A Changed World

Disclaimer: I have no ownership of the show Scooby-Doo or any of its characters.

Little Solutions

Five Days later Norville walked briskly to work. He always parked miles way and walked very quickly to get to work on time.

As he walked he heard growling. A black terrier barked several times at him.

Then the dog let out an angry growl and sped off.

Norville grinned.

He doesn't know that I can interpret dog, Norville thought.

"Guess I'll have to be on the look out for Scooby," Norville said simply.

But on the inside Norville was giddy. He had already put down Laurel despite the questions surrounding the dog's involvement in the drug sting that left six people dead. In Norville's mind being Scooby's associate, acquaintance, anything, made you worthy of dead.

Even if you were human.

But my job is to take care of and put down animals, Norville thought, thankfully, I'm able to take over most of the animal put down duties to minimize my requirement of giving animals care.

"Worthless vermin," Norville hissed bitterly.

He picked up the pace and walked even faster.

---

Daphne watched as her father's casket was lowered into the ground.

All the Blake family was there. Even relations from her mother's side. Daphne's mother died in her pre-teen years (according to this story, please don't attack me Scooby-Doo purists – if any of you review this story). So her father was the only parent she had.

"Fred Jones," Daphne whispered tearfully thinking of the only known suspect who was currently on the run, "if you had anything to do with this," she said as fresh tears flowed down her face, "I'll get you," she snarled, "I'll get you," she repeated as she shook with rage.

----

Meanwhile Fred spent his afternoon in the penthouse that Charles owned. Charles' owner left this to him before he died.

Mrs. Jonathan Charles III was a rich and prosperous man. But scandal, rumours and false friends sent everything into decline.

All that he had left were things promised to his children, the family dog and other parties. All of them except his dog quickly betrayed him.

On the verge of suicide Jonathan got wind of rumours that his family would try and take everything from his dog through him (Jonathan). Charles was the last supportive living being he had. In face he was living in Charles' penthouse. Completely overwhelmed, Mr. Jonathan Charles III committed suicide.

His dog found him hanging in the bathroom later that night.

That was eight years ago. Four and a half was spent by Charles being a member of the 'Blood and Sweat' gang. Though he was mainly a financial backer, Charles came to a few of the meetings and was a strong supporter of Scooby's ideals.

The 'Top Dogs' only prospered for themselves. Giving exclusively to their own kind. Who were mostly not that needy to begin with.

Scooby gave portions of profits to the poor and underprivileged dogs of Coolsville. The poor lifestyle of bottom classed dogs got a needed boost from Scooby's illegal operations.

Few human criminals believed in helping their fellow man.

Scooby believed in helping his fellow dog. Or at least helping some dogs.

Charles looked up to him for that.

"Charles," Fred said, "why do you think Scooby's changed?" he asked, "he was such a good dog," he reminisced.

"Life and humans," Charles responded simply, "you humans can really change a dog in any circumstance," he said honestly.

"But we're not all like that," Fred protested.

"But a human did this to you," Charles cut him off, "making you a fugitive of the law," he continued, "it doesn't matter that all of you aren't mean, selfish, treacherous, or bad," he said seriously, "too many of you already are," he concluded coldly.

Fred quietly thought about Charles' owner.

He must've really loved Jonathan, Fred thought, then humans drove his owner to suicide, he realized, damn, he was all that man had left.

"I'm not saying Scooby's an angel," Charles admitted, "cross him and death could be knocking on your front door."

Then Charles curled up in his big dog bed and went to sleep.

Did he just threaten me? Fred wondered.

"Naw," Fred concluded and went to watch tv.

----

Velma sat in front of the whirring machine. Getting to and extracting things from alternate universes was difficult. Very difficult.

She settled for trying to get small items from alternate universes. The closest thing she actually believed could be successful at this stage. She had gotten a few items but mostly it was a bust. The items could be explained away.

A lamp from an alternative universe that resembled a psychedelic lantern wasn't exactly a scientific achievement. Worse it was the best thing she had gotten so far. Worst was a floral placemat. Way down on the jump with excitement list.

A light zapped the top of the stool.

Nothing appeared.

Eight zaps left, Velma thought, anymore in one day could immediately deplete the energy cells used to power the machine's main core.

On the sixth zap something appeared.

Velma immediately paused the zapping.

Walking up to the new object she noticed it was a picture. But she gasped at who she saw in it.

"Eww I'm dressed like a half dork half tramp," Velma complained recognizing herself despite the vast difference in appearance, "why would I wear such a short skirt then wear that ugly orange sweater, those long socks, those tacky shoes and worst of all those glasses," she said completely appalled, "ever heard of contacts girl?" she demanded, "and God that hair's horrible," she said in disgust, "a bowl cut, does she know she's not a boy?" she demanded.

Velma sighed and flung the picture on the floor. She might be a scientist. But she at least lived to also not look ugly.

"What other crazy crap am I going to discover?" Velma asked herself as she picked up the photo to archive it with her other discoveries.

----

Fred headed to the lobby wearing a black hooded coat. He was just walking around the hotel stretching his legs. He was supposed to stay in the penthouse, but he was bored. With Charles asleep he was able to sneak out.

Hopefully he doesn't wake up, Fred thought, if Scooby finds out I left, he's going to give me hell.

Just then he bucked into someone. Soon he was looking into the eyes of Daphne Blake.

Fred quickly pushed back his sunglasses.

But it was too late.

"Po…" Daphne started.

Fred slapped a hand over her mouth.

"If you want to know anything about your father's murder," Fred said, "you won't scream."

Daphne slowly nodded.

----

It was nightfall when Norville entered his home. He went about his usual activities as he did everyday with one exception.

He was expecting a dog mad visitor.