"Dad? Is that really you?"
"I've missed you, Robecca," Hexiciah swept his daughter into a hug.
"Robecca," Hoodude noticed, "You're leaking"
"I.." she wiped at her cheeks, "I don't understand"
"You're crying, Robecca, you're crying," Christina realized.
"But I don't have a-"
"You do, Robecca, just not a physical one" Hexiciah explained, "But with permission of a friend, I can change that"
He grabbed the bag at his feet and rummaged through it before pulling out a box. He presented to Robecca who opened it confusedly before gasping with surprise. Inside rested the Vampire's Heart, a magical artifact many had heard of but few had seen. Smiling still, Hexiciah placed it in the empty space in her chest.
"Now, you're whole"
Robecca hugged her father again.
"But, like, why pretend to be the wizard?" Shaggy demanded, anger bleeding into his voice, "Like, why send us to retrieve things from the witches if you never had any magic or intention of granting our wishes?"
"Shaggy, breathe," Christina placed a hand on his arm.
"A hero's journey"
"Huh?"
"You see, when I first arrived I crashed into the center of the city and was instantly proclaimed a wizard. Dazed and confused by my arrival I went along with it. The people needed hope and I honestly thought I was who they needed. Then, after a failed attempt to beat the witches I looked at the prophecy more closely I realized that I wasn't the savior this land needed after all-"
"But the prophecy is so vague"
"Because parts of it had been forgotten"
"Forgotten?"
"Daughter of Oz, born of love. who's kindness knows no bounds though you've gone you shall return brought from the skies by harsh winds to best the darkness and lead the land into peace. That is the true prophecy"
"And you sent us to the witches so Christina could banish them once and for all" Hoodude caught on.
"Exactly"
Christina put a hand to her head, "I'm not sure how to feel about this"
"Like, what about the brains you promised Hoodude?"
"And, Shaggy's courage?" added Hoodude.
"I don't need to give you something you already have"
"I have no brain, my head is full of straw"
"So? That doesn't mean you don't have a brain"
Hoodude pouted silently.
"I can give you some 'brains'" Hexiciah gave in, "But I'll have to remove your head"
"Remove my head? Oh, please be gentle"
Hexiciah removed Hoodude's head and emptied it of the straw which he replaced with sawdust before reattaching the head.
"And here is your diploma so that no one doubts your brains"
"How do you feel?" Robecca inquired Hoodude who couldn't tear his eyes from his diploma.
"Smart, now help Shaggy, please?"
"All Shaggy needs is a medal," Hexiciah pulled one from his bag, pinning it to Shaggy's shirt "He's already courageous"
Shaggy smiled bashfully.
"What about Christina?" Scooby barked.
"Yeah, what about Christina?" Shaggy demanded.
"Oh," Christina looked to the floor, rubbing her arm nervously, "I don't think there's anything in that bag for me. Nothing can help me" and she walked away.
Passing by the citizens who'd flooded the castle and the servants trying to keep them at bay. Back to the room she'd been given, the room that was really hers to begin with.
"Pri- I mean, Christina what happened?" Melinda jumped to her feet.
"My friends got what they wanted," she smiled weakly.
"And you?"
"I want to sleep"
"Okay," Melinda closed the drapes, lit a fire, and laid out a nightdress before heading to the door.
"Melinda?"
"Yes?"
"Don't you have a kingdom of your own to reclaim?"
"Yes, and I will, I just need to tie up some loose ends, good night,"
"Goodnight"
…...
Shaggy waited awkwardly in the hall, hoping someone would tell him what to do now. Christina was royalty and he was well, him. Didn't that mean he had to find a new room? Surely staying with Christina would be considered improper.
"Shaggy?" Clawdeen had stepped into the hall on her nightly patrol, "What are you doing? Aren't you tired?"
"Like, I um, uh" he wasn't sure how to explain himself luckily Clawdeen realized what he was thinking.
"Did your parents never explain imprinting? Shaggy. You know Christina's your true love right?"
"I um," he flushed under his fur.
"Trust me, no one's going to stop you besides, I think Christina will be happy to see you"
Hesitantly, Shaggy eased open the door before looking back at Clawdeen.
"Go on"
He stepped inside before he lost the nerve to do so.
The sitting room was empty, the fire now nothing more than embers but Shaggy who'd spent many years in the forest was well adjusted to seeing in the dark. Tiptoeing he quietly opened the bedroom door, wondering if Christina was still awake.
The fire in the bedroom like the one in the sitting room was nothing but embers. The room was dark, not even the slightest bit of moonlight slipped through the heavy drapes.
"Christina?" he whispered, nearing the shaking form swallowed by the bed, "What's the matter?"
"I'm okay, I'm okay,"
"No, you aren't"
He sat beside her, lifting the covers from her head, "You're sad"
She sat up, rubbing uselessly at her eyes, "Maybe"
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"No"
He put an arm around her comfortingly pulling her close, "We'll like, get some answers tomorrow"
"Alright," she sighed, shuddering just a bit.
"You're not ready to go to sleep?"
"No"
"I think I know something that could help"
Moving from the bed he pulled open the drapes, allowing the moon to spill inside. Smiling a little, he turned back to Christina who was watching curiously.
"May I have this dance?"
She smiled weakly, standing from the bed.
"Ready, one...two...three"
And away they went dancing in the moonlight.
"You know we should talk," Shaggy started slowly.
"About?"
"I like, don't want you to go back to Kansas"
"I don't think I can anyway that's what bothers me"
"There's more"
"Yes?"
"I'm like, in love with you"
"Oh," Christina faltered, "You are?"
"Yes, I-I didn't want to like, tell you because I like, knew you want to go back to Kansas"
Christina remained quiet, watching him.
"I'm-I'm sorry I knew I shouldn't have-"
"Shaggy, I'm just shocked"
He should have expected that. It seemed only natural but did he damage their friendship? Was Christina going to run away? Never speak to him again? The more he thought about it the worse the possibilities became until he was sure to cry. However, Christina remained quiet, dancing with him still. They danced until he could take it no more and kissed her passionately. A kiss which much to his joy she returned
"I love you too"
…...
When Melinda came to wake them the next morning she was at first taken aback to see Shaggy and Christina tangled up in each others arms each with a smile on their face. Then she thought back to how Clawdeen had first acted upon seeing them interact and the light-bulb went off. Now, it made sense.
"Good morning," she called softly, "Time to wake up"
When the duo gave no response Melinda went to plan B. retrieving Scooby and Jade from the other room she set them both on the bed.
"Help me out," she told them.
the pups shared a grin before scampering to their respective owners who they began to lick repeatedly.
Christina reacted first, giggling as she woke while Shaggy mumbled about wanting more sleep and pulling Christina tightly against him.
Melinda looked on stumped as to what she had to do.
Christina, however, had the answer.
"Shaggy"
"Mm?"
"Breakfast time!"
Now, he opened his eyes with a smile, "Good morning"
"Good morning"
"Okay, you're awake"
Shaggy jumped, he hadn't known Melinda was there.
"Sorry," she laughed, "But, it's time to rise and shine. You both have a very full day ahead"
"We do?" they asked in unison.
"Um, yes, you," she pointed to Christina, "Are the princess and you," she pointed to Shaggy, "Are going to marry the princess"
"I am?" Shaggy yawned.
"Yes, duh"
"Is something wrong with that?" Christina questioned, looking up at Shaggy.
"NO!" he quickly kissed her making Melinda look away uncomfortably.
Christina pulled away, reminding Shaggy they had an audience.
"Well, you both need to get ready for the day," Melinda busied herself by looking through the dresses in the closet, "Thankfully, you're not walking to the south. You're expected to take the carriage-"
"Wait," Christina gently interrupted, "The south?"
"Yes," Melinda spun around holding one dress which she placed back, "The Witch wishes to meet you"
"You're going to be joining us?" Christina asked hopefully.
"No, I'm traveling north to see if my er, skin condition can be cured"
"I wonder why it didn't..."
"Change back?" Melinda finished, "Me too"
"We're going by ourselves?"
"Yes. Robecca's with the wizard and Hoodude decided he wanted to explore the city, now let's get moving, there's a lot to do and so little time!"
,,,,,,,,,
"Whoa, you look beautiful, Christina" Shaggy gasped upon Christina's entrance to the dining room.
She flushed with embarrassment, "You don't think it's too much?"
"No, not at all,"
I suppose I'm lucky my mother didn't favor frills
When Melinda had been unable to make a selection, Christina had gently pushed her aside to choose for herself. The dress she had chosen was white with a green shimmery tint. Loose and flowing, with gold trim around the neckline, sleeves and hem. Her hair had once again been left down and after a gentle debate she'd agreed to wear the circlet again.
Shaggy and Christina shared a quiet breakfast while Scooby and Jade shared a bone. Afterwards they set out on their journey.
"What's the matter, Christina?" Shaggy asked when she stared quietly out the window.
"I miss my aunt and uncle is all"
"I understand," Shaggy nodded, taking her hand, "Maybe the witch will be able to help you"
"Maybe"
At least, Christina hoped so.
…...
"Like, I'll be honest, I was like, expecting a castle," Shaggy stared out the window as the carriage slowed.
"Me too, Shaggy, me too," Christina agreed.
The witch of the south lived in a charming manor with a bright red roof. It was certainly unexpected but cheery and inviting nonetheless.
Once the carriage came to a stop Shaggy was first out before turning to help Christina while Scooby and Jade, both still grumbling about the baths they'd been forced to take, hopped out behind her.
'Ready?"
"Are you, Shaggy?"
"Not at all," he took her by the hand, "But, we'll like, do this together"
"Together"
The doors were opening before they even reached them. it seemed the entire house staff was gathered there, trying to catch a glimpse of the duo. They were shown at once into the 'throne room' though parlor might have better described the room.
Sitting in a tall backed reading chair was the southern witch, Grace Bloodgood herself.
She smiled, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Princess"
"Please, just call me Christina"
"Christina," Bloodgood corrected, "And, Shaggy, welcome please sit"
"I don't understand why you wanted to meet us," Christina confessed.
"Because you're the Princess and soon to be queen. Since we'll be working closely together I thought it best to meet now"
Christina folded her hands in an effort to keep them from shaking with nerves, "But, how am I supposed to rule a country? Yesterday I was just a farm girl who wanted to get back to her family and and now, my family probably thinks I'm dead because I have no way to reach them"
"But you do, Christina"
"How?" she pleaded softly.
"First you have your magic but, Eliza tells me you're untrained so, your next best option is your shoes"
"My shoes?"
"Yes, why do you think Regina had them? They're of great power and importance"
"How?" Shaggy asked before Christina could.
"Well, first and foremost they belong to the ruler of Oz and no one else. Secondly, they can take their wearer anywhere they wish to go, even to a country without magic"
"And I can bring my family back with me?"
"Yes, here stand, click your heels together three times and tell them where you want to go"
"Go on, Christina," Shaggy encouraged.
Slowly, Christina stood and clicked her heels together.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
"Take me to my aunt and uncle"
She disappeared in a puff of smoke.
…...
Opening her eyes, Christina found herself standing before the place where the farmhouse once rested. Now there was a ramshackle camp and a damaged barn nearby but Christina could have cared less. Picking up her skirts she ran for the tent.
"Aunt Em, Uncle Henry!"
"CHRISTINA!" Henry beat Em out of the tent, "You're alive! You're home!"
"Oh, my sweet girl!" Em was sobbing before crushing Christina in an embrace, "What happened? You look so-"
"Different?"
"Grown-up"
"What happened to the farm?" Christina questioned worriedly.
"The cyclone destroyed everything," Henry confessed, "We're doomed"
"Henry!" Em swatted his arm.
"She's old enough to know"
Christina laid a hand on each of their arms, "I may be able to help. If you want to come with me"
"Yes," said Em.
"Where?" asked Henry.
"To Oz" Christina cried.
Away they went.
…...
A few days later:
"So, you're not headed to the west?" Christina questioned confusedly.
"I promised to teach you magic didn't I?"
"Yes but-"
"No but's," Melinda cut her off, "I keep my promises, besides, you're going to need me today"
"Don't remind me!" Christina sank into the nearest chair.
"It's okay to be nervous"
"Melinda's right," Robecca smiled from the doorway, "I'll be here too!"
Christina smiled.
"Don't forget about me!" Hoodude skipped merrily inside.
All present jumped slightly, rubbing their arms where they had been 'pricked'.
"Couldn't forget about me, could you?" Shaggy slipped into the room.
"Of course not," Christina laughed as Shaggy pulled her in for a kiss.
"The ceremony is about to start" Clawdeen reminded from the hall, Duncan at her side.
"Everyone to the throne room," he added.
Christina watched everyone else leave before turning to the window. She felt like she could see the entire country from the window. Her eyes drifted upward.
Wish me luck, Mom and Dad.
"Christina?" Shaggy stepped back into the room, joining her at the window, "What are you like, thinking about?"
"Oh," she leaned into him, "just..." she fell quiet.
"What?"
"There's no place like home"
THE END.
…...
I DID IT!
I PUT MY OWN SPIN ON ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS EVER!
But, no series!
NO.
However, I will be putting a spin on another of my favorite movies.
*Drum-roll*
FROZEN!
On a side note, I wonder what movies I can turn into Melissa AUS? Any ideas?
Now, if you need me I'll be trying to rewrite an entire soundtrack. (Do You Wanna Build A Snowman? Is giving me anxiety)
Review!