Hi, everyone! Thanks for taking the time to read this chapter! When you're done, I'd appreciate it if you review to tell me what you think. I'd like to thank LadyStrength in advance for the brilliant idea she gave me for this story as well as some of my future ones.
I'm sorry that it's been a little while since I've written anything, but I just got back from vacation: one week on a houseboat with my friend and fifteen others. It was a blast! I apologize if this story is a little slow at first or if it's not as good as you expected, but my mind's still a little preoccupied with other things.

Chapter 1The Test Begins

It had been nearly two months since the gang had received Mr. Morte's note. They were all beginning to allow themselves to hope that maybe this creep had simply forgotten all about them. So, instead of worrying about the supposed "test" they were all apparently going to be put through, Mystery, Inc. was relaxing at the Malt Shop.

Fred Jones, leader of the group, was seated beside Daphne Blake, the one girl who had the tendency to run through his mind nearly every second of every day. The two had become quite close, and, though Fred had almost revealed his true feelings for her, they were still just friends, for the boy had not been able to get up the courage to tell Daphne how he felt after that last conversation had been interrupted. Next to Fred, Shaggy Rogers and Scooby-Doo, their dog, were devouring pizza, covered in peanut butter and peppers. Beside the two hungry cowards was Velma Dinkley, the smartest of the group. She seemed to be lost in thought, watching Shaggy eat.

A waitress walked over to their booth carrying Fred's ice cream sundae. She set the dish, topped with a cherry, in front of the handsome blonde. "There you go, sugar," she said with a wink, causing Fred to blush. Daphne narrowed her eyes into a glare, directed at the waitress' retreating figure.

"How...friendly," Daphne commented bitterly as soon as the woman was out of earshot.

Fred nodded nervously, not sure what to say to that. Luckily, he was saved from having to come up with a response when a familiar man approached them. His name was Mary Kessler, no relation to Chief Kessler. Mary was an expert on Mr. Morte and had been attempting to help Mystery, Inc. through their test, though his help was not needed, for nothing had happened to them yet. Mary was a pale man in his early twenties with fair hair and very light green eyes. There was no doubt that this man was bullied as a child, a fact made extremely obvious by his overall strange and creepy personality.

"Hi, Mary," Daphne greeted politely as he sat down next to her in the booth. She scooted a little closer to Fred, feeling uneasy.

"Hey, guys," he said. "Any word from Morte yet?"

Fred sighed. "Didn't we tell you that the second we heard from him, we'd call you?" When Mary nodded he added, "And have we made any attempt to contact you?" Mary shook his head. "Then we've not heard from him yet."

As Mary opened his mouth to respond, Daphne noticed something resting on the end of the table. "When did the check get here?" she asked, more to herself than to anyone else. Daphne picked up the thin black folder, expecting to find their bill. Instead, there was a note in eerily familiar writing. "Guys," she said nervously to the rest of the gang, her hands trembling slightly. "I think you should take a look at this."

She handed the note to Velma, who read it aloud.

Sweet as sugar is Daphne's man.
He always comes up with the plan.
When there's a damsel in distress,
Be sure, Fred Jones, to do your best
Or the girl's heart will surely stop.
So hurry, pretty please with a cherry on top.

-Mr. Morte

Everyone gasped as the words were spoken. Fred, acting upon instinct, pulled Daphne close as he always did when there was danger. Shaggy and Velma huddled together in their corner of the booth as Scooby whimpered.

Mary, who's eyes went wide, was the first to recover from the shock. A deranged smile spread across his face. "This is just the beginning," he whispered, sending shivers down the spines of his companions.

So how'd you like it? I know this was kind of a short chapter, but it's all I could come up with at the moment. Please review and let me know how I did!