Zoiks!, looks like trouble ahead for the gang in:


#75: Scooby Rocket Doo (Part 2)

Several hours into the night, the Mystery Machine chugs along happily down a dark, narrow dirt road in the middle of the countryside.

Velma, reading a newspaper, eventually finds something that catches her attention and makes an announcement to all passengers of the van.

"Jinkies! It says here in this article that this region has apparently fallen victim to a chain of unfortunate events during the past month," Velma says as she reads on.

"Huh? What sort of unfortunate events?" Serena asks, looking up from her phone.

"Let's see...it says that people have been reporting mysterious incidents around these woods. Such incidents include kidnappings, supernatural phenomenon, and people claiming to have been possessed by evil forces of the unknown," Velma continues.

"Sounds like the setting of a mystery novel I read a while back…" Cassidy comments.

"So you mean to say that we are currently in the general location where we could potentially be in harm's way? Sounds farfetched," Paul says doubtingly.

"Huh?! How do you figure?" Velma questions.

"Think about it, we are two groups of talented young teens who can kick ass and get things done if necessary. If anyone or anything were to approach us, I'm sure we could take care of it ourselves," Paul explains.

"Like, I'm glad you feel confident about that man...this area is giving me the creeps," Shaggy responds with a gulp of apprehension.

"They both have a point, we need to find a place to stop for the night. No telling how deep this countryside goes," Fred responds.

"But where would we stop? I doubt there is any sort of motel or inn we could find in the middle of nowhere," Daphne comments. "Do you think the Mystery Machine would be enough for all of us to camp out in?"

Alolan Meowth shakes his head. "No way! I don't want to stay in this van all night like this. I would rather have a nice cozy place to eat and sleep!" he protests.

"It's seems like we are all divided on whether to camp here or find respite at a motel. How are we going to figure this one out?" Cassidy asks everyone.

As if on cue, their van grinds to a sudden halt.

"Don't look now gang, but we're out of gas. Guess it looks like we are camping in the van for the night!" Fred announces.

"Ruh-oh! Rats not good!" Scooby pipes up. "We ran't!"

"Yeah, I'm with the talking dog, no way I'm going to accept sleeping all cramped up in here with everyone. I've got a solution to this!" Butch pipes up.

"Oh? What do you propose?" Serena asks curiously.

"Heh, you're just in luck, as I brought a spare container of gasoline with me!" Butch announces, whipping out a large gas can from out of nowhere.

Everyone gives Butch a 'wtf' stare as he quickly hops off the van and starts filling up the gas tank.

"...You know, I don't know what's more impressive...the fact our van can go for miles before needing to refuel, or that our team member can suddenly pull out situational items from hammerspace…" Cassidy comments, an eyebrow raised in intrigue.

"I blame the writer of this fic for such shenanigans," Velma comments thoughtfully.

"Lady, you have no idea…" Alolan Meowth quips in response, facepalming all the while.

Once the tank was full, Butch tosses away the gas can and hops back onto the van. Fred starts the engine and proceeds to drive down the road once more.

"See? I saved us all from potential danger and doom! Now we can continue to search for a place to board!" Butch says proudly.

A few minutes later around a bend in the road…

BLAM!

...the van drives over a nail, causing a flat tire. Fred stops the van and turns toward the others.

"Well, we got a flat. Guess we must sleep in the van now!" Fred announces.

"What?! We can't do that! Seriously, is this vehicle cursed or something? No way I'm letting a flat tire stop our search," Butch proclaims.

"Like, what do you suggest on doing now?" Shaggy asks.

"Never fear, folks, as I brought a spare tire!" Butch says, pulling out a perfectly-sized replacement tire out of nowhere once again.

Everyone else gave each one another a look of confusion as to how this was even possible, all the while Butch was already outside changing out the flat tire for the new one.

"How...oddly convenient…" Serena says, still trying to figure out how and where her teammate was concealing these items.

"Never knew Butch to be so…resourceful… I'm quite impressed actually…" Cassidy comments.

With the new tire installed, Butch hops back onto the van, and Fred drives forward once more.

To their surprise, the team could make out a small motel just up the road about a mile ahead of them.

"Look, a place we can stay!" Daphne points out.

"You know, for all the work I put into keeping this van in tip-top shape, we could probably just beeline it to the ocean at this rate and arrive by early morning. I say we keep on driving!" Butch voices his opinion.

"Actually, I've got a better idea," Fred says with a devious smile.

"Fred...what are you planning?" Velma asks out of unease.

Out of the blue, Fred sharply spins the steering wheel, causing the van to swerve off the road.

Everyone shrieks in response…

CRASSSSHHHHHH!

HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNKKKKKKKK!

...as they crash right into a large tree, the van's horn blaring loudly due to the head-on collision.

In its aftermath, everyone inside was now haphazardly piled at the front end of the van. They groan as they all give Fred a piercing glare.

"Fred...why did you just crash our van into a tree for no apparent reason?" Velma questions him.

"Oh I had reason. I just wanted to see if Butch could fix something of this magnitude on the fly," Fred responds casually. Butch responds with an exasperated laugh.

In other words: no, he couldn't. At least, not that quickly, that is.

With no other choice but to check out the motel, the whole entourage exits the van and dizzily make their way toward said motel building.


Talk about a crash-course in maneuvering your whereabouts. Please review and stay tuned to the next chapter to find out what happens next!