"Revolta! Revolta!"
"What is it, Creeper?", the Witch of the Web demanded.
"Lady Bathory and your godson are here!"
"Well don't just stand there, you fool! Bring them to me!"
"Y-yes, Revolta!", Grim Creeper simpered as he skittered away as fast as he could. Moments later he returned with the two angry vampires.
"What happened, Revolta?!", Regina hissed. "You promised me a spell...!"
"That would make Christina MINE!", Drew finished. He hissed slightly in pain as he sat in the nearest chair. "And I need a healing potion!"
"Calm yourselves", Revolta said as she handed her godson a vial of potion, which he drank quickly. "All was going according to plan. I discovered the ancient dark spell that could force a bond nearly as strong as True Love. I found two souls pure of heart in your home realm, in the same place by luck. My mirror monsters brought them here through the mirror with the permission and aid of the Evil Queen. By using their pure souls, the 'Lovers-True' spell would have worked! But I underestimated their cowardice. In their sheer terror, they managed to escape before their souls were consumed. Now I still owe the Evil Queen a favor, and that boy and his talking dog are who knows where."
"Did you say a human boy and a talking dog?!", Drew growled as he removed his cast and tossed away the crutches.
"Yes," Revolta nodded, eyes narrowing, "Why?"
"Because we know where they are!" Regina replied, "And that boy isn't human!"
"What?"
"See for yourself!" Regina cried, pointing to the mirror across the room.
"This is most troubling," Revolta grumbled when the mirror showed her where the two were.
With Christina as she went from class to class.
…...
"You like, seem nervous, Christina," Shaggy observed.
"Just frustrated,"
"Anything I can do?"
Christina turned to smile at him, "Not much, just catch me if I faint,"
"Why would you do that?"
"Come on,"
Into the sweltering August heat, they went for earlier than normal Legacy Day Rehearsals. Up the steps and next to Raven.
"Gentlemen, please sit down there," Grimm ordered, pointing to the seating for the audience.
Christina grit her fangs asking herself why Grimm was being so nice all of the sudden. She kept her mouth shut, however, watching Shaggy and Scooby descend the steps to the front row seating. Prince coiled around her shoulders and licked her cheek to grab her attention. Christina turned her attention back to the rehearsals watching Apple who was followed by Raven who per usual asked why and argued a bit, then Maddie, Hunter, Ashlynn. all-too-soon it was her turn. Sweating buckets, she stepped up to the podium.
"We're waiting," Grimm coughed.
She couldn't utter a word, the world was going hazy again. She stumbled back. She couldn't do this! Not even for rehearsals!
"Christina!"
Shaggy sounded far away, everything sounded far away.
Everything went black.
…...
"Christina?"
"Ugh," she groaned.
"Can you sit up?"
She did with minimal effort finding herself in the nurse's office with Shaggy looming over her, concern in his eyes. He sat beside her.
"What time is it?"
"Almost nine, you like, weren't out long," Shaggy explained.
Standing, she straightened out her clothes and grabbed her bag slipping it over her head. Prince popped out with her charm bracelet in his claws.
"Silly boy, you snatched that off my vanity didn't you?" she cooed, taking the bracelet and sliding it on.
"Maybe you should like, sit back down, Christina?" Shaggy said worriedly, grabbing her arm gently.
"No, no," Christina shook her head, "I'll be okay,"
"But isn't your next class meeting outside today?"
"Yes,"
"Shouldn't you sit out?"
"Hex no! We're supposed to meet our fairy tale companions today and that requires going outside, I am not going to melt!"
"I would hope not!" Melinda cried sweeping into the office, "Professor Badwolf sent me to check on you, glad to see you're awake, come on!"
Into the sunlight and onto the athletics field they went. The Villainy students were seated on the bleachers, Christina and Melinda both groaned. The sole reason they were outside was to aid the Heroics 101 class with their Save the Damsel assignment. Christina nudged Melinda as they sat down.
"What?"
"Look who's back from Kansas," Christina giggled.
Melinda followed her friend's gaze only to flush pink at the sight of Dalton slipping inside to get his schedule.
"Melinda and Dalton sittin-"
"Shut up," Melinda cried shoving Christina who shoved back.
"Ladies!" Professor Badwolf barked, "Pay attention!"
"Yes sir," they nodded.
Sparrow was up now. Strutting to the starting line, bow in hand. Briar was the damsel that needed saving though she seemed uninterested, wrapped up in party planning details. Only when King Charming cleared his throat did she realize what she was supposed to be doing.
"Oh, save me!" she wailed mellow dramatically.
Sparrow took out the fake minions with his bow and arrows, charging onto the mini drawbridge where a large fearsome and, fake dragon landed before him. He was so caught off guard that he stumbled backward into the moat. King Charming tsked disapprovingly while Faybelle, the selected villan complained she didn't hex anyone. Ignoring her protests, Professor Badwolf ordered her to take her seat and called on Christina.
"I decline," Christina quipped, looking up from her journal.
"Decline?" the teachers repeated in unison.
"Yes, I respectfully decline," she replied, "I don't wish to be a villain,"
"Bigs?" King Charming turned to Professor Badwolf.
"You'll have to write an essay on the history of villainy,"
"You mean this?" Christina pulled said essay from her bag, "2500 words double spaced with works cited,"
"When did you do this?"
"Last night,"
the two blinked rapidly.
"Well?" Christina asked with a smirk.
"Very well, Raven you're up,"
"Daring," King Charming called, "Show them how it's done,"
Swaggering like a peacock, Daring stepped up to the starting line pausing to flash a smile at his ever-present fan club who promptly swooned. When the minions appeared-some strange cross between bats and skeletons-Daring struck a heroic pose before swinging his blade and smashing them to bits. The dragon appeared, smoke pouring from its mouth but otherwise not moving. He sent his sword plunging into its heart with another smile.
"You can't stop me," Raven droned.
"Yes I can," Daring retorted, pointing his sword at her.
"You have bested me, noo"
he scaled the wall and picked up Apple.
King Charming enthusiastically clapped, "Well done, you beat your record, Son"
"THAT'S A SHAM!"
Everyone jerked their heads towards Dirk as he stormed onto the field, "Nothing happened, the dragon didn't move, the minions might as well have been statues and the villain didn't even fight, no offense"
"None Taken," Raven shrugged.
"Let me run the course," Dirk challenged, "I'll beat his record!"
"Fine," King Charming drolled.
Armed with nothing but a sword, Dirk charged onto the course at full-speed.
A pack of wolves with razor-sharp teeth spawned all rushing at him but Dirk wasn't to be stopped, preforming a deadly dance of moves he'd learned from childhood. One by one the wolves fell to the ground, disappearing on contact with the grass. The dragon appeared next, rearing with a stream of fire but he threw the sword plunging it into the dragon's chest.
(Christina covered her eyes, suddenly reminded of the scar on her grandmother's chest as a result of the battle with Phillip)
The dragon popped out of existence, Dirk grabbed his sword, running full-speed at the chosen villain, Hadrian Hook who flashed a smile at Melinda, she gagged in response. The duo was soon locked in battle but it surprised no one when Dirk managed to disarm Hadrian and send him falling into the moat.
"And Time!"
"Well?" Dirk asked.
"One minute and nine seconds,"
"And what was Daring's record?" Melinda called.
"One minute eleven seconds,"
"So I win!"
"This cannot stand," King Charming argued.
"OH, YES IT CAN!" Christina yelled, tossing her sketchbook aside, "He slayed that course!"
"And what are you going to do about it?"
"I'll run the course if I beat it, his record stands,"
"You can't!" Daring protested, "You're just a-"
"Girl?" Christina scoffed.
Rolling his eyes, King Charming told Christina to pick her opponent.
"Melinda," she said.
The young witch blinked but took her place. Arguing with Christina at this point would be downright stupid. Maid Marion was confused as to who should be the damsel but Christina beat her to it. Much to the bewilderment of everyone, Shaggy was selected.
"GO!"
Christina tore onto the course, unflinching as ice giants wielding iron swords spawned. She ducked, dodged and fired at them one by one, not even slowing when the iron grazed her skin. It could do no real harm to her. The boss monster had been purposely selected to make her forfeit as it was nothing more than a huge version of Diablo. Balling her fists and raising them to the sky she sent rocks flying from the ground to crush him. Her last obstacle was Melinda, who DID NOT want to hurt her.
"Give them a show!"
"But Christy-"
"Do it!" she whispered.
Regrettably, she conjured an iron bar and swung grazing Christina's arm. They went back and forth for a few minutes but in order win, Christina had to outdo, or, at least subdue her friend.
"Sorry M," Christina apologized, pulling the water from the moat.
"Hit me!"
Water sprinkled down on Melinda causing her to hiss and fall. Christina took to the air grabbed Shaggy and landed proudly before the teachers.
"The record stands," she grinned smugly.
"Nice job, Christina!" Melinda cheered wrapping the burns on her arms.
"You were spell-tacular" Raven grinned, tackling her friend
"Thanks,"
"Nice job,"
The duo turned to find the newest student behind them.
"Thank you, I'm Christina, and this is Raven,"
"Dirk Knight, nice to meet you Christina and you too, sis,"
"What?" Raven asked in shock.
"I'm your older half-brother?"
"How?"
"We share the same Mom." Dirk explained, "I was born a year before you, shortly before Mom met your dad,"
"You two do look alike," Melinda mused joining them.
Raven studied the boy before her. They had the same hair and the same eyes. There was truth within his.
So, when he offered her a hug she gladly accepted.
/
Shaggy and Scooby followed Christina closely as her class prepared to venture into the enchanted forest to meet their fairy tale companions and hopefully life long friends.
"You're going to get a slimy, disgusting frog," Faybelle taunted Christina.
"Hey!" Hopper shouted as he passed by.
"Even if I get a frog, I'll love him just the same," Christina calmly said.
Faybelle rolled her eyes before flying away. When they reached the forest and were each given instructions Christina found herself nervously shaking. Why was she even nervous? She watched as her classmates received their companions. Apple, a fox, Briar, a unicorn, Daring, a peacock, Cerise, a wolf pup. Faybelle got a dog, a Pomeranian. Christina chuckled, her aunt was sure to have a fit.
Finally, it was her turn, taking a deep breath, she popped the firework and cried out her name as they'd been told to do.
Silence, nothing moved for a moment. Faybelle laughed though she tried to conceal it. Christina was about to rejoin the others when the sound of twigs snapping and leaves shaking caught her attention.
The next thing she knew, she was on the ground being covered in slobber.
When she was finally allowed to sit up she found a trio of wolves sitting before her. Two black, one tan. They watched her expectantly but Christina found herself at a loss for words.
"Aren't you going to name them?" Cerise whispered, kneeling beside her.
She nodded numbly, her brain seemed to have stopped working properly.
"Thunder," she named the only male, "Fluffy," she dubbed the tan one despite how childish the name might have seemed, "Jade," the leader was named.
Cerise helped her to her feet and they quietly rejoined the group, the wolves trailing behind them.
…...
"Shaggy!"
Rachel seized him by the arm in the lunchline. If it wasn't for Christina keeping a steady hold on his other arm she would've dragged him off.
"Come sit with me,"
it was more of an order than an invite, she batted her eyes and tried to look friendly but only succeeded in making him squirm.
"I-I'd rather not," he managed to say, "Like, I want to stay with Christina,"
"But she's-"
"Right here," Christina snapped, "And if you don't leave him alone an entire murder of crows will male that dress look like Cinderella's rags,"
"I'm just trying to spend some time with a friend," Rachel retorted coolly, "What's it to you, half-breed?"
Christina slammed her tray down, eyes raging with magic fire, "DON'T call me that!" Lightning was striking, thorny brambles crawling across the floor. When Christina got angry the whole school knew and knew to stay away. Rachel, however, was as hard-headed as can be and although frightened put on a brave face.
Until she saw the crows.
So many filled the window they shut out the sun, the beating of their wings was deafening, several students clamping their hands over their ears in a vain effort to shut it out. They were waiting, waiting for Christina to give them orders.
"Do you want me to let them in or will you leave Shaggy alone?" Christina demanded chillingly calm, her wolves on high alert nearby.
Rachel scurried away. Just like that, the storm cleared, brambles receeded and the crows flew elsewhere. Christina took a calming breath, her wings still smoking with anger. She directed Shaggy and Scooby to their table and sat down, stabbing at her salad with a scowl. The PA system crackled to life, Christina turned her head expectantly waiting to hear her name but was surprised to find it wasn't her that was being 'requested'
'Dirk Knight to the Headmaster's office'
"Me?" Dirk questioned.
'Yes you'
He stood with an eye-roll. Grimm was probably freaking about his parents or the fact that he crushed Daring's record. Thinking about it made him smile. After what the Charmings-there was a great many-had done to his family it was time at least one of them faced comeuppance. He was so consumed by these thoughts that he accidentally crashed into someone headed the opposite way.
"I'm so sorry," he apologized, "I wasn't watching where I was going, are you o-kay,"
Dirk forgot how to speak, how to breathe when he locked eyes with the girl before him. Beautiful baby blue eyes met his own, he felt like he was drowning in them. Her pink lips spread into a smile that made his heart slam repeatedly against his ribcage and all sense of time was officially lost on him.
"I'm okay, I wasn't paying attention. Are you okay?"
"yes, yeah," his voice cracked, he coughed hoping to conceal it, "I'm Dirk Knight,"
"You did a hexellent job teaching my brother some humility today," she giggled.
"Your brother?"
"Daring's my older brother, I'm Darling"
"You're a Charming?"
"Central Charming actually but yes,"
"I, uh, have to go...headmaster's office,"
"It was nice meeting you!" she called after him.
Dirk couldn't believe what just happened.
…...
Christina tried to ignore the stares, the whispering, the hushed questions. Legacy Day was tomorrow and everyone wanted to know what she would do. Of course, no one would ask her directly as most speculation was done by first-year students who couldn't understand that the Princess of the dark fae was a kindhearted person. Therefore, Christina was immensely relieved when she left for Monster High, Shaggy and Scooby trailing behind her.
"Are you okay?" Shaggy questioned softly.
"Yeah," she grinned weakly.
Though, it was clear he didn't buy it.
…...
(BP) Shaggy and Christina sitting in a tree-
(TP) Seriously?
(MN) Children, please.
(FN) Now's not the time.
…...
Christina woke to sunshine and birdsong the next day but her insides were leaden. She slunk from the bed, hopping over the wolves that now slept on her rug.
I need coffee,
Running a hand through her tangled hair she paused.
I need to fix this first.
Sitting down at her vanity she picked up a brush and started taming her wild mess. Alissa peeked inside as Christina was tying up her braid.
"Nervous?" Alissa questioned softly, laying a hand on her daughter's shoulder.
"How could you tell?" Christina responded dryly.
"I was too, but whatever you choose to do I'll be right behind you,"
"So vill I," Radu added from the doorway, "Now, let's get going, your grandmother's joining us,"
Christina finished getting ready before joining her parents, Shaggy and Scooby at the breakfast table where they awaited Maleficent.
"Breathe, Christina," Alissa whispered.
"Nerves," she shook.
It was going to be a long day.
…...
This was supposed to end with the Legacy Day ceremony but I got impatient and a lot was going on in this chapter! (At least I think so). I owe a big thank you to my friend, DRAGONDAVE45