"What?" Sam questioned, flustered as Melinda continued to stare, opening and closing her mouth like a fish.

The goth was becoming uncomfortable so Christina tried to get the situation under control.

"Why don't we all go to the Coffee-Beanstalk for some hocus lattes and you can explain, Melinda?"

"Okay," Melinda breathed, on the edge of hyperventilating.

"Do we like, even have time?" Shaggy asked.

"Yeah,"

Christina herded them into a line, leading them into Bookend like little children on a school trip. Once they'd gotten their coffees they all piled into a big booth close to the window to hear Melinda explain herself. As soon as they were settled Melinda launched into the abridged version of the story knowing Christina still had to show the students around.

"Aunt Evanora was positively pixed when Edward, my older cousin, was born without powers, she wanted a child with the gift of magic but no male would get close enough to make that a possibility for her so when she heard that Auntie Serafina had given birth she lashed out. She stormed the castle while her sister recovered from labor and sent the baby to a world without magic to be raised by golems disguised as humans,"

"But," Sam interrupted, "How are you so sure that the baby is me?"

"Your magic signature of course. Every magic wielder has one. It's unique to them and their families but only the strongest can sense them, as soon as you came through the portal with Danny my aunt could tell it was you and according to Sammy," Melinda pulled her phone from her pocket, scrolling through her texts, "She was so excited, she jumped from her throne and danced across every inch of the castle,"

Sam was having trouble processing this information so Melinda snapped her mouth shut and excused herself. Once the drinks were finished they all returned to the still quiet school grounds for their tour.

"Wow," Danny commented, standing in the main hall, "It's a storybook come to life,"

"No kidding," Sam deadpanned, watching bluebirds fly overhead.

"This way," Christina waved them on, "First to the attendance office to pick up your schedules then we'll see about your lockers and see the gym after that,"

Christina was happy to see that Milton was elsewhere so they were happily greeted by Giles instead. He shook their hands with warm greetings as he handed each teen their respective schedule before sending them on their way. The group was even happier to see their lockers were on either side of Christina's like a shield. After dumping their bags they continued on their way past the creature daycare and toward the gym only to run across professor Papa Bear.

"Good morning," Christina greeted cheerfully.

"Ah, I was hoping to see you this morning, Ms. Dracula," Papa Bear said, "I have a welcome gift for our newest students,"

"Yes, sir?"

Reaching into his pocket he retrieved the same candy-shaped fireworks that Christina had used to summon her wolves.

"Every student needs a companion here," he smiled warmly, passing them around, "Miss Dracula can show you how they work later,"

"Thank you, Professor Papa Bear," Christina beamed.

"See you later, Ms. Dracula,"

The teacher continued on his way.

…...

Later.

If Christina rolled her eyes any harder they were likely to fall out of her head. Princess courses were necessary but they were as superficial as damsel-in-distressing. Cleo seemed to agree as their eyes met and they shared the same tired expression. They both looked to the clock which ticked slowly, slower than a snail. They stifled yawns, forcing themselves to keep their eyes open lest they get detention.

Just as they were nodding off the door slammed open.

"Christina," Ginger poked her head in, "The drama teacher wants to see you,"

"Why?"

"I don't know," shrugged the pink-haired witch, "Oh, and Grimm wants to see Shaggy,"

"Right now?"

"Right now, both of you,"

Rolling her eyes again Christina stood, "C'mon boys,"

…...

"You like, wanted to see me, Headmaster,"

Grimm stood facing the window, hands clasped behind his back. He didn't even turn to look at Shaggy.

"Tell me, Mr. Rogers, you miss your family?"

"Yes, Sir," Shaggy nodded confusedly.

"Are you quite sure?"

"Yes, Sir,"

"Would you like to see them?" now Grimm turned from the window with an unreadable expression.

"Can-can I?" Shaggy gasped.

"The hand mirror will show you," Grimm nodded to the ebony mirror resting on his desk, "Go on,"

Slowly, Shaggy picked up the mirror and meekly requested to see his family, Scooby looking over his shoulder as the mirror fogged.

"Anything?" Stacy inquired as her husband stepped through the door.

"No,"

His parents seemed to have aged ten years in the time he'd been gone and Sugie seemed a withered husk of her former self. Surprised and saddened, Shaggy let the mirror fall from his hand. Grimm caught it before it could shatter.

"They miss you,"

"I'll like, get the book I like, swear!" Shaggy ran from the room, tears pricking the corners of his eyes.

Grimm smiled in satisfaction. It had worked.

…...

"Shaggy, Shaggy, what's wrong?" Christina asked catching the panicked boy by the arm.

He didn't respond, wrenching his arm from her grasp and running out of the school.

Bewildered, Christina fished her phone from her bag, "Mom?"

"Yes, Butterfly? What's wrong?"

"I think Grimm's up to something," she whispered.

…...

Shaggy ran so fast he could hear his heart pounding in his ears but he had to get the book. Turning sharply he came upon Dracula's castle and threw himself through the nearest window which as luck would have it led right into the library. He ducked behind a shelf to catch his breath. Trying to recall what Christina had said about the book.

"It has a mind of its own and likes to hide so Uncle Dracula had the witches craft these special cases and placed them all throughout the library. The book can only appear and disappear inside them,"

So, he needed to find one of the cases and hope the book was inside.

…...

Alissa came at once and retrieved Christina from school so that they could discuss her suspicions in private.

"Tell us again, Butterfly," Alissa requested once Maleficent had arrived.

"Well, Ginger came to tell us that Grimm wanted to see Shaggy and Scooby-"

"Where were you?"

"Drama room, I was chosen to direct the next show anyway, I finished up and went to wait for the boys when Shaggy burst out of the office looking wild and panicked. I asked him what was wrong but he didn't answer. He just ran out of the school,"

"Vhere do you think he went?" Radu asked, worriedly.

"I hate to say it but I think Grimm sent him after the Book,"

"The Grimness Book?"

"Yes, I-I heard them talking while we were in town the other day. I didn't hear everything so I didn't want to bring it up but why would Shaggy want the book?"

"He thinks it can make him human again," Maleficent declared.

"But he isn't cursed, he was born like that!"

"But Shaggy doesn't know that," Radu said, "Grimm's lied to him so he could get his hands on the book,"

"Why does he want it?" Christina question, "He detests monsters,"

"He wants to tether Monsters to their ancestors 'stories',"

Christina grimaced at the thought.

"We have to stop him,"

"Ve vill,"

…...

Finally! Shaggy silently cheered lifting the Grimness Book from its case. Now all he had to do was take it back to Grimm and he'd be human and home in a few hours. Maybe less time than that!

"Shaggy,"

Shaggy jumped finding Christina and Scooby.

"Christina like, you don't understand-"

"You aren't in trouble Shaggy just give me the book, please, this isn't the way," she reached out to take it but Shaggy held tightly to it.

"Christina, I like just need to borrow it, I promise,"

"Shaggy-"

But he turned and ran from her.

"He's headed for the school, Scooby, we have to hurry,"

…...

"I like, brought the book," Shaggy panted staggering into Grimm's office.

"Good work, now, we can begin,"

"You'll return it, right?" Shaggy asked, handing the book to Grimm.

"Of course, of course,"

But there wouldn't be anything to return after the two books were merged.

…...

"You called for us?" Raven asked Apple right behind her.

"Ah, girls, thank you for coming so quickly," Giles smiled, grimly, "I'm afraid the Storybook of Legends is missing from its case,"

Apple gasped dramatically. Raven rolled her eyes but knew how serious the situation was, "Where should we start?"

"The library seems the best place to start,"

"Right,"

…...

Shaggy shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other as Grimm flipped through the book. His stomach was in knots, remembering how Christina had looked at him. So sadly.

This isn't the way, she'd said.

But she didn't understand. Maybe if he had explained?

"Like, can you cure me? Like, you said you would,"

"Yes, yes," Grimm waved dismissively.

However, Grimm was displeased to discover this wasn't a curse Shaggy was under. He was "blessed" as the book put it. Well, his blessing was more of a curse for Grimm. Shaggy was too close to Christina for his liking. When he looked up he found Shaggy looking like someone shot his dog, glancing repeatedly at the door as if he expected someone to come in.

Christina, Grimm realized he was expecting Christina.

"It's time for you to go, Mr. Rogers," he said standing quickly, "This way please,"

Shaggy glanced down at his still furry appearance, "But I'm-"

"Taken care of," Grimm fibbed.

"But, Scooby-"

"I'll send him to you!" Grimm said, impatiently, "This way,"

Shaggy felt even sicker to his stomach, "I should have told Christina, Goodbye,"

"No time for that!" Grimm grabbed his shoulder, "Come on,"

…...

"Where are we like, going?"

"The Well Of Wonder so I can send you home,"

"But, Christina told me the Well leads to Wonderland and only Wonderland,"

"You shouldn't believe everything she tells you"

…...

"GRIMMMMMM" Alissa shouted as Christina kicked open the office door.

Giles was startled, "Yes? What's the matter, Alissa?"

"Where's Milton?" Maleficent growled.

"I believe he left with Mr. Rogers,"

"Where did he go?" Christina pleaded urgently.

"The Well," Maleficent declared, "Where's the Storybook, Giles?"

"I'm not sure, actually, I sent Ms, White, and Ms. Queen to look for it,"

"Milton has it," Radu explained, "He wants to merge the books,"

"That could destroy both books," Giles gasped, "The storybook was never meant to be used this way,"

"I'll get Lizzie's map," Christina flew from the room.

…...

"There's your portal," Grimm grinned maliciously, "I'm sure your family will be...shocked to see you,"

"Thank you,"

"You're welcome, now go,"

Shaggy stepped toward the glowing portal, warily looking over his shoulder at Grimm who clung tightly to the Grimness Book like it could disappear at any moment. Come to think of it, Grimm hadn't let it go since he'd handed it over.

"SHAGGY! STOP"

Shaggy found himself pushed to the ground by an out of breath Christina.

Grimm meanwhile, was surrounded by the Dracula family. Giles, Raven, and Apple. No matter which way he turned his chance at exiting was zero. Worse, the Well took the opportunity to disappear further stopping his plan.

"The Book, now!" Dracula demanded.

Grimm was sweating bullets but refused to hand it over. "No! Ever since you monsters arrived, our realm has plunged further and further into chaos!", Milton snarled, "But I can change that! Force you all to follow Destiny!"

"You're insane!", Dracula hissed. "It's not possible to destroy free-vill! Raven and the Rebels are already proof of that!"

"Not if I bind the Grimness Book of Records to the Storybook of Legends!", Milton laughed. "The combined magic would force everyone, fairy tale or monster, to follow the destinies of their ancestors!"

"And what about Shaggy, Headmaster?", Christina screamed angrily. "You didn't 'cure' him! You COULDN'T, because his transformation was a PROPHECY, NOT A CURSE! He was ALWAYS going to transform because it's a random gift in his family! You were sending him home to certain death!"

"Like, he didn't cure me? Like, nobody can?", Shaggy sobbed.

"I'm so sorry, Shaggy", she told him sadly. "I-I wanted to tell you, but..."

"A small sacrifice to restore our realm!", Milton snarled. "I'd dupe a THOUSAND monster fools like him and send them all to certain death for even the smallest chance to set Destiny back on course!"

"You go too far, Milton!", Maleficent scowled. "In your mad quest, you would have destroyed both Books and the magical back-lash would have destroyed the entire realm AND laid waste to most of Wonderland through the Well!"

When Milton still refused to hand over the book Maleficent caged him and pried the book from his fingers before turning it over to Dracula.

"Make no mistake, you will be tried for the full extent of your crimes," Alissa spat.

"You have no immunity," added Maleficent, "Considering you nearly destroyed one of the most important things to the fairy-tale community,"

Grimm was carted off without a word more.

…...

"I'm like, so, so, so sorry," Shaggy wept.

"Shaggy, you aren't in trouble," Christina assured him, "Grimm duped you for his own agenda,"

"That's right," Alissa said in agreement, bringing the duo something warm to drink.

For the past hour, they had been on the couch in Christina's living room. Shaggy continuously crying, apologizing over and over without stopping. Christina had her arm around him the entire time, a box of tissues on her lap, and a tray of cookies before her on the coffee table.

"He almost killed me," Shaggy said in a long gasping breath.

Christina tightened her grip on him, protectively, "Oh, believe me, he'll be paying for it,"

"I-I-I can like, never see my family, my friends again,"

"I wouldn't be too sure about that," Christina said softly.

"What do you mean?"

The door opened.

"SHAGGY!"

There stood his mother, father, sister, and the gang. A flood of happy tears ensued as Shaggy found himself in the center of a group hug.

Christina had to keep her own tears at bay. Her heart was doing cartwheels in her chest.

She never wanted to see Shaggy that upset again.

...

Oh, it feels good to get back to this story, and yes the chapter isn't as long as I'd honestly like but I don't want to overload it you know?