Sofia the First: Friends of a Feather

Hugo and Roderick to the Rescue

Meanwhile, Hugo and Roderick were having fun.

"Wow, you and Axel just have to be friends again now," Hugo smiled.

"It seems that way," Roderick smiled. "That reminds me: what happened to that pin anyway?"

"It's locked up in the jewel room, and we still have your book," Hugo told him.

"That's okay—we have more copies at home," Roderick told him. Suddenly, he and Hugo heard screaming and shouting. "Do you hear something?"

"It sounds like the others," Hugo surmised.

Hugo and Roderick watched as their friends ran off with the angry Pelicants chasing after them. Hugo and Roderick remained distant but ran after them. The whole group was running as fast as they could.

"We can take refuge in that tree!" Sofia suggested.

The whole group ran straight into the tree with the angry Pelicants still outside. Hugo and Roderick remained distant and watched as the Pelicants flew around the tree.

"These birds sure are hotheads," Zandar said.

Sofia angrily turned to Hildegard and snapped, "I told you not to take that egg from their nest, Hildegard!"

Surprised by what Sofia said, everyone turned to Hildegard. "Hildegard, you didn't," Amber glared.

Hildegard opened her bag and took the egg out, which angered everyone else.

"I thought this happened before because of her," Caleb growled.

"Well, it's like Hugo said: Hildegard never learns this kind of lesson," Sofia told him.

Sofia's comment made Axel realize something. "Wait, Hugo and Roderick are still out there," he said.

"I hope they're okay," Caleb said.

Outside, Hugo and Roderick were still watching, wondering how to save their friends and brothers.

"Why are the Pelicants so angry?" Roderick asked.

"I don't know, but standing here will get us nowhere," Hugo declared. "We need to get them away from the tree, so we can get our friends out. Maybe there's something in my bag that can help."

Hugo looked in his bag and took out a dark blue compact mirror. "Maybe this can help," he said.

"A compact mirror?" Roderick asked.

"Last week, I had paint on my cheek, and I didn't notice until Mom pointed it out," Hugo explained. "She said I might need this in case my face is dirty. I don't mind getting dirty, but Mom says it's important to clean your face afterwards."

"Understandable," Roderick chuckled. "How can the mirror help?"

"We'll just bounce sunlight off it and distract them," Hugo said.

Hugo turned the mirror to the sun, and the light bounced off onto the trees. Seeing the light, Pelicants followed it.

"Good work, boy," Roderick said. "I'll keep distracting them, and you get everyone out of there."

"Got it," Hugo nodded.

Hugo handed Roderick the mirror. While Roderick continued distracting the Pelicants, Hugo ran over to the tree, where everyone else was trapped.

"Come on out," Hugo said.

Everyone got out of the tree, relieved. When Axel came out, Hugo gave him a big bear hug. "Is everyone okay?" Hugo asked.

"We're fine," Axel smiled.

"Where's Roderick?" Caleb asked.

"Over there," Hugo pointed out.

Everyone saw Roderick using Hugo's compact to distract the Pelicants, but it won't be easy keeping them distracted for long.

"How much longer is he going to keep those birds distracted?" Axel asked.

"All they want is their egg back, Hildegard," Sofia told Hildegard.

"No, they don't," Hildegard insisted.

"Yes, they do," Caleb glared. "You got us into this by taking their egg."

"But...," Hildegard tried to protest.

"Just give them the egg already—I can't distract them any longer!" Roderick called.

"Fine," Hildegard agreed. She took the egg out of her bag and gave it to Hugo.

Hugo went to the Pelicants, who saw them and flew over. Hugo handed them their egg, and they flew away. Elly stayed behind and kissed Hugo on both cheeks with her trunk.

"You're welcome," Hugo smiled.

Roderick closed the mirror and gave it back to Hugo. "Thank goodness," he sighed. "Are you okay, Caleb?"

"I'm fine," Caleb smiled, hugging his big brother.

Roderick couldn't help hugging his brother tightly. Hugo and Axel smiled as they watched Roderick and Caleb hug. Seeing Hugo and Axel smile made Roderick smile too.

"Again, I'm really sorry about that pin," Roderick said.

"Don't worry about it anymore, Roderick," Hugo smiled.

Roderick smiled and turned to Axel and asked, "What do you say, Axel? Friends again?"

"Friends, and I'm lifting your banishment from my kingdom," Axel smiled. He and Roderick hugged tightly.

Everyone was touched by this sight, especially Hugo. This was one of the best days of Axel's life—his friendship with Roderick was restored.

As everyone continued hiking, Axel and Roderick were happy to have restored their friendship.

"This totally calls for a celebration," Axel smiled. "I'll ask Mom and Dad if I can invite you over for a sleepover this weekend."

"Sure," Roderick smiled.