"I think… I think I understand."

Thorn, Dusk, Luna, and Daphne became shrouded in smoky purple mist, cutting Daphne completely off from Fred's sight. In that moment, Fred realised that his chances were Daphne with next to none.

He really had messed up. He'd missed his chance as he'd been too blind to see the burning love radiating from Daphne, which was in front of him all along. Now his blindness had subsided, but it was too late nevertheless. Fred understood now how his ignorance had made Daphne feel: broken, dejected, insignificant.

Trapped.

In truth, even though their feelings were now known to each to each other, Fred felt that he didn't deserve her anyway- not after the pain he'd provoked in her. However, Fred new that she did deserve to know how he truly felt about her. After all, Fred's inability to have recognised his feelings for Daphne a long time ago was what had hurt her in the first place.

It's time for her to see I love her too.

Abruptly, Fred's attention was bought back by Velma who nudged him, signalling that the Phantom had appeared. It was almost time for Fred's ingenious trap to be sprung: after Daphne was fully submerged by the smoke, she would swiftly place Shaggy's dummy 'Harry' (which had been stuck to the back of her throne) in her place, covering him with her cloak and then, through the fog, dash to the rest of the gang who were at the side of the stage. This would be enough to initially fool the Phantom, but the gang new it was not enough to create an opportunity to apprehend him; so, Daphne would tether the dummy to the throne, and this would cause the Phantom to be hauled back onto the stage in a failed attempt to kidnap 'Daphne'. Finally, a weighted net would fall and trap them.

Simple.

Squinting though the smoke, Fred desperately tried to see if Daphne had made it offstage in time. The mist cleared, and Fred panicked as he saw a cloaked figure sitting in the chair.

"Like man don't worry, that's not Daphne, she made it out." Shaggy whispered to Fred, picking up on his distress.

Much to his relief, Fred realised shaggy was right. He'd been fixating so much on the stage that he'd not even noticed Daphne creep behind him. He exhaled, having been oblivious to the fact that he was holding his breath to begin with. Fred offered her a small smile, to which she did not requite, instead giving him a chilling glare. Fred's heart plummeted.

"I warn you, and you disobey!" Boomed the Phantom from above. "So this will be… your dying day!" Fred reached for Daphne's hand, but she rapidly snatched it away.

The Phantom swooped down like a Falcon to its prey, heading straight for the disguised dummy.

Yes! He had been deceived! All had gone to plan, now all that was left was for the phantom to be captured.

But no-one had realised.

The Phantom continued to hurtle downwards.

Shaggy had spent every waking moment trying to get his best pal back.

Edging closer and closer.

Scooby had been engrossed in getting revenge on his ex-best pal.

His gold and black hand outstretched.

Velma was persistently trying to gain the attention of the Hex girls (in vain).

Harry was abducted from the throne.

Daphne was busy coming to terms with the fact that she needed to get over Fred.

The ascent of the vengeful villain began.

Fred was busy coming to terms with the fact that he had feelings for Daphne.

Not even a few feet above the stage floor, the Phantom released his grasp on Harry, and he swung back up to the light trusses.

Yes, they'd all been too preoccupied.

A spotlight swivelled to where Daphne and the rest of the gang were hiding, illuminating the gothed-up girl.

Too preoccupied to realise…

"Run!" Velma exclaimed.

The gang sprinted for the doors, but Fred tripped and crashed to the floor.

Swivelling around after hearing Fred fall, Daphne ran over to him. "Fred!"

Fred looked up to see not only Daphne coming towards him, but also the Phantom! "Daphne, no! Run!"

Ignoring him, Daphne dived for his hand, but the Phantom lurched towards her and a shrill scream escaped her lips. She along with the Phantom disappeared in a cloud of smoke and sparks. The controller of the spotlight smirked.

…Too preoccupied to realise that the Phantom wasn't working alone.