Chapter 2: On the Road to Gotham

"So, what're the odds we run into that 'Batman' figure?" Sibella asked from the back of Shaggy's van.

"Like, who knows?" Shaggy replied.

Just then, there was a sound of rustling paper as one of the other girls rummaged through the small pile of brochures they'd picked up at the visitor's center in the nearby township of Bristol.

"Coach, can we visit S.T.A.R Labs?" Elsa asked.

"If we, like, have the time."

"Ooh, this 'Arkham Asylum' place seems positively creepy! I wonder if they'd mind if I-" Phantasma began.

"Like, no way now how! That's where they put all the crazy people!"

"Reah- crazy reople!" Scooby added.

"Like, let's visit someplace that's safer, like the Flugelheim, or some other museum, or the Botanical Gardens!"

"But where else could I get the most bang for my buck in terms of haunting practice?"

"Coach, what's this 'Wayne Foundation' that keeps popping up in the brochures?" Tanis piped up.

Shaggy took a deep breath.

"You know how Sibella's folks are, like, rich?"

Tanis nodded.

"Well, in human society, there're people who're, like, even more rich. And some of them like to start up charities and similar organizations, and one of those rich people is some guy named Bruce Wayne and the Wayne Foundation is, like, his private foundation. Does that make sense?"

"…what's a private foundation?"

"Like, ask Daphne when we get to the hotel."

Wayne Manor- same time as Mystery Inc.'s arrival into Gotham

"I see you're back early, Master Bruce. How did your latest 'business trip' go?" an older man with a British accent asked.

"Legion of Doom had a bit of a roster change since the last time."

" Please, elaborate."

"Scarecrow, Croc, Captain Cold, and Deathstroke were out, while Metallo, Parasite, Killer Frost, and Merlyn were in. But enough about me- how've things been going on the home front, Alfred?"

"In terms of your usual rogues gallery's activities, relatively quiet. In terms of your calendar, however, you have a gala at the museum in three days and another one at the Wayne Foundation in five."

"That doesn't sound too-"

"And you'll be surprised to hear that Nedley and Elizabeth Blake are slated to make an appearance at the second gala."

Bruce rubbed his chin in thought.

"I know that name, but I just can't put my finger on it…"

"I believe the both of you were part of the same graduating class, Master Bruce."

Just then, it all clicked inside Bruce's head.

"Now I know who you're talking about."

Powers Hotel- Old Gotham

"Well, this is a bit more modest than the one we stayed in back in New Orleans." Sibella said as she examined the suite.

"But on the upside, we can actually stay here for a decent length of time." Velma replied.

"Like, enough talk about the room- let's go and, like, see the sights!" Shaggy piped up.

"Reah- ree the rights!" Scooby added.

As if on cue, Sibella, Tanis, and Phantasma were standing in a neat little row right beside the door, with the little mummy now bearing a pair of big pleading eyes.

"Sure, you three can tag along. I mean, what's the worst that could happen?" Shaggy said.

He just had to tempt fate, didn't he? Velma thought.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

Just so we're all on the same page, the layout of Earth-55's version of Gotham City is based off a fan-made map, since I couldn't seem to find a sufficiently detailed official or quasi-official map of the entire city that had the level of detail I needed.

Also, in case you're wondering, Batman (hopefully) won't be hogging the spotlight to the extent that Constantine and Zatanna did in the last two fics.