SDDA: Scooby Doo Detective Agency

Frederick 'FJ' Herman Jones

Daphne Ann Blake

Velma Dace Dinkley

Norville 'Shaggy' Rogers

Scoobert 'Scooby' Doo

Past - August 2017

Scooby Doo sat at the feet of Shaggy. They were on a hill. They were looking down upon a city at night: lit up by lights. The moon cast its reflection on the nearby lake. Shaggy was lounging between his van's doors, eating a double deck subway sandwich. Scooby Doo had finished his. He was resting, keeping an eye on Shaggy. When Shaggy finished his, he leaned back. He was slowly starting to drift off to sleep.

"I can't believe it Scoob," Shaggy said. "It's the end of the summer. Tomorrow, the gang's going their separate ways. I really thought we'd see each other one more time, but I figure they were all busy. Fred's going into the army: with Red no less. Daphne's going to that design school in Milan. She's supposed to be meeting her new adopted little brother Flim over there at the same time. Velma's so far ahead she decided to take a year off to teach kids English in Beijing, but not before she goes with Sally to LA. You and I, we'll travel the country trying all that one of kind good food. It won't be the same, but I know we'll see each other again some day. After all, we'll all come back to Coolsville one these days." Shaggy chuckled before he fell asleep.

Scooby lifted his head when he heard Shaggy snoring. He got a brilliant idea. He got up and headed to reunite the gang one last time.

Scooby reached Fred's modest home first. He went and knocked on the door.

"Don't stop FJ," Red Herring told Fred. "You're almost done. I'll get it."

Red opened the door. He was a thick guy, stocky and looming, with red hair in a ponytail and a camouflage bandana tied around his forehead. He wore a white A-shirt, green vest, khaki cargo shorts, and a pair of brown leather combat boots.

Fred came up before Red could announce who had arrived.

"Scooby Doo," Fred said. "It's been a while." He looked around outside. He didn't see a sign of the van or Shaggy.

"Everything all right?"

"Ret's roh," Scooby barked. He ran from the porch, jumped into the back of Fred's blue pickup truck, and then jumped out.

"We leave tomorrow FJ," Red said. "We don't have time for the dog. This will be our last night for a real workout."

Fred pondered it. He was taller than Red, but he was not taller than Shaggy. He had his short blond hair covered by a blue baseball cap. He wore a white T-shirt, a pair of light denim jeans, and a pair of orange converse.

"We'll take a short break," Fred said. "You say here. I'll be back before too long."

Red looked pissed and annoyed, but he didn't say anything: out of anger anyway.

"I'll wait," Red said, "but not for long."

"Thanks Red," Fred said. He patted Red on the shoulder.

"Whatever," Red said, trying not to blush but failing. "You better hurry up. That dog's taking off."

Fred watched Scooby go.

"It's all good," Fred said. "I know where he's headed."

Scooby headed for the mansion in the very back of Coolsville's Crystal Cove Home Community. He ran behind back to the tunnel he had dug that he used to use to sneak under the brick wall while Fred pulled up to the iron gate.

When Scooby came to the front door, Fred was parking by the luxurious fountain. Scooby rang the doorbell. Only took a few seconds before the door opened to a familiar face.

"Good to see you again Jenkins," Fred said, arriving and standing just behind Scooby.

"Mr. Doo and Mr. Jones," Jenkins said. "What a pleasant surprise. I imagine you've come to call on Ms. Blake, Daphne to be specific."

Fred and Scooby both laughed.

"Yes sir," Fred said.

"Who is it Jenkins?" One voice asked: Dorothy.

"Yeah Jenkins," a second voice said: Dawn. "Don't keep us in suspense."

"It's rather late to be receiving company," a third voice said: Delilah.

"That means it can only be the members of the Scooby Gang," the fourth voice said: Daisy. "I think I heard Fred."

Dorothy and Dawn giggled as Jenkins opened the door to the two young ladies and the two older women.

"I'll go get Daphne," Dorothy said before she raced down the hall.

"You're still very cute Fred," Dawn said.

"Thanks," Fred said.

Dorothy dragged Daphne into the foyer.

"Come on," Dorothy told her. "There's a surprise for you."

"Mr. Doo and Mr. Jones Ms. Blake," Jenkins announced.

"Scooby Doo," Daphne said breathlessly. She down to him and pet him. Then, she stood and faced her other guest. "And FJ, Fred…" She quickly turned to her loyal butler. "Thank you Jenkins."

"All right ladies," Delilah said. "Shows over. We've got chores to finish before our parents return from the fundraiser."

Dorothy and Dawn groaned.

"You can go," Daisy told Daphne, "but be back before our parents return."

Daphne turned to her sister and nodded.

Daphne went out the door, Jenkins closing it behind her, and proceeded to go back to petting Scooby.

"I really thought I wouldn't see you all before we all left," Daphne said: without looking at anyone.

Daphne wore a green head scarf: her flowing red hair resting upon her shoulders underneath it. She wore a short purple blazer, pink blouse, purple mini skirt with pink shorts under it, and a pair of purple lace-up heeled knee-high boots.

"Same here," Fred said. "Good thing Scooby had other ideas. I think Shaggy wants us all together. Scooby too. So, he's making it happen."

Daphne stood and smiled.

"Scooby's always been great," Daphne said to Scooby before turning back to Fred.

"You know," Fred said. "You were the first person to call me FJ. You always can."

Daphne and Fred held each other's gaze for a moment before they simultaneously turned toward Scooby, who grabbed their attention by running off.

"We've got one more stop," Daphne said.

Fred jogged toward the passenger door of his truck and opened it.

"Hop in," Fred said.

Daphne gladly did, sliding into the truck. Fred shut the door before he ran around the truck, climbed into the drivers side, and drove for the next destination.

Velma wouldn't be at home or at the library. She'd be at her father's bookstore and cafe. That's where Scooby headed. She worked there all summer helping out, and when they could get up early enough he and Shaggy always went to get the jumbo, extra icing Scooby head cinnamon raisin rolls. Scooby had been the inspiration, and everybody loved them when Velma presented the first one after she told her dad they should have a signature pastry.

"This is our last night working together," Marcie said. "Thanks again for letting me work here while you're away."

Scooby came through the door.

"Scooby Doo," Velma said.

"Oh wow I definitely thought I locked that door," Marcie said.

"It's fine," Velma said. "I'm glad you didn't. It's been a long time since i've seen Scooby, and he's the unofficial mascot of dad's store."

Velma wore her black horn-rimmed glasses compared to Marcie's armless white rimmed glasses.

Velma threw Scooby and Scooby head cinnamon raisin roll.

Scooby gratefully gobbled it down.

"Are the others with you?" Velma asked tentatively.

Scooby nodded his head in the affirmative.

Velma gazed off into old memories for a moment.

"And Marcie," Velma said. "Sorry I got distracted. Thank you. I'm dad is slowing down, and I appreciate you being here to help out. It's one less thing I have to worry about while I'm gone."

"You are one of the few people who never called me Hotdog Water," Marcie said. "I'm happy to repay that kindness. Besides, you and Sally want to leave this place. I'm much more comfortable being home, doing the community college thing. I don't think I'm ready for the world yet."

"I understand," Velma said. "At the end of the day, you're like my fraternal twin, so when you're ready I'll show you everything I experience."

"And if you ever need me," Marcie said, "I'll be on your side."

Both young women smiled.

While Velma wore a long sleeved collared shirt, Marcie wore a sleeveless yellow tank top. Velma had on red cuffed shorts, and Marcie had on an orange mini skirt.

Velma completed her look with red suspenders, red barrette to the side of her brunette neck-length hair, and orange socks with red bowling shoes. She slipped on a baggy orange hoodie right before she went to the door with Scooby as the truck pulled up. She saw Fred and Daphne. Fred nodded. Daphne waved.

"You go on ahead," Marcie said. "Tomorrow it'll just be me anyway. Might as well get a head start." She completed her look with two hair clips on the opposite side of her wild brunette, shoulder-length hair, one yellow and the other orange, long striped socks, and her own pair of red bowling shoes.

Velma turned back to Marcie.

"Text me when you get home," Velma said. "Thanks. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

Scooby ran out the door and jumped in the back of the truck. Daphne pushed opened the door and slid over next to Fred. She bumped him.

"Sorry," Daphne said.

Fred just smiled.

"We're seeing together again," Velma said. "I don't know why I didn't think to do this sooner. I guess I thought…"

"Same here," Daphne said.

The two of them clasped hands.

"Hey," Fred called to Scooby. "I thought you were leading the way."

"Scooby came to round us up," Velma said. "Now we're on our way to Shaggy. And I think Shaggy's probably right now at the last place we were all together."

"You're probably right," Fred said.

"You usually are," Daphne said.

"Buckle up ladies," Fred said. "Scooby, hold on."

Daphne and Velma buckled their seatbelts. Scooby sprawled out on the back of the truck. Fred took off.

They all took in Shaggy's ride: The Mystery Machine. His parents had bought an old, beat-up van for him on his sixteenth birthday, and he put all the work into it to give it a custom detail: inside and out. You could live in it, except you'd have find a place to take a shower.

When Fred came to a stop, Scooby jumped out the back and ran around the van to the side door where Shaggy still slept.

Scooby laughed, thinking of the surprise he had pulled off for his best pal. He took him in.

Shaggy had his black haired shaped up in an afro. He had a little bit of some stubble too. He was wearing his brown overalls with his green short-sleeved shirt underneath. One leg was hanging out the van while the other was bent side: although both feet, sporting black shoes, were firmly planted.

Scooby placed his paws on Shaggy and licked him awake.

"Like Scoob," Shaggy said. "What's going on man? It's not shower time yet."

Scooby pulled back to stand in front of the others.

"Ra-da!" Scooby exclaimed.

Shaggy stood up, rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things, and then let a huge grin spread across his face.

"Scoob," Shaggy said. "You're the best friend a guy could have! Guys, you're here! You hungry? I got food, snacks, whatever you want."

"Same old Shaggy," Velma said. She wrapped an arm around him and gave him a side hug.

"We're fine Shaggy," Daphne said. "We just wanted to see you." She gave him a hug before she turned to Scooby. "And of course Scooby too." She went and stood beside Velma.

Fred and Shaggy grasped hands and hugged on each other.

"Like," Shaggy said, "here's our real, all-American hero."

They all laughed.

"Stop," Fred said. "Stop." He laughed some more. "I'm just your average Joe."

"Not for long," Daphne said.

They all ended up standing in a circle.

"We're all together," Fred said.

"And we all look good," Shaggy said.

"We haven't been together like this since graduation," Daphne said.

"We haven't been like this since freshman year," Velma said. "We all got pulled in different directions."

"Yeah," Daphne said. "You're right."

"JROTC and Football for me," Fred said. "There was also my grandpa's farm. Can't forget Shop. That changed my life."

"Who would've thought you'd ever have had anything in common with Red Herring," Velma said.

They all laughed again.

"Cheerleading and karate for me," Daphne said. "And somebody had to make all the costumes for the Theater department."

"Our moms always said 'A lady has to know how to defend herself,' Shaggy said. "They don't call you Deadly Daphne for nothing."

"I don't know where I found the time to do everything I did," Velma said.

"All while holding down a part time job," Fred said. "Scholar Bowl, Bowling, Tutoring, Yearbook, Tech Club, Book Club, Creative Writing Workshop…"

"Good thing coffee exists," Velma said and laughed.

"I couldn't pass up the international food club, or auto mechanics, or the home economics projects and competitions," Shaggy said. "Plus, my mom made me take gymnastics, my dad made me take finances, and all I had left energize to do was-"

"Sleep," they all said simultaneously and laughed after.

"Ridn't reave ruch rime ror rysteries," Scooby said.

"We were too good when we were kids," Fred said. "The town didn't really need us anymore. There were no more mysteries, and I guess just in time for a break."

"We solved them all," Velma said. "I do miss a good mystery though. My books occupy the cravings."

"I watch Forensic Files and Cold Case while I workout," Daphne said.

"I do miss the adventures," Fred said. "It was definitely an adrenaline rush."

"Like," Shaggy said. "Speak for yourselves. I thought with my heart condition I'd for sure be a goner. I'll admit though I did miss us solving mysteries together."

"You don't have a heart condition," Daphne said. "You're never going to get over that summer at your grandmother's house, are you?"

"I'm telling you her mansion was haunted!" Shaggy exclaimed. "Right Scoob?"

"Right!" Scooby exclaimed.

"Maybe one day we'll investigate it," Velma said.

"Oh no," Shaggy said. "You won't get me back in that house."

"But that sounds like a good idea," Daphne said.

"Yeah," Fred said. "How about in, five, six years? We meet back here: sort of like a mini reunion but just for us."

"We can take a break: from our lives," Velma said. "At the beginning of the summer instead of the end."

"And we can solve a mystery or two," Daphne said.

"Can't we just meet up again like now," Shaggy said.

"Reah," Scooby said. "Rhat re raid!"

"Naaa," Fred, Daphne, and Velma replied.

"I'll bring Scooby snacks," Velma said. "And a whole bunch of other goodies I whip up for the years."

"Like," Shaggy said. "Why didn't you lead with that. Scoob and I will definitely be there now."

Scoob let out his signature laugh.

"It's settled then," Fred said. "I can't wait."

"We'll have to keep our skills sharp until then," Velma said.

"Daphne," Shaggy said. "Since it's on the way I can take you home if Fred doesn't mind taking Velma."

"Thanks Shaggy," Daphne said. "Good seeing everyone. FJ, be safe. Velma, don't have too much fun on that LA trip. Shaggy, Scooby, try not to eat yourselves into obesity and comas."

"Once Sally gets her group together," Velma said, "I'll see if I can get us tickets. I think the Hex Girls will be a big hit. Fred, don't be afraid to reach out if you need anything. Daphne, if you ever need free publicity, I wouldn't mind wearing a few of your pieces. And Shaggy and Scooby, don't take any back roads, or we might have to solve your mystery."

"Velma," Shaggy said. "Don't even joke. Anyway, you go far. Fred, show them what you got. Daphne, I'll try one of your pieces on too if you want."

"Daphne," Fred said. "Don't be a stranger. Velma, give us a shout out when you win a Nobel Peace Prize. Shaggy, Scooby, stay out trouble."

They all laughed, waved, hugged, high-fived, petted, and whatnot before they said more goodbyes and parted ways.

Six Years Later: May 2023

Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby returned to the hill.

They all looked different, except for Scooby.

Before they spoke to each other, they all received a group message from an unknown number.

~

Unknown Number

Scooby Doo Detective Agency:

Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby Doo,

I'm glad you've all returned. You've arrived just in time. There's a mystery a foot, and I believe only you 5 can solve it. Please, do so, or I don't think anyone will want to see the consequences that will result.

Yours Truly,

⁃Mr. E

~

"Ruh roh!" Scooby exclaimed.

"Zoinks!" Shaggy exclaimed.

"Jinkies!" Velma exclaimed.

"Jeepers!" Daphne exclaimed.

"All right gang," Fred said. "Looks like we've got another mystery on our hands."