For everyone who hasn't given up on this story. Camirae and Pyro and everyone else who keeps reminding me that they care. I wish I had thanked you each personally. You deserve it. Anyway, sorry there's a lot of blabbing at first in this new chapter; it'll get exciting soon, I promise.


IV

The smoke dissipated from the room gradually—leaving only a film of purple slivering in the air. The mass confusion took longer to exit. People started clamoring in all directions—courtiers shrieking about their missing valuables, guards storming in all directions searching for the perpetrators.

Nate almost forgot to breathe as he looked at the gold etched throne, now empty. He didn't exhale until he turned to see Princess Sonny standing behind him. Relief. Utter relief.

The look on the princess' face was one he'd never seen and yet immediately understood. A mix of fear, anger and guilt so potent that staring into it made you want to look away. But Nate couldn't look away.

Sonny pushed past him until she stood in front of the empty throne. Staring at it. It was as though she didn't even notice the surrounding chaos. To her, the only thing in the room was that very empty gold-leafed throne.

Nate wasn't sure if he should approach. Maybe she needed to process things alone. But he couldn't help himself and stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder.

He didn't say anything. What was there to say, really? Sorry your family's been kidnapped and that an evil emperor has his sights on your kingdom. But hey, there's still a chance he won't enslave the population and/or exploit our resources. Somehow, he doubted Princess Sonny would find any of that comforting.

Finally, after a minute of stillness she turned around, taking his hand off her shoulder and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Thanks."

She stepped onto the dais with a heavy determination and whistled loudly, getting everyone's attention. Slowly, the room quieted.

Sonny took a breath. "I know our first inclination is to panic. But we can't. Not if we're going to get out of this. I think we've been in our own little secluded bubble with our sister-kingdom for so long—that we forgot what it's like to meet up with the 'bad guys' of the world. Well, we can't hide anymore. They've come to us."

She motioned for the Captain of the Guard to approach. "Captain Marshall, what do you suggest we do now?"

Captain Marshall, first in command of the royal army, had taken a hobby of knitting in recent years. And who could blame him? It'd been thirty years since Sorandoma or Glitzandglam faced any sort of military threat. The army itself consisted of about thirteen 'soldiers' who only enlisted because of the flashy red uniforms. You can see why the Captain was leery of being given tactical control. So he said nothing, touching his finger to his head, instead.

When he didn't reply, Sonny prodded him further. Sometimes baby steps were necessary with these sorts of things. "To start, what do we know about this Emperor Condor?"

Captain Marshall kneaded his hands together nervously. "Um. We know he's bad. And dangerous. And that he's kidnapped the royal family. And has an evil laugh. Um. Well, we don't know for sure about that. But I suspect so. These types usually have an evil laugh."

Sonny paused, her face momentarily deadpanned. "Okaaaay," she said, hoping for commentary that was a little less obvious. "Anyone else?"

Lieutenant Davis, an older man who'd been in the guard long enough to have even seen the battlefield, raised his dark-brown wrinkly hand. "Your majesty," he said, his voice a deep tenor. "Reports have just come in about a stronghold just five miles east of the border that the Emperor might be using to incarcerate your parents. It's the closest protected base from here."

"We'll need to infiltrate it."

"Won't be easy."

"It never is."

"Your majesty?" Nate stepped forward. "Can I mention something?"

"Of course, Nate."

"We have one advantage. They think they've captured the entire royal family. We can't let them know they made a mistake." His eyes were intent, searing with a quiet determination.

Sonny nodded, the grim look returning to her face. "Princess Tawni will keep up the ruse. She's smart; she's not going to give them any information to use against us."

Finally Captain Marshall knew of a way he could be useful, chiming in excitedly. "My brother is editor of the news bulletins. I could feed him a story about how Sonny was captured with the rest."

Lieutenant Davis' voice echoed loudly, addressing everyone in the room. "In the meantime, no one here can speak of what they know. As far as we're concerned, Princess Sonny is behind bars."

The people of Sorandoma were not gossips or twits by nature and with their entire country on the line—they could be trusted to keep silent.

Princess Sonny tapped her fingers along the edge of the throne and paused for a moment, the sound reminding her of her father. She cleared her throat. "Lieutenant, we should send a secret messenger to Glitzandglam to inform Queen Sharpay about Tawni. I'm sure we'll have her support once she learns her daughter's been kidnapped. She may even send Zac to help prepare an attack."

"I'll arrange it right away, Your Majesty," Davis said, bowing stiffly before he left.

Sonny reached into her dress pocket for a stick of gum and pulled out something else instead. She leaned back in her seat, looking at the business card her cousin had given her days before. That quiet afternoon in needlepoint felt a lifetime away now. She rubbed the edge of the card with her fingernail. For now, she had a plan.

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The east end of the Dark Forest was a nightmare this time of year. Alright, it's a nightmare any time of year. That's kind of the point. Even so, Sonny trudged over shadows and broken branches, her horse rushing between the trees.

Nate followed closely behind, keeping a grip on his cross-bow, just in case. He wasn't sure why he was accompanying the Princess on her fool-hardy errand. Sir Gallant was probably screaming bloody murder when he didn't show up for morning duty. But Nate's protective-streak was taking over lately and when he said he'd like to join her, the princess didn't object.

Suddenly a flash of orange darted out from a corner and the princess' horse jumped, spooked. Nate tried to grab for the reigns but couldn't. The princess fell backwards with a shriek—landing SMACK on the damp ground.

Nate jumped off his horse. "Princess, are you alright?" He could hear the panic in his voice. He should have taken the lead. Then it would be him on the floor and not her.

Sonny grumbled, reaching for his hand to help her up. "I hate horses," she admitted, brushing off the caked dirt from her trousers. He hadn't known princesses were even allowed to wear trousers. Sonny explained that they aren't. But for now she was in charge, and she'd wear pants if she wanted to. He'd smiled at that.

A flicker of sound behind a tree made him turn, cross-bow instantly in-grip.

Sonny sighed. "You can come out, Prince Nico. We know you're there."

Sure enough, Prince Nico with his dark orange tunic crept into view. He smiled awkwardly, "Princess, so nice to see you again. And arrow-boy, it's less nice to meet you. What are you two out in the woods for--berry picking? a romantic stroll? "

Nate blushed, putting down his bow.

Sonny laughed. "Not quite. We're on a mission. Emperor Condor is trying to usurp the throne."

Prince Nico started backing up, his voice nervous. "That's very interesting. I've really got to be going—"

Sonny grabbed his coat-sleeve, stopping him where he was. "Wait! You can help us. We'll need everyone's help if we're gonna defeat him and his minions. You're a prince. We could use you on the front-lines."

"Heh, I don't think so. Prince Nico is more a lover than a fighter. And I've seen what the Emperor is capable of. It's not something you want to stand in the way for."

Nate furrowed his brow. "How do you know what he's capable of?"

"He did the same thing to my homeland. All of the royal family of Mackenzie Falls was taken into captivity except me. I'd been visiting the neighbor kingdom, trying to win the hand of a duchess. If I'd been home they'dve taken me with the rest."

"That's so sad."

"Yeah." Nico kicked at a tree with the tip of his boot, watching as bits of bark fell off.

"You might be a lover, Nico," Sonny said, breaking the awkward moment. "But you'd better get some fight in you too. You're coming with us."

"But—"

"No buts. Take my horse--she's only skittish of fluorescent colors. I'll ride with Nate."

"Um."

Sonny sent Nico a look that ensured him there was no arguing about the matter. And with some reluctance, he mounted the horse. At least he could find some measure of amusement in watching Arrow-boy's cheeks flush at having the princess' arms wrapped around his torso. Nico smiled. That Sonny was a sly one. Maybe she'd be a match for the Emperor after all.

"By the way," Nico asked, "where are we going?"

Sonny smiled. "901 Creepy Tower, Edge of the Glen."

"Hmph. Sounds inviting." From Nate's scowl, Nico could tell he agreed with the sarcasm. "What will we find there exactly, Princess?"

"Our very own arsenal. Otherwise known as Zora's Apothecary."

to be continued

(hopefully sooner than last time)

Note: Thoughts? All are welcome. I know it's not up to par and that it's been three centuries, but Id still liked to know what you think.