A/N: Oh don't mind me, just passing through. Cleaning up some things here and there.
Chapter One: From 0 to 100 in no time at all. Results may vary. No refunds.
The lights that had composed the portal around them eventually died down. The air had stilled around them, Shaggy finally lets out a breath that he didn't realize he was holding. His grip on the steering wheel tight enough to turn his knuckles white, and he made it a point to ignore how his bare hands were starting to bend the metal into the groves of his fingers.
"Hey." Vanna was the first to speak. "It's going to be okay." Her voice was reassuring, but he knew well enough that she was just as anxious as he was. He leaned back into the hand that was pressed against his shoulder with a sigh.
They sat for few minutes. Taking in the drastic changes around them. His memory of the Realm of Monsters were mostly fuzzy. He was too afraid for his and the lives around him to really take it in. He only remembered how much he wanted to just go home.
But now. This was his home. This was the place where he will spend the rest of his days. Or for all eternity. Whichever comes first. He didn't really care, all he knew that things will never be the same again.
Vanna's grip on his shoulder tightened. Her lips pressed into a line. "Something is... off. When I left, things were mostly taken care of..." She was right, there was something odd about this place, something is in the air that he can't really identify. The Magic was stale.
Something twisted in his stomach, in the back of the van, he could hear Scooby shift uncomfortably. Nails clinking on the metal floor of the van. At least he wasn't the only one who felt uneasy. He could see it in Ms. Grimwood's eyes that things weren't going to be as easy as they wanted it to be. "We have to keep driving."
Vanna nodded. "Right. I'll direct you to Dracula's Castle. There's someone there who would really want to see you."
Shaggy looked back at her, smiling a little awkwardly. "Like who?"
"Oh." She laughed. Doing her best to lighten the mood, he appreciates the effort. "You'll see."
Shaggy was about to ask her what she had meant by that when something very heavy rocked against their van. Slamming his foot against the gas, Shaggy made the vain attempt to drive away from the force that tried to knock the van over.
"Hang on!"
Suddenly a second force, stronger than the first slams into the van again this time succeeding in tipping them to the side. Shaggy bared his teeth to muffle a shout, his shoulder digging into the cracked glass that was once the door window. His arms protectively wrapping around Vanna when she slid into him.
"What was that!?" Vanna gasped. But she had her answer soon enough when the passenger seats door was ripped open and off its hinges. A massive creature stood at the edge blocking the afternoon sunlight.
"Well look what we have here." The creature reached down, grabbing Vanna by the arm. "What a pretty little thing. You would make a great snack!"
"No!" Shaggys grip on Vanna tightened, kicking the arm away from her. "Let her go!" Luckily for the both of them, Scooby lunged up, his teeth sinking into the lumpy green flesh of the creature.
"Ah!" The goblin screamed. Ripping his arm away from the woman and taking the dog with him.
Shaggy's own arm shot up, grabbing the dogs tail. "Scoob!" He was quickly pulled out of the van his stomach lurching when he was lifted from the safety of his vehicle and the solid ground.
"Get off! Get off! Get off!" The goblin swung his arm around, eventually loosening the dogs jaw. Sending the pair flying backwards. With Shaggy taking the brunt of the dogs weight when they skid across the dirt road.
If he was still a human, he knew he would've been done for. But this unfair treatment only made the new Alpha mad. Shaggy stood back up. Feeling fur and claws replacing his human features like a warm and tingly embrace. But he wasn't done, as he shifted to his second phase. Clothes and shoes ripping as it could no longer accommodate his growing body.
Shaggy roared charging at the goblin with the overwhelming need to protect his family. Knocking over the first Goblin solider with ease.
"Look at this. We got a fighter here." The larger one chuckled. Pulling something from his back and tossing it to the other Goblin.
"A big one too. You're a long way from home, wolfman." A taller and thinner one suddenly lashed out a chain. Wrapping around Shaggy's neck. A sharp burning sensation overwhelmed him. Burning through his fur and digging into his skin. Silver. The chains were made with silver.
Shaggy quickly shrunk down, back into the shape of a human. He desperately clawed at his neck to get the chain off. "Let me go! Let me go now!"
"I don't think so." The fatter goblin said. Grabbing the chain and pulling him down. "You're not going anywhere."
"Yes he is!" A piece of glass shot across the air. Digging into the taller ones neck. Vanna ran forward. Another shard of glass in hand. She didn't waste any time, jumping on the goblin who held the chain. Scooby quickly snuck across the commotion, unraveling the chain from his best friend.
"Thanks." Shaggy struggled to get back on his feet. Then pulling at the torn and destroyed clothes. "Oh great... my favorite shirt..."
He looked over and found a very large and sinister looking tree branch. Picking it up without much of a struggle. For a moment he marveled at his new found strength before charging in after Vanna.
But Shaggy didn't get very far, when a new figure appeared, ramming into both goblins at full speed. He stopped, watching as the goblins were tossed carelessly in the air. Shaggy broke into a grin. "Rainn!"
The massive werewolf grinned, sharp teeth glistening with red. "Nice to see that you finally made it." He spat out a mouthful of the red, his muzzle twisting with disgust. "Ugh. Tastes like crap."
Vanna stood up, brushing herself off. Then gripping her hand, inspecting the long cut in her palm. She took a breath and shrugged off the injury. She's been though worse. "What the heck was that!? Why were we attacked?"
Rainn took a moment to pick at his teeth. "They're quickly becoming more aggressive. We think something really nasty is brewing."
"Any ideas?" Vanna took a strip from her now ruined dress to wrap around her hand.
Rainn shook his head. "No... but whatever it is, it's upsetting the Magic. Do you smell it?"
Vanna looked over at Shaggy, who was busy scratching uncomfortably at his neck. With her bandage free hand she gently pulled back the collar of his ruined shirt to inspect his neck. She gasped, finding deep red welts around his throat and shoulders. "Shaggy! You're hurt."
"It's fine." The new Alpha continued to scratch at his neck like he is suffering though a bad allergy. "Man, silver is the worst."
Rainn quickly came up to sniff at his neck. "They got you bad. I don't think you'll be able to shift for a little while."
Shaggy shook his head, now more confused than uncomfortable. "What do you mean I cant shift?" He tried to hide that he was starting to panic. In the back of his mind, he could almost feel as if the chains that was around his neck was still there. Locked down like some kind of feral creature.
"Prolonged exposure to a great amount of silver can suck away our gifts. Not only it would hurt us, it weakens us as well." Rainn calmly explains, and Shaggy could see the fur on his new friends body stand up. Despite his best efforts, Shaggy should've known that another werewolf would've sensed his own panic. But what concerned him was the look of sympathy that Rainn had given him. As if he had been exposed to large amount of silver before.
Even though Shaggy was the most comfortable in his human shape, he knew that this kind of restriction would eventually drive him mad. "H- how long?"
"We'll see. Depends on the person. But you're Alpha, so I doubt it would be long for you." Rainn lead the pair to the toppled van. This is an easy fix. They watched as Rainn casually lifted up the van, pushing it right side up. He climbed into the drivers seat. Somehow neither of them knows how he did it, but Rainn managed to get the van to start. "Come on! We're expected at Dracula's Castle."
Rainn scrambled for something in the back, before swinging the back doors open and throwing Shaggy a pair of pants. "Also. Here."
Shaggy gave him a strange look, before looking down to see that the only piece of clothing that even remotely held its shape was his boxers. He felt his face grow very red. "Thanks..."
Scooby quickly jumped in to the back. Looking up at his once human companion. "Raggy. Re rust ricked rup the ran." The dog both sounded impressed but a little scared at the same time.
"Yes, he did just pick up the van, Scoob." Shaggy took a moment to put his pants on. Trying to fight the red that covered his face.
"Raggy?"
"Yeah?"
"Can rou rick up the ran?"
Shaggy could only shrug. "I don't know, man. I guess I can."
The thought of Shaggy, with his twig arms picking up a car of all things made Scooby giggle. "Rerry runny, Raggy."
Shaggy could only roll his eyes at the dog, slamming the van doors shut. He tried to ignore how the van lurched slightly, but the sound of Scooby's nails stumbling across the floor of van because of it made him smirk. He knew that Scooby might not talk to him for the rest of the evening. But it was worth it.
...
Castle Dracula wasn't a very welcome sight to see just after they were attacked. It only brought up uncomfortable memories of when he was held hostage. He felt Vanna rest her hand on top of his, and he wonder if the Castle made her just as uncomfortable. He had to remind himself that she was trapped there a lot longer than he was.
The van stopped just at the outside of the gates. Rainn jumped out first. Throwing the heavy metal entrance open. Before driving the rest of the way. Eventually they pulled up right at the main entrance. The blackened walls and muddy waters of the moat were just as intimidating as it been all those years ago.
Rainn quickly lead the three of them inside, a familiar shape stood on the top of the grand staircase. It was obvious that she had a flair for the dramatic entrances. Just like her father.. nah, that doesn't sound right. Shaggy smiled. She's just like her mother.
"Coach?!" Sibella gasped. It's strange to see how much she had changed since the last he saw her, she's all grown up now, her queenly robes and dramatic cape and collar blended well into the gothic cathedral like archway and staircase. Her hair was up, decorated by delicate jewels. "Is that you? You haven't changed at all."
Well. He really has. Mostly on the inside though. But he couldn't help but to smile, despite his embarrassing and ragged appearance. He couldn't help but to feel proud for her. He sometimes wondered what happened to his class. "I like, can't say the same to you. You're all grown up!"
Sibella quickly climbed down the stairs, jumping up and wrapping her arms around him. She paused, her eyes growling wide. "You smell like a werewolf, are you the Alpha?!" She took a step back to really look at him, she finally noticed the burning red orange eyes. "You are! Aren't you?"
He couldn't say much but to nod. It only made her smile grow bigger. "I'm so glad it's you. Oh my, Winnie is going to lose her mind when she sees that it's you!"
"Oh man, how is everybody?" Familiar faces flashed in his mind, wondering what they are doing now. "I'm sorry that I lost touch. But now like, that won't be a problem."
"It better not." The new Vampire Queen laughed, placing her hands on her hips. "The others are doing great. Though Phanty is in the Spirit Realm right now with her father and Tanis is currently at home in the desert."
"Awe, well I hope I get to see them soon. We have a lot of catching up to do." Shaggy shrugged. Sibella stepped away from him, finally spotting Vanna and Scooby doo.
"Speaking of catching up." Sibella raised her arms to embrace Vanna with a large fanged smile. "Hello, Mother!"
"Hello, Sweetheart!" Vanna kissed her on her cheeks and the top of her head. "I'm sorry it took so long!"
"It's okay. We've managed to keep things under control. But we're glad you brought back their new Alpha, safe and sound." Sibella sighed, resting her face in the crook of her adoptive mothers neck. Vanna glanced up at Shaggy to grin at him, earning a blush from her Wolfman. Sibella reached down to gently scratch the top of Scooby's head. "I haven't forgotten about you too, Scooby doo."
"Raw." Scooby leaned into her hand. Tail swishing lazily behind him.
Rainn rested a hand on Shaggy's shoulder. "Come on. Let's try to make it to the Grotto before sundown."
"What happens after sundown?" Shaggy asked, looking up at the second phase werewolf.
"They..." Meaning goblins, to Shaggy's horror. Rainn didn't need to say much, but he finished anyway. "They're starting to get more restless during the night."
Shaggy looked over at Vanna. "Do you want to come with us?"
Vanna looked down at Sibella, who was still cuddled up to her before smiling at him. "Sorry sweetie. My little bell and I have a lot of catching up to do." The cute nickname earned a strange look from both Sibella and Rainn, but neither said anything. Especially to the Queen. "I'll meet up with you tomorrow morning."
"Okay." Shaggy went over to gently kiss Vanna on the cheek. "Sweet dreams."
"You too." Vanna waved at him, watching Scooby, Shaggy and Rainn disappear behind the massive entrance to the castle.
"You're right when you said that we have a lot of catching up to do." Sibella laughed. Crossing her arms. "What happened between you and Coach?"
Vanna quickly hid a blush, and that said more than enough to the Vampire Queen. But Sibella knew that she'll get the story out of her, eventually.
...
"So... Vanna Pira." Rainn smirked at Shaggy. Who was silent for most of the trip up. "You animal."
"Shut it." Shaggy crossed his arms, sinking back into his seat. "That's none of your business."
Rainn snorted, enjoying needling at his Alpha. He'll just be happy to be in the presence of the very needed leader, but he can't help it. Shaggy is just way too easy to poke at. "Oh I'm making it my business. Hot damn, how the heck did you manage to get Vanna freaking Pira?"
Shaggy huffed, looking out the window to hide the growing heat to his face. "She is a lady and I would appreciate it if you don't talk about her like that."
"I know, I know." Rainn rolled his eyes, but a smirk was still on his face. He could see Scooby giggling when he looked in the rearview mirror. "I have a lot of respect for Ms. Pira. She's a very powerful lady who could probably take down an entire army of goblins if you piss her off. But that doesn't mean you're not getting out of a good ribbing. Oh man. She has you wrapped around her finger."
Shaggy playfully shoved him. "Do not." He didn't say much, as a strange sight appeared in the distance. It was a massive castle, looking as if it was carved and built up right from the cave and mountain that circled part of the land around it. It was a strange sight. Shaggy leaned out of the window to try to get a better look. It looked more like a lost ancient temple than a proper castle. But as they got closer, he could see that it was still in use. "Where are we?"
Rainn looked over at Shaggy again, his smirk softening into a smile. "Welcome home, Alpha."
Shaggy snapped his head back to Rainn. "Wait, I'm going to live... here?"
"Just like the many Alphas and their own packs lived before you. This is the place where the first werewolf was chosen. It is sacred ground." Rainn explained, climbing out of the car and opening the back doors to let Scooby out to disappear into a nearby bush. Shaggy was the last to slowly climb out, his hands shaking against the vans doors. This was... sure he didn't expect to live in a normal suburban home or whatever. But a castle? Sacred ground? What? What!
Scooby returned from the bushes to nudge the back of Shaggy's hand. "Raggy?" The dog gotten the response he wanted when Shaggy gently scratched the back of his ears. He could feel that the dog was intimidated at the sight. He can't even begin to imagine what it looked like on the inside.
He turned to see Rain with several bags in his hands. "Come on. We need to get you settled in, then we have to prepare for the Howling, the full moon will be here soon." For the time being, Shaggy didn't want to know. He had more than enough to take in anyway.
It's safe to say that this was a pretty big upgrade from his parents basement.
End of Chapter
AN: I forgot to mention this in the last story. I named Winnie's father after the actor that played Dwight from The Office. I thought it was a pretty cool name and it seemed to fit my version of the werewolf like a glove so it stuck. You'll notice that I had named most of the Grimwood's girls parents since they didn't get proper names. Instead they got titles, like 'The Mummy' and 'The Wolfman' whatever. The only ones that did have a name was Dracula and Frankenstein. But even then I had to give Frankenstein a proper name. So whee...
So yeah. Everyone is here!
