A/N: And this is where a certain reunion of characters would take place. I'm sure you know with whom, that is, if you saw the cast in the prologue. :)
Scooby-Doo! and the Curse of the 13th Ghost (Rewrite)
Chapter 3: Attack of the 13th Ghost
Meanwhile, Shaggy, Scooby, Googie, Scrappy, Marcie, Daphne, Jay, Damien, Dilla, Moon, Rowena, Willow, Crystal, and Amber were at the front of the gate leading to a sort of spooky house.
"Well, this is it. The last house on the block.", Scrappy spoke up before Scooby started whimpering.
"Boy, you said it. Talk about a kooky crib.", Shaggy agreed.
"Wait. Try looking at the top of the gate.", Marcie urged as she pointed to it before everyone else looked up and saw the top of the gate with words grated onto it.
"'Mr. Gibbles' Genuine Magic Shop-pee.", Shaggy read.
"Uh, actually, it's pronounced 'shop', Shaggy, but you did come close.", Googie corrected.
"Ooh. Magic.", Willow beamed.
"There's nothing to be afraid of, Scoob. It's just more Halloween hogwash.", Shaggy assured as he laughed.
"Oh.", Scooby responded before he laughed a bit as well.
"I wouldn't be so sure about it, guys.", Jay responded before, as if on cue, the gates opened by themselves, allowing the group entrance, before Shaggy and Scooby grew nervous again.
"But, like, shouldn't we have knocked first?", Shaggy asked nervously.
"Yeah. We should've knocked.", Scooby agreed.
"It is pretty odd that the gates would open by themselves like that.", Daphne admitted.
"Yeah. Almost as if we were being expected.", Scrappy added, making Shaggy and Scooby whimper in fear a little.
"Don't worry, you two. We won't let anything happen to you. If anything, they'll have to get past me first.", Googie assured.
Then, the group looked out into the entrance to the Magic Shoppe.
"Wow. Just look at all this magic stuff in there.", Moon grinned.
"It's like a whole emporium tailor-made for magic.", Dilla added.
"Yeah. Like, check out this creepshow convenience store.", Shaggy spoke before he went in first, saw a magic hat on top of a sort of statue of the magician's head, and then put it on.
"Hey, guys. Like, just call me Merlin the mostest magician.", Shaggy spoke to Scooby, who laughed in reply while Googie giggled.
"As funny as it is, I wouldn't recommend playing with it.", Marcie warned.
Then, Scooby turned to see himself in a magic mirror before making faces at himself for fun, that is, until his reflection was still making a face while the real Scooby was laughing it up before the real Scooby noticed his reflection making two more funny poses and then growling with his claws raised, scaring the heck out of Scooby, who then ran in panic while his reflection chuckled before Scooby then ran toward Shaggy and was cradled by him.
"What is it, Scooby?", Googie asked.
"Yeah, what's wrong?", Scrappy asked.
"Magic mirror! Magic Mirror!", Scooby responded while pointing to it.
"Oh, it's just a normal mirror, Scooby.", Daphne assured.
"Magic or not, I don't see what's so scary about it anyway.", Scrappy stated.
"Yeah. If anything, it looks nice. Not to mention expensive.", Jay agreed.
"Like, come off it, Scoob. What are you, afraid of your own shadow?", Shaggy asked.
Then, suddenly, lightning struck before the doors closed, frightening the others, mostly Shaggy and Scooby before a familar voice spoke up.
"Who dares to speak of the shadows on Halloween night?", a voice shouted.
"Wait. That voice.", Googie spoke up first.
"Could it be?", Daphne wondered.
"Wait. Do you guys know where those voices are coming from?", Damien asked.
"Yeah. We go back.", Daphne responded.
"It sounds like...", Scrappy began.
"A wizard has to be really careful with his words, you know.", a different voice added before lightning struck again, briefly revealing both the sources and an apparent owner of the Magic Shoppe next to him before it went dark again.
"Vincent? Flim Flam? Is it really you?", Daphne grinned.
"Of course it's me!", Flim Flam responded as he ran down to meet up with the others with a smile as Vincent and the owner stepped down the stairs next.
"The one and only.", Vincent replied as he and the owner stepped out from the shadows.
"Like, dude, you've grown up.", Shaggy commented.
"Fast.", Scooby added.
"I was long overdue for a growth spurt. Daphne, you're all dressed up as a witch. Shaggy, you totally rock that ghostie hoodie costume.", Flim Flam grinned before Scooby jumped into Flim Flam's arms as he caught the Great Dane.
"Hiya.", Scooby greeted.
"And Scooby-Doo, you haven't changed one bit, vampire costume or not.", Flim Flam grinned as Scooby licked his cheek.
"Well, Flim Flam, we meet again.", Scrappy piped up as he jumped towards Scooby.
"Scrappy, my man! Give me five!", Flim Flam grinned before they high-fived each other.
"Groovy. Are these, like, your other friends?", Crystal asked in wonder.
"Of course they are, and I think this one prefers 'Mr. Van Ghoul'.", Shaggy replied.
"No, 'Vincent' is fine.", Vincent assured.
"Oh. Our bad, Vincent. Like, we're new here.", Shaggy apologized.
"Yeah, new here.", Scooby agreed before turning to see Googie's friends from State University.
"And who are they?", Vincent asked.
"Oh. What's up? I'm Moon Caddy Peréz.", Moon greeted.
"I'm Marcie Fleach.", Marcie greeted.
"The name's Thomas. Jay Thomas.", Jay introduced.
"Hi. My name's Dilla.", Dilla greeted.
"I'm Damien.", Damien responded.
"I'm Rowena Cordon. And this is my little sister, Willow.", Rowena introduced.
"Hi.", Willow waved.
"I see. Well, It's certainly quite a frightening delight to meet you all.", Vincent grinned before the owner lit up the candles with but a wave of his hand.
"Always delighted to meet new customers. Always, always. Welcome to Mr. Gibbles' where the magic is real at prices that are unreal.", Mr. Gibbles greeted.
"Well, uh, that's very nice and all, but I think you got the wrong idea.", Googie responded.
"Yeah. Like, we're not customers. We're consumers.", Shaggy added before he put his hood on as Scooby out on his fake vampire teeth.
"Like, trick or treat.", Shaggy spoke up.
"Trick or treat.", Scooby spoke the same time Shaggy said the phrase.
"Trick or treat, eh?", Mr. Gibbles spoke.
"Well, I think there's really no choice here. We choose 'Trick '.", Vincent spoke up before he and Mr. Gibbles then disappeared in a sudden puff of dust before they popped up behind Shaggy, Scooby, Googie, Scrappy, Daphne, Marcie, Moon, Jay, Dilla, Damien, Rowena, Willow, Crystal, and Amber as Flim Flam started singing at least the first rhyme before Vincent started singing the rest while holding a candlestick with three candles and then making it float in the air before making it brighter just as Winnie the werewolf suddenly popped up and howled at the full moon, attracting the gang's attention before Sibella then appeared in bat form and then changed into her humanoid form.
Flim Flam: 🎵Witches and warlocks
Ghosts and Ghouls
One night a year, they break all the rules🎵
Vincent Van Ghoul: 🎵You never know who's at the door on Halloween night
Spirits from the shadows creeping into the light
Werewolves howl and vampires take a bite🎵
Then, Mr. Gibbles spoke up next before he sang as well as did Flim Flam as the latter moved a dollar bill from Crystal's ear, astonishing her, before then showing Vincent singing next as he spoke while holding his hands over his Crystal Ball, which had black and white dragons inside as Phantasma seemingly emanated from the Crystal Ball before she manifested above at the top of the ceiling while laughing.
"That's scary!", Mr. Gibbles spoke with a grin.
Mr. Gibbles: 🎵Don't you know there's still hope? Take it from me🎵
Flim Flam: 🎵You can have protection for a nominal fee🎵
Vincent Van Ghoul: 🎵Tonight, the dark and light unite
A magical mystery🎵
Then, just as spell books and potions flew off the shelves, literally, Tanis was dragged along with one of the books before Googie caught her and managed to get her unstuck from a book just as Flim Flam then put the floating spell books and potions in a bag before giving it to the trolls and elves. Afterwards, a knight armor suddenly moved up his sword, ready to strike them down as the group cringed in fear, mostly Shaggy and Scooby, before Vincent and Mr. Gibbles used their magic to dispel the armor and reveal none other than Elsa Frankenteen before Mr. Gibbles delivered the big finish.
Mr. Gibbles: 🎵Spell books, potions, they fly off the shelves🎵
Flim Flam: 🎵We offer a discount to trolls and elves🎵
Vincent Van Ghoul: 🎵When danger's at the door on Halloween night, if you master magic, you can put up a fight🎵
Mr. Gibbles: 🎵Face your fears, the power's real
At Gibbles', the price is right🎵
"Wow! The whole Ghoul School is in the Shoppe, too?!", Scrappy spoke in surprise.
"I know. They just came out of nowhere and decided to help us out with something.", Flim Flam responded.
"Ghoul School? Looks like there's a lot we didn't know.", Crystal guessed.
"You took the words right out of my mouth.", Rowena responded.
"Googiiiiiiiieee! Hi.", Tanis greeted with a smile as she ran over to Googie in excitement and got her by the hand before Googie then lifted Tanis up as Willow noticed her and got excited in awe.
"Ooh, it's so good to see you! Did you miss me? Did you miss me?!", Tanis spoke excitedly, making Googie giggle.
"How could I not miss such an adorable little mummy?", Googie responded as she hugged the little mummy.
"Looks like they came right out of the woodwork, huh?", Daphne guessed.
"Believe me when I say, you have no idea.", Flim Flam responded before the whole group heard knocking.
"Huh? Who could that be this time?", Googie wondered just as Tanis let go and gave an "ooph" as she landed on the ground.
"Yeah, I don't think it's coming from the door.", Jay stated.
"He's right. It's coming from over by the window.", Moon agreed as she pointed to where the source was by the window outside.
"Mr. Gibbles! Mr. Van Ghoul, please! Please open up! I need your help!", Fairy Princess Willow panicked as she knocked on the window.
"Galloping ghosts! Fairy Princess Willow.", Mr. Gibbles spoke in surprise as he, Vincent, and Flim Flam were the first to catch sight of her before the rest of the gang noticed.
"F-F-F-F-Fairy Princess?!", Shaggy and Scooby exclaimed in surprise.
"What's wrong?", Daphne asked as she walked over to her while Mr. Gibbles let her in.
"And what are you doing out here this late at night, your highness?", Vincent asked.
"Please, listen. There isn't much time. Asmodeus and Revolta found Mortifer and stole my fairy powers.", Willow spoke in fear.
"Mortifer...?!", Vincent gasped in surprise.
"Asmodeus?!", Mr. Gibbles exclaimed with a gasp.
"Revolta?!", the rest of the gang exclaimed.
"Is she one of the evil monsters you told me about, Googie?", Rowena asked.
"Yeah. And boy, is she evil!", Googie responded.
"Yes, and now they're after the Chest of Demons! You must close the shop before they find me here.", Willow urged as she flew off inside the Shoppe as Mr. Gibbles closed the window.
"Close my Magic Shoppe? On Halloween night? Oh, another one of your pixy pranks.", Mr. Gibbles laughed.
"I don't know. She seems awfully terrified.", Flim Flam stated.
"Flim Flam has a point, Mr. Gibbles. Besides, in our shared history with her pranks, not once was there a prank that demanded that this Shoppe be closed down.", Vincent retorted.
"Vincent's right. This is no prank. Please, you must hurry before it's too late.", Willow urged as she flew toward the clock, opened the lid for it, revealing the inside, and then go inside the clock before closing the door.
"Yes, I know all that. And I assure you, we'll all be ready for them and get Mortifer back..., if I can.", Vincent assured.
However, Scooby and Shaggy has other plans.
"Speaking of 'late', like, don't bother showing us the door. If there's one thing we know, it's how to make an exit.", Shaggy spoke as he and Scooby slowly backed away toward the entrance before Daphne abruptly stopped them.
"All right. Calm down, you two.", Daphne spoke.
"Whatever's going on here, I'm sure we'll all get through this like always.", Googie assured.
"You know, now that you mention it, you never did tell us what was going on.", Winnie stated.
"Oh, yes! I was just getting to that. Listen, I found him. Or rather, he's found me.", Vincent responded.
"What?", Mr. Gibbles puzzled.
"Oh, no.", Scooby spoke in worry.
"You mean...", Daphne began before Vincent finished.
"The 13th and final ghost. But from what we heard, it appears he's brought reinforcements with him and is holding Mortifer hostage. When they arrive here, we must catch him, so we can seal the Chest of Demons forever. The rest of you, hide someplace safe and don't come out until I give the word that all is clear.", Vincent urged.
"Are you sure?", Elsa puzzled.
"Well, you can't argue with him.", Flim Flam responded.
"Not like we have much choice, anyway.", Rowena agreed just before the doors started shaking.
"Escape!", Tanis panicked before she then hid in a nearby vase just as the rest of the Ghoul School hid themselves before the front doors eventually burst open, pushing Shaggy and Scooby back while Vincent and Flim Flam hid in a surprise attack position below the staircase, revealing Asmodeus as he roared and sprouted his wings before then retracting them just as quickly as Revolta, the Grim Creeper, Mortifer, who was now freed from the vines, although still hesitant, and Krudsky, who now has a purple witch's hat along with a purple robe with a red stripe and a red collar with a skull necklace, walked in with Mr. Gibbles looking on in shock as Willow whimpered before Rowena quietly shushed her sister in comfort.
"So, this is the place, eh?", Revolta asked.
"Yup. Mr. Gibbles' Genuine Magic Shoppe. My, Weerd and Bogel weren't kidding. It really is an impressive emporium. Mind if we have a quick look around?", Krudsky asked as Weerd and Bogel folllowed close by.
"See? We're already off to a good start, Bogel. Our luck is finally changing for the better.", Weerd assured before Shaggy and Scooby were shown behind each door.
"Is that Krudsky? What's he doing here?", Googie puzzled with a whisper.
"And more importantly, what are those two ghoulish goons doing here?", Scrappy puzzled.
"And to think we almost forgot about those two.", Daphne commented.
"So, they're the ghosts that caused trouble one time, right?", Moon whispered.
"Yeah. At least that's what I heard from Scrappy.", Googie whispered in reply.
"So, what's the plan?", Moon asked.
"Actually, let's just say it involves the Grimmess Book of Records in case this plan doesn't work out.", Googie assured.
"You sure?", Moon asked before Googie nodded.
"I'm sorry. We were just closing for the night. Uh, perhaps you can come next year?", Mr. Gibbles fibbed.
"We've waited long enough, old man. Keep us waiting any longer and you'll be turned into a toad faster than you can say 'alakazam'.", Revolta threatened quickly, making Mr. Gibbles wince from hearing this.
"You won't get away with this, Asmodeus!", Mortifer shouted.
"That's what you failed to realize. I already have.", Asmodeus smirked before Krudsky spoke up as he then went toward the magic mirror.
"Now, then. Back to business. Mirror, mirror, tall and sleek, show us the items that we seek.", Krudsky chanted before the mirror first showed Vincent and Flim Flam in a surprise position with the Chest of Demons held out by the former below the staircase and then the location of Fairy Princess Willow as she was waiting out the attack.
"Vincent?", Mortifer spoke in surprise before Krudsky spoke.
"Ah. There you are.", Krudsky spoke as he turned around and then fired red lightning bolts at the clock, destroying it and blowing Willow's cover in the process as Willow gasped before Asmodeus roared as he prepared his fireballs and chucked them at the spot underneath the staircase before it then burnt away the sheets, not only blowing Flim Flam and Vincent's cover, but also dirtying them up with a sort of soot from the fireballs.
"Aw, man! Our cover's blown!", Flim Flam groaned.
"Mortifer..., I don't understand! Why would you be with Asmodeus?", Vincent asked before Mortifer only looked away in shame.
"Cheeky little thing. Did you really think you could escape us?", Revolta spoke, earning Willow's scoff.
"Typical witch! Stealing my fairy magic isn't enough? Once you have a little power, all you want is more, more, more!", Willow vented.
"OF COURSE WE DO, YOU FOOL! I'm a witch, Asmodeus is the King of Demons, and Krudsky is a simple power-hungry magician. Comes with a territory. Mortifer is just someone who's tagging along not by his own free will. As for those two, well, as successful as they've proven themselves to be so far, let's just say that the apple fell very far from the tree.", Revolta retorted.
"Hey, you leave us ghosts out of this.", Weerd reacted.
"Regardless, of course you realize that there is no chance of escape.", Revolta discouraged.
"Nope. Nu-Uh. No, siree. No way, no how.", the Grim Creeper added.
"You would do well to obey your master. Oh, and just in case, to prevent any more of your pathetic escape attempts...,", Asmodeus began before he and Krudsky chanted the spell.
"Dominatum triumphus!", Asmodeus and Krudsky chanted, creating a green electrical barrier that then trapped Fairy Princess Willow inside.
"Hope you get comfortable in here, because it's gonna be a long while.", Bogel grinned in a friendly manner.
"No! Anti-villainous desistus!", Mr. Gibbles shouted before firing a blue light at Asmodeus, at least managing to knock him away from Vincent and Flim Flam with Googie running over to them.
"Here, take the chest! It cannot fall to his hands, no matter what happens!", Vincent urged.
"But what about you?", Googie asked.
"I'll try to save Mortifer.", Vincent responded.
"Got it.", Googie understood before she grunted while lifting it up carefully so that no one would see it behind her before Damien helped lift up the chest.
"Easy does it.", Damien spoke as he lifted up the chest by the other side.
"Thanks, Damien.", Googie responded.
"Anytime.", Damien responded.
"So, you wish to play at magic, eh? Well, then, I hope you like carrots.", Asmodeus spoke before then casting a spell of his own.
"Ears of fuzz, tail of cotton, powers of good meet the powers of rotten!", Asmodeus chanted before then firing his fireball at Mr. Gibbles before it struck him, actually turning him into a rabbit.
"Now, then, for the chest.", Asmodeus began before he turned around and then saw only Vincent and Flim Flam are here, not the Chest.
"Huh? Where is it now?", Asmodeus wondered.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. It's obvious. Mr. Gibbles distracted you.", Weerd stated.
"Distracted him? Me?", Mr. Gibbles fibbed.
"He was actually blasting you as an elaborate plan, to sneak the Chest of Demons right under our noses.", Weerd explained.
"Oh. That's a brilliant deduction, Weerd.", Bogel grinned.
"Now, what makes you think I'd do a thing like that? I haven't even heard about the Chest of Demons before tonight.", Mr. Gibbles' asked nervously.
"Oh, no?", Weerd spoke, now revealed to be holding the Chest of Demons, appalling Googie and Damien as they noticed that it was snatched from her hands.
"Hey!", Googie shouted as she then ran towards Weerd and tried to get the Chest but missed as Weerd ducked underneath her while holding the chest as Googie then crashed onto the floor.
"Now, Moon!", Googie shouted.
"Right!", Moon nodded before reading the spell from the Grimness Book of Records, causing a blue wavy light to emerge and take the form of a spirit wolf's head, at least for the front while the rest remained the same as it howled in front of the full moon.
"Oh deepest, darkest night, transform me by midnight's light. And turn me into a wolf tonight!", Moon incanted before the wolf light then hit her, although not actually hitting her so much as coating her in some protective barrier before she grew wolf ears, fangs, brown wolf fur, wolf paws for feet, claws, and a cute wolf nose before she howled just as the barrier became invisible.
"The Grimness Book of Records. So, that's where it was. But how did she know how to use it?", Mortifer spoke as Vincent caught up to him.
"You'd be deathly surprised if I told you.", Vincent responded.
"Aw, man! A werewolf?!", Weerd reacted.
"Huh? Werewolf?!", Bogel added before he stammered and then screamed as he ran off.
"Come on, Bogel! She can't even touch you!", Weerd sighed in frustration.
"If I were you, I'd suggest you follow his lead and run.", Moon warned.
"Under normal circumstances, I'd disagree with you, but not this time, especially since I'm running with the Chest of Demons, baby!", Weerd retorted as he took off.
"Hey! Come back here!", Moon shouted before Asmodeus grabbed her by the back of her shirt.
"I don't think so.", Asmodeus discouraged before Moon only used her claws to tear the back of her shirt off to wring herself free.
"What? Hey!", Asmodeus exclaimed before he tried to get her only for Moon to trip him into the ground as he landed on his chin before the newly turned werewolf gave a smirk at the demon who growled.
"Go long, Asmodeus!", Weerd shouted before he tossed the Chest of Demons to Asmodeus, who caught it.
"Old fool! It's finished! The chest is mine!", Asmodeus smirked.
"And now, the 12 ghosts will be released!", Revolta smirked before trying to open it herself, only for the transparent lock and chains to show themselves with the Chest refusing to budge.
"What? I said, 'now, the 12 ghosts will be released!'", Revolta strained, trying to open it, but to no avail.
"What...? No.", Revolta panted.
"Oh, yes. I knew it would be a matter of time before you'd go after the Chest, Asmodeus, especially since Mr. Gibbles told me about you being here. So, I decided to place a protection spell on the Chest of Demons, barring it from being opened to any mortal except those who wish to trap ghosts like you.", Vincent stated, making Asmodeus growl.
"See? I knew that a protection spell would be placed on the Chest of Demons. Now, come on, Bogel. What do you say we all make like a banana and split?", Weerd urged.
"I'd say, 'all right, sure.'", Bogel responded.
"Not yet, you two. First, I'll just pick up a few things while I'm here.", Krudsky spoke as he then collected all sorts of things from the Magic Shoppe, even the magic mirror, in a red dome with red bolts.
"Vincent! I'm sorry!", Mortifer urged before he was sent up through the Chimney with along with Asmodeus and Revolta, the former of which was popping out first and then flying forward with Krudsky and an assortment of useful items following him while Revolta took her leave through the main gate while riding on the Grim Creeper before Vincent spoke to the group after a few moments.
"Now, you all may come out.", Vincent spoke up before the Ghoul School went out of hiding just as Googie spoke in puzzlement.
"Okay, since when exactly did Krudsky get some kind of spooky entourage?", Googie asked.
"And for that matter, why would he ally himself with Asmodeus?", Marcie added.
"And how did you know that guy with them?", Damien asked.
"Whoa. What a mess.", Winnie commented.
"Well, that certainly wasn't fun.", Phantasma commented.
"I agree. It's quite enough to drive me batty.", Sibella agreed.
"Drat! Now, they have the Chest of Demons.", Moon spoke in worry before Shaggy spoke up with a nervous chuckle.
"Like, I guess we've got some unfinished business after all.", Shaggy spoke sadly before he and Scooby hugged each other as they sobbed a little with Mr. Gibbles hopping closer to the gang.
"Don't worry, lads. We may yet save the Fairy Princess and Halloween, stop Asmodeus and Revolta, and reclaim the Chest of Demons. I've still got a few tricks up my sleeve.", Mr. Gibbles assured before he began reaching for his Crystal Ball from his magic ear, puzzling the group.
"Like, that's not his sleeve.", Shaggy gulped.
"Uh-Uh.", Scooby agreed before Mr. Gibbles finally got out his Crystal Ball.
"Of course. That could provide us a clue on how to stop them.", Vincent realized.
"And the sooner we do that, the better.", Daphne added.
"You don't have to ask me twice.", Flim Flam agreed.
"I'm in.", Scrappy spoke up.
"Ditto.", Googie concurred as she stepped forward a little.
"You bet.", Moon agreed.
"We're in, too.", Crystal spoke as Amber agreed by nodding.
"Us, too.", the Ghoul School kids spoke in unison.
"Me, too.", Marcie spoke.
"Same here.", Jay, Dilla, and Damien spoke in unison.
"If it has to be done.", Rowena spoke up as Willow giggled and raised her hand.
Shaggy and Scooby, however, were a different story.
"Like, we'd love to stick around, but I just remembered: Scoob and I are deathly allergic to magical talking rabbits.", Shaggy laughed nervously.
"Uh-huh.", Scooby agreed before he and Shaggy fake-sneezed.
"Come on, you guys. This is no time to chicken out.", Daphne urged.
"Daphne's right, guys. This is serious.", Googie agreed.
"Indeed, for you cannot grasp the repercussions of the events that have recently unfolded.", Vincent concurred.
"In fact, it's probably best if I show you.", the magic rabbit spoke before he cleared his throat and chanted a spell with bright pink clouds glowing inside.
"Crystal burning bright with fire. Future secrets I desire.", Mr. Gibbles chanted.
"Yeah! Fight, fight, FIIIIIIIGHT! Yeah!", the other 12 ghosts chanted.
"Huh?", Shaggy and Scooby puzzled before Asmodeus gave an evil laugh.
Then, the future showed the other 12 ghosts causing their own brand of chaos with their unique abilities as one even reanimated a fake evil alien ghost costume as a red glow came from the helmet before inside revealed a glowing red skull with glowing white eyes before the creature roared as even the fake models of Gator Ghoul, the Tar Monster, Old Iron Face, Jaguaro, and the Tar Monster were reanimated, terrorizing the citizens in the carnival.
"Creeper.", the Creeper moaned while Jaguaro roared, scaring off the citizens as meanwhile Asmodeus, Revolta, and Goblin Krudsky laughed with Fred, Velma, Lena, and Ben in shackles, literally.
"This shall teach you to meddle in the affairs of magicians!", Goblin Krudsky shouted.
"Do something, Freddy!", Velma shouted.
"I am doing something: I'm panicking!", Fred responded.
"Oh, Scooby-Doo, where are you?", Lena spoke in worry.
"You can call for that mutt all you want, but those cries for help will be for naught.", Revolta discouraged.
"Our powers and our army are finally complete! Who could dare stop us now?!", Asmodeus chuckled before he laughed evilly as the future wavered before then turning back into clouds and then fading in the Crystal Ball, earning shocked gasps from most of the gang while Scooby was sobbing a bit out of fright.
"Oh, no!", Scooby sobbed.
"Zoinks! Like, Asmodeus, Revolta, and Krudsky just gave the world a ghoulish hostile takeover!", Shaggy exclaimed.
"No, my friends. It is the future you have seen.", Mr. Gibbles explained.
"Which means there's still time to alter the course of the hand of destiny. The failsafe I cast on the Chest of Demons prior to its abduction should take care of that.", Vincent added.
"Wait. Are you saying...?", Googie began.
"Indeed. As I said earlier, as per Mr. Gibbles' insistence, I recently cast a protection spell on the chest in case it would get stolen like it was now.", Vincent replied.
"Hey, not bad.", Dilla grinned.
"Yeah, but how did you know that would happen?", Googie asked.
"Well, I didn't exactly know. But I did get a note warning me about this last night. It reads, 'Beware of the 13th Ghost. Vincent Van Ghoul has to lock the Chest of Demons up! Signed, an old friend.'", Mr. Gibbles responded.
"Wow. That must've been nice of him.", Daphne grinned.
"Indeed. The point is, as long as Asmodeus has the chest, it can't hold him. Still, that should buy us some time to get to the Goblin Castle before they do, that is if they get any ideas.", Vincent replied.
"Like, and the only way to do that is to embark on a perilous quest to get the Chest of Demons back and then trap Asmodeus inside said chest?", Shaggy guessed.
"Something like that, yes.", Mr. Gibbles responded.
"Like, I was afraid of that.", Shaggy commented.
"Yeah. Me too.", Scooby agreed.
"It was all my fault.", Vincent spoke.
"Your fault?", Googie puzzled.
"How was it your fault?", Scrappy added.
"Yeah. I mean, how did all this start anyway?", Moon asked.
"You can tell us, old chap.", Mr. Gibbles assured.
"That, my friends, was a long time ago.", Vincent spoke as it then went to a flashback of when both Vincent and Mortifer first found the Chest of Demons.
"Through here. King Solomon's private vault.", Vincent spoke before he and Mortifer ran toward the entrance of the private vault with the former pressing a certain key that bore the face of Asmodeus before it suddenly opened up, revealing the Chest of Demons inside near the statue of King Solomon as Vincent and Mortifer gasped.
"The Chest of Demons.", Vincent spoke before he and Mortifer ran to it and then arrived at the tombstone before Mortifer handed Vincent a crowbar to go through the crack underneath the lid before it hit something.
"I think I hit something.", Vincent spoke before he and Mortifer removed the lid and tossed it aside as the dust cleared, revealing the Chest of Demons with an ancient lock inside, before they both picked it up and set it down on the ground.
"One of the most important archaeological discoveries in history. Vincent, we are going to be famous.", Mortifer grinned.
However, Vincent had a different opinion.
"No, it's too dangerous. The chest exists. The demon chest in which Solomon trapped the 13 ghosts that plagued the ancient world. The evil contained within this box was never meant to be released.", Vincent spoke before the old lock on the chest suddenly fell off from the slightest touch, worrying Vincent.
"Vincent, what's wrong?", Mortifer asked.
"The lock. The crowbar must've...", Vincent began before the chest suddenly opened, knocking him and Mortifer back with the ship looking in shock as the chest shook with the 13 ghosts screeching as they swirled around, making their egress from the chest toward the hole on the ceiling before a bright blue beacon shot out with clouds forming around it while below, the Chest of Demons was now empty before flashing back to the present.
"Whoa. That's heavy.", Winnie commented.
"So, what happened?", Tanis asked.
"Mortifer and I tracked down and trapped all 13 of the ghosts in the Chest of Demons. And that's where they remained, until these two let them out.", Vincent replied.
"Still, it was an honest mistake. Kinda like yours, come to think of it.", Scrappy responded.
"Well, at least we've caught 12 of the ghosts.", Daphne assured.
"And one is still on the loose. Asmodeus, the 13th and most powerful. How I had hoped he'd vanish from this realm for good. I faced him once before, of course, but Mortifer was by my side then.", Vincent responded.
"You know, what did happen to this Mortifer character, huh?", Mr. Gibbles puzzled before Vincent hesitated to answer before, after a moment, he finally did.
"We said we would protect the chest with our lives. And that's what he did, brave soul. He paid for my foolishness then, just as you're paying for it now. Or so I thought. Until tonight.", Vincent responded with Shaggy speaking up.
"Like, speaking of paying, I hope this portrait was cheap. It doesn't look anything like you.", Shaggy chuckled.
"I'm not so sure you should start talking about it right now, Shaggy.", Googie warned.
"Yeah, man. It seems like a touchy subject for him.", Crystal agreed.
"Oh. Fair point.", Shaggy understood.
"So, where do we start?", Amber asked, taking Marcie, Jay, Damien, Dilla, Moon, and Rowena by surprise while amazing Willow.
"Huh?! Another talking dog? Well, I'll be.", Mr. Gibbles spoke in fascination.
"Wait. You can actually talk?!", Jay exclaimed.
"Yes. Quite well.", Amber responded.
"Oh, yeah. I might've forgotten to mention that.", Googie spoke in embarrassment.
"You think?", Rowena asked.
"Truth is, she was always able to speak. She just wanted to keep up appearances.", Crystal explained.
"I see. Fascinating. Anyhoo, we must act quickly.", Mr. Gibbles spoke before he ran over to the bookshelf, picked up a book, opened it, and then turned to the image with the Goblin King's scepter as Rowena grew curious.
"But we don't even know what exactly is going on.", Marcie responded.
"See for yourselves. The magic scepter of the great Goblin King himself.", Mr. Gibbles spoke.
"Goblin King?", Shaggy and Scooby puzzled.
"Like, we know this dude. From last year when we had to go up against Chronos the Grim Reaper.", Shaggy stated.
"You've already met him?", Mr. Gibbles spoke in surprise.
"It's a long story. Please, continue.", Googie responded.
"Right. As you already know, Asmodeus and Revolta have stolen the light magic from Princess Willow. Now, they only need the dark magic of the Goblin Scepter to break the protection spell on the Chest of Demons and complete their power.", Mr. Gibbles spoke as he turned the page to show a picture of a fairy in another image before turning back one image to show the Goblin Scepter again before turning back another page to show the Chest of Demons opened with ghosts appearing out of a bright beacon while swirling around said beacon.
"And that's bad, right?", Daphne guessed.
"Like you wouldn't believe! It would destroy the very balance of the supernatural order, and if Asmodeus and Revolta ever release the remaining 12 ghosts inside that chest, this world would fall into chaos and fueled by the powers of Halloween night, the 13 ghosts would rule the earth forever, enslaving everyone who dares to cross their paths, just like your friends!", Mr. Gibbles responded.
"That's horrible!", Flim Flam exclaimed.
"Isn't it?!", Mr. Gibbles agreed.
"Wait. I didn't see the Hex Girls in the future. Are they all right?", Googie asked.
"Who knows? But, as reiterated, there is a way. You all must travel to the land of the Halloween spirits. There, you will seek the hidden castle of the great Goblin King, sneak into the castle undetected, grab the chest of demons when the 13th Ghost arrives, trap Asmodeus, and make your escape before the stroke of midnight.", Mr. Gibbles responded.
"Well, that doesn't sound so hard.", Winnie commented.
"Well, sticking around here jabbering would be a grave mistake. We have to get to the Goblin King's castle before Asmodeus and Revolta get there first.", Vincent urged.
"And we will. All of us. Right, guys?", Googie asked as she turned to her college friends.
"Right.", Marcie, Moon, Jay, Dilla, Damien, and Rowena agreed in unison.
"Yeah.", Willow agreed while Shaggy and Scooby were still frightened.
"Like, is that all? Scoob, old buddy, like next year, what do you say we just skip Halloween and go right on to Thanksgiving?", Shaggy laughed nervously before Scooby sobbed in agreement and hopped onto Shaggy's arms for comfort.
"Sorry, guys, but it has to be done.", Googie responded.
"Besides, I got a couple of Scooby Snacks for you.", Marcie added as she got out the box of Scooby Snacks.
"Ahem.", Scooby spoke.
"What?", Marcie puzzled.
"One. You start with one and then we haggle.", Shaggy whispered.
"Where did you two learn to haggle?", Rowena puzzled.
"From me, of course.", Flim Flam responded.
"Wow. I did not know you were an expert on haggling.", Marcie spoke in surprise.
"How did you get the box of Scooby Snacks?", Daphne puzzled.
"Well, based on what Googie told me about Shaggy and Scooby, I brought it with me for just such an occasion.", Marcie responded.
"Excuse me, I believe we were haggling?", Shaggy reminded.
"Okay, look, I'm gonna say one Scooby Snack, you're gonna say three and then we settle on two, okay? Let's just cut to the chase.", Marcie spoke before handing two pieces of Scooby Snacks each to Shaggy and Scooby, who ate them.
"Like, easiest negotiation ever.", Shaggy commented.
"Thanks, Marcie.", Scooby thanked.
"Uh-huh.", Marcie responded.
A/N: So, what do you think so far? Better and pretty surprising, right? Well, guess what? Things could get even better from there. :)