After their fall out of the mirror and the realization that they were in Ever After Christina found it hard to breathe. As Duncan helped Clawdeen to her feet, Shaggy sat with Christina on the floor walking her through deep breathing. Just like he had to all those months ago. Just like he had to after her tearful confession a few weeks ago. After she had calmed down Shaggy pulled her to her feet and gently asked if she knew where in Ever After they were. Christina quietly shook her head no. she had no clue. True, it was possible to travel by mirror but usually, you had to tell it where to take you. This was not the case.

"Welcome home, Christina", a regal voice chuckled.

Startled by the voice, the group turned to see...

"Y-y-y-you're Maleficent!", Christina whispered with fear, raising her wand. Sensing her fear, Shaggy embraced her while Duncan and Clawdeen growled assuming battle stances. "Mistress of Darkness and Evil! The most powerful Dark Fae ever after!"

"Indeed, my dear."

"You brought us here! Why?", Christina demanded, finding her courage. "What do you want with us?"

"I only wanted you, my dear Christina", the elder fae replied. "The others got caught up in the spell, by mistake."

"Me?! Why do you want me?"

"I need your help", she sighed defeatedly, looking away, shocking them all at this admission. "The mystery of your mother's death is still a mystery, one the so-called 'Authorities' aren't even trying to solve. I believe she was murdered; but how, why, and who is responsible? However, my hands are magically tied. I can do nothing until the truth is exposed. It is up to you to get justice for her."

"You're evil, so why do you even care?", Christina asked skeptically.

"Because I may be evil, but...", the elder fae said softly, turning back to look in Christina's eyes, a tear rolling down her cheek, "no matter the years, distance, or disagreements: a mother never stops loving her child with all her heart."

Christina fainted.

…...


When Christina woke the room was still spinning.

"What happened?" she groaned as she scrunched her eyes shut.

"You fainted," Maleficent chuckled.

Hearing her voice, Christina shot to her feet. Shaggy caught her as she stumbled. Christina looked up at Maleficent in shock. There was no way. Absolutely no way Maleficent was her GRANDMOTHER. No, no, it couldn't be true it just couldn't be true. Could it? No, it couldn't have been true. Christina vividly remembered her mother tell her that her grandmother passed away when she had asked about it. Her mother wouldn't have lied to her! Would she?

NO.

"You're lying! Mom told me my grandmother was dead," Christina said her eyes blazing red in anger and confusion.

Maleficent despite the few tears that rolled down her cheeks remained perfectly calm.

"I see. I suppose I should not be surprised that she told you that, given that we argued the last time I saw her and stormed out saying that I was dead to her. I pushed too hard for her to follow in my footsteps, as her sister Lucinda did Yes, your Aunt Lucinda-mother of your cousin Faybelle-is also my daughter. But she hated her sister, and refuses to help me in this."

"I-I-I still don't believe you!"

"Then here is proof", she replied, pulling up her sleeve to reveal her dragon mark. "Only certain dark fae bear this mark; only one a generation in a family line. Your mother hid hers magically, denying her full power and potential."

"That proves you're lying! I don't have that mark!"

"But you do, my dear", she smiled, stepping closer, reaching for her hair. Christina flinched away at first, but the elder fae lifted her long hair, to reveal in the mirror the mark on the back of her neck!

"Diablo saw it once when I sent him to check on you and your parents when you were a baby." The raven in question squawked in agreement.

Christina was still in denial as she hid her face in Shaggy's chest. She didn't want to believe any of it. None of it could be true none of it was.

"You don't remember do you, Christina?" Maleficent asked quietly.

"Remember what?"

"This," Maleficent said pointing toward her mirror which had sparked to life again.

…...


Maleficent peered through the trees as her young granddaughter ran after the butterflies flying in and around the garden. Alissa was inside but Maleficent could see that she too was keeping a close eye on Christina through the window. Such a carefree child untouched by the harsh realities of the world. Maleficent couldn't help but smile as her granddaughter's laughter rang through the air like the tinkling of a bell. The Queen of the Dark Fae lost all track of time watching Christina. When she finally turned to go she was saddened by the prospect of never properly meeting her granddaughter.

"Hello,"

Maleficent turned to see Christina staring up at her wide-eyed and curious.

"Hello, little one," Maleficent greeted softly. "Let's have a look at you,"

Maleficent gently lifted Christina from the ground as she studied her.

She looks so much like her mother.

"Pretty, pretty," Christina giggled as she looked at Maleficent's horns

Maleficent wanted to run off with Christina and she might have if Alissa hadn't come looking for Christina. Setting her granddaughter down Maleficent pressed a finger to her lips to let the girl know not to say anything before turning her toward home and urging her onward.

…...


The image in the mirror rippled and faded away leaving Christina even more confused. She shook her head as she tried to make sense of it all. Christina was so confused. Yes, she remembered it but she could have sworn she dreamt it. It wasn't real.

"Whoa, Christy," Clawdeen gasped as Christina started to panic again.

The room was spinning and Christina felt numb all over. Numb but also boiling hot. The voices of those around her faded to a mere echo as Christina curled in on herself. no, no, no.

No.

…...


Shaggy sank to the floor with Christina who had curled herself into a ball. She was overwhelmed, confused and, hurting. Shaggy just knew she was.

"Christina, Christina, it's okay. I'm right here, okay?" Shaggy whispered as he made a desperate grab for Christina's hands.

"It was a dream, it was a dream," Christina mumbled over and over again.

Diablo flew over to Christina as she slowly looked at everyone, still breathing heavily the panic and confusion clear. Christina stared at the raven who stared back at her before hopping onto her arm. He cocked his head to the side in a questioning manner as a wave of memories began to tumble and fall on Christina like a waterfall.

…...


Ten-year-old Christina sat cross-legged on the rug in her bedroom. The window was left open letting in the gentle breeze and the occasional butterfly. Her sketchbook lay open on her lap a half-finished drawing of her teddy bear on the page.

"Christina, can you come here?"

"Coming,"

Christina closed her sketchbook and stood up placing on her bed. She then brushed off the pencil shavings stuck to her clothes and went to see what her mother needed.

Aunt Lucinda had come for one of her visits and she'd brought Faybelle.

Aunt Lucinda only ever visited so that she and Faybelle could mock them. Reminding Alissa that she'd cursed her best friend after all and that there was truly no way of escaping their dark legacy. Christina hated every minute of it. Her mother was much too kind to her younger sister just as she expected Christina to be to Faybelle.

"Hello, Cathy," Lucinda sneered as Christina joined her mother.

"My name is Christina," Christina snapped.

"Butterfly, mind your manners," Alissa lightly scolded.

"Yes, Ma'am," Christina sighed.

"So Cathy. How are your magic studies or has my sister not bothered to teach you?" Lucinda asked snidely.

"Christina is doing well in her studies," Alissa responded.

"I'm on the tenth-grade level," Christina pipped happily.

"Well, Faybelle made the witch girl croak like a frog for an entire day last week. What did you do?"

"I made dinner with a snap of my fingers-"

"Burnt?"

"No, cooked perfectly," Alissa replied.

"Well, Faybelle..."

Christina chose to tune her aunt out at this point. The only reason she ever came over was to brag and Christina didn't really care to hear what her aunt had to say. Faybelle made Ginger Breadhouse croak like a frog. Big deal. Christina stifled a laugh. They better be careful of their food from now on.

At least they didn't go after Melinda. Her mother would have fed them to the monkeys.

"...but you couldn't be bothered to attend Radu's funeral, or even come see how we were holding up back then. Even MOTHER did that, at least!"

Christina snapped to attention. Her mother was questioning Aunt Lucinda and Christina wanted to see where this went. However, now that Christina was older her aunt's snide remarks about her father did not simply fly over her head as they once did. Now, she understood and she did not like what she was hearing.

"Hmph! Mother always did coddle you, Alissa! I'll never understand WHY! Whoever heard of a GOOD Dark Fairy? Radu!", Lucinda scoffed. "My husband Puck may be an annoying trickster, but at least he's a FAE! Not some sorry excuse of a vampire who only fed on animal blood! Some vampire!..."

"Yeah!" Faybelle agreed.

Christina saw red.

She burst into flames as she latched onto Lucinda who screamed as the fire consumed her wings. Christina roughly pulled her down by her collar as she screamed:

"DON'T YOU DARE SAY BAD THINGS ABOUT MY DADDY!"

Alissa had to yank Christina off of her aunt who still screamed bloody murder. Alissa scolded herself. She too had fire starting temper tantrums. She should have been more cautious discussing such a sensitive subject in front of her daughter. However, now was not the time to scold herself. She had to deal with her red-eyed seething angry daughter. Since she was no longer clinging to her aunt she seemed to be cooling down enough for rational thinking to seep back in. her eyes dimmed as she looked up at Alissa,

"Go to your room, Christina," Alissa ordered sternly remaining calm despite the fact that she too was angry at Lucinda.

"Yes, Mother," Christina responded her voice cracked as she was on the edge of tears.

Christina ran back to her room and shut herself inside before curling herself into a ball as she cried on the rug. She hadn't meant to. She really didn't mean to hurt her aunt. She was just so angry.

Anger=bad things.

Christina looked up as the flapping of wings caught her attention. There was a blackbird sitting in her windowsill. The bird looked at her as he flew inside landing at her feet. He cocked his head as if asking her something. Christina didn't know why but she found herself explaining what happened to the bird. He perched on her arm as she finished her story and stayed until she was calm then he flew away disappearing out of sight just as Alissa unlocked her door.

The bird came often always flying away just before her mother arrived and Christina never understood why.

…...


Realization finally dawned on Christina that Maleficent was indeed telling the truth. As difficult as it was to deal with Christina knew she was being told the truth. That got her thinking if she truly had another living retaliative why did Headmaster Grimm send her to an entirely new world? Yes, she'd grown used to her life there and had quite an adventure along the way but why not send her to her grandmother's it was like he wanted to be rid of her which was probably the case. He'd never liked her anyway.

"Now, for your own safety I think it's best you unlock your true power Christina," Maleficent calmly advised once Christina had stopped shaking.

"No, I don't want to be evil," Christina replied firmly.

Maleficent smiled. It was a small smile but a noticeable one.

"You're just like your mother, You misunderstand me, Christina. Light or Dark is how we're born we have no choice in the matter, however, good or evil that is a choice. A choice that Headmaster Grimm wants us to forget. Take your friend, Raven, for example, she was born dark but she isn't evil is she?"

"No,"

"See? I only want you to be safe, Christina,"

Christina bit her bottom lip as she thought it over. If it really was in their best interest then so be it but then again she didn't want to risk turning evil.

"Alright, but I decide how and if I use my power,"

"Of course," Maleficent nodded, "Now, come with me,"

The others stayed behind as Maleficent led Christina to the tallest tower in the castle. It was open with no roof allowing a breathtaking view.

"This was your mother's favorite place," Maleficent sighed, "She'd spend hours here just watching the world. Now, I'm going to guide you through this, Christina."

"Okay,"

After conjuring what they needed Maleficent told Christina to close her eyes and calm her mind. Once Christina had visibly relaxed Maleficent dropped a Dragon-Heart Orchid onto the coals of the brazer before her.

"Now, breath deeply and search inside yourself, Christina,"

Christina did as she was told and seemed to be transported to a new place entirely. Open plains laid before her as she walked. She searched even though it wasn't entirely clear to her what she was supposed to find. She passed by her friends, her aunt and uncle, her parents, and Shaggy but she continued onward before finally finding a huge slumbering dragon in the center of it all. The dragon woke as she neared it. It let out a mighty roar that shook everything around them but Christina was unfazed by this display of power. The dragon looked at her intently when it saw she'd shown no fear. It seemed to smile and purr before lunging to embrace her.

The dragon disappeared as it did so.

Suddenly, Christina's eyes snapped open as she was jolted back to reality. Fire consumed her only to disappear as a purple dragon took to the skies.

…...


When Christina returned to her friends they stood in silent awe. Two large, dark curved horns had grown through her hair leaving them speechless.

Christina tried not to shrink away. She had already seen her horns and knew that her friends were in shock. She was scared though. Scared of their reactions. Sure they were speechless now but that wouldn't last. Terrified at the prolonged silence Christina let her head drop. She stared at the stone floor until Shaggy lifted her head so she'd meet his eyes.

"Like, you're still YOU, Christina. I love you and you're beautiful," he said as he wrapped his arms around her in a reassuring embrace.

"You look great, Christy," Clawdeen agreed.

"Yeah they totally fit you," Duncan added.

"Thanks, guys," Christina grinned.

Later as the evening shadows stretched across the sky Christina and company found themselves seated around the table in the dining hall finishing their meal. Maleficent had explained how they would start their investigation at Ever After High and go from there. Seemed simple enough but Christina knew that where her old school was concerned nothing was simple.

"I think it's time for you to turn in for the night," Maleficent said as she stood from the table, "Your rooms have been prepared already. I'll show you to them,

As everyone stood to follow Maleficent, Duncan dropped the satchel he'd been carrying all day. When fell to the ground a single object rolled out. A most surprising object.

"And what is that, young Prince?", Maleficent asked.

"Sorry", Duncan said sheepishly, picking up the urn. "We got sucked through the mirror before I could do this. I hoped seeing this would ease your mind, Christina."

"What is it?". she asked.

"Drew's ashes", he told her in a comforting tone. "When Shaggy was done with him, I incinerated that twisted fiend myself as slowly and painfully as possible. He'll NEVER hurt you again."

Christina tearfully hugged Shaggy and Duncan at once, thanking them over and over.

"Someone dared to harm you, Christina?", Maleficent inquired calmly, while she seethed internally. Christina looked over at her briefly, then began sobbing into Shaggy's shoulder.

"Would you rather we told her, Christina?", Clawdeen asked sympathetically.

Christina nodded slowly.

"Well, uh, Drew was a demented psychotic vampire who um, was obsessed with Christina and well, he harassed her-" Clawdeen began.

"Kidnapped her and cursed her," Shaggy added.

"And he...took advantage of her," Duncan finished slowly.

Christina's sobs started anew,

"Does this...vampire still have family or allies alive in your realm?", she asked when they were finished.

"A few", Duncan replied. "Why do you ask?"

"Because vampires can be resurrected", Maleficent told them, a plan forming in her mind. "Even from ashes such as this fool. If you were to take them back with you once you solve the murder of my daughter, there is a chance those who were close to him could bring him back to un-life."

"NO!", Christina cried.

"Like, what do you suggest, ma'am?". Shaggy asked.

"Leave the urn here with me. I swear by all the Powers of Darkness that he will NEVER see the light of day ever again!"

…...


Christina was lost. Being lost in the dark woods never ever ended well but the memory of how she got here eluded her. All she knew was she had to get out. Quickly. However, no matter which way she turned, which way she ran she seemed to be going in circles. Long dizzy circles. She tried to fly above the twisted trees with knobby branches that reached out to grab her but she seemed firmly rooted on the ground. Looking behind her she found the reason. Her wings were torn hanging limply,

"Princess, where are you?"

Christina started to shake. She knew that voice all-too-well.

"I'm going to find you"

"Go away. You're not real!" Christina screamed into the darkness.

"Oh, but I am, love,"

Then Christina fell back and found herself face to face with Drew who was grinning wickedly as he lifted her from the ground.

"Surprise! I'm back from the dead! Isn't that exciting?"

"Let go of me!" Christina screamed as she thrashed.

"Now we'll never be apart,"

"No,"

"And do you know why that is?"

"Let go!"

"Because you're MINE"

Christina screamed as the heat of the branding iron pressed into her back she tried to move. Tried to speak but she'd been rendered helpless by whatever curse drew had used.

"FOREVER"

...


Shaggy was sure he'd heard something.

Thump.

Thump

Thump.

Hastily, he threw off the covers when he realized that what he was hearing was, in fact, Christina having a nightmare. He rushed from his room to where Christina was sleeping across the hall. Throwing open her door he saw her shaking form tangled in blankets as she continued to kick the wall. It looked like she was trying to get away from something or someone.

Shaggy knew very well who she was trying to escape. It was no secret that Drew haunted her nightmares. Draculaura had told him about the nights where she woke up screaming, fearful and convinced that Drew was coming for her. Shaggy wouldn't let it get that far. He couldn't.

He was at her bedside in a heartbeat, trying to decide the best course of action. Follow his instincts he decided.

He grasped her shoulders gently, lightly shaking her at first. When that didn't work he grabbed her hands which were balled into fists. Slowly, he uncurled both and held tightly to them.

"It's okay, you're safe. I promise you're safe," He whispered as she started to whimper, "You're safe. Christina, you're okay,"

When Christina finally woke she latched onto Shaggy for dear life as she continued to shake.

"It was horrible, Shaggy, simply horrible," Christina whispered.

"I know, like, I know it was but he'll never, ever, harm you again," Shaggy promised.

"Stay with me, please. I don't want to be alone,"

"Of course,"

…...


At that very moment, Maleficent was using her mirror to see what exactly Drew had done to her granddaughter and what she saw only served to fan the flames of her anger. She saw Christina lost and confused during her first few weeks at school. She saw Drew cornering her, making demands, trying to convince her humans were bad news. She saw the night at the park where Drew had hit Christina. She saw him use the love potion on her.

Then she saw what Shaggy had only heard of.

Maleficent watched horrified and furious as the lowly vampire assaulted Christina before chaining her to a wall while he branded her. Maleficent heard the iron as it burned into Christina's flesh, saw the sadistic smile on Drew's face as his name was left burnt into Christina's skin.

Christina was a prisoner in her own body forced to obey every command, she stood completely still during the whole ordeal but Maleficent could hear her granddaughter's internal screams of anguish. Her pleas to be saved.

Then the scene jumped to when she had fought Shaggy.

Maleficent heard Christina's silent screams, her will to resist as she fought was palpable.

Then she was thrown into a tree by Drew.

Maleficent had seen enough.

Her fury raged within just waiting to be set free but she had to wait.

So, she turned her attention to the present. Watching through her mirror as Christina was comforted by Shaggy who had rescued her from a nightmare. The sight brought a smile to Maleficent's face. Christina had someone who loved her, would rescue her from any danger and keep her safe.

Maleficent's fury was quelled by this sight.

It pleased her.

…...


the next day, Christina and company set out for Ever After High. Upon their arrival, Shaggy and Scooby were taken aback by the sheer size of the school. How would they ever solve this mystery? Christina, however, remained clear-headed and expertly guided her friends to the headmaster's office. Needless to say, Headmaster Grimm was shocked when she stepped into his office followed by a group of monsters.

"Miss Shadowfae, as I'm sure you're aware registration is closed," he stated curtly.

"Oh don't get your mustache in a twist, Headmaster!", Christina snarked. "We're not here to enroll or attend classes. We're on official business from one of the school governors."

"Oh really?", he drolled, disbelieving. "Which one and to what purpose?"

"My grandmother Maleficent", she smirked, seeing his face pale as she handed him the scroll. "My friends and I are here to investigate the death of her daughter; my mother!"

"Of course, Ms. Dracula", Giles Grimm said while Milton was still sputtering. "We and the rest of the school staff will cooperate fully. How do you wish to proceed?"

"Like, we'd like to talk to talk to any faculty who knew her first", Shaggy said politely.

"But we don't want to disrupt your school too much", Duncan added. "We can catch up with them one at a time when it's convenient."

"And maybe our friends among the students can help when not in class?", Clawdeen asked.

"Of course!", Giles smiled. "In fact, I have some time right now. Let's go to the castleteria for some lunch while we talk. You can also catch up with your friends there."

"Mr. Grimm, you are, like, talking our lingo!", Shaggy said cheerfully.

"Yeah!" Scooby added as they left Milton's office.

This did not bode well for the Headmaster.

He had to de-rail their investigation.

But how?