One Step from Paradise

Summary: When Sofia's amulet summons her to aid someone, she's rather taken aback when she discovers that she's in a bizarre alternate universe. Even stranger than that is the person in need of her assistance: Cedric. (Plot idea from Mr. Shortman92)

Disclaimer: I don't own the show, the characters, or the OCs mentioned here. The Absentia Realm and its OCs belong to Mr. Shortman92. Nana belongs to MarionetteJ2X.

A/N: So apparently, Mr. Shortman92 was inspired by "Chasing Fate" for this story. There's a bit more silliness in here, but there are still some elements of seriousness here and there. 😉 Let's see what all these new AR (Alternate Realm) characters are like, shall we?

Chapter 1: The Absentia Realm

Sofia and Cedric were resting on his bed in his bedchambers while Nana was already sleeping between them. They'd had a long, hard day of work, trying to get the workshop prepared for an upcoming observation tomorrow. That's right: sometimes, every few years, someone from the Conjuror's Board would check in to make sure everything was in pristine working condition and that no banned spells or potions were being practiced or even observed. And although they both knew all the members very well by now, since Cedric had a bit of a past with Malango the Magnanimous, they weren't taking any chances. Especially when the little one between them depended on both of them.

"I don't remember you being observed in the past," Sofia told him tiredly as he loosely held her hand, stroking her knuckles with his thumb.

"That's because you either weren't here during that time, or because I made sure you were preoccupied with other things," he reasoned. "They came to observe when you and your family were away on your trip to Avalor, during which I'm told you freed Princess Elena. And then I recall them coming one morning while you were still attending Ever Realm Academy. I'm sure there were a few more times, but I can't recall them all right now."

"Oh…" She nodded. "That explains it then." She smiled sleepily at him, tightening her hold on his hand and causing him to cease his previous movements. "You'll do fine."

"Oh, I have no doubt this time," he chuckled. "Not with my dedicated partner having helped me prepare."

The princess laughed. "That's what I'm here for." She blinked as she heard a faint tinkling sound, and upon looking down she noticed her amulet beginning to shimmer. "Um… It hasn't done that in a while…" She released Cedric's hand and sat up, tossing her ponytail behind her before grasping her amulet. "I think…" She frowned in realization before quickly glancing toward Cedric. "I'm sorry, Cedric, but I think a princess needs me—" Before she could even finish her statement, she'd disappeared before his very eyes.

Cedric stared at the other side of his bed in awe. She'd just…vanished. But then again, stranger things had happened, and she was well equipped to handle herself and any situations that might arise. And if it was just a princess in need of help? "She'll be all right," he assured himself before smiling gently as Nana made a soft sound before scooting closer to him, nuzzling into his robe. "There, there, my love," he whispered, wrapping his arms around the little girl. "She'll be back soon. No worries." He sighed, realizing he was probably on his own for the observation if this princess mission of hers took more than a day. "No worries…"

...

Sofia blinked open her eyes and glanced around. She was sitting on a plush bed, made up with royal purple and maroon bedding. She was facing the wall, where she could see a familiar window seat. She frowned before glancing around at a few more things. "I'm in…my room?" But it was so strange, because while the structure looked the same, the color scheme and décor appeared to be rather different. If she didn't know any better, it almost looked like…

"Who are you?" asked a very familiar voice from behind her. "And what are you doing in my room?"

The princess turned, her blue eyes widening in surprise. There, beside the door, was…Cedric. But he didn't look quite the same as the Cedric she'd come to know and love. This Cedric wore a more fashion-forward version of his purple robe, which hung open and down by his sides. His sleeves were rolled up to just above his elbows instead of flowing down to his hands. She could see the favored green button-up shirt, maroon vest with lovely gold buttons, dark slacks and shoes, and golden bowtie that her Cedric would wear (though he often kept his robe tied over the clothing, due to his common belief that he should dress modestly in court; in fact, she'd all but decided long ago that his robe was something of a security blanket for him, which she totally understood). He still had his gloves. And… She slid off the bed and approached him carefully, gaping at him. "What happened to your hair?"

Cedric appeared to be alarmed as his hands quickly flew to his hair and he yelped, hurrying over to look in a large mirror next to his walk-in closet. He frowned in confusion as he observed his reflection: his jet-black hair (sans gray bangs) was just as it always had been. He wasn't sure what this strange girl was talking about, but he was about to get to the bottom of it. "What are you talking about? My hair is immaculate, as always." He glanced back at the intruder. "The better questions still remain the ones you've yet to answer: Who are you? And what are you doing in my room?"

Sofia scoffed. "Excuse you, but this is my room. I—" She was caught off guard as she noticed a few things she'd overlooked. Not only did he have an Enchantlet—her Enchantlet, no less—fastened around his right wrist, but hanging around his neck was also a highly familiar item. "The Amulet of Avalor…" She glanced down at her own version, her hands clasping it as she gasped. "Oh, my gosh… This is your room, isn't it?"

"I was trying to—"

"I've been summoned to another realm," she realized, interrupting him by accident as she glanced up at the sorcerer, who'd approached her curiously.

"What are you rambling about, girl? Of course, this is my room. You're an intruder, and I should summon the guards!" He glanced around out of sheer curiosity. "How did you get in here, anyway? The door was magically locked, and the window is far too high…"

Sofia was hardly paying attention to him as she tried to process her current situation. Keeping one hand clasped on her own amulet, she reached up to Cedric's amulet and grasped it, pausing his mini rant.

"You have…" He looked at the twin amulets, his mouth dropping. "You have one too?"

The princess nodded before releasing his amulet, which she noticed he grasped protectively (so similar to what she would do in that situation). "Your amulet must have summoned me… Which would mean…" She gasped, finally understanding. "You need my help."

Cedric scoffed. "And why in the Absentia Realm would I need your help? I'm Cedric the Great, the most powerful sorcerer in the realm! Why should I need help from a…?" He scrunched his nose up as he circled her, causing her to spin slowly to watch him. "What are you, anyway? An elf? A flightless fairy, perhaps?"

She groaned in exasperation. "I'm a human, for your information." Realizing his train of thought as he suddenly poked at her shoulder with one finger, she slapped his hand away before glaring at him as he appeared to nurse his 'wound.' "Wait, are you calling me short?"

"I'd say that's a bit of a stretch, wouldn't you?" he asked, shaking out his hand as he then folded his arms. He then smirked as she glared at his choice of words. "No pun intended, of course…"

"Hmph…" She was really starting to miss her Cedric. This one was a bit too aloof and jokey for her taste. In fact, she was highly suspicious of this sorcerer, especially because of one reason. "Why do you have the Amulet of Avalor anyway?"

"Um, because it's mine?" he responded, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Why are you wearing it?" He pointed toward her version, which appeared to be an exact copy of his.

Sofia, growing defensive and stern, especially since she wasn't fully prepared to trust this version of Cedric, activated her Enchantlet and created a lasso, yanking him toward her and withdrawing her wand from her dress robe, pointing it at his throat threateningly, which caused him to whimper in surprise. "What have you done to the royal family?" she challenged seriously.

"N-Nothing!" Cedric exclaimed, slightly alarmed by this strange girl's actions, especially considering how strong she appeared to be, despite her size. "I mean… I braided the princess's hair this morning. I ate lunch with the Queen, but—"

"I don't believe it…" Sofia's eyes widened at his words as her hold on the lasso strengthened, a mild look of shock on her face. What if he'd succeeded in his quest of taking over her kingdom, like her Cedric had attempted all those years ago? What if he was exerting his power over the family? "What sort of sick, twisted game are you playing, Cedric? Forcing them to eat with you? Braiding their hair? What other horrible things have you done or are you planning to do to them?"

"You have got to be kidding me!" he retaliated, gulping as she pressed her wand closer to him. "Whoa, calm down, would you?! I didn't force anyone to do anything! The Queen and I always eat lunch together, and aside from her mother, I'm the only one Princess Amber entrusts with her hair!"

"Wait…" Sofia calmed down a bit as she seemed to come to a new realization, a perplexed expression passing over her features. "No… It can't be…" She eyed him carefully, mentally preparing herself for the next question, though she had a pretty good idea what his answer would be. "Who are the current rulers of Enchancia?"

"Is this a joke?" He sighed as she glared at him, and he rolled his eyes, responding calmly, "The current rulers of Enchancia are King Roland and Queen Lorelei. They have two children as well: Princess Amber and Prince James. Satisfied?"

Sofia merely stood there for a moment in stunned silence, taking in his words. She'd pretty well known what his response would be, but the news was still hard for her to process. One tidbit in particular stood out to her. "Queen Lorelei…is alive?" Her voice was quiet and contemplative as he eyed her curiously.

"Of course, she's alive! Why wouldn't she be?" He attempted to break free from her magical lasso but found it nearly impossible. Perhaps because he was fighting against the same strength of powers that he himself possessed? He didn't know for sure. It was nearly impossible to fathom at this point. "Will you let me go now?"

"Oh! R-Right…" She instantly retracted her lasso and sheathed her wand. "I'm so sorry, Cedric. Can you forgive me?"

"You speak my name as though you know me," he responded in mild amusement with a smile as he tried to work his arms to get blood flow to them again. "And of course, I can forgive you. But first…" His next moves happened so quickly that Sofia didn't have time to react: he activated his own Enchantlet and cast a lasso, subduing the princess and catching her off guard. With the roles now reversed, Cedric withdrew his own wand from his robe before aiming it toward her. "You're going to tell me who you are and why you're here."

"Okay, fine," she relented, sighing. "I guess I deserve this." She rolled her eyes as the sorcerer gave her a sarcastic smirk. "I'm Princess Sofia of Enchancia, from the Ever Realm. My parents are King Roland and Queen Miranda. And…" She frowned. "I already told you why I'm here!"

Cedric rolled his eyes. "Right, yes, of course. My amulet 'summoned you to help me.' No offense, my dear, but as you can see, I'm not the one who needs help." He grinned. "After all, who's the one currently tied up?" He chuckled as she huffed. "I think you're the one who needs help, Princess Sofia of the Ever Realm." However, he paused as something she'd previously mentioned drew his attention. "Wait, did you say that your mother's name is Miranda?"

She nodded. "Yeah."

"That's funny," he murmured. "We have a Miranda in our kingdom, but she's no queen. She's the Royal Shoemaker. She actually secured the job after making an exceptionally comfy pair of slippers for King Roland." He grinned. "I suppose you could say that she's the 'Queen of Making Shoes.'" He glanced down at his custom-made black loafers, which apparently Miranda had also created.

"That's her!" Sofia laughed in relief. "And that actually happened in my realm too. Only, after she made the slippers for the king, they fell in love, got married, and my mom and I moved into the castle. And we've been there over ten years now." She smiled fondly as she recalled the day that she became Princess Sofia.

"…Over a pair of slippers?" Cedric asked in disbelief, blinking as Sofia nodded eagerly. "That's so stupid." He suddenly burst out laughing, releasing Sofia from the confines of his lasso.

"Hey!" she countered. "It's not stupid! It's sweet!" Though even she couldn't help laughing a bit, considering how silly it sounded when she said it out loud to another person.

The sorcerer gained control of his laughter before asking, "So if King Roland married your mother in your realm, does that mean that Queen Lorelei…?" He couldn't bring himself to finish that question. Not about someone whom he considered a very good friend.

She nodded sadly. "Gone… It happened when the twins were born."

"We almost did lose her that night," Cedric added softly, recalling perhaps the scariest moment of his life. Suddenly, he felt arms around him. Glancing down, he noticed that the princess was hugging him. Why was she hugging him? They'd just met! He swallowed nervously and awkwardly patted her back. "Um, there, there…" Finally, seeing she wasn't letting go, he shook his head and carefully pried her from him, startling her a bit. "Why are you even hugging me?"

She offered him a bewildered look before responding, "You seemed a bit sad, so I was comforting you." Because that's what she always did for her Cedric. Surely this Cedric would get that, right?

"Well, it honestly had the opposite effect… How would you feel if you were hugged by some random stranger?"

Sofia giggled softly. "I'm sorry. I forgot for a moment that this is an alternate reality for me. I usually hug my Cedric whenever he's sad."

"Your Cedric?" he wondered, motioning for her to sit on his bed as he sat next to her. "So… You and I know each other in your realm?"

"We're partners!" she enthused with a proud smile.

"Partners, eh?" He sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Princess, but I didn't even know that the Balthazars had a daughter until today. However, Miranda has brought their son, Corban, to the castle a few times since he was born."

Sofia's eyes widened a bit at this new information. "Wait… So, Corban also exists in this realm?" Seeing Cedric nod, she released a sigh. "And… My father is…alive?"

"How often do people die in your realm?" Cedric asked, only half-serious but truly curious.

"Not as often as you probably think," she laughed. She reached up and gently stroked his jet-black bangs, causing him to inhale sharply as her fingers brushed against his forehead. "How did you fix your hair anyway? What happened to your gray bangs?"

Collecting himself, Cedric appeared confused by her inquiry. "What do you mean? My hair has always looked like this." He sighed as Sofia lowered her hand again.

"What about 'the incident' at Cordelia's Sorceress Ball? You know, when she accidentally ruined her own hair then blamed it on you by mistake?"

He slowly shook his head. "None of that ever happened, fortunately." He rolled his eyes. "To be fair, had anything bad ever happened to Cordy's beautiful hair, it would be a rather dark time for Enchancia."

She smiled, rolling her eyes. "You have no idea." It was clear to her now that this Cedric had experienced a much easier life than her own, but that begged a very serious question. "Everything seems fine here. So, why would your amulet summon me?"

"I'm not sure, but perhaps it will realize its mistake soon enough and you can be on your way home." He smiled at her. "Until then, would you like to meet Queen Lorelei, since you were unable to do so in your own realm?"

Sofia nodded happily. "I would love that!"

He smiled. "Let's go then."

To be continued…

Next Chapter: A Royal Honor