Author´s Note: This fic is not going to be too long because it will lost interest if that happens so, we move on with Cassidy and Pericles, the two sides of the mirror. You know, I wonder about that scene in "Midnight Zone" before the factory explodes and Cass is talking to Daphne. When she says "What E and I had we lost it a long time ago" Cassidy sounded very sad, not only regretting not telling Ricky what she felt but also not preventing him from becoming that creep. And I think that Rick does not know exactly what Pericles has done so I really expect a scene where he kicks that parrot´s butt for doing such thing to Cass.

Oh, by the way I´m going to introduce Brad and Judy very soon. Again, my story, my rules but don´t worry cuz this is going to be awesome.

Anyway, enough rant. Let´s go!


7. Jagged Edge

9 Hours before

Pericles watches the day go away while the Freak searches through the caves. No sign of Scooby or of his old comrades. The parrot has now some time to think for himself as he glances at the gang, all tied up in the corner. They are not like his group. Is true that Fred, this Brad, and Daphne, Judy´s, are in love but something´s very different. They do care about each other, they are not fighting about the treasure and they really feel like a team. Ugh. Why does that make him feel bad? Why do this kinder make him sick? He needs answers. For someone so smart as him, is frustrating to not have all the answers.

"Vhy aren´t you all sad?" the kids are serious but not crying or complaining.

"Does the word friends mean anything to you?" grumbles Velma and that makes Shaggy smile with the other two. "We are together and Scooby is going to bite your feathers off"

"Like, yeah. We´re not scared of some crazy bird" Shag giggles.

"You should know dat de curse first affects animals"

"Like, yeah? Well, Scoob, is not like that, dude"

"Are you sure?" Pericles rises an eyebrow.

"Scoob has saved us many times and he´s not like you" states Fred.

"My toddled comrade? Ve aren´t so different. Treated just as pets, vound to ve forgotten in de end. Scoovy surely vill join me"

"And like, why would he?"

"Hm. Let me share a revelation dat I've had during my time here. It came to me vhen I tried to classify your species and I realized dat you're not actually mammals. Every mammal on dis planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with de surrounding environment vut you humans do not. You move to an area and you multiply and multiply until every natural resource is consumed and de only vay you can survive is to spread to anoder area. Dere is anoder organism on dis planet dat follows the same pattern. Do you know vat it is? A virus. Human veings are a disease, a cancer of dis planet. You're a plague and me, I´m de cure. Animals vill rule once de human virus is eliminated"

"Like, dude, you really stayed too long in that cage"

"I agree with Shaggy" nods Daphne. "How can you hold such grudge against your friends?"

"My frends? Vould you like to know avout them?" he lands on a nearby rock. "Vrad and Judy vere lovevirds, only cared avout each other, novody else. Dat is vhy they left you here with Mr. Jones, Frederick"

"What do you mean?"

"Has he not told you, mein kinder? Your real parents are Vrad Chiles and that luder Judy. And if you don´t velieve me, think of the pictures you haf seen"

"…" Fred feels the photo in his pocket and does not answer. Even if Pericles is right, he´s not going to give him the chance to have that pleasure.

"And the other two? Ricky was your best friend, that´s for sure" Velma changes the topic.

"Ricky, mein sweet Rricky. So dedicated to me, my vest friend for many years until that stupid girl came dis vay. He choosed her over me, his loyal companion and advisor, a girlfriend dat vould vroke his heart. And me? I vecame just a pet, a mascot, de mascot of a foolish human. After all, I vas just de parrot, de mascot, de know it all" Pericles´frown deepens. "I found den dat humans vere vorthless. Even Jones who helped me dat fateful night vas dreck"

"Like, not all people is like dat"

"Perhaps. You, Herr Rogers, you picked your dog over some vossy girl" this makes Velma frown. "Vut in de end, you are all de same and here, you shall meet your fate, kinder" he points at the walls. Strange glows float across the glass and ghostly faces move through the cave. "To prevent people from comink, de eel Nidhogg set a trap"

"A trap, where? Is it...?"

"Fred!"

"Sorry"

"Family trait, mein sohn. Vrad used to do dat too" smug. "Dis place traps people vhen de eel comes and dat is vhat it vill do vith you so don´t vorry. You von´t suffer any harm"

"Oh, like that´s great!"

"You vill just go insane in here"

"OK, not good"

"Totally insane, verrückt, as your vody changes over and over and your mind loses control"

"That is not going to happen" Fred talks again.

"Vant to vet?" Pericles flies to where he was before. "You vill ve vhere you deserve. Trapped, caged like ve animals"

"You know, man? Like, is not that scar in your eye your worse thing" says Shaggy.

"Is it not?"

"No. Like, you have one worst inside" this drives Pericles angry and he hits the young man in the face with his claws. The injure in his cheek burns while a line of blood falls to the ground.

"Dere is no healink, Mr. Rogers, vhen you get cut vith a jagged edge" he leaves them. A glance of concern appears in Velma´s face but Shaggy says nothing. He hasn´t give up hope on Scoob.

"Well, I know the feeling

Of finding yourself stuck out on the ledge

And there ain't no healing

From cutting yourself with the jagged edge"

SD

Cassidy glances at Ricky who seems a bit uncomfortable with the thoughts in his mind as he keeps tossing and turning. The woman knows that he feels guilty about what happened between Pericles, her and himself. He always wanted to put things right but never knew how.

Now that he´s lost in his mind, remembering and trying to find the way out, Ricky does seem lost. The woman does not let go his hand as she glances sadly at him. A few weeks ago, he was, ok, he was overweighted and looked like some creepy hermit under Destroido but now... He has lost too much weight, his beard and hair cut short and his face all haggard. If only there was a way to make Pericles change his mind, even if it means destroying that treasure forever. Anything to get Ricky back and end up this endless spiral.

"Please let me take you

Out of the darkness and into the light

'Cause I have faith in you

That you're gonna make it through another night

Stop thinking about the easy way out

There's no need to go and blow the candle out

Because you're not done

You're far too young

And the best is yet to come

So just give it one more try to a lullaby

And turn this up on the radio

If you can hear me now

I'm reaching out

To let you know that you're not alone

And if you can't tell, I'm scared as hell

'Cause I can't get you on the telephone

So just close your eyes

Oh, honey here comes a lullaby

Your very own lullaby"

She puts her head on his lap.

"I´d do anything to get you back, even if it means..."


Lyrics belong to Nickelback.

Boy, Pericles is surely holding a grudge, and his speech, yes, is Agent Smith! Suits him just great.

Will Scooby be now able to sneak in?

Will Ricky wake up?

Will our friends end up trapped inside the cave?

Next Clue: When We Stand Together