Malum In Se

Summary: Sofia and her friends and family face their biggest challenge yet when the Never Realm rises up and unleashes the most dangerous magic wielders in the world. It's going to take the help of everyone, including some unexpected allies, to defeat the Never Realm and its most supreme evil being: Malum In Se.

Disclaimer: I do not own Sofia the First. However, I do own the Never Realm, Malum In Se, and several other OCs in here. Nana belongs to MarionetteJ2X.

A/N: All right, time to see how the Conjuror's Board is involved in all of this. Here's a warning: there is some very dark subject matter mentioned here, but please keep in mind that the most supreme evil being has no problem harming or killing anyone, even children. However, the way I word it isn't as graphic as it could be. With that said, if you are particularly sensitive to subject matter like that, just realize that this chapter does deal with it.

Chapter 3: Taking a Toll

"I now call to order this meeting on the seventeenth day of December," Malango the Magnanimous announced as he banged his gavel against the long table, getting his board's attention. "Sir Clement, do you have the official death toll from the Never Realm attacks?"

"Yes, sir," the older man responded, looking over his documents. "There have been 381 total deaths thus far."

"That many?" Esme the Enchantress asked in surprise. "The news of the official uprising was recent. This is everywhere?"

Sir Clement nodded. "All across the globe, from the eldest to the youngest." He swallowed slowly, a look of dread on his face.

"Whatever it is, you might as well say it," Colonel Vincenzo demanded. "Don't hold back now, Clement."

"Erm…" The magistrate sighed before telling them, "Of the deceased, three were pregnant women…whose babies were evidently extracted for…sacrificial purposes."

There was a collective gasp heard across the board, save for Malango the Magnanimous, who sat with a stone-cold expression.

"The women died from blood loss."

"What else do we expect from the Never Realm?" Oniquela the Observant retorted, scowling. "There is no moral compass for those who choose to associate with the cruelest of all realms. But there should be justice for those whose lives were lost to their savage ways."

"We know that, Oniquela," Ilse the Effervescent acknowledged. "And we want justice for the victims as much as you do. Especially the unborn. But we cannot be rash."

"This is the one time it should be perfect for being rash," Esme argued. "Or are you that ignorant of what's going on, Ilse?"

"Watch your tone, young lady," Madame Zenile admonished.

"My tone is just fine, you old bat!"

"SILENCE!" Malango the Magnanimous slammed his gavel down, silencing the board. "Must we all descend into madness? The Never Realm is upon us and is striking down men, women, children, magical, non-magical, and the like, and all we're doing is making it worse by arguing."

Lady Erzabet Léa, calm as ever, closed her eyes. "This is what they want, my friends." She opened her eyes once more, seeing the others looking at her. "They want us to separate. We are weak when we are apart. Together, however, we are strong."

Sir Ignacio smiled gently. "Sí, much stronger."

Malango the Magnanimous sighed, glad to have the group seemingly calming down, and he was about to return to the order of business when a letter materialized out of nowhere. He blinked before picking it up and flipping it over, undoing the seal and withdrawing the contents from within.

"What is it?" Ilse asked as she leaned in his direction.

The leader cleared his throat. "It's a letter from Princess Sofia of Enchancia…"

Dear Mr. Malango and Board,

You already know about the uprising of the Never Realm, I'm sure. I have been hearing about it for a while now, and according to the Protectors of the Mystic Isles, it's already happening. And also according to them, Enchancia is next on their list.

I intend to fight against them with all I have, and many people in my kingdom do as well, but we can't face this alone. We need as much help as we can possibly get. Maybe it sounds crazy or foolish, but I think with our combined efforts, we can take the Never Realm and its members down for good. We can stop the injuries and murders if we work together.

If you are able to help at all, please respond. I don't know how much time we have left, but I can feel it creeping closer, and so can everyone else. I won't go down without a fight, Mr. Malango. I think you know that by now.

Sincerely,

Princess Sofia of Enchancia

"She's daft for even suggesting the notion," Colonel Vincenzo scoffed. "Nothing has ever been able to stop the Never Realm before, so why would anything do so now? Something of a dreamer, wouldn't you say, Malango? A philosophical, hypothetical, pathetic dreamer."

"She's a lot more than that," Madame Zenile argued. "She's kindhearted, brave, and selfless. She's still so young, and yet she's so ready to take on probably the most dangerous force in the universe? We should revere that, not rebuke it."

"I agree with Zenile," Malango the Magnanimous confirmed. "What good are we as a board to sit and watch as people suffer and die at the hands of the largest evil force in existence? We could have prevented those 381 deaths had we stepped in." He raised one hand upon seeing that his board members looked as though they were about to clamor. "Let us take a vote. All in favor of stepping in and offering our services to Princess Sofia's quest, in order to stop the Never Realm once and for all, say 'aye.'"

All in the room said 'aye' save one.

"Come on, Vincenzo," Sir Clement urged, frowning as the older man glared at him. "You can't be so heartless that you'd refuse to save women and children if given the chance? Isn't that one of the things you were trained for? To protect the weak and helpless? We need you in this fight."

Colonel Vincenzo sighed heavily, raking one hand over his face before staring at Malango the Magnanimous. "Fine. Just don't expect a miracle."

Malango frowned at his words before quickly penning a response to Sofia and sealing it in a new envelope, magically transporting it back to her. "Ladies and gentlemen, pack your bags. In two days, we will be in Enchancia."

To be continued…

Next Chapter: Letters of Intent