Shaggy slouched in the back of the pale yellow Bug that belonged to his mother's oldest friend Francie. Scooby squished beside him, watching the rolling hills and trees pass by out the window.
"You're going to love the country, Norville, you used to have so much fun visiting here when you were small, do you remeber?" the curly-haired blonde, blue eyes sparkling behind her thick cat-eye glasses in the rearview mirror.
"No, Ma'am"
"You can calll me Fran, Honey. Oh, I remeber, you used to spend all day playing in the woods, mouth stained with berry juice, you claimed to have made friends with a fairy"
"A what?"
"Fairy, they live all around here you know, the dark fae mostly, the light fae stay on their island usually"
"Then like, why haven't I seen any?"
"The entrance to their lands are hidden, an entrance marked by a great tree many have tried to find it but I don't know of any who have, oh wow, listen to me jabbering on and on, why don't you take a nap, Honey? We won't be at the farm for a while"
Shaggy tried his best to get comfortable, mulling over how he had gotten here. Mysteries dozens of them, increasing in complexity and danger until it overwhelmed him, frightening him so bad he couldn't even step foot in the mystery machine. Upon hearing this from Fred, his mother decided to send him as far away as she could so he could rest and recuperate without his peers judging. So, one very long phone call and an even longer flight later he was buckled into this cramped car headed towards a farm he hadn't visited since he was six. Francie was easy enough to remember with her loud laugh and dimpled smile but he could recall little else about these summer visits much less these so-called fairies. He pictured several Tinkerbells in black dresses as he fell asleep.
Fairies? Could there really be such a thing?
...
He woke sometime later finding a thick forest on either side of the road. The leafy branches grew over the road, blocking the sun from beating down.
"Almost there, Honey"
"Okay"
A small stone gate surrounded the property that came into view only minutes later. The white cottage-style house with black trimmed windows was weathered and faded just like every other building. A black metal sign hung over the gate, Fairy Oak Farm. That he remembered but just barely.
"Welcome, Norville," Francie's tall husband, Joseph, clapped him on the shoulder when he exited the car, "We're excited to have you"
"Excited to be here," Shaggy responded, unloading his meager luggage from the trunk, the faded space motif making him want to cringe.
"Let me show you to your room," Francie waved him inside.
The house was clean but dated, having a distinct nineteen-fifties vibe from the colors to the decor. The hardwood steps were creaky as he and Scooby lumbered behind chatty Francie.
"This is my favorite room in the house!"
The room was small but the roof rose to a peak, dark wooden beams overhead, a round window to the right of the bed allowed him a good view of the front lawn, a faded red window seat with a plump white fringed pillow awaited him. Scooby wasted no time in falling onto the woven rug at the foot of the twin-size bed with its rose-printed covers already turned down. Opposite the bed was a tall wooden wardrobe and matching chest side by side waiting for his belongings.
"Like, it's very nice"
"Well, I'll leave you to get settled, you're more than welcome to explore outside whenever your ready"
...
It took a week before Shaggy felt ready to spend the day outdoors. Just after breakfast with Scooby at his side, he headed out. There were several well-worn walking paths to follow so that he could easily find his way back at the end of the day. Choosing the center path he ventured into the trees, curious as to what awaited him. It was quiet, only the chirping of birds and buzzing of insects could be heard through the trees. After a half hour, he came upon a stream, clear water rushing over smooth rocks awaited him.
"Like, your choice, Bud," Shaggy turned to Scooby, "Do we like, cross the stream or go back and choose a differnt trail?"
"Cross," Scooby declared, clumsily hopping the large uneven rocks.
"You're the boss"
Beyond the stream, there were several clusters of flowers. Like someone had purposely planted them that way. Wild roses the color of blood without thorns.
"Raggy?" Scooby looked confusedly at Shaggy.
"It, it feels like I've seen this before," Shaggy shook his head confusedly.
But, that didn't make sense. Did it?
Continuing on their way the duo noticed how the flowers continued to multiply different unusual colors seeping into the mix. After another hour their stomachs began to rumble making them pause.
"Like, maybe we should have like, packed a basket?"
"Reah"
"I'm like, sure there's like, some wild fruit around here"
Without thinking they stepped off the path, carefully walking through the flowers convinced there would be fruit bushes nearby. Shaggy was sure there must have been. Didn't Francie say he snacked on them as a child? On and on, careful of the wildlife they walked.
"I like, really wish we had an apple"
The fruit was hovering right above them suspended in the air. Eagerly, Shaggy reached for it only for the crisp, juicy fruit to jerk away, again and again until they were chasing after it, desperate in their hunger. The duo didn't even pause when they saw they were headed for a massive, shimmering black tree surrounded by black polished stones. The apple just looked so, so good. And, suddenly, they were falling forward. Still undaunted they jumped to their feet, continuing to chase the fruit it was as if their surroundings blurred, unimportant, the apple was the only thing that mattered. Unknowingly they entered a great castle, clambered up a sweeping grand staircase, and sprinted down a cavernous hall into a gigantic room. The apple finally fell onto a great table filled with delectable foods the likes of which they'd never seen before.
Cleaning one plate and then another the boys slumped to the ground contentedly.
"HA HA HA, you stupid humans fell right into my trap"
"ZOINKS!"
Before them stood a sharp-eared boy. No, a fae. He smirked wickedly down at them, pleased with whatever he'd just done.
"Fox!" another voice shouted, "What have you done?"
"What does it look like?" Fox turned to someone they couldn't see, "I've just recruted body shields for the war effort"
"You IDOIT! The Queen has forbidden anyone to lure outsiders!"
Shaggy and Scooby got to their feet, "We're going to go now"
"You can't! You've eaten of our food so you have to stay, forever," Fox seized him by the arm, throwing him back a few steps.
"The Queen is going to kill you, Fox" The owner of the second voice stepped into view, clearly related to the evil trickster, sharing the same dark hair and bright purple eyes but this girl had dragonfly-like wings.
"Oh, please," Fox scoffed, "The queen is far too soft, if she'd just listen to me we wouldn't be locked in a war with a spoiled princeling who thinks he's a king, I should be a general, I have dedicated my life to stratagy and tradition, our forefathers lured humans with no problem so why should we have to ignore this sacred practice-"
A large shadow fell over the ranting fae making him pause. His sister had thrown herself to the floor.
"She's right behind me isn't she?"
"What were you saying about me, Fox?"
"Qu-Qu-Queen Christina, hello, may I just say you look beautiful today?"
Shaggy trembled, clutching Scooby for dear life. The queen was even scarier than the trickster. Sharp horns curving back from her head, large, scaled wings that dragged the floor. The ice in her multi-colored eyes was enough to freeze the surrounding forest. Suppressing a yelp, Shaggy hid his face in Scooby's fur, the two trying to shrink from sight.
"Thea, take your brother to the prision tower before I incenerate him!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, right away!"
"I knew she wouldn't kill me," Fox whispered as his sister led him away.
In the blink of an eye, the queen turned on her heel, midnight gown swirling around her, a stream of violet flames bursting from her palms to consume the trickster, reducing him to ash.
"I'm sorry, Thea-"
"No, I understand this was his deserved punishment"
"I trust you can bring the news to your family"
"Yes, I'll depart right away"
With the two other fae gone the queen turned back to them. Shaggy risked a peek just in time to see the ice melt from her gaze, a pretty but sad smile spreading across her face.
"Hello Shaggy"
...
Short first chapter? Yes, but this was my perfect stopping place. Please review, and predict.