Sofia and Hugo went through and found themselves in a very big library. They had never seen so many books in one place.
"Wow, look at all these books," Sofia gasped.
"And I thought Belle's library was huge," Hugo giggled.
Suddenly, a blue and purple platform descended right in front of them. Sofia and Hugo climbed aboard, and the platform brought them all the way to the top. The library looked like it was inside a tree, and the kids saw the castle.
"My castle?" Sofia gaped. "Where are we?"
"The Secret Library," replied a familiar voice. Sofia and Hugo turned around and saw Aunt Tilly.
"Miss Tilly?" Hugo asked. "What are you doing here, and how did you find this place?" The platform flew over to Aunt Tilly.
"The same way as you, dearies, although I did it 30 years ago," Aunt Tilly replied.
"You've been here before?" Sofia asked.
"Many times, but this is the visit that I've been looking forward to the most," Aunt Tilly said, boarding the platform.
The platform started going down. "We have much to do, much to do," Aunt Tilly said. "We have to see if Sofia has what it takes to be the next storykeeper."
"Storykeeper?" asked Sofia.
"Do you see those books on the walls?" Aunt Tilly asked. "Most of them don't have endings yet. It's been my job to go out and find out whomever the book is about and help them finish their stories. Now I'm hoping that job will be yours."
"Why me?" Sofia asked.
"The answer is right there around your neck, Sofia," Aunt Tilly said. "The Amulet of Avalor led you and Hugo here, just like it led me here when I wore it." Sofia and Hugo were surprised.
"You wore Sofia's amulet?" Hugo asked.
"When I was a young princess," Aunt Tilly said. "The Amulet is how I knew Sofia could do this—that and passing all my little tests—which is why I gave her the key to the Library. You should sit down, kids."
As the kids sat down, some books started glowing.
"What's happening?" asked Sofia.
"The Library is choosing your first story," Aunt Tilly replied. The Library chose the first story, and a book flew down in front of Sofia and Hugo.
Sofia opened the book and read the title page, "The Tale of Wildwing Valley." Aunt Tilly and the kids listened carefully to the story.
"Once upon a pasture, there lived a flying horse named Mazzimo, who lived at a royal stable. Although he served a kind and noble king, Mazzimo yearned to be wild and free.
One day, a flying horse told Mazzimo about a place called Wildwing Valley, where animals roam free. Mazzimo knew he had to find this valley. He said goodbye to his parents and brother, who liked living at the stable and didn't know why he was leaving."
Sofia and Hugo saw Mazzimo's brother, who looked very familiar. Then Sofia realized how the smaller horse really is.
"That's Minimus!" Sofia gasped. "Mazzimo is his brother?"
"The things you learn from books," Aunt Tilly smiled. Sofia and Hugo listened to the rest of the story.
"Mazzimo went to find Wildwing Valley. But on his way there, he was captured by the knights of Borrea, and he was taken to the castle of Prince Roderick, where he has been held captive to this day."
Sofia and Hugo were dismayed. "That's awful," Sofia frowned.
"Unless you give the story a better ending," Aunt Tilly told her.
"I'm supposed to save Mazzimo?" Sofia gaped.
"And help him find Wildwing Valley," Aunt Tilly said. But this mission seemed really hard, and Sofia wasn't sure if she could complete the story.
"I'm not sure I can do this," Sofia said.
"I know—being storykeeper isn't easy," Aunt Tilly said. "But you can do it, Sofia, or you wouldn't be here. So we need to know if you will do it."
Hugo and Aunt Tilly both believed in the young princess. Sofia knew how important this was, and she felt like she had no choice.
"I will," Sofia smiled.
"Whiz bang!" Aunt Tilly whooped.
"But I don't know where to start," Sofia said.
Hugo felt like he knew one thing Sofia should do. "Well, maybe you can start by changing into your blue flying derby clothes, Sofia," he suggested. "My brother told me that the color blue can calm your nerves."
But seeing the nervous smile on Sofia's face made Hugo realize that she needed more than a change of clothes.
"How about this? I'll come with you," Hugo told her.
"Thanks, Hugo," Sofia smiled.
"Me too," Aunt Tilly smiled. Sofia was grateful that she would have Hugo and Aunt Tilly by her side on this mission.