"Yes," Christina replied without hesitation.
Shaggy couldn't help picking Christina up in his excitement and spinning her around and around. Soon, they were alone in a nice little house on the corner of the street. Well, alone meaning they had to shut the curtains to keep all the over-eager reporters out. There wasn't much in the house. A few odd pieces of furniture and necessitates like food and bathroom supplies. Other than that there was nothing. The two could've cared less however and were content just to kick back on the couch. That was until there was a knock at the door.
Shaggy went to answer the door and was happy to see his sister standing on the doorstep, however, she looked troubled. Shaggy quickly ushered her inside in order to get away from the surrounding reporters who were yelling out so many questions and taking so many photos that Shaggy was starting to get a massive headache.
"What's the matter Sugie?" Shaggy asked as he rejoined Christina on the couch.
"It's Fred and Daphne they're-they're demanding to see you. Fred's in prison with the other hunters who helped with the experiments and Daphne is visiting him. They're demanding. Daphne's been blowing up my phone for the last hour wanting to know when the real Shaggy is going to get there,"
"Christina, what am I supposed to do? I don't know how to shift and they're not going to be happy if they see this," Shaggy cried pointing to himself.
Christina stood up and grabbed Shaggy's shaking wrists.
"I think I know where to find the answer but we'd need to travel and besides, I'm not sure you'd want to go,"
"Where would we have to go?"
"My Uncle Dracula's castle,"
"He's the one who-"
"Cursed you,"
Christina kissed him on the forehead.
"We don't have to-"
"How long does it take to get there?" Shaggy cut in.
"A few hours,"
"Sugie, tell Daph that I'll be there sometime tomorrow,"
"Shaggy, are you sure you want to-"
"Yes, Christina,"
"Okay then,"
…...
Scooby, Christina and, Shaggy all piled into his truck later that day and Christina gave them directions to Dracula's hidden castle. The change in scenery was quite jarring. One minute the forest was lush and sunny and the next it was foggy and barren, void of life.
"We've passed through the barrier," Christina explained.
Then the castle came into view. It sat on a cliff overlooking gator-filled waters. Shaggy parked the truck just outside the gate which opened before them with a large creak. Christina took Shaggy by the hand and led him and Scooby up the narrow path to the front door. Shaggy was silent once they stopped in front of the large oak doors. Christina knocked so delicately that Shaggy wasn't sure she had been heard, however, the sound of someone hurrying to the door told him she had been.
The door was soon opened but by who, Shaggy couldn't see until he looked down.
"Hello, boys long time no see," Christina greeted.
"Delightful to see you again, Christina please come in." Brunch said leading the trio into the castle, "Your uncle is in the dining room" he told them before he and Crunch rushed off to attend their chores.
"Like, which way do we-"
"This way," Christina ordered gently pulling Shaggy up the stairs.
"This isn't the way to the dining room is it?"
"Nope,"
"Like, where are we going then?"
Christina didn't answer. Instead, she led them to a door. The door was plain but it seemed as if something had been stuck there once. There was residue left behind. In the imprint of it Shaggy could just barely make out a C an H and R. Befuddled, he watched as Christina eased open the door and led them inside.
Shaggy froze.
"It's exactly the same," Christina gasped.
This was Christina's room. It seemed untouched, frozen in time. The walls told tales of a teenage Christina long before she had becomes hardened by the harsh realities of the last years. The walls were painted a light pink and there were butterflies all around the room. There was A Hex Girls Poster above a while wooden desk with roses carved into the legs. The bookshelf was framed by posters on each side one depicting Taylor Swift the other Catty Noir.
Turning, Shaggy saw the bed with its lavender covers an abundance of teddy bears framed by a canopy. A comfy looking reading chair was a few steps away with a book propped up in the center as if it was awaiting her return. Shaggy watched as Christina ventured into the closet which was still filled with her clothes. He noted the bright colors and cheerful patterns. The jackets of many colors on the back wall were pushed aside to reveal a wall covered in artwork dating all the way back to Christina's Grimwood days.
Christina led Shaggy out of the closet shutting the door behind Scooby before finally taking them to the dining room. Dracula sat with Vana Pira at the head of the pristine table.
"Christina, I know why you're here and you'll be happy to know that I found the book you need," Dracula said rising from the table.
He rounded the table coming to a stop in front of Christina and presenting her with a leather-bound book. There were butterflies printed on the cover much to Shaggy's confusion. As Christina brushed her hand across it the butterflies sprang to life flying off the cover and around the room as the book fluttered open.
"Are you ready?" Christina asked looking up from the book.
"Like, ready as I'll ever be,"
Christina recited the counter spell to the curse. The magic flowed out of the book through the room wrapping Shaggy in a golden light. He screwed his eyes shut too scared to see what was happening to him. When Christina fell silent and the magic faded away Shaggy was too scared. What if it hadn't worked.
"Shaggy, sweetheart, it's alright you can open your eyes,"
"I'm scared, Christina,"
Christina moved closer. She pressed a kiss to his cheek.
"On three okay?"
"Okay,"
"One"
"Two,"
"Three,"
Shaggy opened his eyes to see that Scooby had fainted again. He turned to Christina who smiled at him. She produced a mirror from her pocket and passed it to him. He lifted it to his face and was overjoyed to find he looked human again.
"You'll still change during the full moon and when you experience strong emotions mostly anger and you'll be able to shift at will as well," Christina explained
"This is great,"
"I know Shaggy, I know,"
"Ahem," Dracula coughed reminding them he was still there.
"Thank you, Uncle Dracula,"
"Christina is there something you want to tell me?"
"We're engaged,"
Dracula fainted.
…...
Shaggy was scared. It was clear to everyone who saw him. He was scared. He kept asking himself all these questions and getting himself worked up while Christina kept a cool head and carried on with making breakfast which was something that she hadn't done in a long, long time.
"Shaggy, you're going to wear a hole in the floor if you keep pacing. Isn't that what you tell me?"
Shaggy stopped and sat down at the small round table. After returning the day before Shaggy moved all his stuff into Christina's house since he would prefer to live there instead of the house that didn't feel like a home any longer.
"Like, sorry, Christina I like, can't help it," Shaggy said as he drummed his fingers on the table.
"You need a distraction,"
"What do you have in mind?"
"Duncan and Clawdeen are going to be joining us shortly. They're going to fill me in on how DJ and the others are doing with getting Elle Eedee and, Astranova back,"
"We're here!" Clawdeen called from outside.
"Shaggy, could you get the door please?" Christina said as she fried bacon.
"Sure thing,"
…...
The four gathered around the table which was laden with enough food to feed an army, it looked like Shaggy and Clawdeen were going to have a fight over the bacon until Christina split it down the middle so they each got half of what was on the platter. Scooby meanwhile, was doing all his best tricks in hopes of snagging some of the bacon for himself. Christina laughed good-naturedly before pointing to the dish that had already been filled with bacon, sausage links, eggs, and pancakes. As they ate Christina inquired about DJ's progress.
"They're trying but Elle is really wired in there and as for Astranova they found her and she's resting comfortably at Bloodgood's house," Duncan informed her.
"Really good do tell me when they get Elle out,"
"We sure will,"
"How'd your parents take the news about your pregnancy, Clawdeen?" Christina questioned.
"They smothered me. Smothered me I tell ya," Clawdeen declared.
"You deserve to be doted on," Duncan replied.
"I'm not helpless,"
"We know,"
…...
"I can't do this. Like, I can't do this, Christina," Shaggy fretted as they neared the prison.
"Oh, yes you can and you will," Christina declared as they were waved through security.
"What if they don't want anything to do with me?"
"Then that's their problem,"
"Here goes nothing,"
They walked into the prison and were escorted to the visiting rooms where Daphne was waiting for them. When she saw Shaggy she rushed to embrace him but upon seeing Christina she went on the attack. When Fred was brought in he joined her in the attack while Christina took it all in stride.
"Guys, stop this," Shaggy ordered.
"No, this, this monster dared to say you were a werewolf. She held you hostage and forced you to-"
"I SAID ENOUGH" Shaggy roared and transformed just like Christina said he would.
What would happen now?
…...
Okay, that's the end of this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it and please do tell me what you think will happen next? Leave a review and tell me what you think. See you next time.
