Ever Realm Chronicles - a Sofia the First fanfic
Chapter 5: Arrivals
November 17, 1871
Amber sat in her bedroom thinking back to the night she had received her Heart of Milledtion amulet.
Flashback:
It was night in Enchancia Castle, and a nineteen-year-old Princess Amber was in her bedroom getting ready for bed. Suddenly, Amber felt a presence in the room. Amber turned around to see the Scarlett Warrior standing there.
"I think Sofia and Lucinda are in Sofia's room," Amber informed Scarlett.
"I'm here to see you, Amber," Scarlett smiled.
"Me?" Amber asked.
"I have something for you," Scarlett announced as she reached into a pouch on her belt. Scarlett then brought out a heart-shaped amulet with a dark green gemstone. "This is for you, Amber," Scarlett explained as she handed the amulet to Amber.
"Thank you, Scarlett!" Amber smiled as she took the amulet from Scarlett.
"That amulet is known as the Heart of Milledtion," Scarlett started. "It has the same magical properties as Sofia and Lucinda's amulets. Your amulet will allow you to summon a princess if you need help, and it will connect you with Sofia and Lucinda if you need to get a hold of them using telepathy. It will also give you other gifts over time based on the good deeds you perform. It is, however, also a bit different from Sofia and Lucinda's amulets."
"Different?" Amber wanted to know.
"As you can see, it is designed in a different style," Scarlett pointed out. "But it is also different because it has a special ability unique to your amulet. Do you remember when you were a child and you used magic crystals to create a butterfly costume that allowed you to fly?"
"Yes," Amber answered.
"Your amulet will allow you to change into that form when needed, and change back again afterward," Scarlett revealed. "You never know when such a skill might come in handy."
"I thank you very much for the amulet, Scarlett," Amber said, grateful. "But are you sure I'm worthy?"
"You're very much worthy," Scarlett smiled. "I've been watching you for a while now, and you've grown into a fine young woman who very much deserves to have such an amulet." Scarlett then clapped her hands and disappeared in a puff of red smoke.
Amber looked at her new amulet and smiled. She had been very close to Sofia and Lucinda, and her amulet would bring the three of them even closer. The thought made Amber very happy.
In a few moments, Scarlett reappeared before Amber, holding a small wooden box with a cover that was locked.
"Amber," Scarlett started, "I'd like it if you would look after this box. It is locked right now, but it will unlock when the time is right."
"And what do I do when the box unlocks itself?" Amber asked.
"You'll find instructions inside the box on what to do," Scarlett answered.
"You may count on me to carry out those instructions," Amber promised.
"Good," Scarlett smiled in approval. "I'd best be off." Scarlett once again clapped her hands and disappeared.
End of flashback, and back to the present.
Amber got up and walked to her closet. She opened the door to the closet and found the box that Scarlett had given her. Amber didn't know why, but she had the feeling she should check the box. As Amber checked the box, she discovered it was now unlocked.
Amber slowly opened the box, not knowing what to expect. Amber then looked inside and discovered a folded note and a small velvet bag. Amber unfolded the note, and read it.
My dearest Amber:
In this box, you will find a velvet bag. It contains an amulet much like your own. Like your amulet, it is magical. It is called the Heart of Enchancia. Please give the amulet in this box to your new sister, Hikari.
Until we meet again.
Signed: Scarlett.
"Well, I'll be!" Amber exclaimed in amazement. "Scarlett knew that Hikari would be coming, and left an amulet for her."
Amber took the amulet out of the velvet bag and looked at it. It was exactly like Amber's amulet, except it was a heart-shaped amulet with a dark blue gemstone. Amber then put the amulet back in the velvet bag.
"I've got to get this to Hikari," Amber smiled to herself. "But first, I'll get Sofia and Lucinda - they will want to see this moment as well."
A short while later, Hikari was in her bedroom when she heard a knock at the door.
"Come in," Hikari invited.
The door opened, and in walked Amber, Sofia, and Lucinda.
"Amber has a surprise for you," Sofia announced to Hikari.
"What?" Hikari asked, excited.
"This is for you," Amber smiled as she handed Hikari the velvet bag.
Hikari took the velvet bag and discovered the amulet.
"For me?" Hikari asked, taken off guard.
"Yes," Amber answered with a smile as she put the amulet around Hikari's neck. "It's a gift from a very special woman - the Scarlett Warrior. Like mine, Sofia, and Lucinda's amulets, your amulet is also magical and will grant you a special power whenever you do a good deed. Your amulet is known as the Heart of Enchancia."
"Wow!" Hikari exclaimed in awe.
"Your amulet will also summon a princess when you need help" Sofia informed Hikari.
At that moment, Hikari's amulet started glowing. Amber, Sofia, and Lucinda's amulets also started glowing.
"What's happening?" Amber asked.
"I wish I knew," Sofia wondered.
"Why would all four of our amulets be glowing at the same time?" Lucinda wanted to know.
A surprise visitor
Before they knew it, a woman appeared before them. One side of the woman's hair was white, and the other side of the woman's hair was black. The woman was also wearing a white and black gown.
"Don't be alarmed," the woman reassured Amber, Sofia, Lucinda, and Hikari. "I am Queen Evonne of the Kingdom of Negterra. The power of your four amulets allowed me to come here."
Sofia pulled out her wand and pointed it toward Evonne.
"You're obviously from the same place as Princess Ivy," Sofia pointed out. "Don't think of starting any trouble here."
"You are correct that I'm from the same place as Ivy," Evonne answered. "She is my sister. However, we are two different people. Ivy has used her powers for selfish means, while I use my powers to help others."
"Princess Ivy?" Amber pondered. "Why does that name sound familiar to me?"
"Ah!" Evonne remarked as she looked at Amber. "Ivy caused you to lose your memory of what happened. With your permission, I can restore your memory."
"I'd like that ... I think," Amber responded, not knowing if she wanted the memory or not.
Evonne gently put her hand on Amber's head, as a gentle glow came from Evonne's hand. In a few moments, Evonne finished.
"Oh my God!" Amber exclaimed. "I remember!" Amber then turned to Sofia. "Now I know what you meant when you said I saved everybody. But why didn't you ever try to remind me?"
"Well, the situation had passed, and everybody was okay," Sofia pointed out. "I didn't see a need to bring up the subject after that."
"Especially since I took your amulet and started the whole thing, to begin with," Amber remembered. "I can see why you would never want to trust me with anything after that. For what it's worth, now that I remember, I am truly sorry for what I did."
"That's in the past, Amber," Sofia gently said. "I forgave you a long time ago."
"That's more than I deserve," Amber sadly remarked.
"Then let me make it official," Sofia said as she hugged Amber. "I forgive you. Now please forgive yourself."
"Alright," Amber reluctantly agreed.
"What exactly happened, if you don't mind me asking?" Hikari asked.
Amber turned to Hikari, and explained how when Amber was a child, Amber had found out about what Sofia's amulet could do. Amber went on to explain how she stole the amulet from Sofia, used it to summon a princess, and how Amber was cursed as the amulet summoned Princess Ivy. Amber also explained how in the end, she saved Sofia from Ivy's wrath and broke the curse in the process.
"Not exactly one of my more shining moments," Amber remarked to Hikari.
"But in the end, you came through and set things right," Hikari observed.
"There is something else you need to know about your amulet, Hikari," Sofia started. "There is a saying that is connected to our amulets - for each deed performed, for better or worse, a power is granted, a blessing or curse. Your amulet will reward you for good deeds and will curse you for selfish deeds. However, once cursed, you can set things right and in return, the amulet will remove the curse."
"I understand," Hikari acknowledged.
"Just remember," Lucinda pointed out to Hikari, "it's always better to do good. Our amulets remind us of that."
Sofia turned to Queen Evonne. "You said the power of our four amulets allowed you to come here?" Sofia inquired.
"Yes," Evonne answered. "I wanted to come here before this, but I needed enough power to do so. When your sister, Hikari, got her own amulet, your four amulets produced enough power for me to travel here".
"Why didn't one of our amulets just summon you to begin with?" Lucinda wanted to know.
"Well, to be honest, it was a personal wish for me to be here," Evonne explained. "However, your amulets only summon people when one of you needs help. Therefore, I had to resort to using the combined power of your amulets as a bridge which would allow me to come here without being invited as it were."
"And now that you're here, what do you want?" Sofia cautiously asked.
"I want to find my sister, Princess Ivy," Evonne answered. "I realize that Ivy is no saint. However, I want to try and contact her. I want her to know that I'm saddened by what happened between her and me, and I'd like a chance to try and make amends with her."
"As I recall, she was pretty angry with you," Sofia pointed out.
"But, I must try," Evonne pleaded. "Please help me to find her."
"Wait a minute," Sofia started, taken off guard. "Don't you know where she is?"
"The truth, Sofia, is that your amulet sent her to another place when she left Enchancia," Evonne revealed. "I suppose it was your amulet's way of keeping her imprisoned."
"And what exactly do you want me to do?" Sofia inquired.
"If you'll allow me to touch your amulet, I can find out where it sent Ivy," Evonne answered.
"I'm not sure about this," Sofia remarked, nervous.
"I promise you, Sofia, that I will only touch your amulet," Evonne stated. "It will remain around your neck at all times."
"Since this has the potential to affect all of Enchancia, I cannot make this decision," Sofia announced. "This decision can only be made by one person - my father, King Roland."
"Very well," Evonne agreed. "Then let's see your father."
"You should know that my father, my mother, and my brother had their memories tampered with by Ivy as well," Sofia revealed. "They have no memory of Ivy."
"Then I will restore their memories, then plead my case," Evonne offered.
Meeting with King Roland
Sofia, Lucinda, Amber, Hikari, and Evonne walked down to the throne room where King Roland, Queen Miranda, and Prince James were talking to each other. Roland saw the group enter and walked over to them.
"Who is our visitor?" Roland asked Sofia as he looked at Evonne.
"This is Queen Evonne of the Kingdom of Negterra," Sofia answered.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Queen Evonne," Roland smiled. "I'm King Roland of Enchancia. Forgive me, but I've never heard of Negterra before this."
"That's not surprising, King Roland since Negterra exists in another dimension apart from your own," Evonne admitted.
Everybody gasped at what Evonne had just revealed.
"I believe I may be able to shed some light on your experience with my kingdom in the past," Evonne said to Roland.
"My past experience?" Roland asked, puzzled.
Before Roland could respond, Evonne raised her hands in the direction of Roland, Miranda, and James. A white light from Evonne's hands then hit Roland, Miranda, and James. In a few moments, the white light disappeared.
"My God!" Roland exclaimed as his memories of Princess Ivy returned. "Are you connected to Princess Ivy?"
"I am her sister," Evonne answered.
"How do we know you're not here to finish what Ivy started?" Miranda asked as she regained her memory of Ivy.
"After all, you come from the same place that Ivy does," James pointed out as he, too, regained his memory of Ivy.
"Ivy uses her powers for selfish means, while I use my powers to help people," Evonne explained. Evonne then told Roland, Miranda, and James about her desire to find Ivy and to make amends.
"Out of the question!" Roland exclaimed. "She's pure evil, and belongs confined to whatever place she is imprisoned."
"Please, King Roland," Evonne pleaded. "I so much want to make amends with my sister."
"I'm not without feelings," Roland gently said. "I can see your genuine desire to make amends with your sister. However, I have to think that you don't fully understand the ramifications of your request. For example, where do you propose to meet with your sister?".
"I was hoping she could be brought here," Evonne answered, hopeful.
"So she can have another chance to take over Enchancia?!" Roland asked, concerned. "I have to think of the kingdom's safety above all else."
"I understand," Evonne sadly conceded.
"I may have an idea," Lucinda offered as she stepped forward. "Dorrie, Abby, and I, as witches, can stand ready to fight Ivy should the need arrise. That way, Queen Evonne would at least have a chance to talk to Ivy. If things get out of hand, Ivy could always be sent back to where she came from."
"You make an interesting point, Lucinda," Roland admitted. "However, I'll need a little time to think about it. Come back here in two hours."
Meanwhile, in Rivendell
In the ancient Elvin community of Rivendell, Candice was relaxing in her tent and thinking back to a few months earlier when two women (Genevieve and Leandra) had shown up in Enchancia.
Flashback:
In the Kingdom of Accord, it was a thousand years in the past. Genevieve was riding along a road leading towards the Elven territory. She had received word from Prince Q'Al Varis that his mother Queen Solan was willing to grant her an audience. The prince had even indicated how his mother rarely meets with anybody human or elf. Genevieve was on a quest for a special sword which she would wield in carrying on her duties as a Knight of Accord. Q'Al Varis had informed her how if his mother the Queen agreed to help Genevieve that the Elven swordsmiths in the Elven capital of Leaf might forge her a sword similar to his.
"My Lady, do you think I'll be safe in the Elven territory?" her page Leandra asked from the pony next to her. Leandra's concern was due to her maternal grandfather being an Orc from the Blasted Lands.
"I will do everything I can to ensure your safety, Leandra. That's part of my duties as your mentor in the ways of knighthood. If I let something happen to you both Dima Michelius and Darsalk would be very upset with me."
June 19, 1871, Kingdom of Enchancia
Ten-year-old Molly and ten-year-old Nonya were in the Peppertree Forest with their mom Eileen as well as eighteen-year-old Princess Sofia and seventeen-year-old Princess Lucinda. It was a reasonably quiet weekend day, so it was decided to go on the outing. As they were walking around Molly occasionally allowed her long red hair to fling back and forth. Nonya's own dark hair was shorter making it harder to do.
"I've always enjoyed this forest. It makes me think about the old treehouse Nonya and I had back in Corona," Molly commented.
"That was great. Maybe we should see if Dorrie or Candice would see if King Erik will let us visit and try and find it to show our new family and friends."
"I doubt you girls need to go through Dorrie and Candice," Eileen pointed out.
Back in Ancient Accord
As the two talked Genevieve's noble palomino steed periodically whinnied as Leandra's dark bay pony would reply. Before long they reached a juncture. Genevieve noticed one fork lead further into the trees while the other was blocked by a large flash of light. Genevieve got off of her horse and attempted to look around the flash of light but found it difficult.
"So, what's next My Lady?" Leandra asked her.
"Our quest is very important, and I would rather not be distracted by it but whatever that thing is I feel we should investigate it. Let's see what happens if we try and ride through it." As she said this she was re-boarding her horse. Before long she was riding right through the light. Leandra shrugged but followed her.
Back in the Peppertree Forest
A portal suddenly opened up in front of those in the forest. Genevieve and Leandra rode out of it.
"Greetings travelers. Is this the road to Leaf?" Genevieve asked those gathered.
"I'm sorry but I'm not sure where Leaf is," Sofia replied. "You are currently in the Peppertree Forest in Enchancia." She then introduced the others in her group.
"I'm not familiar with Enchancia, is it part of the Accord?" Genevieve asked Sofia.
"We're not familiar with the Accord," Sofia replied.
"Forgive me but I'm Dima Genevieve and this is my page girl Leandra of the Knights of Accord. We were heading for the Elven Capital of Leaf for a possible audience with the queen Solan."
Genevieve then took a closer look at Molly and Nonya. She then returned to her horse's saddlebags and took from one spot a Dragon Staff. Once the staff was in hand she pointed it at Molly and Nonya.
"Don't worry girls I won't be hurting you but I sensed something not right about you."
"Nomen restituet" She said using the staff. A flash of light flowed out and went around the two girls.
"Molly, Nonya. Are you okay?" Eileen asked her daughters.
"I think so. I suddenly remember I used to be known as Catalina. I think it was my real name."
"I do as well but I remember my name being Kiera," Nonya added.
During all this the portal had disappeared.
"My Lady, it looks like we just lost our way back to where we started," Leandra noticed.
End of flashback, and back to the present.
Candice thought back to those events. Genevieve and Leandra, now stranded in Enchancia, were invited to stay at Enchancia Castle by King Roland. Over the past few months, Genevieve and Leandra had settled into life in Enchancia.
Roland's decision
After two hours had passed, everybody returned to the throne room.
"I have made a decision," Roland announced. "I will allow what Lucinda has suggested. However, there is something I want added."
"Name it," Lucinda agreed.
"Actually, what King Roland has in mind would be me," a witch in her forties said as she entered the throne room. The witch was Princess Fidelia, the daughter of Annora, the Witch Queen.
"Princess Fidelia," Sofia and Dorrie greeted happily.
"Sofia, Dorrie," Fidelia smiled as she hugged Sofia and Dorrie. "Look at the two of you. You've both grown up to be lovely young women."
"You know my daughter and Dorrie?" Roland asked, surprised.
"Yes," Fidelia smiled. "We had an adventure once, but that's a story for another time. Right now, I believe we have more pressing business."
"Indeed," Roland agreed. "I asked Princess Fidelia to assist you, Dorrie, and Abby, Lucinda. Having a witch of Fidelia's age and experience helping out would ease my mind greatly."
"A wise move, Dad," Lucinda agreed. "Dorrie, Abby, and I would be honored to work with a witch of Princess Fidelia's talents."
"There's one more thing I want," Roland announced as he motioned Genevieve to join them. "I want Dima Genevieve to be involved as well. We could use all the magical energy we can lay our hands on."
"I'll be more than happy to help, King Roland," Genevieve acknowledged.
Preparing for Ivy's arrival
Everybody walked up to the castle ballroom. In a few moments, Lucinda, Dorrie, and Fidelia gathered together and used their wands to draw a large pentagram on the ballroom floor to make it easier for Ivy to arrive. Sofia, Amber, Evonne, and Hikari then joined Lucinda, Dorrie, Abby, Genevieve, and Fidelia around the perimeter of the pentagram.
"Is it necessary to have Hikari take part in this?" Miranda asked, worried. "She's only a child."
"I need the combined power from Sofia, Amber, Lucinda, and Kari's amulets in order to bring Ivy here," Evonne pointed out.
"Queen Evonne," James said as he stepped forward. "My badge has the same magical qualities as my sisters amulets. I could take Hikari's place."
"That is a very kind offer, Prince James," Evonne smiled. "However, in order to bring Ivy here, I need feminine power."
"We could use our amulets," Abby whispered to Dorrie.
"It's not yet time to reveal we have amulets, Abby," Dorrie whispered back.
"What was that, Dorrie?" Miranda asked, curious.
"Abby and I were just talking about possible strategies to use if the worse happens, Queen Miranda," Dorrie answered.
"A wise decision," Miranda agreed.
"I promise, Queen Miranda, that Abby and I will protect Princess Hikari with everything we have," Dorrie reassured Miranda as Abby nodded her head in agreement
"Thank you, Dorrie, Abby," Miranda gratefully acknowledged.
Once everybody who needed to be around the perimeter of the pentagram was in place, Lucinda, Dorrie, Abby, and Fidelia used their wands to energize the pentagram, while Genevieve used her Dragon Staff to further energize the pentagram.
Bringing forth Princess Ivy
"Sofia, allow me to touch your amulet," Evonne requested.
"Agreed," Sofia relented.
As Evonne touched Sofia's amulet, she gazed deep into the amulet. "Ah!" Evonne remarked. "Your amulet sent Ivy to another deserted island." Evonne then looked up, and Sofia, Lucinda, Amber, and Hikari's amulets started glowing brightly.
"As Queen of Negterra, I summon my sister, Princess Ivy of Negterra," Evonne commanded. "Ivy, come forward. Your presence is requested."
In a few moments, a bright white light filled the pentagram. The bright white light then disappeared, and in its place was ... Princess Ivy who was holding a skunk.
"Ivy, Roma," Sofia addressed Ivy and the skunk. "I see you two are still together."
"Wait," Evonne started as she turned to face Sofia. "Ivy never had a skunk. But now she does. And you knew that. How?"
"A while after Ivy tried to take over Enchancia, my amulet magically transported me to where she was imprisoned," Sofia explained. "Animals here in Enchancia were stricken by a mysterious sickness, and the island Ivy was on had a flower which could help cure the sickness. Ivy even helped me ... after Roma fell ill from the same sickness."
"Ivy ... helped somebody?" Evonne asked, amazed.
"What do you want, Evonne?!" Ivy wanted to know in an annoyed tone of voice.
"I was hoping we could talk, Ivy," Evonne answered.
"Unless you're willing to let me be Queen of Negterra, we have nothing to talk about, sister dear!" Ivy sneered. Ivy then looked around the pentagram and noticed Amber. "Well, well, well," Ivy remarked, "I see you've grown up."
"I've grown up ... and I have the ability to protect myself," Amber pointed out as she brought out her wand.
"So, you have a wand! Big deal!" Ivy mocked.
"She's not the only one who has a wand," Lucinda pointed out as she, Dorrie, Abby, and Fidelia raised their wands, while Genevieve raised her staff.
"You four I don't know," Ivy said to Lucinda, Abby, Genevieve, and Fidelia. "You, on the other hand, I remember," Ivy said to Dorrie. "You're that witch maid who tried to stop some of my butterflies. If I hadn't been in a hurry to get to the Blazing Palisades, I would have sicked a dragonfly on you."
"Ivy! You're here to talk to me!" Evonne demanded.
"I don't recognize your authority!" Ivy barked at Evonne. "I'll be leaving now!"
"Not gonna happen!" Lucinda yelled.
"We'll see about that!" Ivy yelled back as she raised her hand, and produced a large dragonfly that started flying toward Lucinda. Lucinda quickly fired her wand, making the large dragonfly disappear.
Ivy raised her hand again and produced a half dozen large dragonflies. Sofia, Lucinda, Dorrie, Abby, Amber, and Fidelia quickly raised their wands, as Genevieve raised her staff. The seven then fired on the dragonflies, making them disappear.
"Well, that's not going to work!" Ivy exclaimed, annoyed. "But," Ivy started as she looked at Hikari, "what if I threaten this young princess?"
Dorrie and Abby concentrated, and in a few moments, their staffs appeared in their hands. Dorrie and Abby then stepped forward.
"If you attempt to harm Princess Hikari, we'll have something to say about it!" Dorrie barked.
"What are you going to do with those, girls?!" Ivy mocked as she looked at Dorrie and Abby's staffs. "I doubt if you two have what it takes to stop me!"
"Don't test us!" Dorrie cautioned.
"I think I'll take my chances" Ivy sneered as she approached Dorrie, Abby, and Hikari. Dorrie and Abby raised their staffs, and forcefully struck the staffs against the floor. As soon as the staffs struck the floor, they sent out a powerful shockwave which caused Ivy to fall.
"My God!" Fidelia said to herself with a mix of awe and shock."Could Dorrie and Abby at some point been trained by ... Nanny McPhee?"
"Yes," Dorrie acknowledged. "Candice was trained by Nanny McPhee as well."
"Where is Candice anyway?" Fidelia wanted to know.
"On a well-deserved vacation," Dorrie answered.
"Enough of this talk!" Ivy exclaimed. "I demand that all of you get out of my way!"
At that moment, Miss Nettle floated into the room.
"Ivy?" Nettle asked. "You're here? How?"
"Ivy's sister needs to talk to her," Sofia explained.
Ivy created another dragonfly and sent it flying toward Evonne as Nettle shot the dragonfly with her wand. "And here I thought you had changed," Nettle commented to Ivy.
"I had," Ivy admitted. "But, seeing Evonne has changed all of that. She took away my freedom!"
The heart of the matter
"Ivy, please," Evonne pleaded. "Just let me talk to you."
"Why?!" Ivy barked. "You never had time for me before!"
"What are you talking about, Ivy?!" Evonne exclaimed, taken off guard.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about!" Ivy shot back. "Even as children, you never had time for me! You were always so busy being taught to become queen!"
"I had responsibilities!" Evonne pointed out. "Do you think I wanted my time taken up like that?!"
"You could have made the time ... if you had wanted to!" Ivy exclaimed. "You had all the attention, and I was alone!"
"I never thought of it like that," Evonne sadly remarked. "What have I done?!"
"It's too late to play the emotion card!" Ivy barked. "From an early age, I learned that I could expect nothing! So I decided to bide my time, and eventually take power when the time was right. If I couldn't have the kingdom's love, at least I'd have its respect!"
"I am so, so sorry," Evonne sadly said, as tears formed in her eyes.
"Can it!" Ivy yelled. "It's too late to make amends!"
At that point, Hikari stepped forward and started walking toward Ivy.
"No, Hikari!" everybody yelled in concern.
"I know what I'm doing," Hikari said as she walked up to Ivy.
"What do you want?!" Ivy demanded to know.
"I know what it's like not to be loved," Hikari sadly remarked. "I know how lonely it can be."
"Yes, it can be lonely," Ivy softly said, with a tear forming in her eye.
"What you need is to be held and loved," Hikari offered. "Let me give that to you."
"I'm ... afraid," Ivy admitted.
"You need not be afraid of love," Hikari gently said. "Let me show you what a wonderful thing it is."
Hikari then gently hugged Ivy. Hikari's amulet then glowed brightly, surrounding Hikari and Ivy with a soft blue glow.
"Oh, my!" Amber exclaimed at the sight.
"Hikari's first gift is ..." Lucinda started.
"... the ability to transmit love and kindness," Sofia finished.
"This is really ... quite wonderful." Ivy smiled. Ivy then broke down and cried ... and cried ... and cried.
"Just let it out," Hikari gently said as Ivy sobbed.
In a few moments, Evonne walked over to Hikari and Ivy, and joined in the hug.
"Ivy ... I'm so sorry," Evonne cried.
"I'm the one who needs to apologize," Ivy gently said. "I tried to take over Negterra."
"Let's call it shared responsibility," Evonne suggested as Kari stepped back to allow the two sisters their time. Hikari's amulet then stopped glowing.
"I suppose it's time to be sent back to exile?" Ivy asked sadly.
"No," Evonne smiled. "You'll come home with me. We can both find a way to move forward."
"You'd ... do that?" Ivy asked, taken off guard.
"Yes I would," Evonne gently said. "There has been too many bad feelings between the two of us. It's time to replace those bad feelings with love and kindness".
"I'd like that" Ivy smiled with tears of happiness in her eyes.
"Thank you all for your help," Evonne smiled at everybody as she hugged Ivy. "Now it's time for my sister and me to return home. Ready, Ivy?"
"Ready" Ivy smiled. "Just one question - may Roma come with us?"
"Of course your friend may come with us," Evonne happily agreed.
Evonne raised her hands, and Sofia, Lucinda, Amber, and Hikari's amulets started glowing. A bright white light covered Evonne, Ivy, and Roma. In a few moments, the light, along with Evonne, Ivy, and Roma disappeared. At the same time, Sofia, Lucinda, Amber, and Hikari's amulets stopped glowing.
Everybody in the ballroom smiled in happiness, knowing that Evonne and Ivy were now on a new, happier path. Everything was right with the world.
That night
In the capital city of Cinnibar, inside Scarlett's palace, Scarlett stood with Colette.
"Are you going to be okay, Scarlett?" Colette asked, concerned.
"Don't worry, old friend," Scarlett said in a reassuring voice. "I'm only going to Enchancia Castle. The castle is safe from the illness for the moment."
"One thing puzzles me," Colette started. "We have a magical force field around Cinnibar. Nobody can leave or enter. How are you going to leave, or even get back?"
"I've taken care of that," Scarlett responded as a tall tan metal box appeared before them.
"Ah!" Colette exclaimed, suddenly realizing what was going on. "You've had Dorrie bring in her and Candice's Tardis, the one that belonged to the First Story Keeper."
"Yes," Scarlett smiled. "Their Tardis can travel through space and time, and can appear and disappear ... even through magical force fields."
At that moment, the door of the Tardis opened, and out stepped Dorrie.
"Scarlett, Aunt Colette," Dorrie greeted.
"Oh, Dorrie," Colette smiled as she hugged Dorrie. "It's so good to see you in person."
"Same here, Aunt Colette," Dorrie smiled back before turning to Scarlet. "Ready?"
"Ready, Dorrie," Scarlett acknowledged. "We've better get going."
Dorrie and Scarlett walked into the Tardis. The Tardis was, of course, bigger on the inside than the outside, thanks to Time Lord Transdimensional Engineering. Scarlett looked around the Tardis control room as Dorrie set some controls on the Tardis console. It was much like the control room of the Peter Capaldi Doctor, with the same kind of Tardis console, and two side panels. However, the walls of Dorrie and Candice's Tardis control room were slate blue, with circles on the walls reminiscent of Tardis control rooms seen in classic "Doctor Who". Also, the circles on the walls each emitted a soft white light, gently lighting up the control room.
"Coordinates set, Dorrie," a female voice called out.
"Who was that?" Scarlett asked, taken off guard.
"The Tardis," Dorrie smiled. "Candice and I discovered that the Tardis has a vocal processor, and we activated it."
"A pleasure to meet you, Queen Scarlett," the Tardis addressed Scarlett.
"And it's a pleasure to meet you ..." Scarlett started.
"I don't have a name as of yet," the Tardis explained. "I'm still going through a variety of possibilities. Dorrie, should we depart?"
"Yes, we should get going," Dorrie answered.
"Should I control the dematerialization, or do you want to do it?" the Tardis asked Dorrie.
"I'll do it," Dorrie responded.
"As you wish," the Tardis acknowledged as Dorrie pulled a lever on the Tardis console. The Tardis then dematerialized, and soon rematerialized in the Secret Library near Enchancia Castle. Dorrie and Scarlett then walked out of the Tardis.
"Princess Hikari is in her room," Dorrie informed Scarlett. "I'll wait here for you."
Scarlett clapped her hands and disappeared in a puff of red smoke.
In Hikari's room, Hikari heard a noise and she woke up to see Scarlett smiling as Scarlett leaned against the wall, the red smoke from her appearance dissipating around her.
"You must be nervous," Scarlett said, walking up to the young princess. "A strange woman with magic powers appears in a flash of light right in your room. Strange isn't it?"
"Hardly," Hikari sighed. "It's not the first time."
"... wow, you really get around," Scarlett deadpanned before straightening herself. "Princess Hikari, allow me to introduce myself. I am known by some as the Queen of Cinnibar."
"Cinnibar?" Hikari asked. "I've heard that name before. You work for the Scarlet Warrior?"
"Not exactly," the warrior queen smirked before leaning down to Hikari's level. "I am the Scarlett Warrior."
"Ma'am," Hikari acknowledged as she quickly rose from her bed and stood at attention.
"Relax, Princess," Scarlett said in a reassuring voice. "Call me Scarlett - all my friends do."
"Then Scarlett it is," Hikari happily agreed. "And please call me Hikari."
"Then Hikari it is," Scarlett smiled. "A pleasure to meet you."
"Why are you here, Scarlett?" Hikari inquired.
"I'm here to tell you what your amulet can do," Scarlett explained. "Let's sit down on your bed, and we'll get started."
An hour had passed, and Dorrie was sitting down in the Secret Library when Scarlett appeared in a puff of red smoke.
"Ah! Scarlett," Dorrie acknowledged. "I take it you had a pleasant visit with Princess Hikari?"
"Yes," Scarlett answered. "She's a fine girl who's quite worthy of the amulet she has. Shall we be going?"
"Right away, Scarlett," Dorrie smiled as she and Scarlett stepped into the Tardis. In a few moments, the Tardis disappeared from sight on its way to Cinnibar.
Elsewhere in Enchancia Castle, Lucinda was walking toward Miss Nettle's workshop. In a few minutes, Lucinda entered the workshop.
"Ah! Lucinda," Nettle smiled. "There you are."
"Your message sounded urgent," Lucinda said.
"Yes," Nettle acknowledged. "I think I've found the answer to our problems. But I wanted a second set of eyes to confirm what I think."
Nettle directed Lucinda over to a microscope. Lucinda looked into the microscope and smiled.
"You've found a cure!" Lucinda exclaimed in glee. "There's no sign of the illness in this sample."
"It was a joint effort," Nettle happily said. "Your suggestion to use Pargenan as an ingredient was absolutely spot on."
Nettle and Lucinda hugged each other in happiness. A cure for the illness going around the Ever Realm had been found.
(End of Chapter 5).
Behind the scenes (written by Brigade701)
First off Dima is a term I chose for a story I'm working on based on the "Vitruvian H.A.C.K.S." fantasy series. It's basically the equivalent of Dame which the British Empire uses to refer to a female knight (such as the famous author Dame Agatha Christie).
"Vitruvian H.A.C.K.S." is a customizable action figure system that was developed by Boss Fight Studio and had a very successful Kickstarter in the summer of 2014. The first series was based on Ancient Greece and dealt with a war between the Greek City-States and the Gorgon Horde.
The second series (which I used as the inspiration for the story I'm working on as well as my characters of Genevieve, Leandra, and Michelius) is based on fantasy. I'd give a full explanation except I'm still trying to work out the full canon that Boss Fight is working with.
Author's notes
Abby received her staff in Chapter 60 of my story "Once Upon a Time in Enchancia".
"Ah!" Colette exclaimed, suddenly realizing what was going on. "You've had Dorrie bring in her and Candice's Tardis, the one that belonged to the First Story Keeper" - for more about how Dorrie and Candice got a Tardis of their own, please see Chapter 20 of my story "Once Upon a Time in Enchancia".
Candice has had her staff ever since she was introduced in Chapter 20 of my story "Dorrie".
Catalina and Kiera are originally from "Tangled: The Series" (also known as "Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure"). Readers of my story "Once Upon a Time in Enchancia" will remember that Catalina (Red) and Kiera (Angry) showed up in Enchancia and are now living at Enchancia Castle. Readers of "Once Upon a Time in Enchancia" will note that here in "Ever Realm Chronicles", the two are now using their real names of Catalina and Kiera at the request of Brigade701.
Darsalk, Dragon Staff, Elven capital of Leaf, Kingdom of Accord, Knight of Accord, Prince Q'Al Varis, and Queen Solan are from "Vitruvian H.A.C.K.S."
Dorrie received her staff in Chapter 20 of my story "Once Upon a Time in Enchancia".
Eileen, Genevieve, Leandra, and Michelius are original characters created by Brigade701 and are used in this story with the permission of Brigade701.
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".
Nanny McPhee is an earlier version of the same character from "Nanny McPhee" and "Nanny McPhee Returns". Nanny McPhee training Dorrie, Candice, and Abby is mentioned in Chapter 60 of my story "Once Upon a Time in Enchancia".
Roma is originally from the "Sofia the First" episode "Ivy's True Colors".
"Sofia, Dorrie," Fidelia smiled as she hugged Sofia and Dorrie. "Look at the two of you. You've both grown up to be lovely young women." "You know my daughter and Dorrie?" Roland asked, surprised. "Yes," Fidelia smiled. "We had an adventure once, but that's a story for another time. Right now, I believe we have more pressing business" - Sofia and Dorrie's past adventure with Fidelia is a reference to events seen in Chapter 6 of my story "Dorrie".
Tardis and Time Lord are from "Doctor Who".
The ancient Elvin community of Rivendell is from "The Lord of the Rings".
The flashback scene with Genevieve and Leandra was written by Brigade701.
The Kingdom of Cinnibar is a kingdom created by Jake H Voronkov and is used in my stories with permission from Jake H Voronkov.
The Scarlett Warrior (A.K.A. Scarlett) (A.K.A. Queen Scarlett) (A.K.A. Queen Scarlett Katherine Felchenerow) is a character created by Jake H Voronkov and is used in my stories with permission from Jake H Voronkov. Meanwhile, the character of Colette (A.K.A. Lady Colette Cosmarune) is a character that I and Jake H Voronkov created and is based on Bayonetta from the video game "Bayonetta" (please note that Colette, and Madam Collette of Enchancia Castle, are two different characters who are not related in any way, shape, or form).
The scene with Hikari and Scarlett was written by Jake H Voronkov. I added in the scene with Dorrie and Candice's Tardis as a way for Scarlett to leave Cinnibar while the magical force field was up around Cinnibar.
Disclaimer
"Bayonetta" and everything associated with it © PlatinumGames, Sega, and Nintendo.
"Digimon: Digital Monsters" and everything associated with it © Akiyoshi Hongo, Bandai, and Toei Animation.
"Doctor Who" and everything associated with it © BBC.
Eileen, Genevieve, Leandra, Michelius, and the other original ideas from Brigade701 are the property of Brigade701 and are used in this story with the permission of Brigade701.
"Nanny McPhee" and everything associated with it © StudioCanal, Working Title Films, Three Strange Angels, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Nanny McPhee Productions, United International Pictures, Universal Pictures, and Mars Distribution.
"Nanny McPhee Returns" (A.K.A. "Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang") and everything associated with it © StudioCanal, Relativity Media, Working Title Films, Three Strange Angels, and Universal Pictures.
"Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure" and everything associated with it © Disney.
"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.
"Tangled: The Series" and everything associated with it © Disney.
"The Lord of the Rings" and everything associated with it © New Line Cinema, New Line Home Entertainment, Wingnut Films, The Saul Zaentz Company, and Tolkien Enterprises.
The Scarlett Warrior and the other original ideas from Jake H Voronkov are the property of Jake H Voronkov and are used in my stories with the permission of Jake H Voronkov.
"Vitruvian H.A.C.K.S." and everything associated with it © Boss Fight Studio.
I only own Abby Cosmarune-Murphy, Candice Cosmarune-Cooper, Dorrie Cosmarune-Cooper, Queen Evonne, the Kingdom of Negterra, Pargenan, and Princess Fidelia.
