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: Time to have a bit of a wrap-up before allowing Cedric and Sofia to move on with their journey and, eventually, go home at last. 😊 Thank you all for being on this journey with me! I've enjoyed it. It's been a bit of a roller coaster ride, but the ride is finally slowing. But it's not ending! We have my next series, Beyond Enchancia, coming up soon! Check out my Bio Page, and you'll find the link to the website that will give you a preview and a look into what's going to happen. The stories and their photo covers are all up. The song was made two months ago. The promo video is prepared. It needs only to be written, which is where I come in. I look to begin writing again maybe sometime next week after a break. 😉 Thanks again for reading! Enjoy the final chapter! Lots of updates and some big surprises in store. Also, someone needs to start carrying a pillow around for Amber. :D You'll see what I mean. Enjoy! ~AquaTurquoise

Note: I'm putting this story in a PDF and will place it on my Wix page. :) As of now, there are 245 total pages. o.o Wow! Haha!


Chapter 25
Home Sweet Home

Summary: After an eventful summer, Cedric and Sofia return to Enchancia, only to receive several surprising updates soon after.


About a week after the events that caused Master Elgraste's demise, the Mahiyan kingdom held a memorial service for him, after which Dexter was proclaimed the new ruler of the kingdom: Lord Dexter of Mahiya. While he hadn't cared for the title at first, he eventually came to accept it. After all, it's not like they would allow Kitanya to rule in his stead, especially after they'd found out what she'd done…

Sofia had managed to summon the Protectors prior to her incident, and they picked up both Tiya and Kitanya, saying that, for now at least, they'd be under surveillance due to their involvement with the dark magic cult. Even though both Sofia and Dexter had tried to convince them that her heart was clean again, Vega insisted that they would take no chances. Orion echoed her sentiment. Even Sofia's magic and caring nature might not be enough, and if she experienced a relapse, it would be an awful situation for everyone. Eventually, they'd complied and let the Protectors do what they had to do.

Mahiya felt so empty without the presence of the old master and his wise words. Dexter moved into his crystal tower with Brexley and vowed to continue the man's work. The castle, on the other hand, had been completely destroyed and would need to be rebuilt eventually. After hearing Sofia's recounting of the citizens' declaration about having no powers, Dexter decided he'd likely look into getting those restored as well. After all, if something like an uprising happened again, he would definitely need all the help he could get, especially after the main ruler and his former protégé were now no longer in the picture.

Sofia had healed completely, no traces of dark magic on or within her, thanks to Cedric's help. Her hand was better, and all her jewelry and trinkets had been reinstated after she was well again.

Thankfully, Brexley hadn't been around to see Master Elgraste's demise. It was hard enough explaining to her that he'd never come back; seeing him die before her own eyes would have probably crushed her. Luckily, children were resilient, and she'd been able to come to terms with things faster than the others.


"Mr. Cedric," Sofia began tiredly one evening as she sat on his bed and watched him pack his suitcase—for real this time, as they were leaving for their next stop in the morning. She'd been especially clingy to him the last few days, though as far as Cedric was concerned, she had a good reason after everything that had occurred. He was the one constant she had on this adventure, and she wasn't about to lose that.

"Yes, Sofia?" he asked calmly, using his wand to move his suitcase to the floor for the night. He would finish packing in the morning before they left. He clambered onto the bed and leaned against his pillows, exhaling after all the preparing he'd done that evening. He was surprised when his friend crawled over and leaned against him, her head on his chest and one arm wrapped around him in a loose hug. He chuckled softly and wrapped his arm around her in response. "What is it, my dear?"

"I feel like this was all my fault…" She frowned. "If I hadn't insisted we come here after your dad told us about it—"

"—Then Kitanya never would have been freed from her dark magic curse," he finished, hoping to sway her opinion. "Sofia, you can't blame yourself for this. Even if we'd never come, bad things still would have happened. Honestly, I highly doubt this kingdom would still be standing, and Dexter and Brexley probably would have fallen with it." He smiled softly at her as she looked toward him uncertainly. "It was a good thing that we came here, Sofia… Something bad happened as a result, but that is not your fault. Do you understand?"

She nodded, sighing as she averted her eyes, her head turned and resting on his chest again. "It's just…weird…knowing that when we leave here… He's not going to…" She trailed off, unable to finish her train of thought as Cedric shushed her and gently rubbed her back.

"Get some sleep, Sofia."

"I'm not even dressed for bed…or in my own bed…" She felt her eyes growing heavy despite her claims.

Cedric hummed gently and used his wand to conjure a heavy blanket, which draped over both of them. He then doused the lamp beside his bed and closed his eyes, resting his head against hers. "Go to sleep, my dear…"

She did.


The farewell to Mahiya, and especially to Dexter and Brexley, was difficult for both Enchancian friends. But they had to move on…figuratively and literally.

"I'm so glad I met you," Sofia told Brexley as she knelt to the girl, who signed something similar. Happily, thanks to her amulet's blessing, she understood it without question. The princess grinned as the little girl dived into her arms, hugging her. "I'll miss you too," she murmured, hugging the girl back, even though she knew she couldn't hear it. She'd feel it in her hug though, and that was what mattered.

Cedric shook Dexter's hand. "If you should ever need anything, merely send us a message to Enchancia. Address it to Cedric the Great, and it will be sent straight to me."

Dexter smiled appreciatively. "Thanks, Cedric. Thanks to both of you," he corrected as he turned to Sofia, who was now standing and holding onto his little sister's hand. "I hate that we've lost Master Elgraste, and I don't know what's going to happen with Kitanya, but I do know that things would have been much worse if you guys hadn't been here."

Cedric gave his apprentice an 'I-told-you-so' look before he nodded to the twenty-year-old wizard. "It was our pleasure, Dexter."

"I'm going to miss you guys, Dex," Sofia said as she walked forward and hugged him. She then laughed as he returned her hug before releasing her. "Excuse me: Lord Dex."

"Ugh." He rolled his eyes. "Going to take some getting used to, but I guess I'll manage." He grinned as Brexley ran over to him, so he knelt down and picked up the little girl. "Say goodbye to Mr. Cedric and Princess Sofia," he told her, ensuring that her signdant picked up what he'd said.

She smiled and waved at them before signing 'thank you' to them both.

"I at least know that sign by now," Cedric chuckled before taking the little girl's hand, gently kissing the back of it and causing her to grin. "You're welcome, my dear. Best of luck with everything." He smiled as Sofia took his hand and led him forward, toward the AutoCoach at the gate of the kingdom.

"Hope to see you again someday," Dexter called, smiling as they echoed the statement. He looked back toward Brexley, who smiled at him. "Let's go home, kiddo."


The next few weeks for Cedric and Sofia were actually easier for them to handle. They'd met new royals and visited new kingdoms, just like they'd done all summer. And by the end of it, they'd established connections with well over twenty kingdoms, including Mahiya. Before they returned to Enchancia, they decided to make one last stop…

Cedric parked the AutoCoach on a lone beach at dusk, and he exited, helping his friend out as well. He guided her over to a large boulder, where they both sat and just watched the waves for a few minutes without even saying anything.

"You remember what you told me about the ocean when we first started this trip?" Sofia asked quietly a few minutes later, not looking at her mentor.

He blinked, turning to her.

She smiled faintly. "Sometimes…the ocean can heal the soul." She turned, directing her smile at him. "I think I needed this more than I realized."

Cedric chuckled, pulling her in for a side hug as they continued watching the water. "I've…enjoyed this trip with you, Sofia. I know it hasn't been perfect, and we've had some ups and downs, but… I'm glad I got to have you along for the ride."

She giggled as she rested her head on his shoulder. "Mr. Cedric…"

"Every morning I'm reminded how lucky I am," he continued softly. "To see the sun, to hear the birds, to feel the wind… To know that, without you, I wouldn't have experienced any of this…" He smiled toward her as she blinked at him. "And you know why."

She nodded.

"So…thank you, Sofia… For giving me a second chance to see the world through your eyes."

Sofia sighed, smiling. "You're welcome, Mr. Cedric… You're welcome."


"SOFIA!"

The youngest royal gasped in surprise as she felt two pairs of arms wrap around her simultaneously as she approached her own castle entrance. She laughed as she soon reciprocated the hugs of the Enchancian twins. "Amber! James! I missed you guys so much!"

"So much that she didn't even write," Amber scoffed playfully as she released her sister and brother. She grinned before placing her hands on either side of Sofia's face, turning her head in a few directions.

"Amber," she began, rolling her eyes, "what are you doing?"

"I think you've gotten the world's lightest tan," she teased as her sister laughed. "You look pretty much the same. Just a little more…windswept."

"Mr. Cedric and I were by the ocean before we got here." She smiled as her friend approached the group. "What happened to our stuff?"

"The workers are taking it inside," he informed her before smiling toward the twins. "Good evening, Princess Amber and Prince James. I trust you've had a good summer."

James grinned as he folded his arms. "Well, I totally beat Desmond in a jousting tournament. He sulked for a week."

Sofia giggled. "Poor Desmond."

"Not really," her brother said, shaking his head. "Amber made it all better." He grinned at his blushing twin. "She made him a—" He blinked when Amber put a hand over his mouth.

"Anyway, glad you both made it home safely," the future queen said diplomatically. She then smiled toward Cedric. "Thanks for taking care of our sister, Cedric. I'm glad you guys are back."

Cedric was a little surprised by the second admission, but he smiled and nodded nonetheless. "We're glad to be home, Princess Amber." He chuckled as Sofia hugged him.


Over the next few weeks, a normal routine ensued. The royal siblings were now enrolled in their next year of their schooling. Sofia and Amber had nearly every class together, while James was actively working in his field and attending the knight school. Happily, everything seemed to be going rather well.

Cedric looked up when Sofia entered his opened door to his workshop, and he smiled as he waved several letters at her. "I've got something you might be interested in…"

"He's read these letters at least six times already," Cordelia complained as she tried to dust around the two friends. "Honestly, Cedric, I know you're officially back from your little trip, but you could at least make it look like it's spic and span like when I was working as the Royal Sorceress of Enchancia for three months."

"Yes, yes, Cordy. Relax." He passed the letters to Sofia before smiling at Calista, who was studying something in one of her books while sitting at his worktable. "Still reviewing transformative spells?"

She nodded. "They're absolutely fascinating!" she gushed, grinning up at him. "I mean, I knew about the older spells, but these new ones are simply whiz-bang!"

Sofia blinked as she looked toward Calista in shock. She then glanced at Cordelia, a questioning expression on her face.

Cordelia shrugged. "Your Aunt Tilly came to visit for a few weeks, and my little Angel Face has taken up some of her…colorful expressions."

The princess giggled before looking back at the letters individually, each one more exciting and surprising than the last.

Some updates she and Cedric had received:

*Dexter was officially inducted as Lord Dexter of Mahiya, and he'd opened the doors to all other kingdoms for business. He'd also reinstated the powers to all the inhabitants of Mahiya, and even Brexley was beginning to learn magic.

*Vega wrote to say that both Kitanya and Tiya were being cooperative and were in the process of rehabilitating. Orion had even taken the fallen sorceress under his wing and was working with her to help her better herself.

*Dante and his family were doing fine, and Princess Seraphina still wanted the duo to come to Princess Issy's first birthday party next April.

*Sir Finlay wrote to indicate that Gabriella hadn't been feeling well the last few weeks or so. As it turned out, she was actually pregnant again, which had stunned both of them…and delighted little Sapphire. She couldn't wait to be a big sister.

*Winifred had written to inquire about the trip and invite Cedric, Sofia, Cordelia, and Calista over for tea and fly cakes some day when they were all free. She also sent some special cinnamon cookies for the girls to munch on while they conducted their school activities.

*Miss Nettle even wrote in to inform them that Princess Ivy had begun painting a few rooms in color, which had both shocked and delighted her. She had no idea why the princess was doing such a strange thing, but she promised to keep them updated. (This, in Cedric's opinion, was probably the most random and useless letter of them all…naturally.)

Sofia poured over the letters, all of them holding her attention and just making her smile. She had needed these updates, and she was glad to have them. She glanced up at Cedric. "I can't believe Mrs. Gabriella is pregnant again."

Cedric coughed once before rolling his eyes. "I can…" He winced as Cordelia nudged him. "What?! With as much as those two—"

"Ceddy, we have little ears in the tower." She nodded toward Calista, who seemed to be ignoring them.

Cedric blushed in embarrassment. "Right… Sorry. Don't know what came over me."

"I think I do," Sofia responded as she stacked the letters aside and grinned at him. "Potassium."

He gaped at her. "I thought you said—" He rolled his eyes as she laughed. "Clever, Sofia. Very clever."


That evening, the three siblings were called into the throne room for an urgent family meeting. All three were anxious, because they couldn't fathom what could possibly be wrong. Baileywick had said something along the lines of, "Your father needs to see you now, but don't worry. It's nothing terrible." Well, that could be just about anything at this point…

"What is it, Daddy?" Amber asked as she, James, and Sofia stood before Roland and Miranda, who were sitting on their thrones and smiling happily at each other.

"Yeah, what's the big news?" James wondered as he put his hands on his hips.

"You want to tell them?" Roland asked as he squeezed Miranda's hand.

She nodded before looking toward the siblings. "Um, before I do, James and Sofia, could you please stand behind Amber?"

Sofia blinked. "Why?"

"Trust me, Sofia…" She smiled as they did as she asked, though the request was rather strange. "All right… Your father and I met with a doctor this morning after I hadn't been feeling well the last few weeks. And…"

Amber waited in anticipation, though Sofia seemed to catch on to what was going on, especially after one of those recent letters… James, as usual, was clueless.

Miranda's hands fell to her stomach as she smiled serenely at the teens. "You're going to have a new little brother or sister in a few months."

James's eyes widened, and Sofia smiled in excitement. Amber, on the other hand…

"Amber!" James gasped as he and Sofia rushed forward, catching her before she fainted. "Amber, wake up!"

Roland laughed as he looked toward Miranda. "Well, you certainly called that…"

"What can I say? I know our children." She giggled as Sofia hurried over to her, hugging her. "Sofia…"

"Mom, I'm so happy for you!" She laughed. "Wow… I'm going to be a big sister…an older big sister…like fifteen years older."

Miranda smiled fondly at her daughter, tugging gently at her ponytail. "You're going to be a wonderful big sister, Sofia. I know you've always wanted to be one, and…sorry it took so long." She laughed.

Sofia grinned before turning back to Amber, who finally woke up.

Amber smiled dazedly before glancing at her family. "I'm sorry… I don't know what happened. I could have sworn Mom said she was going to have a baby." She started laughing.

"She did, Amber," James confirmed, blinking when she stopped laughing and promptly fainted again, knocking him over as he caught her. "Oh, come on!"

Sofia laughed.

The end

(And to be continued in the Beyond Enchancia Series!)