Quick note: I do not own the song used; it belongs to its original artist. And if anyone is interested in the recipe mentioned, PM me and I'll send it to you.
As she made her way back to Hexley Hall, Sandra's owl Marcella had a feeling that something was wrong. She had given Zoe the plush unicorn that Sandra had won for her, and as she saw the school in the distance, she had the strange feeling that something awful had happened.
She was about to go to the Owlery when she saw Wendell's tawny owl Tanya flying up to her. "Marcella! Come quick!" she hooted.
"What is it?" Marcella asked.
"There's trouble! Wendell got trapped inside a Dream Crystal! He tried to help Princess Sandra, but they were both captured by her brother!" Tanya screeched.
"We have to do something!" Marcella fretted. "If anything happens to Sandra..."
"I feel the same way about Wendell," Tanya hooted, "Let's go find Miss Lovegood. I'm sure she'll know how to help them!"
The barn owl and the tawny owl flew to Miss Lovegood's office and fluttered in front of the window.
Miss Lovegood looked up from where she was examining Sofia and her friends. "I'll cast the counterspell in a moment," she said as she opened the window. "Come in!"
"It's Sandra's owl! And Wendell's!" Sofia said as the two owls perched on Miss Lovegood's desk. She wondered what was wrong despite waiting for the counter spell.
If anything were Wendell and Sandra alright?
"Tanya, Marcella, come in," Miss Lovegood murmured. "It's all right. I just need to cast a quick counterspell, and I think I know why you're here."
"What could have happened to them?" Tanya wondered.
"I'm not sure, but I hope they're all right," Marcella whispered.
Miss Lovegood smiled as she aimed her wand at Sofia and her friends. "Surgito!" When she saw Sofia and her friends look around, she nodded in satisfaction. "Are you all right?"
"We're all fine, Miss Lovegood," Dorrie nodded. "I just can't believe we were spelled like that."
"It happens, Lady Dorrie," Miss Lovegood assured her, "But I was able to lift the spell."
"But what about Wendell and Sandra?" Marcella asked.
"Don't worry, Marcella, we've got the Dream Crystal right here," Miss Lovegood smiled. She saw Sofia's look of amazement, and explained, "And yes, Princess Sofia, like you and your friends, I can talk to and understand animals too. True, I don't have an amulet that lets me do that, but my family has always been sensitive to our surroundings, and we have telepathic abilities that let us communicate with animals."
"Okay, but how can we get in there and help Wendell and Sandra?" Amber asked.
"I have the gift of Astral Projection," Sofia explained. "I can take someone into the Dream Crystal with me, and we can get Wendell and Sandra out."
"And you didn't tell us about this because..." Amber frowned.
"It's a dangerous ability that's only used in emergency situations. I have to have someone go with me, and the rest of you stay here and watch over us," Sofia explained. "And Amber, I'm sorry, not just for keeping this a secret from you, but also that you can't go with me."
"Why not?" Amber wondered.
"Like I said, it's dangerous," Sofia sighed. "If it wasn't, not only would I have told you earlier, but I'd let you go with me."
"Besides, you said once yourself that you're not as experienced with magic as Sofia is. That's why I'm going with you, if that's okay, Sof," Candice spoke up. When Sofia nodded, Candice continued her explanation, "Maleficent even told me once that being inside Dream Crystals is no place for amateurs. She put me inside one before I became good so I could experience what it was like, and she said I did very well for my first time." She saw that Amber was about to protest, but she said, "Every person's reaction to Dream Crystals is different. You could do very well, or something could go wrong. Do you really want to take that chance?"
"I suppose not," Amber admitted. "I just don't want anything to happen to you, Sofia. Or you, Candice."
"I understand, Amber," Sofia smiled, "But I'll have Candice with me, and we'll get Wendell and Sandra out."
Amber nodded, a bit relived at knowing that her sister would be alright. She knew that Candice did have a point. She knew more magic, so it made sense for her to go with Sofia.
They watched as Sofia prepared herself to use her Astral Projection. In a few moments, she announced that she was ready, and had Candice lie down beside her and take her hand. A moment later, Sofia's amulet glowed, surrounding her and Candice with a bright white light as they lost consciousness.
"Be careful," Amber murmured, watching over their still bodies.
"Have faith, Princess Amber," Miss Lovegood smiled. "They'll be all right."
"I hope you're right," Amber whispered.
A few moments later, when Sofia and Candice opened their eyes again, they found themselves in what looked like Orillia, but everything looked different. Sofia started to look around when she heard Candice laughing to herself. "What's so funny?" Sofia asked.
"I was just thinking about what Wendell and Sandra said when they were pulled into the Dream Crystal," Candice grinned. "I thought since it was like they were commenting on Titanic, we'd be drawn into a world like in the movie!"
Sofia couldn't help but laugh herself. "I know! Amber loves that movie too! I remember after she, Hildegard, and Cleo saw it during a sleepover, the rest of the family watched it with her later. Amber jumped up on the couch, and when Dad took hold of her waist to help her down, she shouts, "I'm flying, Jack...I mean Daddy!"
"That's right," Candice laughed with her for a minute, then they sobered. "We should tell Amber about that when we get back! But first, let's find Wendell and Sandra."
"Right," Sofia smiled. "We'll try the knights' training ground first, then the kitchen, then the throne room."
"Good idea," Candice smiled.
"And if we know Sandra, maybe she's in the knights' training ground," Sofia suggested.
"If she's not, then it'll be the kitchen," Candice grinned.
"We should still check the throne room too," Sofia mused, "Since Ezekiel's been in Azkaban, I think it's safe to assume that Sandra's the heir to Orillia's throne now."
"Maybe, but let's check each area, just to be safe," Candice agreed.
When they went out to the training grounds, they saw a huge crowd of people. Sandra was standing there, with Wendell by her side. "I wonder what's going on," Sofia mused.
"Me too," Candice agreed.
"You think we'll be able to get them away from the crowd without being seen?" Sofia wondered.
"There's only one way to find out," Candice smiled, taking her wand out. "Expecto Patronum!" She nodded as her phoenix shot right toward the crowd.
"Everyone, get inside while we look into this!" Sandra shouted, "Knights! To your horses! Guards! Protect us!"
"I'll look into this, your Majesty!" Wendell called, running into the crowd.
"What a way to start my knighthood," Matthew, an 18-year-old squire, frowned as he followed him.
At that moment, Sofia grabbed Wendell's arm and pulled him away with her. "Follow me, Wendell! I know where the trouble is!"
"You do?" Wendell asked in surprise.
"If I didn't, would I be here?" Sofia smirked.
At the same time, Candice was with Sandra. "I've got to go with the knights! I may be the queen, but I have to protect the kingdom!" Sandra shouted, trying to free herself from Candice's grip.
Candice gave her an understanding smile. "Okay, but let me go in first and make sure it's safe," she said as she let her go.
"Okay," Sandra said as she backed off.
Candice gasped in shock. "You'd let a poor defenseless girl go fight a big, scary ogre that's attacking a kingdom all by herself?! What kind of person are you?!"
Sandra smirked. "I remember that joke! Zeke didn't think it was funny, but the other squires laughed about it for days!" She suddenly shook her head. "Wait...Zeke! Candice, what's going on?"
"Now you're getting it," Candice smirked. "Sofia's here too, Sandra; she's bringing Wendell over."
"Here we are," Sofia smiled as she and Wendell came over. "I explained everything to Wendell, and he snapped out of it too. Now, everyone hold onto me!"
Candice, Wendell, and Sandra held onto Sofia, who concentrated, and in a minute, Sofia and Candice were back in their own bodies, with Wendell and Sandra next to them.
They were telling everyone that they were safe as Amber smiled and ran to her sister and hugged her.
"Easy Amber! I'm okay!" Sofia laughed.
"What about you, Sandra? Are you okay?" Dorrie asked. "And how about you, Wendell?"
"I'm fine," Wendell smiled. "But I wish I could remember those spells I was casting in that dream world. I'd never heard of some of them before! One was creating a spray of water and making it dance, and another was for making fireworks appear! I'd wanted to use that one, but Candice found me and shook me out of that spell!"
"I think I know the spells you're talking about, Wendell," Lucinda grinned. "I'll look those up and write them down for you."
"Okay, but Sandra, are you all right?" Sofia asked.
"I'm okay, but I'm really not used to being alone on a stage like that," Sandra admitted. "I really don't do well speaking in public. I know I sang with Hugo at the talent show and the singing contest, but I do better when I have someone with me."
"But you're going to be queen of Orillia one day, aren't you?" Amber asked.
"I haven't thought about it, really," Sandra revealed. "Zoe's more into being the center of attention than I am."
"You could abdicate the throne," Sofia suggested.
"But wouldn't Zoe not like taking on Sandra's responsibilities?" Amber wondered. "Even if she likes the attention."
"Zoe always loved talking to everyone," Sandra explained. "Don't get me wrong; I talk to people too, and I'm involved in working around the castle and kingdom. I also sometimes shadow Dad and help him when he has a really busy day, but, well, I have a tendency to be shyer than Vivian. I know the duties and responsibilities of a queen, but I'm not used to talking to people for so long, and my level shyness isn't good for a future queen."
"What will you do if you abdicate?" Sofia asked.
"I'd actually given it some thought," Sandra replied. "I've been to not just our School Fair, but I got to look around at the School Fair Zeke went to, before he became evil." She smirked as everyone laughed. "Some teacher needed him for something, and asked me to find him. After I found him and sent him to the teacher, I looked around some of the tents myself. I'd started doing fencing with the knights, so I looked in the Chivalry Hall tent. I'd also shown a lot of interest in the Orillia School of Baking and Cooking tent. When it was time for our own School Fair, I looked around each tent again. My two choices were still there, so the fairies said I could be dual enrolled in them."
"Just like how we go to both Hexley Hall and Royal Prep," Dorrie smiled, Candice nodding at her side.
Sandra smiled, turning to Sofia and Candice. "Thank you for getting me and Wendell out of that dream crystal," she paused. "And maybe I will be queen, when I'm ready. But I might also see myself as Orillia's first female knight, or the castle kitchen helper, or something."
"There's lots of time to decide what we want to do," Sofia smiled.
"I just wish we had more time to come up with a plan to deal with the Order of the Wand," Amber brought everyone back to the situation at hand.
"You're right, but first, Wendell, Princess Sandra, come over here," Miss Lovegood motioned for them to come over. She chanted the same spell she used on Sofia and the others to lift the spell Ezekiel had cast, but she also checked them over for any side effects from being in the Dream Crystal. When both of them had been given a clean bill of health, she asked, "So, now what are we going to do?"
"I have an idea," Candice spoke up. "Miss Lovegood, spread a story that Sandra and Wendell are still trapped in the Dream Crystal. When Neila and the Order of the Wand show up to investigate, I'll use the Dream Crystal to trap them inside it."
"That's a bold move," Miss Lovegood smiled. "But, are you skilled enough to do it?"
"When Maleficent was teaching me about Dream Crystals, she also taught me how to use them," Candice explained.
"How come we're just hearing about this now?" Amber wondered.
"There are some things from my days with Maleficent I still don't talk about," Candice confessed. "That life is behind me, and some of the things she taught me are dark magic ... things I keep under lock and key, so to speak."
"You didn't want to be viewed with suspicion," Dorrie theorized.
"Is that like your 'Candicetown' when you practice your Maleficent-given powers?" James suggested.
"Yes, to your thoughts, Dorrie," Candice admitted, but she smiled a little. "And yes, to your thoughts, James. Such dark magic is very dangerous, more dangerous than you can imagine. The only reason I'm telling all of you about my ability to use Dream Crystals is that this is a case where I can use dark magic for good ... in this case, to trap Neila and the Order of the Wand."
"Then I think we have a plan," Miss Lovegood announced. "I'll go and spread the word that Princess Sandra, and Wendell, are still trapped in the Dream Crystal."
"Getting them in the crystal is one thing," Dorrie pointed out. "Getting them out again when it's time to send them to jail is another thing completely."
"Maleficent showed me a way to simply imprison people in a Dream Crystal without the dream effect," Candice explained. "When it's time for them to be transferred to a jail, I can use a counter spell to bring them out."
"Why couldn't we do that with Sandra and Wendell when they were trapped?" Sofia wanted to know.
"Because they were trapped within a dream world in the Dream Crystal," Candice answered. "Such a dream world takes hold of its victims, and the only way to get them out is to lead them out. But, with Neila and the Order of the Wand simply trapped in the crystal, with full knowledge of being trapped, their wanting to be freed makes using a counter spell possible."
"Then I think we have a plan," Sofia smiled.
"Okay, and as we make ideas, I know a way we can calm down after this little adventure in the Dream Crystal," Wendell suggested, "The Wanditorium."
"But first," Sandra paused when they approached the Conjurteria, "We need a little something before we go there." She touched the hat and murmured, "I wish for a big tray of snacks, including the pretzel rolls I made during one of the workshops the last time I was here." She grinned as the tray appeared, touched the hat again, and said, "I also wish for copies of the recipe for my friends."
Dorrie grinned. "Thanks, Sandra!"
"I'll certainly enjoy this!" Wendell grinned as he tried one, "And I'll also enjoy our upcoming friendly wand duel!"
"Okay! And I think I know just the song to use!" Candice smiled as she waved her wand.
When James heard the opening notes of the song, he grinned as he assumed a dueling position. "I've said it before, and I'm going to say it again…"
"I love this song!" Candice cheered with him, adding playfully, "Jinx! Now you can't talk or sing until someone says your name!"
"Candice, let James sing!" Sofia tried to look stern, but she couldn't help but laugh.
"He'll be able to sing now, since you said his name, Sof," Lucinda smiled.
"Thank you, Sof!" James grinned as he started singing.
All God's creatures got a place in the choir
Some sing low and some sing higher,
Some sing out loud on a telephone wire,
Some just clap their hands, or paws, or anything they've got now
Even Amber grinned. "I love this song too! I remember when the maids would chase me and James around when we were little. This was one of the songs they sang!"
She smiled as she had her own duel with Lucinda, All God's creatures got a place in the choir
Some sing low and some sing higher,
Some sing out loud on a telephone wire,
Some just clap their hands, or paws, or anything they've got now
As she remembered singing this with the knights as they practiced, Sandra aimed her wand at Wendell and took the next verse as she cast her first spell.
Listen to the top where the little bird sings
On the melodies and the high notes ringing,
And the hoot owl cries over everything
And the blackbird disagrees.
Dorrie grinned as she aimed her wand at Sofia and joined in as well, Singing in the night time, singing in the day,
When little duck quacks, and he's on his way.
And the otter hasn't got much to say
And the porcupine talks to himself
Everyone joined in the chorus as they cast their various spells, All God's creatures got a place in the choir
Some sing low and some sing higher,
Some sing out loud on a telephone wire,
Some just clap their hands, or paws, or anything they've got now
"I'm so glad I record all activity in the Wanditorium!" Miss Lovegood grinned as she watched Sofia, Lucinda, and Amber incorporate the ballet moves they learned in Royal Prep into their duels, "I also love the music students play during practice duels!"
As Wendell cast a spell at Sandra, he joined in, The dogs and the cats they take up the middle
While the honeybee hums and the cricket fiddles,
The donkey brays and the pony neighs
And the old gray badger sighs
Sofia grinned as she cast a few spells at Lucinda and joined in the song as well, Listen to the bass, it's the one on the bottom
Where the bullfrog croaks and the hippopotamus
Moans and groans with a big to-do
And the old cow just goes moo.
"I remember hearing Cedric sing this with Sof once," James whispered as he cast a Shield Charm to block another jinx.
"I remember," Sofia smiled as she blocked Lucinda's spell. "We had fun that day. Even Wormwood liked it."
By now, even Miss Lovegood joined in the song, All God's creatures got a place in the choir
Some sing low and some sing higher,
Some sing out loud on a telephone wire,
Some just clap their hands, or paws, or anything they've got now
Attracted by the singing, some of the members of the Order of the Wand watched the spell practice.
At the same time, since this was one of Candice's favorite songs, she turned into her White Maleficent form as she cast another spell at Amber and joined in the song as well, It's a simple song a little song everywhere
By the ox and the fox and the grizzly bear,
The dopey alligator and the hawk above,
The sly old weasel and the turtle dove.
"They can practice all they want, but they're no match for us," Neila smirked.
"Whoever really sings that song sounds better than them too," Ezekiel added.
Hearing one of the insults that Ezekiel had thrown at him as he ran off after being unmasked when he sang as The Secret Singer, James froze in horror, and was thrown across the room by another spell.
Abandoning her duel with Lucinda, Sofia helped him up. "Are you okay, James?"
"I'm fine, Sof, but I need to tell you something in a minute," James admitted.
"Okay," Sofia smiled, "You'll be fine, but for now, let's just keep practicing."
James smiled as he sang with her, All God's creatures got a place in the choir
Some sing low and some sing higher,
Some sing out loud on a telephone wire,
Some just clap their hands, or paws, or anything they've got now
At the same time, Wendell made a shower of rose petals rain on all the girls as he joined in, All God's creatures got a place in the choir
Some sing low and some sing higher,
Some sing out loud on a telephone wire,
Some just clap their hands, or paws, or anything they've got now
"Silk flower petals! Good move, Wendell!" Sandra smiled, recalling the last time Wendell had made her flowers and learned that she had trouble with real ones.
"I told you I'd make up for that last time," Wendell smiled.
At the same time, everyone finished the song together, All God's creatures got a place in the choir
Some sing low and some sing higher,
Some sing out loud on a telephone wire,
Some just clap their hands, or paws, or anything they've got now
All God's creatures got a place in the choir.
"I can't remember when I had so much fun watching practice duels!" Miss Lovegood grinned as she applauded. "Fifty points to all of you for such an entertaining display!"
"Thanks, Miss Lovegood, but I need to tell you something," James spoke up, and he told them what he had heard as they had practiced.
Sofia and Amber saw how worried he looked, since he knew Baron von Rocha was on the loose. He had stolen Vivian's musical talent, and James didn't want the same thing to happen to him. They also remembered James telling them about what Ezekiel and one of his friends had shouted at him as they chased him when he ran off.
"Don't worry, James, we'll all stick together," Amber assured him. "We won't let what happened to Vivian happen to you."
James smiled, but he still looked worried. He'd been singing in public again for almost a year now, and he didn't want to relive how he felt when he lost his voice.
"Everything's going to be all right, Prince James," Miss Lovegood smiled as she blew a whistle that summoned their owls. "There's strength in numbers, and we'll all look for signs of trouble."
James smiled as Benjamin landed on his shoulder. "Thanks, Miss Lovegood," he said as he stroked his owl's feathers.
"You're welcome," Miss Lovegood smiled. "Now, everyone, let's send our feathered friends ahead, and help them keep an eye out for trouble."
Author's notes
Thanks to theblindwriter95 for helping with some of the details on this chapter.
Thanks also to Niagara14301 for helping with some of the details on this chapter.
Surgito, a counterspell to remove enchantments, was used in The Crimes of Gelert Grindelwald.
Sofia's Astral Projection ability was seen in chapter 33 of Niagara14301's Dorrie Book 2
Candice and Sandra's conversation about a joke Sandra once made was mentioned in chapter 6 of my story The Rise and Fall of Eze Gray.
In The Royal School Fair, there was a tent with a chef's toque (puffy hat). Since it wasn't mentioned in the episode, I named it The Orillia School of Baking and Cooking tent.
Sandra sang with Hugo during the singing contest in chapter 6 of The Secret Love Song.
James' 'Candicetown' comment is mentioned in chapter 21 of Dorrie Book 2.
The song everyone practiced to during their practice duels is A Place in the Choir by Celtic Thunder.
Ezekiel's comment of "the original artist sounds better than them" is taken from chapter 6 of my story The Secret Love Song, and James would still remember Ezekiel teasing him.
During the workshops in my story The Hexley Hall Game Day Challenge, Wendell made real flowers for Sandra. But when he learned about her sensitivities to flowers, he started making silk ones for her.
Since James is singing in public again and the Order of the Wand is on the loose, he'd naturally be worried that Baron von Rocha might do what he did in The Princess Prodigy and want to steal his talent for singing.