Daphne and, Fred looked ready to faint or, explode, Shaggy couldn't decide which would be worse as Fred stumbled back into the hard metal chair that had been provided. While Fred put his head in his hands and rubbed his temples to ward off an incoming headache Daphne stood frozen in place so pale she could rival Christina. Christina didn't say a thing as she sat down opposite Fred with Shaggy joining her at the table.
"This-this isn't happening," Fred mumbled as he lifted his head.
"Like, it is, Fred,"
Fred now looked tired, aged beyond his years. His blue eyes that were so full of fire mere moments earlier now looked tired and hazy.
Daphne finally sat down across from Shaggy with the same tired hazy look in her eye.
"Who is she, Shaggy?"
"Like, this is Christina. My fiancee,"
"Hey, wait a minute, you're the resistance leader," Daphne cried looking at Christina.
"That's right,"
"So, you're here to mock us?"
"Like, no way guys," Shaggy declared.
"We're here to show you the truth," Christina said as she dropped a stack of papers on the table.
As Fred and Daphne looked over all of the evidence their eyes grew wide and their jaws hit the table. Van Hellscream had lied about everything? Absolutely EVERYTHING. He had murdered and maimed. Tortured innocents for no reason. Fred felt deeply ashamed. How could he have not noticed? How did he let these things go on right under his nose? How could he? Fred pushed the papers away with regret and shame written clearly on his face.
"Shaggy, can-can you ever forgive me? Forgive us?" he asked as he took Daphne's hand.
"Like, I already have,"
"I hope you can also find it in your heart to forgive us, Christina," Daphne said sorrowfully.
"I forgive you, it's Van Hellscream who is to blame,"
Just then the door opened and in stepped a security guard.
"Ms. Dracula, I have some important news,"
"What is it?"
"The Government has decided to turn the case over to the Monster Council,"
Apparently, Van Hellscream had just been given the same news because a very agitated screech was heard throughout the building.
…...
The courthouse was packed. Monsters and humans of all kinds came to witness this historic event. Van Hellscream, the once revered and respected public figure was nothing more than a fraud. Shaggy arrived with Christina, Velma and, Scooby in tow. Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby were soon seated in the courtroom but Christina was in a separate room watching the trial on a TV. There was a reason for that but even Shaggy didn't know why.
"Christina?"
Christina turned from the TV to see Tannis limp into the room.
"Hello, Tannis what's wrong?" Christina asked upon seeing the downcast look on the young mummy's face.
"My Daddy is gone,"
Oh, the poor girl. Christina scooped Tannis into her arms and held her close. The young one cried into Christina's shoulder.
"Tannis, sweetie, would you feel better if you sat with one of my friends? You remember Miss Cleo don't you?"
"Mm"
"Come on let's go find her, okay?"
"Okay,"
Christina carried Tannis down the hall in search of Cleo. The halls were empty and silent. The only sound to be heard was Christina's soft footfalls. When she turned the corner she was surprised to find not only Cleo but her father and her sister.
Christina set Tannis down and bowed her head in respect.
"Ramses,"
"Hello, Christina, who's this?" Ramses inquired looking down at Tannis who'd hidden behind Christina's leg.
"This is Tannis. I was on my way to find Cleo. Tannis would like to sit with her during the trail,"
"M-may I?" Tannis stammered.
"Yes, of course," Cleo said taking the young mummy by the hand.
Nefera and Cleo left with Tannis but Ramses remained behind.
"The young one limps," he observed quietly.
"Yes, she was a victim,"
"She's close with Cleo,"
"Cleo stayed with her when she had nightmares,"
"Where are her parents?"
"Dead,"
"I see,"
Ramses followed after his daughters leaving Christina confused. Why had he asked all of those questions? Christina didn't have time to ponder this as the trial was due t start at any moment so, Christina rushed back to her little room to watch this unfold.
…...
Van Hellscream and his minions were brought in by armed guards and forced to take their seats. Van Hellscream being the arrogant, self-centered person he was refused council which surprised no one. After the council was seated the trial started.
"Van Hellscream you and your accomplices are charged with fraud, theft, arson-"
The charges went on and on and on.
"How do you plead?"
"Not guilty,"
"Very well"
The prosecution began their questioning. They brought up all the faked emails and calls that stated the monsters were planning several attacks. They pointed out how the hunters stormed Monster High and attacked the student body with no justification.
"How do you explain this?"
"My organization and I did what was required to wake up the government to the threat you monsters pose to mankind! To convince them to finally take the stand against you abominations they should have long ago!"
The trial carried on. Shaggy and Christina both were on the edge of their seats, it got so bad on Christina's end that they had to retrieve Shaggy from the courtroom.
"The prosecution calls Margret Rosenblatt to the stand,"
"Ms. Rosenblatt, can you please tell the court how you came to work for Van Hellscream?"
"I went to work as a secretary,"
"Was that your real job?"
"No, I was an undercover agent for the Resistance,"
"What did you learn?"
"Although Van Hellscream promised no harm to the monsters he ordered terrible experiments to be performed on them,"
"Do you see any victims here today?"
Margret proceeded to point out a werewolf with a missing arm, a vampire rendered blind and Tannis.
"Would you please come here, Tannis?" Margret asked kindly.
"Objection!", Van Hellscream barked, startling Tannis.
"OVERRULED," Ramses yelled.
Everyone watched as Tannis limped her way to where Margret was.
"Tannis why do you limp?" The prosecutor questioned.
"Him," Tannis pointed to Van Hellscream, "He ordered big men to take me to the white room. He stood behind a window and told mean men to hurt me,"
"LIES"
"Watch yourself Van Hellscream," Belloc warned through the window.
Witness after witness was called to the stand they each told stories of the horrors they had seen. Finally, Dracula and Vana Pira took the stand. Van Hellscream paled when the prosecutor asked about Radu and his wife
"The last time we saw my brother and Alissa they left their daughter in our care before being killed by a hunter,"
'The Vampire and dark-fairy had a child before I killed them? Van Hellscream wondered.
"Is their daughter here?"
"I am,"
The entire courtroom turned to watch as Christina entered the room. Her wings glittered leaving a trail of dark sparkles behind her. Van Hellscream felt sick especially when he saw the scars on her face. not only had he FAILED to prevent the birth of a magical vampire, but that child had grown to become the leader of the monster Resistance that had brought down everything he'd worked for his entire life!
"Ms. Dracula has something to say to Van Hellscream," the prosecutor announced.
"Go ahead, Christina," Clawdeen nodded.
Christina turned to her parents killer with a fire in her eyes that made him shake.
"You killed my parents because you thought they were threats. You aimed to prevent my very existence. You fabricated lies and twisted the truth in order to kill off monsters altogether because you see us all as threats despite the peace. Well, I stand before you today as the person who was raised on her parents' beliefs who looked danger in the eye and faced it head-on. For countless years I've worked and now, now, you shall finally get the justice you deserve. Because deep down you are nothing but a coward who fears differences. Yet, here I stand. A living example of what you tried to prevent. Whatever fate the council bestows upon you and your followers will be well deserved,"
Christina folded her hands and walked away with her head held high until.
"There's just one thing you're missing," Van Hellscream called out.
"What?"
"No one will ever love you-you're kind starts and ends with you. You are nothing but a freak,"
"You're wrong Van Hellscream, I happen to be engaged to one of you're former hunters,"
…...
Man, am I happy I finally wrapped up this chapter. This was one tough thing to write but I think it ended pretty well. Next chapter we'll see the sentencing and the overall wrap-up (Hopefully) For now, Please leave me a nice long review for me