Chapter 4: Enter the Great Dane and new friends in the new school year

June 25, 2003

It has been more than three weeks since the Rogers had befriended the Blakes. During this time, Shaggy and Sugie started to became close with Daphne, and as the views on the Blakes begins to soften, Daphne was able to make plenty of friends, although she remains close to Shaggy and Sugie for the most part.

Everyday after school, the trio hangs out at the Malt Shop for after-school dessert. While the diners owner was amazed by Shaggy and Sugie's large appetites, he was nevertheless glad to serve the trio, remarking that they were one of his best costumers.

Daphne was also quite surprised on Shaggy and Sugie's large appetites. Her curiosity led to her asking them a question that afternoon while Shaggy and Sugie were enjoying their loads of ice cream.

"Shaggy, Sugie, mind if I ask you why do you two eat that much?" She asked.

Shaggy shrugged. "Like, it's just that we're always hungry."

"Okay." Daphne replied slowly. "What I don't get is that you guys never seem to gain weight in spite of eating that much of food."

"Like, I guess our longtime enjoyment in playing at the park and exercising prevented us from gaining weight."

Daphne nodded as she accepted Shaggy's explanation.

After finishing their desserts and paying the bill, the trio took a walk to a nearby pet farm, as Daphne's butler Jenkins follows them.

"So Shaggy, where are we going today?" Daphne asked.

"Like, the Knittingham Puppy Farm. Our parents told us we can adopt a puppy." Shaggy replied.

He was excited to have a dog. Afterall, it is said that a dog is man's best friend.

A few minutes later, the trio entered the puppy farm, where they were greeted by Mrs. Knittingham, the farm owner.

"Norville Rogers?" Mrs. Knittingham asked.

"Like, that's me, Mrs. Knittingham." Shaggy replied.

"Glad to have you here. The pups are ready for you and your sister Maggie to pick." Mrs. Knittingham smiled as she led the way with the three children following behind.

They were soon led to a room with a door labeled, "The Doo Family".

The three children entered in a large room where a family of Great Danes were gathering. All of them had brown fur and black spots and were wearing a blue collar with a dog tag.

The family was led by a Great Dane bearing the resemblance of a white-collared worker, as he was wearing a tie and a pair of glasses.

He also had a moustache. As soon as he saw the three children enter, he turned to the pups and said, "All right, everyone. Behave yourselves and you may get picked to live with Sam and his family."

Unaware that the Doos were the breed of Great Danes capable of speech, Daphne turned to Shaggy and said, "Shaggy, I thought you never use your fathers first name."

"Like, I never do, Daph. These Great Danes do talk!"

"Talking dogs? I thought there were no such thing as talking dogs!"

"We can really talk, miss." The Great Dane that said.

"How come?" Daphne asked.

"It's in our genes." The dog shrugged.

Daphne nodded before turning to Shaggy and Sugie and asked, "Shaggy, Sugie, how did that Great Dane know your fathers name?"

"He was our fathers pet at a time, Daph." Sugie explained.

Shaggy nodded. "Like, it is tradition for my family to adopt a member of the Doo family."

"I see."

The first pup was a male pup wearing a pair of glasses. He appeared to be in his early teens.

(Note: For all ages I'm going to use here, it is in human years)

The second pup was wearing a pinkish-purple dress and had red-brown hair. She appeared to be younger than the pup with glasses.

The third pup had bushy orange-blond hair and appeared to be younger than his only sister.

The last pup looked like his oldest brother, except that he is much younger than his two brothers and only sister. He also looked rather cute.

Placing her eyes on the last pup, Daphne quickly pointed him out, saying, "Shaggy, Sugie, check this one out."

Taking a look at the young pup, Shaggy and Sugie noted that his dog tag had the initials "SD" on it.

"Like, what's your name?" Shaggy asked the pup.

"Roobert-Doo!" The pup exclaimed excitingly and wagged his tail.

Turning the dog tag, Shaggy noted that the pup's name is Scoobert-Doo.

"Like, Scoobert-Doo." Shaggy remarked and the pup nodded.

"Perhaps it would be easier if we give Scoobert a nickname, Norville." Sugie suggested.

As she was speaking, the puppy farm happened to be playing the song Strangers in the Night, and when it played the scat "doo-be-doo-be-doo", Daphne's face lighten up.

"Scooby-Doo! This nickname should work! What do you guys think?" She suggested.

"I like it!" Shaggy replied as his sister nodded.

He then turned to Scoobert and added, "Like, I think we'll just call you Scooby-Doo from now on to make things easier, Scoob."

"Ri rike re rickname, Raggy." (I like the nickname, Shaggy) Scooby-Doo replied as he excitingly jumped onto Shaggy and licked him in his face, causing him to laugh.

As they watch Scooby licking Shaggy in the face, Sugie turned to Mrs. Knittingham and said, "I think Scooby likes my brother."

"I can tell." Mrs. Knittingham nodded as she smiled.

Soon, after Mr. Doo filed the paperwork and Scooby-Doo said goodbye to his parents and siblings, the Rogers siblings, Daphne and Jenkins made their way out of the puppy farm with Scooby-Doo, starting a new chapter in the Great Dane pups life.

Summer of 2003

More than two months went by since Shaggy and Sugie had adopted Scooby-Doo.

During the summer vacation, the trio, along with Daphne, will go have fun at the park.

During particularly hot days where the sun is boiling hot, George Blake will invite the Rogers kids over to play with Daphne in her small private swimming pool.

With the help from Sam Rogers, the two fathers had also set up a hose in the garden for the kids to play with to cool themselves down.

On days that are not as hot, Shaggy, Sugie and Daphne will also race each other with their bikes down the street, with Scooby-Doo watching them and sometimes takes one of the kids' place in the race.

The kids had also spent a day at the beach down at Lake Coolsville, where they had fun building sand castles and swimming in the water.

Before anyone knew it, two months went by fast and this day was the first day back to school, where Shaggy and Daphne are in Grade 3 together while Sugie is starting Grade 1.

September 2, 2003

That morning, a short, 8-year-old girl with short brown hair and glasses was on her way to her class when she encountered a large, muscular boy with red hair, accompanied by two other boys.

"Hey look, guys. It's that geek Dinkley again!" The red-haired boy exclaimed.

"Have you been spending your summer reading again?" One of the boys teased as the red-haired boy proceeded to knock the girls books onto the floor.

"Loser." The other boy laughed. "She does nothing but read all day, hence the glasses."

Before the three bullies could further torment the short girl, a voice shouted, "Leave that girl alone, Red Herring!"

The three boys turned. That voice had came from a blond-haired boy with an orange ascot. He was holding a copy of a magazine on traps and mysteries on his right hand.

"Oh, not you again, Jones!" The red-haired boy, known as Red Herring, retorted. "This is none of your business!"

"Then, I'll make it the principal's business if you don't stop picking on the poor girl, then!" The blond-haired boy replied.

Before Red Herring had a chance to retort, the school bell rang, signalling the students that class will start in 5 minutes.

Without another word, Red and his gang made their way down the hall quickly after shooting one last glare to the boy.

Turning to the short girl, the boy said, "Those guys sure don't leave you alone, eh?"

"I guess not." The girl replied. "Thanks for standing up for me."

"You're welcome." The boy replied. "By the way, the name's Jones. Frederick Jones, although most people just calls me Fred."

"Velma Dinkley." The girl replied as she shook Fred's offered hand. "I guess we better get to class now."

Fred nodded. "Are you in Grade 3?" He then asked.

"Yes." Velma nodded. "Are you in Grade 3, too?"

"That's right."

"Jinkies. That means you're in the same class as I am!"

"Wow. What a coincidence." Fred remarked as he finished helping Velma picking up her books. Then, the duo made their way to their classroom.

Soon, Fred and Velma arrived at Mrs. Hamilton's classroom. They sat beside each other, near the front of the classroom.

Fred took a glance around the classroom before the bell ringed. He noticed the orange-haired girl most people know to be the rich Blakes daughter was in his class. She was sitting next to a boy with dusty-brown hair and wearing a green shirt, a pair of jeans, and they were chatting happily.

"Huh. I guess Daphne is nicer than I thought." Fred thought to himself as he remembered the school gossips about Daphne from the year before.

He shrugged before turning back to Velma.

(Shaggy and Daphne's Point of View)

Shaggy and Daphne were finishing chatting on how much they had enjoyed the summer, with Daphne reassuring Shaggy that Sugie will do just fine in Grade 1.

Shaggy then took a glance around the classroom. He noticed that a blond-haired boy was staring at him and Daphne while they were talking. He was sitting beside a girl with glasses, and they were chatting.

The bell then ringed as Mrs. Hamilton starts her class.

Later, during lunchtime, Shaggy, Sugie and Daphne were sitting together having lunch in the cafeteria.

"So Sugie," Daphne asked, "How's your day so far?"

"It was okay." Sugie replied. "I was in the same class as one of the Dinkley girls, whose name is Madelyn. She seemed friendly."

Shaggy and Daphne nodded.

"I see." Shaggy remarked.

He then turned his head and saw the blond-haired boy from his and Daphne's class walking with two brown-haired girls in glasses, one of whom was also in his class.

The other brown-haired girl saw Sugie sitting with Shaggy and waved. "Hi Sugie!"

Sugie waved back. "You guys can come sit and eat with me and my brother and his friend!"

"Sure."

Soon, the two girls and the boy were seated with Shaggy, Sugie and Daphne as they have their lunches together.

The blond-haired boy instantly recognized Shaggy.

"Hey, you're in my class!" He exclaimed excitingly.

Shaggy nodded and so did Daphne.

"Like, I noticed you and her sitting together." He said, his hand gesturing to the brown-haired girl whose sister is chatting happily with Sugie.

"That's right. She's my friend, and I stood up for her after that clown Red Herring and his gang picked on her this morning!" The boy responded.

"Jeepers!" Daphne responded.

Shaggy looked at her confusingly. "Who's Red Herring?"

Daphne quickly remembered that Shaggy only transferred into the school in June.

"He's a red-haired bully and is always seen with two other boys, picking on anybody weaker than him." She explained.

"Zoinks!" Shaggy replied.

It was that moment that Shaggy realized that he haven't introduced himself to the boy and the sisters and he quickly said, "Oh, by the way, the name's Rogers. Norville Rogers, but you can call me Shaggy."

"Fred Jones." The boy said as he offered Shaggy's hand.

As they shook hands, Fred gestured towards the sisters and added, "This is Velma Dinkley and her sister Madelyn."

"Nice meeting you guys." Velma said shyly as she shook hands with both Shaggy and Daphne. "Are you Sugie's brother?"

"That's right." Shaggy replied. "Her name is actually Maggie."

"I gave them both their nicknames." Daphne explained as she gestured towards Shaggy and Sugie.

"A nice nickname for both of them." Fred commented as Shaggy nodded. That's when he noticed that Fred was holding a magazine.

"Like, what's this?" He asked, pointing towards the magazine.

"Oh, it's the Traps and Mysteries." Fred replied. "It's a great magazine with all of the mysteries and demonstrations on traps in it."

"Cool." Shaggy replied. "Like, mysteries are quite fun to read about, although some stuff are pretty scary."

"I agree." Daphne agreed. "However, it is still suitable for someone looking for a sense of adventure."

Shaggy nodded, and so did Fred and Velma.

The six friends spent the rest of the lunch period chatting and eating.

After school, Fred, Velma and Madelyn were preparing to head home when Shaggy caught up with them.

"Like, are you guys busy after school?"

"No. Why?" Velma replied.

"Daphne was wondering if you guys will like to hang out with us at the Malt Shop?"

"That sounds like a groovy idea." Fred replied. "We just need to let our parents know where we're going."

That's when Velma produced a mobile telephone from her briefcase, surprising Shaggy, Sugie and Daphne.

"It's a wonder to me that Velma can carry that briefcase around with ease." Daphne remarked.

"Don't worry. I'm used to it." Velma said.

After making their phone calls, Fred and the Dinkley's made their way to the Malt Shop with Daphne and the Rogers.

As the group of six arrived at the Malt Shop, they were greeted by Scooby-Doo, who was waiting for them at the entrance to the diner.

"Raggy! Rugie! Raphne!" (Shaggy! Sugie! Daphne!) Scooby piped excitingly.

"Hey Scoob!" Shaggy replied excitingly as he and Sugie went to pet their pup. Turning to Fred and the Dinkley's, he added, "This is our pup Scooby-Doo."

"Rooby-Doo!" (Scooby-Doo!) Scooby said excitingly as he looked at Fred and the Dinkley's.

"Holy moly! That dog talks!" Fred exclaimed as Velma and Madelyn hides behind Sugie, being surprised by the pup.

"Like, yeah." Sugie says. "Every dog in Scooby's family can talk."

Turning to Velma and Madelyn, Sugie added, "Don't be afraid. Scooby is the kindest puppy once he gets to know you."

"Right." Daphne said before turning to Scooby, gesturing to Fred. "Scooby, this is Fred." Gesturing to Velma and her sister, she added, "Velma and her sister Madelyn."

Slowly, Velma and Madelyn came out and went to pet Scooby, who then licked on Velma's face, causing her to laugh.

Smiling, Madelyn said to her sister. "I think Scooby likes you, Velma."

Velma nodded as Fred went to pet Scooby as well. He then asked, "So, what's this place, Shag?"

"Like, it's the Malt Shop." Shaggy explained. "This is where Maggie, Daphne, Scooby and I hang out most days after school and during the summer."

"The owner likes kids." Daphne added. "It's a good place to get our after school desserts and hang out."

"Awesome!" Fred exclaimed as they all enter the Malt Shop

About an hour later, the gang made their way home after dessert.

As it turned out, Fred and the Dinkley's also lived in the neighbourhood, and after meeting their parents at the park, they all said goodbye to one another as they parted ways, with Wendy, Elizabeth, Shaggy, Sugie, Daphne and Scooby heading home in the same direction.

"So how was school today?" Elizabeth asked. "I saw that you guys made new friends."

"School was great, Auntie Elizabeth." Sugie replied, "And yeah, Norville, Daphne, Scooby and I made some new friends."

Wendy nodded. "It was great to meet Peggy and Cassandra, Elizabeth."

"I agree." Elizabeth nodded.

After the phone call from their children, Elizabeth, Wendy, Fred's mother Peggy and Mrs. Cassandra Dinkley all met at the park, where they introduced themselves and chatted as they waited for their children.

Both Peggy and Cassandra commended Wendy's husband Sam's work in trying to clean up the city's police department when the topic came to discussing their husband's jobs.

As it turned out, Fred's father Jefferson, who's nicknamed "Skip", is a lawyer who has worked frequently with District Attorney Nick Jaffe during the latter's time as a defence attorney who has represented clients suing the police department for wrongful arrest and police brutality.

Fred and his parents lived a block away from Shaggy and Daphne's block.

While Fred was born in Coolsville, his parents were actually from North Dakota, having had met during their studies at Ohio State University.

Velma, Madelyn and their parents lived in the same block as the Jones.

Like Fred, both Dinkley girls were born in Coolsville. Unlike Fred, the Velma and Madelyn's parents were actually from Cleveland, having had moved to Coolsville a month before Cassandra gave birth to Velma.

You may notice that I didn't have Fred reading the National Exaggerator. That is because I felt it was one of the reasons why the WNSD, which served as a sequel to APNSD of some sort, version of Fred is more scatter-brained and clueless than he originally was.

Therefore, I decided to instead have him read a magazine on mysteries and traps, which will foreshadow his interest in solving mysteries and setting up traps later on, although I have no intention of making him absent-minded like he was in the Warner Bros. era of Scooby-Doo, especially in SDMI and the post-2010 DTVs.

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