Chapter 6: Aftermath, another peculiar dream and a crash
"I don't understand this at all." Cosmo remarked as they arrived at the ruins of the castle. "I really don't."
"You and us all, Uncle Cosmo." Velma agreed. "First, restoration work on the castle gets disrupted by the gryphon sighting, then a suspicious murder occurs in town, not long after the guys barely got away from the gryphon, and now the castle is completely destroying in an explosion."
"There's definitely something going on." Fred murmured. "Not to mention now it's quite the convenient turn of events for someone who wants to build a new ice cream factory on the site."
"Speaking of the devil." Madelyn added as she nodded towards a particular direction, prompting everyone else to follow her gaze, in time to see Calvin Curdles pulling up and stepping out of his car upon shifting it to park and turning off the engine.
Cosmo looked towards Mullins, and then towards Alma, before he snorted. "I suppose Mr. Curdles is here to gloat about the castle's destruction and how our hard work literally went up in smoke."
"That's one way to put it, Dr. Dinkley." Mullins nodded in agreement.
As the three adults confided with each other before heading over to confront Curdles, the gang turned back towards the ruins.
"Now with the castle in ruins, do you suppose the Gryphon's gonna appear again and cause more trouble, now that its object of protection has literally gone up in smoke." Daphne folded her arms.
"Good question, Daph." Fred nodded. "Though another question would be, what happens to the town if the Gryphon becomes enraged by the castle's destruction?"
"Golly, I don't think that could be good." Madelyn said in response to Fred's question.
Garfield frowned as he examined one of the walls, or rather what was left of it, that was still standing, which is when he spotted the familiar-looking burnt outline of a skull with a snake emerging from its mouth.
"Well, well, well, there's that skull with a snake emerging from its mouth again, gang." Garfield declared as he pointed towards the wall, prompting the gang to look towards where he was pointed at. "Burnt on the wall, just like what we saw at the scene of that murder yesterday."
"Holy moly, you're right, Garfield." Fred remarked as Scooby stepped forward and sniffed at the wall where the skull and snake were burnt onto. "Seems to me that the castle's destruction is connected to yesterday's murder."
"Yeah, thought the question is, how?" Velma prompted.
It was then that Shaggy said, "And don't look now, but it looks like our old friend is about to have another word with Garfield and us."
Fred and the girls turned around at Shaggy's remark, in time to see Bleachtaire Cigire O'Connor pulling up on his bicycle.
A coupled of uniformed gardas stiffened and raised their right arms up to salute as O'Connor parked his bicycle and approached the scene, pausing briefly to nod back at them.
"Inspector O'Connor." Fred said as the cigire approached them.
"Greetings, Mystery Inc." O'Connor responded nonchalantly. "I see that you lot are trying to get to the bottom of what has happened, considering the hard work Dr. Dinkley has put into for the castle's restoration."
"Indeed he has, Inspector." Velma nodded. "All of which has gone up in smoke, to put it literally. What could've caused the explosion?"
"Right now, it's too early to say." O'Connor frowned, which also prompted Shaggy to turn towards Scooby and beckon him back. "Though if I recall correctly, I am very certain that I told you lot to stay out of police business for a change at yesterday's crime scene."
"You did, Inspector." Fred said with a casual shrug.
"Hmm, can't say I'm surprised you lot have made it a regular habit to not take the advice of professionals." O'Connor quipped as his eyes settled onto Garfield. "That goes for you as well, Mr. Wu."
The gang turned towards Garfield in surprise as Shaggy asked, "Like, how did you know our friend's name?"
"You really think I don't have eyes or ears at the county records, where you boys have done some sleuthing earlier this morning, eh?" O'Connor demanded.
"I would be surprised if you didn't have anyone at the county records, Inspector." Garfield replied nonchalantly with his arms folded. "Especially since there's a lot about the property owner of the townhouse where last night's murder took place at that doesn't pass the smell test."
"So you've really done some digging." O'Connor raised an eyebrow briefly. "Can't say I don't admire your persistence, Mr. Wu, though it still goes without saying that taking into account of what you have implied at the first scene, you have no idea what you're getting yourself into with this case, or the dangers associated with it."
"Garfield has solved murders before, Inspector, and I'm certain he knows a lot about the risks..." Daphne began, only for the cigire to cut her off.
"Yes, I am well aware of Mr. Wu's accomplishments, notwithstanding the fact that I've got contacts from across the pond that have nothing but praise for his work." O'Connor snapped. "However, let me remind you that this case is not your typical mystery and is a riddle you cannot solve."
"As in this is bigger than what we've dealt with, since the same culprit responsible for yesterday's murder has now destroyed the castle?" Velma folded her arms.
"Precisely." O'Connor nodded. "Not to mention the culprit is much, much more dangerous than what you lot have dealt with, even more so than the organised criminal groups you have crossed paths with in Hong Kong, Mr. Wu."
"As in state actors or sophisticated extremist actors?" Garfield raised an eyebrow. "Actors with more sophisticated firepower?"
"More like actors capable of playing with powers that no ordinary man can control." O'Connor said sternly. "Powers that are beyond the scope of humanity's control and mean catastrophe spelled in capital letters should the wrong people end up in full control of them."
As the cigire made the remark, the gang shared glances with one another before Shaggy and Scooby gulped.
"Like, I honestly do not like the sound of that." Shaggy said.
"Re neither." Scooby concurred.
"So for your sakes, I'm only going to issue you a friendly, final warning." O'Connor continued. "Step away from this case and let the professionals handle it."
After O'Connor stepped away, the gang turned around and saw Cosmo, Alma and Mullins continue with their heated conversation with Curdles.
Watching the way Alma interacted with Curdles during the confrontation, the gang turned towards each other.
"You know, it is really curious what Curdles' actual motives for buying the castle is, considering the fact that he and Alma had a history." Fred remarked as he nodded towards Curdles.
"I'll say." Garfield agreed as he examined Curdles' hand gestures and body language before he continued, "Not to mention he appears to be just as upset about the destruction of the castle as Dr. Dinkley."
"Perhaps it has something to do with what he actually intends to do with the castle had he succeeded in buying it." Velma remarked.
"Anyways, speaking of the castle, what do you suppose the skull and snake on the wall stand for, Garfield?" Daphne asked as they turned towards Garfield. "Some sort of symbol?"
"Definitely some sort of symbol." Garfield nodded. "Question is, for what group?"
"Well, whatever group that uses this sort of symbol is up to no good, that's one thing for sure." Madelyn said. "Not when they've practically destroyed a historic castle."
"Like, perhaps the skull would suggest we might be dealing with modern-day pirates?" Shaggy offered. "Perhaps the snake is there for effect, as in to instill fear in its rivals and its targets."
"Like a variation of the more-common Jolly Roger pirate flags?" Garfield raised an eyebrow. "Possible, though as far as historical records go, I don't think pirates ever used a skull with a snake emerging from its mouth. Also, I was thinking that a ruthless sophisticated extremist group uses this sort of mark as a warning."
"Yeah, but what extremist group would wield power that is beyond the control of ordinary man?" Fred frowned. "Or more to the point, what's the nature of said power?"
"Going back to what we've learned so far about the castle and its habitants, specifically the Earl of Down, I got a feeling the power being referred to is dark magic." Daphne said.
"Like, when you put it that way, Daph, it makes a lot of sense." Shaggy agreed. "Though as I said, when the likes of dark magic gets involved in a mystery like this, I really don't like the sound of what's to come, especially if a practitioner of dark magic was indeed responsible for yesterday's murder and the castle's destruction."
"But then it doesn't make any sense that a practitioner of dark magic would destroy a castle inhabited by not one but two practitioners of dark magic that were members of the Order of the Elements." Garfield frowned.
Seeing the frown on Garfield face as he made the remark, Daphne said, "You think that the inspector is holding something back, Garfield?"
"I'm certain he knows more than he's letting on." Garfield nodded. "Something's definitely afoot, especially since there's nothing we could find about the murder victim, so if there's any explanation about all of this, I'm certain that magic could be an explanation."
"Are you guys really considering the idea that there is magic involved in this?" Velma adjusted her glasses. "Perhaps the inspector was suggesting the likes of the mafia or other sophisticated groups, those with lobbying power, could be behind this case."
"Yeah." Fred agreed. "After all, there's no actual evidence that the Earl of Down practiced dark magic and that the 'dark magic' he practiced could be from trickery."
Turning back towards the adults, who have finished their confrontation with Curdles, Garfield shrugged.
"Maybe it's more to do with how long of a day this is." Garfield offered. "Not to mention we haven't found anything that could tie Curdles to everything that has happened...yet."
"You're suggesting he might have had the spare time to learn to create a realistic-looking puppet and control it." Madelyn said. "Perhaps he may have that spare time to perfect special effects."
"Could be." Daphne nodded. "We just have to dig deeper, I suppose."
"And while we do that, Uncle Cosmo's gonna have to figure out the next steps for the castle restoration project." Madelyn added as they turned back towards the adults.
"Oh my, what a day." Fred groaned later that night after they have finished dinner and were gathered in the living room following a walk around the town.
"You can say that again, Fred." Velma agreed as she took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes briefly. "With everything that has happened in the past 24 hours, we sure didn't expect to encounter all these twists and turns in this mystery."
"Like, it's nothing like what we've encountered before." Shaggy concurred. "I mean, besides the time where there were more than one Phantom, each with their own motives, while we were at the Place des Arts this past spring."
"Yes indeed, Shaggy." Fred nodded. "Though even then, there weren't much twists and turns, whereas we haven't even find any clues in this one and already, I'm getting the feeling there are more twists and turns in store."
As the gang were having their conversation in the living room, Garfield was holed up in the kitchen and speaking with his brother on the telephone through a long-distance phone call.
"我會的，阿輝。" (I will, Dave.) Garfield nodded as he glanced at the time on the kitchen clock. "我今(現在)欲(要)準備睏(睡覺)矣(了)。向阿媽、阿爸、阿月和阿日問候一下。" (I'm going to sleep now. Tell Mom, Dad, Emma and Diana that I said hi.)
A pause went by before Garfield nodded again. "好、好。到時候再談，阿輝。" (Okay, okay. Talk to you later, Dave.)
After hanging up the phone, Garfield exhaled before he made his way towards the stairs, during which he passed through the living room.
"You look like you're in a hurry, Garfield." Shaggy observed as they saw him enter the living room. "Or maybe you have an announcement to make."
"Yeah, well, considering everything that has happened today, I figured it best to call it a night now." Garfield replied. "After all, it's gonna be a long day tomorrow and I could sure use the sleep."
"Great idea, Garfield." Madelyn agreed. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm practically worn out for the day."
Scooby yawned as Shaggy said, "It's not just you, Madelyn. We're all worn out for the day."
"Yes, we all better get our rest." Cosmo advised.
The smell from the bottle of smelling salts was starting to sting Daphne's nose as she slowly regained conscious and began to stir, and then she groaned inwardly as the pounding headache returned as she opened her eyes.
Instinctively, the redhead tried to reach for her head, only to find that her hands remain tied to whatever it is she's sitting on while her vision began to clear.
Her vision now clearer, Daphne can see the three dark-robed figures standing in front of her. Each of them were donning a skull-like mask, complete with black hoods and robes, and they were all staring back at her with disdain.
"Well, well, I was beginning to worry that we may have overdone it with the Stunner, Miss Blake." The first figure spoke with a tone that would lack any warmth or compassion as he stared down at Daphne, and the way he stared at her seemed like as if she was a mere object of little value.
The redhead only blinked as she stared back at her captors while her eyesight adjusted to the darkness of the room, in which the only sources of light came from the candles each placed in the three lanterns scattered around the room.
Through the lantern hung near the door, Daphne could also see one more hooded figure standing guard by it. It was also through that source of light that allowed her to catch a glimpse of the tattoos on her captors' arms, which identified them as Death Eaters.
"But enough of the pleasantries." The first figure continued. "Considering your reputation of being danger-prone, I'm very surprised that you of all Muggle-born would take on this undercover mission for the Ministry."
"As if your infiltration could even stop the Dark Lord doing what is for Mugglekind's own good." The second figure sneered as she leaned closer to Daphne's face.
Daphne's eyebrows merely danced at the accusation the two Death Eaters flung towards, which prompted the second figure to lean even closer to her face, until Daphne could smell her sour breath.
"Now there's no use resisting or keeping up with your act, Miss Blake." The second figure sneered. "We know that you're not really Sarah Ravencroft, although it would be a great asset to the Dark Lord's cause if you really were her."
"Notwithstanding the fact that the Inquisitors managed to imprison her soul in a hidden place centuries ago, no thanks to the Muggles that outed her." The first figure interjected as he pulled out his wand and aimed it towards Daphne. "But enough of that, what we would like to know is what makes you really think you can stop the Dark Lord from deploying the Gryphon Killer?"
Daphne only chuckled out loud at the accusation, which prompted the first figure to move his wand until it was barely an inch away from Daphne's nose.
"Greene, you sure are crazy." Daphne chuckled as she faced the first figure. "Didn't the Dark Lord intend to deploy the Gryphon Killer and unleash it on London's Waterloo during the Muggle rush hour? Considering the Muggle holiday season, I'm certain he wants us to move quick in deploying the Gryphon Killer and maximise our message, so it's beyond me why you are wasting your time here, accusing me of working for the Ministry."
"Now don't you play smart with me, Miss Blake, or whatever the devil your name really is." Greene snapped. "You're just trying to stall for time, trying to pit me against the others, trying to undermine what I work to achieve for the Dark Lord, all while your backup is nearby listening and waiting to swoop in and spoil the party."
"If we don't know better, I'd say you're vying to usurp Bellatrix's position and gain the Dark Lord's favour as part of your plan to sabotage our organisation on the Ministry's behalf." The second figure added.
The accusations thrown towards the redhead only made her chuckle even more, which prompted the third figure, who was silent up until that point, to step forward and produce her wand.
"Laugh all you want, Miss Blake." The third figure sneered. "It won't do you any good as long as the Gryphon Killer remains in our hands, ready to be deployed at any moment's notice when the Dark Lord gives us the go-ahead."
"So why don't you save us the trouble of having to resort to...regrettable tactics by admitting your role with the Ministry?" Greene demanded.
Daphne stopped chuckling, though the defiant grin remained on her face.
"Alright, alright." Daphne said. "For the sake of argument, let's say that I am really working for the Ministry. What do you lot expect that I would do if you were concerned about me throwing a monkey wrench into the Dark Lord's plans?"
"Well, for starters, you would've moved up the ranks in our organisation and making it to the Dark Lord's inside circle." The second figure replied. "Which would've been catastrophic had we not found out about your little secret."
"And how would you expect me to stop you lot from deploying the Gryphon Killer if I was indeed working for the Ministry?" Daphne prompted.
"When your partner charges in upon gathering all you need to know about the Gryphon Killer." Greene sneered. "In fact, chances are your partner is already in this very room with us."
Daphne arched her eyebrows briefly before she nodded. "Sounds about right."
Then, looking towards the figure standing guard at the door, the redhead asked, "Shaggy?"
"Right here, Daph." The figure at the door nodded as he unmasked himself, revealing himself to be Shaggy in disguise, which prompted Daphne's three captors to turn towards him.
"You!" The third figure exclaimed as she turned her wand towards Shaggy.
"Like, it's not me you have to worry about." Shaggy said as he moved away from the door before adding, "Now Scoob!"
Before the three Death Eaters had time to react, the door suddenly smashed open, and Scooby Doo in his werewolf form came charging into the room like a bull.
"Expelliarmus!" Both Shaggy and Daphne exclaimed as Scooby took out two of Death Eaters effortlessly, which stopped the trio from deploying their wands.
The third Death Eater, now disarmed, attempted to make her getaway, only for Shaggy to swiftly point his wand towards her and shout, "Immobulus!"
With the third Death Eater immobilized and her two confederates knocked out cold, Shaggy wasted no time untying Daphne, allowing the redhead to get up from her chair and join Shaggy and Scooby as the latter reverted back to his Great Dane form.
"Now then, let's see if our friend Boebert here knows about the Dark Lord's ultimate plan with the Gryphon Killer." Shaggy said, only for the Death Eater to chuckle humourlessly.
"It won't do you any good." Boebert sneered. "I'm not speaking to a bunch Mud-bloods, and even if I do tell you of the Dark Lord's plan with the Gryphon Killer, it is already too late for you lot to stop it."
Shaggy and Daphne shared glances briefly before the latter extended her hand towards the Death Eater and said, "Dleifrag Projectrus!"
Immediately, a three-dimensional projection of Garfield Wu appeared right in front of Boebert.
"I trust that this Death Eater here has information pertaining to the Dark Lord's plans with the Gryphon Killer?" Garfield asked as he observed the Death Eater through his projection.
"Yes, she has, Garfield." Shaggy nodded. "And of course, she wouldn't speak."
"Won't be necessary, she just provided us the location of the Dark Lord's ritual with the Gryphon Killer." Garfield responded.
"I told you nothing!" Boebert exclaimed.
Garfield raised an eyebrow briefly. "You didn't, though I can't say the same thing about your clothes."
"My clothes...?!" Boebert trailed off.
"No matter how many times you've apparated, there are always ways to deduce your previous locations." Daphne explained. "Such as mud smeared on your boots from where you have been walking, the dust that have accumulated on your robe from each Killing Curse and other attack spells you've casted and the faint aurora from where you have been standing."
"Yes, and I daresay that Waterloo Station was a misdirection on the part of the Dark Lord." Garfield said. "While there is an attack planned on the Muggle commuters, it won't involve the Gryphon Killer, not when its nana takes a long time to recharge and while using it on those commuters could increase casualties compared to a conventional attack and thus send a stronger message, the effectiveness of its deployment wears down over time, meaning that after each use, it will require twice the previous amount of time to recharge itself to its full power."
"Right." Shaggy nodded. "And based on what you've observed from Boebert's clothes, I deduce that the Dark Lord has set up his pièce de résistance at the sewers beneath the British Parliament, no doubt with the intention to spark chaos and mass hysteria in the Muggle world with the crippling of the British government."
"Precisely what I've deduced as well." Garfield nodded. "And also why I'm over at the River Thames as we speak."
"Meet you there, Garfield." Daphne nodded back before Garfield's projection dissipated, and then she and Shaggy turned towards the Death Eater.
Without any hesitation, Shaggy raised his hand towards Boebert and said, "Stupefy!"
After Boebert was knocked out cold, the trio proceeded to have the captive Death Eaters apparated to Azkaban before they apparated themselves to Garfield's location.
Before the apparation, Shaggy said to Daphne, "Like, we can't just leave the castle the way it is, Daph. What's stopping the other Death Eaters from regrouping and using it for their hideout?"
Daphne simply snapped her fingers, and in an instant, the castle was completely engulfed in flames.
"That." Daphne responded.
Shaggy nodded before they apparated to Garfield's location, during which the scene shifted to the main entrance to the castle, where the Great Seal of O'Flannery was located at.
Garfield was awaken by a loud thump in the middle of the night, which prompted him to groan as he saw the time on the alarm clock.
1:07. Garfield thought as he got up from his bed and put on his glasses. 創啥物(搞什麼)? (What's going on?)
Shaking his head briefly, Garfield walked over to the door and opened it. 去一下便所(洗手間)之後應該然(應該)會當(可以)睏(睡覺)矣(了)。 (Should be able to sleep well after using the washroom.)
As he stepped out of his room, Garfield raised an eyebrow when he saw Daphne emerging from the washroom.
"Hey Garfield." Daphne whispered.
"Hey Daphne." Garfield replied. "Getting up to use the washroom as well?"
"No, I just figured I should splash my face after that weird dream I just had." Daphne shook her head, which prompted Garfield to fully arch his eyebrows.
"Don't tell me, was it a dream depicting us tasked with finding the Gryphon Killer and the castle getting destroyed?" Garfield frowned.
"As a matter a fact, yes it was." Daphne said. "And Shaggy and Scooby were in it as well."
"Yes indeed." Garfield nodded, just as Shaggy and Scooby stepped out from their room. "Speaking of which."
"You guys using the washroom?" Daphne asked as she and Garfield turned towards Shaggy and Scooby.
"Yeah." Shaggy nodded before covering his mouth as he yawned. "That and trying to come to terms with that weird dream about the Gryphon Killer."
Seeing the looks on Garfield and Daphne's faces, Scooby asked, "Ron't tell me rou guys also had rhat dream."
"We did." Garfield nodded and placed his hands on his hips. "Isn't it peculiar that for two nights in a row, we keep on having weird dreams about hunting down the Gryphon Killer?"
"More so by the fact that we've been having these dreams since arriving here." Shaggy agreed. "And, like, was it just me, or did you guys hear a thump a few minutes ago?"
"A thump did woke me up a few minutes ago." Garfield said. "Not sure about Daphne."
"Was busy splashing my face in the washroom, so I wouldn't know." Daphne shrugged before she glanced around and continued, "Though it is peculiar that we're the only ones to be awake right now. You would think that thump you've described or having that weird dream would've woke everyone else up by now."
"And what makes this more peculiar is that so far, the four of us are the only ones affected by this weird dream." Garfield stated.
"Like, are you suggesting that these weird dreams we have are some sort of a message, Garfield?" Shaggy offered.
"Could be." Garfield shrugged. "I mean, having that weird dream the first night here was already peculiar, though if that was the only time we, you and me, Shag, had it, then I would consider it to be just an one-off dream. But now that we had this sort of dream for a second night in a row, on top of everything that has happened this past day, I don't think it would be wise to dismiss this avenue of possibility of these dreams being some sort of a message."
"If it is a message, what do you suppose it is, Garfield?" Daphne raised an eyebrow.
"This group we were facing off in the dreams, they all have tattoos on their arms, each depicting a skull with a snake emerging from its mouth." Garfield explained. "The same marks we spotted at those two scenes the past couple days. On top of all of that, we were using magic."
"You're saying that this magical group with the skull and snake in our dreams could be responsible for what has happened the past couple days." Shaggy said. "A group who, with their knowledge in magic, are likely very dangerous for us to go up against."
"Exactly." Garfield nodded. "I know it's peculiar, but as Sherlock Holmes said, 'Once you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth'.''
Before Shaggy, Scooby or Daphne could respond, the four were suddenly lurched towards the stairs when something crashed right through the roof.
"Zoinks!" Shaggy exclaimed as they swiftly ran off from the flying debris.
Once the dust had settled, the four trained their eyes towards the source of the crash, only to find the unmistakable pair of the Gryphon's eyes staring back at them.
To all of my readers, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!