Chapter 14: Another argument and in the manor
No sooner did Bruce mute the newscasts did tempers begin to flare from, of all people, the normally chicken-hearted Shaggy and Scooby.
"Like, who the devil does that police commissioner think he's kidding?" Shaggy asked as he came close to slamming his fist down on the console of the Batcomputer. "Us kidnapping Miss Harewood and being responsible for her murder by those trigger-happy officers?"
"And stating that you and your friends kidnapped her to stop her from testifying at court in fear that her testimony will bring down officials at your hometown, that man certain knows how to spin things and tell a story." Bruce said as he stood up from the chair before turning to Shaggy and Scooby.
"Spin things a lot indeed." Jason agreed. "We need to do something, Bruce."
"Yes, something needs to be done." Bruce stood up as he put on the cowl. "But that something is not going to involve you going out with me, Jason. Your-"
"Now don't get me started on that 'watch my school grades' or 'proper time management' bulls**t, Bruce." Jason snapped. "I can take care of myself, and-"
"Don't give me attitude, Jason." Bruce said crossly as he turned to face Jason. "I can't bring myself to let you continue with your Robin duties while you haven't rein in your recklessness."
"Recklessness?" Jason sneered. "You can't force me to stop being Robin while the f**king police is chasing after a bunch of kids that didn't do anything wrong, Bruce."
"Oh boy." Shaggy and Scooby both rolled their eyes as Jason and Bruce began arguing with each other again.
With things heating up between Bruce and Jason, Shaggy and Scooby shared looks with each other before shrugging and decided to take a look around the cave.
Walking around the cave, the first thing the duo noticed is the giant T-Rex.
"Woah." Shaggy remarked as he and Scooby looked up at the dinosaur. "He sure looks fierce, Scoob."
"Reah." Scooby swallowed as the Tyrannosaurus looks down at them, with Shaggy swearing that the dinosaur was looking at them the same way it looks down at its next meal. "Rot ro mention menacing."
Shaggy shivered at the remark, but then he smiled as he added, "Well, I'm sure this one's a decommissioned robot, or otherwise, Batman would have to clean up after a T-Rex."
"Re Bat cleaning rafter re T-Rex." Scooby smiled and laughed. "Re-he-he-he-he-he-he!"
"And I thought Batman's the World's Greatest Detective." A British-accented voice suddenly remarked, causing the duo to jump and turn, finding themselves face to face with Alfred, who had walked into the cave carrying a plate of sandwiches.
Seeing the butler's sudden appearance from out of nowhere, Shaggy and Scooby shared looks with each other.
"Like, why am I not surprised by Mr...er..." Shaggy was about to continue as he gestured at Alfred, not knowing the butler's name.
"Pennyworth." Alfred introduced himself. "The name's Alfred Pennyworth, at your service."
"Rice meeting rou, Mr. Pennyworth." Scooby said as he offered his paw, much to the surprise of the butler.
Turning to Shaggy, Alfred said, "I take it that you've had some training in ventriloquism before, Mr. Rogers?"
"How did you-?" Shaggy arched his eyebrows before remembering something and then added, "Oh wait, considering your association with Batman, or better yet, I'm assuming you're...like, a father figure to Batman."
"Hardly." Alfred said. "I'm merely his loyal butler who's been at the service of the Wayne family since the young master was a lad."
"I take it that Mr. Wayne had some sort of childhood trauma that led to him becoming Batman, Mr. Pennyworth?" Shaggy raised an eyebrow.
"Considering the fact that Master Bruce indirectly knows about the achievements of a certain Deputy Chief Sam Rogers of the Coolsville Police Department, I have to say your father raised you well in spite of the circumstances." Alfred nodded.
"And by indirectly, I'm assuming you mean through the Blue Falcon?" Shaggy raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. Master Radley spoke highly of your father's hard work whenever he's here on visits." Alfred replied. "Just like former Police Commissioner Gordon."
"Right, then." Shaggy nodded. "And as for Scooby, like I told Batman earlier, Scooby can talk. Don't ask me how, it's a long story, but I'm sure Batman would figure things out, considering the fact that he's the World's Greatest Detective."
"Very well, then." Alfred nodded and smiled.
Meanwhile, back in Coolsville, it didn't take long for Assistant Chief Harewood to receive the phone call from Sam and rush over to Coolsville Central.
When he arrived, Sam can see that his boss was trying to keep his emotions in check, considering the fact that his cousin in Gotham has been killed.
"Meghan sure is one stubborn piece of work." Harewood shook his head. "She always wanted to help people and is never fearful of taking unnecessary risks. Uncle Jake has always been concerned that she never plans ahead and takes proper precautions, which are needed in her line of work in a h*llhole like Gotham."
"I'm terribly sorry about your loss, Derek." Sam nodded solemnly. "And what do you make of the accusations leveled against Mystery Inc.?"
"Preposterous!" Harewood almost slammed his hand onto Sam's desk. "Knowing that bastard Pauling, he sure knows how to spin a story and tell lies."
"Just like a politician." Sam nodded in agreement. "Which would explain why Gotham City Mayor Hamilton Hill replaced Jim with that stooge."
"And now your son and his friends are in big trouble." Harewood added. "Didn't you warn them to stay away from Gotham City police, Sam?"
"I did." Sam replied. "Now, I don't know what the h*ll happened while they were away in Gotham, but I won't be surprised if they ended up at the wrong place at the wrong time."
"What do you mean by that, Sam?" Harewood arched his eyebrows.
"Check this out." Sam said as he held out the files Dog Wonder had just given him. "If all of this comes to light, then we're in for a massive windstorm, not just here in Central, but also over at City Hall."
Harewood nodded as he took the files, put on his reading glasses and proceeded to flip the folder open.
Reading the contents in the folder, his eyes narrowed before he looked up at Sam.
"That's some serious accusations against Mason if you ask me, Sam." Harewood said as he took off his reading glasses.
"Yes it is." Sam nodded. "All of which dates back to when Mason was the Deputy Police Commissioner for Legal Matters at Gotham City."
"Though I should ask what does all of this have to do with the Carter beating, Sam?" Harewood arched his eyebrows.
"As far as I know through what the Falcon has gathered, nothing." Sam said before adding, "Yet."
"Well, considering the way Mason called you someone as the type who hurts the work dynamic here in Coolsville, Sam, I won't be surprised if the Carter mess somehow has links to this trafficking ring that Meghan tried to uncover." Harewood said.
"I'm inclined to believe, Derek." Sam agreed. "That being said, let's hold off on this end until we get a better lay of the land. Last thing we need is to complicate matters."
"Of course." Harewood nodded in agreement. "And none of this leaves the two of us. Especially given that the accusations in the files concerns Mason."
"Do you suppose we should inform Councilman Chiles and Mayor Gaunt about all of this?" Sam asked.
"Until we get a full picture as to what exactly is going on, the answer is no, Sam." Harewood shook his head. "Because those files did mention City Hall as being connected to human trafficking ring centred at Gotham, and if Mason finds out on the digging we've sanctioned the Falcon in conducting, then this could certainly spell trouble."
"Right, then." Sam nodded thoughtfully.
Back at the Batcave, as Bruce and Jason's tempers continued to flare, particularly as the former made his way to the Batmobile with the cowl on, Shaggy and Scooby turned to Alfred.
"Are those two always like that?" Shaggy asked as he gestured towards Batman and Jason.
"On a good day, yes." Alfred replied nonchalantly.
"From what Jason told us, he feels that Bruce will never be satisfied by any of the work done." Shaggy remarked. "As in Bruce has trouble trusting him in going out onto the streets."
"Well, Master Bruce has always had difficulties expressing himself in the most polite fashion and can be very hard on himself and the younger masters." Alfred interjected. "I don't suppose the two of you realize that Master Jason isn't the first person who Master Bruce has taken under his wing."
"Like, there was a Robin before Jason?" Shaggy enquired.
"Exactly." Alfred nodded. "Master Richard Grayson was the first to train under Master Bruce's wing and partnered with him as Robin, and like Master Bruce, Master Richard was himself the unfortunate victim of a crime that claimed the lives of his parents."
"What happened?" Shaggy asked as he and Scooby arched their eyebrows.
"Perhaps you boys ever heard of the Flying Graysons?" Alfred asked. "Or maybe Haly's Circus?"
"Rever read rof re Flying Graysons." Scooby said.
"Though Haly's Circus did travel into Coolsville couple years ago." Shaggy added.
"Alright." Alfred nodded. "Anyways, long story short, the Flying Graysons were the main star of Haly's Circus, specializing in acrobatics. However, as you know, being the city Gotham is, crime always finds a way into getting into the livelihoods of businesses here."
"Like a protection racket?" Shaggy enquired.
"Exactly." Alfred replied. "Anyways, the Zuccos, at its prime, was a major player in the Gotham City underworld and rivaling that of the Falcones and has its run in extortion and protection rackets, typical of the ones that infested Gotham City businesses, and Haly's Circus was no exception."
"The owner was extorted by the Zuccos?" Shaggy asked.
"Yes, when the Zuccos demanded that Haly's Circus pays them tribute for 'protection' against sabotage." Alfred nodded. "However, Mr. Edward Haly, the owner of the circus, wanted nothing to do with the mob and outright refused to pay Tony Zucco tribute."
"And in retaliation for the refusal, the Zuccos sabotaged the act of the Flying Graysons by staging an 'accident', which resulted in the deaths of the two main stars?" Shaggy connected the dots.
"That's right." Alfred nodded again. "John and Mary Grayson were robbed of their lives at rather young ages, at a time when their son Richard was growing up and needed the love and care of his parents."
"And then Mr. Wayne takes him in as a ward and then starts training him for his crusade." Shaggy pointed out.
"Yes." Alfred replied.
It was then that the trio turned and saw Jason walking towards them, fuming, as the Batmobile took off.
"I take it that Master Bruce wasn't swayed in your desire to go out with him, Master Jason." Alfred said as they turned to the second Robin.
"Of course he wouldn't be swayed." Jason said crossly. "He's such a royal pain in the a** who thinks my 'recklessness' is a huge concern for me going out as Robin."
"Like, I suppose Bruce's quite the stubborn guy, eh?" Shaggy interjected.
"That's a massive understatement if you ask me." Jason retorted.
"Well, either way, what are we supposed to do in the meantime?" Shaggy asked.
"With what you boys had gone through during the day, I highly recommend that you boys get some rest." Alfred said as he looked at Shaggy and Scooby.
"But Scoob and I can't sleep well as long as Fred and the girls are still out there in great danger." Shaggy protested.
"There's a reason why Bruce brought you guys here." Jason said as he folded his arms. "He can't let you guys rot in those inhumane jail cells at the 30th Precinct, and besides, as Alfred just said, you guys been through a lot the whole f**king day."
"True, but even when Scoob and I are tired and sleepy, we can't sleep well whenever our friends are out there in great danger." Shaggy retorted.
"I'm sorry, boys." Alfred said. "But its for your own good. You boys are growing, and if you don't get enough sleep, well, there's no need for simulations to tell us the long term effects of sleep deprivation."
Shaggy and Scooby turned to Jason.
"I thought you don't like being told on what to do, Jason." Shaggy said. "Isn't there something we can do?"
"Sorry, guys." Jason shrugged. "I might've had my fair share of fights with Bruce, but Alfred always figures out a way to get things his way whenever I have a fit."
"Yes, and I strongly suggest you boys get some sleep before I think of locking up access to the Batcave." Alfred deadpanned.
"You can really do that, Mr. Pennyworth?" Shaggy turned to him.
"Are you boys willing to find out?" Alfred raised an eyebrow.
Seeing the stern look on the British butler's face, Shaggy and Scooby shared looks with each other, then with Jason, then they nodded reluctantly.
"Rokay." Scooby nodded.
"Very well." Alfred nodded back before gesturing towards the nearby stairs and added, "I'll show you boys the way to the guest bedrooms."
A short while later, Shaggy was laying flat on his bed in one of the guest bedrooms of Wayne Manor with Scooby curled up near him.
Even though both him and Scooby were completely worn out by the days events, the duo had difficulty falling asleep.
Shaggy tossed and turned for a few minutes before he opened his eyes and turned to Scooby.
"Like, I can't sleep at all, Scoob." He said.
"Re neither, Raggy." Scooby agreed. "Ri can't sleep rhile Red rand re girls are still out rere rin danger."
"There's got to be something we can do." Shaggy nodded as he sat on his bed.
"Perhaps I can be of help." A voice suddenly said, and the duo jumped before turning towards the door.
"Ruh?" Scooby exclaimed as the door opened, revealing Jason on the other side.
"Relax, guys." Jason said. "Who do you think I was?"
"Like, Mr. Hyde, perhaps?" Shaggy asked.
"Ha ha, very funny." Jason rolled his eyes.
"But anyways, what are you doing here, Jason?" Shaggy asked. "Didn't Alfred tell you to hit the sack?"
"He did, but here I am." Jason shrugged. "We can't just lay here in the manor and do nothing while your friends are in danger, Shaggy, so we're going to head out and rescue them."
"Like, didn't you just said that Alfred always has a way to get things done his way?" Shaggy asked.
"That was only a way for us to rid ourselves of the old goat." Jason said. "Once you guys are tucked up here and I'm in my room, Agent A goes off to the other parts of the manor to turn in for the night, and then we can head out."
"Right, then." Shaggy said. "What are waiting for?"
He and Scooby then rushed over to the door, only for Jason to pull them back.
"Wait!" He stopped them and placed a finger by his mouth, lowered his voice, and then added, "Be very, very quiet, guys."
"Why?" Shaggy asked.
"Rare re hunting rabbits?" Scooby added.
"Nice one." Jason chuckled. "But anyways, Alfred may be the family butler, but he's no ordinary one."
"What do you mean?" Shaggy asked.
"You're talking about a former Royal Air Force Flight Lieutenant who also served as an intelligence officer with MI6 before he crossed the Atlantic to serve the Waynes." Jason explained. "It might be years since he was discharged, but that doesn't mean his old training has worn off completely."
Shaggy and Scooby shared looks with each other, then they nodded thoughtfully.
"Follow me." Jason whispered as he waved them over. "But be very quiet and sneaky."
"Should be easy." Shaggy nodded.
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