Christina ran all the way back to the dragon stables, away from the cheering crowds and hordes of well-wishers.
"Christina?" Shaggy caught her by the shoulders when she tore inside, "Like, what's the matter?"
But Christina couldn't speak, too overcome by sobs.
Why did Faybelle have to be right? No one was or would ever be romantically interested in her. As common as hybrid monsters were it was hard for them to find love, even friendships proved difficult. She was lucky to that end but that's where her luck ran out.
Shaggy's hands moved from her shoulders to her arms pulling her into a tight hug.
"Shh, it's okay, it's like, going to be okay"
Christina was safe. Focusing on Shaggy's steady heartbeat helped her calm even as they slid to the floor, Christina finding herself on his lap. When her sobs quieted, Shaggy tried to move away, only for Christina to tighten her grip.
"Not yet, please, can I just-"
Shaggy put his arms back around her.
"What happened up there?" he asked her quietly.
"F-faybelle said she said-"
"What? What did Faybelle say?"
"She said I'd never get married"
"What?" Shaggy bristled, "Why?"
"No one wants a hybrid, no one"
"You have to know that's not true"
"But-but it is!" Christina wailed like a child.
Faybelle always did know how to hit her where it hurt.
Shaggy meanwhile, had to beat down the urge to claw Faybelle's eyes out. Faybelle wasn't worth the time of day.
"Christina? Christina?"
Raven was coming. Quickly the two scrambled to their feet, Christina wiping at her face while Shaggy fought the blush beneath his fur. Neither was quite ready when Raven pulled open the doors.
"CHRISTINA!"
Raven barreled into her, "Thank you, I can't believe you knew!"
"Surprise"
"I thought you were terrible with secrets?"
"You thought wrong," Christina smiled weakly when Raven released her, "You should get going there's a horde of well-wishers waiting for you"
"Are you not coming back?"
"Nah, I'm tired, you go on ahead"
Raven gave her a quizzical look but left the stables anyway.
"Christina-" Shaggy reached for her as she passed.
"I'm going home, I'll see you and the others later"
"Okay"
…...
Later Alissa found Christina buried in her blankets, tears streaking her face.
"Oh, Butterfly," Alissa peeled the blankets back, "What did Faybelle say now?"
"I don't want to talk about it," Christina mumbled, leaning into her mother.
"Then we don't have to," Alissa promised, running a hand through Christina's hair, "Grimm threw a conniption fit when the news broke earlier today, I was told they had to sedate him"
"That doesn't surprise me," Christina said quietly.
Alissa hated seeing Christina upset. In an effort to cheer her she pulled her to her feet, "I know what you need"
"Tea?"
"And cookies, just like always"
With a weak smile, Christina allowed herself to be pulled to the dining room.
"Sit tight, I'll be right back"
But while Christina could be cheered with tea and cookies others could not.
…...
to say Duchess Swan was angry about the day's events would have been a vast understatement. She was seething, enraged so while all the other girls took to the dorm's common room to celebrate Duchess stayed behind stewing with anger.
I'm so tired of pretending
Where's my happy ending?
I followed all the rules
I drew inside the lines
I never asked for anything that wasn't mine
I waited patiently for my time
But when it finally came
He called her name
And now I feel this overwhelming pain
I mean it's in my veins
I mean it's in my brain
My thoughts are running in a circle like a toy train
I'm kinda like a perfect picture with a broken frame
I know exactly who to blame
I never thought of myself as mean
I always thought that I'd be the queen
And there's no in between
'Cause if I can't have that
Then I would be the leader of the dark
And the bad
Now there's a devil on my shoulder
Where the angels used to be
And it's calling me the queen
A plan- a crazy one-began to form as Duchess lamented. What if she took Raven's place? What if she stole it? The more she considered this, the more appealing it became until she was flying out the window to get what she needed.
It seemed all of Ever After was caught in celebration, too consumed with themselves to even notice the ballerina breaking into the museum. It wasn't hard to shut off every camera and alarm system in the place, the guard sleeping through the whole process.
First, Duchess needed a crown, a spectacular crown. Stepping into the hall marked: royal treasures allowed her plenty of choices. Princesses and Queens had so many crowns they were able to spare more than a few for display but it was one in the center, on a raised podium that caught her eye. Pure gold, inset with gems far more valuable than those worn by her classmates.
This crown, this perfect crown belonged to the Queen of Camelot.
Being nice was my pastime
But I've been hurt for the last time
And I won't ever let another person take advantage of me
The anger burns my skin, third-degree
Now my blood's boiling hotter than a fiery sea
There's nobody getting close to me
They're gonna bow to the Evil Queen
Your nightmare's my dream
Just wait until they fall to my wicked schemes
I never thought of myself as mean
I always thought that I'd be the queen
And there's no in between
'Cause if I can't have that
Then I would be the leader of the dark
And the bad
Now there's a devil on my shoulder
Where the angels used to be
And he's calling me the queen of mean (Calling me, calling me)
The queen of mean (Calling me, calling me)
(Calling me, calling me)
The queen of mean
That was the one she wanted. Grabbing a sword from a nearby display she smashed the case to pieces, lifting the crown with a grin.
Little did she know her actions had woken one of the vilest things on display.
The scepter that had once belonged to the evil queen herself. Pulsing with the blackest of magic it rose to seek out Duchess. It called out for her as it got closer.
Duchess.
Duchess.
She turned, monetarily distracted by the crown which she set down.
This, this was just what she needed.
Something's pulling me
It's so magnetic
My body is moving
Unsure where I'm headed
All of my senses have left me defenseless
This darkness around me
Is promising vengeance
The price that I'm willing to pay is expensive
There's nothing to lose
When you're lonely and friendless
So my only interest is showing this princess
That I am the queen
And my reign will be endless (Endless)
there was a bright flash of light when Duchess grabbed the scepter. Once faded it was easy to see just how warped Duchess had become, her clothes having undergone a transformation of their own. Now black instead of white with a long, feathered skirt and high collar the very definition of a black swan. But that wasn't the only change, her hair free from its usual style was as black as her clothes and twice as wild.
The most disturbing change of all however was the maniacal smile that split her face as she twirled the scepter about.
I want what I deserve
I want to rule the world
Sit back and watch them learn
It's finally my turn
She relished the power she now held, no more expectations, no more fighting to get to the next level of villainy class so she could alter her family curse. Most of all, no more waiting for a prince to come to save her. No, the princes were the ones that needed saving now.
If they want a villain for a queen
I'm gonna be one like they've never seen
I'll show them what it means
Now that I am that
I will be the ruler of the dark and the bad
'Cause the devil's on my shoulder
Where the angels used to be
And he's calling me the queen of mean (Calling me, calling me)
(Calling me, calling me)
The queen of mean (Calling me, calling me)
I want what I deserve
…...
"Morning, Christina!" everyone greeted when Christina stepped into the dining room.
"Uh, morning," she yawned, "What's with the breakfast feast?"
"We noticed you seemed down yesterday," Daphne smiled, "Or Shaggy noticed"
"So we got up early," Velma continued.
"And helped your mom with breakfast," Fred finished.
"I think they did a good job," Radu smiled, "But, you're the judge, Christina"
Sitting down beside her father, Christina took the offered plate of pancakes and took a bite.
"I agree," she nodded, "Hey, where is Mom?"
"There was an emergency council meeting, she promised to be back soon"
"Emergency?"
"Someone broke into the museum last night"
"That's awful"
"Everyone's trying to figure out who and why"
…...
Raven Queen was still on cloud nine. As she would be for several weeks to come. Sure the sudden thefts had put everyone on edge, the school was abuzz with theories but Raven couldn't be bothered to listen.
She was engaged!
Practically walking on air she breezed from class to class with a smile.
"Well, don't you look happy today!"
Raven jumped back to avoid getting hurt by the lightning which struck the ground directly in front of her despite the clear sky.
"Duchess?" she gasped when the shock faded, "What-what are you doing with that crown and my mom's scepter? It's dangerous!"
"I wanted them so I took them, surely you'd understand that, Raven?" Duchess replied, eyes glinting with malice, lazily twirling the scepter.
"Give it to me, please, it's too dangerous!"
"I want to be dangerous!" Duchess snapped, lightning striking a tree behind her, "Unlike you"
"Why are you doing this?"
"I'm going to show everyone who really deserves to be Arthur's Princess! It isn't you! You're a villain he's a prince!"
"Duchess, don't you see?" Raven tried to reason, "Things are changing-"
"Oh shut up you hag!"
The spell caught Raven off guard. She didn't have time to move or block it. In the second after the flash, there stood an old woman in a peddlers cloak.
Cackling madly, Duchess left as quickly as she'd come.
"Oh, my godmother!" Christina exclaimed, slipping from the shadows, "Was that Duchess?"
"Yes," Raven rasped, "We're all in trouble"
"Worry about her later, we need to get you fixed up"
"She has my Mom's scepter, nothing can undo the spells cast by the scepter"
"There has to be something,"
"People will panic if they see me"
"C'mon, we're going to my house, we'll figure this out," Christina pulled her phone from her bag, "I'll text Arthur and Dirk to meet us there"
…...
A good end for the chapter? Debatable but, here we are, I can't cram the whole arc in a chapter now can I? Please, remember to review!