Once Upon a Time in Enchancia Chapter 55: New Things (Part One), a sofia the first fanfic

Once Upon a Time in Enchancia

Welcome to Chapter 55 of "Once Upon a Time in Enchancia". Song in this chapter: "Secret Love" from "Calamity Jane".

Chapter 55: New Things (Part One)

August 28, 1870

It was a Sunday afternoon at Enchancia Castle. Violet was in her office doing some straightening up when seventeen-year-old Sofia walked by.

"Good afternoon, Violet," Sofia smiled. "Need any help?"

"That's most kind, Princess," Violet smiled back. "But no. I was just finishing up. I was looking for something to do, with Dorrie and Candice being away today."

"You must be very proud of them, passing their VOLs," Sofia happily remarked.

"Indeed," Violet said proudly. "The Voyager Operating Level exams are the last hurdle one has to face before becoming a full Voyager."

"I hope I'm ready when I have to take them," Sofia thought out loud.

"You will be, Princess," Violet said in a reassuring voice. "Princess Amber passed her VOLs with flying colors. Dorrie and Candice passed their VOLs with flying colors. And you, Princess Lucinda, Princess Isabel, and Abby will all pass your VOLs with flying colors when it's time. Of that, I have no doubt."

"Thank you for your confidence in me," Sofia smiled.

"It's well earned, Princess Sofia," Violet smiled back.

"So, where are Dorrie and Candice today?" Sofia asked, curious.

"On a special mission for Voyager Command," Violet answered. "They are acting as guides to two new Voyager recruits from 1972."

At Voyager City

Dorrie and Candice were walking around Voyager City with the new Voyager recruits: 58-year-old Doctor Patrick Turner, and his wife, 45-year-old Shelagh Turner.

"Well, I have to admit, this city is all you said it would be ... and more," Shelagh observed, impressed.

"Indeed," Patrick added, equally impressed. "It's safe to say that Shelagh and I believe everything you've told us. Just one question. What exactly are Voyagers-in-Residence?"

"Well, Candice and I are just the people to answer that question," Dorrie began. "Voyagers-in-Residence live in specific time periods. Time passes normally for Voyagers-in-Residence, with new days and nights like for normal people."

"The way a Voyager-in-Residence would work would be, say, the person is assigned to 1860, the person would live there from 1860 until the end of their life," Candice added. "We'll say the person was 30 when assigned to 1860. We'll say the person lives until 90. In that case, the person would live until around 1920, having lived a normal life like everybody else throughout those years. Most have also made arrangements to be buried in the time they were assigned to."

"Of course, the two of you would be assigned to 1972, and live your lives from that point forward," Dorrie further explained. "You'd keep an eye open from day to day to see that the timeline in your time period was on track. If you found something wrong with the timeline, it would be your job to go back in time and correct the damage. And, if you needed help, Voyager Command would be available as a backup."

"It sounds like an awesome responsibility," Patrick said in awe.

"It is," Candice agreed.

"How exactly did Patrick and I get selected for this?" Shelagh wanted to know.

"Well, you're a doctor and a nurse," Dorrie said to Patrick and Shelagh. "The two of you have the pulse of the community as it were. You'd notice something out of place before most people would."

"That's a reasonable hypothesis," Patrick agreed. "However, why do I get the impression that there's something more?"

"Well, the truth is ... the two of you were recommended by one of our ranks," Candice revealed.

"Who?" Shelagh asked, curious.

"Well, we might as well just show you," Dorrie smiled as she waved a 25-year-old man over who had been standing out of sight. It was Patrick and Shelagh's son, Tim Turner.

"Tim?" Patrick and Shelagh asked, taken off guard.

"Dad, Mom," Tim smiled. "This has to be a surprise for you."

"Indeed, it is," Patrick agreed.

"How long have you been a Voyager?" Shelagh asked Tim, curious.

"About two years," Tim answered. "I'm a Voyager-in-Residence like you'll be. By the way, you should know a few of our friends are here."

Tim turned his attention to a nearby hallway and waved four women over - Trixie, Valarie, Lucille, and Phyllis.

"Oh, my!" Patrick said, taken off guard.

"This is where the four of you got to," Shelagh smiled.

"We've been waiting for you two to show up," Trixie smiled back.

"Welcome to our ranks," Phyllis happily added.

"Look at you," Shelagh said in amazement to Phyllis. "You're younger."

"Voyager medical science," Phyllis explained. "Made me younger. Turns out I'm not the only one we know that's experienced that."

At that moment, a woman in her early 40s walked up.

"Miss Higgins?" Patrick asked, amazed.

"You retired as our receptionist a few years ago," Shelagh added.

"Yes, I did," Miss Higgins confirmed. "At that time, I was made an offer I couldn't refuse - being an administrator here at Voyager Command."

"Specifically, Millicent here is the administrator of Voyager mission records," Trixie proudly spoke up about Miss Higgins.

"I even occasionally travel into the field to check out specific details," Miss Higgins admitted, before turning to Dorrie and Candice. "Fine work helping out Amadeo Giannini in 1904. Your actions put the timeline back on track."

"Well, we just put the idea into his head about creating a bank for everyday people," Dorrie admitted. "Everything else fell into place after that."

"Indeed," Miss Higgins approved. "He went on to establish the Bank of Italy, and then went on to be involved with the Bank of America."

"Dorrie and I should be letting the eight of you catch up with each other," Candice said to Patrick, Shelagh, Tim, Trixie, Valarie, Lucille, Phyllis, and Miss Higgins.

"Nonsense," Phyllis spoke up. "You and Dorrie stay. The two of you are like family."

Candice and Dorrie smiled at Phyllis' compliment.

Meanwhile, back in Enchancia

In the Peppertree Forest, seventeen-year-old Lucinda was enjoying the day with her rabbit, Hexie. The two found a nice spot by a stream and decided to sit down.

"Oh!" Hexie smiled, pleased. "This is the life."

"Indeed, it is," Lucinda smiled back.

Elsewhere in the forest, a small group was walking. Leading the group was Paythos, a Hurpent from the Kingdom of Serpathia. He had a Serpentine look but depending on his mood could walk on either two legs with human-looking feet and a short tail hanging down from his lower abdomen, or his tail could elongate and absorb into his legs as his arms would be absorbed into his upper body allowing him to slither and crawl like a snake. Today, Paythos was in his human-type form.

Paythos was traveling with Amara, a six-year-old human girl with dark tan almost brown skin, and her parents. Paythos was very protective of Amara. When Amara was a baby, Paythos slithered into the area near his nesting grounds where Amara and her parents were camping. Paythos intended to dine on Amara, only to find himself unable to bring himself to coil around her and crush her to death. Instead, Paythos assumed his human-type form and convinced Amara's parents to let him protect Amara.

"From what I've heard, there is a village nearby," Paythos announced. "Perhaps we could find lodging there, as well as work."

As Paythos, Amara, and Amara's parents walked through the forest, they soon came across the area where Lucinda and Hexie were. Lucinda looked up to see the group approach.

"Hello," Lucinda called out in greeting.

Paythos looked upon Hexie with hungry eyes but quickly suppressed the urge to eat Hexie. "Must control yourself," Paythos thought to himself. "We don't want an unfortunate incident."

Lucinda got a closer look at Paythos, and suddenly recognized him as a Hurpent. "Hexie! Behind me!" Lucinda ordered as she quickly brought out her wand and raised it toward Paythos. "You're a Hurpent! But what are you doing in Enchancia? Stay where you're at!"

"It's okay, ma'am," Amara's mother reassured Lucinda. "Paythos is a friendly Hurpent. He means you and your rabbit no harm."

"I'll be the judge of that!" Lucinda snapped. "My birth mother warned me about Hurpents!"

"Don't you hurt my friend!" Amara cried out as she raced in front of Paythos in a protective stance. "He's a good Hurpent!"

"I can assure you, young woman, that I mean you and your companion no harm," Paythos said to Lucinda in a reassuring tone. Paythos then saw a fish swimming in the nearby stream. Paythos quickly raced over to the stream, grabbed the fish, and quickly gulped it down. "That hit the spot! And better than me dining on your rabbit."

"Okay. You've convinced me ... somewhat," Lucinda said in a cautious tone. "What do you want here?"

"We're travelers," Paythos explained. "When we come across a community, we stop for a while and work for a living. I'm Paythos, this is Amara, and these are Amara's parents."

"A pleasure to meet you," Lucinda acknowledged, still cautious. "I'm Princess Lucinda of Enchancia, and this is Hexie."

"Ah!" Paythos smiled as he bowed. "Royalty."

Hexie carefully looked at Paythos from where she was hiding behind Lucinda.

"I assure you, my dear, that I have no intention of eating you," Paythos said to Hexie. "I stick to small wild animals, and fish, for my meals when traveling in the open. I make it a point not to eat domesticated animals such as yourself."

Hexie sniffed at Paythos from her place behind Lucinda, somewhat convinced.

"I take it then that the people of your kingdom know of my kind?" Paythos asked Lucinda, worried. "I wouldn't want to cause trouble."

"Well, since Serpathia is very far away from Enchancia, Serpathia isn't really brought up here," Lucinda explained. "I doubt that most people here would know what a Hurpent is. The only reason I know what you are is that I'm a midnight witch, and learning about the various creatures that roam the earth was part of my training."

"I see," Paythos said in understanding. "Then it's safe to assume we can travel to your village and not be a source of trouble?"

"The people of the village would probably view you as more of a curiosity," Lucinda informed Paythos. "But, it might be best if you and your companions come to Enchancia Castle first. The four of you could rest, and plans could be made to introduce you to the people."

"Yes, that would be a wise precaution," Paythos agreed. "If you'll lead the way, we'll follow."

That night

Inside Enchancia Castle, around the royal dining table, the royal family, along with Paythos, Amara, and Amara's parents were sitting. Also sitting at the table was Ronald Castaellis, the Mayor of the Enchancian Village of Wendarby. Mayor Castaellis was at the castle at the invitation of King Roland, and the two had been discussing the details of the Wendarby Institute which was under construction.

"I'd like to welcome our guests to our dining table," Roland said as he raised his drinking glass. "Mayor Cattaellis of Wendarby, Paythos of Serpathia, Miss Amara, and her parents."

"Thank you for having us, King Roland," Paythos nodded as he returned the drinking glass gesture.

"You are most welcome," Roland smiled as Dorrie and Candice, assigned to the royal table that night, started serving supper to those seated. "So, what brings you and your companions to Enchancia?"

"We're travelers, King Roland," Paythos answered. "My friends here don't have a home of their own, and I'm a different person than I was before. We travel around looking for work."

"I see," Roland acknowledged.

"To be honest, King Roland, in the past, like my fellow Hurpents, I would hunt for food," Paythos explained. "One day, I was out hunting, and I came across young Amara and her parents when they were camping near my nesting grounds. I could have gone after them, but when I saw young Amara, I changed my mind. I instead took them under my protection, and changed from that point forward."

"Paythos has been a good friend to us, King Roland," Amara's father spoke up.

"What are your plans?" Roland asked, curious.

"We'd like to eventually settle down, King Roland," Amara's mother answered. "We'd like to find a place where we'll be accepted, and earn our keep."

"I believe I may be able to help, Roland," Mayor Cattaellis said.

Paythos, Amara, and Amara's parents noticed Mayor Cattaellis' informal behavior toward King Roland. In a few moments, Roland noticed the looks on their faces.

"Mayor Cattaellis is my older brother," Roland explained.

"Yes," Mayor Castaellis confirmed. "Roland's father was married two times. My mother was a witch, and Roland's father's first wife. I inherited my powers from my mother. She died from an illness when I was seven. I later went to school at Hexley Hall, and when I graduated, I chose magic to be my profession. When I became Mayor of Wendarby, I took my mother's last name so I wouldn't be confused with the royal house of Enchancia."

"I was quite pleased when I recently found out Mayor Cattaellis was family," Lucinda smiled. "The two of us have been friends for a long time. Now I get to call him Uncle Ronald."

Everybody smiled at the touching scene.

"Getting back to what I propose," Mayor Cattaellis continued, "Paythos, Amara, and Amara's parents could come live in Wendarby."

"Forgive me if I'm wrong, Ronald, but isn't Wendarby strictly for witches and warlocks?" Queen Miranda asked.

"In the past, yes," Mayor Cattaellis confirmed. "But, we've not only opened ourselves to non-witch and warlock visitors, but we've also opened ourselves to non-witch and warlock residents. We want to create a new Wendarby where all are welcomed. We want Wendarby to be a shining example for all."

"Then, Mayor Cattaellis, we would be honored to take you up on your kind offer," Paythos gratefully said.

Later that night

In the castle sitting room, Lucinda and Paythos sat talking while Amara and her parents were asleep in guest quarters.

"So, tell me, Paythos," Lucinda started, "what exactly happened when you first met Amara and her parents?"

"When I first met them, I was going to crush and eat Amara but I was unable to," Paythos replied. "In Hurpent circles that would be a sign that Amara would someday become my mate."

"From what I understand humans and Hurpents can't mate. You would have to either become truly human or she would have to become a Hurpent," Lucinda pointed out.

"Yes, I would have had to eat her," Paythos admitted. "But, I couldn't bring myself to do so."

"So, you'll eventually have a relationship with Amara?" Lucinda wanted to know, curious.

"Not in a romantic way," Paythos revealed. "Considering our age difference that would just be wrong. I have feelings for Amara, but in a fatherly way. I would appreciate it, Princess, if we kept this conversation to ourselves. I wouldn't want Amara and her parents getting the wrong idea as it were. I enjoy their company, and I wouldn't want a misunderstanding to get in the way of that."

"I can understand that," Lucinda acknowledged as she looked at a clock in the sitting room. "It's getting late. We should be retiring for the night. If you'll follow me, I'll show you to your guest room."

After getting Paythos settled in, Lucinda walked to her bedroom and got ready for bed. As she climbed into bed, Lucinda soon fell asleep. As she slept, she had a strange dream - a dream about a life in an alternate universe where Lucinda was a child.

Dream sequence:

In the dream, Lucinda's birth mother was the queen of the witch territory which bordered Enchancia. Lucinda's birth mother had summoned Lucinda to the throne room of the witch castle.

"You sent for me, Mother?" Lucinda asked as she entered the throne room.

"Yes I did," Lucinda's birth mother responded. "When you told me a month ago about you becoming a good witch, it took me a little bit to accept that fact. I, however, eventually accepted the fact that you are now a good witch."

"Why do I sense a but here?" Lucinda asked, cautious.

"I never could keep anything from you, honey wart," Lucinda's birth mother smiled, before turning serious. "While I accept you being a good witch, other witches here in the witch territory have not."

"What?!" Lucinda exclaimed, shocked.

"I'm afraid they consider you an embarrassment," Lucinda's birth mother confessed. "I also have to tell you that I've heard rumors that some are actually planning to take action against you."

"Action?" Lucinda wanted to know. "What kind of action?"

"Some rumors say they want to hurt you," Lucinda's birth mother started. "Other rumors say they want to kill you."

"Oh no!" Lucinda cried out in shock.

"I'm afraid you're going to have to leave the witch territory ... for your safety," Lucinda's birth mother gently said.

"Where am I suppose to go?" Lucinda wanted to know.

"To Enchancia to live with the royal family," Lucinda's birth mother answered. "As you know, my mother was related to King Roland's first wife. I've made arrangements with King Roland for you to live with him and his family. They are good people, and you'll be well treated."

"I don't want to leave you, Mother," Lucinda cried.

"And I don't want you to leave," Lucinda's birth mother sadly acknowledged. "But, I want you to be safe."

Lucinda and her birth mother hugged for the longest time.

"We will see each other again," Lucinda's birth mother smiled. "I promise."

End of dream sequence, and back to the present.

Lucinda woke up for a moment, with the dream still in her head.

"Weird dream," Lucinda thought to herself.

The next morning

Lucinda woke up the next morning to discover Candice doing some light cleaning.

"Good morning, Lucinda," Candice smiled. "I didn't want to wake you, so I decided to do some cleaning. Have a good sleep?"

"I had an interesting dream," Lucinda responded. "It took place in some kind of alternate universe where my birth mother was the queen of the witch territory. I had turned good as I had here. However, in that universe, witches were upset that I turned good, and I had to leave the witch territory and live here for my own safety. Weird, huh?"

"Probably a side effect of occasionally traveling with The Doctor in the Tardis," Candice suggested. "When you're in the Tardis, you become connected to it to a degree. And, you get a piece of cosmic consciousness as a result."

"I've often sensed that," Lucinda admitted.

"Dorrie and I have had similar dreams as a result of the connection," Candice revealed. "There was the time I dreamed about an alternate universe life where I had forcefully booted out Maleficent and had become the new mistress of evil. Talk about a weird revelation."

"Whoa!" Lucinda said in shock.

"Luckily, it was only a dream about a life that may have been," Candice said in a reassuring voice. "I'm quite happy with my life the way it is. When I turned good, I turned good forever. I've never looked back."

Lucinda smiled at Candice's remark. Lucinda remembered when she had turned good, and she hadn't looked back either.

"Let's say we get you ready for the day?" Candice suggested to Lucinda.

Later that morning, Lucinda, Paythos, Amara, and Amara's parents were touring the castle grounds when they entered the royal zoo. Ginger the rabbit had died a few years back, but in her place was Ginger's daughter, Daphne.

"This is Daphne, one of the more talented animals here," Lucinda introduced Daphne to Paythos, Amara, and Amara's parents.

"I should say I'm the most talented animal here," Daphne said in a self-assured voice.

"This is Paythos, Amara, and Amara's parents," Lucinda introduced the three to Daphne.

"What is that horrible creature?!" Daphne said in disgust, looking at Paythos.

"How would you like a new home inside my stomach?" Paythos growled at Daphne.

Daphne hopped away in fright.

"Not that I would have done it," Paythos explained. "Sometimes, my anger gets the better of me."

"Understandable," Lucinda acknowledged. "Daphne can be a bit stuck up at times. She gets it from her mother. I apologize for any insult she threw your way."

"Apology accepted, Princess Lucinda," Paythos responded. "Perhaps we could continue with our tour?"

Later on that morning, in the kitchen of Enchancia Castle, Chef Andre was looking curiously at an older chicken when Candice walked in.

"When I bought this chicken, I was told she was a good egg layer," Chef Andre started. "You'd have a hard time proving that to me. She hasn't laid egg one."

"Let me see," Candice volunteered as she studied the chicken. As Candice carefully looked at the chicken, the chicken's eyes started glowing green. Candice quickly brought out her wand.

"What is it, Candice?" Chef Andre asked, puzzled.

"I've only heard of this," Candice started, "but I've never actually seen it until now. This chicken is an animal spy."

"What?!" Chef Andre asked in shock.

"The way I understand it, a magical enemy would use such an animal to spy on those of interest," Candice explained. "But who would want to spy on us? Wait a minute! There are new bad guys around here - the Witch Revolutionary Front!"

At that moment, the chicken started growling at Candice, and at the same time started lunging at Candice. As Candice started raising her wand to defend herself, Paythos rushed into the kitchen, grabbed the chicken, and forcefully dragged it out into the hall. A few moments later, a loud cry from the chicken was heard, then silence. A few moments later, Paythos walked back into the kitchen, but the chicken was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's the chicken?" Candice wanted to know.

"I'm afraid I had to eat it," Paythos confessed. "There didn't seem to be any other way to handle the situation. The chicken was definitely becoming a danger to everybody here."

King Roland and Mayor Cattaellis, who had witnessed the scene, walked into the kitchen.

"A job well done, Paythos," King Roland praised.

"Indeed," Mayor Cattaellis agreed. "When you, me, Amara, and Amara's parents reach Wendarby, would you be interested in a security position with the village? You have unique skills that could prove quite useful."

"Oh, my!" Paythos exclaimed in awe. "I've never considered security as a job."

"It seems to me you would be quite good at it," King Roland observed.

"What do you say, Paythos?" Mayor Cattaellis wanted to know.

"I accept!" Paythos responded, pleased.

"Excellent," Mayor Cattaellis smiled. "I'll make the arrangements when we reach Wendarby."

Meanwhile, in a forest far away from Enchancia, Queen Scarlett's royal sorceress (Hematite) was battling a member of the Witch Revolutionary Front.

"Bronwyn!" Hematite yelled. "There's no place for you to go. You might as well give up!"

"Oh, I'm having too much fun," Bronwyn, a white-skinned witch with dark hair, laughed.

Hematite and Bronwyn, both hiding behind trees, fired blast after blast at each other with their wands. At one point, Bronwyn hurried to another tree as Hematite fired a tight beam of magic at Bronwyn, hitting Bronwyn in the shoulder. Bronwyn gasped in pain.

"It's over, Bronwyn!" Hematite yelled as she approached with her wand drawn. "Surrender!"

"Very well," Bronwyn sighed in disgust.

"Bronwyn," Hematite started. "For killing four families that refused to join the Witch Revolutionary Front, I hereby sentence you to death."

"Whatever," Bronwyn yawned, unimpressed.

Hematite raised her wand, pointed it at Bronwyn, and said "Avada Kedavra" as the green killing blast hit Bronwyn ... and did nothing to Bronwyn.

"How is this possible?" Hematite asked in shock.

"Did you think your precious Princess Faith was the only one with access to a Resurrection Gauntlet?" Bronwyn mocked. "I had myself killed, then brought back to life with a Resurrection Gauntlet, making me immortal in the process."

Hematite couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Well, the Witch Revolutionary Front couldn't have an enforcer who could be easily killed," Bronwyn explained with an evil grin. "And the opportunity to live forever was just too inviting to pass up."

"How did you get your hands on a Resurrection Gauntlet?!" Hematite demanded to know.

"You don't expect me to reveal everything, do you?" Bronwyn laughed as she started to walk away. "We will meet again, I'm sure of that."

"Don't you move!" Hematite ordered.

"Or you'll what? Shoot me?" Bronwyn asked. "You've seen that shooting me will have very little effect. Well, it's time for me to be going. See you out there, Hematite of Cinnibar."

As Bronwyn walked away, Hematite stood there in complete anger, knowing there was nothing she could do to stop Bronwyn.

"BRONWYN!" Hematite yelled in anger at the top of her lungs into the forest as Bronwyn walked away chuckling in victory.

September 8, 1870

It was a Thursday morning in Enchancia, and the new school year had started a day earlier. At Enchancia Castle, Candice was in her room reading the weekly castle newsletter when Dorrie walked in.

"Anything interesting?" Dorrie asked.

"Yes," Candice smiled. "A note about Paythos, Amara, and Amara's parents. They are setting in nicely in Wendarby."

"Excellent," Dorrie smiled back, pleased.

"Girls?" Violet asked as she came in. "Ready for school?"

"Yes, Mom," Dorrie and Candice happily answered.

"Good," Violet smiled as she hugged her daughters.

In the Kingdom of Cinnibar, at Scarlett's palace, the scene was less joyful.

"Are you sure this is what you want, Hematite?" Scarlett asked as she stood in a room with Faith leaning against the wall.

"I'm sure," Hematite confirmed. "I have no loved ones waiting for me in the afterlife. And while House Blackstone may be confused at first, they'll understand. You guys are the biggest family I've got."

"You understand that once the deed is done, there's no going back," Scarlett warned, cracking her knuckles in preparation. "You'll be immortal."

"I am aware of the consequences, Your Majesty. And I don't care," Hematite acknowledged. "Bronwyn and I have been enemies for years. And now she's immortal. As you've often said, the only way to defeat an immortal is to be an immortal."

"Then let's do it," Faith said as Scarlett opened her hand to show it glowing green.

"Avada Kedavra," Scarlett muttered as she blasted a green blast from her hand that hit Hematite in the chest and sent her to the ground, dead. She turned her head to her daughter who nodded back. "Do your thing."

"At once," Faith said as she slipped the Resurrection Gauntlet on her hand and walked over to where Hematite was laying. Faith then laid the Resurrection Gauntlet on Hematite's chest and concentrated. Energy surged through Hematite's body. In a few moments, Hematite sat up with a start. "It's done," Faith announced.

"Let's get you up, my friend," Scarlett smiled as she helped Hematite to her feet. "How are you feeling?"

"... different," Hematite admitted.

"It will start becoming normal after a time," Faith advised. "If you can ever call being immortal normal."

"Let's have some breakfast, shall we?" Scarlett suggested. "Faith and I can explain what to expect from this point forward. Colette will be there as well since she's gone through what you just went through."

Later that morning, at Royal Prep, students were gathered in Miss Elodie's English literature class waiting for class to begin. The students were standing in small groups talking to each other. In one group, there was seventeen-year-old Jade, seventeen-year-old Dorrie, seventeen-year-old Candice, a seventeen-year-old Indian girl with dark brown long hair, and a seventeen-year-old Indian boy with black hair. The boy was Prince Neel of Jalpur, and the girl was Mira, the Royal Detective of Jalpur. Neel and Mira had been going to Royal Prep for a few years. Since Neel was royalty, he automatically qualified to be in Royal Prep. And while Mira was the Royal Detective of Jalpur, she was a commoner. Queen Shanti of Jalpur had pulled strings, and had managed to get Mira accepted into Royal Prep to give Mira a better education than she would have otherwise received.

"So, has anybody seen Sofia?" Mira asked, curious.

"She'll be along shortly," Jade smiled. "She's in Royal Law this year, and the class doesn't get out almost until the last minute."

At that moment, Dorrie saw seventeen-year-old Sofia enter the classroom. "Here's Sofia now," Dorrie announced.

"Sofia!" Mikku and Chikku, Mira's mongoose friends, cried out in delight as they raced over to Sofia.

"Hi, guys!" Sofia smiled as she petted Mikku and Chikku. "By the way, I brought a little snack for the two of you from breakfast - cookies."

"Food, food, food," Mikku and Chikku said in excitement as they took the cookies from Sofia.

"Mikku and Chikku love their treats," Candice happily noticed.

"They do," Mira acknowledged with a smile.

At that moment, Miss Elodie walked in.

"If everybody will take their seats, we'll get class started in a few moments," Miss Elodie announced as Faith raced in.

"Sorry, Miss Elodie," Faith apologized. "I'm just getting in. There were affairs of state to handle in Cinnibar this morning."

"No harm done," Miss Elodie smiled. "Please have a seat."

"Yes, Miss Elodie," Faith acknowledged.

"Let me see, now," Miss Elodie began. "I recognize most of you from previous classes of mine. I do, however, see two students I haven't had the privilege of having in any of my classes so far. It is an honor to meet you, Prince Neel."

"The honor is mine, Miss Elodie," Neel acknowledged as he got up, bowed, then sat down again.

"And it is an honor to meet you Mira, Royal Detective of Jalpur," Miss Elodie continued as Mira got up, nodded, then sat back down. "And who are your charming companions?"

"These are Mikku and Chikku, my mongoose friends," Mira happily announced. "I hope it's okay that I have them with me? We stick together, the three of us."

"I love animals of all kinds," Miss Elodie smiled. "Mikku and Chikku are most welcome here."

Mikku and Chikku high fived each other as Miss Elodie started class.

Later that morning, in the park located between Hexley Hall and Royal Prep, eleven-year-old Samantha "Sam" Cook was setting up a picnic table for her and ten-year-old Timothy O'Toole. Timothy was still going to Hexley Hall Monday through Thursday, then going to Royal Prep on Fridays. As Sam waited for Timothy to arrive, she started singing.

"Once I had a secret love. That lived within the heart of me. All too soon my secret love. Became impatient to be free."

"So I told a friendly star. The way that dreamers often do. Just how wonderful you are. And why I'm so in love with you."

"Now I shout it from the highest hills. Even told the golden daffodils. At last, my heart's an open door. And my secret love's no secret anymore."

As Sam stopped singing, she heard clapping coming from behind her. Sam turned around to see Timothy standing there with Sir Maxwell.

"My dear," Sir Maxwell smiled. "Timothy never told me what a beautiful voice you have."

"Probably because I've never sung around anybody before," Sam smiled back. "I thought I was alone just now."

"It's true," Timothy confirmed. "This is the first time I've heard her sing."

"Well, I think your singing is wonderful," Sir Maxwell complimented Sam. "I was going to discuss tomorrow's choir practice at Royal Prep with Timothy. Now, I have two things to do here. Talk to Timothy, and to get you to come to Royal Prep's choir practice tomorrow."

"But, sir," Sam started, "I don't go to school at Royal Prep."

"Not to worry," Sir Maxwell said in a reassuring voice. "I can pull strings, and have you brought into the Royal Prep choir as a guest from Hexley Hall. Royal Prep and Hexley Hall already have students attending some classes at both schools. You being in the Royal Prep choir would just be another example of that."

"We could be in the choir together," Timothy urged Sam.

"What do you say, my dear?" Sir Maxwell asked, hopeful.

"I say yes!" Sam gleefully responded.

(To be continued in Chapter 56).

Behind the scenes

Hello. As this is being written, we are still dealing with the Coronavirus. I continue to be well, and I hope that you and yours are well. I thought it would be nice if we took a little break from what is going on in the world. Dorrie and Candice have told me of a summer dessert that is popular at Enchancia Castle. I thought I would share the recipe here.

Raspberry Icebox Cake.

You will need:

* 24 graham crackers, crushed.
* ⅓ cup butter.
* ¼ cup packed brown sugar.
* 1 (6 ounce) package raspberry flavored Jell-O mix.
* 1 cup boiling water.
* 15 ounces frozen raspberries.
* 20 large marshmallows.
* ⅓ cup milk.
* 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped.

What to do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Mix graham cracker wafer crumbs, butter and brown sugar until well combined. Set aside 1/4 cup of this mixture for a topping and press the remainder into one 9x13 inch pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Dissolve raspberry gelatin in the boiling water and add the frozen raspberries, stirring until melted. Chill until partially set and spread on wafer base.

Melt marshmallows with the milk. When cool, fold in whipped cream and spread on top of raspberry mixture. Sprinkle with remaining crumbs. Chill for 3-4 hours before serving.

Author's notes

About Mayor Cattaellis being King Roland's older brother, readers of my alternate universe story "Sofia and Lucinda the First" will remember that in Chapter 6, it was revealed that in that universe Mayor Cattaellis was Roland's older brother from a previous marriage. I decided that now was a good time to have this happen in the "Once Upon a Time in Enchancia" universe as well.

Amadeo Giannini founded the Bank of Italy in San Francisco on October 17th of 1904. The bank was housed in a converted saloon as an institution for the "little fellow". It was a new bank for the hardworking immigrants other banks would not serve. In the wake of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, the Bank of Italy was one of the few banks to survive the damage, and quickly made loans and carried out other banking activities which helped the city to recover. Later, when Giannini became involved with the Bank of America, he helped nurture the motion picture and wine industries in California. Among his accomplishments, he loaned Walt Disney the funds to produce Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first full-length animated motion picture to be made in the United States.

Amara, Amara's mother and father, and Paythos are characters created by Brigade701 and are used in this story with the permission of Brigade701.

Avada Kedavra is originally from "Harry Potter".

Bringing Mira into "Once Upon a Time in Enchancia" was the idea of STR2D3PO (I brought in Mikku, Chikku, and Prince Neel to round things out. Neel's older brother, Prince Veer, would have graduated Royal Prep a few years earlier).

Chikku, Mira, Mikku, Prince Neel, and Queen Shanthi are from "Mira, Royal Detective".

Explaining what a Voyager-in-Residence is was based on a conversation between myself and Jolly Roger Brat.

Ginger the rabbit was originally from the "Sofia the First" episode "Blue Ribbon Bunny".

Hematite, Samantha "Sam" Cook, and Timothy O'Toole are characters created by MisuteriTenshi / SailorWednesdayMercury and are used in this story with the permission of MisuteriTenshi / SailorWednesdayMercury.

Hexie is originally from the "Sofia the First" book "A Magical Match" (Disney Press, published December of 2014, ISBN 978-1-4847-2165-0).

Lucille, Miss Higgins, Patrick, Phyllis, Shelagh, Tim, Trixie, and Valarie are slightly older versions of the same characters from "Call the Midwife".

Lucinda's dream sequence was inspired by a suggestion by 6ekearl who wanted to see a prequel to my story "Four Princesses and a Baby".

Princess Faith (Queen Scarlett's adopted daughter) is an earlier version of Faith seen in the "Torchwood" episodes "Dead Man Walking" and "Fragments".

Princess Isabel is from "Elena of Avalor".

Resurrection Gauntlet is originally from "Torchwood".

The Doctor and the Tardis are from "Doctor Who".

The introduction of Paythos, Amara, and Amara's parents was the idea of Brigade701. I threw in Lucinda, Hexie, Mayor Cattaellis, and Wendarby to round things out.

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 Kingdom of Jalpur is from "Mira, Royal Detective".

The Kingdom of Serpathia is a kingdom created by Brigade701 and is used here with permission from Brigade701.

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 Bronwyn and Hematite was based on an idea by Jake H Voronkov (who also supplied much of the dialog for the later scene featuring Hematite, Scarlett, and Faith).

The scene with Hematite, Scarlett, and Faith was the idea of Jake H Voronkov (who also provided much of the dialog for that scene).

The scene with Lucinda and Paythos in the castle sitting room was the idea of Brigade701 (who also supplied some of the dialog for the scene).

The scene with Sam singing was the idea of MisuteriTenshi / SailorWednesdayMercury (who also came up with the idea of Sam singing "Secret Love").

The scenes with Paythos in the royal zoo and in the Enchancia Castle kitchen were based on ideas by Brigade701.

Voyager is from the "Voyagers!" TV series.

Disclaimer

Amara, Amara's mother and father, Paythos, 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.

Hematite, Samantha "Sam" Cook, Timothy O'Toole and the other original ideas from MisuteriTenshi / SailorWednesdayMercury are the property of MisuteriTenshi / SailorWednesdayMercury and are used in this story with the permission of MisuteriTenshi / SailorWednesdayMercury.

"Mira, Royal Detective" and everything associated with it © Wild Canary Animation, Technicolor Animation Productions, and Disney-ABC Domestic Television.

"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 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.

"Voyagers!" and everything associated with it © James D. Parriot Productions, Universal Television (MCA), and Scholastic Productions.

I only own Abby Cosmarune-Murphy, Bronwyn, Candice Cosmarune-Cooper, Daphne, Dorrie Cosmarune-Cooper, Mayor Ronald Castaellis, the Village of Wendarby, the Wendarby Institute, and the Witch Revolutionary Front.