What Comes Around

Summary: When Cordelia's ex-husband makes a return to Enchancia with an apparent goal of winning her back, those closest to her are apprehensive about his motives, especially after Cedric unearths a startling secret about him.

Disclaimer: I only own Caledon the Cunning (though by the time I finish, I may wish I didn't, lol). Nana and Tanya belong to MarionetteJ2X.

A/N: I think it's about time we saw Calista's angry side. She doesn't really get mad very often, but this time it is definitely warranted. Also, I think there may be some cheering in here by the time I'm done with this story. Lol. The next story should be out sometime this weekend or maybe next week!

Chapter 4: No Father of Mine

Caledon released a strong stream of magic, ensnaring the group in his hold. He smirked as he saw a variety of different magical shades vacating each of their bodies: pink for Cordelia, purple for Sofia, green for Cedric, red for Calista, and white for Angel. "It's like taking candy from a baby." He laughed. "I'll definitely be inducted now! Why, I might even be the next ruler!"

Cedric winced as Sofia loosely grabbed his hand, her fingers like ice. "Sofia… H-Hang in there…"

She shivered a bit. "He's…not just draining our magic, Cedric…"

"Yes, he…" His eyes widened as he saw the energy surrounding her fade from purple to pale blue, which might possibly mean… "He is draining your energy…"

"Her life," Angel corrected, feeling his own energy starting to weaken.

Cedric glared at Caledon as his hold on Sofia's hand tightened. "Release us, you traitor! Using your charm to gain my sister's trust? Stealing your own family's magic just to be part of some stupid group?"

"Ex-family, Cedric," the older sorcerer corrected with a grin before snapping his fingers, the magic he'd collected from them contained in a ruby ring on the index finger of his right hand. "I owe no explanations to any of you."

"I… I can take him," Sofia insisted as she shakily held her ground, her Enchantlet slowly beginning to activate (a reflection of her own ragged state). "I just…" She sighed. "I wish I had more energy…" She gasped as her amulet reacted, evidently granting her wish as her energy slowly began flowing back into her body.

"I thought he drained your magic," Angel said softly, blinking. "How is that possible?"

"He did drain her magic," Cedric confirmed, smirking as Sofia gained a steadier and stronger stance. "But apparently not her amulet's."

The princess laughed triumphantly as she unfurled her lasso, trapping Caledon. "I don't think you thought this through very well."

The wicked sorcerer smirked at her, causing her to pause. "On the contrary, princess…" Taking advantage of the situation, he reached up and grabbed hold of the lasso, pulling her toward him so quickly and roughly that she collided with him. He turned her around and held one arm around her waist while his free hand wrapped around her neck, the lasso dangling between them. "I think you're the one who didn't think things through…"

"Sofia!" Cedric called out, anger and worry lacing his voice. He stepped forward once before hearing Caledon's jeering words taunt him.

"I wouldn't, if I were you." Caledon chuckled darkly as he began gingerly stroking the side of Sofia's neck before applying a substantial amount of pressure, nearly causing her to pass out.

"Enough, Caledon!" Cordelia yelled, her green eyes blazing with hatred. "It's bad enough to come after me, or after my family, but to bring an innocent girl who holds no ties to you into your wicked scheme is just sickening!"

"She should have known better than to meddle in family affairs then." He smirked as his hold on Sofia tightened, his dark magic coursing through him with the intent of striking her down. "And now she's going to pay."

Sofia screamed in pain as she felt the first sting of dark magic hit her, tears welling in her eyes as she doubled over.

Seeing his partner in danger and in the hands of Caledon made something inside of Cedric snap. His body moved before his mind could process what he was doing. White hot rage coursed through him as he sprinted towards Caledon and swiftly punched the man in the face, which resulted in the older sorcerer loosening his hold on Sofia. While the princess sat on the floor coughing, Cedric pummeled the older sorcerer a few more times. "This is for treating my sister like rubbish!" He punched again. "This is for abandoning Calista!" Once again. "This is for stealing our magic!" And again. "And this is for laying your filthy hands on my partner!" Cedric drove his fist down with one more swift motion and knocked Caledon unconscious, the older magic wielder both broken and bruised on the floor. The Enchancian sorcerer slowly stood up, panting and sweating. He knew his fists had probably received a few bruises and cuts from the massive exertion, but he didn't care. He continued glaring at his knocked out opponent, though his mind snapped back to reality as he felt a gentle pair of arms encircle him from behind.

Cedric turned to find Sofia hugging him, and he faced her fully, embracing her tightly before laying a kiss to her forehead. "Sofia…"

She smiled tiredly up at him. "My hero…" She kissed his cheek before hugging him again.

Calista hurried over and hugged Cedric after Sofia had released him. "Uncle Ceddy, I am so sorry I didn't listen to you…" She sighed heavily as he hugged her back. "You were right about him the whole time."

He sighed and rubbed the girl's back. "It's not your fault, Calista. He is responsible for his own actions, and you shouldn't try to take the blame for what he's done."

Sofia turned back to the man on the floor and leaned down, carefully starting to slip the ruby ring off his finger. "I think this is what has our magic inside of it…" She frowned as she saw Angel looking rather weak, leaning against a wall. "And some of our energy."

"We need to break it," Cordelia informed her.

The princess nodded but was caught off guard as a surprisingly strong hand reached up and grasped her wrist, stopping her. She gasped as she saw Caledon the Cunning glaring up at her. "Let me go!"

Caledon growled, angered that he was in such pain and so weak after being assailed earlier. "I don't think so, princess…"

Calista slipped away from Cedric and stormed over to the other two, heatedly kicking the man in his arm and causing him to loosen his grip on Sofia, which allowed her to get away.

The cult enthusiast groaned in pain and gaped at his daughter, stunned at her actions. "So she isn't as weak and gullible as she seems…" He smirked at Calista, who kept her steady gaze burning on him. "I knew there had to be a little bit of fight in you. You're my daughter, after all."

"Ex-daughter," she hissed, tossing his own words back in his face as he balked. "You're no father of mine, and I would never want to be associated with you after what you've done to the people I love the most. You've bamboozled and nearly destroyed my mum, insulted my uncle, drained my boyfriend of his own life energy, and nearly killed my best friend. Why in the Ever Realm would I want to be your daughter?!"

The other Enchancians watched in stunned silence as Calista unleashed her anger on Caledon the Cunning.

"You don't know the first thing about being a father. If you did, you wouldn't have done what you did today: use me and the others to get what you want. That's selfish! No good man would allow himself to be corrupted by a group that forces him to steal magic from the people he's supposed to care about the most." She scowled heavily as she saw Caledon's features waver ever so slightly. "But you're not a good man, Caledon. I doubt there's any real good in you. And I hope I never see your face again." With that, she walked back to her mother, who hugged her tightly and whispered soft words of encouragement to her.

Soon after, the authorities from the Conjuror's Board arrived and whisked Caledon the Cunning away for good. One of the stronger authorities used his magic to break the ruby ring, sending the concealed magic and energy back to the group.

Cordelia sighed heavily as Calista looked up at her curiously. "I am so sorry, Calista… I'm sorry for being taken in by that man again, despite knowing better." She placed her hands on either side of the girl's face, smiling fondly at her daughter. "You're stronger than I've ever been, my darling… An inspiration for me."

"I love you, Mum…" She smiled as her mother kissed the crown of her head. "I don't need that man in my life anyway." She glanced toward Cedric, who was holding onto Sofia. "I've always had a father figure in Uncle Ceddy, after all. He's been just as good to me as he's been to Nana and Tanya, and he's all I'll ever need if I need a fatherly influence."

Cedric smiled appreciatively, feeling a bit emotional as the young sorceress's words seemed to touch him. "Thank you, Calista."

She nodded before looking at Angel, who smiled tiredly at her. "Angel…" She walked over to him, hugging him gently and kissing him softly. "I wish I could repay you for your patience and loyalty. I'm so sorry that you got caught up in this too."

"It is what you do when you are in love with someone," he murmured softly, smiling as she gasped.

"I-In love…?" Seeing him blush softly yet nod with that same adoring smile, she giggled. "I love you too, Angel…"

Cordelia squealed happily, clapping her hands. "Oh, goody! I'll start planning the wedding now!"

Calista blushed darkly as Cedric and Sofia laughed. "MOTHER!"

"Slow down, Cordy," Cedric jested, chuckling. "At least let the poor girl finish her schooling first."

Angel took his girlfriend's hand, garnering her attention again. "I know one thing you could do for me, my Chante." He smiled as she blinked at him. "Our one-year anniversary is coming up soon, and I have a surprise I would like to share with you. Would you grant me that one wish?"

She grinned at him, nodding. "A date with my Angel? I can't wait."

About an hour later after everyone had departed, Cedric and Sofia were back in his workshop again. The sorcerer had started to feel the effects of his actions earlier, and the pain had begun setting in. While he'd insisted that magic could likely heal the wounds, Sofia had suggested something different.

"Give me your hands," she told him, carefully removing each of his fingerless gloves and grimacing as she saw his bruised and cut knuckles and fingers. Even the backs of his hands were swollen, which was somewhat alarming to her. "Cedric…"

"I don't take kindly to people threatening your life," he explained sheepishly, sighing as she gently ran her fingers over the bruises and scrapes. "And I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

She smiled at his noble declaration before sighing. "Sometimes, I can't believe how lucky I am… To have a renowned royal sorcerer who even gives me the time of day, who is my partner, my best friend, my confidant, my…" She giggled softly and blushed as he clasped one of his hands over hers. "Thank you, Cedric…" She gathered one of the potions on his worktable and poured a small amount into her palm, gently massaging both of his hands and spreading the ointment to his injuries. "I couldn't believe how you went after Caledon like that… But I can't say I'm upset that you did. I'm more upset that you got hurt because of that guy."

"It's a small price to pay when defending people you care about." He smiled as she nodded quietly. "I suppose…Angel had the right idea after all."

Sofia paused in her treatment, blinking at him. "What…?"

They both jumped, startled, when they heard a sharp tap at the window, an annoyed looking Wormwood outside. The princess jumped up and hurried over, unlatching the window and allowing the raven inside.

"I think I'll be staying here for a while rather than venturing out into the world," he remarked sarcastically as he landed on the table beside them. He shook out his feathers. "There are five—I repeat, five—new hatchlings at the Raven Haven, and they are just a bit too needy for my taste. I'm sure Nina can handle it, along with Mr. Birdsong." He smirked before glancing between the sorcerer and princess. "I get the feeling I missed something… Did anything interesting happen while I was gone?"

Cedric glanced at Sofia, who smiled shyly and shook her head. "Just…the usual chaos, Wormy… And perhaps a few…surprises here and there."

Sofia laughed softly, reaching out and taking his hands. "Honestly…not that surprising… Even a little expected and…welcomed…" She smiled as he looked away and cleared his throat.

Wormwood blinked in boredom at the two of them before yawning. "I personally hate surprises, but if you would like to 'surprise' me with some snacks later, I'll practice my excited and totally taken aback expression." To prove a point, he gasped sharply and fanned himself with his wings. "Oh, goodness! I was not expecting this! How thoughtful!" Immediately, he returned to his usual passive stance. "Anyway, you can fill me in later. I'm off to take a well-deserved nap." He flew up to his perch and yawned once before closing his eyes.

Sofia returned to her task from earlier, fully healing her partner's hands and smiling as they were restored to normal. She gently grasped his ungloved hands and looked up at him. "All better."

He returned her smile, gingerly squeezing her hands in return. "Indeed… Much better."

She giggled.

The end