Chapter two: The Mysterious Ally

The Mystery Machine approached the driveway of Clifftop Castle. Fred looked at the old, stone castle in awe. He couldn't believe that such a historic castle was condemned. Daphne tapped her husband on the shoulder.

"Fred? Clifftop Castle is supposed to be abandoned, right?" Daphne asked.

"Yeah." Fred replied. "Why?"

Daphne pointed out her window. Everyone looked outside and saw a strange- looking auto-car parked in the driveway.

"Like, someone's here already!" Shaggy exclaimed.

"Yeah." Cindy added. "Who would POSSIBLY come up HERE?"

"I suggest we go find out." Fred said.

Although Shaggy, Sandy and Scooby were reluctant at first, everyone got out of the Mystery Machine and walked towards the castle.

As the gang approached the front door, they saw the silhouette of a man, madly struggling to open the front door as if his life depended on it.

"Strange." Velma whispered. "I wonder who that is."

The closer the gang got to the strange man, they could make out more features. When they could fully make him out, the gang stared at the man. He was tall and almost as thin as Shaggy. The front of his blazing red hair was pulled out in front of his face, and it almost seemed like it was just hanging there. He wore a black jacket and a white shirt. Although the sides of his shirt were tucked into his red pants, the front and back of his shirt were not. There was some kind of long, thin strap connecting the pant legs at the knees.

"You can't stay in there, forever, pal!" The man shouted at the door. "I'll break in sooner or later!"

The gang silently approached the man, who was violently tugging at the door handle. Amy broke the silence.

"Excuse us." Amy said, breaking the silence, even though she didn't speak very loud.

The man spun around and faced the gang, a slightly angered glare in his eyes.

"What do you want?!" The man growled through his teeth. "I'm sort of busy!"

"Mister, we're detectives." Jack stated. "We've been called to inspect this castle and see what's making these strange noises every night."

"Same with me." The man said, his anger fading. "I was sent to defeat the man hiding in there." He turned back to the door. "Now, if you'll excuse me."

The man grabbed hold of the handle with one hand and pulled with all his might.

After several minutes of pulling and growling, the man gave the handle one big tug. The handle ripped from the door, pulling the handle from the other side of the door out as well. The man showed the handle to the gang.

"Okay." Sandy said. "I'm a little afraid."

"Reah!" Scooby added. "Ris ruy's reepy!"

The man reached inside the hole in the door and was able to unlock it. The front door swung open.

"Since we're going after the same thing, why don't we team up?" Dack suggested.

"Might as well." The man replied. "The odds would definitely be in our favor."

"Pardon me, but I don't think we've been introduced." Linda said.

Each member of the gang introduced himself or herself to the man.

"It's a pleasure." The man replied, folding his arms. "The name's Iori Yagami."

Everyone walked into the castle, not knowing what awaited them.

For about a minute, everyone was silent. Cid broke the silence.

"Where exactly do you come from, Iori?" Cid asked. "We haven't exactly seen you in town."

"Well," Iori replied, looking down at the shyguy. "I'm a fighter in a yearly tournament held in Japan."

"No kidding?" Amy said, eyes wide. "You're a fighter?"

"Yes, although I can't stand violence." Iori replied. "But I have a personal rival named Kyo, who is the only one I actually like to fight."

"Interesting." Velma said.

"Yeah." Fred added. "I wouldn't mind going to Japan to see a tournament like that someday."

After about two minutes of walking down several hallways, the gang, Iori included, came to an intersection that went two ways. Fred scratched his chin.

"I think it's best that we split up." Fred suggested.

"Déjà vu." Shaggy said as he rolled his eyes.

"What're the teams THIS time?" Cid asked sarcastically, knowing exactly what Fred was going to say.

"Shaggy, Scooby, Velma, Sandy, Amy and Cid? You guys go down the left route. The rest of us will head down the right." Fred replied.

"AGAIN?!" Amy asked.

"Yes, again!" Fred replied. "Now come on! Let's go!"

"I take it you guys have done this before." Iori said to Daphne.

"You have NO idea." Daphne sighed.

Everyone split up. Shaggy, Scooby, Velma, Cid, Sandy and Amy went down the left hallway as Fred, Daphne, Jack, Linda, Dack, Cindy and Iori traveled down the right path.

No one knew what they would encounter.

To be continued.