Chapter Two Brightest Moonlight.

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Scooby-Doo, Justice League, or any of the works of H.P. Lovecraft.

The initial surprise of the sudden attack didn't last too long for Jessica. She activated her ring and flew off in pursuit.

"Say boy," she said to Scooby.

But the dog, unbeknownst to her had different ideas in mind.

"Are you entirely sure that this book is indeed genuine sir?" asked Alfred. "There is much werewolf lore and myth in the world after all. Even if its age is true, the reality of its contents should still be called into question. Perhaps a second opinion is in order to verify? Mr. Blood or even Ms. Prince."

"Perhaps, but for now I'll operate on the likelihood that the contents are genuine," said Bruce.

The mystery of the book on werewolves continued to intrigue Bruce. He could not help but wonder why his father had been entrusted with it. Thomas Wayne had been a modern man of science after all. He did not have the encounters Bruce had over the years. But he still felt the need to hide the book in the Manor.

"A rather strange text," said Alfred, carefully looking through the pages of the book. "It seems like it wasn't written in a singular hand."

"Or a singular language," said Bruce, taking the book back. "There are passages written in dead languages such as Sumerian up to Latin but also in more modern language."

"A continuous study then," Alfred deduced.

"A singular study on a specific creature and its nature," said Bruce. "A naturalist field guide written along with the history of the creature's evolution throughout the centuries."

"Seems less supernatural and more scientific," said Alfred. "After all you yourself have encountered men who transformed to beasts through scientific means on numerous occasions."

"Yes, but this is different from someone like Langstrom's or the late Dr. Milo's work," said Bruce. "Even taking in the scientific approach seen in the book's illustrations, I recognize arcane rituals and elements as well."

"A blending of the two then," said Alfred.

"Like the creature itself, both man and beast, both magic and science," said Bruce.

"But what could Ms. Blake's interest in it be?" asked Alfred.

"Good question," said Bruce.

Bruce walked over to the powerful Bat-Computer to bring up all information on Daphne Blake.

"Daphne Blake, heiress to the Blake Corporation fortune," Bruce read. "Graduated with honors from Miskatonic University with degrees in communication, psychology, and journalism. A five time black belt champion. Alongside her friend and roommate, Velma Dinkley whom she also went to high school with. Engaged to her previous high school boyfriend Fred Jones Jr."

"Another alumni of Miksatonic U sir?" asked Alfred.

"No, after high school Jones's father Mayor Fred Jones Sr. was indited in a corruption scandal," said Bruce. "Fred spent his immediate years after high school abroad in military service. Armored division with experience gained in the disposal of booby traps set by the enemy. Honorably discharged upon completion of tour of duty."

"The son of disgraced mayor returning an honorable war hero to the arms of his youthful lover," said Alfred. "Quite the romantic tale Master Bruce."

"Not just romance, Jones started up his own company along with Blake and Dinkley," said Bruce. "And one other person, also from high school."

Bruce brought up images of all those in question, a new image of a lanky young man with unkempt hair.

"My word that young man could do with a barber," said Alfred.

"Norville 'Shaggy' Rogers," said Bruce. "Son of detective Sam Rogers, also went to Crystal Cove high school with the others. Was offered a culinary scholarship to Miskatonic University, prompted along by his uncle Dr. Albert Shaggelford."

"The noted medical biologist and inventor" asked Alfred.

"More than that Shaggelford is considered a polymath," said Bruce. "And an occasional lecturer at Miskatonic University. But his nephew didn't take him up on the offer. He attempted to follow in his father's footsteps by joining the police academy. Displaying a skill for deduction and investigation which surprised his instructors given his demeanor and unkempt appearances."

"I'm surprised he wasn't cast out for violating the dress code," said Alfred.

"That was an issue but ultimately Rogers washed out of the academy because of an apparent panic disorder which was determined would prevent him from becoming an effective officer," said Bruce. "However he was able to receive a private detective license along with the others when they formed their company. Mystery Incorporated, inspired by the high school club they were all a part of."

Bruce brought up a yearbook image of all four of them gathered in the library, along with a Great Dane.

"Blake had the start up money, Jones had the technical skill, Dinkley has several degrees under her belt even before attending university," said Bruce. "And even with his disorder Rogers had skill, especially K-9 officer training with his own dog."

Bruce then brought up a series of the incidents the group had been involved with.

"As Mystery Incorporated they operated a freelance detective service," said Bruce. "Consulting with police officials on a special type of criminal specific in the use of superstition to commit their crimes."

"Thank heavens for your good relations with the GCPD the Master Bruce," said Alfred.

"Dinkley has even written several academic journals on the psychology of this specific breed of criminal," said Bruce. "Blake has even approached various government officials for recognition to consult on a more federal level with agencies such as A.R.G.U.S. and through them even the League. Citing that their special consultant skill would be a boon in developing an appropriate response determination in relation to certain crimes."

"To determine if a crime is being committed by a true extra-normal entity you mean?" Alfred asked. "Well it would indeed make coordinating an effective response much easier. Perhaps even avoid unpleasant confusions."

"Yes," said Bruce. "However she's since ceased all attempts to gain that consultation approval even though she has substantial support. In fact they haven't taken on any consultation work for six months."

"It would appear that in a world so filled with adventurers like yourself their brand of criminal would see the folly of attempting such actions," said Alfred. "Perhaps a dry spell."

"I doubt it," said Bruce. "And Rogers wasn't among their number when they came to the manor."

"His condition could have forced him to part ways for the sake of his health," said Alfred.

"Depends on the condition," said Bruce, holding up the book.

Jessica managed to catch up to the thing that held Shaggy in its claws. It seemed to her that Shaggy was righting back as the creature was struggling to keep in the air. Struggling so much it seemed to let him go in mid-flight. Jessica willed her ring to send a giant hand construct to catch Shaggy.
She breathed a sigh of relief when it worked and she quickly flew down to let him off on the ground. As she had the large emerald hand put him down she saw he seemed to be having a fit. But before she could check on him she heard the screech of the creature that had attacked them. She turned and was just barely able to avoid a dive bomb attack from the flying dinosaur creature.

"Back to the park buddy," Jessica yelled.

She flung out an emerald net to try and catch the beast but it managed avoid her attack with astounding speed. It dove on Jessica before she could react, forcing her to the ground. The supposedly extinct enemy opened its beat to try and bite at her head. She was about to form a new construct to get it off of her when suddenly the supposedly down Shaggy tackled the creature. Jessica almost thought she heard him snarling like some kind of animal. She got back into the air as Shaggy and the Pterodactyl Man began to actually wrestle on the ground. The latter struggling to get back into the air as Shaggy dug...claws into the creature's flesh. As she increased the light projected by her ring she saw that Shaggy had gotten...shaggier in a matter of words. His face was sprouting what almost looked like a full beard over most of his face, which was in an ugly snarl showing sharp teeth and yellow eyes. His hands were covered in fur and tipped with claws.

"What the..."

The dinosaur-like creature eventually got a good hit in, using its clawed feet to kick Shaggy off of him, cutting deep into his side as it happened. Jessica then focused and immediately wrapped up the dinosaur creature in emerald chains.
She then focused on Shaggy, clutching his side and growling. He looked up, his eyes now even more animal-like, as if he were prepared to pounce. But before anything could happen he seemed to sway.

"Shaggy?" Jessica asked carefully as she floated down, making sure her protective energy field was up.

"He'll be alright," a voice said in Jessica's mind.

"What now?" she asked, looking around till she found the dog Scooby walking up to them.

"I'll keep Shaggy calm, just get the Pterodactyl Man away from him," the dog seemed to say telepathically-looking up at her before focusing on Shaggy.

Jessica tightened her restraints on the creature, smacking him on the concrete until he was unconscious, and then flew off to a nearby construction site. She made a construct to constrict unused girders around the creature and left it bound in metal on the ground. She then sent up flares with her ring that were sure to alert emergency responses to the area where they would find the monster and ensure it was taken away.
Once that was done she flew back to the alley where the fight had occurred and saw that Shaggy was now looking more like himself. Jessica knelt by him to check on the wounds the Pterodactyl had inflicted on his side only to find it was healing up quickly.

"Enhanced healing factor," Scooby projected into Jessica's mind.

"Alright this is all...well I'd say weird but I'm friends with a Martian so...what the hell is going on?" Jessica asked.

"Shaggy's a werewolf," Scooby said plainly. "And I'm a descendant of the Annunaki."

"Ann-what?" asked Jessica.

"Annunaki, a race of extra-dimensional entities that can only exist in this universe via the in-habitation of non-sentient animal hosts," her ring said, corresponding with the Oan databases. "Descendants of Annunaki often display power in relation to their ancestors. Largely benevolent in nature and confused as gods by primitive races."

Jessica thought back to all the times in school she had seen animal faced gods from places like Egypt. It made sense to her and she had known that Earth had been visited by aliens in the past. Sometimes the results of those visitations showed up in the modern day in one form or another.

"Okay, so this telepathic talking thing is part of that," she said. "But...what about..."

"Help us get home and I'll explain," said Scooby.

Jessica wrapped the three of them in a green bubble and flew off in the direction of Shaggy's apartment.

Staking out Wayne Manor from a distance, Fred had his eye through a scope checking out the scene.

"No sign of the Hunch Bunch," Fred sneered. "Guess those two idiots didn't get the idea to ask Wayne."

"It's still only a hunch at best," said Daphne.

Fred lay atop the vehicle he called the Mystery Machine while Daphne stood outside. Velma was inside the vehicle, continuing to do her own research and using their equipment to check for any 'issues'.

"Let's just hope Wayne doesn't get too curious about the book if he finds it," said Fred.

"If anything he'll just think it odd," said Daphne.

She looked up at her fiance, noticing the fierce look in his face in spite of the darkness.

"Fred...we're going to make it right," she said.

"Nothing'll make it right Daph," said Fred. "Nothing will...wait."

Fred zoomed in his cope and saw two hunchbacked figures climbing up the sides of the manor.

"Got 'em," said Fred. "Can't wait to send the humps back to their boss."

Inside the Bat-Cave alarms rang out notifying of an intruder on the grounds. Hidden cameras on the roof revealed the intruders.

"Them again," said Bruce.

"It may raise some questions if Batman appears in the home of Bruce Wayne," said Alfred.

"Not unless Batman contacted him and warned him of a potential break in," said Bruce.

"I shall prepare a necessary alibi sir," said Alfred.

"Good then..."

Bruce noticed Daphne and her fiance run up to the manor as well.

"The plot thickens as they say," said Alfred

Jessica followed Scooby's directions and she carried Shaggy, who was still somewhat furry, in and set him on his bed. She noticed the restraint on the bed and set it, believing she understood why it was there.

"Medicine," Scooby said, motioning to a bottle of pills.

Jessica went to the pills and took out two, the last in the bottle. She had her ring form a glass and hand construct to get water to help Shaggy swallow the pills.

"He lost blood," Jessica said, noticing the damage on Shaggy's shirt. "But they've already sealed."

"He'll be tired though," said Scooby. "And the pills will help."

Shaggy lay on the bed and Jessica saw as the hair began to shrink back into his skin. The claws pulled back into nails. His teeth seemed to return to normal as well.

"Okay, now perhaps you can tell me what the hell is going on," Jessica said. "Speak boy."

"It's a long story," said Scooby.

"My night is wide open," said Jessica.

The hunchbacks had broken their way through the roof of Wayne Manor. They found their way to the library and began rooting around for the book in question. As they searched a whistle in the night drew their attention.
Before they could react a pair of orange bolas shot out of the darkness and caught both of them.

"You again," the monocle wearing hunchback.

His friend cursed in unintelligible gibberish as Fred and Daphne came up. Fred wore a blue armored suit and pulled off of it, machinery in the suit forming into a special kind of gun.

"I'll keep an eye on them Daph, you look for the book," said Fred.

Daphne began to look through the library while Fred kept his sights on the two hunchbacks.

"You two led us on a merry chase assholes," said Fred.

"Now, now Jones no need to be vulgar," said the one who could speak.

"You work for an asshole who ruined my friend's life," said Fred. "I think I'm entitled to be vulgar Brunch."

The other babbled a curse in response.

"Yeah fuck you too Crunch," said Fred. "The Doc ain't sending some muscle to help now eh? Daph, how's the search..."

"Fred," Velma's voice came in over a comm in Fred's ear. "Daphne's vitals went funky. She's alright but her biometrics say she's unconscious."

"Spoke to soon," said Fred.

He pulled off another specialized gun and took a breath. An advantage of his suit was a sensor which warmed part of his body if an attacker was trying to sneak up on him. He turned sharply and fired as a dark figure leapt above him. Fred went to follow the figure who threw out sharp objects which knocked out his guns. Fred took notice of what the objects were. They were shaped like bats.

"Shit," said Fred.

He straightened as he saw the image of the Batman across from him, the Hunch Bunch between the two of them. Fred pulled another weapon off of his suit and aimed it towards Batman.

"If you've hurt her I swear to god I will..."

"Do nothing," said Batman. "I want answers...now!"

"This has nothing to do with you," said Fred. "We just want them and the book they were looking for. If Wayne has it he needs to give it to us. It's dangerous and we're taking it with us."

Batman glared at Fred, who refused to back down. Between the two men the less articulate of the two hunchbacks laughed as green smoke began to envelop the two.

"Ta ta," the other one said as the two were enveloped.

Both Fred and Batman attempted to grab at them but when they moved the smoke dissipated and they were gone. Fred cursed but then took the initiative. He pulled out a flash bang, hoping Batman wasn't expecting it. His gamble seemed to work as the Dark Knight seemed stumbled. Fred took advantage of the momentary distraction to pick up Daphne and escape through the roof.
Batman recovered from this distraction. Annoyed at not getting answers, but content that he'd get them soon. For during the dive for the hunchbacks Batman had been sure to put a tracer on Fred's person.

Shaggy awoke to the smell of eggs being made on a frying pan. He groggily woke up and saw he was not restrained. He also saw his shoes and clothes were torn. Getting to his feet he saw Scooby-Doo lying in at the kitchenette where Jessica was making breakfast. She plated the eggs on two dishes and handed him one.

"Like...uh...thanks," he said nervously.

"He said you'd be hungry," Jessica said, pointing to Scooby.

Shaggy looked down at Scooby who whimpered lightly.

"I guess you've got a lot of questions," Shaggy said.

"That's putting it mildly," said Jessica.

Shaggy winced a bit at that which Jessica noted.

"But...maybe after breakfast," she said with a light smile.

"We had them dead to rights," said Fred. "If the Bat hadn't been there..."

"Fred you got away from Batman that is a victory," said Velma. "Besides we don't even know if the book is even in Wayne Manor. It might have been a wild goose chase for both us and the Bunch."

"But now the Bat's onto us," said Fred.

"He was already onto them," said Daphne. "As soon as we tracked it to Gotham we all knew there might be a chance that Batman would become aware."

The three of them had taken to a motel room to recover from last night's ordeal. Daphne was no worse for ware although Fred was fuming with anger.

"The Bat gets involved you know what he'll do if he finds Shaggy," said Fred. "He'll put him in one of those hell holes like Arkham. Or worse."

"He doesn't kill Fred," said Daphne.

"Well some of them do," said Fred. "We gotta find that book. We're not giving up."

"No one's saying anything about giving up," said Velma.

"We just need to be patient. Wait for Bruce to give us a call if it comes," said Daphne.

As if on cue Daphne's phone began to rang.

"It's Bruce," said Daphne. "Hello?"

"Daphne? It's Bruce, I think I found that book you were looking for," said Bruce.

"Really?" asked Daphne.

"I think so...a strange piece too. I almost thought it was a horror story," Bruce said. "All about...werewolves if you can believe it. But I think I understand why my father would be interested in it. A study on superstitious influences on the misdiagnosis of certain medical conditions if I'm not mistaken."

"Yes," Daphne said, trying to go along with Bruce's conclusion. "We've been conducting a study on how old world superstitions might have gotten mixed into early medical sciences. Must have been a bit of a surprise finding something like that in your house."

"Just goes to show my father still has surprises for me," said Bruce. "Still things to teach. I'm sure he'd love to contribute to academia once more. Feel free to come by and pick it up any time."

"Thanks," said Daphne. "We'll be there later today. Thanks again Bruce."

She hung up the phone and smiled.

"He has it," she said. "All we have to do is pick it up."

"You don't think he knows anything do you?" Fred asked.

"He knows it features werewolves," said Daphne. "But Bruce just discounted it all as superstition."

"Then let's just get the book and get out of this town," said Fred. "We already ran into the Bat once I don't want to risk a second match. Pretty sure I just got lucky last time."

"Kind of odd that Batman was there at the same time we and the Hunch Bunch were," said Daphne.

"Given the Batman's technical needs it may stand to reason he has powerful backers," said Velma. "Bruce Wayne may in fact be his supplier."

"So we might be walking into a trap," said Fred.

"Our priority is the book," said Daphne. "If we can get that we can end this nightmare for Shaggy's sake."

Fred grimaced and nodded in agreement. Little did any of them know every word was being transmitted from the device on Fred's suit.

"Quite impressive that no one else has tried to connect you as the Batman's supplier," said Alfred. "Quite a clever young woman this Ms. Dinkley."

Bruce hummed as he sat at the Batcomputer. He had finished taking scans of the book and all of its images. He would have to bring in outside help for this considering that there might have been a more occult angle to this.

"Ms. Prince also called this morning," Alfred continued. "Apparently she's well acquainted with Professor Hyde-White and is stopping in to ask about his health. Shall I extend an invitation to dinner?"

"To go Alfred," said Bruce. "Once I give Daphne the book she'll be leaving with her friends. I intend to follow, someone else is involved in this."

"Yes, the employer of this, how did they call it, Hunch Bunch you've dealt with twice," said Alfred.

"And twice they've escaped with help from someone who can send immediate help when they're incapacitated," said Bruce. "There's also the issue of their friend, Shaggy. They're doing this she said, for his sake."

"Then given the contents of the book perhaps Ms. Prince's company would be as prudent as it would be pleasant," said Alfred. "Though Master Bruce, if you do find the young man and indeed his 'condition' is as it seems, what will you do? Assuming there have indeed been any incidents can he be held responsible if he transforms without choice?"

"I'll cross that bridge when I come to it," said Bruce. "For now, we're about to have visitors. I'll meet with Diana when she lands to go meet the professor and we'll leave following Mystery Incorporated. You know her favorites."

"Of course sir, I shall have everything ready when you are set to depart," said Alfred.

"Like, it's a long and kind of crazy story," Shaggy said.

He and Jessica sat on the couch in his apartment, Scooby at their feet.

"Me and a couple of old friends are sort of...detectives," Shaggy said. "We travel sort of everywhere, freelance work with various police agencies. Mostly we like...well sometimes a few kooky crooks think its a good idea to dress like monsters to commit crimes. Not a lot of places have superheroes in residence so, I guess that's why they think they can get away with it. What we do is...catch 'em and unmask 'em. A lot of time they're just that...just ordinary guys. Just with sometimes pretty good gear that helps people think they're like real monsters. Some even take like these weird meds to make 'em change."

"Yeah, I've seen the kind," said Jessica.

"My friend Daphne actually wanted to get us to consult more with people like A.R.G.U.S. to like get better intel on a spook. I mean, imagine Wonder Woman going on some nasty with a big sword and it turns out he's just some guy she's cut up. If we are able to you know get the info on a big nasty the like the big guns could figure out whether or not to go in," said Shaggy.

"Like if its an actual monster you can ensure that someone..."

"Like you," said Shaggy.

"Like...me, should get involved," Jessica said, some of the old reluctance popping up in her.

'Yeah," said Shaggy. "It...it was all hell."

Jessica noticed his hand was trembling and steadied him.

"Like...my dad was a cop," said Shaggy. "Best in Crystal Cove. He uh...he was taking me on a ride along one time and got a call. Someone had been...killed. He told me to stay in the car but...but I got out and I found...I found..."

"You...saw the victim," Jessica put together. "That must have been horrible."

"I...used to like mysteries before that," said Shaggy. "But afterwards I...I could only see that body every time the word 'mystery' came up. That there really were people that could do what I saw. I at least was glad the monsters in the horror movies I used to like as a kid weren't real. That they couldn't hurt me like that guy got hurt. But then..."

"Then aliens began falling from the sky almost yearly," Jessica determined. "Along with a whole lot of other weird shit."

"It was like there wasn't anything safe in the world anymore," said Shaggy. "That every time I'd open that door..."

"Something horrible might be on the other end," Jessica finished.

Shaggy looked at her with surprise towards her understanding. Looking in her eyes, he could see how much she understood the fears that held him prisoner for so long. So much like the fears that held her prisoner.

"It...it wasn't so bad knowing there were folks like you out there," Shaggy said. "Real brave types."

"Not...not always as brave as we think or want to be," Jessica said. "But...I had a friend who...who helped me believe that I could be brave when I thought I couldn't for the longest time. When I couldn't get why...I got this."

She showed him the Green Lantern ring that she had so long refused before Thomas Keller came into her life.

"At least you became a hero,' said Shaggy. "I'm...I'm a monster."

Scooby whimpered and Jessica squeezed his hand.

"Just...tell me what happened to you, please?" she asked.

"It was...six months ago," said Shaggy. "My friend Velma began to piece together a kind of puzzle. That a lot of the equipment being used to supply these yahoos were being designed by the same person. Wanting a second opinion we went to my uncle Albert Shaggleford..."

"The scientist?" Jessica asked in surprise.

"Yeah," said Shaggy. "He was able to confirm what she believed. Uncle Albert had been one of our earliest supporters and he had always been interested in what he called 'unusual sciences'. He was even the one who gave me Scooby when I was a kid, to help me."

"A kid but..."

"Scooby doesn't age like a normal dog," said Shaggy. "Uncle Albert says it's because of his an...any-something..."

"Annunaki," Jessica said.

"Yeah that's it, because Scooby is descended from those guys he has some of their power," said Shaggy.

"Do your friends know about...him?" Jessica asked.

"Like yeah," said Shaggy. "In fact Velma thought Scooby would be able to tell if we were ever actually dealing with a supernatural creature. Something about his brainwaves being attuned to the...something, something multiverse. Like half the time I can never tell what she's talking about."

"Try speaking to some of the League's egg heads," said Jessica.

They both shared a light laugh at that. But Shaggy's face became somber again as he had to delve into memory.

"Uncle Albert had been researching on his theory that science and like, magic, aren't different. That both could be incorporated," said Shaggy. "He followed the works of another scientist who had similar theories. From Germany, a scientist who worked for the Nazi's who promised to create a race of monster soldiers. Nothing ever came out from it, Uncle Albert said all records of him were burned in an Allied bombing raid. All that really survived was a trail of orders including his name and his department. Dr. Phineas Phibes head of the Office of Genetic Research and Experimentation, O.G.R.E."

"And you guys began to think about how that connected to your case," Jessica determined.

"Velma tracked down a paper trail," said Shaggy. "That the remains of the castle in which this Dr. Phibes did his work had been shipped to America. We went to check it out. Fred, I guess our leader, suggested we split up. I...I never liked splitting up. Going along in a...a dark and...along in the dark and..."

Scooby's eyes began to glow and Shaggy began to calm.

"I wanted so much to be like my dad," said Shaggy. "He was my hero and...and I could never get the guts. Fred wanted to help...he wanted me to...to face my fears. He said I could be a great detective. I went along...so many...so many damn cases just to...just to try and do right by my dad. Then...then in that castle...that thing...that horrible wolf thing."

Shaggy, in spite of Scooby's attempts, began to break down into sobs. Jessica pulled him into her torso to try and offer some kind of comfort, any kind. She began this morning with suspicion towards this man. But now...now all she had was sympathy and compassion for him and the horrible fate which had become him.

When she left her home of Themyscira, Diana didn't entirely know what to expect from Man's World. She didn't expect Gotham City that was for sure. Perhaps one of the greatest examples of all that was wrong in Man's World. Crime and corruption were rampant. But even so it held good people who struggled back against it. People like Bruce, who made it his mission to take on this Sisyphean task. It made life a little more bearable for the people of Gotham, such as the man Diana visited now, alongside Bruce.

"I asked Thomas to hide that book a long time ago," said Hyde-White. "He didn't know what it was and he was such a good friend he did not ask about it."

"But why hide it to begin with?" Diana asked.

"That book, the Encyclopedia Lycanus was not only a collection of arcane research on the study of lychanthropy but also part of a collection that was recovered from the ruins of secret Nazi compound after the war," said Hyde-White. "That book, along with other tomes from he same collection, was largely left to gather dust. But a series of strange robberies began occurring some over thirty years ago."

"All about the collection," Bruce deduced.

"Yes my boy," said Hyde-White. "Hoping to get ahead of these robbers I spirited the book with me to America when I took residency of the Gotham Museum. I also requested your father hide it, hoping for extra safety. But now I fear I may have brought you some trouble my boy."

"Don't worry about me professor, just focus on your recovery," said Bruce. "But do you have any idea of who might be after this collection after all this time?"

"Too difficult to tell my boy," said Hyde-White. "Only that the original owner, Dr. Phineas Phibes, was considered by many, even among the enemy, to be a most disturbed individual. Obsessed with the hording of such knowledge for himself. Even his Nazi masters were weary of him. Some have even theorized his location was intentionally leaked to ensure that there would be nothing from that castle which could threaten Hitler's power. In the area where the castle once stood, the locals even believed it was...haunted."

Bruce hummed in thought and Diana decided it was best to end the questioning there.

"We'll let you rest professor," said Diana.

The billionaire and princess left the professor to his rest, walking quickly to the exit.

"Well?" Diana asked.

"This has potential to be serious," said Bruce, pulling out a device. "My tracer is still active. They're en route to the airport. Blake has a private plane which she uses for their group."

"Do you know where they're going?" asked Diana.

"To their friend, Rogers," said Bruce. "They kept referencing him and his 'condition'."

"He's a werewolf," Diana. "And if the book is about the actual facts of lycanthropy they could be trying to find a cure for their friend."

"Perhaps," said Bruce. "But that's only half the problem."

"The other half is the one who keeps sending those to men and rescuing them when they're in trouble," said Diana.

"Blake and the others seem to know," said Bruce. "We'll follow them to Rogers and when we do..."

"We'll offer to help their friend in any way the League can," said Diana.

Bruce stopped short of the limo the two were going to share as Diana stood tall. What she had said was not a suggestion it was a statement of fact. One she would not retract even when faced with the eyes of the Batman. It was part of Diana's regal warrior spirit that Bruce admired about her. When she was certain of what was right there was no force which could make her falter.

"We'll discuss the problem in full," said Bruce.

"I didn't imagine there was anything else to discuss," said Diana, as she entered the limo, nodding at Alfred who had held the door for her.

Bruce caught the ghost of a smirk on the face of his old friend.

It took a five pizza order to get Shaggy to calm himself. Jessica was surprised that he could eat so much without issue. But she guessed that his whole curse must have come with an accelerated metabolism.

"After...the incident things began to get really weird for us," Shaggy said, continuing his story. "We began encountering more...creatures. Coming after us directly."

"Like that thing from last night?" asked Jessica.

"Yeah," said Shaggy. "And well we found out I kind of have something...more unique about my condition. My...attacks seemed to cause me to partially transform. Even if the moon wasn't completely full. If I get...so afraid I will...well you saw for yourself."

"And on the full moon?" Jessica asked.

"You have seen the movies right?" Shaggy asked. "But there's a cabin in the woods, an old hunting cabin. When the moon goes full I go there with Scooby. The Wolf is...more animal and Scooby can use his mojo to like keep the Wolf fairly chill. At worst I might get out and it'll hunt some deer or other animals. Six months of this but...I haven't hurt anyone. At least not yet."

"Well where are you friends now?" Jessica asked.

"Velma developed these meds with my uncle's help," Shaggy said, pointing at the pill bottle. "They're supposed to help control the transformations. But...I think the Wolf's getting stronger. But...we split up because I needed to lay low. All of us traveling together might have drawn more attention. The others are hunting some old book that might help. Something that used to supposedly belonged to that Phibes guy back in World War II. I don't know if it'll even work. We're not even sure who we're up against. Fred seems to think it's the same guy but...we can't be too sure. They're mostly focused on finding the book. And I'm trying not to become a late night horror feature. Or to get on the radar of someone, super. No offense."

A question that came to Jessica's mind.

"You didn't know that I lived here did you?" she asked. "I mean really?"

"Yeah, like no offense but when I think Green Lantern..."

"It's okay," Jessica said, gently. "But why not reach out for help?"

"Like we talked about it but we didn't want to risk either you guys would think I'm crazy and put in someplace like Arkham," said Shaggy.

Jessica imagined someone with Shaggy's condition in a place like Arkham Asylum. He'd be a panicked mess and according to him he would be a wolf almost twenty-four seven.

"Or someone will know what I am and bring out the silver bullets," said Shaggy.

"No one in the League...well most people in the League wouldn't do that," Jessica said. "We might be able to help you. Not just with this but to with whoever did this to you. And after last night he has to know that you're here in town."

"Yeah, Scoob and I need to get out before nightfall," said Shaggy. "The moon will be full."

Jessica was about to suggest going to the Watchtower. But she didn't want to make Shaggy uncomfortable at the thought of being surrounded by superheroes. She could understand why he would feel that way. People saw her and her teammates fighting monsters all the time. What was a person who looked up to them supposed to do when they were a monster?

"Alright, let's get to your cabin before it gets dark," Jessica said.

"But like..."

"You just said you have partial control every other night right?" Jessica asked.

"Yeah but..."

"Then you're not going to be in control to night and someone is hunting you," said Jessica. "You need to lay low until tomorrow and you're going to need keep that...thing locked. I can restrain you with my ring if Scooby keeps it calm. We'll go to your cabin and we'll hold out the night."

"I could..."

"Kill me," Jessica said, plainly.

In her own mind there were flashes of her own uncomfortable past. The deaths of her friends in the woods. The murderer, barely escaping herself. Now she was suggesting going into the woods again. This time with a man who could transform into a beast with the sole desire to kill her. It was a nightmare for her. But she had listened to everything Shaggy said. She saw his eyes, his fears, and a gentleness in him that resonated. He was someone who was strangled by his fears and was now finding the thing he was most afraid of, was himself.
She didn't want to say she could relate entirely. She didn't even want to imagine what it must be like. To have something take over you like this 'condition' must do him. It must have made him so lonely. So much he took a risk reaching out to her. She could understand that loneliness. That isolation, that feeling that there's always something wrong with you. She was still struggling with those feelings. But right now none of this was about her. It was about this man before her, and what she could do to help him.

"Ever since I got this ring...I've had to face down a lot of things that could kill me," said Jessica. "A werewolf is probably going to be on the milder end of some of a whole vast spectrum of weird shit. So don't worry, I'll be alright."

She took Shaggy's hand in hers and squeezed. She locked eyes with him and tried to convey all the confidence and comfort she believed she could muster in her heart.

"And so will you," she said.

Daphne's privately owned plane was making a beeline for Portland. En route Velma began doubly looking through the book as well as looking through some rather troubling reports.

"A strange creature a mix between pterodactyl and human has been placed in special custody," said Velma. "Restrained reportedly by the resident Green Lantern."

"Damn," Fred cursed at the controls. "A freak show like that will bring A.R.G.U.S. and a Lantern will bring the League. And the moon is going to be full tonight."

"Shaggy still has Scooby and there wasn't anything about a werewolf like creature," said Daphne. "We have time and we have the book."

"It's till going to take time to fully examine it but it is a win," said Velma. "We just need to get to Shaggy and then we can find a place to hold down until we can assess a potential cure."

"And hopefully no supers, hero or otherwise get involved," said Fred. "We were lucky enough to get away from the B..."

Fred cut off when an idea came to his mind.

"Daph, take the stick," said Fred.

Daphne did so and whens he did he went over to where he kept his 'trap-suit' as he liked to call it. Examining it closely he found a very small object in the shape of a bat.

"Jinkes," Velma said upon seeing the device.

Jessica helped gather supplies and let Shaggy drive the three of them to his cabin. They didn't want to use her ring to travel as both to save power and to avoid attention.
Once inside the both of them boarded up the doors and windows, both to keep Shaggy in and keep anything else out. As twilight came Shaggy led Jessica down to a basement where he had set up chains for himself. Jessica helped him restrain himself.

"Like this has got to be the worst date ever right?" Shaggy asked, a light chuckle. "Meet a guy and suddenly you're in a horror movie."

"Can you believe I actually have had worse?" Jessica said, trying to help keep the mood light.

Shaggy chuckled lightly but Jessica could tell he was scared. Scared of what he would do to her. And perhaps scared of how she would see him. She wondered if he approached her because he really did find her attractive.

"Um...like now this is kind of going to get weird," Shaggy said.

"You're a werewolf and I'm a superhero," Jessica said. "And the Dog is psychic. What the hell about this is normal?"

"Yeah well like, I need to...smell you," said Shaggy.

Jessica gave him an odd like while she could hear in her mind Scooby-Doo giving a telepathic chuckle.

"I need your scent," said Shaggy. "The Wolf might be easier for you to deal with if it recognizes you."

"Oh...okay," she said.

Jessica walked up closely to Shaggy and let him sniff her neck, her face, and her hair. She let it go on for a while until he backed away.

"Sorry," he said.

"It's...okay," she said. "All to help. So...what now?"

"The moon's coming, it'll be time soon," Shaggy said.

Jessica went to the other end of he cellar and sat with Scooby-Doo as Shaggy sat opposite of them. Jessica pulled out her phone and kept an eye on the clock. Sometimes she wondered about just calling a member of the League. M'Gann or Diana perhaps. Someone whom she knew would be understanding and offer to help. Perhaps she could get Shaggy to one of the mystics. Fate, Zatanna, or perhaps Blood. Blood would perhaps be most understanding given his own literal Demon.
But Jessica decided against it. She wanted to help Shaggy on his terms, not to try and force him down something.

"Agh," Shaggy yelled, pulling Jessica out of her thoughts.

She focused as Shaggy's body began to convulse. She hard bones snap and twist as flesh and muscle began to shape and stretch. His fingers began to sprout claws as his ears began to shape into points. Hair, or rather fury began to grow all over his body as he tore away his clothing. His torso began to expand and his face began to stretch into a more canine shape.

'My god,' Jessica thought, watching this transformation with wide eyes.

Her heart began to beat violently in spite of herself. This truly was a horrifying thing she was beholding, the changing of a man into a beast. Scooby nudged next to her to perhaps try and comfort her as she watched Shaggy's transformation into this...reluctant werewolf.

Author's Note: I've taken bits of various Scooby-Doo series here into what I hope might work out if it were in the DCAU. Namely bits like Mystery Incorporated and Shaggy and Scooby-Doo: Get a Clue (but with a very different Phibes for those who saw that series). I also had Scooby talk telepathically because I was thinking about how Scooby could talk in the DCAU. And I figured having him be a telepath worked out. Also recall how no one ever questions the talking dog in any of the shows or movies as so many ghost and demons were debunked. So I hope this works out as a compromise. I also brought up H.P. Lovecraft's Miskatonic University, as that was actually brought up in Mystery Incorporated as the college the gang all went to. It also oddly kind of connects with Batman, since Arkham Asylum is named for Lovecraft's fictional town of Arkham, Mass. So all the love to Lovecraft's craft.