Chapter 4: And The Children Shall Lead

"And here we are- Town Hall." Cinnamon proclaimed.

There was silence from the trio of Mystery Inc. members as they examined the seat of Mockingbird's government- an old office building, about seven or eight stories high.

"So, like, where's the mayor's office?" Shaggy finally asked.

"Top floor. Rest of the building's devoted to the people who actually keep this place running- taxmen, accountants, tallymen, and the postmaster. And before you ask, the elevators still work."


"Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle- they've got an actual garage here!" Fred exclaimed as he eyed the building in question.

A moment later, a young black woman in a green, oil-stained jumpsuit approached the van, a nametag reading "NATASHA" placed on her chest.

"So, you're the famous Mystery Incorporated." she said.

"Just a member of it." Fred replied.

"Reah- just a rember!" Scooby added.

Natasha's gaze focused on the Great Dane that was sticking his head out the passenger window.

"Sir, I'll have to let you know that dogs aren't allowed in the garage."

Fred nodded. Just then, Natasha's walkie-talkie squawked, the word "SHERIFF" appearing on the screen.

"Hello?" she said.

" Miss Irons, I need you to do me a solid."

"What kind?"

"The Mystery Inc. van- you've got it in the shop, right?"

"Just pulled up. Why do you ask?"

"One of their guys said he wanted their dog. Don't know why, but given their reputation, I figure we can fulfill their request."

"And you want me to bring them their pooch."

"If it's not too much trouble."

"Where are you guys?"

"Right outside Town Hall."

"Be there in a few."

The conversation ended, and Natasha turned her gaze to Fred.

"Sorry to make you wait, but-"

"I heard everything, Miss Irons."


Town Hall- several minutes later

"Like, thanks for bringing Scooby over here!" Shaggy exclaimed as Natasha walked away.

Cinnamon sharply exhaled.

"So, you got everything in order now?" she asked.

"Yep."

"In that case, let's get this show on the road."

And with that, the quintet entered the old office building.


Mayor's Office- a few more minutes later

Shaggy blinked as he entered the office. Sitting behind the desk was a young woman with distinctly purple skin and hair that looked to be in her early twenties.

"Ribella?" Scooby asked.

The woman's tired eyes lit up.

"Coach Rogers? Scooby? What are you doing here?"

"Like, I could ask you the same question!"

Sibella rose from her chair and wrapped her arms around her former teacher.

"It's a long story, Shaggy."

"Wait- you know each other?" Cinnamon, Velma, and Daphne asked in unison.

"I was, like, their gym teacher a while back."

Sibella's eyes turned to Cinnamon and the other two members of Mystery Inc.

"Would you three mind waiting outside? Shaggy and Scooby and I have some catching up to do."

Cinnamon nodded, and she, Daphne and Velma walked out the door, leaving the three old friends alone with each other.

"So, what've you been up to the past few years?"

"Apart from traveling around solving mysteries, not much. Of course, that bit's not much of a change from what we were doing back before the world went to pieces. How about you?"

Sibella took a deep breath.

"Well, for a few years, we kept things running like normal back at the school, even after the bombs. Then the local townsfolk stormed the place after they had a bad harvest, and the other girls and I fled into the night."

"But, like, how'd you end up being a mayor?"

"We wandered for…I don't even know how long, but we eventually stumbled on this place. Though back when we found it, it was called Fort Danforth, after the man running it."

Sibella winced as the memories came flooding back.

"To put it diplomatically, he was what you'd call a real piece of work- put most of his people into debt slavery, hoarded food and water that he sold back to them at inflated prices, that sort of thing. Last straw was when he tried to hurt Tanis before an 'adoring' public. Cue me starting a riot, and then everything went pear-shaped for him."

"So, what happened to the guy?"

"Let's just say that with the way he ran things, he'd made himself the one thing a leader should never make themselves- hated. Of course, after he and his primary cronies had been run out of town a few weeks after that riot, someone had to fill his shoes as mayor. And seeing as how I'd been one of the main players in the uprising that drove him out…well, how could I disappoint them?"

A pregnant silence settled over the room.

"So, apart from the whole 'liberator of the town' thing, why else did you take the job?" Shaggy finally asked.

"Reah- what Raggy said!" Scooby piped up.

Sibella sharply exhaled.

"Let's just say that being Dracula's daughter teaches you a lot about wheeling and dealing- hence why we've become something of a trade hub. Now, what else do you want to know?"

"Like, how're the other girls doing?"

"We're all doing pretty well given the circumstances. Elsa's the main handyman, Phantasma runs the theater, Winnie runs the radio station, and Tanis does odd jobs most of the time. Anything else?"

"So, what's this we've heard about a blood tax?"

Sibella winced again.

"Well, I need to keep myself fed somehow, and it also ensures we have reserves in case someone needs needs a transfusion."

There was another long silence.

"Like, why'd you rename the town 'Mockingbird'?"

"It's from an old pre-war TV show about a family of monsters who lived on a street called Mockingbird Lane."


"I'll be honest with you- you're probably better off getting that engine replaced." a sallow-skinned woman with a hairdo reminiscent of the Bride of Frankenstein said as she examined the innards oF Mystery Inc.'s van.

Fred gulped.

"Fortunately, I've got something you'll probably appreciate- took it surprisingly intact from some road warrior's junked hot rod."

Fred turned his head to see an engine block hanging from some very sturdy chains.

"V10 multi-fuel engine. Interested?"

"How much, Miss-"

"Frankenstein- Elsa Frankenstein. As for the price…you got any scented or beeswax candles?"

Fred shook his head.

"…I see. Well, since I'm feeling charitable, I'll let you know where you can find some."

"Where?"

"Old shopping center about five miles from here. And just because I'm a nice person, I'll let you borrow my bicycle."


AUTHOR'S NOTES:

Yes , even in the post-apocalypse, I'll find a way to use the Grimwood girls. And before anyone asks, I'm not purposefully trying to shill them- in this case, I just thought it'd be interesting to have a town run by monsters, and since the girls are thus far the friendliest monsters in the Scooby Doo franchise…well, they were the logical choice.

As for Winnie being the one running the radio station, it's a reference to the radio personality known as Wolfman Jack. Also, Natasha Irons is another DC character- in the comics, she's the niece of the Superman character John Henry Irons aka Steel.