CH.5: Amulet's true power

Jake and Cecil parted ways a little before entering the Kingdom itself. Jake hadn't even realized he had left the Kingdom till he was standing before two guards. Had anyone known of his absence or did anyone possibly care? Jake stared up at them and then then he thought he caught them smiling. Was it his imagination? Jake would've questioned them but the gate swung open and as he carried the bags in he saw a crowd immersed about on either side of him.

"Welcome back Jake!" A man yelled as he gave his hand a shake.

"Uh thank you…" Jake was a little taken back by this but soon loads of people, many of whom name called him were treating him like a hero.

This was all a little overwhelming and even up to the Castle itself he was beginning to question if something had slipped of his mission. Finding himself stopping at the armory he noted his sword waiting for him. Looking at the guard he could only see gratitude on his face.

"Your sword Jake…and thank you from the royal Armory. You can leave the bags here, they will be accounted for. The King wishes to see you in the royal chamber."

"Thanks…I'll go do that now…" Jake took his sword and cast a curious look behind him. The guard disappeared as he took the treasures back to where they belonged.

"It would seem you the people trust you now," Cedric observed as he examined his nails.

"Whoa…you scared me," Jake gripped his heart and let his sword arm drop.

"Trust me Jake…if I were to scare you…it would not be from simple parlor tricks. I take it Cecil told you my wish?" Cedric pushed off from the wall and beckoned him to follow.

"Cedric, I do appreciate all you have done for me…but taking the Amulet-." Jake stopped and found Cedric had stopped.

"I only want it for a day Jake, that is all, trust in me…as I have in you." Continuing to walk he wore a wicked smile, though it quickly disappeared as they appeared before the throne room doors.

"Sofia will not give it up freely," Jake rubbed his arm.

"Then simply borrow it, you can get it back to her in the morning. Look Jake…I helped you become the hero you wanted to be, to get the people's dislike of pirates taken care of…now…go do your part."

Jake was shoved inside and royal trumpets sounded his…stumble. Straightening up he proceeded down the carpet taking in all assembled. Sofia stood up at the front beaming a smile and even James, whom he had fought, seemed quite a good sport. Sofia's mother looked quite pretty and her father looked really…royal. Hard to say he was a fan considering the way he was treated, but, he would stifle such past judgment to show he was willing to move past the pain.

"Welcome back Jake…it does my heart great service to know that not all pirates are bad. You have recovered that which was lost and you also took care of those pesky thieves in the process. I have heard you have become proficient in magic, and I also hear it is all thanks to Cedric's teachings."

Actually it was Cecil, he wanted to say, but realized Cecil was a secret apprentice so he kept quiet on that front. "Yes, Cedric taught me all I knew."

"I had him sold as a weak Sorcerer, but I guess much like judging you I have found myself in error. All privileges banned from you have now been lifted, feel free to walk about as you please and you are now entitled to carry your pirate belongings. You are a hero Jake…and as such…you are allowed to date my daughter."

Applause rang out, though Jake found the applause mute. Cedric had made all this possible…what work did he do to deserve this? There was also the fact he was about to betray Sofia, an act he was not looking forward to. Once the applause had died down he held up a hand. "Thank you Majesty, your Grace, for this honor extended upon me, I will not let you regret it. The thing is…tomorrow I am leaving."

"What…is it because of the way we acted?" King Roland took a seat and held out his hands. "I apologize for our outright behavior, but, you understand it was because of-."

"I understand…but…I think it is time I return to my friends. You have all been so nice to me, and, I will never forget this. I really should prepare for my departure…" Jake didn't meet Sofia's eyes as he turned around and walked out.

"Jake…you aren't thinking of running out on our deal…are you?" Cedric placed his hands on his hips and as he looked down he saw Jake had already walked off.

"Once you get the amulet…then perhaps." Jake was standing against the wall using the camouflage spell.

"Yikes!" Cedric nearly jumped out of his skin as he saw Jake appear. "I see my secret apprentice taught you that spell well."

"I just had to do that…sorry. I will wait till she is asleep then get you the amulet, once in your possession…can you get me out of here?"

Cedric tapped his chin as he walked over to the rail. "Well…the coachman does owe me, consider it done. What are you going to tell Sofia?" Cedric knew the Princess would be heartbroken and it slightly pained him how this was happening.

"It is better we don't have any final words. I love Sofia…but…it is better we don't cross paths again, lest more pirate misadventures happen." Jake felt his heart grow heavy and he ran a hand along the rail.

"You have a good heart…for a pirate. I will be in my class waiting for the amulet…don't be a minute later then midnight." Cedric vanished and he felt the anticipation nearly swallow him.

Jake retired to his room and as the hours wore on him he looked around his room. His last day in Enchancia…and this was how he was spending it. Fate seemed cruel as he had fought so hard to be with Sofia…only now to have it taken from him. Yes he could've done things differently, settled things and still been a good pirate, but overall he settled his debts…even to crooked Sorcerer's like Cedric.

As the hour drew upon him he snuck along the halls, keeping to the shadows as the guards were replaced. Sofia's room was up ahead, his breathing minimal so as to not cause alarm. The moonlight shined down upon him as he stood there, his hand hesitant upon the door.

"Can you forgive me Sofia?" Jake swallowed nervously, his eyes strained as the approaching darkness of the room swallowed him whole as the door creaked open.

Sofia's room was quite big and some animals were sleeping around her. The Amulet was said to give her power to communicate with Animals, so, what could it possibly do for Cedric? Cedric had a raven, but, he couldn't imagine his wanting the amulet just to hold conversations like that, for an adult that was pretty silly. Stealthy as possible he led his boots forward…until at last he was at the foot of her bed.

Sofia looked so pretty, peaceful, who would've thought he'd be the one to act all codfish like? Jake sidled up to the side of the bed and as he placed his hands on the amulet he saw her stir. Panic set in and he stood there, unsure how to proceed.

"Mmm…Jake…" Sofia's face was lit up and her lips worked into a smile. She did turn over, though far as opening her eyes they remained closed.

Jake let out a breath and returned to removing the amulet. Once removed he left her behind, a sad smile on his face as he realized this was the last time he would see her; all this…and now he felt more alone then ever. The walk to the class was burdened with self conflict and before he knew it his fist was gently rapping on his door.

"Jake…come in." Cedric was seated at his desk going over some final details. Once he had obtained power he wanted it documented that Jake was behind all the power misuse. The boy was good, but, he did need to appear trusting among the citizens.

"Here is the amulet…now my departure," Jake held out the amulet.

"Yeah…change of plans," Cedric held out his hand and the amulet glowed bright purple as it flew into his open hand.

"We had a deal!" Jake growled as he moved towards him.

"Deals with kids…never in writing," Cedric smirked, "do you know why this is? Because it is then that grownups like myself can do this!" Cedric brought up the document and read from it. "The actions therefore mentioned are those of Jake and him alone, they go as:

Brainwashing my student to help him

Placing a spell on the people making him a hero

Stealing the sword from the armory

And yes…breaking the kingdom's trust

You see actions have consequences, and once the people see this and know of what you have done…you will be sentenced and never see Neverland again." Cedric laughed.

"And you call Pirates untrustworthy!" Jake gripped his sword as he realized too late things smelled rotten. Did Cecil know what an awful man he was?

"Jake, I promise you won't be executed for your actions, killing you would seem mighty cruel and unfair given your hero status proclaimed on you. I wish for people to see me as a great Sorcerer to realize I have more potential then people like the King believe. This is my step to that future!"

"I-I have to stop you!" Jake looked at his wooden sword and stashed it away. Pulling out the wand Cecil gave him he concentrated on the fire spell.

"Oh please…you aren't advanced enough to take me on!" Cedric fired off his own spell and their fire spells met in the middle. A clash of blinding light filled the room and both struggled as their wands shook.

"You are a villain…and I fell right into your hands…" Jake felt sweat claim his body as his clothes were being torn into.

"I am no villain…don't you see what this Kingdom has done to me? No one has fate in my abilities, they compare me to those before me, but they have yet to truly take a chance in me. I teach students…all for what? I will show them all…the real me…"

Jake grinded his teeth as his shirt was torn to shreds and was then thrown back from the explosion. Jarring his head on a desk he felt blood drizzle down his forehead and he groaned.

Cedric was thrown back as well and landed in a crouch with several books atop him. This boy was something else, any other student wouldn't have done this much, well asides from Cecil.

"Jake…have you seen my-?" Sofia rushed over and knelt before him. "Jake…what happened?"

"Sofia…I'm sorry…your amulet…" Jake struggled to reach for her face but faltered and coughed.

"Looking for this?" Cedric struggled up and couldn't believe his organization was ruined. Still he had the amulet and with its power emanating he placed it around his neck feeling brimming power surge into him.

"Jake…you did this?" Sofia felt her voice choke and her hand clutched at the spot her amulet had been before the betrayal.

"He helped me out…I didn't know…" Jake got to his feet and stood by her side. The room began to get darker and the flames were quelled.

"Cee-dric…what do you intend to do with my Amulet?" Sofia took a step forward but was thrown into Jake as Cedric held up a hand.

"That is Cedric…and I intend to show your Kingdom my true power…" Cedric placed his finger on the amulet and focused on his dream. In a flash of light though they vanished from Enchancia. Cedric was cackling loudly as he surged with power, so much power, it was this power he was quite sure would get him what he wanted. Of course noticing his surroundings, well, a slight detour and gaining troops would help him in the long run of his endeavors.

"Lower your weapon...nice and slowly!"

Cedric turned to see himself standing in the middle of a pirate ship. Several other pirate ships were also converging on the spot. Wearing a malicious smile he held up his wand and dark energy surged about. A dark vortex of tornado like activity swirled about and the pirates backed away. "You now work for me, and my first order of business...find me Captain Hook!"

TO BE CONTINUED

Authors note: Hope this wasn't too rushed for everyone, as this tale ends it is quite clear the final battle will be in Neverland. Cedric and Hook will be crossing paths and Enchancia may very well be their doorstep to a shared dream. Can Jake and Sofia mend their differences and keep their love intact? See you there as the next stories title is revealed here first:

Battle in Neverland:

Pirate Princess Returns