Epilogue (Velma's POV)
Well, looking back a year later, it was without a doubt an awful time for the gang. The weeks succeeding the whole Iron Giants affair were stressful to say the least, but it's fair to say that things are now more or less back to normal. Well, nearly.
Fred recovered from his gunshot wound within a few weeks and is physically healthier than ever. Although he was much too protective over Daphne for the first few months, he's got over himself and he really is as happy as can be. He was never a deep or emotional sort of guy.
Ironically, Daphne came out of the incident completely unharmed. Although it's clear that the experience scarred her mentally. When I got out of hospital, I'd sometimes hear her at night, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. She was awfully quiet for the first few weeks. Eventually, Liz and George forced her to go to counselling and since then she's been a good deal better.
Shaggy held us together for those first few weeks. He was the gang's rock.. He looked after me and Fred, who were both injured and Daphne who was in deep depression. He came through it all with a smile on his face, and managed to keep me cheery as I lay in hospital.
Scooby Doo had a new friend! Burch the Pitbull had proved difficult to "break in." For the first few months, he wouldn't allow any of us to touch him, and only seemed to like being with Scooby Doo. It's strange they love each other so much, considering Burch tried to kill him! Burch had been through a life of trauma at the hands of the gang, and was clearly damaged. It took time, but I think he's warming to us. He spends most of the day sleeping and always seems to scowl, but he seems reasonably happy. He's come to two cases with us now. He's quite a good asset. The baddies are terrified of him! Scooby, like Shaggy, is none the worse for his experiences, and the wounds Burch gave him are completely healed.
George Blake is still very much anti-Fred. You'd have thought the whole affair might have improved his view on Fred, but no. Fred liked to keep well away from him, and I must say, I only see him when I absolutely have to.
None of us have seen nor heard from Terry Vasquez again. Shaggy told me all about how he saved them when he came to see me in hospital. I can only assume he retired from his criminal lifestyle and absconded to somewhere exotic. Then again, he didn't look at all well when I saw him a year ago. He might have passed on by now. I hope not.
The Iron Giants are still gone. Mind you, I do wonder if they will return. I'm pretty sure not all of them could have been killed that day, and don't forget, Wolfgang Smith is still in prison, patiently awaiting his release. But if they return, I doubt they'll stay in Coolsville. After such a humiliating defeat, their name is a joke through the city. For our part, we're never going to cross them again. It's not worth it. I don't think they'll try anything else on us. Kidnapping Daphne had ruined the entire gang and most members were now dead. I think they'll have the common sense to leave us alone.
As for me? I was in hospital a while. I was badly burned in the clubhouse, but I got out. I'm still in some minor pain, even a year on, but I'll get better. Life goes on, and we really are as happy as we can be.
Note: Done at the request of 4everallways.