sofia the First" and everything associated with it © Craig Gerber, Jamie Mitchell, Disney Television Animation, Toiion Animation Studios, Team TO, and Disney-ABC Domestic Television.

"The Greatest Showman" and everything associated with it © Chernin Entertainment, Seed Productions, Laurence Mark Productions, TSG Entertainment, and 20th Century Fox.

The Scarlett Warrior and the other original ideas from Ben10Man are the property of Ben10Man, and are used in my stories with the permission of Ben10Man.

"Voyagers!" and everything associated with it © James D. Parriot Productions, Universal Television (MCA), and Scholastic Productions.

I only own broom attend, Candice Cosmarune-Cooper, Dorrie Cosmarune-Cooper, Lovisa, the Book of Sowenda, the circular room beneath the Secret Library, the maid code of honor, Timothy's medallion, Tricia, and Vivian's pendant.