Ever Realm Chronicles Chapter 3: Events Unfolding, a sofia the first fanfic

Ever Realm Chronicles - a Sofia the First fanfic

Chapter 3: Events Unfolding

October 30, 1871

It was night in a forest in Enchancia. Hidden in the darkness was Sofia, Lucinda, Dorrie, Abby, Faith, and a large group of Crimson Force agents.

"Crimson Force has intelligence that the witches we're looking for are in this area," Faith whispered to Sofia. "They are supposed to have some kind of underground lair."

"An underground lair can be a dangerous thing," Sofia whispered back with concern. "There isn't much room to fight in such a place. And, if they are the ones who have taken the kids, the kids could be down there."

"And the kids could get hurt in the crossfire," Lucinda cautioned in a whisper.

"Then that leaves one option," Dorrie whispered. "Draw the witches up here."

"Sounds like a good plan," Sofia whispered in approval. "But, how to get them up here?"

"Well, I have an idea," Dorrie revealed in a whisper as she pulled out a stick of dynamite and a box of matches. "I light this baby, throw it over there, and then we wait for them to come out and investigate."

"Oh, Dorrie!" Lucinda whispered with a smile. "Candice would be so proud of you."

"Let's get this party started then," Dorrie suggested as she lit the stick of dynamite and tossed it. In a few moments, the stick of dynamite exploded. As planned, the witches quickly emerged. There were twelve witches in all, all in their 50s and 60s, and all very ugly.

"None of these would win a beauty contest," Lucinda whispered to Sofia in jest about the witches.

"Fan out!" one of the witches ordered. "Find out what made that noise!"

"Yes, Mistress," another witch acknowledged as all the witches fanned out.

"Stop right there!" Sofia ordered as she stood up with the rest of her forces.

"Princess Sofia," the witch in charge acknowledged, faking cheerfulness.

"Don't Princess Sofia me!" Sofia barked. "We both know you're up to something!"

The witches raised their wands and prepared to fire. At that same time, Sofia, Lucinda, Dorrie, Abby, and Faith fired their Enchantlets, with each Enchantlet wrapping around a witch. The other witches were quickly rendered unconscious by wand fire by Sofia's forces. The only witch left standing was the one called Mistress.

"Well, I guess you have us," the one called Mistress mocked.

"Abby," Sofia ordered. "Take some of our people and investigate that underground lair."

"Yes, Sofia," Abby acknowledged as she took a group of people into the lair.

"You'll find nothing down there," the witch called Mistress spoke up.

"We'll be the judge of that," Lucinda pointed out.

Abby and those with her carefully entered the underground lair with their wands drawn. After looking around, they discovered that no further witches were present.

"Looks like that's it," a man belonging to the group noted.

"Help us," a girl's voice called out from behind a curtain.

Abby and the group raced over to the curtain and pulled it back. Behind the curtain was a large cell with twelve children locked inside.

"Please," a boy pleaded. "Get us out of here."

"Not to worry," Abby said in a reassuring voice as she brought out her wand and pointed it at the locked cell door. "Alohomora."

As Abby said the spell, the cell door unlocked and the children walked out of the cell.

"Thank you for getting us out of there," the girl said gratefully. "The witches will be back soon."

"We have them in custody," Abby reassured the girl. "What's your name?"

"I'm Rosa Lopez," the girl answered. "I'm nine."

"And I'm Eugene Davis," the boy spoke up. "I'm eleven."

"What did the witches want with you?" Abby asked Rosa and Eugene, curious.

"On Halloween, they were going to cast a spell on us," Rosa revealed.

"They said they would drain our youth from us to make them young again," Eugene added.

"Well, you're safe now," Abby said in a reassuring voice. "Let's get you kids out of here."

As the kids were brought above ground, their names and where they lived were taken down. Rosa and Eugene lived in Ramblingham. Cora Regan (10), Daniel Regan (8), Julia Shan (11), and Jasmond Shan (8) all lived in Summerset Village. Akino Chin (10), Edward Logan (9), Martha Logan (11), and Raymond Marks (9) lived in Evermore Landing. And Miguel Cruz (10) and Maria Cruz (8) lived in Dunwiddie.

The witches and the kids were escorted through the woods until they arrived at a body of water. Anchored in the water was a large flying boat. Everybody then walked onto the flying boat.

"Take the kids below and see that they're comfortable," Sofia requested, before turning to Dorrie and Abby. "As for these witches, they can sit up here on deck. I see their wrists are already tied behind their back."

"Yes, Sofia," Dorrie acknowledged.

"Pilot," Lucinda called up to the wheelhouse. "Prepare to take off."

"Right away, Princess Lucinda," a man's voice came from the wheelhouse.

As Sofia and some others went below, Dorrie, Abby, and some men stayed on deck to watch the witches.

"Lady Dorrie of House Cosmarune, isn't it?" the witch known as MIstress asked Dorrie.

"Yes, if it is any of your business," Dorrie answered with a drop-dead look.

"So, where's your blond-haired sister?" Mistress wanted to know about Candice, curious.

"Busy," Dorrie responded.

"Didn't want to join the fight, huh?" one of the witches joked.

"If it is any of your business, Candice is on a well-deserved vacation," Dorrie informed the witch. "Consider yourselves lucky. If Candice were here, she'd be all over you. She's not exactly a fan of the dark powers."

"Ooh, I'm scared," the witch said in a mocking tone. "All of you will be singing a different tune when the Witch Revolutionary Front is reborn."

"Silence you fool!" Mistress barked at the witch.

"Thanks for the information," Dorrie said with satisfaction. "I'll be sure to pass that along to the proper authorities."

At that moment, the flying boat slowly rose out of the water on its way to Enchancia Castle.

November 8, 1871

The captured kids had been returned to their homes, and the witches who had captured the kids had been sentenced to jail in Azkaban.

An eighteen-year-old Sofia was in her bedroom getting ready for bed when her amulet started glowing. In her mind's eye, Sofia saw a vision of an 11-year-old girl from the future. The girl's name was Hikari, and she had lost her parents and brother when they died in an accident. Hikari's life wasn't good. Hikari was sent to live with foster parents who were abusive to her. Hikari desperately wished that she was out of that situation.

As Sofia witnessed the vision, she felt very sad for Hikari and wished there was something she could do for Hikari. It was then that Sofia's amulet gave her the answer - that in two days, her amulet would take her to Hikari's location so Sofia could take the girl away from that situation and bring her to Enchancia. The vision then ended.

The next morning, at breakfast, Sofia explained to her family the vision that her amulet had given her. The royal family carefully listened as Sofia described the experience and the opportunity that would occur in two days' time.

After listening to Sofia, King Roland and Queen Miranda talked among themselves. In a few minutes, Roland and Miranda turned to Sofia.

"Sofia," Roland started. "Your mother and I have discussed the situation. If the poor girl wants to leave with you, then by all means bring her here with you. We'll make her quite welcome here, and give her a loving home."

"Thank you, Dad," Sofia smiled, gratefully.

In the year 2014

In the future, in 2014, an 11-year-old Hikari was in her bedroom in the house that her foster parents owned. Hikari had pink eyes and long brown hair which she kept in a ponytail. She was wearing a yellow shirt, a pink scarf, pink shorts, and red and white sneakers. She was also wearing a whistle around her neck.

Hikari was nothing but a meal ticket for her foster parents, with her foster parents using the money they were given to take care of Hikari on themselves instead. The worse thing about her foster parents was when she did something to displease them, one or both of them would hit her very hard. Them hitting her would happen regularly.

Hikari was given some things, such as cable TV, mostly to keep Hikari out of her foster parents' hair. When Hikari was watching TV, she could escape her world for a little while. One of her favorite TV shows was a Disney Junior series called "Sofia the First". The world that Sofia and her friends lived in was so much different from the world that Hikari knew. In Sofia's world, people loved each other. If only Hikari had somebody to love her.

Sometimes, Hikari would be able to go to her local public library to use the Internet. One day, quite by accident, Hikari stumbled across a website that seemed to suggest that Sofia, her family, and friends were based on real people from the past. As Hikari dug further, she discovered information on Sofia and her friends when they were teenagers. Hikari was also surprised to learn that the teen Sofia had a younger adopted sister, but records on this younger sister had for the most part been lost to time.

As Hikari sat in her bedroom, she started singing a song she knew from an anime TV series she had watched from time to time.

"The blossoming spring flowers, spread through the summer sky. Their sparkle is engraved in my heart."

"Though I close my window for the morning rain, my heart is overflowing with light, as if the sun broke through the clouds."

"Happiness, sadness, I will embrace them all, and walk forward. They are what connects my hand with yours."

"Autumn is by the waterfront, while winter is hidden in the treetops. Within this world there is unlimited kindness."

"Let us give prayer at every nightfall, so that we can receive the days to follow in peace."

"Guide me, distant, distant voice, to smile, to sing. The resounding voice of the wind."

"Happiness, sadness, I will embrace them all and walk forward. They are what connects my hand with yours."

"What is that God awful racket?!" Hikari's foster father barked as he stormed into Hikari's bedroom, followed by Hikari's foster mother. "How many times have I told you not to make noise?!" Hikari's foster father then started slapping Hikari.

"Please, please, stop," Hikari cried out in her mind. "Please, somebody help me."

"YOU LEAVE YOUR HANDS OFF THAT POOR, SWEET CHILD!" a woman's voice boomed from behind them. Hikari, Hikari's foster father, and Hikari's foster mother looked to see ... an eighteen-year-old Sofia standing there, wearing a purple royal gown, and pointing a wand at Hikari's foster parents.

"Who are you?!" Hikari's foster father demanded to know.

"I'm Princess Sofia of Enchancia," Sofia answered. "I'm here to stop you from hurting Hikari."

"We'll see about that!" Hikari's foster mother barked as she and Hikari's foster father lunged at Sofia.

Sofia pointed her wand at Hikari's foster parents and shouted "Repulsia!" as a powerful magical blast shot from Sofia's wand, throwing Hikari's foster parents against the wall, knocking them out in the process.

"Oh! Thank you!" Hikari exclaimed in gratitude as she hugged Sofia.

"You're very welcome, Hikari," Sofia smiled as she held Hikari.

"Are you really ... Princess Sofia?" Hikari wanted to know.

"Yes, I am," Sofia answered. "My amulet brought me here."

Hikari looked at her unconscious foster parents. "They are going to be very angry with me when they wake up," Hikari observed, worried.

"Not if you're gone first," Sofia pointed out.

"What?!" Hikari asked, not quite grasping what Sofia had just said.

"How would you like to be gone from here ... for good?" Sofia asked.

"Where would I go?" Hikari wanted to know.

"Back home with me ... to Enchancia Castle," Sofia answered.

"You'd take me home ... with you?" Hikari asked, with tears of happiness forming in her eyes.

"Yes, Hikari," Sofia smiled. "You'll be loved and cherished there. I, my parents, my brother, and my sisters will show you all the kindness you could ever want."

"But, they'll come after us," Hikari said, worried, as she pointed to her unconscious foster parents.

"They won't be able to touch us where we're going," Sofia reassured Hikari. "You want to come home with me?"

"Oh, yes!" Hikari agreed happily.

"Gather up your things, and we'll be off," Sofia gently directed.

Hikari grabbed some things and put them in a duffel bag. "I'm ready," Hikari said when she was finished.

"Take my hand, Hikari," Sofia softly said.

Hikari took Sofia's hand, and in a few moments, Sofia's amulet glowed, and the two disappeared from Hikari's bedroom.

Hikari's foster parents come to

In a little while, Hikari's foster parents came to. Looking around Hikari's bedroom, they discovered that Hikari was nowhere to be found. Hikari's foster parents searched the entire house, and still found no sign of Hikari.

"Call the cops!" Hikari's foster mother barked at Hikari's foster father.

The police soon arrived, and Hikari's foster parents told the police about what had happened, and that Hikari was gone. Of course, they left out the part about slapping Hikari.

"So, let me get this straight?" one of the police officers requested. "You're telling me that a woman, dressed as a princess, came in here and assaulted you?"

"Yes - that's exactly what happened!" Hikari's foster father exclaimed. "She must have taken Hikari!"

"So, did this princess have a name?" the police officer asked.

"She said her name was Sofia," Hikari's foster mother reported.

The police officer looked at another police officer, and the two started laughing.

"What do you find so funny?!" Hikari's foster father demanded to know.

"So, you're telling us that an eight-year-old cartoon girl came in here and assaulted you?" the one police officer asked, almost laughing, knowing about "Sofia the First" since it was one of his daughter's favorite TV shows.

"It was a woman I tell you!" Hikari's foster mother barked.

"And I suppose her accomplice was ... Doc McStuffins?" the police officer scoffed.

At that point, another police officer entered the room and walked up to the two officers who were already there.

"I found these in the parents' bedroom," the newly arrived officer reported. "A crack pipe, and some vials of crack."

"My God!" the officer who had been talking to Hikari's foster parents exclaimed. "The parents must be high as kites!" The officer then looked at Hikari's foster parents. "You two will have to come down to the station with us. Something isn't adding up here."

"But we're telling you the truth!" Hikari's foster father protested.

"You can tell it to our superiors ... and child welfare," The one officer said as Hikari's foster parents were led out of the house.

Back in the past

Sofia and Hikari appeared in the great hall of Enchancia Castle. Sofia's family then walked up.

"Hikari, this is my family," Sofia introduced Hikari to the royal family. "Everyone, this is Hikari."

"Hello, Hikari," everybody greeted.

"Hikari, this is my father, King Roland," Sofia said as Roland stepped forward.

"We're very happy to have you here, Hikari," King Roland smiled.

"Thank you for having me," Hikari said, gratefully.

"This is my mother, Queen Miranda," Sofia said as Miranda stepped forward

"Welcome home, Hikari," Queen Miranda smiled as she walked up and gently hugged Hikari.

"This is my brother, Prince James," Sofia said as a nineteen-year-old James stepped forward.

"Hello, Hikari," James smiled. "Welcome to the castle."

"And these are my sisters, Princesses Amber and Lucinda," Sofia said as a nineteen-year-old Amber and an eighteen-year-old Lucinda stepped forward.

"Welcome, Hikari," Amber smiled. "It's nice to have you here."

"Hi, Hikari," Lucinda smiled. "You're gonna love it here."

At that moment, an eighteen-year-old woman in a maid's uniform walked up. It was Dorrie.

"Ah! Dorrie!" Miranda smiled. "This is Hikari, the girl we've been expecting. Would you take her up to her room and see to her needs?"

"Of course, Queen Miranda," Dorrie answered before turning to Hikari. "If you'll come with me milady, we'll get you settled in."

Hikari looked a bit nervous.

"It's alright," Sofia reassured Hikari. "I'll come along."

"Let's get you settled in, shall we?" Dorrie asked Hikari with a smile.

Hikari nodded her head yes.

"We'll see you in the royal dining room for supper, Hikari," Miranda smiled.

"Yes, ma'am," Hikari smiled back, shyly.

As Sofia, Hikari, and Dorrie walked away, the rest of the royal family talked among themselves.

"She's really quite shy, isn't she?" Amber remarked about Hikari.

"I suppose if you had gone through the hell she has gone through, you'd be shy too," Lucinda sadly remarked.

"Yes, indeed," Amber sadly agreed. "We must do everything possible to give Hikari all the love and kindness she could ever want."

"And we will, Amber," Miranda smiled.

"One thing is for certain," Roland started. "We'll be a much better family than those who were taking care of her."

Everybody nodded their heads in agreement.

Hikari settles in

Sofia and Dorrie walked Hikari to her bedroom in the castle. Dorrie opened the doors to the bedroom, as Sofia walked Hikari inside.

"This is your bedroom, Hikari," Sofia smiled.

"This is my bedroom?" Hikari asked in awe as she looked around the grand room.

"Oh, yes," Dorrie smiled. "You have your canopy bed, window seat, playing area, reading nook, and through this door, you'll find your walk-in closet with a wide variety of clothes for you. At the other end of the walk-in closet, you'll find your bathroom."

"Wow!" Hikari exclaimed in awe.

"Let's say we draw you a nice bath?" Dorrie suggested to Hikari.

Sofia and Dorrie led Hikari into the bathroom where Dorrie filled up the bathtub. Sofia and Dorrie then helped Hikari get undressed, and helped Hikari into the bathtub. It was then that Sofia and Hikari noticed bruises on Hikari's back.

"My God!" Dorrie exclaimed upon seeing the bruises. "How did you get these?"

"My foster parents would hit me whenever I did something they didn't like," Hikari quietly answered.

"That's criminal!" Dorrie said in shock as she brought out her wand. "Allow me to heal these for you."

"How?" Hikari wanted to know.

"Dorrie is a good witch," Sofia informed Hikari. "Among Dorrie's talents is the ability to heal injuries."

"This won't hurt a bit," Dorrie reassured Hikari as Dorrie slowly passed her wand back and forth over Hikari's back. In a few minutes, the bruises on Hikari's back disappeared.

"Thank you," Hikari said gratefully. "That feels much better."

"You're very welcome, milady," Dorrie smiled at Hikari.

"Why do you call me milady?" Hikari wanted to know of Dorrie. "Isn't that a term used for female royalty?"

"You see, Hikari," Sofia started, "the fact is that my parents are adopting you, and making you part of this family. When that happens, you will be royalty."

"My God!" Hikari thought to herself in mild shock. "I must be the young princess I read about on the Internet!"

"Everything okay?" Sofia asked Hikari.

"It's just I wasn't expecting to become royalty," Hikari answered, trying to take that in.

"We'll take it one step at a time," Sofia reassured Hikari. "Lucinda and I will help you through it - we've both been there ourselves."

"Okay," Hikari acknowledged shyly.

After her bath, Sofia and Dorrie helped Hikari get dressed. When it came time to choose a gown, Hikari chose a pink gown, and pink shoes to match. Dorrie then brought forward a tray with six tiaras on it.

"Which tiara would you like to wear, milady?" Dorrie asked Hikari.

"I get ... a tiara?" Hikari asked, taken off guard.

"Oh, yes," Sofia smiled.

Hikari studied the tiaras on the tray, and finally decided on a simple, yet lovely, tiara. As Dorrie helped Hikari put on the tiara, Sofia smiled - she remembered that when Lucinda first become part of the royal family, Lucinda chose a similar tiara which was regal, yet simple. It was interesting to see history replay itself in such a fashion.

As Sofia and Dorrie finished getting Hikari ready, a knock came at the door.

"Come in," Sofia invited.

The door opened and in walked Baileywick. "Supper will be served in fifteen minutes," Baileywick announced.

"Baileywick, this is Hikari," Sofia announced.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Princess Hikari," Baileywick smiled. "All of us are very happy to have you here."

"Hikari, this is Baileywick, our royal steward," Sofia started. "Baileywick is, how did you put it when I first arrived here at the castle?"

"It is my responsibility to make sure everything in the castle is where it should be, when it should be," Baileywick began. "I believe I also admonished you for being thirty seconds late for supper, Princess Sofia."

"Yes you did, Baileywick," Sofia smiled. "I was, of course, doddering at the time."

Baileywick and Sofia smiled at each other, remembering that moment.

"I'll see you and Princess Hikari in the royal dining room," Baileywick said to Sofia as he left.

"Well, Hikari, let's go down for supper," Sofia suggested to Hikari.

"I'll take my leave of you, milady," Dorrie said to Hikari as Dorrie started leaving. "Have yourself a good supper."

As Dorrie left to take care of other duties, Sofia walked Hikari out into the hallway.

"I hope I'm ready for this?" Hikari said to Sofia. "I've never been a princess before ... and I don't know the first thing about being one."

"You'll be fine, Hikari," Sofia reassured Hikari. "Just be yourself, and everything else will fall into place."

Sofia put her arm around Hikari, and the two made their way down to the royal dining room.

An evening at the castle

Sofia and Hikari walked into the royal dining room.

"Ah! Hikari!" Miranda smiled. "There you are. Please have a seat next to me."

Hikari sat down next to Miranda, as Sofia took a seat next to Lucinda.

"Welcome to the castle, Hikari," Roland smiled. "We look forward to having you as a part of our family."

"Thank you very much, sir," Hikari responded shyly. "I hope this isn't putting any of you out?"

"Not at all, Hikari," Miranda reassured Kari. "We're very glad you're here and very glad you're away from those monsters who were mistreating you."

"Our adoption of you should be finalized in a few days," Roland informed Hikari. "After that, we'll throw a celebration in your honor. At that time, you'll be introduced to the royal court, and it will be my pleasure to have the first dance with you."

"Well, sir," Hikari started, "it's just that ... I ... don't know how to dance."

"No problem!" Amber spoke up. "I'll teach you the basics after supper, and you'll have dance class with Professor Popov when you start Royal Prep in a few days."

"Royal Prep?" Hikari asked, curious.

"Where all the princes and princesses go to learn our royal ways," Roland answered.

"Like a school, sir?" Hikari inquired.

"Yes," Roland acknowledged. "You know, Hikari, you may call me Roland, or, you! with the crown! Or ... Dad."

Sofia smiled as she remembered when Roland said the same thing to her when she was a child.

"I hope you'll be patient with me?" Hikari said to Roland. "It's going to take me a little bit to get use to this."

"You take all the time you need," Roland reassured Hikari.

At that point, servants started serving supper to the royal family. As everybody at the table started eating, they got to know Hikari better.

"So, Hikari?" Miranda started. "How did you wind up in the clutches of those two who were taking care of you?"

"My parents, as well as my brother, were killed in a car accident," Hikari answered. "I had no other relatives, so I was sent to live with those two who you rescued me from."

"Car?" Roland asked, not knowing the term.

"The best description I could possibly give you is ... it's a horseless carriage," Hikari informed Roland. "It travels under its own power, without the need for a horse."

"That's very interesting," Roland acknowledged, intrigued. "I'm sure our royal inventor, Gwen, would be interested in hearing about it at some point."

"That's an interesting piece of jewelry you are wearing on your wrist," Miranda remarked to Hikari.

"Oh! This?" Kari responded as she held up her wrist. "It's just a cheap wind up wristwatch from a department store."

"Department store?" James asked, puzzled.

"A very large store that sells a variety of merchandise," Hikari answered. "One department sells clothing, another department sells watches and jewelry, another department sells toys. There are a variety of departments selling a variety of merchandise."

"Interesting," Miranda said, impressed.

"As is your, what did you call it again, a wristwatch?" Amber observed.

"Brilliant!" James exclaimed. "A clock you can wear on your wrist."

As supper continued, Hikari started to become more comfortable around the royal family, and everybody had a wonderful time talking to each other.

"That was delicious pot roast," Hikari commented as she finished up her plate.

"Would you like some more?" Miranda asked.

"I can have ... some more?" Hikari asked, not believing her good luck.

"Of course," Miranda smiled as she motioned a servant to come over and put some more on Hikari's plate.

"Thank you," Hikari said gratefully.

"You were hungry, weren't you?" Roland asked, concerned.

"It's just that my foster parents only gave me enough to get by on," Hikari admitted. "There was never what you could call extra."

"You'll never have to worry about going hungry again," Roland said as gently placed his hand on Hikari's hand.

Everybody then finished supper.

After supper, the royal family gathered in the castle ballroom. Amber led Hikari to the middle of the floor, as Baileywick motioned a small group of musicians to start playing.

"Just follow my lead," Amber smiled as she took Hikari's hands. "One, two, three. One, two, three. One, two, three."

Amber and Kari danced around the ballroom. At first, Hikari was a bit shakey but soon started getting the hang of dancing. As the two danced, the others smiled at the sight of Amber lovingly teaching Hikari how to dance. After a few minutes, the music ended.

"I have to say," Amber smiled at Hikari, "you're a quick learner."

"Thank you, Princess Amber," Hikari said gratefully.

"We're family now," Amber pointed out with a smile. "It's just Amber to you."

"Thank you, Princess ... I mean, Amber," Hikari smiled back.

"It will come naturally to you after a while," Amber said as she hugged Hikari.

Later on that evening, it was time for everybody to go to bed. As Hikari got ready to go to bed, she heard a knock on her bedroom door.

"Come in," Hikari invited.

The door opened, and in walked Queen Miranda.

"Hello, Hikari," Miranda smiled. "I just wanted to see if you needed anything?"

"I'm fine, ma'am," Hikari smiled back.

"Let me help you into bed," Miranda offered.

Hikari nodded her head, yes, and Miranda helped Hikari into bed. Hikari then smiled at Miranda.

"Happy?" Miranda inquired.

"Very happy," Hikari answered with a smile. "I never knew life could be so good."

"And this life is just beginning for you," Miranda smiled back as she hugged Hikari.

"I love you ... Mom," Hikari said with all her heart.

"I love you too, my precious one," Miranda smiled as she kissed Hikari on the forehead.

Meanwhile, in King Roland's study, Roland was meeting with Baileywick.

"What did you want to see me about, Baileywick?" Roland asked, curious.

"We've had word from the Satu embassy in Dunwiddie, Your Majesty," Baileywick began. "Princess Jade's mother has been stricken with the new illness that has been cropping up here in the Ever Realm. Princess Jade has been notified, and is returning from her studies at Duel Academy."

"How is Jade's mother?" Roland wanted to know.

"Princess Jade's mother is extremely tired, and is confined to bed," Baileywick reported.

"Please send a message to the Satu embassy," Roland requested. "Tell them that if they need anything, all they have to do is ask us."

"I'll take care of it immediately, Your Majesty," Baileywick acknowledged as he left Roland's study.

(To be continued in Chapter 4).

Behind the scenes

In this edition of "Behind the scenes", we have a special surprise from Jolly Roger Brat: three yummy recipes of interest.

Peach Melba Dump Cake

This is Queen Melinda's favorite dessert. Like how Roland has his jiggly-wiggly pudding, Queen Melinda has her Peach Melba Dump Cake!

* 2 cans (21 oz each) peach pie filling (If you don't have 2 cans, use a can of apple pie filling along with a can of peach)

* 1 pkg (12 oz) frozen raspberries, thawed and drained

* 1 pkg (about 15 oz) yellow cake mix

* ½ cup (1 stick) butter, cut into thin slices

* Ice cream (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray 13x9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Spread pie filling in prepared pan; sprinkle with raspberries. Top evenly with cake mix. Top with butter in single layer, covering cake mix as much as possible.

3. Bake 40-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean. Cool at least 15 minutes before serving. Serve with ice cream, if desired.

Pretzel Rolls

This recipe has been mentioned in Jolly Roger Brat's stories a few times. This is also one of Sir Nathaniel of Orillia's favorite snacks.

* 1 (16.3-ounce) can refrigerated biscuits (8 biscuits)

* 8 cups water

* 1/3 cup baking soda

* 1 egg, beaten

* Coarse salt for sprinkling

What to Do

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray.

2. Form each biscuit into a ball-shape and pinch ends to seal. Using a sharp knife, cut slits on top of dough in an "X" pattern. These work best if they are only about 1/8-inch deep.

3. In a soup pot, combine water and baking soda. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low. Add dough balls to simmering water and cook 30 seconds. Turn over and simmer 15 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place "X" side up on the prepared baking sheet. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with salt.

4. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool 5 minutes then remove to a platter to cool completely.

Miranda's Berry Bread (mentioned in chapter 38 of Jolly Roger Brat's "Do You Want To Sing Together XXIV")

* 3 cups raisin bran cereal (Since she doesn't care for dark raisins, she uses regular bran flakes with 1 * 1/2 cups of craisins. She also says golden raisins or dried cranberries could be used too)

* 1 stick softened margarine

* 1 cup hot water

* 1 1/2 cups brown sugar

* 2 eggs

* 3 c flour

* 2 1/2 tsp baking soda

* 2 cups milk

* 2 tsp lemon juice

* 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

* 2 more cups of cereal (If you use regular bran flakes, use 1 more cup of craisins/golden raisins/dried cranberries)

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Spray 2 bread pans with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside

3. Pour hot water over the first 3 cups of cereal and margarine in a mixing bowl.

4. Add brown sugar, eggs, flour, baking soda, milk, lemon juice, and cinnamon

5. Mix with a wire whisk or electric mixer until smooth

6. Mix in the last two cups of bran cereal

7. Pour the batter, evenly divided, into bread pans.

8. Put the pans in the oven. Bake for 50 minutes. Poke a toothpick into the center of the bread and then pull it out. If the knife comes out clean, the bread is done. If not, bake the bread for 5-10 minutes more and test again. Use oven mitts to remove the bread from the oven.

9. Let the bread cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Turn the pans upside-down. The bread should fall out of the pans. Let the bread cool on a wire rack.

10. When the bread is cool, put each loaf in a plastic bag. It will be easier to cut the day after it's baked, if you can wait that long!

Note: This recipe can also be made into 2 1/2 dozen muffins. Bake them in paper-lined cups for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Be sure to test them with a toothpick to see if they are done.

Author's notes

Akino Chin, Cora Regan, Daniel Regan, Edward Logan, Eugene Davis, Jasmond Shan, Julia Shan, Maria Cruz, Martha Logan, Miguel Cruz, Raymond Marks, and Rosa Lopez are characters created by Brigade701.

An illness cropping up in the Ever Realm, and Jade's mother being sick, are references to events seen in MisuteriTenshi's story "From Villager To Princess To Duelist Book 1". These events being used in this chapter were the suggestion of MisuteriTenshi / SailorWednesdayMercury.

Azkaban,and Alohomora, are from "Harry Potter".

Duel Academy is from "Yu-Gi-Oh! GX", but adapted in this story for the "Sofia the First" universe.

Evermore Landing is a village in Enchancia I created for my stories. Evermore Landing is a seaport.

Faith is an earlier version of Faith seen in the "Torchwood" episodes "Dead Man Walking" and "Fragments".

Hikari is an alternate universe version of Kari from "Digimon: Digital Monsters". Having Hikari appear in this story was the idea of Shaddowridder221. I decided to use Kari's original Japanese name of Hikari to avoid confusion with Princess Kari from "Sofia the First".

Ramblingham is originally from the "Sofia the First" episode "Sofia the Second".

Sir Nathaniel of Orillia is a character created by Jolly Roger Brat. Sir Nathaniel is used in my stories with the permission of Jolly Roger Brat.

Summerset Village is originally from the "Sofia the First" episode "Finding Clover".

The House of Cosmarune: as readers of "Dorrie", "Dorrie: Book Two", and "Once Upon a Time in Enchancia" will remember, the House of Cosmarune is the magical house that Dorrie, Candice, Violet, Abby, and Scarlett's Royal Steward (Colette) belong to. The House of Cosmarune was originally created by Skyrimfan for Skyrimfan's stories "Lucinda the First" and "Rise to Power: Queen of Corona". Skyrimfan has given me permission to use the House of Cosmarune in my stories, and I have given Skyrimfan permission to use Dorrie and Candice in "Lucinda the First" and "Rise to Power: Queen of Corona".

The Kingdom of Orillia is a kingdom created by Jolly Roger Brat and is used in my stories with permission from Jolly Roger Brat.

The Kingdom of Satu is originally from "Elena of Avalor".

The song that Kari sings early in this chapter is from the Japanese anime TV series "Kobato". The song itself is titled "Ashita Kuru Hi" (I have chosen to use the English lyrics).

Disclaimer

Akino Chin, Cora Regan, Daniel Regan, Edward Logan, Eugene Davis, Jasmond Shan, Julia Shan, Maria Cruz, Martha Logan, Miguel Cruz, Raymond Marks, Rosa Lopez, and the other original ideas from Brigade701 are the property of Brigade701 and are used in this story with the permission of Brigade701.

"Elena of Avalor" and everything associated with it © Craig Gerber, Disney Television Animation, Team TO, and Disney-ABC Domestic Television.

"Harry Potter" and everything associated with it © J. K. Rowling, Bloomsbury Publishing, Arthur A. Levine Books, Little Brown, Heyday Films, 1492 Pictures, Patalex IV Productions, and Warner Brothers Pictures.

Sir Nathaniel of Orillia, the Kingdom of Orillia, and the other original ideas from Jolly Roger Brat are the property of Jolly Roger Brat, and are used in my stories with the permission of Jolly Roger Brat (under an agreement that the two of us may use things from each other's "Sofia the First" fan fiction stories).

"Sofia the First" and everything associated with it © Craig Gerber, Jamie Mitchell, Disney Television Animation, Toiion Animation Studios, Team TO, and Disney-ABC Domestic Television.

The House of Cosmarune, and everything associated with it, is the property of Skyrimfan and is used in this story with the permission of Skyrimfan.

"Yu-Gi-Oh! GX" and everything associated with it © Roadshow Entertainment, 4Kids Entertainment, and Konami Cross Media NY.

I only own Abby Cosmarune-Murphy, Crimson Force, Dorrie Cosmarune-Cooper, Mistress, Repulsia!, the Village of Evermore Landing, and the Witch Revolutionary Front.