"Mommy, why is the sky crying?"
Christina always asked that when it rained and Alissa found it adorable. She always thought the sky was sad. Currently staring out the window at the downpour, waiting for an answer as she pressed her face against the glass.
"The sky isn't crying, Butterfly," Alissa promised, scooping up the ever curious girl, "It's taking care of the flowers. When it rains they get something to drink,"
"But why is it so dark when it rains?"Into
"I think the sun wants to take a nap,"
"Oh,"
"Should we bake cookies and draw pictures?
"Yes please,"
The kitchen was warm and smelt heavenly when the two were finished. While the cookies baked, the two sat at the table and drew. Each had their own sketchbooks, Alissa's full of pictures of Christina, Christina's full of all kinds of things. Birds, flowers, the sky, her toys. Anything that sparked her interest. The question was what didn't interest her? Christina asked all kinds of questions every day she wanted to learn something new and every day Alissa tried to teach her.
"Mommy?"
"Yes, Butterfly?"
"Will you read me a story?"
"Daddy's story?"
"Yes,"
"Okay, pick up your things and bring me your book,"
…...
"Christina? Christina? You okay?"
Christina blinked and found herself in the common room at Ever After High instead of the nice warm kitchen of her home. Looking around she saw the concerned faces of her friends. Then she remembered that they were trying to solve a mystery and had come to the common room so they could sort everything out and determine a next step in the investigation.
"Yeah, Shaggy. I-I'm fine,"
"You sure?"
"Yes, now, where were we?"
"Melinda, like, suggested going to see Red,"
"Yeah, that's a good idea,"
"Then we can go see Mom," Faybelle added.
Christina shuddered, "Aunt Lucinda"
"What's with her?" Clawdeen asked.
"Mom doesn't exactly like Christina,"
"I didn't mean to! Mom made me apologize and I've been apologizing since I was ten!" Christina cried.
"Like, apologize for what?"
"I accidentally set Aunt Lucinda's wings on fire when I was ten,"
"Why?"
"She said cruel things about Daddy!"
"Oh,"
"Maybe we oughta go over what we've learned so far?"
"Good idea, Duncan,"
"Let's start with what Madame Yaga told us," Christina said as she shuffled the papers until she found the one they needed.
"Christy, you didn't tell us we had to RUN in order to speak with her," Shaggy replied, still feeling fatigued after their mad dash across campus.
"Oh hush, it wasn't that bad,"
…...
Earlier.
"Why are we in the woods?" Shaggy asked.
"We're looking for Madame Yaga's office," Melinda explained.
"In the forest?"
"Well, where else would she keep her house?" Christina scoffed.
"House?"
"Yes, Shaggy, her house. The one with the chicken legs,"
"Shush there it is!"
The house turned towards them causing Scooby to hide behind Shaggy.
"No one make a sound. She's skittish,"
Scooby sneezed and the house took off nearly plowing them down in the process. They jumped out of the way before chasing after the house who was surprisingly very, very fast. Hearts pounding and blood pumping they ran after the house. All across campus into the dragon games arena and back out across the football field, past the horse stables and into the pastures where the horses were grazing until they finally cornered the house thanks to a little help from Spitfire who saw fit to lick Christina clean afterward.
"EWW" Christina cringed before cleaning off the drool with her magic.
They found Madame Yaga inside grading papers.
"Christina? What are you doing back here?"
"Long story. We were hoping to talk to you about when Mom was a student if you're not busy,"
"No, not at all," Madame Yaga smiled pushing away the stack of papers, "Gather round children,"
…...
Every time one of her students was late Madame Yaga would spray them with water. Alissa was seldom late for this reason but she always had her head in the clouds and a sketchbook in hand. She always completed her classwork on time though so it wasn't a problem except when it came time for breaks of any kind. Each of Madame Yaga's students would be sent home with journals in which they were to record the evil spells they performed over break. Alissa and Lucinda always got two each because as Baba Yaga saw it, the daughters of Maleficent should both cast enough evil spells to fill two journals. Lucinda always filled both. Alissa, however, was a different story. She was a free thinker who openly questioned her destiny even down to the tiniest detail. When Madame Yaga received only one journal from Alissa she was alarmed to find it filled with light magic spells.
"Alissa, this was not the assignment,"
"Excuse me for saying so, Madame Yaga but I believe it qualifies. You told us to record the spells we performed over break,"
"Yes, Alissa but I said evil spells,"
"I don't do evil spells."
"Alissa, you have the potential to become one of the most powerful dark fae ever after! Yet, you squander it with light magic. Evil is in your blood dear and it's high time you accepted that,"
"You're wrong, Madame Yaga. Good and Evil are choices,"
"We don't get choices here. Maybe things would have been different had you been born a village girl but you're a Princess a heir your mother's throne,"
"I don't want to be like Mom. I never will be."
"This is a dangerous path, Alissa,"
"I don't care,"
…...
After speaking with Madame Yaga the group's next interview was with Professor Rumplestiltskin who had nothing of interest to say about Alissa's school days. Instead of grumbling about the fact that she didn't utterly fail his class as Lucinda had. Moving on they stopped to speak with Professor Pied Piper who was all=too-happy to share with them.
…...
Alissa wordlessly slumped into her seat drawing the attention of everyone. Alissa was never quiet when she came to class. She usually greeted them all with a smile and a cheery hello but not this time. Jack saw it as an opportunity to poke her in the back with a pencil and ask her if she wanted to hear about his weekend. Alissa declined with a sigh.
"What's wrong, Alissa?" Parker asked as Jack peered over their shoulders.
"Mother,"
The two boys shuddered. Everyone knew Alissa and Maleficent's relationship was strained. They were once very close but once Alissa made her disdain for destiny clear they had started to drift apart. Maleficent kept trying to push her daughter down the path of darkness while Alissa kept trying to run from it. She went home every Friday and came back every Monday drained while Lucinda returned fuming angry. So, every Monday Parker Piper and Jack B. Nimble sought to cheer Alissa up. Parker did his part by playing a merry song while jack told Alissa stories of his "adventures" and in return, Alissa would bake them each a box of cookies. It was a splendid arrangement that benefited all involved
…...
When they spoke with Professor Jack B. Nimble he told them the same tale abet with a few alterations such as a fire starting at the mention of Alissa's mother and a freak storm as a result of Alissa's sour mood.
And that brings us back to the present.
…...
Clawdeen gathered their folder of accounts and led the way out of the room with Melinda and Christina at the back of the group speaking in hushed tones as they caught up.
"So you like someone? Like actually Like someone?" Christina asked in bewilderment.
"Yes, but don't tell everyone!"
"What's his name? How'd you meet him?"
"That's a funny story actually,"
"Tell me, M!"
"Okay, okay! Don't get your wings in a twist!"
…...
Melinda West wasn't pleased to be back at school. Especially since her longtime bestie, Christina was no longer in Ever After. How she missed her! She had even arranged to room with Christina this year but since she was gone, shipped off to another world Melinda had the room to herself and thanks to a forged note it would stay that way. As she made her way across the courtyard a freak tornado came out of nowhere and dropped a van nearly on top of her. Luckily, she was able to move out of the way in the nick of time. Where she had been sad moments before now she was angry. The green color flooded her skin as her hands ignited in flames. It was Edwards destiny to get crushed by falling objects, not hers.
She was seriously going to fry whoever was inside the van until the door opened and a dazed and confused boy wearing jeans, snakeskin boots, black t-shirt, and a jean jacket with an auburn mullet and green eyes stumbled out.
Melinda was sure her heart went on a one way trip to the moon.
"I-I-I'm really sorry! I don't know what happened. I was on my way home from a gig when a tornado came outta nowhere and sucked up my van", he said still a bit dizzy.
"N-n-n-no! It's alright", the young witch stammered. "Not like it was your fault, right? Are you ok? Who are you?"
"Jeez! I MUST have hit my head! My Grandma Dorothy would slap me silly! Where are my manners?", he face-palmed himself then offered his hand with a smile. "My name's Dalton, l'il lady. Dalton Gale."
"meow?", a cat called just behind him, as the shock at his identity rendered her speechless. He smiled and reached down to pick up a greyish-white short-hair cat."And this friendly fella is is my buddy Ghost."
"My name's Melinda, Melinda West," Melinda smiled, the green color draining from her skin as she shook his hand.
"Pleasure to meet you, Melinda. Would you happen to know where we've landed? 'cause I don't think I'm in Kansas anymore,"
"Ever After. The Realm of stories. I'll take you to the headmaster's office. He'll be able to help,"
…...
"Turns out Grimm brought him here to sign the Book and to make sure he stayed he gave him the freaking Silver Shoes!"
"Aren't they a pair of heels?"
"He turned them into spurs for Dalton's boots,"
"How'd you find this out?"
"Nora, we've been trying to get Dalton home for months. That's why I wasn't able to attend your sleepover I was in Oz visiting Aunt Glinda,"
"Don't worry M, you'll think of something,"
"I sure hope so,"
"Like, how are we going to get to Red's home? Is there a cab we can take?" Clawdeen asked interrupting Melinda and Christina's chat.
"No, everyone join hands. I'll get us there,"
"Like, how?"
"Trust me Shaggy" Christina grinned impishly.
They joined hands only to have the ground drop from under them. Shaggy and Scooby screamed like little girls much to the chagrin of those among them with sensitive ears.
"Geez, boys we're here! Now for the love of fairy dust stop screaming!" Christina ordered with her hands clamped over her ears.
The boys opened their eyes to see that they were standing in a sunny patch of forest a little ways away from the rest of the Hollow. Red's home was only a few feet away but to the right, there was a towering oak tree with what appeared to be a grave underneath it. Instead of going to the house Christina headed for the grave and the others followed behind her. Christina was solemn and quiet. After looking at the names they understood why. This was her parents grave.
"Christina, how did your father like, you know-"
"I was only three when Daddy got sick", Christina said sadly, shedding a few tears. "No matter what Mom tried, he just got worse until...he... just..."
"Whoa! Wait a fang minute!", Clawdeen barked, breaking the mood. "Vampires don't get sick!"
"She's right", Faybelle sneered. "Anyone with even a working knowledge of night-creatures knows that! Jeez, you're HALF-VAMPIRE, Cousin! You should know this stuff!"
"They're right", Raven agreed.
"See?", Faybelle said
"I read it in one of my Mom's books. Vampires practically immortal, they don't ever get sick, but..."
"They CAN be killed", Duncan continued. "But only in very specific ways."
"Piercing the heart with wood or silver", Christina started naming them off. "Decapitation. Exposure to sunlight, but only if they've been killed before..."
"Fire", Duncan smirked, remembering the satisfaction of incinerating Drew.
"There's one more", Shaggy said dejectedly, as if ashamed. "Like, before meeting all of you, my friends and I read up on methods of hunting monsters, to help with our mystery solving. It's a, like, a super-rare poison called 'Death to the Dead'. It supposedly, like, causes any undead to waste away painfully until they just...And, like the only antidote is the blood of a monster hunter."
"That's what happened to my Daddy!", Christina gasped. "He was poisoned! That means...!"
"Uncle Radu was murdered", Faybelle finished, pulling her sobbing cousin into an uncharacteristically comforting hug.
"But by who?" Duncan asked, "Who would want your parents dead?"
"I-I don't k-know,"
"Like, don't worry, Christina. We'll find out," Shaggy assured her.
"That's right, and when we do they'll have to answer to me!" Melinda swore, her hands igniting in flames.
"And me!" Clawdeen added.
"Come on, let's go talk to Aunt Red," Christina declared after calming down.
If they had stayed outside a few moments longer they would've seen that someone was spying on them.
…...
"Christina! Oh, my goodness what a surprise!" Red cried as she ushered the group inside the cozy cottage, "You're just in time for pie! Cherry, your favorite. Come sit down and tell me how you got here."
Christina explained everything as Red served them all generous slices of pie.
"Of course I'll tell you, Christina," Red promised as she joined them at the table.
…...
"Red, can you wait a minute?"
"What is it, Alissa?"
"I think you should try to cheer up, Bigs,"
"Why me?"
"You know him better than anyone else remember?"
"But, when Bigs gets angry you have to avoid him!"
"I know he SEEMS angry but think about it?"
"He's sad!" Red whisper-yelled.
"Exactly, go talk to him and I'll talk to Regina,"
"Okay,"
…...
Alissa nearly fell out of her chair when Red burst into her dorm. Recovering quickly she was on her feet while Red was spinning in happy circles her face the color of her namesake.
"Red?! What is-"
"He kissed me!"
"Who-"
"Bigs,"
Alissa shut the door followed by the windows.
"Shush, not so loud. Now, tell me everything!"
"Okay, well, I was on a walk during lunch today and..."
…...
A few years later.
Bigs and Red rushed at once to Alissa's home when they heard that her story had played out already. They were in the same boat as their story had ended a day or so prior. Surely, Alissa wasn't doing well considering how upset the mere thought of cursing someone made her want to vomit. Much to their surprise, however, Alissa was outside watering her gardens with a smile.
"Alissa? You okay?" Red asked as she ran to hug her bestie.
"Yes, why wouldn't I be?" the fairy laughed.
"We heard that your story-"
"Played out? It was a couple of years ago I'm surprised you're just now hearing about it. It's been too long! Come in, come in there's someone I want you to meet!" Alissa said cheerily as she ushered them inside.
The two were taken aback to see someone sitting in the armchair sipping on a glass of what looked like...blood. Alissa wasn't the least bit phased as the stranger finished his drink.
"Alissa, vhy didn't you tell me ve had company coming?" the stranger asked as he noticed their presence.
"I'm sorry Radu. They surprised me too," Alissa apologized with a smile, "This is Red and Bigs, friends from school,"
"Wonderful to finally meet you both. Alissa speaks very highly of you," Radu grinned.
"Nice to meet you too," Red replied returning the smile while Bigs smelt the air curiously.
"You're a vampire aren't you," he guessed.
"Indeed,"
"Oh, goodness, where are my manners?" Alissa suddenly cried, "Please take a seat. Do you two want something to drink?"
"No, we're fine Alissa," Red laughed as she and Bigs to a seat on the couch, "So tell us how did a vampire end up in Ever After?"
"I arrived through my Love's magic mirror by accident, as I vas escaping a crazed monster hunter", Radu explained with a smile.
"Alissa, what are you not telling us?"
"We're engaged. The wedding if you can even call it that is next week,"
"Next week?"
"Did I stutter?"
"Why weren't we told sooner?"
"We're keeping it under wraps. Some people would be highly agitated if they found out,"
"Grimm?"
"Who else?"
"Alissa, even if you're not having a big wedding I still want to be involved," Red explained.
"As do I," Bigs nodded.
"Well, I'm sure something can be arranged,"
…...
The day of the wedding.
A wedding in the forest, officiated by faires was unheard of but it was exactly what Alissa and Radu wanted to do. Mostly so that people like Grimm wouldn't find out about Radu at least, not yet. Red helped her friend get ready for the ceremony. The wedding dress was a simple white gown hand sewn by Alissa herself you wouldn't even know it was a wedding dress had you not been told.
After making sure Alissa was calm, Red helped her into the dress and curled her hair, weaving flowers through it in lieu of a veil. Once she was ready, Bigs arrived to escort Alissa down the 'aisle' they and the faires were the only ones to witness the vows said and the kiss that resulted in fireworks.
…...
a few months later it was discovered that Alissa was pregnant. Red wasted no time in throwing together a baby shower at her home. As much fun as the festivities were they all knew that alissa's pregnancy would attract Grimm's attention as well as Maleficent's. Alissa wasn't ready for any of that so they threw the shower as early as they possibly could. They stayed up late into the night talking, laughing making merry. Alissa was sure she hadn't smiled this much since her wedding.
"You better bring the baby to visit us!" Bigs said 'sternly'.
"Or what? You'll huff and puff and blow our house down?"
"Exactly!"
"Well, well, Alissa this is quite a surprise,"
The mood instantly shifted as they turned to where Maleficent stood.
"Mother," Alissa growled, "What are you doing here?"
Red and Bigs knew better than to get between Alissa and her mother so they fled.
…...
"Your mother loved you so much, Christina as do I. I've always loved you as if you were my own."
"I love you more, Aunt Red," Christina replied as they moved toward the door.
"One more thing before you go. After your mother passed I bought her house. I cleaned it and locked it up tight. I was saving it for you should you ever chose to live here. It's yours, Christina,"
"Thank you,"
…...
From Hood Hollow, they went to visit Dirk's father. Shaggy and Scooby did not take the fact that they were going to visit the ACTUAL REALLY FOR REAL BLACK KNIGHT well at all and they told Christina exactly that.
"You two overreact," Christina replied with an eye roll.
"B-b-but it's the black knight-"
"Who is nothing like that mystery I know you're thinking of,"
"It's like, creepy here,"
"Has that ever stopped us before?"
Duncan stepped on a twig sending Shaggy and Scooby into Christina's arms with fear-filled whimpers. In response, Christina kissed Shaggy before dropping them both to the ground.
"Pull yourselves together boys,"
"How much farther?" Duncan asked.
"Not far it's right up there," Dirk replied pointing to the castle towers that loomed over the trees.
A mighty roar shook the trees as a huge black dragon dropped in front of them blocking their path.
"ZOINKS!" Shaggy startled.
"DRAGON!" Scooby whimpered.
"Cool," Christina grinned.
Melinda and Faybelle were unfazed.
"SHADOW-WING!", Dirk called delightedly, echoed by Raven. They run up and hug the friendly dragon. Dirk began to scratch under the scaly chin, much to the dragon's delight. "How ya doin' boy? Enjoying your visit with Dad? Everyone, this is my dragon, Shadow-Wing! My 'noble stead' for the Dragon-games. You sensed us coming and came ta greet us didn't you, boy?"
Shadow-Wing wagged his tail happily.
The group continued on their way. Upon reaching the gate Shadow-Wing pushed it open and went back to guarding it. The path to the castle was lined with low walls adorned with dozens of baboon skulls.
"L-like, what's with the skulls?", Shaggy stammered.
"Reah!", Scooby gulped audibly.
"Oh, those?", Dirk grinned. "After Mom got imprisoned in the mirror-realm, The Wicked Witch of the East threw herself shamelessly at my Dad. He rejected her, telling her he still loved my Mother. She...didn't take rejection well, and sent her flying monkeys after us. That was a fun day."
The thought made Melinda laugh and her laugh built and built until it sounded exactly like her mother's laughter. Normally, this would have made Melinda stop but she was so tickled by the thought of Dirk and his father defeating her Aunt Evanora's monkeys that she just continued to laugh clutching her sides as she struggled to catch her breath, her skin flooding yellow her happy color. The sound of Melinda's cackling made Shaggy and Scooby quake with fear as they hid behind Christina who passed them a box of Scooby Snacks each without a word. Once Melinda had calmed down they entered the castle which was just as creepy inside as it was outside. The only ones fazed by this were, of course, Shaggy and Scooby who continued munching away on their Scooby Snacks without a word.
They found Sir Daken un the training room battling against magically animated dummies which he dismissed upon seeing his son and the group that was with him.
Still dressed in all black, Sir Daken Knight was arguably still as handsome now as he'd been in high school. His hair gray at the temples was the only outward sign of his age.
"Dirk! What a surprise! Who are your friends?"
Dirk made the introductions finishing by saying:
"And this is Raven. Raven this is my Dad,"
"You look so very much like your mother, my dear", he smiled warmly. "And you ARE my son's sister, so please consider yourself family."
With that, he offered her a hug which she accepted without hesitation. She had wanted to meet Dirk's father for some time as he'd become very outspoken about his regret of being a villain and it goes without saying that the man before her lived up to everything Dirk said about him
Soon they were seated at the dining room table as Daken inquired what they were up to.
"We're trying to solve the mystery of the deaths of Christina's parents," Dirk explained.
Daken turned to Christina thoughtfully, "You're the mirror image of your mother. She was a great friend to me when I had very few. What do you need to know?"
"Her high school days,"
"Gladly,"
…...
A few lonely days after Daken's arrival at the school he wasn't faring any better than he had upon his arrival. He was shunned by practically everyone save for the occasional witch and dark fairy who flirted shamelessly with him. It was as he was eating lunch that his luck began to change for the better.
"Mind if I join you? You look like you could use a friend,"
Daken looked up from his meal to see a fairy standing at the seat opposite him. She didn't act like every other fairy he'd met thus far she seemed very different so Daken nodded his head.
"My name's Alissa, Alissa Shadowfae. We have the same villainy class," she introduced herself offering her hand with a smile.
"Daken. You're Maleficent's daughter?"
"How did you-"
"The mark on your arm,"
Alissa forced the dragon mark to disappear with a wave of her hand, "So, how do you like school so far?"
"It's okay, I'm kind of lonely though," Daken admitted.
"I understand. I was lonely too until I met my friends," Alissa smiled sympathetically.
"I don't think your wolf friend likes me very much,"
"Don't worry about Bigs he's all bark and no bite. The person you have to watch out for is Gallant. He may be a charming Prince but he's kind of a bully,"
"Don't worry I think I'll be able to handle him," Daken smirked, "Wish I could get along with Bigs though. We're partners in Science,"
"I think I can help,"
…...
Hours later, Bigs and Daken sat across from each other in the now empty castleteria with Alissa in between them acting as mediator. First, she ordered that the two boys disarm themselves. For bigs that meant reverting to human form. Daken, however, was a different story. A sword, two crossbows, three daggers, and a thumbtack later he was entirely disarmed.
"A thumbtack? What are you planning to do with that?"
"Poke someone,"
"Oh, sure that's really effective," Bigs droned.
"Okay, boys we're not leaving here until you each have something nice to say to each other.
They were there for quite a while.
…...
About a week later, Alissa and Red played matchmaker and set Daken and Regina up on a 'blind date' The two hit it off right away and as a secret thank you Daken helped Alissa convince Red to go for a walk during lunch where she was soon joined by Bigs.
…...
"Alissa always worried about Radu and Christina being accepted and safe, especially after Grimm found out", Daken said. "He kept pressuring Alissa to have a 'pure fae' heir, and only got more intense after Radu died. It was odd, though."
"Like, what was?", Shaggy asked.
"No one from the Hollow would have told Grimm about it", the Black Knight continued. "I know I didn't tell him, and Regina wouldn't tell him where a bucket was if his pants were on fire. So how did he know Radu had died? I know the Mystical Family Records record when someone dies, but Radu wasn't from our world, so I don't know if it would work for him."
"Who WOULD know, Dad?", Dirk asked.
"Maleficent", he replied. "As one of the school governors, she has access to the records."
…...
Maleficent was barely able to get to words out before Christina asked if she'd told Grimm about her father's passing.
"Yes, I did,"