Chapter 2

Investigation of the Bloodhound of Truth

After the Chens finished up moving into their new house, the McGees decided to invite them over to their house for a barbecue. Even though they had only just known them for less than a day, Molly and her family got along with the Chens really well.

As the two families spent time together, Darryl and June were flying a drone that June created. To add to the fun, Darryl placed his pet tarantula on the drone as well.

"Looks like Heidi Harrylegs is having a blast up there!" Darryl said as he kept his eyes on the drone. "That drone you created is pretty awesome, June!"

"Thanks, Darryl!" June smiled. "You know, not everyone appreciates all of the work I put into making my gadgets. Everyone at my previous school always ended up hating my gadgets."

"Hey, it's their loss! I think those gadgets you create are pretty cool, just like you!" Darryl complimented.

June didn't know why, but she suddenly felt her face turn red in a blush. She awkwardly turned away as she decided to change the subject.

"So, what's with the girl in the trench coat?" June asked, noticing Libby hiding in the bushes.

"Oh, she's my sister's girlfriend, Libby." Darryl answered. "Guess she's not too happy with Molly hanging out with your brother."

"Well, Ollie really is a nice person, so hopefully Libby would give him a chance and become friends with him at some point." June replied.

As Libby was hiding in the bush, she began spying on all of the Chens, especially Ollie, who was currently hanging out with Molly. This didn't go unnoticed by Ollie as he was able to see her constantly glaring at him.

"Looks like your friend is still trying to get used to me." Ollie said with a nervous chuckle.

Molly soon looked over towards Libby, who backed up into the bush to stay out of sight.

"Sorry if Libby is making you feel uncomfortable." Molly apologized for her girlfriend. "She really is nice once you get to know her."

"I understand. She must really care about you a lot if she is this suspicious of me." Ollie replied.

Molly nodded. "Yes. I have been through so much with Libby."

Unable to hear what Molly and Ollie are talking about, Libby continued to spy on them, trying to find evidence that the Chens are up to something. She took out her tape recorder before she spoke into it.

"An hour in, and I'm still unable to gather any information on the Chens." Libby said. "I just have to keep observing them, especially Ollie. He is clearly up to something, and I'm going to find out what!"

"Um, hey! Nice detective attire!"

The sound of Ollie's voice startled Libby as she stumbled out of the bush, giving away her hiding spot. After recovering from her fall Libby pretended to stay calm and stood up from the ground as greeted Ollie with a fake smile.

"Oh, Ollie! Didn't see you there! Enjoying the barbecue?" Libby asked, trying not to look suspicious.

"Yeah. The barbecue is alright! So, Libby, was it? Molly told me a lot about you! She was telling me about how you have this detective persona, along with a name to go with it! What was it again? The Dog of Discovery?" Ollie guessed.

"The Bloodhound of Truth." Libby corrected, still suspicious of Ollie.

There was soon an awkward silence between Libby and Ollie. It was no secret to Ollie that Libby didn't like him too much, so he decided to make an effort to be Libby's friend.

"Listen, I'm getting the feeling that you feel threatened by me. Are you scared that Molly would leave you for me?" Ollie asked.

Libby remained silent when Ollie asked her that question. That was all Ollie needed to know to realize what Libby was thinking.

"Hey, it's okay! Molly is a great person, but I promise I won't take her away from you." Ollie assured, much to Libby's surprise. "After hearing Molly talk about you all the time, it's obvious to me that you two have a special relationship and I don't want to get in the way of that. Even though I have only known her a few hours ago, I know that Molly is a devoted girlfriend and would never want to leave someone as amazing as you."

Surprised by what she heard, Libby's angered expression softened. She was soon overcome with guilt for acting so horrible to Ollie without even getting to know him. He actually isn't so bad after all.

"Ollie, I'm really sorry for the way I acted towards you." Libby apologized. "You are actually a really nice guy!"

"It's okay, Libby! I can tell that you have been through a lot with Molly to have a relationship this special with her! If you are no longer suspicious of me, we can still be friends if you like!" Ollie held out his hand, offering Libby his friendship.

With a smile, Libby grabbed Ollie's hand in a handshake. "Yes, I would really like that!"

Now that she and Ollie were officially friends, Libby stopped hiding and joined everyone else for the barbecue.

"I see a smile!" Molly said as Libby approached her. "I saw you and Ollie having a nice conversation together! Does that mean you are finally friends with him?"

"Actually, yes! Ollie is actually a really nice person!" Libby explained.

"See? I knew that you two would get along with each other eventually! Now, let's enjoy the rest of the barbecue together!" Molly replied.

As everyone was enjoying this wonderful summer day together, Ollie started to relax under the shade. He took the time to admire the McGee's house. It looked worn down, but comforting. He could see why Molly and her family liked living here so much.

As he continued to admire the house, something through the window caught Ollie's attention. Squinting his eyes, Ollie was able to see Scratch floating through the house as he was speaking with the Ghost Council. Seeing this caused Ollie to gasp in shock.

"Oh no! Molly's house is being haunted by ghosts and she doesn't even realize it!" Ollie whispered to himself. "I have to do something, but I can't cause a panic with Molly's family around."

At that moment, Ollie decided that he would have to solve this problem on his own. He sneaked his way out of the backyard, but not before being noticed by Libby. Curious, Libby started to follow Ollie, who sneaked over to his house.

As Libby approached the house, she took a peek through the window to see Ollie rummaging through the boxes, looking for his belongings. One box in particular caught Ollie's attention. He opened the box before taking out a blaster.

"Don't worry, Molly! I won't let any ghost haunt your house!" Ollie said as he got ready to leave.

Seeing this left Libby in shock. She had a feeling that there was something off about the Chens, but she never would have guessed it was something this bad.

"The Chens are ghost hunters?" Libby whispered to herself. "Oh no! Scratch and the Ghost Council are in danger! I have to warn Molly!"

Wasting no time, Libby rushed back to the backyard. She was quickly able to find Molly before she decided to talk to her in private so the Chens won't overhear what she is talking about.

"Molly, there is something really important I need to tell you!" Libby whispered before she dragged Molly in the same exact bush she was hiding in earlier.

"What is it, Libby?" Molly whispered back.

"I just found out that Ollie and his family are ghost hunters!"

"What?" Molly gasped in shocked. "But Scratch and the Ghost Council are still in the house!"

"Exactly! We need to get to them before Ollie-" Before Libby could finish her sentence, she took notice of Ollie sneaking in the house, carrying his blaster and ghost tracker.

That was when Molly and Libby began to panic. Ollie was going to capture their ghost friends. The girls soon got out from the bush before giving chase.

Back in Molly's room, Scratch and the Ghost Council were discussing the possibility of Molly being the Chairwoman of the Ghost World. Scratch didn't like the idea, especially since Molly doesn't have any experience.

"Look, all I'm saying is that putting Molly in charge might not be the best idea!" Scratch explained. "With Molly as Chairwoman, she would just end up turning the Ghost World into her own personal happy world with rainbows and sunshine!"

"We'll make sure she doesn't go overboard." Sir Alister assured. "You would still be living in the same Ghost World you always had."

"We just need to give Molly the proper training." Bartholomew explained.

"Once she understands her responsibilities, she would become a wonderful Chairwoman." Grimbella added.

"But she might not understand. She didn't even agree to be the Chairwoman. I'm sure that she would come back here and refuse your offer!" Scratch replied.

As Scratch said that, he heard the door to Molly's room open. He turned around, expecting to see Molly. Instead, he was shocked that it was the neighbor kid from earlier. Without a word, Ollie aimed his blaster at the ghosts, ready to capture them.

Intimidated by Ollie's presence, Lucretia said, "Perhaps we should continue this conversation another time, Scratch!"

With that, the Ghost Council summoned portals before they all escaped into the Ghost World, leaving Scratch behind. Scratch tried to make his escape as well, only for Ollie to blast him, pinning him to the wall in slime.

"So, you thought you could get away with harming my friends?" Ollie approached Scratch.

"Look, I don't know what you are talking about, but I don't plan on harming anyone." Scratch defended.

"Nice try! You ghosts can trick me all you want, but I'm not going to fall for it! Molly and Libby are the first friends I have made since moving here, and I'm not going to let you hurt either of them!"

At that moment, Ollie, got ready to capture Scratch before he heard footsteps approaching him.

"Stop!"

Surprised to see Molly and Libby, Ollie stood between them and Scratch, determined to protect his friends.

"Molly! Libby! Stay back! I just captured this evil ghost! I won't let him hurt you!"

"Scratch isn't evil! He's my friend!" Molly stood by Scratch's side to protect him. "Scratch and I have been best friends since I was a child. He would never hurt anyone."

Hearing this left Ollie in shock. The idea of a human being friends with a ghost was something he never thought he would see.

"Wait, you've been friends with a ghost for years?" Ollie asked in shock. "I'm sorry. I need a moment. This is a lot to take in!"

"Oh, it's okay! I've been there!" Libby spoke up. "Meeting Scratch was a shock for me too!"

After freeing Scratch, Molly approached Ollie to explain everything to him. "Ollie, I would like you to meet my best ghost friend, Scratch! And Scratch, I would like you to meet Ollie!"

"Yeah! Yeah! I already know about swoopy hair!" Scratch replied, still annoyed with Ollie for trying to capture him.

At that moment, Ollie started to feel guilty for his actions. He couldn't believe that he nearly hurt someone Molly cares about.

"Molly, I'm so sorry!" Ollie apologized, overcome with guilt. "If I'd known that you and Scratch were friends. I wouldn't have tried to capture him. Can you ever forgive me?"

"Of course! No one got hurt, and I'm happy that we can all be friends now!" Molly smiled.

Realizing that there is the rest of Ollie's family to worry about, Libby said, "Well, now that we know that you and your family are ghost hunters, we'd better make sure to keep Scratch a secret from them."

"Don't worry! I promise that none of my family members would find out about Scratch!" Ollie promised.

"Uh, what's going on here?"

Startled by the new voice, Molly and her friends turn in shock to see June staring at them in confusion. This caused Scratch to facepalm in annoyance, knowing that two people now found out about his existence in one day.

Even though June was a ghost hunter as well, Ollie felt that he could trust his sister to keep this secret as well. Molly and her friends soon decided to let June in on the secret as well, knowing that they would have a lot of explaining to do.

AN: Well, that's the end of the second chapter of the story! I decided to change the pacing from the show's second season to where Ollie would not only find out about Scratch early, but June finding out about Scratch's existence as well! I hope to include some more interactions between Scratch, Ollie, and June in the future chapters!