10~
Humanity always had a profound way of overcoming hardship and adapting to just about any circumstance they came across. This then was its toughest test yet, and gradually, Crystal Cove met that challenge.
At first, the awesome concept and presence of time travel was not readily accepted, when it was divulged to the citizens. It was seen as a desperate hoax told to take advantage of the town's confusion, with most chalking up the weirdness outside of town to mass mind-control, either chemically or electronically sent, or even the sinister, nebulous efforts of an alien invasion.
In the end, a select portion of townsfolk was invited on a controlled visit of the Sundial facilities, and shown, first hand, that time travel existed, by taking them a few days in the future, telling them to record what they saw or heard, and then, comparing those findings in a few days, hence. They became believers in short order.
It, then, became easier to explain to them that Everest Greenman had gone back in time, himself, and rewrote history, so that Druidic faith dominated. As a result, everything and everyone they had ever known was changed. Some of their kin still managed to exist in the new timeline, but because they now had different personal histories than what they had, originally, they had no recollection of old friends and family they previously had.
Other family members were, for whatever reason, wiped from history, altogether, and so, because of the global scope of the upheaval caused in the name of iron-clad dogmatism, naked power, and blind vengeance, in the end, it wasn't hard for the citizens of Crystal Cove and elsewhere, to consider, for future history, Everest Greenman, and even Benton Quest, to be to religious intolerance, lack of scientific ethics, and even temporal abuse, what Hitler and Göring were to democracy.
So, it was that the surviving, Crystal Cove branch of Sundial became, unexpectedly, the people's hope, transforming overnight from the remnant of a think tank, into a civic and social healer.
Utilizing cutting-edge genealogy software, normally used to trace bloodlines in the past, to avoid paradoxes, Sundial began systematically locating surviving, alternate family members in the new timeline, and proved itself indispensable in reconnecting with those people.
Along with the efforts of re-establishing familial ties and global contact, all of the citizens, as one, endeavored to cleanse themselves of the collective stain of grief they still carried, with the start of what was to be an annual, memorial service set up by Sundial and the town government, dedicated to the friends and loved ones who were lost to this new history.
Soon afterwards, Velma's secret, whitehat efforts in hacking into Greenman's vast fortune, bore fruit, as news organizations began reporting of the world's other faiths, not extinguished by Greenman's pogrom, now enjoying the largest donations in their modern history, along with reports of new churches being constructed and missionaries starting their tours of the world.
Still, the world was, for good or ill, mostly pagan, for now. Druids, however, were shown to be more than just an order. They were learned and highly-admired men and women, who held not only religious roles, but were also doctors, teachers, and other necessary fulfillers of a given society. Only their gods and culture were different, and considering the vast number of faiths already on tap, who was to say that their beliefs were at odds with any other?
It was inevitable that there would be the occasional misunderstandings and culture clashes, to be sure, but it was the resultant talks, the discussions from such things, that helped create or mend the bridges between the two cultures.
Thus, in time, strange, pagan-sounding businesses took over for the ones that were looted and abandoned, and new concepts were being understood, or at least, tolerated. Rediscovered loved ones were, gradually, being accepted for their new differences, hearts were healing, and Crystal Cove, as a whole, was transforming.
Marcie sat up in her familiar brass bed, at home, facing her laptop's web cam, and watching Velma's animated face, as she told her that she had been released from the hospital, a few days ago.
"We saw you fighting that Greenman guy on TV," Velma said from her laptop, sitting by a Gothic fountain, in the campus of Miskatonic University. "That was intense! I'm just glad you're okay. What's going on at home?"
It was a little strange to hear her refer to the alternate Crystal Cove as 'home,' but it was understandable to Marcie. This was all about fulfilling a need.
Velma, if not the rest of her friends, realized, with the death of her parents, she needed to ground herself in a Crystal Cove, any Crystal Cove, to feel as if she still had a place of connection, a place to feel anchored to, and privately, Marcie nursed a desire of her own to reconnect with the alternate Anne Fleach.
"Well, Mayor Nettles unveiled a new sign for the town, the other day. Now it says, "Crystal Cove. The Most Timeliest Place on Earth," Marcie related.
"Timeliest? Why that?"
"Because, according to Sheriff Stone, her administration had just made a business deal with Sundial to boost the financial budget of the town through the roof, with time-tourism," Marcie said.
"Time-tourism?"
"First, plans are in the works for the world's first Time Museum. Visitors could dress in period clothing and be brought to various historical points in this world's new past. They would have added Crystal Cove's local past to the itinerary, but Mr. D didn't like them competing with his local museum, so they compromised."
"That makes sense," Velma nodded. "Dad was pretty proud of his museum, back home."
"Second, and this is most cool, my dad's amusement park's been given a new lease on life with that ley line fountain on the property. Not only was it powering the disruption that protected Crystal Cove from the timeline change, but now, thanks to both Creationex and Sundial, the park is going to host a joint research facility on the premises to monitor and study ways to use that power, commercially."
"Wow! That's fascinating! Have they started, already?"
"Well, they've already working on a tap to harness the energy to run the park, first," Marcie pointed out. "Then, in a few years, if the park doesn't blow up, they'll try to adapt it for town-wide use, and in the future, a state-wide grid could be developed. If this works out, the whole country could be running on, probably, the cleanest energy there is...magical!"
"You know, there was a time when I wouldn't have believed in any of it, but now, I guess, anything can happen," Velma smirked, wistfully.
"V, you're preaching to the choir. Anyway, Creationex is paying to rebuild the park, and Dad's as giddy as a schoolgirl over that. He's working on shooting a new commercial for the park, and everything. "Welcome to the grand reopening of Fleach's Folly Factory, the only amusement park in the world powered by magic!""
Velma's face softened with admiration over the screen. "I'm glad for you, Marcie. You really deserved it."
"Thanks, V. Well, I better get a move on. I have to meet up with the gang." Marcie then stopped to think about what she had just said, and it tickled her. Had it been so long ago, when she had only her Velma to count as her friend? "Gang. Ha, I've got a gang, now!"
"Then, you look after them, Marcie," Velma counseled. "I've seen the power of a good gang change the world."
Marcie asked, "Yours?" Velma shook her head.
"Yours."
The outdoor wedding ceremony, being held on the property of the Blake Mansion, was both stately, and a curio.
At first, any invited guest would take in the opulence of the affair, and know that for their daughter, Daphne, Barty and Nan would spare no expense.
The surroundings were, literally, brilliant in pure, traditional white, satin festoons draped the scene, tall, flanking trellises were decorated in fragrant, pink flowers, large rows of orderly seating were arranged from best- to least-favored guest, a small orchestra played lilting melodies while everyone got settled in, and a beautiful ice sculpture standing near a heroically catered buffet table, caught the light of the noon day in its wet facets.
On the other hand, some elements of the setting were noticeably different. Encircling the entire the wedding party was a circle of stones and crystals, serving as a marker, and up ahead of the guests, an alter was set up, along with an ornate table holding a small bell, and a red, silk ribbon.
Most of the gang sat in their row of white chairs, either fidgeting with neckties, like Red, glancing expectantly at the buffet table, like Jason, or intrigued by the whole display, like Marcie and Velma.
Reporters who wrote for the society section of The Crystal Crier, were on hand, far outside the periphery of the circle, taking pictures and notes of the event, while Dawn, Dorothy, and Delilah, serving as bridesmaids, appeared and cast wildflowers among the stones of the circle.
Suddenly, Red gave a loud whistle upon seeing Daisy, as the maid of honor, approach the alter in a flowing, eye-catching gown and a circlet of flowers in her done-up hair, holding a small, silk pillow, in its center, sat Fred's old wedding ring, cleaned and polished for the occasion.
She waved to him, as she stood next an anxious, suited Shaggy Rogers, holding Daphne's old wedding ring on a similar pillow, a grinning Scooby-Doo, and a tuxedoed Barty, who glanced, proudly, to Nan, who sat in the front row, beaming in a splendid gown of her own.
The presider, a thin, bespectacled priest, took his position behind the alter party, as they, and indeed, everyone else, waited for the honored participants to arrive.
The priest picked up the bell from the table, and, with an even tinier hammer, softly, struck it three times, quieting the guests and beginning the ceremony.
Outside the stone and crystal ring, from the east, where the sun rose and, where it was said, growth in a relationship was symbolized, young Fred Chiles, wearing a finely-tailored suit.
As red symbolized life, he wore a red bowtie, and was greeted with quiet gasps and murmurs of admiration from the attendees, particularly, his proud mother and father.
He glanced over to see his wife before, and to be, again, Daphne Blake, dressed in a stunning gown of pure white, but contrasted with a crimson veil.
They stood side-by-side, held hands, and slowly began walking the length of the circle, meeting smiling relatives, acquaintances, and dear friends. They did this circuit, once, and then, returning to the eastern side of the circle, they entered it.
Joining with the party standing at the alter, the priest ritually asked why they were here, to which Fred and Daphne declared, in unison, their intent to be as one, under Heaven, in front of family and friends.
The priest then regarded the others in attendance, asking if anyone present has any reason why the couple should not be so joined. Respectfully, no one spoke.
Then, Fred recited a statement, one prepared by the both of them, saying to a smiling Daphne, "I, Fred Chiles, commit myself to be with Daphne Blake, in delight and hardship, in feast and famine, in concord and strife, living with her, faithfully, all of my days. May my heart have the strength to keep these vows."
With that, he took the offered ring from Shaggy, and slipped it over her slender finger. Then, Daphne repeated the statement to a proud Fred, and adorned his finger with the ring that Daisy gave to her.
The couple then faced each other, joining their left and right hands together. If viewed from above, their arms and bodies formed a figure 8, the universal symbol of infinity, and an ancient, religious symbol for the union of a man and woman.
The priest took the long, red ribbon from the table, and reverently, laced it over the couple's wrists, tying them together, loosely. After a minute, the bonds were removed.
A word of matrimonial counsel was then offered by the priest to the young couple, after which, he asked the assembled guests whether they would support the couple in their new relationship together.
With a simultaneous nod, they answered "I do." Grinning, the priest, happily, pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Fred Chiles to be hand/wedded as husband and wife, climaxing with the two of them kissing, to thunderous applause, as if today was their last chance on Earth to do so.
While the re-newlyweds waved to their loved ones and friends, Barty, seated next to Nan, muttered with some uncertainty, "I'm so glad that Daphne is getting a real wedding, and that this will be seen as the most expensive one we've ever thrown, love of my life, but I don't know if I'm comfortable with this traditional-slash-handholding thing."
"I think they call it handfasting, dear, and I wouldn't worry." Nan coaxed. "Our little Daphne and Freddy are just mixing things up. They're young and curious, just like we were. Remember, dearest?"
"Oh, how could I forget, Sugar beet?" he agreed, wistfully, holding his wife's hand. "I had a trust fund, and you had your father's inheritance. Our folks said that it would never work out between us, but here we are."
"Okay, girls!" Daphne called out to her sisters, while brandishing her bouquet. "Here it comes!"
Turning her back to them, she tossed the flowers high over her head. They arced into the waiting claws of Daisy and the other Blake Sisters, who jumped like breeching sharks in a blood frenzy.
In the chaotic scrum, Daisy was, unknowingly, knocked to the ground, falling on her fanny and looking quite undignified in her formal attire, while the bouquet bounced from one pair of groping hands to the other, until the arrangement was knocked too high for any sister to reach, and fell into a surprised Daisy's lap, with Daphne, enjoying the ritual, and applauding her sister's good fortune.
Looking up through her undone hair, Daisy saw Red offering his hand to help her up.
"Hey, Daisy," he said, while she dusted herself off with her prize. "If we ever, y'know, like, get married, someday, maybe we should take this hand stuff to the next level. How about handcuffing! How metal is that?"
"Hmm," she muttered, considering it, but because of her thoughtful silence, Red feared that it wouldn't be her cup of tea.
She gave him an almost naughty smile, and then, said, finally, "Only if I'm in charge of the key!"
Red nodded. "All right!"
The warm ocean washed over Marcie and Velma's bare feet, while they carried their shoes and socks, talking and walking along the flowing surf of Crystal Cove Beach on a breezy Saturday.
The day, in all its calm nature, was a balm to both of them. In the days and weeks prior, emotions had ascended and descended with all the reckless speed of an out-of control ride, something Marcie knew, firsthand, and they just needed to decompress.
"I've looked up everything on that Fear guy you dreamed about," Velma said, curling her toes in the soft sand. "You, probably, did, too, and got the same result, an evil druid in Celtic Mythology, although some, also, refer to him as a fairy. Maybe that's why he's so evil. My guess is that you've been researching too many folktales when you were dealing with Greenman."
Marcie shook her head, with a sigh. "After all I've been through, V, I'm still not sure it's all mythological, anymore, or that I hallucinated him, while I was unconscious. Normally, you forget about dreams, after a while, but it still feels like I actually talked to him. I can still remember."
Velma looked uncomfortable. "On the subject of remembering things, I want to say that I'm sorry for calling you a workaholic. I'm your friend, Marcie, and I shouldn't have said that."
"That's all right, V. You said that because you're my friend, and you called it. I do bury myself in my work, sometimes. Now, if you had called me Hot Dog Water, then I would have been insulted," she joked.
"So, how did it feel to fly in the suit?"
"I felt so...free, even when I was getting beat to a pulp," Marcie said, looking to the skies with a wistful smile. "I was actually flying! But, with the suit trashed, I won't be doing that again, for a little while. Luckily, Jason said that Questoid skin is just as tough as Lilith's, and we've got a ton of that, in that van, in the junkyard, so we can repair it. Plus, I've got some ideas to improve the suit, so we're planning a raid on that abandoned Quest lab, pretty soon."
"So, chemist, mystery-solver, cosplayer, and now, lab raider, huh?" Velma asked, conversationally. "Quite the renaissance woman."
"Well, I wouldn't go that far, but thanks," said Marcie, then noticed that Velma looked uncomfortable, once more. "What's wrong, V?
"I don't know, Marcie," Velma said, quietly. "Ever since my friends and I came back home, things have been feeling so different...to me."
"You've got to admit, V, everything's kind of different, these days," Marcie chuckled, but Velma shook her head.
"No, I mean...with me and the others."
That confused Marcie.
Velma explained further. "When I was little, I heard my dad sing this little song. When I asked him what it was, he told me that it was called, "Those Wedding Bells Are Breaking Up That Old Gang Of Mine." I didn't think anything about it, until now."
"How come?"
"I think we're starting to drift apart," Velma sighed. "Fred and Daphne are married...again, and soon, they'll be way too busy starting a new life together. Shaggy's always been focused on his restaurant career, and said that he's got his sights set on being the executive chef of Andre's Entrées, one day. And Scooby...Scooby's just Scooby. He'll always join him at the hip."
Marcie nodded, understanding dawning. "So, you're starting to feel like a fifth wheel, huh?"
"Not exactly, a fifth wheel implies that the wheel is still a part of something, just not as important. I feel like a wheel that's coming off, not really part of the gang, anymore. I know that there's nothing stopping us from keeping in touch, but I can't help thinking that...maybe they don't need me, anymore."
The tint of her sadness couldn't be more on display in front of Marcie, looking at her and listening with concern.
Velma saw Marcie's quiet look and sighed, almost bitterly. "I know, I know. I'm ruining this perfect day. I sound so selfish. I should just shut up, be happy for them, and move on with my life."
Marcie still looked at her, giving the impression of someone trying quite hard to work out what to say, which now concerned Velma.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
Sighing, Marcie stopped walking, looked into her eyes, and spoke as measured as her wrestled feelings allowed her. "I...know I'm probably going way too fast with all of this, but I had a lot of time to think about all that happened, and I realized that time may be powerful, but it sure as heck's not guaranteed. If you want something bad enough, you have to go and get it. Time took you away from me, but you're back, now, and I'm not going to waste any more of it."
Velma was surprised and curious at her friend's sudden, emotional change in mood. There was something all of this was leading up to, and she had to find out. "What are you saying, Marcie?"
Her hands jumped a little when Marcie gently held them. "V...will you be my partner?"
To say that Velma was stunned was an understatement for the ages.
"Marcie...I..." she began to say, blushing deeply and fighting to recover the power of coherent speech and regular breathing.
Velma was swept away by the raw power of that question and the impetus behind it. She had rarely been the center of other people's attention, but now, to experience that attention so strongly focused on her, and her, alone, was both flattering and completely breathtaking.
It was a heady ride, and part of her wanted to stay on it, but her knees felt weak, and she needed to slow down, at least, for now.
It was the recent wedding, Velma knew, its strong feelings carried over to today, for Marcie.
Velma wanted to tell her, as gently as she could, that it was too soon for her, that they both needed more time before they took such a life-changing step, but Marcie, blushing just as deeply as she was, tried to stutter an explanation.
"I mean in, uh...mystery-solving," she gulped, clumsily. "I...um, know how much you used to like playing those mystery games with me, like What? Deduce! and The Young Detective, when we were little, so, uh...I, um...uh, figured, uh, thought, y'know...thought we could, um...uh-"
Velma thought about what a friend Marcie Fleach was being to her, that she could see how lonely she was, and how eager Marcie was to fill that sad void that was opening up inside her.
But also, overlooking the miscommunication, her heart couldn't help but be totally and utterly endeared and charmed by her. This fellow nerdy, teenaged girl, who proved to be far more powerful than she looked, by taking down the most dangerous man in the world, was, herself, turning into a stammering bowl of jelly, all because of her.
Smiling warmly, Velma gently put a quieting finger to Marcie's lips, and said to her, softly, "Tell you what. Promise to take me on a ride, when your suit's fixed, and I will."
Despite her hammering heart, Marcie smiled, lopsidedly, back.
Satisfied and resuming their walk, she sighed, contemplatively. "Anyway, it's a new world, now. Talk about culture shock. Now, I know how Mystery Incorporated must've felt when they first came here, but we'll do what we do best, and adapt. Besides, it doesn't matter what the world's turned into, as long as you're there with me."
A flash of rose returned to Velma's cheeks. Platitudes would have been fine, even expected, in a way, but for her to know that Marcie desired to stick with her through the bad times, as well as the good, silently spoke volumes about what kind of person she was to Marcie.
"So...if you had a choice, you'd keep the world the way it is, just so long as I was in it?" she asked, knowingly.
As gulls laughed in the distance, Marcie stopped to face her, and look into her eyes, again. "Consistently."
"You know...ordinarily, people would just settle for a friendship bracelet," Velma quipped, softly, trying to control the flutter of her young heart, while she held Marcie's hand. "But, I guess we're not...ordinary, are we?"
Marcie moved closer to her. "I sure hope not."
Velma smiled. "That's my girl."
She remembered asking Marcie earlier what it was like to fly, but then, she discovered that feeling for herself, when Velma looked over the length and breadth of their long friendship, stepped up to its edge, and with the perfect moment, leaped into space, with a kiss upon Marcie's full and inviting lips.
To Marcie, no formula she ever devised was as intoxicating as Velma's kiss. Her secret dreams and long-held expectations about their first romantic embrace, were now, wonderfully underestimated, destroyed and washed away, like their footprints in the playful tide.
As they stood on the surf, with little sighs of relief escaping from their kisses, they both had a clue that this new world that found themselves in the middle of, was nothing, compared to the one they found, together.
The End