Along a long country road in England a green and blue van rumbled along the hard-packed dirt, careful to avoid any potholes. The air was crisp outside but for the occupants of the van they were nice and warm, the heater of the reliable old Mystery Machine ensuring the English fall didn't chill them.
"So, like, explain to us again how your cousin the lawyer is now a duke!" Shaggy said, leaning over the seat to be able to better see Fred, who was at the wheel.
"He's not a duke," Velma said before Fred could speak. "He's an earl."
"There is a difference?" Shaggy asked.
"Yes Shaggy," Velma said. "An earl has a higher standing than a duke."
"Didn't you look over the letter?" Daphne asked.
"Man, the only lord I care about is the Earl of Sandwich!"
"Ra, the Rurl of Randrich!" Scooby declared before snickering.
Fred smiled as he turned off the road they'd been going along, a sign reading DOWNTON VILLAGE- 5 KMs posted at the intersection. "Well, Matthew's father was related to the current Earl of Grantham. And when the earl's cousin, who was his heir, perished when the Titantic sank, Matthew became his closest male relative."
Daphne frowned at that. "So he has closer female relatives?"
"Three daughters."
The red head huffed at that. "I don't see why they couldn't be the heir."
"That's what Matthew thinks as well, and I wager the rest of the family too," Fred stated. "But apparently all the money is tied up to the title."
Velma nodded. "If Lord Grantham tried to break off the entail it would leave Matthew with nothing but the title. He wouldn't be able to maintain the house and would be forced to sell things off."
"And Lord Grantham wouldn't want that," Fred added.
"So if these guys are rich that means they have a fully stocked kitchen, right?" Shaggy asked. "Because I am in the mood to make a triple decker roast beef sandwich with olive dressing!"
"We are going to be visiting a fine English estate and all you can think about is sandwiches?" Velma asked in annoyance.
"No," Shaggy commented with a grin. "I can also think about pizzas and hot dogs-"
"Ra, Rot Rogs!"
"You're a hot dog already," Velma teased, the gang laughing as Scooby titled his head, imagining himself wearing a bun.
"It sure was nice of Matthew to invite us, Fred ," Daphne said as the Mystery Machine began down a small hill, the village of Downton visible at last. And just beyond it, sitting on a gentle rise, was Downton Abby itself. "Wow, would you look at that place! Its huge!"
"It is," Fred said. "Matthew said sometimes he feels like he's going to get lost walking around that place."
"Uh, Fred?" Shaggy said, suddenly nervous. "Listen, there aren't any, er, ghosts that live in that castle, right?"
"Its not a castle, Shaggy, it's a manor home," Fred stated. "And no, there aren't any ghosts."
"I hope so," Shaggy muttered, "because that looks like the kind of place a ghost would like to stay!"
~MC~MC~MC~
"Ah, Fred, you made perfect time," Matthew Crawley said with a smile as his cousin got out of the Mystery Machine, which had stopped in front of Crawley House. "I was worried with the weather we had the last few days that the roads would be a bother."
"No problem at all!" Fred said with a grin as the rest of the gang got out of the Mystery Machine. "This old girl can handle any terrain." He smiled as he spotted Matthew's mother. "Isobel!"
"Fred," the older woman said as she gave him a hug, "it is good to see you again. And these must be your friends… it is so good of you all to come. It will be nice to have our numbers bolstered."
"Mother…" Matthew warned.
"What do you mean?" Daphne asked, confused.
Matthew sighed. "Well, while some of the family up at the Abbey have been welcoming to us there are several who have been rather put off by me being named the heir."
"That is putting it lightly," Isobel said with a huff. "They act like we are robber barons coming to steal all their gems."
"Is a robber baron lower or higher than a duke?" Shaggy asked, scratching his chin.
Matthew chuckled. "I think they might prefer a robber baron over me, honestly. They have a title, after all!" His smile fell into a rueful grin. "I shouldn't tease them though… this has shaken them up greatly and they are trying."
Isobel looked as if she wanted to say more but instead turned to the teens. "Now then, we've all been invited to dinner, which will be at 7. Molesley has prepared some finger food to tide us over-"
"Finger food?" Shaggy said, sticking out his tongue. "I heard the English didn't have the greatest grub…"
"That refers to little sandwiches and such," Matthew said.
"Well why didn't ya say so! Come on Scoob!" With that Shaggy and Scooby darted away, leaving Matthew, his mother, and the rest of Mystery Inc shaking their heads.
"Those two," Velma said. "If you put out a plate of cookies in the middle of an active volcano they would figure out a way to get to it!"
~MC~MC~MC~
"My lord," Carson said as he entered the sitting room that the Crawleys always used before dinner started, "Mr. Crawley, his mother, and their guests have arrived."
Robert smiled at that; he was interested to meet Matthew's American cousin and his friends. "Show them in, Carson."
The butler though paused. "If… that is what you desire, my lord."
"Well, that was unusual," Cora said as Carson walked out.
"I get the sense that Carson doesn't approve of Matthew's cousin or his friends."
"And why should he?" Mary asked. "They are Americans, after all. Having them here is like inviting a bear to tea… it won't end well."
"Why are you always so quick to forget we are half American ourselves?" Edith asked.
Mary, for her part, merely scoffed. "Maybe you but papa's superior lineage won out with me."
Cora merely raised an eyebrow at that. "I'll remember that the next time you wish to go to Ripton."
"Oh mama, no need for hurt feelings," Mary said dismissively.
"It is quite easy to say that when you are the one hurting the feelings," Edith stated.
"Girls, enough," Robert said firmly. "Fredward is Matthew's cousin and we want to make a good impression upon them."
"I don't see why… its not like we will ever see them again after they leave," Mary said coolly.
Sybil though spoke up. "You don't know that… Matthew might want to invite them again."
"All the more reason he should be gone as well…" Mary muttered.
Violet though chose that moment to speak up, "Now now, Mary… for all your talk of lacking any American instincts you are showcasing their boorishness rather well." Mary's eyes widened at that insult but before she could say anything Violet turned to Robert. "What do we know of this Fredward Jones and his friends?"
"They are detectives from America, mama," Robert stated. "According to Matthew they travel about helping the police catch criminals."
"Hmmm… so at least they have some cunning in them. That's better than nothing I suppose. Still, not the most dignified way one can spend their time."
"Not everyone can be lord of a manor," Cora pointed out.
"Well, I would say so!" Violet said. "Could you imagine every coal sweep and boot black having an estate like Downton?"
"Tell me," Edith said as she leaned towards her sister, "are you upset that they are Americans… or that they might see through your disguise and know how black your soul truly is?"
Mary merely kept looking forward. "You are projecting Edith… most likely because you know that none of Matthew's friends will desire to spend a moment alone with you. Much like every other man in England."
"Mr. Fredward Jones," Carson said, Fred entering with a smile. He was glad that Matthew had recommended they all buy evening wear, lending the gang the money to do so while in London, as otherwise he would have felt very much underdressed if he had come in his normal clothing. As such he walked into the sitting room with Matthew, smiling politely before waiting for the rest of his friends to be introduced. "Miss Daphne Blake."
Mary at once pressed her lips together in a firm line as the stunning red hair entered, wearing an elegant purple dress that did much to bring out the color of her eyes and her fiery hair.
"Miss Velma Dinkley," Carson stated as a woman with short hair and glasses entered. While not as attractive as Daphne the woman, wearing a deep orange dress, held herself with utter confidence.
"Dinkley," Violet murmured to herself. "I believe I knew a Lord Dinkley once… I wonder if there is a connection."
"Mr. Norville Rogers," Carson stated as a rather tall and lanky young man ambled in with a lazy gait. Carson moved to leave the door only for someone to clear their throat. "And…" Carson struggled for a moment, "Mr. Scoobert… Doo."
Scooby walked in, wearing a tuxedo jacket and dress shirt, looking about with a large smile on his face.
"…what?" Mary said, utterly stunned that the gang had brought their DOG with them.
Robert, however, quickly moved past any surprise and moved to greet the group. "It is good to meet you all," he said, shaking Fred's hand.
"And we appreciate the invitation to dinner, your Lordship," Fred stated with a grin. "Lady Grantham…"
"Well, they aren't burning the place down," Edith commented.
"They can't expect the DOG to eat with us… can they?" Mary said, horrified.
"Oh, its not that bad," Violet said, having gotten up to great the new arrivals, Matthew making introductions. "I have eaten with lords who were far more messy than any canine." She chuckled at that and walked over to Shaggy. "Mr. Rogers, so kind of you to come."
"Like, thanks for havin' us!" Shaggy said with a smile.
"Now now," Edith taunted, "you must be polite… wouldn't want to seem American, would you?" She waved over Scooby. "It is good to meet you, Scoobert. This is my sister, Lady Mary Crawley."
"Rice ro reet rou, Rady Rary!" Scooby declared.
"…charmed."
~MC~MC~MC~
"And his lordship didn't mind?" Mrs. Hughes asked.
"No, he did not, though I don't know how he has managed to keep his sense of decorum!" Mr. Carson exclaimed. He had left Thomas and William to manage the family while he went down to check on dinner, knowing it had to be getting close. But he'd been sidetracked by Mrs. Hughes who wished to know more about Matthew's cousin and his friends. "Think of it, Mrs. Hughes… a dog eating dinner with his Lordship! This is a come down… a dreadful comedown."
"I think it would be for his lordship to decide that and not you," Mrs. Hughes told him, causing the butler to press his lips together and set his jaw.
"I do not judge his lordship and his choices but I can believe that a mistake has been made. It is bad enough that Americans will be tainting the dining room of Downton Abbey…" he rung his hands together. "Oh, we most assuredly will need to replace the chairs!"
"It can't be all that bad, Mr. Carson," Mrs. Hughes stated.
"It very much is," he declared. "And someone must see to it that these stains upon Downton's honor are removed sooner rather than later!" With that the butler stormed off, leaving Mrs. Hughes watching in befuddlement.
"I take it Mr. Carson isn't pleased with the new arrivals?" Mr. Bates asked, limping over.
"You would think his lordship had invited the Huns to dine with him!" Mrs. Hughes said, exasperated, causing Mr. Bates to chuckle.
"Well, I'm sure we will manage." He paused. "I suppose now wouldn't be a good time to talk to him."
"No… even if he weren't in a mood Mrs. Patmore is about ready to start dinner and he'll need to ring the gong. Why, whatever is the matter?"
"Nothing serious. The groom just stated that someone forgot to unsaddle Diamond, Lady Mary's horse. Mr. Carson will need to look into that."
"Yes, Lady Mary won't be happy with that… I will talk to him when he's calmed down."
Mr. Bates nodded at that and limped away.
~MC~MC~MC~
"And the ride over wasn't that much trouble?" Robert asked Daphne, who he had been placed next to.
"Not at all," she assured him.
"Well, other than the Phantom of the Bilge Pump," Velma stated. "But that just turned out to be Old Man Johnson. He wanted to try and get everyone to demand refunds when they got to shore so he could then buy the ship cheap."
Violet frowned as the footman moved into the room with the first course. "I have always found that something bought cheap tends to be not worth what one paid."
Thomas leaned down with the tray only for Shaggy to take the entire thing and set it down in front of him. "Like, thanks man! This will tide me over until you get dinner for us!
"Ra!" Scooby said, snagging William's tray and happily pouring its contents into his mouth before returning it to the befuddled footman. Carson, for his part, looked at William before motioning for him to go get more food from the kitchen for the family and the rest of the guests.
"So Matthew," Fred said, "have you had a chance to learn more about your new home? I imagine Lord Grantham has all sorts of stories to tell."
"Unfortunately no," Matthew admitted. "Getting set up in the practice I have joined has taken up more time than I originally thought… but I am sure that I will have time soon."
Robert nodded. "Yes… it is important you learn all about Downton Abbey. As earl you will be carrying on its legacy, of course."
"The good and the bad," Mary commented.
"Bad?" Violet asked. "And what, pray tell, is so bad about our family, Mary?"
"Every family has its darkness, granny," Mary said, though her sharp gaze at Matthew made it clear just what she was thinking about when she said those words… or rather WHO.
"Mary's right," Sybil said. "We can't pretend otherwise. Even we have seen tragedy under our roof in the form of Mr. Pamuk."
"Mr. Pamuk?" Daphne asked as Thomas and William returns with more trays, careful to avoid Scooby and Shaggy. "Who is that?"
Robert sighed. "A Turkish diplomat. He died during a visit here… though hopefully tonight will be the last we hear about him."
"Indeed," Cora said before turning to Isobel. "How is the hospital-"
But Mary chimed in, cutting her mother off. "And there is the Rotting Rider."
"The… Rotting Rider?" Shaggy said nervously. "Like, that doesn't sound like someone I'd like ta meet!"
Edith shot her sister a look. "I don't think the Rotting Rider is someone that we should be discussing at dinner."
"Of course," Mary said with a wave of her hand. "I forgot that you were always frightened by that tale."
"I was not!" Edith complained.
"Girls!" Cora said firmly. "You are not behaving properly in front of our guests. If you can not show proper edict you can both go to your rooms."
Mary stood up at once. "Of course, mama… how dare I be rude in front of the dog."
"Rits rokay," Scooby declared with a grin. "Ri rorgive rou!"
Mary rolled her eyes at that and stormed off, Edith following right behind.
"I am sorry about that, Fredward," Robert stated.
"It's quite alright."
Matthew frowned. "Though, if I might ask… who or what is the Rotting Rider?"
"Just an old wive's tale," Robert stated.
"It is more than that, Robert!" Violet scolded him before looking at the teens. "According to Crawley legend the Rotting Rider was a stablehand who lived during the time of the 3rd Earl. The Earl's eldest son was a horrid child who grew into a horrid man, showing no respect for the people of Downton. One day, when the young man was out riding, his horse struck a young boy and dazed him badly. When he was brought before his father he falsely blamed the stable hand, getting him sacked… and the stable hand took his own life out of shame."
"I really don't think-" Cora began but Violet wouldn't let her finish.
"One year later on the anniversary of his death his ghost appeared along the main road of Downton, riding upon a dark steed."
"A… a… a g-g-g-ghost?" Shaggy stammered.
"Indeed," Violet confirmed. "The Rotting Rider had risen from his grave, determined to hunt down the man that wronged him. He chased down the Earl's son and sliced him with his sword, cleaving him in half. And before he galloped away he warned the young man's brother , the new heir, that he would do the same to any heir unworthy to be the Earl of Grantham."
"Of course," Robert said as Carson moved to gather up the plates so they could do the next course, "that is just a-"
"RIKES!" Scooby exclaimed, leaping from his chair when Carson's arm darted out beside him. He landed in Thomas' outstretched arms, the footman glowering at him before dropping the dog onto the ground.
~MC~MC~MC~
"Well, I'll tell you one thing!" Mrs. Patmore declared several hours later. "I am glad that they won't be staying with us for long! Those Americans can pack away the food! A cook is proud that her food is enjoyed but there is always a limit!"
"It can't be that bad," Anna said, having taken a seat on a bar stool at the counter where Mrs. Patmore made all her meals.
"You were busy with Lady Mary," Thomas said, leaning in the doorway. "You didn't see how often William and I had to come down here for more trays. Blimey, I think that man Norville has a bottomless hole in his belly!"
"Now now," Mrs. Hughes said, "we should be polite about it. Like Mrs. Patmore said they clearly did enjoy her food." She looked at Anna. "Do we need to take a plate up to Lady Mary and Lady Edith? They hardly got anything."
"Gwen is taking a sandwich to Lady Edith. Lady Mary said she wasn't hungry and we could give her food to the dog."
"He probably already ate it," Thomas said.
"Hopefully they-" Mrs. Patmore stopped as she looked in the bread box she had been opening, only to find it completely empty. "Now where ever did that loaf go?"
"Sorry ma'am!" Shaggy said, the servants turning to see Shaggy and Scooby had somehow, in the span of a few seconds, loaded up the counter with all sorts of meats, cheeses, veggies, and jars of spreads. "Hope you don't mind but Scoob and I wanted to fix something up!"
Thomas just stared at the two of them before turning on his heels. "Sorry, but I am not paid enough for this." With that he marched off.
"Didn't you two get enough at supper?" Anna asked, concerned.
"It was good for supper but we always sleep better with a small midnight snack!"
"And that is 'small'?" Mrs. Hughes asked as Shaggy began to layer ham, thick bacon, and shredded chicken onto the bread.
"Well yeah," Shaggy said. "We're only doin' four layers."
"Rive rif rou rave rured rurkey," Scooby added.
"…I don't know what he is asking for," Mrs. Hughes stated.
"Oh!" Daisy called out, popping her head into the room. "He asked if we had any cured turkey. I think we have some in the larder."
"Would ya mind showin' us?" Shaggy asked.
Daisy looked over at Mrs. Patmore who sighed, waving her hand. "I suppose there isn't any point in trying to hide it! Get going, the lot of you! But Daisy you'll be cleaning up their mess!"
"Ranks ror rowing rus rere ru ro, Raisy!" Scooby said as she led them to the larder.
"Oh, its no problem at all," Daisy assured them only to stop when they heard something clatter out in the small courtyard just outside the servant's entrance. "What… what was that?"
"Uh… the wind?"
The sound grew louder.
"And maybe its trying to carry some stuff with it?" Shaggy ventured. He nervously went to the door, hand shaking as he slowly turned the knob. "Yeah… I bet that's what it is. Just the wind!"
He opened the door to reveal… nothing. Just the dark night sky.
"See?" Shaggy said with a weak smile. "Nothing to-"
From around the corner of one of the small shed-like structures that was in the courtyard a horse slowly trotted into view. It glowed a pale green color, allowing it to stand out against the inky blackness of the fall night. But what truly had the threesome's attention was figure on the horse's back: a sinister being wearing rough spun clothes and with a ghoulish gray face with patches of greenish red muscles poking through the cuts and tears on his cheeks.
"G-g-g-g-ghost!" Shaggy cried out. Him, Daisy, and Scooby all leapt into the air, legs churning rapidly before they made a break for it, hurrying out of the courtyard. Behind them the Rotting Rider charged after them, a high pitch cackle filling the air as its horse pursued them.
The Rotting Rider turn his horse around a corner only to look about, trying to find where the three had gone. He saw some rose bushes, some shrubs, three statues-
The ghost slowly backed up, looking at the statues that looked suspiciously like Shaggy, Daisy, and Scooby. He reached out and grabbing for Shaggy's jacket… only to find it really WAS a statue.
The sound of scrambling feet filled the air as Shaggy, Daisy, and Scooby rushed from the bush they'd been hiding behind.
"Good idea there, Daisy!" Shaggy proclaimed. "He totally bought it!"
"Thank you!" Daisy said only to hear the Rotting Rider let out another laugh. "But we really should hurry."
"RA! RET'S RO!" Scooby cried out as they darted around the front of Downton, spotting Carson letting Isobel, Matthew, and the rest of Mystery INC out. "RACK RINRIDE!" Scooby called out.
"Heavens!" Carson exclaimed just before Shaggy and Scooby grabbed onto him, dragging him back into Downton while their friends, along with Matthew and Isobel, hurried back to the door as well. "Unhand me at once, you mutt!"
"Hey!" Shaggy said, glaring at the butler. "Scoob is a purebred!"
"I wasn't referring to him," Carson said darkly.
"Carson?" Robert said, hurrying out of the dining room while Cora came down the stairs. "Whatever is-"
They all stopped and stared at the sight of the Rotting Rider, his horse rearing up as he pointed at them and cackled before riding off.
"The Rotting Rider!" Daphne said.
"It… it can't be!" Cora said.
"I am afraid it is," Fred said, jaw set. "I think we need to get everyone gathered up, to make sure everyone is all right."
~MC~MC~MC~
"Mama, papa!" Edith said, rushing to her parents on soft quiet steps, hugging them both. "Are you okay?"
Robert let her go while Cora sat back down in the chair she had taken up, O'Brien bringing her a warm drink. "Shaken but otherwise fine. Where are your sisters?"
"Sybil is coming now… Gwen was with her so she is throwing on a robe." Edith pulled her own robe tighter around her body. "As for Mary-"
"I am here," Mary said, though the click-click-click of her footsteps let them know she had come before she'd said a word. "Whatever is going on?"
"We'll discuss it when everyone is here," Robert said firmly. "I wish your grandmother hadn't left early…"
"My lord," Carson said, "would you like me to have Branson go back to get her?"
"No no," Robert said after a moment. "If she made it back to the dowager house then she'll be safe."
"What is wrong with Granny?" Sybil asked, Gwen a step behind her.
"Nothing is wrong with her," Robert stated. "Nothing is wrong with anyone."
"Other than seeing a ghost," Daisy said nervously, having decided to stick next to Shaggy.
"A… a ghost?" Edith whispered.
"Yeah!" Shaggy said. "He was, like, a towering dark rider who glowed!"
"He chased after us!" Daisy added, shivering.
Mary scoffed. "A ghost? Truly. You three are jumping at shadows."
Carson though clearly his throat. "My lady… I do not wish to disagree with you but… I saw the ghost as well."
"Carson… truly?"
"Indeed." The butler swallowed. "We all saw it."
"It was the Rotting Rider," Daphne stated.
"But why would he be here?" Robert proclaimed.
"Papa," Edith said, "doesn't the legend say that the Rotting Rider comes to deal with heirs that aren't… worthy?" She looked at Matthew who pressed his lips together.
"Unless he believes having a profession makes me unworthy I doubt that is why he is here," Matthew finally said.
"Makes you unworthy to some of us…" Mary muttered.
Isobel though shook her head. "Clearly this is something trying to pull a prank of us all. Ghosts don't exist."
Violet scoffed at that. "Ghost sightings are part of our heritage. They are a part of our culture and traditions. Is there truly nothing of our way of lives that you won't stomp on?"
"I am not stomping on this I am merely stating that ghosts aren't real."
"Ghosts are as real as noble blood and class divisions. To deny them is to invite anarchy and chaos into the world."
Fred spoke up before the two women could begin fighting. "I think the only way we can settle this is to look around and see if we can find any traces of the Rotting Rider. I think it's time we split up, gang!"
Matthew stood up. "Fred, if this ghost is truly after me I can't just sit here and let you and your friends risk yourselves. I'll come with you."
"Me and Scoob will escort Daisy back to her room, just to be safe," Shaggy volunteered.
"And I think I'll go check on your chauffer, see if he saw anything," Velma stated.
"You all do that," Mary said with a dismissive wave as she stood up and moved towards the door. "I for one am going back to bed. Perhaps when I wake up again you all will begin behaving rationally."
Edith, for her part, rolled her eyes before heading out herself, while Robert and Cora stated they would keep an eye on things inside Downton while offering to allow Isobel and Matthew rooms to sleep in if they didn't want to try and make the walk back to Crawley House.
As Mystery Inc broke up Sybil darted over to Velma, making sure her family didn't see her doing so. "I'd like to help, if you don't mind."
"I'd appreciate that!" Velma said with a grin. "Come on, let's go."
~MC~MC~MC~
"Thank you for helping me, Fred," Matthew said as the three of them looked about around the servant's courtyard.
"Think nothing of it!" Fred said with a smile. "We'll figure out who this ghost really is and make sure they don't do anything to keep you from becoming earl."
"The sad thing is there are many suspects," he admitted.
"Why would there be?" Daphne asked, confused. "You're such a nice guy…"
"Unfortunately for many in England 'kindness' isn't a factor in seeing if someone is a good lord."
"Well," Daphne said, leaning against a wall as Fred bent down to look at some marks the horse had made, "I think that is silly."
"Look at this!" Fred said and Matthew hurried over to him. "See these marks… I doubt a ghost would leave such distinct hoof prints."
"Yes… but that doesn't tell us who is doing this, does it? What do you think Daphne."
Silence.
"Daphne?"
Matthew and Fred turned to see Daphne was gone.
~MC~MC~MC~
"So it really doesn't matter what you put on the sandwich, so long as there is a lot?" Daisy asked.
"That's always been my motto!" Shaggy declared as they made their way down the darkened hallways. "Now, the next thing ya need to learn is you can never have too many condiments-"
"Uuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhh"
Shaggy chuckled. "Oh, am I makin' ya hungry, Scoob? I know my stomach always growls when I think of one of my mega jaw breaker deluxes."
The dog however frowned. "Rat rasn't re, Raggy!"
"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhh"
"Well, it isn't me," Shaggy said. "What about you, Daisy?"
"Its not me," she admitted.
"What about you, Rotting Rider?" Shaggy said, turning to the ghost corpse. "Is that your stomach growlin'?"
"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhh!"
Shaggy smiled. "Well, that settled that." He turned only to start. "ZOINKS! Rotting Rider!"
He, Daisy, and Scooby ran in place for a moment before darting off, leaving the Rotting Rider to chase after them. The ghoul moaned as it hurried down the hall, arms outstretched as it grasped for them.
"Like in here gang!" Shaggy proclaimed, darting into a room.
After a few moments the Rotting Rider burst in, only to pause when he saw Shaggy standing there dressed as a butler.
"Well, someone is fashionably late," he declared in a snooty tone. "And whatever are you wearing?"
"uhhhhh?" The Rotting Rider said, looking down at their outfit.
"That is horribly out of date. You dare wear such things when dining with Lord and Lady Scoobington?"
Daisy, dressed like the Dowager, frowned. "I say," she said in a posh accent, "that is rather vulgar, is it not?"
"Ra'll ray!" Scooby said, adjusting his monocle.
Shaggy tssked and pushed the Rotting Rider out of the room. "Now then, why don't you change before you embarrass yourself further." He shut the door on the Rider only for the ghost to burst back in a moment later, the three quickly hurrying away.
~MC~MC~MC~
"Sorry, but I didn't see anything when I returned to the garage," Branson stated.
"Nothing at all?" Velma stated.
"No."
"And I don't suppose you were… distracted?" She glanced over at Sybil, who was poking about Branson's work bench, before looking back at him; the chauffeur had gotten glassy-eyed when looking at Sybil only to shake his head.
"No, I did not," he said quickly, moving to grab a rag so he could give the car one final wipe down only to frown. "What is this?" he said, lifting up his hands to reveal that they were glowing green.
Sybil quickly hurried over. "Tom?"
"JInkies!" Velma proclaimed. "Look at this… glowing powder!"
"How did this get here?"
"That is the question…" Velma said, rubbing her chin only for the rest of her friends, Matthew, and Daisy to all come bursting into the room. "What happened?"
"Daphne found a secret passage by the servant's courtyard!" Fred said.
Daphne nodded. "It led from the courtyard up to the second story of Downton."
"That's where my family sleeps!" Sybil said with a shiver.
"The Rotting Rider almost got us, man!" Shaggy said. "We barely got out of there with our lives."
"Hmmm…" Velma said in thought. "Guys, I think I know the answer to this mystery… we just need to set a trap to catch that ghost!"
~MC~MC~MC~
"Ready guys?" Fred said, holding onto the rope.
"Ready," everyone called out, all in their positions. They were waiting just in front of Downton's main door, everyone but Matthew tucked away.
"Okay Matthew… go!" Fred called out.
"Oh look at me… just a middle class lawyer who doesn't know what he's doing," Matthew is in a rather stilted and put upon tone. "Why, I might just put my elbows up on the table-"
The Rotting Rider galloped into view, cackling as he raced towards Matthew… only for Fred to put on the rope, the other end which was tied around Matthew yanking him clear. The Rider continued, confused, just in time for Daphne and Daisy to throw bags of flour at him.
"Now Shaggy!" Fred called out.
"On it, man!" Shaggy said, moving to use the hose on the Rotting Rider to blast him off his horse while he was blinded by the flour. But when Scooby turned the water on the hose lifted Shaggy into the air, sending him flying about. "ZOINKS! Get me down from here!"
"Ri'll rave rou Raggy!" Scooby said, racing forward only to get tripped up on the hose, flying through the air himself and landing on the Rotting Rider's horse. The ghost growled at him and Scooby gulped, trying to scramble away but that caused the Rider's horse to buck, sending both of them flying. Branson managed to catch Scooby while the Rider went soaring through the air before finally landing in a thick bush, utterly tangled up.
~MC~MC~MC~
"My word!" Robert declared as he saw the Rotting Rider trapped in the bush. "You captured the ghost!"
"It isn't a ghost," Velma said. "After we found that secret passage, the glow in the dark powder, and learned that Diamond had been left with her saddle earlier today it was clear that the Rotting Rider was really-" Velma pulled on the ghoul's mask.
"LADY MARY CRAWLEY!" Everyone said at once.
"Would someone please get me out of this bush?" she complained.
"But why?" Isobel asked.
"She hoped to scare Matthew off. If he renounced his claim to Downton then she could become the heir."
"And I would have gotten away with it to if it weren't for you meddling kids!" Mary declared stubbornly.
"Well Mary, we are going to have a very stern talk with you," Robert said. "And… I suppose… nothing else will happen. But it will be a stern talking to."
"Are you okay, Matthew?" Fred asked.
"Quite fine," he assured his cousin. "Though I admit… seeing Cousin Mary go through all this trouble… I never thought she had such dedication. A man could become smitten with a woman like that."
"Think again, Cousin Matthew," Mary said. "I have found myself attracted to someone else." She turned her gaze… towards Scooby. "After all, I could never care for a man everyone expected me to be with and no one expects me to be with him."
"Ru roh!" Scooby said as everyone began to laugh.
