Chains
By: Aubrie1234
Coolsville had always been kind of a normal town. 'Kind of' being the main definition. Daphne knew of various weird things that had happened around town before and she had actually been part of solving the 'weird' cases. They weren't actually weird, just people dressing up as monsters to get what they wanted. Daphne was tired of it. Couldn't they find other ways to get what they wanted besides dressing up as monsters? She shook her head.
"Daphne!" her mother called, "Are you ready for school yet?"
"Almost!" she called back. Finishing up with her hair, the redhead grabbed her purse and then raced downstairs. She knew heels weren't exactly practical but she was able to navigate them with ease. After saying goodbye to her parents and grabbing a piece of toast, Daphne was on her way to the bus stop. There was no need to rush, she knew the route like the back of her hand. The bus always came at 7:23 and so she had plenty of time. It was right at the end of her street and when she arrived, she found Velma and Shaggy waiting. Shaggy was wearing a black jacket over his green shirt, a black belt, and his red pants, as unusual as they were, had always been a defining feature of his. His giant black shoes contrasted against Velma's bright red heels. The smaller, glasses wearing girl had always had a penchant for wearing the red and orange, just like for Daphne loved to wear purple and pink with a green scarf as an accent. Today Velma had blue jeans on for once instead of the short red skirt but she still had her orange sweater. As for Daphne herself, besides her green purse, headband, and scarf, she was wearing a purple mini-jacket over a pink short-sleeve top, mid-thigh purple shorts and her purple heels.
Most people always saw her as the pretty girl, just dumb and only caring about her looks, but not those two. Shaggy had been the first to try and befriend her and Velma, his girlfriend, had quickly followed. Daphne wasn't sure at first what to make of the tall, lanky fellow who could be the next flower-child, but Shaggy somehow saw through her beauty and had asked what she really liked. Having someone want to know who she was instead of assuming had endeared Shaggy to Daphne and so they quickly became friends. Daphne had bonded with Velma soon after at Shaggy's asking, wanting them to get along. Velma, like everyone else, had assumed about Daphne, but had tried for Shaggy's sake and soon enough she had found out some things about Daphne that had helped them get along. Velma had always wanted to look like one of the pretty girls in school and so Daphne helped her, and in turn Velma knew everything there was to know and helped Daphne study for her classes. They also had a shared love of mystery stories and the supernatural. It also helped that, if she ever needed help solving a case with a masked villain, the two were glad to help her. Scooby was always a big help as well.
Scooby. Shaggy's dog and a lovable oaf that could somehow talk. The Great Dane was brown with black spots and wore a blue collar with his yellow and blue tag, initials stylized to fit in the diamond. But instead of a normal leash, Scooby usually had a chain that connected his collar to Shaggy's belt. Daphne asked about that once. All Shaggy could say was, "It's the only thing that doesn't burn immediately when he gets 'fired up.'" She'd never figured out what that meant, if only something to do with Scooby's temper. Yet the dog had a nonexistent one, as kind as could be and actually somewhat of a 'fraidy-cat. Daphne loved it when Shaggy had Scooby over, though the dog didn't come by too often.
"It's too bad we can't bring Scooby to school with us." Daphne mused as she joined Shaggy and Velma. Shaggy shrugged.
"Trust me, he'd love it more at home than having to come with us every day." said the tall man.
"So, what's the plan for today?" asked Velma.
"Try to survive high school." answered Daphne.
"I've been doing that since day one."
"Then try to survive the horror that is trig." added Shaggy.
"Okay, yeah, that I can deal with." The bus was pulling up.
"Do you think we'll have another 'monster' this week?" Daphne made quotes with her fingers.
"I think it's more like we're gonna have a new student in school." Shaggy said. The girls gave him a look and he shrugged. He clambered onto the bus first, having to duck his head, followed by Velma and Daphne. They usually sat together if they could, always glad for the familiarity, but sometimes they couldn't and this was one of those times. Daphne left the other two to find a seat for themselves while she had to move farther back in the bus. She found herself finding an empty spot beside a blond guy with a blue button-up. Stuffed in the shirt's pocket was an orange piece of cloth and he wore dark blue pants, right on the edge of black. Peeking out from underneath were brown shoes, cowboy-like, and on his wrist was a watch.
"Mind if I sit here?" she asked. The guy shrugged, arms crossed.
"Doesn't bother me." He gave her a smile. As Daphne sat beside him, she could see a brown satchel sitting on the floor between his feet, likely where all his books were. They didn't really need to carry their books between classes but some people liked to do it. She took a look at his face and frowned.
"Never saw you around before."
"I'm new. This is my first day." Shaggy's prediction rang true. The lanky man had always been unnaturally good at predicting things but Daphne couldn't figure out how, even though she'd asked.
"Do you need any help?" she asked.
"Could use a little with getting around school."
"All I've got First Period is Study Hall, so maybe I'll be able to show you around." The guy smiled.
"That'll be nice." He held out a hand, "By the way, I'm Alfred Jones. Fred is fine."
"Daphne, Daphne Blake." They shook hands.
"Well, and I don't mean to be mean or anything, but you don't seem like all the other pretty girls."
"I'm not." Daphne tucked her hair behind her shoulder, "I'm equal parts pretty and painful. You try to fight me and I'll give you hell for it." Fred chuckled.
"And you're feisty." he noted, "That's cool. Are you smart too?" Daphne shook her head.
"Not as much as Velma. She's one of my friends and really smart. Probably the smartest kid in school."
"Think you could introduce me? I'll probably need some tutoring to catch on some stuff. It's the middle of the school year, after all."
"Yeah, sure. Um, can I ask why you moved here?" Fred's smile dropped.
"Reasons." he said, "Bad reasons. Had to move because a family member of mine died and I just couldn't stick around there anymore." Daphne nodded.
"I'm sorry. Didn't mean to remind you."
"It's fine." Fred waved it off. They spent the rest of the ride talking about other things. Daphne learned that Fred had an affinity for traps. Not small things like mousetraps but Rube Goldberg-type traps. He even had a trap catalog in his satchel (she had no idea there was such a thing). If she hadn't changed the subject, she was sure Fred would've gone on about traps all day. But besides that, she learned that he was also interested in mysteries and the supernatural, specifically vampires.
"Why vampires?" Daphne asked, "Isn't that kind of overdone?"
"Maybe a little, but they're still cool in their own way." said Fred. Daphne wasn't going to argue. If he liked vamps, he liked them. Shortly after was when the bus finally pulled up to school. As people gathered up their things, knowing how tough it could be to get off the crowded bus, Daphne took Fred's hand and helped lead him outside. Already kids were all over the place, talking and/or walking inside. Fred didn't move away as Daphne took him to the main hall before she realized something.
"Uh, do you have your schedule yet?"
"Right here." Fred held up a paper he'd taken from his satchel, "First Period's Study Hall, just like you." Daphne nodded.
"Hopefully Mrs. Elizabeth lets me give you a tour. C'mon." Daphne let go of his hand. Fred followed as she took them to the library. As they settled into their chairs, he asked, "Are you a junior?"
"Senior, actually." Daphne admitted, "My friends and I are all seniors, except for a few kids I know. Are you a senior too?"
"Yep." Fred nodded.
"Wow." She shook her head, "I'd hate to move so close to graduating and having to leave all my friends behind."
"I didn't have a lot of friends anyways. The ones who wanted to be friends only liked me for my looks or just because they thought I was too dumb to think otherwise."
"I know how that feels. People always think I focus on beauty or that I'm an airhead. In fact, I know various types of martial arts."
"Me too. Plus, there's my love of traps. You think it's easy to come up with something that would make Rube Goldberg proud?" Fred shook his head. Daphne smiled.
"Yeah. I mean, I know I need tutoring from Velma sometimes, but I can be smart. Definitely moreso than the airheads that make up the resident mean girl gang. Speaking of which..." Daphne pointed over his shoulder, frowning. Fred followed her gaze to see a pretty brunette making eyes at him. When she saw that he'd turned around, she blew him a kiss. Daphne continued, "That's Amelia Arbor, queen of the mean."
"Wonder if she's as prickly as a pine." Fred turned back to Daphne, who smiled.
"And I wonder if she's ever heard that before." The bell started ringing, "Looks like class is finally starting. Ready for school?"
"Not in the slightest."
Daphne had a total of two classes with Fred and hadn't seen him at Lunch, but after school they met up again. Fred had caught up to her as she was sitting with Velma in the courtyard at the front of the school, the two waiting on Shaggy. The lanky man was a member of the male gymnastic team and was in the middle of practice. It was because of him that the school had won over the past four years and everyone would be sad to see him graduate.
"Hey there." Fred waved, flashing a kind grin, "Mind if I sit here?"
"I don't. What about you, Velma?"
"Um, sure." Velma shrugged, "A lot of people don't like to sit with me anyway. I'll take what I can get."
"I'd be happy to sit with a person like you." Fred sat on the bench with the girls, "Who are you waiting on?"
"Shaggy." they said.
"The kid with the red pants?"
"That's him." Daphne nodded, "Is he in a class with you?"
"Yeah. Was pretty friendly to me, actually. A good person like you, Daphne."
"Of course he's a good person." Velma crossed her arms, "I wouldn't be dating him if he wasn't."
"Great for you, then."
"Raphne! Relma!" The trio looked over to see Scooby approaching them. He skidded to a stop just short of them, the chain still attached to his collar and snapping forward but not hitting anything. He then trotted over to greet the girls with licks to their faces.
"Nice to see you too, Scoob." Velma said, scratching Scooby's fur, "Couldn't wait for Shag, could ya?"
"Ruh uh!" The dog shook his head. As he laid down, Daphne introduced him, "Fred, this is Scooby, Shaggy's dog. Scooby, this is Fred, he's the new kid in town."
"Rice ro reet rou!" Scooby smiled and held out a paw.
"Uh, hi." Fred looked nervous, "How can you talk?"
"Ry recret." Scooby showed his teeth in a grin. Fred frowned.
"Does that bother you?" Daphne asked.
"No, it's just...a little unusual."
"More like highly unusual." Shaggy walked over to them, his gym bag slung over a shoulder. As soon as he was by Scooby's side, he took the chain and attached it to his belt.
"Afraid he'll run off?" Fred quipped.
"Something like that." Shaggy sat beside Velma, "What're you doing here?"
"Saw Daphne and thought I might come over for a chat." He rubbed the back of his head, "It was nice to meet you all, but I should get going." Gathering his satchel, Fred walked off. Daphne frowned.
"What was with him? He looked nervous after Scooby came over."
"Rot a rog rerson?"
"Could be." Shaggy mused, "But I don't think that's it."
"Well, Great Danes can be scary. They're the largest dog breed and if not trained right can easily really hurt someone." Velma said, "But you wouldn't do that, would you, Scooby?"
"Ruh uh."
"So maybe he just had a bad experience with Great Danes or a dog or something." Shaggy suggested, shrugging.
"I think we should still try to be his friends, though." said Daphne, "He's the new kid and he doesn't get understood, like me. Maybe if he stays around us a little longer he won't be so nervous."
"Maybe."
"Ever the optimist, aren't you, Shag?" Velma said.
"I do my best."
As the week wore on, Daphne noticed that Fred was spending more time with them and, though he was still nervous when Shaggy and Scooby were around, he was making an equal effort to get along. The redhead appreciated it. Either he was playing the long game or he was genuinely trying to make friends. Daphne didn't want to think that he had bad reasons for being here but after all the stuff she'd been through, with some of the other people in school sometimes in on the 'monster' coverups, she could never be too sure. It didn't help that, though he was trying to be friendly, Shaggy didn't seem to like Fred. Neither did the usually gentle Scooby for that matter. It bothered her but what could she ask? 'Why don't you like the new guy?' They could always make something up, even if she trusted them and they trusted her. She hated how Fred was easily leaving her with unsure thoughts not just about himself but of her own friends. Maybe Fred had an idea of why the two didn't like him? If Daphne wanted to be friends with him, then she would have to try and trust what he would say about the matter. She'd also have to trust Shaggy's and Scooby's accounts. So that's why she tried to spot either the lanky man or the pseudo-jock at Lunch. Fred was nowhere to be found but Daphne didn't have to look far for Shaggy. The man and his dog loved food so much that they'd eat just about anything and so a special rule had to be put in at Lunch for how much of a portion you could get, all because of Shaggy. At least the rule didn't extend to the milk and pudding cups just yet, otherwise Shaggy would likely take Lunch and drive to a fast food restaurant until his next class.
"Hey, Shaggy?"
"Yeah, Daph?" They were at their table as Velma was getting her own food in line.
"I wanted to ask you something."
"Go ahead."
"What do you think of Fred?" Shaggy paused as he arranged a huge sandwich from parts of other things on his tray.
"Fred?" he asked. Daphne nodded. Shaggy frowned and pressed the sandwich together so that it would fit in his mouth, even though Daphne knew for a fact he'd still be hungry. He said, "He's got a good personality, but if I were you, I'd be careful around him."
"Why?" Daphne frowned.
"Take from the guy who knows who's good and who's bad." Before Daphne could ask, Shaggy shoved the sandwich into his mouth and downed it in one go. Daphne stared.
"...It still amazes me how you can manage to eat all that at once and still have room for more."
"And I still wish Jughead was real so that we could have an eating contest, but we can't always get what we want, can we?"
"But why don't you like Fred? Can't you just tell me that?" Shaggy rolled his eyes.
"He's not who he seems, Daphne. That's all I can say. Yo, Velma!" Shaggy waved his girlfriend over. Daphne wanted to know more but knew she wouldn't be able to get it out of Shaggy, so her only choice now was to find Fred. She'd never seen him at Lunch once that week, so she'd likely have to catch him after school. But why was he never at Lunch? She could understand that some people skipped it or just went elsewhere but it made her worry. He looked healthy enough, but even he could get an eating disorder. She wouldn't ask him full-on about it, but maybe it would help lead into asking about why Shaggy didn't like him, maybe even why Fred was nervous around her friend and his dog. But first, she had to find him.
"Out here again?"
"Just waiting for you."
"Really now?" Fred took a seat beside Daphne. Shaggy and Velma had already headed home, no gymnastics practice for today. Daphne still had studying to do tonight with Velma, however, but she was taking time to check out what was going on. Fred went on, "Tell me why you're here if you're just waiting on me."
"I wanted to ask you something."
"If it's to start going steady, don't you think it's a little too soon for that?"
"Oh, knock it off." She gave him a playful glare, "I wanted to ask why you haven't been at Lunch all this week." Fred's cheeky grin dropped.
"That. Just so you know, I don't eat Lunch because I have an eating disorder or anything, I swear. I'm not like that."
"And how do I know that's the truth?"
"Daphne..." Fred frowned, "Don't you trust me?"
"A little. I want to trust you, but I just met you and I wanna know why you're not at Lunch, why you're so nervous around Shaggy and Scooby." Daphne held out a hand, "Don't tell me everything, just tell me a little so that I understand." Fred stared at it, then flicked between it and her.
"...Alright." He took her hand, "I don't come to Lunch because, well, I don't like the food here and I know there's not much of a reason to bring a lunchbox or something. I can wait until I get home to eat. And as for why your friends don't like me, why did they say?"
"Shaggy said that you've got a good personality, but I should be careful with you."
"Well, he's not wrong." Fred tilted his head but never took his eyes away from Daphne's, "Shaggy and Scooby probably know what's going on, but I can't say anything. Not because I don't want to but because I can't. Does that make sense?"
"It does, but it still hurts, knowing you can't tell me."
"I know it does, and I'm sorry. Can I hug you?" When Daphne nodded, Fred gently took her into a hug, "You're a good friend, accepting what I've said."
"Well, even if you don't eat at Lunch, at least sit with us? Everyone's trying to be friends and, even if you're not all that comfortable around each other, at least both you and Shaggy are trying to be friends. That's all I can ask for." Daphne said.
"Thank you. Do you need someone to walk you home?"
"No, I can handle myself. Remember what I've told you?"
"I do, but since you're my friend, I just wanna make sure you get home safe."
"Thank you, but what about you? Do you need help getting home?"
"No." Fred shook his head, "I know I'll be fine, but thank you for the offer."
"No problem." Daphne gave him a smile and then they went their separate ways, Daphne heading home. Even though it was just past four, the sun was starting to hang low in the sky. It would be getting dark soon and besides, she had to stop by Velma's place first.
"You sure you don't need me to ask my parents to drive you home?"
"Velma, I'll be fine. I got enough of it from Fred today."
"I know, but-"
"-you just want me to be safe. I get that. Thanks for worrying, but just trust me." Velma bit her lip.
"At least call me when you get home."
"Will do." Daphne nodded. Giving her friend a salute, Daphne stepped out into the starless night. This was not the first time she'd walked home alone at night. It was because of these late study sessions that she'd decided to learn how to defend herself, not to mention how she wanted to present herself. She'd never taken any tournaments but sometimes Daphne itched to let out some of her moves, not just to show off but to get out some stress or anger. Maybe someone would be dumb enough to try and take her on tonight. That'd be just her luck. Her nickname was 'Danger-prone Daphne' for a reason. Another one that would fit would be 'Trouble-attractor Daphne,' even if it didn't quite stick like the other.
She paused, then looked back. She frowned. There was a feeling something was following her. She started walking again, careful to listen around her. Yes, there, she could hear footsteps behind her. They were light, but still there. Glancing back, however, there was nothing. She turned back around, only to bump into someone. She stumbled back but didn't lose her footing, looking stranger in front of her was a woman but the face was distorted, jutting forehead, high cheekbones, and lots of sharp teeth. Daphne ducked when the stranger tried to swipe at her and kicked out, hitting the stranger in the stomach. But that only made the stranger lose breath for a moment. It was enough for Daphne to start running, trying to get away. If her kick barely did anything, she didn't want to fight because she knew it was likely she'd lose. And losing to this stranger was not something she could afford. But then the stranger ran in front of her and grabbed her wrist. Daphne tried to free herself, punching and kicking at certain weak points as she'd been taught, but it didn't work. Nothing she was doing worked, but she had to get away.
"Not so fast, little snack." hissed the stranger. The stranger bpre her teeth but before more could be done, the stranger yelped and burst into dust. Thrown off-balance by the sudden disappearance, Daphne fell back and landed on her ass. Quickly she tried to get to her feet but was stopped by a hand.
"Easy, Daphne. You okay?"
"Fred? What the hell?!" She took his hand regardless. In his other was a wooden stake, "Wait wait wait, are you a vampire hunter?!"
"Yeah, kinda." Fred tucked the stake into his satchel, "But are you okay? She didn't bite you, did she?"
"I- I'm okay."
"Let me take you home and I'll explain." Daphne nodded and took his hand. As they headed home, Fred told her of how he was a vampire hunter and how he started.
"When I was younger, about a few years ago, I came home to find my father murdered, and waiting for me were two vampires. They said they were my real parents and that the man who'd been my father had taken me from them. They came to take me back, but there was no way in hell I was gonna do that, not after what they did to the man who raised me. So I left and learned how to be a vampire hunter. I've been trying to hunt them down ever since, maybe fix a few problems along the way."
"Is that why you moved here?"
"Yep." The blond gave a nod, "I'm not sure if they're actually here, but I heard Coolsville's been having trouble with some 'monsters.'"
"Fake ones, but you're not really wrong. Coolsville's like Sunnydale but only for people who think making costumes is the only way to make money around here." Fred chuckled.
"Then I guess I'm Buffy. You're probably Xander, Velma's Willow, but I'm not sure who Shaggy and Scooby could be."
"And with you being a vampire hunter, maybe that's why Shaggy and Scooby don't like you?" Daphne shook her head, "Don't know why they'd be scared, unless they're monsters themselves or something."
"Maybe." They finally came up to Daphne's house, "I guess this is where I leave you. I'll stay here until you go in, just to make sure. If there really are vampires around here, like the one that attacked you, then I think we should all be extra careful."
"So that really was a vampire?" Daphne shivered, "You have no idea how much I wanna thank you for this."
"If you wanna thank me, then don't go out at night or go alone."
"Can't I help you fight monsters? The real ones?"
"You'd get hurt, no way." Fred shook his head, "Just do what I say, please."
"Fine. But thank you again for this, for everything." Daphne gave him a hug, then ran to her house. Her world had just opened up to so many new possibilities.
So I don't know why I decided to write this, but recently I've started watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer and so this came to mind. Essentially, since it's a Dark Fantasy AU, it's going to have lore about demons and other monsters from shows like Buffy and Supernatural, as well as actual lore and some of my own stuff. There's also gonna be lore from the various incarnations of Scooby Doo, from the original '69-'70 series and all the way to today, maybe ending with Mystery Incorporated? There's no way I'm adding Be Cool into this because NO. And I still haven't gotten the chance to watch Guess Who yet. So yeah.
I've always loved Scooby Doo but this is my first time writing for it and so I hope it still works. Please read & review, for those of you who like this darker take on the beloved series.