"Are you sure you like, really want to do this, Christina?" Shaggy asked seriously.
"Yes, I'm sure," Christina smiled at him with that same newfound confidence.
It was the day of the coronation, Clawdeen, Frankie and an army of pixies from the Moors were helping Christina to get ready. In the wee hours of the morning she'd been prodded from the bed and into a rosewater bubble bath until she was so sparkly clean she was almost glowing. She'd had a quick breakfast of strawberries and plain toast before slipping into her gown. A violet long-sleeved ball gown with a voluminous skirt and attached cape. At first, she thought the cape was redundant given her wings but seeing it finished and how nicely it trailed behind her she shrugged it off. Now, her hair and makeup were being done. Christina tried her very best to stay still at the vanity, petting the dragon curled on her lap but it was hard for her when she always had to be moving. The only exception was when she found a good book but reading wasn't an option at the moment.
"There," Frankie smiled, "Done," She zipped up the makeup case while Clawdeen put the hair styling tools away.
"And just in time," Maleficent strode into the room, dressed in her best robes, "The carriage is waiting"
...
Headmaster Grimm pranced about like a peacock. His plan had worked. He'd won. Christina would take the throne, set Destiny back on course, and sign the book before the day was over! The entire school had turned out in their Legacy Day or Thronecoming best to support and welcome Christina into their ranks. Beside him, his brother Giles wore the same red suit he wore every day, unusually quiet.
"This is a great day for Ever After, wouldn't you say, Giles?" Milton prompted.
"Perhaps, perhaps not," Giles mused.
"What do you-"
"Oh, look here comes the Princess"
The plain black carriage would have been easy to miss at first glance, if it weren't for the six fae horses pulling it, their coats silvery white, sparkling in the sun.
Here we go, Milton rubbed his palms together in anticipation watching the carriage roll to a stop. Maleficent's goblin servants, with caps and spears polished, kept the crowds at bay. The doors opened, and the monsters were the first out, making the headmaster wince. Hadn't the Toy Master gotten rid of them? Biting his tongue, he watched, the monsters were dressed far too scandalously for such an event. The girls in short, form-hugging dresses done with a moon and lightning bolt motif hidden throughout each. At least the scaly one had enough sense to wear a suit as did his 'brother' but WHY in the name of destiny were they trusted with the crown? While the two boys walked toward the stage, the girls hung back. Next out of the carriage was the werewolf, he wore no suit but a long dress shirt and pants. He stopped extending his hand. FINALLY, Princess Christina emerged, her clothing far more suited for the event.
The crowds cheered, it didn't escape his notice how the princess focused more on her feet than those surrounding her.
Good, he broke her!
...
"Like, just one step at a time," Shaggy softly encouraged as he escorted Christina to the stage.
At Christina's request, the coronation was being held on the grounds of Ever After High so all the realm could see. Over the past few weeks, Duncan and Kenny had built the stage she was headed to now. Clawdeen had made her gown, Frankie the decorations for the ball to be held at Maleficent's castle. Shaggy had collaborated with Duncan to create the menu for the ball, the thought making Christina angry at her small breakfast. She couldn't wait for the ball. The rest of her family and the extended monster world watched magically back home but her family was to come to the ball. Excited butterflies fluttered in her stomach at the thought of hugging Draculaura and Sibella again. She just had to get through this first.
"Doing great," Clawdeen added from behind her.
"You've got this," Frankie agreed.
For the first time, Christina looked up smiling. Maleficent waited onstage, Duncan beside her, the coronation crown resting on a velvet pillow in his hands. She could do this, she could do this, she could do this. Shaggy escorted her up the steps, giving her hand a final reassuring squeeze before standing beside Duncan.
"Ready?" Maleficent whispered as Christina turned to face the crowds.
"Yes"
Reverently, Maleficent lifted the crown from the pillow, an obsidian tiara that rose to sharp points set with many small amethysts in the shape of hearts around the bottom. Holding the crown over Christina's head, Maleficent stepped behind her, speaking loudly for all to hear: "Do you swear to uphold the sacred laws, of the dark fae, to be a just, fair and merciful ruler in all your judgments?"
"I swear to do so"
It took but a moment for Christina to adjust to the weight of the tiara as it was placed on her head. She held her before her to receive the staff which floated from Maleficent to land in her grip, fingers curling around it she looked at the crowd who were expecting a speech, little did they know...
"They told you everything was waiting for you
They told you everything was set in stone
But now you're feeling like a different ending
Sometimes you gotta find it on your own
It's an open book, a road in reverse
A brand new hook, forget that curse
It's a Rebel cause with a Royal heart
Rewrite, ignite, restart!
Cause it's your life
It's your time
Go forward or rewind!
Grimm paled considerably to the point of nearly fainting. Just what was Christina doing? Around him, the students looked on with mystified, curious expressions. The Storybook Of Legends which sat under its protective case nearby started to glow.
"'Cause you're a Royal, you're a Rebel, you're more than one together
However you go ever in Ever After High
Royal and rebel, you're more than one together
However you go ever in Ever After High
Ever After High
Pick the lock! Wind the clock! Turn the tables!
Mix and match until you make your mark!
Now kings and queens are gonna light the skyway
All you need is a little spark
No more once upon a time, no more verse, no more rhyme
No more permanent ink, this is not what you think
It's a Rebel cause with a Royal heart
Rewrite, ignite, restart!"
The case over the book exploded, tiny glass fragments reflecting the sunshine before dissolving into dust. The book opened, pages flipping rapidly, glowing brighter and brighter.
"'Cause it's your life
It's your time
Go forward or rewind!
'Cause you're a royal, you're a rebel, you're more than one together
However you go ever in Ever After High
Royal and rebel, you're more than one together
However you go ever in Ever After High"
Finally, the light erupted from the book, fanning out wildly as the thorns that once surrounded Aurora's castle once had. Plunging deep into the hearts of everyone present and beyond, the book ripping itself apart and fading away to the horror of some.
"When beauty isn't what it seems
Sometimes the beast will dare to dream!
Cause it's your life
It's your time
Go forward or rewind!
One, two, three!
'Cause you're a royal, you're a rebel, you're more than one together (More than one together)
However you go ever in Ever After High
Royal and rebel, you're more than one together
However you go ever in Ever After High
'Cause you're a royal ('Cause it's your life), you're a rebel, you're more than one together (It's your time!)
However you go ever in Ever After High
Royal and rebel (Go forward!), you're more than one together
However you go ever in Ever After High (Or rewind!)"
"From this day forward, everyone can decide for themselves to either follow the stories of their parents or to write their own Happily-Ever-Afters!" Christina proudly declared, "No object or person can change it! Ever After will be a realm of Free Choice FOREVERMORE!"
The last word was filled with such a powerful magic that it caused all to shudder.
Sputtering in confusion and disbelief Milton watched as Queen Christina received a standing ovation from royal and rebel alike, several unusual and wrong pairs stepping to the front of the crowd where they openly kissed one another passionately. Dirk and Darling followed by Hunter and Ashlynn then much to the shock of the crowds, Arthur White pulled Raven Queen close before dipping her back and KISSING HER! NO, NO, NO, NO...
"Girls", Prof. Badwolf said with a smile to Ramona and Cerise. "I think it's time."
The girls and Red gasped softly.
"A-are you SURE, Dad?", Ramona asked. He nodded, stepping over to slide his arm around Red, his – up til now-secret wife.
Cerise looked unsure until Ramona, her SISTER, nodded with a smile. "It's what we've all been hoping for...Sis."
Cerise Hood gulped, then slid her hood off her head, to reveal wolf-like ears identical to her sister's for everyone to see! The crowd gasped in surprise, but no one said or did anything hostile. Then a similar scene played out as a terrifyingly giant spider with a kind face descended on a web line to stand behind and lovingly wrap his first two pairs of legs around "Miss" Muffet and their son Peter Parker Muffet.
"NONONONONONONONO!" Milton screamed drawing attention as he stormed to where Christina still stood on the stage, "YOU, YOU, YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO LOCK DESTINY IN PLACE! FREE CHOICE WILL DESTROY OUR REALM YOU'VE DOOMED US ALL YOU, YOU, FREAK!"
The crowd gasped sharply. Shaggy took a step forward ready to tear Milton to shreds, only for Duncan to pull him back.
Christina rose to her full height, massive wings spreading behind her, staff glowing in her hand as she spoke in a chilling voice, "Such strong words from a murderer, or an attempted murderer"
"I-I have no idea what you're talking about-"
"Tell the truth, Milton Grimm!"
The words burned like fire as they struck him. Slithering around his body before they tightly squeezed his brain, his mouth moving of its own accord.
"I-ugh-arranged for the Toy Master's escape from prison so that he would finally break you into fulfilling the prophecy and locking destiny in place. I paid him from the school's funds to kill your disgusting monster friends so you'd be under my influence! MONSTERS DON'T BELONG IN EVER AFTER, THEY'RE FILTHY DARK CREATURES OF DARK GOTHIC HORROR AND HAVE NO PLACE HERE," The spell squeezed tighter, "YOUR MOTHER GAVE BIRTH TO AN ABOMINATION, AND IF YOU WEREN'T PART OF THE PROPHECY I WOULD HAVE HAD YOU KILLED AS WELL..."
Finally, his mouth snapped shut and when he tried to open it again he found he couldn't, the caged toy master confirmed that what he'd said was the truth. The goblins rushed the stage, roughly grabbing him to haul him away but Christina put her hand up to stop him.
"I'm afraid, Grimm that your warped ideals have poisoned you and the school board," she spoke with a chilling calm, her eyes bore into his soul, "That is why it's being disbanded until further notice. I am quite sure that your brother is plenty capable of running the school in the meantime"
"You can't do this!"
"I just did, Goodbye, Grimm"
...
While the guests steadily arrived downstairs for the ball, Christina sat upstairs taking a moment to herself to breathe. She had traded her gown for a far simpler ankle-length dress a nice calming lavender. Jittery with excitement she slipped into the bejeweled flats waiting by the bedroom door, smoothing the imaginary wrinkles out of her dress she opened the door to find Shaggy waiting.
"I like, was starting to get worried," Shaggy smiled, "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine, I just needed a moment"
"Everyone's waiting"
"Let's go," She took his hand, kissing him on the cheek as they walked.
She didn't notice how unusually nervous he seemed. Or, how he kept his free hand firmly over his pocket.
The ballroom blazed with light from the rarely used chandlers, the space filled with invited royals and the entire Ever After High student body danced and mingled but everyone froze when they appeared at the top of the stairs, Maleficent stepped from the shadows loudly proclaiming: "It is my privilege to present Queen Christina Rose Dracula"
The guests applauded as they descended the stairs, Christina breaking from Shaggy's grip when she spotted her family at the front of the crowd. With tears threatening to spill she ran to hug them, Dracula meeting her halfway to crush her in a bear hug.
"I missed you!" she held tightly to him, a few tears escaping.
"I'm so, so, proud of you!"
"We both are," Vana joined the hug, swiftly followed by Draculaura and Sibella, "Your parents vould be so proud of the strong young lady you've become"
"You think so?"
"I know so"
"Christina," Draculaura giggled, "We have a surprise for you"
Sibella whistled and the guests parted like the Red Sea to let the surprise through.
"JADE!" Christina knelt with open arms, laughing joyously as Jade slammed into her, "Have you been a good wolf? I bet you have, yes"
Jade wagged not only her tail but her entire body wriggled with happiness, licking Christina excitedly before she caught sight of the baby dragon that had settled on Christina's shoulders.
"This is Prince," Christina introduced, "Be nice"
Jade gave the dragon a curious sniff, blinking in surprise when it licked her. The dragon wasn't a threat to Christina so Jade accepted him.
Then Jade caught sight of Scooby-Doo.
"Ro No!" Scooby darted out of the room, Jade on his heels.
"Well," Shaggy chuckled, "They're like, both going to be tired out tonight"
"I'll say"
...
The hours went by in a blur of dancing, talking, and laughing by the time that Shaggy whisked Christina to the courtyard for a breath, her face ached from smiling so much.
"Did I tell you that you and Duncan made an excellent dinner?" she sing-songed.
"Yes, you did, I'm glad you enjoyed it"
The two sat on one of the benches, Christina turned her face to the stars finding the sight calming. Beside her, Shaggy fidgeted nervously.
"Christina?"
"Yes?"
"Are you like, certain you want to find that house when we get back home?"
"Yes"
"We like, might be a little busy.."
"What do you-Shaggy?"
Without her noticing, still holding her hand he was down on one knee in front of her.
"I like, know it's only been a few months but it feels like I've known you for a lifetime and like, we've already been through so much so what's one more adventure?" From his pocket he pulled a little black box, opening it to reveal an engagement ring, a gold band set with a color-shifting gem cut into a heart with smaller gems on either side, "So, Christina, will you like, make me the happiest man alive and grant me the honor of marrying you?"
"Yes!" Christina replied breathlessly, happy tears trickling down her face as Shaggy slid the ring onto her finger before standing to kiss her.
Their moment was disrupted by the sudden sound of applause.
"Mom, Dad, Sugie!" Shaggy cried with surprise seeing his family at the front of the group beside Christina's family and their friends.
"You didn't think I would forget to invite them after how much they've missed you?" Christina smiled impishly.
"I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU!" Draculaura slammed into Christina with a squeal, "OH WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOOOO MUCH FUN PLANNING YOUR WEDDING!"
"Laura, I can't breathe"
"Sorry," Draculaura released her, pulling her over to the others.
"It's about time," Sam clapped his son on the shoulder.
"No, kidding," Sugie giggled in agreement.
"I'll say," Dracula chuckled.
After a great many hugs and having friends squeal over the ring, Maleficent had to remind everyone that there was in fact, a coronation ball happening and that their guests were going to notice that the new Queen had disappeared so they had to hurry back but Shaggy and Christina were only half-listening. Both were on cloud nine as they returned to the ballroom.
Nothing could ever top this.
Right?
THE END.
...
Okay, FINALLY DONE Could it have been done better? Probably but dang did I give it my best try. I hope you all enjoyed it, please review and I'll see you in the next story!