All Aboard

Summary: Chrysta sends Sofia on an Undercover Protector Mission to investigate strange magical occurrences at a boarding school, and her mentor and siblings get pulled along for the ride.

Disclaimer: I only own the characters featured at the boarding school.

A/N: Heads up—this final chapter is a bit lengthy. Lol. Keep up with me, because there will be a lot of different info in this chapter before the resolution. Also, I've developed one final, simple, meaningful story before the series finale next week. It will be called "Enjoy the Journey," and like the first story I ever wrote for this fandom, it will be between Cedric and Sofia. 😊 The story title is based on a song my friend wrote several years ago, and I will release the actual story next week (Friday, September 7). Hope you enjoy!

PS: Special thanks to Creepy-Pasta for helping me make sure this chapter flowed well. I have had the worst time writing this chapter for some reason, and having a fresh set of eyes to preview it really helped. Haha! 😊

Chapter List:

1: Protective Instincts

2: Intervention

3: Parental Agreement

4: Boarding Abroad

5: Magic Words

6: Claire Lois XIV

7: Hidden in Plain Sight

8: Down with the Dame

9: Safe and Sound

*Story*

Chapter 9: Safe and Sound

A sense of uncertainty washed over the quartet as they marched toward the headmistress's office. The whole scenario was daunting, to say the least. What if Lacroix was responsible for the occurrences at the school, and for Cedric's weakened state? What if her kind demeanor when she first met the kids was all a façade, and she had been the mastermind all along?

There were too many 'What Ifs' for their liking, so rather than ponder the theories any longer, they made the bold decision to determine for themselves what was really going on.

Sofia reached out toward the door of the headmistress's office and turned the knob, surprised to find it unlocked. However, she didn't let this minor detail deter her from following through with her goal. She shoved the door open and glared inside, expecting to see a startled look on the red-haired woman's face. What she found instead made her pause.

Lady Lacroix was tied to her own desk chair, magical bindings around her arms and legs, and what appeared to be a spell to keep her lips sealed.

"Lady Lacroix?" Amber gasped in surprise.

James blinked. "Well… I guess she's not the 'bad guy' after all."

Sofia dropped into a defensive stance as she glared at a dark energy that appeared next to the woman. Another woman stood next to the redhead, and while they favored a bit, this woman had plenty more differences. Her jet-black hair was twisted into a somewhat hasty updo. She wore a shiny teal top with a rather oversized bow hanging down to her stomach. A fitted black skirt hovered above her knees, which were met with black buckled boots. Her lips were a crimson shade, just barely matching the charismatic eye makeup that emphasized her piercing green eyes.

"Who are you?" Cedric demanded, his adrenaline preventing him from growing any weaker at the moment.

"I figured a group as intelligent as you four fancy yourselves to be would have figured that out by now," the woman chided in a teasing voice, her French accent similar to Lady Lacroix's. "I am known as Dame LaCrolais." She sneered as the group before her gasped in realization. "And you? You're interfering with my mission." She held one hand out toward them, preparing to strike.

"Wait!" the blonde princess ordered, frowning as the woman actually did as she was told. "Why is the headmistress tied up? Did she have anything to do with this?"

"Her?" After casting a quick glance to the other woman, the dame laughed hysterically. "Of course not! My sister is as kindhearted and sappy-minded as they come."

"Sister?!" they all echoed.

"It's not obvious?" She grinned and gestured between their glaringly similar features. "Of course, she took after our father with that wretched red hair. Anyway, with my sister working here, I decided to impersonate her on more than one occasion to get what I want." She chuckled. "I've managed not only to install my own 'staff' on the premises, but also drain these little brats of all their energy and magic."

"Why would you do that?" Cedric asked in disgust. "They're children!"

"Who don't know the full capability of magic," she finished for him, grinning. "I might as well make use of it since they won't." She curled a few fingers around her chin as she pondered. "By the way, as for you four, it was painfully obvious that you were undercover here. Maybe next time, send someone who actually knows how to blend in?"

Sofia frowned. "I knew we made too many scenes…"

"Not only that," Dame LaCrolais added. "What sort of students transfer to a new school so late in the year—especially four unrelated kids all at once?" She smirked. "Then it dawned on me. Must be a challenge."

"Give everyone back their magic and energy," Sofia ordered before gesturing toward Cedric, "including my friend."

"Aww, a demand? That's cute." Dame LaCrolais cackled as she held out her hands toward the kids, her own energy beginning to charge and her powers warming up. "Afraid I can't though. So sorry. Any other last words before I destroy you all?"

"Yes," Cedric murmured before he shakily held his family wand out toward the woman, pointing it directly at her. "You're going down, you wretched woman!"

Dame LaCrolais cackled as she easily blasted Cedric in response, watching mirthfully as he collapsed onto the floor, his wand clattering next to him.

"Cedric!" "Mr. Cedric!"

Sofia dropped next to the sorcerer's side.

"That was cute, kid," Dame LaCrolais teased with a smirk. "But you are no match for LaCrolais!"

"Are you all right?" Sofia asked worriedly as she helped her mentor sit up.

"No," he groaned, wincing, before looking toward her seriously. "Sofia, you must use her own curses against her."

"I don't know the—"

He frowned. "A counter curse will free both myself and the other students she's hurt from the magical hold." With a bit of difficulty, he reached into his pocket and passed her a folded piece of parchment. Before either could react, he instantly passed out, though Sofia shielded him from hitting the floor.

"Mr. Cedric," she whispered in fear, checking to make sure he was still breathing. When she was satisfied that he was, she briefly glanced toward his apparent note before glaring up at the woman. Livid that someone would attack her friend, she instantly jumped to her feet, preparing her Enchantlet to attack.

The dame smirked at her motion. "Well, well, finally a challenge! Tell me, what did your little friend show you? A secret recipe for destroying little old me?"

"You'd better start talking right now," the princess ordered as her siblings watched from a safe distance. "Why would you do something like that to him? To the rest of the kids at this boarding school? And why would you do this to your own sister?" She gestured toward the headmistress, who seemed dazed. "How can you be so awful?"

"Well, I tell you, it's a practice I've perfected for years," Dame LaCrolais laughed, powering up again. "But since I'm about to destroy you anyway, I suppose I could let you in on my little secret." She sneered. "Children's magic is far more potent than adults' magic, and I've been harvesting it for myself for quite some time. The curses I've enacted or had my staff enact have worked wonders for me the last several years, and as it turns out…" She chuckled darkly as she glanced down at the passed-out sorcerer. "…They even indirectly affected your friend there, though I hear he never recited the curses. To be quite honest, I was thrilled to hear that!"

Sofia growled, growing even angrier. She fisted her hands together and prepared to strike.

"Sofia!" Amber called out, trying to rationalize with the heated girl. "I know you're angry, but think this through." Seeing she had her sister's attention, she continued, "If you do something stupid, you'll risk losing against her, and nothing will be fixed, especially Cedric…"

The younger girl looked down again, her gaze softening as her eyes fell upon the still face of her mentor. "Mr. Cedric…"

"Don't you hate it when the outsiders try to interfere?" the dame scoffed as she turned her gaze toward the blondes. "I suppose we could fix that right now."

James scowled and stood in front of his sister, blocking her. "You leave us alone, you magic-stealing creep!"

Amber smiled briefly at her brother trying to protect her. Turns out his knightly instincts came through after all…

Sofia glanced at the crumpled parchment Cedric had given her before kneeling down and quickly grabbing his family wand from the floor beside him. Smirking, she stood up and aimed it at Dame LaCrolais, causing her to laugh raucously.

"Oh, this is great!" she cackled. "First the little pipsqueak, thinking he's going to protect Miss Powderpuff over there, and now you, acting like you know what you're doing." She smirked. "I know a real sorcerer's wand when I see one, and I know very well that you're nowhere near strong enough to use that thing on your own."

"We'll see about that," the girl murmured. She ran up to her and brushed the bow aside, revealing the cameo she wore. Before the dame could react, Sofia held the wand to the cameo and began to utter the counter curse, glancing at the parchment to help.

Octbaeoct gil baeoct (Reverse the curse)

Octbae gil nostzin (Reverse the claim)

Baetiko gil tiko (Untie the bonds)

Octgilzin gil zin (Destroy the hold)

Octoct gil zin (Reset the norm)

Tiko gil nostzin (Yield the storm)

Nostmin celd gilshlawceld octbae (Magic and strength return)

Dame LaCrolais hissed angrily, shoving Sofia to the ground as the counter curse ripped the magic and energy she'd gained over the last several years from the cameo and her very body, leaving her somewhat haggard. By the time the counter curse was finished, the cameo erupted into a bright light, flooding the room with its blinding flash.

Once the kids opened their eyes again, the dame was gone.

"Is it over?" Amber asked in surprise as James hurried over and untied the headmistress. "We won?"

Sofia smiled tiredly as she moved over to Cedric, who was beginning to stir. "We won."

"I can't thank you children enough," the red-haired woman declared with a relieved smile as James released her. "I am terribly sorry for what you went through. Had I known of the extent of this, I would have done something sooner."

"How could you not know though?" Amber asked pointedly. "Most of the kids in this school were half-awake at best and mindless shells at worst. That one professor in the class under the school was responsible for the curse that drained most of the kids from magic, even affecting our royal sorcerer."

Sofia smiled as Cedric opened his eyes, gazing at her curiously.

Lady Lacroix shook her head. "My sister has been impersonating as me for some time, using my guise to do so many awful things. She even had me trapped in another dimension a majority of the time, so I couldn't have done much to stop her." She sighed, lowering her head. "I wish I could take back what has been done, but thankfully, because of all of you, things can start to return to normal." She looked toward Sofia, who hadn't taken her gaze from Cedric yet. "What happened to my sister though?"

Sofia finally blinked and glanced toward the woman, pausing. "Um…" She sighed. "I think the counter curse destroyed her cameo, but I'm not sure what happened to her." She looked toward the woman apologetically. "…The cameo may not have been the only thing destroyed…"

"I see..." She nodded before walking to her desk and withdrawing a long mahogany wand. Then, she stepped back over to James and grabbed him by the arms, pointing the wand at his neck as he yelped.

The girls gasped as Cedric finally reacted, gaping at the woman in surprise.

"Lady Lacroix, what are you doing?!" Amber asked in shock as she rushed over, trying to reach her brother. She was only stopped when Sofia jumped up, blocking her from moving any closer.

"You brats think you can waltz in here and just destroy my sister like that, and then think I'll just let it go?" A devastated, hurt look etched its way across her face, deep frown lines forming on her forehead.

James whimpered as the wand came dangerously close to his throat.

"Lady Lacroix," Sofia started calmly, trying to rationalize with her, "whatever your sister did, that was on her. She made her choices, and those choices led to her destruction. But you don't have to be like her! You could be different!"

"What if I don't want to be different?!" She scowled at them. "What if I…?" She paused, lowering the wand and allowing James to scurry over to his sisters. "…I…" She dropped the wand, burying her face in her hands, sobbing.

"Hey," Amber said gently as she walked over and guided the headmistress to a chair, allowing her to sit down. "It's all right. You didn't know what she was planning, so you couldn't have stopped her. People make their own decisions, and she made hers. Unfortunately, that led to her downfall." She smiled gently as the woman gaped at her. "Don't let it lead to yours."

"Why are you being so nice to me after I just…?"

"Because we know what it's like to experience anger and pain," Sofia answered simply. "You reacted on instinct and out of vengeance for your sister, which is more than she deserves. I'm sorry you had to go through all this, Lady Lacroix, but don't let this destroy you like it did your sister."

The red-haired woman nodded solemnly as she sighed.

"What about me?!" James suddenly asked, flabbergasted. "She tried to destroy me!"

Amber scoffed. "James, she barely touched you with the wand. And she didn't say anything to activate it either. You're fine." She frowned. "We all do stupid things when we're upset." She then turned to the headmistress. "I think it's time you set things straight, Lady Lacroix. There need to be many changes in this school, and my suggestion is to first double check your staff and then check on your students to make sure they're okay."

The woman nodded numbly. "I… Yes. Yes…" She stood and sighed before smiling tiredly down at the blonde girl. "Thank you…"

She nodded kindly before watching as the woman left the office, leaving the Enchancians behind.

Hearing a small groan, Sofia knelt next to Cedric and looked him over, realizing that he seemed to be okay. She smiled in relief as he glanced toward her, holding a hand to his head.

"Ugh… What happened?" He was startled when Sofia dived straight at him, throwing her arms around him and hugging him tightly. He chuckled and returned the hug, happy to feel that his strength and powers had returned, and that things seemed to be all right. "Did you defeat her?"

Sofia laughed softly and nodded as she leaned back to smile at him. "Yeah…" She then frowned thoughtfully. "Where did you find that counter curse anyway?"

He sighed. "Let's just say that I've been privy to a few curses and other unsavory magical devices during my more rebellious years." He shrugged. "I'm not proud of it, but…"

She just smiled and nodded. "It's okay. I understand."

"Hmm." He smiled fondly. "I guess you won't need me as your mentor from here on out then. It seems you can handle things well enough on your own, so I doubt you'll need my guidance at all from this point."

She shook her head quickly. "Don't be silly. I'll always need my Mr. Cedric."

He chuckled as she hugged him once again.

"Do you guys think we could go home now?" James asked pointedly. "Before someone else wields a wand against us or tries to suck out our energy, or whatever?"

Sofia laughed as she nodded, separating from her mentor. "I agree." She then smiled back at Cedric. "Let's go home."

He nodded in agreement.

A few days later, things were all calm in Enchancia, and everyone was back where they belonged. Upon returning, Sofia had contacted the Protectors and reported the incident to them, and they claimed they'd handle any reciprocal damages or troubles caused by Dame LaCrolais, and they thanked her for her service and help.

Meanwhile, the royal children were preparing for their upcoming graduation. It had been a long time coming, and they were all anxious for it to arrive.

Cedric, now back to normal, beckoned Sofia over when he saw her walking to the dining room one morning for breakfast, and he smiled as she hurried over. "I have an early graduation gift for you."

Sofia's eyes lit up. "Really?"

He nodded. "Hold out your hands and close your eyes." Once she'd done so, he used his wand to tap against her palms, a small package appearing. "Open them."

The princess did as requested and blinked at the brown bag in her hands. It felt relatively light, though she wasn't sure why.

"You can open it if you'd like."

Sofia smiled before pulling the string away from the top, turning the bag over and watching as a dark purple wand fell out and into her awaiting hand. She blinked in surprise. "Mr. Cedric…?"

"That's my first wand I received when I originally became the royal sorcerer for your family." Seeing her shocked face, he smiled. "I want you to have it, even if you may not pursue a magical career down the road. I only want to keep you safe and well equipped, and I feel this wand will do that for you."

Sofia nearly teared up but managed to hold it together as she hugged him appreciatively. "Thank you, Mr. Cedric!" She laughed as he knelt beside her to return her hug. "I don't know what I'd do without you…"

"I assure you that I'm not going anywhere. You needn't worry about that." He smiled at her as she gazed at him curiously. "Right now, my dear Sofia, my main focus is getting you graduated so that you can finally begin the next chapter of your life. And honestly, I can't wait to see what you have in store."

The auburn-haired princess grinned at him. "Neither can I, Mr. Cedric."

The end