Breath catching in her throat, Christina picked up the letter, the paper cool and crisp between her fingers. Just as new as the day it had been hidden between the pages of the book. Hands shaking with nerves Christina unfolded it and began to read:

My Darling Daughter,

It is my greatest wish that this letter is not needed and that you never have to see it but as you're reading it I'd assume this isn't the case. There is so much to tell you and so little time to do so. Now, I know you're hurt and confused but know that your father and I love you more than our own lives and it has only been an hour as I write this.

We're leaving you in the protection of your Uncle Dracula because there is someone who threatens our family and if they were to get to you we couldn't bear it.

You've probably learned by now that you are a dark fae but don't be scared. I learned not so long ago that light or dark is how we're born good or evil is a choice we must make for ourselves and even though you're only an hour old I can tell that you have a good heart and will bring many joy.

But, be wary. There are those who would try to set you on the path to evil especially in my home realm of Ever After. Not everyone is what they appear to be and should you ever end up there Do not trust Milton Grimm, Headmaster of Ever After High, Christina! He will try to convince or trick you into signing the Storybook of Legends, locking you into reliving the role of our ancestors in the Fairy-Tales of Legend: cursing innocents. If you need help, go to my friends Red and Bigs, and if all else fails your Grandmother Maleficent will help you. Much as I've disagreed with her over the years, and evil she may be, she does truly love her family. While it is my sincerest hope that you will never need to go to her, you can trust her to keep you safe.

Eternal Love,

Mommy

For the second time that night, Christina cried like a child. Her tearful sobs muffled by the pillows until she finally fell asleep.

…...

to say Red and Bigs were startled when Christina emerged for breakfast the next day would be an understatement. Their reactions did nothing to help Christina's fragile state. When she began crying again Red went into what could best be described as mother mode while Bigs muttered some unrepeatable things about Maleficent.

This resulted in him getting slapped on the arm by his wife.

"How about we have some breakfast then I'll go into town and see about getting both of you some clean clothes?"

"Okay," Shaggy agreed while Christina nodded.

So, shortly after breakfast Red set out for town while Bigs set to yard work which left Shaggy and Christina to themselves inside the cabin.

Christina said nothing moving from the table to the couch with her fairy tale book tucked under one arm and her mother's diary in the other.

"Like, if it makes you feel any better, your wings are like, really pretty," Shaggy offered, watching Christina figure out how to sit without crushing them.

"Thanks, Shaggy," she mumbled quietly as they finally folded the way she'd wanted.

Christina was so preoccupied she failed to notice the tiny sparks that danced on her fingers before fizzling out.

…...

Dracula paced angrily while Miss Grimwood worked to establish contact with Maleficent again.

"What now?" The Dark Fae Queen said as if she were bored.

"I demand you send Christina and Shaggy back!" Dracula shouted, "You had no right to take them!"

"And you, Dracula had no right to keep Christina from me!" Maleficent roared, "She is MY Granddaughter, MY Heir and I will not allow you to keep her from me any longer"

"ALL YOU CARE ABOUT IS HAVING HER TAKE THE THRONE!"

He barely had time to dodge the lightning that was fired his way.

"FOOL! YOU DO NOT KNOW ME WELL IF YOU THINK THAT IS MY REASON FOR BRINGING CHRISTINA HOME. DON'T YOU DARE ASSUME YOU WERE THE RIGHT PERSON TO CARE FOR HER!" Maleficent took a deep breath before continuing in a voice that was far scarier than her yelling, "I watched every tear, every question you couldn't answer, every temporary fix to her powers. She hid her wings, wasn't properly educated, and nearly DIED because of your inability to raise a fae child!"

the spell fizzled, leaving Dracula steaming.

…...

Red soon returned, shopping bags in hand. When she walked in, Shaggy was worriedly watching Christina who was trying to lose herself in her book of fairy tales.

"I'm back!" she called to get their attention.

Christina put her book down and stood to retrieve the shopping bags from Red. As she crossed the cabin little flowers, lilacs like the one in her book, trailed after her.

"Christina," Shaggy noticed, trying to get her attention calmly.

"Yeah?" Christina turned, bag in hand, headed for the guest room.

"Like, what's with the miniature flower garden?"

"Flower-whoa," Christina gasped, "I didn't..."

the flowers wilted and Christina took a deep breath watching as they disappeared entirely, "Probably a fluke" she shrugged, "I'm going to change,"

…...

"Someone has to get them back!"

"You mean go to a strange realm to rescue them?" Clawdeen looked up from her sketchbook, "We'll do it"

"Yeah," Duncan nodded his agreement.

Frankie glanced at Kenny, "Count us in"

"Me too!" Scooby bounded over.

Draculaura and Sibella stood only for Dracula to block their path to the others.

"I don't think so, girls"

"But, Daddy-"

"No, no but's I'm not losing you too!"

"But, Clawd and Tug-"

"No, and that's final!"

"I'll make the preparations for the trip," Miss Grimwood declared.

…...

"Like, you look beautiful, Christina," Shaggy grinned when Christina reemerged from the guest room.

Christina blushed, "Thanks, Shaggy" She passed the bag to him, "Your turn"

Christina wore a glittery amethyst dress with tight elbow-length sleeves, the skirt ending just below her knees. The dress was paired with black leggings and boots.

"Be right back,"

Christina chuckled, sitting on the couch and grabbing her fairy tale book. It wasn't long before flowers began growing again.

…...

"What's going on?" Diaval asked curiously, watching over Maleficent's shoulder.

"Her powers are flaring"

"You knew this would happen?"

"I knew it would happen eventually"

"Aren't you going to help her?"

"When I visit later"

"How do you know she'll-"

"Diaval, enough questions!"

"Yes, Mistress, Sorry Mistress"

…...

"Mom, we're here!" Cerise called swinging open the cabin door, Ramona trailing behind her.

"Come to the kitchen girls, there's someone I want you to meet!" Red said excitedly.

Ramona blinked confusedly, "Both of us?"

"Yes! Come on!"

The girls entered the kitchen to find their mother serving lunch to some unexpected and unusual guests. One could have passed for a student at school but he smelt too much like a wolf to be human while the girl was well, different. She was too focused on her shaking hands to look up at them.

"You're okay, Christina, your mother had lots of magical mishaps at your age," Red was saying, "Why there was this one time she accidentally turned Bigs pink for the entire week"

"Longest week of my life!" Bigs agreed from where he stood next to the stove.

"Mom, Dad?" Cerise called softly getting her parents' attention.

"Girls, this is Shaggy and Christina"

"Ans what are they doing here?" Ramona asked, "I thought that-"

"Christina's Alissa's daughter," Red all but squealed, "She came from another realm"

"Alissa as in your friend from school?" Cerise blinked, trying to process.

"The one that left to get away from her destiny?" Ramona added to which Red nodded, "The very same"

"Where's Alissa then?"

Christina started to cry which caused it to rain inside, scaring them both.

Shaggy glared daggers at them, moving closer to Christina.

"I'm afraid Alissa has passed on"

the duo jumped spinning to find Maleficent behind them.

the day couldn't get any stranger!

…...

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Miss Grimwood asked the group before her.

"Positive," Frankie smiled, sparking with excitement.

"Maleficent messed with the wrong people," added Duncan, "We're going to get our friends back"

"Be careful kids," Miss Grimwood warned before they stepped through the portal.

"Aren't we always?"

…...

Maleficent was able to stop Christina's mini rainstorm with a wave of her hand, drying the cabin in the process, "So much like your mother," she remarked turning to where Christina sat glaring at her.

"How many times do I have to say it? Go away. Send us home and go away!"

maleficent didn't respond to Christina's demand nor was she moved by Big's snarling and orders to get off his property. Instead, she began to tell a story, her scepter glowing brightly as she did so casting images on the wall.

"Once upon a time, a long time ago"

Bigs muttered more crude things while Cerise went to answer the door. In all the excitement she hadn't told her parents visitors were coming.

"I had been Queen for little under a year, my marriage had fizzled and we'd respectfully parted ways. Lucinda, your aunt was the only thing that came from that marriage. I often escaped to the Moors to clear my head and there I reconnected with a childhood friend, a human stable boy who gave me the respect I was so often denied. our meetings became frequent and somewhere along the way, I fell in love with him. When I confessed my feelings he swore he felt the same and so we spent one night together under the stars. When I woke the next morning I was filled with happiness for I knew I was pregnant. Excitedly, I turned to tell him but Stephan and my wings were gone"

there was a collective gasp but still Maleficent continued.

"Just after Alissa was born I received word that King Stephan and Queen Leah had a child of their own. Looking at Alissa I was angered once more by how her father had slighted me and it was because of this that I cursed Aurora and not because I hadn't been invited."

Maleficent looked directly at Christina now, "Your mother was born from true love and her heart was so filled by it that evil could never and would never find its way in. that's why she was blessed with the Dragonmark and the same goes for you, Christina," tears were filling Maleficent's eyes.

"Please, come home with me"