Old Friends and Forgotten Memories

Disclaimer: As always standard disclaimers apply. Here it goes *clears throat and says in dignified voice* Ahem..... blah blah blah Scooby Doo blah blah blah blah blah blah Hannah Barbara Studies. Blah blah. Blah blah. Blah blah blah blah belongs to me there.

(If you're really desperate for a disclaimer, see the first chapter of this story then a psychiatrist). That's it... please don't sue me! I'm to young to die... or at least go broke, so there! *sticks tongue out at lawyers who all cautiously back away grumbling*

You'd think they could find something better to do. Like read my fic. Now that that's all been settled go ahead and do so, then tell me what ya think. Later! ;)
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To dream the impossible dream,
To fight the unbeatable foe,
To bear with unbearable sorrow,
To run were the brave dare not go,
To right the unrightable wrong,
To try when your arms are too weary,
To reach the unreachable star,
This is my quest,
To follow that star,
No matter how hopeless,
No matter how far,
To fight for the right without question or pause,
To be willing to march into hell for the heavenly ghost...
And the World will be better for this,
That one man scorned and covered with scars,
Still strolled with his last once of courage,
To reach the unreachable star!
- The Impossible Dream Man of La Mancha Richard Kiley

Chapter 2: Reunion of a Different Sort

They ran through the bounds of night to come out in a deep emerald forest. Where are we? Velma stated but a quick glance at Sydney prevented her from saying any more.

Sydney was waving frantically for them to get out of the clearing and into the safety of a giant oak tree. Once they were all under she whispered in a barely audible voice, You all must stay as quiet as possible.

But why? Scrappy asked loudly before Scooby and Shaggy clapped their hands over his mouth to shush him up. Sydney winced and carefully looked around praying they weren't being watched.

The others just glared at Scrappy who looked at them all with defiance, seemingly ignoring their silent mutters of annoying bratty pups who couldn't keep their mouths shut. Sydney sighed inwardly before continuing.

We are in the Convallis of Dirutus Somnios atque Promissum Wait a minute, Fred interrupted. That's Latin! It means... He struggled to remember for a minute the Valley of Broken Dreams and Promises. And those other words, the ones you called Mr. Van Ghoul's castle, they meant the Castle of Wars and Peace.

Sydney nodded gravely but a small smile was playing on her lips. Didn't think you'd notice actually. Fred straightened a bit and was met with a few snorts. Actually, there is a lot of truth to names. This realm indeed comes from within the sorrows of the human heart and spirit. Everyone felt their stomach drop at this point.

Like... you don't mean..., Shaggy stuttered and gulped. Scooby just whined and put his paws over his head. Velma was white under her freckles and Daphne looked like she was about to faint.

Fred looked very shaken up indeed along with Flim Flam who inched over to Daphne to make sure she was alright. For some reason this bit of news didn't bother him.

The fact that they were currently stuck in hell seemed to affect him the least, unlike Scrappy Doo who rushed under his Uncle Scooby for protection and looked like he was going to lose control of his bladder any second.

Guys this isn't funny, he whined. We have to get back before... and he started listing off bad things that could happen which only managed to shake up Shaggy and Scooby even further.

Thankfully he had only gotten to he third or fourth one when he scared himself into silence. Indeed it looked as though he would never speak again (we can dream right?).

Sydney watched them take the news all in stride. No longer the scared little girl she was before, her gaze no longer feigned innocence. She thought long and hard once more considering if she had made the right decision to bring them here.

They can do it, I know they can . She thought to herself fiercely. They are the only ones who can help, they are the only ones who can save him now. Just as the prophecy said!

Alright, we have stayed here long enough, she whispered, it's a 3 day journey to the other side... let us hope we aren't found out before then.

With that she silently got up and walked over to a near by bush and disappeared through it. The others quickly followed, definitely not wanting to get stuck behind... they had made far to many enemies for a warm welcome into this land.
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By the end of about 3 miles the gang was already wearing down. Like I'm exhausted. Shaggy gasped. What we need is a quick lunch break. Yeah yeah. Scooby instantly agreed and started looking around for a place to rest.

I don't know... Sydney replied, she really didn't like this part of the forest, something wasn't quite right here. Please my feet are killing me, Daphne added here complaints as well.

Come on what's the harm? Flim Flam asked getting out the provisions and rashings they had brought along for the trip. Sydney hesitated for just a moment longer before nodding her head in compliance and settling down.

They had just gotten comfortable and she had just started on her sandwich when she noticed something odd. The forest had gone completely silent.

Oh there was never exactly wildlife there before; in the distance they had heard wolves howl and in the sky they had seen what looked to be crows with glowing green eyes flying above them, always watching.

She knew they were spies but really didn't want to upset they guys so soon; they would be facing much worse in the days to come. But right now she was starting to get a feeling... a leaf feel in front of her vision and something seemed to cut straight through it.

She lurched to her feet. Get packed up right now, she ordered in as even tones as she could manage; although the sense of wrongness was growing in her mind.

They looked confused and slightly worried. But why... Do as I say! she snapped as she suddenly heard a soft whistle come her way. She jumped and rolled onto the ground a dagger appearing in one hand.

Then she heard more of those warning shrills and knew they were in deep trouble. Suddenly all of the gang felt something like an invisible vine wrap tight around their wrists and ankles.

In the next second they had been lifted 10 feet into the air; all except Sydney who was currently dodging the unseen forces with new found speed and agility. Yet all the skills she had were not enough and she knew that she would not last long alone.

Instead she tried a different approach... She heard evil cackles coming from somewhere; it seemed as though from all around. Show yourself demon, she hissed while turning around frantically, the panic that was rising in her now apparent through her every movement.
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Fred saw that something had to be done quickly so he tried to yank on his invisible bonds... and cursed when he felt them cut into his skin and blood trickle down his arm. The edges of what held them were razor sharp and he was lucky he hadn't caught a vein. He called a warning to the others and then concentrated on the girl at his feet.
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As Sydney watched on in horror the trees around them started to mold and change. She nearly lost her wits when she saw them each turn into 6 foot tall goblins, each with strings attached to their fingers that connected to the gang like puppets.

Well, well, well what have we here? one of them started as if he was so clever. Let us go right now or I'll... I'll... Scrappy faltered as a look of fear came into his eyes realizing he was the one who was trapped. This wasn't supposed to happen!

But now that their attention was fully on their captives, it was just what Sydney had been waiting for. She took a giant leap and jammed the dagger into the leader's third eye.

This made them falter for only a second... but a second was all they needed.

The dropped to the ground and ran. Scooby and Shaggy in one direction, Velma in another, and Fred and Daphne in another still. Flim Flam and Scrappy made for the last opening as Sydney shot back into the air for another attack.

But the effort was futile and wasted because obviously it was not her they were worried about and she watched with dread as the goblins themselves split up in groups of 2 and chase after their prey.

It had been a trick then! A trap to get the to split up. There was nothing she could do now except travel on and hope that they would meet again on the other side of the river.

She felt hot tears as she sheathed her dagger. She had thought she could protect them and with a heavy heart she turned west and ran towards the face of the sun and moon( the sky was split in half; night and day).
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Flim Flam and Scrappy felt their hearts race as they ran through the dense foliage and growth. They finally slowed and panted, feeling as though they had been running for miles. I... th...think...we...l...lost the...them. Flim Flam said as he fell to his knees gasping for air.

Then he heard Scrappy yelp and looked up. He let out a scream that was cut short by the force of the goblin's backhanded slap. Darkness consumed him.
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Fred and Daphne watched from a top their hiding place, a tree, as their pursuers passed them by and continued running. They crouched where they were, holding each other tight; breathing hard and scrapped but alive.

Suddenly, however, they heard the most terrifying sound that chilled the marrow in their bones and made Daphne wish that she could die. As Flim Flam shrieks filled the air the breathe caught in her throat. Flim Flam, Daphne's cracked whisper filled the air as she shot out of the tree and made for the direction from whence they came.

All traces of fear and doubt left her mind, leaving only the protectiveness of a mother and a friend. She hadn't gone two paces though before Fred tackled her to the ground as pushed his weight atop of her making her unable to move.

He quickly clapped his hand over her mouth before she could yell. She frantically clawed at him, punched his lower jaw, tried to kick and bite him... anything to make him get off of her. But no such luck.

Fred's jaw was set as he took every abusive blow the woman through at him. He tried desperately to reason with her. Listen to me, he whispered fiercely, digging his hands into her shoulders even further as she tried to wretch away. LISTEN! There is nothing you can do right now, do you hear me? There is nothing you can do!

Apparently she didn't as she continued to ignore him and struggle under his firm grip. He knew he wouldn't be able to hold her against her will for long so he tried a different approach, a desperate approach.

If you go back there right now they will probably kill you and Flim Flam both! They only need one. There will be another chance. We will get him back!

Upon hearing his last words she stopped moving about and held perfectly still seeming to consider his words while he prayed. Fine let me up.

He of course hesitated in doing so. She let out an impatient sigh, I promise I won't run away. He nodded and let her up watching her every move closely.

She seemed different somehow from the angry wrinkles in her face to her determined posture. Had she finally snapped? Daphne however was deep in thought.

Two speculations registered in her mind: 1) That it was Vincent and Sydney's fault this had happened and 2) that they had to get him free, Scrappy too of course, but that was more of an after thought.

If anything happens to him they will pay, she thought fiercely before trudging off towards the destination that was clearly etched into her mind.
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End of Chapter 2

Author's Note: So what did ya think? Loved it? Hated it? Think I should try to find a new career before I lose what's left of my prime? Sorry if the characters were a little out of ...er... character. I promise to do better next time I just needed them to be a bit more like real people in order for this scene to work. Thank you everyone for all your wonderful reviews! Let's get some more for this chapter... I'll say 3 to 5 before I post the next. Always open to new ideas too! Just tell me all about it! Thanks again! ;)