All right, here's the second part of the story! Let's see how this mystery boils down! Anyway, enjoy!
After we bandaged Freddy up (and wiped out all the tire tracks off his body, even taking off his face accidentally for a moment (no, seriously, at one point, we accidentally took off his FACE! Thankfully, Scooby realized the mistake and put his face back on), we decided to go back to Shaggy's house as Velma led the way this time as she stopped near Shaggy's house and right near his garage.
"All right, let's take this one bit at a time." Velma said as she looked around. "Scooby, Shaggy, you say that the bike was taken near the garage, right?"
"Ruh-huh. Rhat ronster rook rhe rike and rycled away." Scooby explained, although it took me a few seconds to realize 'rycled' meant 'cycled' in his broken language.
"I didn't personally see the monster until I looked out the window, but like, I saw him cycle away on my bike as fast as he could possibly bike." Shaggy explained as Velma searched around the area using her magnifying glass.
"Hm mm… mm mm… aha!" Velma smiled, as if noticing something.
"Aha?" I asked in curiosity as we all looked towards Velma. "Did you find something, Velma?"
"Well… Shaggy, did you recently shine up the tires?" Our bespectacled friend asked as she turned to Shaggy once more.
"Like, only last night. Why?" Shaggy asked as Velma put down her backpack and pulled out her little fancy computer book.
Our bespectacled friend hummed to herself for a minute before typing up some equations before giving a nod. "Well, if the tire shine was still fresh, it would most likely leave tracks, correct?"
We nodded as I gave a small grin. "Oh, I get it. The tire tracks are still fresh, and if we can use Scooby to sniff out the tracks, it'll lead us straight to Shaggy's bike!"
"Yes, that's it exactly!" Velma smiled as she turned to me with a small smile. "Good to see you're on my wavelength of thinking, Daphne."
I could only give a shrug. "Well, you are the smart one, after all…"
"Then we don't have a lot of time to waste then, gang!" Freddy said, his confidence coming back as quick as his ego had healed. "If not Red Herring, then we STILL have a mystery to solve! Velma, Daphne, we better get on that high-tech skateboard Velma invented! We'll catch up with you, Shaggy and Scooby!"
"Rou rot it!" Scooby saluted as Shaggy gave a nod.
I was about to go over towards the others at first, before pausing slightly as I looked over at Shaggy, something inside was telling me to keep a close eye on him and Scooby, before turning to Freddy. "If it's all the same to you… I think I'm going to stick with Shaggy and Scooby for this."
Freddy blinked twice, before shrugging. "All right, I guess that's fine… come on, Velma. I want to take a ride on that cool board."
"Sure thing, Freddy…" Velma said as she tried to hide a blush from her small little crush on Freddy… which, come on, she's not even hiding it, it's so freaking adorable when she blushes… but yeah, as soon as I was sure Velma and Freddy were off, I joined up with Shaggy and Scooby, just as Shaggy was putting the leash on Scooby.
"Like, you don't HAVE to stick with us, you know." Shaggy pointed out.
"I know, but I want to. Besides, the fresh air can do me some wonders today." I said as I looked over towards my friend. "Amongst other things, that is…"
"R-right, of course." Shaggy laughed a little nervously and… oh, I could swoon over Shaggy's adorable, nervous laughter… uh, I mean, uh… anyway…
I guess I zoned out a minute before I shook my head, because the next thing I knew I was walking with Shaggy and Scooby as Scooby was sniffing out the tracks. "Sooooo… how have things been going at home?"
"Like, great." Shaggy smiled as he turned his head towards me, with Scooby focusing on the scent. "Dad's currently got the Officer of the Month award."
"Oh, well, that's great!" I smiled. "Your father is certainly the best cop in town."
"Heh, I suppose he is." Shaggy smiled. "If anything, it gives me, Mom and Sugie a lot of good protection, knowing that he's out and about on the job."
I could only giggle a bit as I looked over at him. Sure, when I first met Shaggy's family for the first time, I had to admit, they each had their own eccentricities. Not like the upper class mansion of my parents (I mean, why would Shaggy's parents still keep Christmas decorations up in the middle of July?), but I still appreciate them, because they often show signs of loving each other… and even Shaggy and Scooby's relationship is sort of brotherly, in a way… considering the Doos and the Rogers go way back, it made sense.
As for myself… oh, I guess you could say I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. But I'm sure everybody knows that already, considering the Blakes have been an old, rich family for many generations. Despite that, my mom and dad are always making sure that I grow up to be like them, and for a while, I've been expected to follow in those footsteps… and yet, I couldn't help but be… bored by the strict lifestyle I have? Oh, don't get me wrong, I love my parents very much, but they can be very demanding at times. After all, they own basically a lot of places in town, and being the fashionista I am, I'm hoping to open my own fashion store one day…
Or at least, I thought that would be my dream, but then when I was learning to read, I went over to the library and started reading mystery novels, which got my mind thinking about mysteries. In fact, one of the first people I've met whilst reaching for the same book happened to be Shaggy, who wanted to borrow it from the library to do research. Of course, this started a long conversation about us liking detective novels and whatnot, and the next thing I knew, Shaggy and I became fast friends. So to say I made my first friend outside my expected social class was a little surprising. In fact, I don't think he even knew I was rich or even had a social status until we arrived in school…
But, regardless of that, Shaggy and I still met up with each other every now and then, and this was even BEFORE the whole 'Scooby-Doo Detective Agency' started to form. I even met Scooby before then too, who immediately got along with me as I fed him Scooby Snacks every now and again. Scooby REALLY was into those snacks, I can say that much… but yeah, once we met up with Fred and Velma, things really started to get going just as good as they were. I don't know what changed in me that started to hang out with Shaggy a lot more, but all I did know was that Shaggy and I were always inseparable from each other once we got together.
Not that I was complaining, of course, but-
"AHA!"
Shaggy and I both stopped as we turned to Scooby as he pointed towards the tracks. I smiled as I asked, "You have something, Scooby?"
Scooby nodded as the dog looked raring to go. Shaggy grinned as he clutched my hand, him being unaware that he made my heart beat a lot faster from doing that. "Then follow it, Scoob! Follow the scent!"
"RALLY RO!" Scooby shouted as he started to zoom off… just as we realized too late what Scooby running forward was about to do when I noticed Shaggy hanging onto the leash.
"Shaggy, let go, let go, let-" I started to talk fast… but it was too late as Scooby zoomed forward, getting both me and Shaggy off of our feet as the cute little Great Dane puppy was dragging us through the streets, both of us yelping as we were being dragged and flung forward.
"YIPE! Scoob, slow down, will ya?!" Shaggy tried to call over to Scooby, but despite that, the call fell on deaf ears.
"I suppose this is what I get for following you…" I yelped as I tried to take my eyes off of Shaggy to look around at the place Scooby was taking us as I looked back… I could see Velma and Freddie were following us close behind with her skateboard, and were trying to go Scooby's speed as I was wondering if I was more safer on the skateboard or being dragged through the streets holding Shaggy's strong, firm hand…
Oh gosh, even thinking about THAT was making me blush… that or the adrenaline… eventually, after a good run, we all ended up in front of a building where Scooby skidded to a halt… thank goodness for that… what I wasn't quite thankful for was that it threw Shaggy and I off his leash as we tumbled down on the floor, before landing in an awkward position.
Shaggy and I stared at each other once more, blushes illuminating our faces as Shaggy quickly got off me as he chuckled nervously. "Like, uh…"
"Yeah, no, no worries, I-" I returned the nervous chuckle as I got up, with Shaggy casually straightening my shirt a bit, both of us looking at each other rather awkwardly.
After a moment, we heard the screeching halt of the skateboard as we turned to see Velma and Freddy getting off the board as Fred looked up at the area. "Say, Shaggy… isn't this the place where you work?"
Shaggy quickly turned his head to see the large building with a planet like logo on it that was labeled as the 'Daily Babbler'. "Like, yeah. Why would the monster take my bike to the place I work?"
"Hmmm…" I paused, before snapping my fingers. "Maybe someone in your work place was jealous that you took his route, and decided to disguise himself as a monster to steal your bike? Maybe to make you look bad?"
"I don't know, Daph. Like I said, I don't have any enemies at the Daily Babbler." Shaggy said as a woman with some strange clothing walked out. I could swear she lifted her sunglasses for a minute to examine us, before going on her way.
"Well, whatever the case is, we won't be deterred… let's go in there and look around." Freddy said as he entered through the door, with all of us following the others.
"Well, okay. Maybe my boss, Mr. Conrad, knows something. He should be gathering up newspapers and bundling them up for the next paperboy's route right about now." Shaggy suggested as we went into the elevator. Just as we went inside, Scooby used his paw to push all the buttons.
"Scooby!" I said in annoyance. "Don't push all the buttons!"
"Rorry." Scooby smiled nervously as the elevator doors closed.
"That's okay. I may as well tell you each of the floors while we go up. Mr. Conrad should be near the top anyway, so we have some time." Shaggy smiled.
I gave a small sigh as Velma leaned towards the back. "I can tell we're going to be here for sometime…"
I just nodded a bit before leaning back as the elevator moved floor to floor.
Thankfully, we didn't have to wait long, as on the forty-fifth floor, we managed to reach our destination as we walked out, with Shaggy saying, "And this is where the magic happens. The newspress room puts in the information, bundles it into the papers, and gets sent out to be delivered."
"Wow…" We all said in awe as we looked around the room to see a few people working a large machine, before eventually spotting a bald-headed man wearing a blue suit, khaki pants and black hat putting some papers in the conveyor belt.
"And here's my boss." Shaggy smiled as he waved over to the man. "Like, hey, Mr. Conrad, sir."
The man turned as he gave Shaggy a small smile. "Ah, hello, Shaggy. How's the paper route going?"
"Oh, not so good. My bike got, like, stolen." Shaggy said as we looked up at the man.
"Oh, that's a shame. Do you have any idea on where the thief could be?" Mr. Conrad asked in curiosity.
"Not yet, but not to worry. We're helping Shaggy out in getting his bike back. We're hot on the trail of the thief." Freddy smiled as I noted Scooby sniffing around in curiosity.
"Ah, I see. Well, unfortunately, we don't have any bikes around here. If I did, I'd kindly lend you a substitute until you find it." Mr. Conrad explained. "Besides, this is a print shop, not really a place for kids."
"Well… did you at least see something strange, like… I don't know… a green slime-looking monster?" Shaggy asked in curiosity.
Mr. Conrad blinked twice before giving a chuckle. "Oh, Shaggy, you and your wild imagination. But no, I haven't seen anything like that… if there were, you should probably try THAT story with the National Exaggerator."
"Hey, don't diss the National Exaggerator!" Freddy frowned, as if looking offended…
Right at that moment, we heard sneezing as we all turned to see Scooby making a mess of some green powdery like substance, gathering a small bit of dust.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, careful now! That's dry printing ink! If you get any on your clothes or paper, it can take a while to get off." Dr. Conrad warned.
Being the clean-freak I was, I wisely took a few steps back. "Duly noted, sir."
It took a bit as Scooby started to sneeze all over the place before ending up on the machine where the newspapers were sent. Scooby yelped as he tried to get away, but managed to get sucked in.
"Scoob!" Shaggy gasped as I noted Dr. Conrad's face had a slight frown on it. I turned over to see Shaggy picking Scooby up (now sort of folded up like a newspaper with some of the words printed on himself). "Are you okay?"
"Reah, Ri'm rine." Scooby said, making most of us sigh in relief.
Shaggy then gave a slight chuckle. "Well, I guess you can say you made, like, front-page news."
Scooby gave a slight chuckle as well, before blinking. "Ri ron't ret it."
Mr. Conrad groaned as he held his head. "Oh, for heaven's sake, this is going to take a while to get all the dog hair out… listen, Shaggy, thank you for coming in and letting me know about your bike. I truly feel for your situation, but unless you can get another bike secured, you may as well turn in your newspaper boy badge."
"He won't have to do that, sir. Like Freddy here mentioned, we'll take care of everything." I said, crossing my arms as I didn't like the man's attitude.
"Well, see to it that you do… because if there is another missed route tomorrow, you WILL be kicked out, boy." Mr. Conrad frowned as he glared at Shaggy, just as he got Scooby back to normal. "Now, if you kids don't mind, I'm afraid I MUST ask you to leave. So… get out… get out… GET OUT!"
We all yelped as we scrambled back into the elevator and went back down. As we spent some time in the elevator, I frowned as I looked over at Shaggy. "Geez, Shaggy, you didn't tell me that your boss was a rude man."
"Like, he's only stressed out because he has to get the news all up and running…" Shaggy sighed. "I suppose Scooby messing up the printing press didn't really help manners either…"
The young man groaned as he held his head. "Oh, let's, like, face it, there's no trace of my bike anywhere around here."
It was at that moment, I noted Scooby picking his nose up on something as by the time the elevator went back to the ground floor, our faithful canine companion was already sniffing around as he went out. "Hmmm… I wouldn't give up hope just yet. Look, Scooby might have another trail!"
"He does?" Shaggy asked as I motioned to the others.
"Come on, we may have something!" I called out as Freddy and Velma got on the skateboard once more.
"Wait for us, Scoob!" Shaggy called out as we joined Freddy and Velma on the skateboard.
"Full speed ahead, Velma, follow that puppy!" Freddy called out as Velma gave a salute.
"Yes, sir!" Velma saluted before starting the skateboard.
I decided to cling onto Shaggy right as Shaggy grabbed Fred's shoulders for balance right as we were following Scooby. "Let's just hope this doesn't, like, lead to another dead end!"
"Don't worry, Shaggy… I assure you, wherever we go, we could be getting closer to the bike!" I smiled as I squeezed Shaggy's sides, giving a small smile. I quickly heard Velma's snickering as I glared at her. Velma's smirk remained as I whispered, "Oh come on, it's just to keep balance."
Somehow, I'm not sure Velma believed that…
Eventually, all five of us stopped as we were now in front of another building that looked to be out of the way… as we were all here at nightfall… sheesh, either we were in the Daily Babbler building for a very long time, OR we had to zig and zag through various street corners, because it was really dark out. And of course, Shaggy was not impressed.
During that time, we looked at the place in front of us, situated behind some creaky gates. It was a rather large house with a few windows and a creepy-like atmosphere to the place. We all recognized the place.
"The Ferguson Estate!" Freddy said with an excited look in his eye.
"Like, the most haunted, haunted house in town!" Shaggy yelped as he clung onto Scooby nervously, both of them shaking as they looked up at the place.
Velma and I looked up at the place in awe, trying to take it in. Of course, we've heard of the place, once owned by the esteemed Ferguson family, but when the last of the Fergusons died out, it was seemingly abandoned for a long time. In fact, nobody dared step foot into it… at least, until recently.
"Like, are you sure my bike is in there, Scoob?" Shaggy asked as he looked towards the pup.
"Reah, rinride!" Scooby nodded as he positioned himself like a pointer dog to point inside.
"Well, then we better check it out, crew!" Freddy said as he opened the gate as he and Velma entered. I was starting to stroll inside, before looking back to see Shaggy trying to drag Scooby inside, even though they were both stiff and nervous.
"Come on, Scoob! We have to get in!" Shaggy begged.
"Ruh-uh! Rot re! Ri'm scared!" Scooby shook his head as he tucked it in, trying to hold firm.
"Awww, come on, Scooby, it's nothing to be afraid of." I said as I stood next to Shaggy, before giving a grin, as I pulled out from my skirt pocket, a box of Scooby Snacks. "I bet I can get you in with a Scooby Snack."
This caused Scooby to stop as the pup sat up, looking eager. "Ro roy! Reah, reah, reah! Rooby Rack!"
I chuckled as I pulled out a snack from the box and threw it to Scooby, who caught it with his mouth… and heh heh, it's always cute to see how he always reacts to Scooby Snacks… I wish I could describe the euphoria he feels… something you'd have to see for yourself.
But yeah, once Scooby was finished floating back towards Shaggy's arms, the boy couldn't help but smirk. "Give him two Scooby Snacks, and he'll, like, orbit the Earth."
"Let's not push your luck." I rolled my eyes as I pulled Shaggy and Scooby inside. "Now come on, we gotta catch up to Fred and Velma!"
It took a bit, but we finally managed to catch up to our friends as Freddy turned to us. "Good to see you caught up. We're just about to split up, gang!"
Shaggy, Scooby and I blinked in surprise as I said, "Wow, that's quick."
"Well, we gotta cover more ground, so if we're going to find Shaggy's bike, we'll have to split up." Freddy said. "Velma and I will try to cover the front yard. Shaggy, Daphne, Scooby, why don't you three cover the back yard?"
"Uh… got it." I nodded as I motioned to the boys. "Come on, boys."
Shaggy and Scooby nodded as we peeked towards the backyard, with Shaggy giving a yelp as we looked around, noticing the graveyard-like setting it had.
"Oh boy, this should be fun…" Shaggy groaned with a sarcastic tone in his voice.
"Don't worry. I'm sure we'll both be fine." I smiled as I grabbed onto Shaggy's hand and squeezed it. "After all, we're all in this together."
"I know… but still." Shaggy groaned as we walked around the back yard to search for any potential clues. "Why is it that whenever Freddy wants to stay together, we have to split up to search for clues? Wouldn't that make it easier for that monster to get us?"
"I have no idea." I sighed. "But hey, if Freddy thinks it works, why fix what isn't broken, right?"
"Y-yeah…" Shaggy chuckled a bit as Scooby nodded in agreement, before turning back and yelping at the graveyard-like area around him. "Still, you can't help but wonder what type of scary place the Ferguson estate was…"
I just scoffed. "I'm sure that the Fergusons were nice people that just happened to like macabre things… or this is probably Halloween decorations they didn't store back in time."
"Rou rink ro?" Scooby asked nervously.
"Not only do I think so…" I said with a confident smile as I gave a small pose while fluffing up my hair. "I know so. Come on, let's try to investigate further."
"R-right…" Shaggy said as the boy and his pup followed me as I gave my casual walk. As I did so, I could only look back towards Shaggy with a small, reassuring smile on my face as Shaggy gave a small smile back at me. As we continued forward, we noticed two doors jutting from the side of the house, that preferably would lead to a storm cellar.
"Hey Scoob, take a peek over at that storm cellar, would ya?" Shaggy asked.
"Rokay, Raggy." Scooby nodded as we continued forward, leaving Scooby behind to look over towards the doors.
As we did so, Shaggy stuck close to me as he gave a smile, "You know, Daphne, I really want to say… like, thanks for helping me out with my bike."
"Awww, but of course, Shaggy." I smiled as I turned my head towards him, before going behind a small stone that was good to conceal both of us. "I still don't personally believe in the whole 'ghosts and monsters' thing, but I'd do anything to help my best friend…"
"Oh… like, you consider me a 'best' friend, huh?" Shaggy asked as he gave a small smirk.
I giggled. "Maybe I do. I mean, of the three guys in our group, Freddy's a nice leader, but misguided in his attempts. You're not much of a leader, but you certainly have a good heart when it comes to that."
Shaggy paused briefly. "But, like, I'm more of a scaredy cat than anything else…"
"That may be true, but deep down, I know you're a sweetie that will stop at nothing to protect his friends…" I smiled. "Heaven knows you would always come back to get Scooby or us plenty of times, even in those moments."
"Well… I suppose that's true." Shaggy smiled, before pausing. "Like, do you REALLY not believe in ghosts or monsters?"
"Of course I don't. You know that." I rolled my eyes… before pausing. "But… you know, I wouldn't mind being proven wrong. I think it would be amazing coming across an actual demon!"
Shaggy lowered his eyelids. "Like, I don't share that opinion."
"Well, if they turn out to be real scary, then I'll share your opinion." I sighed as I looked up at Shaggy's eyes. "Uh, hey… uh, thanks for cleaning me up earlier… if it means anything."
"Daph, like, I'd always try to help you out. I know you're a fashionista, and I wouldn't want to muddy your clothes up." Shaggy smiled. "It's the least I can do…"
I laughed a bit as we looked at each other, before I sighed. "Oh, Shaggy, any girl would be lucky to have someone like you."
"Why's that?" Shaggy asked, cocking his head in confusion.
I couldn't help but give another sigh, this time of exasperation. As always, the way he looked at me so clueless is adorable. "Oh, uh, don't worry about that. Look, what do you say we continue searching for your bike, hm?"
"I don't know…" Shaggy paused as I clutched his hand, both of us realizing we were a little… uh… well… close… my heart was beating faster and faster by the minute… could this be where Shaggy and I share the most interesting intimate contact of our lives… our first… kiss?
Before I could even THINK anything further, a loud scream jolted us out of our minds as we looked out to see Scooby slamming the storm cellar doors and clutching onto them in fear.
"Scoob?" Shaggy asked as we ran back over. "Did you see anything in there?"
"I'll ray!" Scooby said, looking nervously.
"Well, what's in there?" I asked as I looked over our pup friend. "Goodness, Scooby, you're shaking like a leaf… what's down there?"
"Ron't ro rin rhere!" Scooby protested as Shaggy frowned.
"Why not?" Shaggy asked.
As if answering his question, the storm cellar doors burst open as the most ugliest green creature I have ever seen emerged from the cellar. It gave a growl in anger as it opened its mouth to reveal another face from its tongue peeking out, just like the Alien movies.
"Oh… that's why not." Shaggy said as we just stared at the creepy creature's appearance.
"Oh, it looks so gross!" I said as I covered my eyes in anguish. "Is that the monster that took the bike, Scooby?"
"Ruh huh!" Scooby nodded nervously.
"I was thinking you'd say that…" I said as it roared some more.
I didn't know what that monster was… but if he had an official name, I would dub him as the Slippery Slimer Monster. Not the most original name, but my little kid mind was too scared to think up another one… then again, being paralyzed in fear can do that to a person. I may say that I don't believe in ghosts and monsters, but… hey, sometimes, even scares can get the best of a girl!
And with that, part 2 is done! How did you like it? Next time, in the finale, we'll go over the rest of the episode, but with a more Shaphne-like angle as the gang tries to figure out where the bike is and who the monster behind the mask is... although, if you've seen the episode, you already know! But still, there are plenty more changes, so keep an eye out! Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, everyone!