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: Back to a bit more lighthearted stuff. That's kind of the recurring theme here, I think: one chapter is dark, then light, then dark… We'll have a few more lighthearted chapters for a while though before we get into the darker stuff again. By the time chapter 10 hits, it's going to get much darker again. But until then, I'm working on building some things up so that everything comes together in the end. With that said, here's chapter 6. Oh, and note that I've updated the Wix site for this story with some new or new-ish images of the gathered recruits. lol
Chapter 6: Magical Reinforcements
Two days had passed, and thankfully the blizzard had subsided, and the heavily-packed snow was able to be magically removed, thanks to Cedric's parents (who'd travelled via their portrait upon Cedric's request). However, Roland still insisted that everyone remain in the castle for now, as they wanted to watch the weather to make sure it didn't return, because that would be quite the disaster if people were mid-moving and it happened again.
Regardless, Cedric was able to return to his tower anyway and had restored his things to their proper locations. He and Sofia were currently sitting at the worktable, talking and playing with Nana, when Baileywick knocked and stepped inside.
"Whatever happened to waiting for me to say, 'Come in?'" Cedric asked irritably, glowering at the steward.
Baileywick rolled his eyes. "Being stuck in a castle with over a hundred people has made me far less patient." He looked toward Sofia. "Speaking of which, you have…a few new visitors in the throne room, Princess Sofia."
Sofia blinked. "What do you mean?"
"I mean you probably need to come see for yourself." The steward sighed and rubbed his temples before turning and walking away, mumbling something to himself.
"The way he said that was questionable," Cedric told her as he stood and picked up Nana.
The princess pondered something before gaping at her partner. "You don't think…?"
He caught on and grimaced. "We'd…better hurry before your father gets overwhelmed."
The trio hurried out the door, Wormwood flying after them and landing on Sofia's shoulder.
When they arrived in the throne room, to say they were stunned would be an understatement. So many people, including children, were gathered before Roland and Miranda. The Protectors (specifically Chrysta, Orion, and Vega), Greylock, Ivy, Miss Nettle, Zinnia, Sir Finlay, Gabriella, Arabella, Sapphire, Davina, Dante, Dexter, Brexley, Malvino, Sir Langshire, Lady Maeve, all of the Conjuror's Board, Quilor, and Bonvis had all arrived. Even more surprising? There were a few reformed trouble-makers among them: Prisma and Kitanya were standing by the Protectors. They both seemed far more docile than they used to be, and both had clearly grown up quite a bit. They looked relatively similar to how they used to appear, though with perhaps a bit more maturity about them.
"Wow," Sofia laughed in awe as she looked around. "When we sent out those letters, I had no idea so many people would respond…"
"What letters, Sofia?" Roland asked, curious. "And do they have something to do with why all these people have gathered here?"
"Allow me to explain, King Roland." Cedric handed Nana to Sofia as he stepped over to his friend. "As you know, the Never Realm is rising. There are reports that over 2,000 people have already met their demise. The Protectors contacted Sofia and told her of the inevitable movement toward our kingdom, and there is no denying that they're drawing nearer. Anyone with any magical capability can feel it. So…"
Miranda nodded in understanding. "So you sought help." Seeing Cedric nod, she sighed. "This is going to be very dangerous." She turned to the newly-gathered group. "Are you all really willing to risk your lives to help protect our kingdom?"
"It's not just about that, Your Majesty," Kitanya was the first to respond. "The Never Realm is probably the most dangerous realm in existence, and if we can stop them, we could rid some of the evilest beings to ever exist. I will be the first to admit that I have a rather bleak past. Your daughter, however, gave me a second chance, and the Protectors took me under their wing to help me see things from a new perspective. I've been working in the Mystic Isles the last four years, trying to be a better person." She smiled calmly toward Sofia, surprising the princess. "When someone as kindhearted as Princess Sofia risks her life to do what's right and to offer you a second chance, it's only right to finally return the favor."
"Which time did she risk her life with you?" Roland asked, frowning. "I'm afraid I don't even recognize you."
"I love how it's happened so many times that he's lost count," Gabriella muttered to Miss Nettle, who snickered.
Sofia sighed. "It was when Mr. Cedric and I travelled for the first time as Magical Ambassadors a few years ago, Dad. In Mahiya. Kitanya had been the surprise 'villain' we hadn't seen coming, but… I knew and still know she's better than she ever believed she could be." She smiled warmly toward Kitanya. "We all make mistakes. But we have to move on and be better after learning from those mistakes." Her gaze then shifted to Prisma, who shied away a bit under her questioning gaze. "Isn't that right, Prisma?"
Prisma blinked and stared at the princess in surprise, before finally smiling and nodding. "Right, Sofia…"
"I'm going to have to go along on one of your Protector missions sometime or something," Roland sighed, rubbing his head. "I feel like we're missing a huge chunk of the story."
Sofia turned and offered the king a displeased look. "Dad, no. I know you, and you'd be trying to navigate or dictate how the mission will go, and we'll get lost and probably fail our mission. No offense…"
"That's actually probably rather accurate," Baileywick agreed, grinning sheepishly as Roland glared at him. "Sorry, Your Majesty. I'm just saying."
"We just need to find accommodations for everyone now," Miranda said, standing with Corban sliding from her lap to the floor to stand next to her. "Baileywick, are there any more rooms available with the villagers staying here?"
"I'm afraid not, Queen Miranda," he sighed. "There are a few common rooms open though, and while it may be less desirable, the dungeon is currently prisoner-free."
"Not it," Greylock joked, folding his arms. "Been there, done that."
"We'll take care of it, Queen Miranda," Cedric volunteered, withdrawing his wand. "Sofia and I will create beds and proper accommodations for everyone in the common rooms."
Sofia nodded. "Yeah, Mom. Everything will be okay."
"Except for the imminent danger of the Never Realm," Colonel Vincenzo reminded them with a stern voice.
"Speaking of which, we need to have a long discussion about that." Roland frowned. "I'd like to have a plan in place before our kingdom is decimated like all the others around us."
"Do not worry, King Roland," Malango the Magnanimous insisted. "We are here to help, and we will figure something out together."
To be continued…
Next Chapter: Innocence Among Imperilment
Upcoming quotes from the next chapter:
"There's got to be something we're missing… What do they know that we don't?"
"When it comes to children, a great deal… They see things we can't see—or refuse to see. It's what oftentimes makes them far more powerful than the rest of us."