Author´s note: I got to say that what I like from SDMI is that all characters have a rich background and the story is well written. And as for mine, here´s a little tip for you, the Ring Master is designed after Earl B. Sidebottom "The Phantom" of Flying Rhino Junior High and for a very good reason that I will only unfold in the final chapter.

Let´s go!


7. What Makes It Beautiful

Fred and the others ask all the performers of the show but nobody gives them clues about the identity of the saboteurs. Shaggy keeps his mind on Scooby, ignoring the looks of Velma, and when it´s time to leave, Davy goes with them to the exit.

"I´m sorry we couldn´t find much, and we only have another night before the festival"

"Tomorrow people will come for some shows we will give but don´t worry. You can still come during daylight and night, Monsieur Noir arrange it that way" smiles Jones.

"What do you know about this Noir?"

"He´s a very good man. Always looking after everyone and keeping an eye in those who need him. Very clever fellow too. We have never see his face but I can tell that he has a father look"

"Never have seen his face?"

"Always remains in the shadows or wears a full head white mask. Self protection"

"Oh"

"Like, that explains"

"OK. Who do we talk to if we come during daylight?" Fred goes to the point. "Because you won´t be around, right?"

"No, I won´t. I´m sorry. Ghost issues. But you can ask Mercedes and Vitto"

"Great" well, at least, they won´t be alone. A thunder is heard and a hard rain begins to fall.

"Jinkies!" they all run to the Mystery Machine while the disguises disappear under the pouring storm.

"Good luck" Davy bids them goodbye.

"Grizzly Fungus Coat, this rain wasn´t going to fall!" Jones and the Sheriff run for their car. Angel waits for Ed Machine and they pick up Mr. E who seems to have stand a long time under the rain. Ricky and the woman do not talk but she can tell that something is really bothering him.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Meanwhile, all the performers are going to bed.

Scooby tries to sleep next to Mercedes but he´s greeted by an angry Vitto, who seems to not accept the dog among the group.

"You might be a super sleuth or whatever, but stay away from Mercedes or I´ll shall show you how sharp my claws are" the tiger goes back to his place and the Dane walks past the other sleeping animals until he reaches where Yañez and Keke are.

"Hey, whatcha doin, peeps? Come here" they have made him a bed.

"Uh, rhank you"

"Vitto growled ye, hu? Don´t worry, he´s a lamb dressed as an ogre"

"Rhy does rhe like re?"

"Vitto hardly trust anyone and for a good reason. He´s been treated too badly and now he doesn´t want to get hurt" answers Yañez. "If you get burnt once, you will avoid the flames at all costs"

"..." Scooby somehow understands. "Rood night"

"Good night, pooch"

"Night-night, babe" smiles Keke and the three go to sleep while the rain keeps on falling outside.

Through the tents and ropes, runs a small figure that looks like a rat and that reaches quickly the Ring Master´s tent. He´s playing chess, something he does each night after making it rain, but tonight he seems a bit bothered. The visitor sits in front of him and they begin their match.

"Are they gone?"

"Yep, the kids are gone. The bird too" nods the rodent.

"Good. We need time to think about what we are going to do with all this incidents"

"You have been very angry since we got here, Jack"

"Course I´m angry. I don´t like this place. So full of fake monsters in rubber costumes make our job meaningless" he makes his move.

"Don´t worry, your still number one in scaring"

"Marcus, I´m not worried about that cuz I already know I´m good, I´m worried cuz I know exactly what is going on in this boiling pot. Simmons can say whatever he likes, we will do what I say"

"Like with that Freak guy?"

"Indeed" he watches his associate move one of his pawns. "Jormungard and Nazo will have to wait, like I told them. Our friend below Crystal Cove will not appear just now"

"And the dog?"

"All in a good time, my little friend. All in a good time" the Ring Master is the best at this game.

"What shall we do tomorrow?"

"Keke and the others will go to town after rehearsing to entertain the people. Our job will be to keep an eye on the robberies"

"You got that, Jack"

"Now, let´s see" they play chess for a long while. When the game is over, Jack sits down at the edge of the festival and glances at the sleeping down, rain drops running through the brim of his hat. He sometimes feels lonely while doing this. (Bit of "Anywhere" by Evanescence playing in the background). How can these people live from making money from an art such as scaring? Have they lost their sense of feeling? Is wealth all they care about? He did once warned the conquistadors, the missioners, so many and with no use. Perhaps this town is doomed after all. Or perhaps not.

"There are few who'd deny, at what I do I am the best
For my talents are renowned far and wide
When it comes to surprises in the moonlit night
I excel without ever even trying
With the slightest little effort of my ghostlike charms
I have seen grown men give out a shriek
With the wave of my hand, and a well-placed moan
I have swept the very bravest off their feet

Yet year after year, it's the same routine
And I grow so weary of the sound of screams
And I, Jack, the Pumpkin King
Have grown so tired of the same old thing

Oh, somewhere deep inside of these bones
An emptiness began to grow
There's something out there, far from my home
A longing that I've never known

I'm a master of fright, and a demon of light
And I'll scare you right out of your pants
To a guy in Kentucky, I'm Mister Unlucky
And I'm known throughout England and France

And since I am dead, I can take off my head
To recite Shakespearean quotations
No animal nor man can scream like I can
With the fury of my recitations

But who here would ever understand
That the Pumpkin King with the skeleton grin
Would tire of his crown, if they only understood
He'd give it all up if he only could

Oh, there's an empty place in my bones
That calls out for something unknown
The fame and praise come year after year
Does nothing for these empty tears"

He´s a master of fright, a creature that the Mystery Machine would hunt down in one of those mysteries that they like so much but now, he must focus. Bau Bau will probably up to something, no matter what he pretends, and the Mayor might recognize Angel and Mr. E. So, it is up to him (As always) to solve the thing.

Ah, the rain. Is what makes this night beautiful for the Rainman. Perhaps it will also wash away some of the dirt in town.


A chapter more focused on the Ring Master "Jack" (Notice that it is a very general name).

What is this character up to?

Friend or foe?

Next chapter: Air Born