A Changed World

Disclaimer: I have no ownership of the show Scooby-Doo or any of its characters.

Please Note: Last update was September 12, 2010. Today is March 19, 2011. I'll try to update one more time this month. Sorry but thank you for sticking with this story. Special thank you to Dark Fox Tailz who has reminded me regularly to update and has been genuinely understanding. Oh and original Scooby Doo dogs from the show make appearances. Dixie Doo and Yabba Doo.

More Problems

Velma Dinkley lay in bed. She was practically catatonic.

They think I'm a killer, that I tried to murder Norville, Velma thought, what my family must think, I should've told them something was wrong instead of them out.

She started tearing as she thought about what she'd done with her life. She always considered herself as better than most people as an adult. She was top genius but knew many saw her as brilliant but conceited. She didn't care. Or at least, told herself she didn't. Now she saw herself for who she was, a self-righteous bigot who cloaked her faults with genius.

"I'm nothing," Velma croaked.

"That's not true," Shaggy said walking in, "Velma?" he asked when she didn't answer.

When he walked up he saw that she was crying and staring into nothing. Her mind seemed a million miles away and that scared Shaggy even more.

"Velma," Shaggy whispered kneeling before her, "listen to me, you're smart, loving, brave," he listed, "you tried to get me and Scooby-Doo home …um…you're…you're a good person," he said, "and I haven't said that enough, I'm sorry," he said resting his face against hers.

Velma soon came out of it and looked at Shaggy. She smiled and sat up. Her hand went to her cheek where he had rest his own against. It was still warm.

"You stayed with me?" Velma asked surprised.

"Yes," Shaggy responded, "Velma I'm so sorry about what I said before," he rushed, "you tried to get us back then went into a crying coma after you failed," he said, "there's not a mean bone in your body."

"I have a few mean bones Shaggy," Velma countered, "but thank you, I really appreciate what you said," she added.

Shaggy grinned. Despite missing his family, he was happy to be here with Velma. It was a new world to explore. A friend to cheer up. But there was also the people trying to frame and kill Velma. He wasn't foolish enough not to know they'd be on him in record time if he was ever discovered.

"So, do you eat pancakes?" Shaggy asked.

(Two days Later at 7:30pm in a different dimension)

Velma Rogers screamed and kicked a machine. She had been trying to use her People Tracking Machine (PTM) to find him but to no avail. The machine was able to find anyone with a sample of their genetic code. Shaggy had given Velma a few of his hairs to enter into it during the experimental stages. Making him one o it's earliest finds. Now it couldn't find him anywhere. This only happened in America when the PTM's objective was below the equator or as far as Europe above the equator. But she also had a working PTM in Europe and it couldn't find Shaggy either. It wasn't for animals so it couldn't track Scooby-Doo at all.

"Velma," Daphne Blake said carefully, "maybe you should take a break and relieve Fred from baby duty," she offered.

"And who's going to keep trying to find Shaggy?" Velma Rogers spat, "the police?"the great scientific community that over 80% of think that I'm flat out lying?" she demanded, "and don't get me started on their priority for Scooby-Doo."

Daphne Blake sighed. She couldn't believe that Shaggy was kidnapped by some weird sexy female time traveler from another dimension. She assumed that Scooby-Doo just got caught because he tried to stop her. Velma had told her that the other Velma was in trouble and just wanted help. But Daphne didn't buy it. She couldn't see Velma being unable to build something she really needed. She always got it done eventually. Or found a great alternative. Either way she found a way to make something work for her.

Velma sighed. If only she knew how the other Velma got her machine up and running. Her opposite took one functional machine and combined it with a defunct time machine. But Velma in this dimension knew that fact was useless to her. The time machine she had was extremely unstable and labeled dangerous. She wouldn't dare try taking it apart much less use it to move between dimensions by any means.

If only I knew exactly how that Velma Dinkley combined the machines. Then maybe I could find away to dismantle the time machine safely then combine it with my dimension ripper. I've never made it through another dimension before but we've seen shapes through a mall space it makes sometimes. And every time I pointed it at the tree it vibrated. So something is there, maybe even a dimensional tear. But I can't get through. Velma thought.

"I just don't get it," Daphne said suddenly, "you said when the machine brought Velma, it sent her back hours later," she said, "how come it won't send Shaggy and Scooby-Doo back?"

"There's many theories on that," Velma said, "I need to think of how to create a machine to find Shaggy and Scooby-Doo."

"What if the other Velma's machine broke?" Daphne suggested, "you did say she combined a busted machine with a working one," she added.

"That's a simple…" Velma started dismissively, "wait, she came here shivering and claimed she was lucky to get through," she said, "and if the machine called her back but instead took two other people along…"

"It probably overloaded," Daphne said, "that's why the other Velma can't send anyone back, her machine's gone kaput," she declared.

"And if it did that means the dimension probably didn't get a chance to close completely," Velma said excitedly, "that's why the dimension ripper's vibrating," she said, "if I use it to widen the tear, I can go through and get my husband and Scooby back."

"Wait, is that safe?" Daphne asked, "how would you get back after you found them?" she questioned.

"I have to try Daphne," Velma countered, "maybe I can use one of my inventions as a test subject."

"And which invention would that be?" Daphne snapped, "the one that can come back and tell you it went well?" she asked and Velma looked away, "Velma, I'm not letting you die and leave your baby an orphan!" she shouted.

"Who said I'm going to die?" Velma snapped, "I love my baby and I'm bringing back my husband!"

Daphne stepped back shocked. She knew she was pushing it but never expected Velma to shout at her.

"I'm sorry," Velma apologized.

"No, I'm sorry," Daphne told her, "I'm worried about Shaggy too," she said, "but I can't lose you," she said tearfully.

"You won't lose me," Velma said firmly, "now go inside and clean yourself up," she said kindly, "you should wear water proof makeup on sad occasions," she joked.

"Yeah," Daphne said with a laugh, "I' going to relieve Fred and play with Philip a while," she said.

"Why not watch him together?" Velma suggested.

"I'm not a brainless sexy bimbo Velma," Daphne said darkly, "Fred will come out to watch you," she said with finality, "you're a good girl Velma, but also a stubborn one when ready," she said and went inside.

Velma muttered an expletive. Nothing she wanted to do was fast enough to beat Fred coming outside. She took the dimensional ripper out of its box and glared at it.

"Not trying to do any mischief under my watch are you?" Fred asked with a slight grin, "Daphne would have my head if you left without me."

Velma ignored Fred. Fred was a handsome daring teen and now was a thrill seeking, model handsome adult. He was the host of BIG THRILLS and even did a few crazy stunts himself. Including skiing down a glacier blindfolded and running away from a wild herd of elephants with both hands tied behind his back and barefoot. He and Daphne had been dating on and off for years. He proposed twice but was turned down both times. Daphne made it clear she wasn't marrying before she was forty (if not older).

"Ha, ha, Fred," Velma said dryly, "like you'd risk Daphne's wrath when we returned."

"Wrath?" Fred asked pretending to be confused, "maybe she'll be thrilled to see me," he suggested, "or maybe, I don't care either way," he added.

Velma looked at him in shock.

"Look Velms," Fred started, "Daphne wants to live by the day, I want to live in the now and the next," he said, "she wants a party, I want a life."

Velma couldn't register what she was hearing. It sounded like Fred was dumping Daphne. Though she wasn't sure if they were currently dating.

"We're not," Fred said noticing her expression, "but friends come first to me," he continued, "and I want to save Shaggy too, worst case your parents will care for Philip," he stated, "the kid will know you're awesome," he concluded.

Velma hugged Fred and squealed. Then she got serious.

"Should we leave her a note?" Velma asked.

"I already left her something in Philip's crib," Fred said, "we better hurry," he added peeking at the window.

"I need fifteen minutes," Velma said, "plus I have to protect the tear from being tampered with til we get back," she said deep in thought, "oh yes that invention," she realized and fished out a black box and pressed a blue button on the inside.

Velma's mini-van backed out of the garage. She pressed another button and the car stretched around the tree and transformed into a wall with a mesh grill to look through.

"Let's get cooking," Velma said cracking her knuckles and looking into her knapsack, "here it is, my super seeing goggles, I'll find the tear with this," she said slipping them on.

"Wow Velma," Fred awed, "you're really….something else."

Velma watched as a small sliver came into view. She shrieked happily then covered her mouth.

Time to get to work, Velma thought.

It took nearly ten minutes but Velma soon found a way to grip and open the dimensional tear. She got a special chain and wrapped it around both her own and Fred's waist.

"So we don't get separated, cool," Fred said.

Just as Velma was starting to open the dimensional tear Daphne rushed out.

"Hey!" Daphne cried seeing the wall, "you two get back here this instant!"

"It's okay Daphne, watch Philip until we get back," Fred told her.

Velma continued to widen the tear and felt a draft.

"Maybe I should've gotten us some coats," Velma mused.

"Fred, stop her!" Daphne cried hitting the wall, "I'll marry you if you stop her!" she shouted suddenly.

Time seemed to stop as both Fred and Velma froze. Neither could believe Daphne's choice for a bargaining chip.

"Now I know," Fred said softly, "Daphne, burn in hell!" he shouted.

Velma nearly dropped the dimension ripper in horror.

Daphne meanwhile looked on open mouthed.

Fred turned back to Velma. "Let's go."

"Fred…Velma started."

"My current girlfriend proposed to me, I'll take her if I ever have to choose," Fred snapped, "let's go," he ordered.

Velma recalled the tall Puerto-Rican woman who kissed Fred at his latest stunt. She was also with him a few times when the old gang got together.

"Florence?" Velma asked.

"She wants me to think about it," Fred said, "if I come back, its yes."

He took out his phone and sent a quick text.

Daphne meanwhile fell on her butt in front of the wall. Fred had dropped her. She knew he was done now. Her flighty ways had finally gone too far.

"Ok," Daphne said in defeat, "I'll watch Philip until you all get back," she said softly.

Velma looked at her sadly. "Thank you, we will come back, all of us."

Fred said nothing but he was still red faced. "Goodbye Daphne."

"Ok Fred, I'm ready," Velma said slipping on her backpack, "we should hopefully land in the same area or at least city that Shaggy ad Scooby-Doo are in," she deduced, "are you sure about this?"

"Yes I am," Fred declared, "let's save our friends."

Velma smiled. She couldn't wait to hold Shaggy in her arms and see Scooby-Doo again. The ache of not knowing echoed in her bones. Her heart beat faster in anticipation.

"Goodbye!" Daphne said waving as both went through the tear and disappeared.

The tear turned into a tiny sliver again but this time even Daphne could see a tiny glow through the mess.

You guys better not die or get stuck over there, Daphne thought.

(10 pm at a secret location)

"You never said that Norville spoke dog!" Scooby shouted at Scar, "how could you keep such information a secret?"

Scar glared at his uncle. Things had finally come to a head. A terrier from Scooby's gang Blood and Sweat was boasting around that he had threatened Norville not too long before their failed attack on him. That dog was now getting death glares from several members of Scar's gang called Renegade Soldiers.

"You nearly got us killed you dumb mutt," Magnus snarled and the terrier whimpered.

"He didn't know, thank your leader," Charles countered calmly.

"Shut up dry bones," Magnus snapped.

Tiffany suddenly barked at Magnus savagely. She could've spoken but what she barked was terrible enough without being in English..

Magnus mouth hung open. A Renegade Soldier whistled.

"Anything else?" Scooby asked Magnus carefully since he wasn't touching Tiffany right now.

"No," Magnus said and tucked in his head.

"Now Tiffany," Dixie Doo said from behind Scar, "we can be civil or not," she growled, "go again, my Magnus won't be shushed by a grouchy diva."

Tiffany scoffed. "Screw you, you belonged to Betty Lou, Norville's country bumpkin cousin."

Dixie let out a crazed death growl and jumped at Tiffany. Other dogs cleared out the way as the two females fought. Scooby frowned but Scar grinned. He saw females and males as the same in his gang. No one could whine about a scuffle.

Dixie bit Tiffany's front leg. While Tiffany bit her ear and tugged. A whimpering Dixie backed off. Both circled each other with hate burning in their eyes.

"Rip her throat out!" Magnus shouted.

Tiffany let out another series of angry barks. Magnus whimpered and covered his face.

"Tiff baby, language, language," Scar said, "we're on opposite sides right now, but we're married and I have to invite some of these guys to dinner."

Tiffany glared at Magnus. She always hated him. He used to strut around the cul-de-sac when they were younger. It was even rumoured back then that he didn't take rejection or defiance well. He even bit a female dog for rebuffing his finances. She was Tiffany's close friend and now lived with just one eye.

"Fine, but I don't like him," Tiffany said, "shall we continue?" she asked Dixie.

"If you're done pining after my darling," Dixie teased, "it's sad for a woman to want what she can't have."

Tiffany roared and jumped into the air. She was mere inches from Dixie with her mouth open revealing ferocious teeth. But what happened next was completely unexpected.

Magnus suddenly jumped in the way to protect Dixie. But in an extraordinary twist he was attacked and grounded by Charles. The old dog was winded but still growled at a completely surprised Magnus.

"Never blindside a lady," Charles said and fell on his side breathing hard.

Several Blood and Sweat dogs ran to his side. They growled when Scar stepped forward.

"He's only coming for Tiffany, don't worry," Scooby spoke, "otherwise I'd step forward myself."

Scar chuckled and kept moving. He glared at Magnus then turned to his wife.

"I told you I didn't like him," Tiffany said as she shook like a tuning fork, "see Dix, I don't need a two faced man, I'd rather be a diva than stuck with an idiot," she added.

Dixie just looked at Magnus and walked away shaking her head.

Protecting me during a fight, Dixie cursed inwardly, bad enough if it wasn't our gang leader's wife.

Scar licked Tiffany's face. She tried to turn away but he nudged her playfully.

A Renegade Soldier dog barked.

"No I couldn't…" Tiffany started.

"He's right," Charles said still winded, "will you give her permission to leave early?" he asked Scooby.

"Hope you remember who's in charge," Scooby said kindly but everyone knew there was a dangerous edge in it.

"Never forget," Charles said and soon both dogs laughed, "take good care of her Scar, don't let me hop a ride over to your place," he said.

"You can't just run by?" Scar teased and both sides laughed at the joke.

"Okay, you can go Tiffany," Scooby said with a grin, "Magnus, you should get on your feet, be second in command."

"Not tonight," Scar snarled, "Raoul, you take over while I'm gone," he instructed a German Shepherd who was third in command, "you should consider having a backup man Scooby," he said, "never know what might happen."

"My gang knows who they'll choose if anything happens to me," Scooby said simply, "and I don't share the spotlight well," he added grinning all teeth.

"Good to know," Scar said, "let's go Tiffany baby," he said huskily and nudged her despite protests.

"Sorry Scooby, he gets…goodbye, goodnight everyone," Tiffany said and left.

Magnus then got up and went straight to the back of the group. All those in line for command usually stayed close together. Magnus didn't support Raoul's elevation at all.

"Real mature," Raoul muttered, "as you know I'm from Mexico, I'm so ripped (very muscular) because I used to be one of debtor's dogs, he collected debts owned to cartels," he said, "ripped off many a hand, bit many a feet and ripped out enough throats to get the respect I deserve," he snarled and a few disinterested barks ceased, "I agree with Scooby about sharing the spotlight but I respect our leader's decisions and so will you, all of you."

Magnus slowly moved up front and sat on all fours. He didn't intend to stand in support. But it would be impossible to avoid retribution if he stayed in the back.

"Good speech Raoul," Scooby said, "but how do we settle this?" he asked, "Scar's secret, my failure in killing Norville, one of my dog's blabbing," he listed, "and the fact that we're both eyeing territory, even ones that are taken," he added.

Raoul grinned gleefully.

"Didn't I say I was a debtor's dog?" Raoul asked.

"I always wondered about that," Scooby said.

"It's a joke among the debt collectors for that particular set of cartels," Raoul stated, "we're for the debtors since we come for them," he explained, "get it?" he asked mischievously.

Scooby frowned. He got it alright.

"You want a brawl?" Scooby asked since he knew Raoul wasn't suggesting a regular street fight among leaders or a few members, "a bold move with your leader absent."

"Who says he's absent?" Raoul countered, "I'm in charge, Scar said so," he said innocently.

There were dark chuckles from Raoul's supporters.

"But what will he say when he realizes territories are at risk?" Magnus spoke up, "you haven't won much in terms of real estate," he pointed out, "now you want to risk losing some of it?" he asked, "we're definitely not putting our members on the chopping block if we lose," he told Raoul.

Raoul walked up to Magnus. Then he leaned in close.

"I'd shut up if I were you," Raoul threatened, "or do I have to inform Scar that you're running from a challenge?"

"Ru…" Magnus started.

"You're in bad standing, what's the difference?" Raoul said.

Everyone knew what the threat meant. But no one came to his aid. Raoul was in charge, it was that simple.

"You'd lie to Scar, are you high?" Magnus asked and there were sudden barks of agreement all around.

Raoul let out a growl that sounded as if he was about to attack. Many dogs stepped back. Magnus didn't.

"I meant what I said," Magnus stated.

Raoul eventually calmed down. Then he suddenly started laughing.

"You're right, I'm just a debtor's dog manning his station," Raoul said smiling, "I don't intend to lie to Scar, Magnus," he said, "I just want you to be happy for me," he claimed, "come on, we both agreed we'd be happy if either of us got a chance to lead. I've been supportive of all your chances, this is my third, come on."

Dixie frowned at the scene a few lines down. She didn't trust Raoul or his dumb 'debtor's dog' routine. The German Shepherd was extremely street smart. And more so, he was sharp as a tack.

Magnus seemed to mull it over. "Ok, congrats."

"See, we get along fine," Raoul declared, "and if we expand, we have more control, more to share," he added looking at all the other dogs under his command.

"Are you calling me out?" Scooby asked from where he sat; his gang now a semi-circle around him.

"Yes Scooby," Raoul said proudly, "I represent leader of Renegade Soldiers challenge Scooby leader of Blood and Sweat to an all out no bars traffic fight," he announced, "members on the ground, heads, those in command and leaders on the cars," he said shocking everyone, "no woman, all males."

There were audible gasps from everywhere. Traffic fights meant brawls in bumper to bumper traffic. Worse it was an all out no bars fight meaning anything went, there were no limits. Also it meant that they had to pick the most crowded and trafficked night to fight. Members on the ground had to contend with screaming people and stampedes. Those on the cars had death staring them in the face with every move they made. One mistake could immediately be your last. Falling off and getting hit (even if it's a minor tap of a passing car) meant automatic loss. And in bumper to bumper traffic it was almost impossible not to hit into a car if you fell off. Otherwise they had to fight until one dog defeated or killed the other.

"Hey!" Dixie raged, "what's this about no women?" she demanded, "that old dead beat Charles can fight over us?" she snapped and the three other female dogs in the gangs barked in agreement.

"Doll face," Raoul said and Dixie's face filled with rage, "I don't like to see women fighting, so you're out," he told her calmly but leaned in close.

The females in Blood and Sweat looked to Scooby.

"Ok, I'll play, our women are in tip top fighting shape though," Scooby ensured to add, "here are my stipulations, to ensure no cheating," he said obviously suspicious of Raoul's motives, "members fighting are named and paired in advance," he said causing a hush, "each gang picks a look out and at the end, the gang with the most winning members gets the spoils," he concluded.

"Tough stipulations," Raoul said coldly.

"I'm a tough dog," Scooby responded.

"Okay, I'm our look out," Raoul said shocking everyone, "if anyone's watching for a cheater it's me, no one runs out on their debt when I'm on call," he added.

There was a crescendo of protests from Scooby's gang. Raoul never backed out of a fight before. Worse there was only one person they could pick as the look out. Especially if they wanted to ensure the most wins and least loss of life.

"Charles, take care of yourself," Scooby said and it was obvious Scooby wasn't picking someone else.

"Scooby, we can do with one forfeit," Yabba Doo a White Dane from the West said, "I'll do look out, I'm a former sheriff dog, I'm sharp enough to catch any tom foolery. I was trained for it."

"No," Scooby refused.

"Yabba come on," Magnus said from his spot, "Raoul's not going to harm Charles," he said trying to sound confident, "he's just enjoying being in charge."

"Do you believe that?" Yabba countered and Magnus was struck silent.

"Doesn't matter, I've decided," Scooby exploded having lost his patience, "cheating won't be tolerated from anyone," he declared, "and Raoul, touch Charles and you're dead, understand."

"I never got why you kept that old thing around," Raoul said, "but I'm not sad enough to kill him, he's three quarter way in the grave already. I blame him and his stupid old time chivalry for that."

"Charm goes a long way," Charles spoke up, "a mongrel like you would never learn," he told Raoul.

Raoul snarled.

Scooby laughed out loud.

"Charles still got bite," Scooby said amused, "do you still have that beyond your teeth?" he asked Raoul.

"I've got plenty!" Raoul raged, "you should stay locked in your penthouse old dog!" he shouted, "washed up dogs like you don't deserve to be out here with us."

"Are you sure this isn't about you being ill literate?" Charles teased, "I can write, read, add count, forge signatures…" he listed, "aw, you're jealous, hope you don't cry when I note your losers on my sketch pad."

Raoul was enraged Magnus had to get in front of him.

"Ok Charles we got it," Magnus said, "no one else will rag on you for being old."

"Not when they'll never live this long," Charles added coldly.

"I'll get you, you worthless piece of garbage," Raoul breathed burning with rage.

"You have to get through me," Scooby declared.

The rest of the gang barked in agreement.

"Let's end this meeting for now," Dixie spoke up, "let the leaders and heads meet another time to pair everyone up," she suggested.

Raoul gave her a death glare.

Dixie stepped back carefully.

"Her suggestion is sound, I mean good," Magnus said for Raoul to understand.

"I'm not stupid," Raoul said, "I could hear her suggestion without you telling me it had a sound," he added obviously not getting the real meaning.

Several B&S members laughed with Charles being the loudest.

You're a dead dog! Raoul thought.

"Ok, meetings over, end it properly Magnus," Raoul said and stormed off.

A surprised Magnus did just that.

"This isn't over," Scooby whispered to Charles.

"For once," Charles said with a smile, "I don't really mind."

(Midnight on a Camping Trail)

Velma Rogers fell through a tear and landed in the bushes. She jumped up and looked for Fred desperately. When they first entered the tear were inside a tornado of swirling colours and light. They were floating together connected by the chains and holding hands. Then there was a sudden wind and a strong invisible pull. Their grip was forced a part but the chain held.

But then there were flashes of lightning and there was a bright round light opening up behind each of them. Both tried to pull the other towards them but to no avail. They were each in front of a different opening but unable to disappear because they were being pulled in opposite directions. Then lightning hit the chain breaking it.

"Velma!" Fred cried disappearing through his opening.

But before it closed Velma's backpack flew off her back and followed Fred.

"No! Fred! My equipment!" Velma cried as she too was sucked into another circle of light and disappeared.

Now in the brush she also searched frantically for her glasses. Then she heard a gun cock.

"Velma Dinkley you're under arrest for the attempted murder of Norville Rogers, conspiracy in the murder of Mr. Blake, fleeing prosecution, illegal possession of a handgun…" a plain clothed police officer said formally.