There is a world hidden from ours. A world full of the greatest myths, legends, and fairytales. A place of monsters and magic this world has long been divided by a single conflict. To follow in the steps of those before you or to write your own story? The monsters tend to stay out of this. Keeping to themselves and not interacting with their fairytale neighbors.
But, every rule has it's exceptions.
Every world has it's outlaws, outcasts.
This is the story of one such person.
...
The maps were starting to give her a headache but she had learned early on in life that one must always be prepared for anything and everything. She sighed, that couldn't be truer given her situation. Banned, exiled. Whatever you called it, it was the same. It would drive some to madness, others would have accepted their fate and settled down but not her. She couldn't afford to nor, would she WANT to.
But still, Standing from her desk she walked to the window. Ocean for miles, sparkling in the bright sunlight. There she stood when the door creaked open.
"Captain, I'm sorry for the intrusion but you'll want to see this. Whisp sent it,"
She did not like what she saw. Growling slightly, she crumpled the fancy parchment in her hand letting it burn to ash.
"Change course, we're headed for Crystal Cove, tonight,"
…...
Not even the sunniest of days could brighten the Prince's sour mood no matter how his friends tried to help he'd been brooding for a week now.
"Think of all the good it will do," his parents urged him.
But Prince Shaggy only sulked.
"I want to like, marry for love," he pleaded with his parents.
"She's a princess AND a warrior, Norville, so you'd never have to be afraid."
That statement from his mother is what drove Shaggy to the outdoors his best friend, Scooby, and bodyguard, Richard following behind him. He wasn't looking forward to the coming night. A grand ball the grandest thrown in a long time had been planned to formally announce the betrothal.
"Things might change," Richard quietly offered.
"Not before tonight," Shaggy sullenly replied.
"You never know. Fate's a funny thing,"
Shaggy shrugged half-heartedly.
…...
The room was bathed in the light Shaggy could see it even from his hiding place in the darkened hall. They were all waiting on him to make his grand entrance but he didn't want to. Everyone was there. His friends, his extended family, their allies everyone. Everyone he had ever known and even those he didn't know. They had all come from all corners of the land, the world it seemed. All to watch him seal his fate.
"Your mother will be looking for you if you don't show up soon,"
Shaggy jumped. He had been so lost in thought that he didn't notice Velma approaching. Not until she was right in front of him.
"I know," he grumbled.
"The sooner you get in there the sooner it will be over with," Velma reasoned.
"I don't want to,"
"They'll be serving dinner soon,"
"I don't care,"
Velma stepped back in surprise. Shaggy was dead-set on hiding if he didn't come at the mention of a meal.
"Shaggy, your mother's coming," Fred announced, "You'd better hurry,"
With a sigh, Shaggy stood from his hiding place and marched down the hall, reaching the double doors of the ballroom just before his mother. Plastering a fake smile on his face when his arrival was announced he ignored the stern glare his mother was giving him.
Then as he joined the Princess at the bottom of the grand staircase the announcement was made resulting in applause.
Shaggy spent the next hour and a half greeting guests per his mother's orders. It was punishment he supposed for being late. A painful punishment as he was forced to smile and pretend to be happy.
He only gave a real smile to one person that night.
"Like, you totally honor us with your presence, Alpha Clawdeen", Prince Shaggy grinned mischievously, bowing.
"Oh knock it off, you!", Clawdeen smirked, hugging him. "I only been the Alpha for a few months now. And why wouldn't I be here for my favorite cousin on such an important day?"
"Like, thanks, Cuz. Hey! I heard the good news! You found your life-mate!"
"Yeah", the lovely werewolf smiled dreamily. "When I first looked into those emerald eyes, it was all over for both of us."
"Is he, like, here with you?", Shaggy asked, hoping to meet this mystery man.
"Um..no", Clawdeen said, hiding the edge of nervousness in her voice. "Prince Duncan on a diplomatic mission for his father right now."
"Prince Duncan, hmm? I, like, don't think I've heard of him. What kingdom is he the Prince of?"
"Nuh-uh, Cuz!", Clawdeen grinned. "You'll find out when you meet him."
Shortly after this they finally sat down for dinner but much to Shaggy's surprise he wasn't very hungry and only ate enough to appear polite.
Why can't this night be over with already? Shaggy wondered.
It was time for him to dance with his bride-to-be. He fought the urge to run as he led her to the center of the ballroom where everyone could see them.
Let's get this over with.
Before a step was even taken, however, bright colorful fireworks exploded around them stunning the guests into shocked silence. They were so distracted and disoriented by the fireworks that they failed to notice the vines creeping around the guards and anyone else who might stop what was about to transpire. The fireworks faded leaving the once merry room bathed in an eerie purple. A burst of violet flames forced the Prince and Princess to separate
Looking around the room now, Shaggy found pirates lined every wall.
"Well, Well,"
Shaggy snapped to attention finding a pirate now occupied the place he'd been standing in moments before.
"It's Captain Chrystal what is she doing here?"
"I thought she was exiled,"
"I thought she was dead."
The pirate ignored these remarks and continued on.
"Quite the celebration here," she smiled, "Forgive my interruption. I was just wondering where my invitation was, I do enjoy a good party-"
"You aren't wanted here!"
"Not wanted?" she looked hurt now, "My goodness. I am sorry I'll just be taking what I came for and we can pretend this never happened,"
She turned to him, grinning as she blew sparkling blue powder in his face.
….
With the Prince under a sleep spell, floating beside her Chrystal turned to leave only to find a blade against her throat.
"The only place you're going is the dungeon, pirate"
"That's what you think,"
Chrystal grinned at her first mate who now pressed a sword against the knight's back.
Soon enough the two were dueling.
As entertaining as it was, they had to leave. With a wave of her hand, they all disappeared.
…...
His head was swimming, what happened? He smelt saltwater and heard seagulls screeching overhead. Forcing his eyes open he found himself in a room he didn't recognize. Dark wood paneling from the floor to the ceiling. A glance out the large window confirmed his suspicions.
The pirates had taken him.
"Welcome aboard the Shadow Queen, Prince Norville."
Shaggy whirled with a yelp to see the admittedly stunningly beautiful pirate at the door. her brown locks tightly braided beneath the black hat she wore, her eyes alight with mischief, a smile on her face. She wore a dress consisting of a purple corset top with elbow-length sleeves, the dress faded from black to purple, flames seeming to dance on the long skirt. a sword hung at her side gleaming in the light
"Like, the Shadow Queen?", he replied with as much confidence as he could muster. "Then, like, you must be Captain Chrystal Rose, 'Scourge of the Ever After Seas.
she bowed, flourishing her hat
"You won't get away with this! Like, what do you want with me?"
"Let's see, you're a prince, Maybe I'll ransom you", she smirked. "Or maybe I should keep you as a hostage to keep the navies off my back. So many options. However, I may be a pirate, but I'm not cruel. I have someone to keep you company."
At his confused look, she stepped aside with a smile; and Scooby bounded in, tackling Shaggy to the deck and licking his face.
"Scoob!" He cried, "How?"
"He grabbed onto you before we left and who am I to separate friends?"
A crash sounded across the hall.
"Excuse me, I have to tend to my other guest,"
…...
Chrystal eased open the door to find Melissa and that guard locked In a wrestling match.
"AHEM,"
She pulled them apart with her magic.
"WHAT is going on here? Are you trying to wake the sea dragons?"
"He started it!" Melissa yelled kicking midair, "I told ya we shoulda tied em down Captain!"
"But what happened?" the captain repeated pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration.
"He woke up and attacked me!" melissa declared.
"WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THE PRINCE?"
"Relax, he's across the hall," Chrystal said dismissively.
"YOU'LL HANG FOR THIS"
"Now, now, it does no good to yell. I'll set you down if you don't attack me,"
"I took his weapons," Melissa piped,
"I still-"
The captain sighed, "Melissa why don't you write to your mother?"
"Okay,"
Conflict avoided.
For now.
…...
Richard burst into the room as soon as the captain set him on his feet. He was astounded to find the Prince unharmed. There wasn't so much as a scratch on him. He sat on the floor, Scooby snoozing in his lap, staring out the window at the endless sea.
"Like, what was with the crash earlier?" Shaggy asked turning to him.
"I jumped the pirate girl," he explained,
"Why?"
"She's the enemy,"
"We're like, at their mercy I don't think attacking them is like, a good idea,"
"Surely you aren't going to give up so easily?"
"No, Richard, but look at where we are there's nothing but ocean out here,"
"We can swim for it then,"
"Which way is Crystal Cove?" Shaggy challenged.
Richard found he didn't have an answer.
"Exactly,"
"Now what, My Prince?"
"We wait,"
...
I'm back with another pirate story! Exciting isn't it? Okay, to clarify the dress Captain Chrystal is wearing has the top of Zarinna's dress from The Pirate Fairy and the bottom of Vandalla's dress with my spin on the design.
Review please!