Adventures in Magic
Disclaimer: I do not own Sofia the First or any of the characters/locations affiliated with it. The original characters introduced in various chapters belong to me.
A/N: Hey, everybody! I had a few comments from the last chapters that I'd like to address. Before anything, thank you all so much for all the reviews and feedback! You are making this story possible. 😊 I've said it many times before, and I mean it: I wouldn't continue to write if it weren't for you all. So, thank you again! Now, as far as the question about Cedric not turning into the sea monster as opposed to the merman: think about it for a minute. Sofia would be devastated if she discovered that secret. I feel considering how completely out of control Cedric was in that episode, and how relentless and even dangerous he was, it's best if he doesn't tell her about that incident. If that's the case, that'll be the one secret he'll keep from her from here on out. But I think it would damage some part of their friendship if she found out about that; and yes, of course, honesty is the best policy, but there are exceptions, and I think this is one. 😊 And as for those talking about Cedric's interaction with Chrysta, they do not see eye to eye. You've seen that. Lol. It's going to take a long time (realistically) before they come around. Just think how long it took for Baileywick and Cedric to start getting along. Four seasons, several specials, and a whole lot of sarcastic quips. :p lol Oh, and to Mr. Shortman92: Yes! You will see Dante and Seraphina together. 😉 As far as the question about possibly encountering Prisma… I may have plans for that in Beyond Enchancia. We'll see! With that said, off we go to chapter 4!
Chapter 4
Orion's Belt
Summary: Orion once had a magical belt that used to aid him in his efforts to protect the Mystic Isles. When he gets word that it may be hidden in the Isle of Unicorns, Sofia calls on Skye to assist in this new mission.
Sofia had always been a morning person. She loved waking up early to get ready for the day, and she also enjoyed knowing that the earlier she awoke, the more time she'd have to spend with the people she cared about. However, that had been in Enchancia…
Here in the Mystic Isles, she felt quite the opposite. When the morning light of the isles rudely streamed in through the uncovered window, she found herself grumbling and yanking the covers over her head again, trying to stifle the glare. Maybe she was just exhausted from yesterday's events, but for once, she'd love nothing more than to sleep in for a change.
"I find it amusing how little you appreciate the morning now that you're older."
Sofia lowered the covers enough to stare her mentor down. "Not in the mood, Mr. Cedric."
He smirked, reclining against his pillows as he twirled his wand in one hand while holding a book in the other. He was wearing a pair of reading glasses, which rested on the ridge of his nose as his eyes scanned the words. "Yes, that seems to be happening more often, too."
"Why are you even awake? Don't you usually get up at the crack of noon?" She grinned as he scoffed, stilling his wand.
"If you must know, I was unable to sleep any more with all the mumbling you were doing in your sleep."
Sofia blinked. "What?"
"You were talking in your sleep, Sofia. I'm not sure of everything you were saying, but it seemed to have something to do with another Protector mission." He closed the book and used his wand to remove the reading glasses. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised."
She frowned thoughtfully. Her dreams were hazy, but she did recall riding on Skye's back and heading…somewhere. But that was a fairly typical dream to her—nothing out of the ordinary. "Sorry I woke you up," she settled on, sighing.
He smiled and shook his head. "It's quite all right, my dear. Besides, we'd better get the day started, wouldn't you say? The sooner we finish whatever tasks you have planned here, the sooner we can return to our schedule your father prepared."
Sofia grinned as she sat up, pushing the covers away. "I doubt Dad is sending guards to make sure we're perfectly following the agenda, Mr. Cedric. Now, Baileywick…" She laughed and shrugged. "Honestly, I could see that, at least more so than Dad."
Cedric snickered as Sofia moved over to her luggage, withdrawing a dark purple and maroon Protector outfit she'd recently acquired. "I suppose since we're both awake now, perhaps we should try to find some food. I'm quite sure we'll have a busy day ahead of us."
"Yeah… And by the way, thanks for agreeing to stay an extra day. It may sound kind of silly, but I just really love being here and being able to kind of…be myself for a while." She smiled uncertainly as her mentor fixed her with a curious glance.
"What do you mean, 'be yourself?' You could be yourself anywhere, Sofia."
"No, I can't," she insisted with a shake of her head. "Think about it, Mr. Cedric. I'm a Protector. It's my main focus these days, besides my role as a princess. How many people in the Ever Realm can relate to that, especially in Enchancia?"
"Well, I…" He had to admit; he couldn't necessarily argue with that reasoning. Instead of trying to counter her point, he just closed his mouth and shrugged.
She frowned, sighing as she held onto her change of clothes. "Exactly. They may know I'm a Protector now, but they'll never understand what that involves. Everyone is either too busy worrying and stressing over my safety, or they're asking me a hundred questions about being a Protector. It's overwhelming sometimes. I just want to do my duties without any distractions, and I want to feel comfortable doing that, so being here just makes me feel better."
"I guess I never realized that," he acknowledged, frowning as she blinked at him. "Then again, you don't exactly make it overtly obvious how you're feeling these days, Sofia. I thought we agreed not to have secrets like that anymore."
"It's no secret, Mr. Cedric." She clutched her outfit a bit tighter, giving him a perplexed look. "I guess I just don't like showing you guys that weaker, uncertain side. It's not who I am."
"Perhaps," he acquiesced. "But it's all right not to carry all that weight on your shoulders, you know. That's what your friends and family are for: to help you balance things out."
She smiled softly. "Is that true for you too, Mr. Cedric?"
"It's especially true for me," he insisted. "I'll do anything to help you. I hope you know that by now."
Sofia giggled, finally releasing some of her nervous energy. "I do. And…I understand what you're saying." Noticing the continuing illumination of the morning light through their room, she sighed. "I think I'm going to go get changed. I'll meet you at Chrysta's, okay?"
Cedric nodded, sighing heavily after she left. He had no idea she still carried that burden around. Well, actually, that probably wasn't true. Sofia always tried to take things on by herself so that others wouldn't have to. She was like a living, breathing martyr, and he worried about that mentality of hers. Even after all these years, she was still trying to make things easier and better for everyone while ignoring her own wellbeing. In a way, he supposed, that was what made her such a wonderful Protector. He only wished she could relinquish some of that encumbrance and allow herself to be a normal, unaffected teenager. Maybe someday…
After the two friends had met up with Chrysta and shared breakfast together, the Mystic Isles Protector let her charge in on yet another potential task she might wish to complete while present.
"So, I know the whole mermaid thing yesterday was a bit unexpected," Chrysta began, smirking particularly at Cedric, who folded his arms and scoffed in obvious discomfort. "But I thank you guys for helping solve that problem."
"Do you know how the Imbibing Crystal may have gotten there?" Sofia wondered as she pulled her legs to her chin while sitting next to Cedric on the sofa. "The mermaid I talked to said it just appeared one day and was hiding in one of the caves, where we found it."
"I'm not sure yet. Imbibing Crystals don't just grow naturally. They're planted." The Protector and trainer frowned. "Obviously, someone put it there. Some of the investigation team is working on trying to trace an origin." She then grinned. "Meanwhile, I have another mission for you, if you're up to it."
"Does she have a choice?" Cedric asked, narrowing his eyes at the Crystal Fairy.
Sofia side-glanced her mentor. "Mr. Cedric…"
"I'm not sure what you mean by that, Cedric. She always has a choice." Chrysta frowned. "Don't get testy with me, just because I ask my former trainee for help. It's what her role as a Protector is all about: to protect, to help, to lead, to secure—"
"And can you ensure her security?" he interjected, still not overly thrilled with Sofia's other friend. He had made it his goal and responsibility to keep his friend as safe as possible, especially after the whole Vor incident. Actually, ever since his redemption a few years ago, and even before then, he'd tried to keep her out of trouble or danger as best as possible. While he may not have always been on the right path himself, he did care a great deal for the girl. He wanted her to stay safe. Then again, he figured, even most 'misguided' or 'villainous' people still had some moral fiber within themselves.
The Mystic Isles inhabitant rolled her eyes. "It's not like I'm asking her to—you know what? Let's just…stop." She smiled, though it did appear a bit strained. "Look, Cedric. I care about Sofia as much as you do. I know you hardly know me and may find that hard to believe, but it's the truth. Take it or leave it. It's just that she has willingly taken on the role and responsibilities of being a Protector, and if I were to remove those from her or not give her the opportunity to do what she's been trained to do, then trust me. She'd probably be mad at me."
Sofia smiled sheepishly and shrugged. "In a way, I can see that… But it's not that I'd be mad, Chrysta. More like, I'd be frustrated, because I know I can handle the Protector business. Mr. Cedric just wants me to be safe. That's all it is."
"And so do I. I'm just not going to underestimate you, even though you're the youngest Protector we have." She winked. "You've far surpassed any of my expectations for you."
Cedric sighed and shrugged, but he smiled a little when Sofia leaned over against him and looped her left arm through his right, both of her hands clasping his. Using his left hand, he gently patted her clasped hands. "Very well. I guess I'm just going to have to…allow her to be who she is, hmm?"
Sofia giggled as she glanced up at him. "You always do, Mr. Cedric."
"So, would you like to hear the mission?" Chrysta asked a bit cautiously, eyeing Cedric uncertainly.
He just smiled and rolled his eyes before vaguely gesturing toward his apprentice. "It's her decision. She's responsible enough to know what she can and cannot handle."
Sofia nodded determinedly. "Bring it on, Chrysta."
"So, Orion used to have a magical belt years ago to aid him in his duties as a Protector."
"Orion's Belt," Cedric connected, snickering. "Ironic."
"Cute, sorcerer." She did laugh, though, because of course it was sort of funny. "Anyway, he lost it on one of his missions a few years ago, though he's heard word from a few 'sources,' whoever those might be, that it may be on the Isle of Unicorns."
"How do you know?" Sofia wondered.
"The belt had a unique property to it. Whenever the sunlight hit it just right, it would cast a gold and red stream of light in the shape of a star." She twirled her braid around her fingers as she concluded, "Some have said they've seen that star, and it was coming from the Isle of Unicorns. If Orion can get his belt back, one, it would make him extremely happy, and two, it would help him with his own Protector duties."
"Oh, I see." She nodded. "I can handle that. I'll just call Skye, and we can go take care of it." She glanced toward Cedric. "You stay here this time, Mr. Cedric."
"Excuse me?" he asked, frowning. "Why?"
"It's not going to take me that long." She then leaned over to whisper to him, "And maybe you can get to know Chrysta better. Be nice."
He sulked at the final suggestion before whispering back, "I'm always nice."
The auburn-haired teen laughed softly and briefly hugged him. "I won't be long. Just try to get along, you guys."
Chrysta smirked at Cedric as the princess jumped up and headed toward the door. "No promises."
Cedric gulped.
Once outside, Sofia grasped her amulet. "I wish Skye would come to me now."
"You needn't waste a wish, my princess."
Sofia gasped but giggled as she saw Skye lowering from his flight. "Skye? How did you…?"
"Chrysta informed me of our mission earlier this morning." He bowed slightly, ever the noble steed. "I am at your service, Sofia. Ready when you are."
She nodded and mounted his back, gently grasping his mane. "Let's go, Skye!"
The Isle of Unicorns was as lovely as ever. The beautiful pink and red shades of trees, the mountains, the unicorns themselves… It was just as Sofia remembered seeing it her first time there. Of course, Skye was literally right at home, seeing all his friends and family grazing and chatting amongst the trees.
"From what Chrysta told me," the unicorn began, "the sun has to be hitting the belt just right for it to make some sort of star shape?"
"Yeah," Sofia confirmed. "It's supposed to glow gold and red and form a star when it does." She frowned as she glanced up, noting the skies becoming a bit cloudier. "Unfortunately, it looks like we may be fighting against nature for a while."
"Can you wish for the sun to come out?" He figured he was making a serious suggestion, so he was confused when she started laughing. "What is so funny, my princess?"
"I'm not sure my amulet works on weather… That may be just a bit too much for it." She sighed before yawning softly. "We may just have to wait a bit."
"All right. I know the perfect place for us to wait until the clouds break." With a mysterious smile, he flew off a bit faster, the young Protector giggling in delight.
Back at Chrysta's house, Cedric continued sitting on the sofa, awkwardly twirling his thumbs. He hated being left with someone he hardly knew, despite how close his apprentice seemed to be to her former trainer. It's not like he was close to her though, and after getting to know her personality a bit more, he wasn't sure he wanted to. Why had Sofia insisted he stay here again? They were supposed to be a team, for Merlin's sake. How could they be a 'team' if she just left him behind like that?
"If you keep twirling your thumbs like that, they're going to get stuck in a knot."
Cedric stared pointedly at the Protector. "Forgive me for trying to occupy my time in a meaningless way while I await the return of my friend."
"Are you always this grouchy?" She snickered. "Sofia always brags about how 'ah-mazing' and sweet you are. I've yet to see 'sweet.' More like sour, if you ask me."
He scoffed. "Yes, well, she rarely speaks of you except to say that you're the one constantly summoning her for more missions, Ever Realm or otherwise." He folded his arms and looked away.
"You don't need to be all defensive and huffy with me, Cedric. I'm not trying to steal your precious apprentice away." She smirked as he glared back at her. "I can see it written all over your face. You're scared that I'm going to just take all Sofia's time and attention, and you'll be left with nothing. I wouldn't do that." She folded her own arms. "I can see how close you are."
"Everyone keeps saying that," he remarked softly, his expression changing to one of contemplation.
"Maybe 'cause it's true?" She shrugged as he sighed. "Now, I think that's sweet. Sofia would literally be friends with a pinecone, though, so…" She burst out laughing when she caught his bitter expression. "I'm just kidding, sorcerer. Lighten up."
"You're rather abrasive, aren't you?"
She grinned as she hopped up from her chair, fluttering into her kitchen. "Take it or leave it. It's all just a part of me." She grabbed a few bowls and opened up a container before pouring some small, brown, fluffy-looking items into each bowl. Once finished, she capped the container and carried the two bowls back into the sitting area, passing one to Cedric. "Here. Food always makes time go faster."
Cedric blinked as he accepted the proffered snack item. "What exactly are these?"
"Chocolate Puffies. One of the Protectors showed me how to make them. They're really good."
He frowned curiously before eating one, his expression lightening. "Mm! These are delicious. They're nearly as good as my mother's fly treats."
"Well, that's a compliment I wasn't expecting." She grinned as he rolled his eyes before eating a few more of the puffy treats. "Appreciate it."
"Hmm." So, she had treats and offered to share. Maybe she wasn't so bad after all.
"You know, you remind me of a chipmunk when you gobble down all those sweets." She burst out laughing when Cedric glared heavily at her, his mouth still full of the brown puffs.
Never mind. He took it all back.
Sofia and Skye had just landed beside a small pond, where beautiful flying fish were jumping and fluttering from one section of water to the next. The clouds were steadily beginning to break, allowing some of the sun to reflect off the water, causing it to shimmer.
"It's beautiful here, Skye," Sofia gushed as she sat next to him on the ground. "I can see why you unicorns live here."
"It is rather lovely. I'm fortunate to have such an expanse of breathtaking scenery." He exhaled calmly as the wind blew past them, causing the grass and flowers around them to sway slightly. "Where are you and your sorcerer friend heading next?"
"I'm not sure yet. I asked Mr. Cedric if we could stay for another day, and he agreed… Well, he gave in, I guess I should say." She laughed.
"He does not like the Mystic Isles?"
She smiled gently toward the unicorn. "It's not that. In fact, he's always wanted to come here. He just doesn't like getting away from an agenda, especially one my dad put together." She placed her head into her hands as she rested her elbows on her knees. "He's so scared of getting on my dad's bad side again that he'll do anything to try to make him happy. I just wish he knew that Dad isn't going to berate him anymore, and he's not going to continue checking in on us to make sure we're at one place at a specific time. It's sort of a vacation to him and to me, but he's treating it like an extension of his job… Which, of course, I guess it is, but still…"
"It sounds to me that your Mr. Cedric doesn't know how to have fun."
She giggled. "That's not true at all, Skye. Mr. Cedric can be very fun at times. He just doesn't want to disappoint anyone, especially me or my dad. And he tries so hard to stick to the rules so he doesn't get into trouble, but…"
"Perhaps it would be best to just give him some time, my princess. No one changes over night." The loyal unicorn smiled at his friend, chuckling as she returned the gesture.
"Yeah, I know." She gasped when the clouds fully broke and the sun began shining at its fullest capacity. "Ooh, that's better!"
Skye nodded before blinking as something caught his attention from the corner of his eye. He turned to the upper left of his line of vision and gasped before gently nudging Sofia. "Do you see that?"
Sofia turned and immediately her eyes widened. There, nestled in the neighboring tree's branch, was an abandoned bird's nest. In that nest was a small brown object that was glowing…red and gold. Above it hovered the shape of a star. "That's it!"
"Imagine that! It's been in that nest all this time?"
"I guess so! But… Chrysta said he lost it on a mission. It's kind of weird that it would end up there." She stood up. "Then again, birds sometimes pick up strange things to make their nests, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised."
"True."
She grinned at the unicorn. "I'm going to climb up and get it." With that said, she took off toward the tree, grasping the bark and some lower branches to propel herself up the tall tree.
"Are you certain you would not prefer that I retrieve it?" Skye asked in concern as he stood on the ground, watching his friend climb.
"Yeah, it's not that high up." She paused for a few moments to catch her breath before continuing to climb. Once she made it up to the branch in question, she slid onto it and reached out to the nest, grasping the brown object within.
Upon closer inspection, she could see that it was, indeed, a belt. However, it wasn't the kind of belt she had been expecting. It wasn't long enough to go around the other Protector's waist, so she figured he must have worn it in some other manner. After glancing at the inner section of the leather object, she could see that 'Orion' had been etched into the fabric with deep red stitching. She grinned. "He's going to be so excited to see this."
"I wonder what makes it glow like that," the unicorn mentioned as the teen returned to the ground.
"Well, this is a magical world. I don't see why it wouldn't." She giggled and fastened the belt around her arm for safekeeping before climbing onto Skye's back again. "Let's get back to the Isle of Protectors." She then made a face of concern. "I hope Mr. Cedric and Chrysta aren't at each other's throats."
"You may have a point." He chuckled as he took off into the air. "I'll fly twice as fast!"
Sofia smiled and rolled her eyes.
When they returned to Chrysta's house, Sofia hurried inside and stopped in her tracks. "What happened here?"
Cedric pointed at Chrysta while she pointed at him. "He/She started it!"
The house was a mess. Marshmallows, chocolate pieces, woodchips, feathers, and a plethora of other items were scattered about, and both her mentor and her former trainer were covered head to toe in what appeared to be flour.
Sofia laughed, not being able to fathom how this could have possibly begun. "So… I don't get it. What did you guys do while I was gone?"
"She called me a ragamuffin with a gimpy leg, whatever that is supposed to mean, so I used a marshmallow spell against her." Cedric didn't necessarily seem proud of that admission, especially considering how pathetically he'd said it.
Sofia was bemused and intrigued at the same time. "Okay… Didn't even realize there was a marshmallow spell, but…"
"Yeah, so I hit him with the flour," Chrysta added, smirking. "Right before he pretty much called out every random spell he could think of. And then he threw the flour back at me."
"But why?" the princess pressed, hoping she'd get to the bottom of the situation.
"Because we just don't see eye to eye, I'm afraid," Cedric responded, huffing. He raked some of the flour out of his hair before frowning. "She pays a compliment and then adds an insult."
"Because it's so easy! And it's kind of fun to rile you up!" The Protector grinned.
Sofia sighed loudly, getting their full attention. "Wow. And I'm the youngest here? Interesting." She removed the belt from her arm, extending it to the other girl. "Skye and I found Orion's Belt, though!"
"Oh, what?!" Chrysta grinned and accepted it, staring at the enchanted object in awe. "Where was it?"
"In a bird's nest on the Isle of Unicorns. Don't ask me how or why it was there, but it was." She gestured toward Cedric. "Maybe you should use a cleaning spell now, Mr. Cedric?"
He nodded. "Quite right, Sofia." He called one out, cleaning the house and himself yet leaving Chrysta caked in the flour.
The princess folded her arms, staring pointedly at her friend. "Mr. Cedric."
He huffed. "Oh, fine." Yet again, he repeated the spell and waved his wand, clearing the brunette of the flour. "There, happy?"
"Ecstatic!" She laughed. "And now that we get to return the belt to Orion, things will be even better. Come on!"
Orion was a tad bit startled to hear the door to the Protectors' castle door bang open, but he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw who it was. "Chrysta, you startled me." He blinked upon seeing the other two visitors with her. "Princess Sofia. And Cedric the Great, am I right?"
Cedric grinned, happy to hear his title being used properly. "Yes."
"What on earth is going on?"
"Sofia found your belt, Orion," Chrysta explained, floating over to him and dropping it into his hands.
He stared at the item and slowly smiled toward them. "Where did you find it? I lost it so long ago."
"It was on the Isle of Unicorns," Sofia explained. "Chrysta told us about it, and she sent me to see if we could locate it. Luckily, Skye saw it, so…" She shrugged. "He's the one who deserves the credit. And Chrysta, for mentioning it in the first place."
The older Protector smiled shyly. "Sofia…" She blinked when Orion placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You have my eternal gratitude, Chrysta," he told her kindly.
She blushed a bit before laughing. "You're welcome…"
"As do both of you and Skye," Orion concluded, smiling toward Cedric and Sofia. "I'm very grateful. In fact, this was a gift from my own mentor many moons ago. I shall treasure it even more now, after its safe return." With that said, he fastened the belt around his left bicep just beneath his sleeve, nodding. "Still a perfect fit."
"Glad to hear it," Cedric said, nodding. He then glanced toward Sofia. "Sofia, I…." He paused, realizing what he was about to say would probably upset his friend. He really felt they should get back on track, but if he broke his promise to her and had them leave tonight, she'd be upset. He sighed, changing his train of thought. He placed one hand on her shoulder and smiled as she glanced up at him. "Good work."
She beamed at her mentor. "Thanks, Mr. Cedric!"
That evening, the friends were in their room yet again, both lying in bed and staring into the darkness, as the candle had been doused a few minutes prior.
"Mr. Cedric…"
Cedric blinked upon hearing his name. He turned toward her voice, since the darkness afforded no visual, not even an outline, of the girl. "Yes, Sofia?"
"Thanks for putting up with me and my silly request to stay here."
He chuckled warmly. "It wasn't a silly request, my dear. You explained your reasoning for wanting to stay quite well. And believe me, I understand now."
"Even though you and Chrysta don't get along…" She grinned, and the tone of her voice practically suggested that she found the situation amusing.
"Let's just say that she wouldn't be invited to my birthday party quite yet…if I still celebrated my birthday, that is."
"She's not that bad, you know. You just have to get used to her nature. She's a lot like you, I think."
He frowned. "How so?"
"She can seem a little mean at first—"
"Mean? I was never mean!"
Sofia cleared her throat before imitating the first thing he'd ever said to her. "'Child! Watch where you're dawdling!'" She smirked in his direction, hearing his scoff. "Yeah, totally not mean, Mr. Cedric."
"Well, if you'd gotten my name right the first time…"
"I don't know what you mean, Mr. Ceedric." She giggled as he sighed in exasperation. "I'm just kidding." She smiled thoughtfully as she heard him chuckle. "We can leave tomorrow if you want."
"Are you certain?"
She nodded, though she knew he couldn't see it. "Yeah… I think I'm satisfied with everything we've been able to do here. It's time for us to go on the rest of our adventure." She smiled. "And besides, we can always come back. I really want you to officially meet Vega and the other Protectors, not to mention Harrumph and some of the others living in the Mystic Isles."
Cedric laughed softly. "I'll be happy to accompany you here again, Sofia. Get some sleep for now though, all right?"
"I will. Good night, Mr. Cedric." She turned, pulling the covers over herself.
"Good night, Sofia. Pleasant dreams."
To be continued…
