Douse the Flame

Summary: When Sofia gets word that Greeneyes has been revived and is out for revenge against Sofia and her family, she calls for help to eradicate the evil entity for good.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from Sofia the First, as they belong to Craig Gerber. I own Serena, Charlie, Angel (mentioned), Takoda (mentioned), Butterford, Muscles, and several others. MarionetteJ2X owns Nana and Tanya (both mentioned). Additionally, Lauren (and Sara) belongs to Fictionary the Fairy!

Chapter 10: Precious Gems

Returning to the Mystic Isles was no easy feat, especially with Serena sleeping in Butterford's arms, while he seemed to struggle to focus for some reason, and plus a few of the others were either still shaken or mildly injured. However, they finally made it, safe and sound. When they did arrive, Serena finally awoke in time to hear her name.

"Serena!" Charlie called as Muscles put him down. He took off running toward his sister after Butterford lowered her to the ground. He threw his arms around his older sister, burying his face into the fabric of her dress. "I missed you so much! Where were you?"

Serena seemed to hesitate. She knew she couldn't tell her brother the truth. Even though they were both still very young, there was a deeper wisdom and maturity to her now… A residual effect from her experiences with Greeneyes? Perhaps. Either way, she knew she had to protect her little brother's innocence. She wrapped her arms around him, gently stroking his hair. "I'm sorry, Charlie. I just…had to do some big sister stuff. I'm sorry if I worried you."

He shook his head as he glanced up at her. "I was just wondering. Oh, Lauren came back to her home! Come on—let's go play with her!" Excitedly, he tugged Serena along, giggling when she finally gave in and followed him.

Muscles stepped over to Butterford, sliding one arm around his waist, pulling him into a side hug. He gently pressed a kiss to the crown of his head, smiling as the shorter former crewman sighed heavily. "You did it again, didn't you?"

"Did what?" Butterford asked distractedly as he yawned, one of his hands lifting to his mouth.

"Jas, you look like hell."

The annoyed scoff that came from the Guardian was so brisk yet almost scandalized at the acknowledgement that some of the others couldn't help laughing. "Well, you can battle the evil being next time, Muscles. See if you look so hot when you return home…" He couldn't help a small smile coming to his face when the ex-pirate nuzzled his nose in his hair, tickling his neck. "Flattery gets you nowhere, Mr. McGuffin."

"That's not what you said last night—"

"Anyway," Cedric mumbled, folding his arms and clearing his throat as he tapped his foot. People talked about him and Sofia being lovey-dovey, but those two definitely gave them a run for their money. "I'm just relieved this whole thing is over now…"

"It is over, isn't it?" Chrysta asked uncertainly, eyeing the other two Protectors, who seemed hesitant to respond.

Sofia grasped her amulet and frowned, turning her attention to her friends. "Vega?"

"Even if Greeneyes is truly gone this time," the older woman began, "we all know very well that evil will always exist. We say this each time, and it still holds true. It's just a matter of keeping an eye out for it, knowing how to navigate the peril, and keeping a protective stance to help those around us."

"Correct," Orion added, picking up where his love left off, like he often did. "There is no way of knowing if Greeneyes herself is actually gone for good, but we cannot continue living our lives in fear. Wondering 'what if' about her will give her a power that she doesn't deserve—alive or not. It's important for all of us to move on." He smiled gently at Sofia, who blinked slowly. "Especially you, Sofia… Don't give her any more control over your life."

She sighed. "I'll try, Orion, but she took so much from me, so it's hard…" Her solemn expression was lifted as she watched Charlie and Serena playing tag with Lauren in the distance, all three of them giggling and apparently enjoying themselves, either oblivious to the seriousness of what had transpired (Charlie and Lauren) or relinquishing that anguish for a while (Serena). She hoped beyond hope that her daughter would get to continue just being a kid for a while longer. It wasn't fair to her what happened, and while she understood that the girl had far more intuitive sense than others (considering her origins and past), she just hoped the circumstances wouldn't taint her. She didn't fear Serena turning evil, even though the remnants of Greeneyes's magical orbs had somehow lingered in the girl's own gaze. It was more a concern that…like Sofia, she'd probably never quite be "normal." But then again, what was normal anymore? A common thought that constantly invaded her mind…

Cedric hummed quietly as he observed the children. "I admire children sometimes… They're so resilient and innocent." He reached over to Sofia, pulling her into a loving hug, smiling as she leaned into his embrace. "I do sometimes wish we as adults could feel that way every now and then again."

Sofia mumbled a soft agreement before looking at Butterford, who was pleasantly calm for a change, wrapped in Muscles's arms. "Jas… While what you did back there was selfless and noble, and even though I love you so much for everything…" She smiled as he gave her a knowing glance. "You better get some rest for a few days."

"Oh, I intend to," he admitted. "I promise to stay in bed for a while, and I'll replenish whatever strength and energy I've lost." He looked up at Muscles, grinning. "You know, Muscles… I've kind of wanted breakfast in bed for a while now…" He frowned in annoyance when he realized his husband seemed to be distracted. "Muscles…"

Muscles laughed as he watched Charlie wrap his arms around one of Lauren's legs, hanging on for dear life while his daughter was running, yelling at him (playfully) to let go. He grinned sheepishly as he saw Butterford's exasperated expression. "Did you say something, Jas?"

Butterford rolled his eyes good-naturedly and shook his head. "Never mind…" He smiled and leaned up, brushing his lips over his husband's neck, causing him to shiver a bit. "Now you pay attention to me…" He smirked and intentionally let his lips linger on his darker skin, snickering as Muscles whined softly. "Later, love…"

After things had settled down, and everyone was preparing to part ways so they could all get some much-needed rest, Serena asked her parents to wait just a minute.

She walked over to Butterford, gesturing for him to kneel next to her so they could be eye level. When he did so, however slowly due to his tiredness, she leaned forward and hugged him tightly. She could feel her own smaller amulet warming as her mother's Guardian (and her friend) returned her hug, a bit of her magic obviously filling the space between them, and perhaps flowing into him. Maybe healing powers of her own that she'd yet to explore? "Thank you so much, Jas…"

Butterford smiled and leaned back, kissing the girl's forehead, before he playfully bumped his nose against hers, eliciting a soft giggle from her. "It was my honor, Serena. You're important to your parents, but you're also important to me." He tugged some of her hair playfully, winking. "Our little sorceress and Junior Protector, hmm?"

"Ah, Junior Protector in Training," she reminded him. "Well, sort of. I will be. Someday."

"I know you will."

After everyone else had said their goodbyes and left, the only three remaining were Chrysta, Vega, and Orion, the latter two hugging each other as they watched the Enchancian crew take off once again.

"That Serena is going to be just like Sofia someday," Chrysta predicted, grinning.

"I think she already is," Vega corrected, smiling. "She just doesn't know it yet."

Orion nodded. "That time will come much quicker than she thinks. And I think for the sake of our isles and realms… That's the best possible outcome we could have hoped for."

The end