Chapter 2

Dock Trouble

In the United States of America, two fishermen were walking down the docks, whistling "Blow down the man" as they carried their last catch. The fresh salty air filled the docks with squarks of several seagulls and a few pelicans. The fishermen were nervous, during the last few days, a sea monster had been attacking the area and stealing the fish. The younger of the two glanced over his shoulder. The few lights did little to help in the darkness, every shape was hard to make out.

He couldn't shake the feeling that the monster was watching, waiting for the perfect moment to ambush.

"Got a move on Dan." The older fisherman called.

But just as Dan took his next step, the sea monster shot out of the water and landed in front of them. Its yellow eye glared as it let out a hiss, revealing its forked tongue and sharp white teeth. Its hands and feet were webbed and hand sharp hook-look claws. Emerald green scales covered its body from head to toe.

The fisherman screamed and bolted away, back the way they came, dropping the bags.

The creature walked towards the bags of fish. However just as it got closer its slit pupils caught sight of another fisherman carrying a bag. The creature tip-topped up behind him and grabbed the bag. It opened the sack only for a dog to pop out and lick its face. The creature hissed in disgust and then growled in anger.

"Rikes!"

RUN FOR IT SCOOB!"

Shaggy and Scooby ran away as fast as they could with the sea monster close behind.

Scooby Dooby Doo, where are you?

We have some work to do now

Scooby Dooby Doo, where are you?

We need some help from you now.

They turned a corner, nearly slipping from the damp surface. The monster followed nearly falling off the edge but caught itself in time and proceeded to run after the cowardly duo.

Come on Scooby Doo, I see you

Pretending you got a sliver

But you're not fooling me, 'cause I can see

The way you shake and shiver.

They ran through a maze of crates, running across and in between the many large boxes filled to the brim with fish. They eventually met at the end of the labyrinth. The duo screamed as the creature let out another hiss.

You know we got a mystery to solve

So, Scooby Doo, be ready for your act

Don't hold back

And, Scooby Doo, if you come through

You're gonna have yourself a Scooby Snack

That's a fact.

They rushed into a warehouse the monster not too far behind. From high above the rest of the gang waited for their friends to rush past before throwing a large net onto the monster. The creature struggled to free itself as it hissed and growled.

Scooby Dooby Doo, where are you

You're ready and you're willing

If we can count on you, Scooby-Doo

I know we'll catch that villain.

"Phew. Like that was way too close." Shaggy patted as the rest of the gang came down to the ground level.

"Reah. Roo Rlose." Scooby added as some fishermen and police officers arrived on the scene.

"Well, I be. You caught the sea monster." a fisherman with a grizzled voice said.

"Well then, let's see who the sea monster really is," Fred said. He pulled off the mask to reveal a woman in her mid-thirties.

"Ms. Gilman!"

"But why would she pretend to be a sea monster?" a younger fisherman with a high squeaky voice asked.

Fred began to explain. "She was doing it to scare away the workers in order..."

"...Take the fish and sell them at her supermarket." Daphne unintentionally continued. "so that she could..."

"Sell them without having to share the product cuts." They finished simultaneously.

"But how was she able to able to swim underwater without having to come up for air?" an officer asked.

"She had an air tank under her suit," Velma explained, as Shaggy and Scooby took Gilman out of the net. She unzipped the suit to reveal the air tank underneath. "She also had a special voice filter to create the hissing sound effects."

"And I would have gotten away with it too. If wasn't for you meddling… well young adults I guess." Gilman cursed as an officer cuffed her and

"Glad to know that people are starting to realise that," Fred muttered to himself.

"Thanks for help tonight." A fisherman said.

"Don't mention it, just doing what we can to help," Velma stated.

They parted ways.

"Man like that's the twelfth mystery we've done this month."

"Rt's rxhausting," Scooby added.

"Bets begin chased by REAL monsters," Velma stated.

"Rno rargument rhere."

"I never thought I would miss going after fake monsters again but at least it's less risky," Daphne said.

"Not to mention a little nostalgic," Fred added.

"It seems like only yesterday we were solving our first case." Shaggy reminisced.

"Man, the look on Mr. Jacobs's face when we unmasked him." Fred chuckled.

"I'll never forget the way he said "I would have gotten away with it too. If it wasn't for those meddling kids and their stupid dog too." Daphne imitated.

"Rog?" Scooby said in confusion earning chuckles from his friends.

"Still, I won't mind a break from it all," Velma said.

"Well luck for you guys I've got a little surprise for us," Fred stated and then took out five tickets from his pocket. "A cruise three-week cruise for two weeks in Australia."

"Jinkies"

"Jeepers."

"Alright."

"Rhank rou Rfred."

"Thank you, Freddy." Daphne then planted a kiss on his lips.

"Man, I can't wait. Three weeks of cruise buffets and two weeks of BBQs." Shaggy licked his lips

"Rmm-hm." Scooby added.

"Is food the only thing you two ever think about?" Velma asked.

"Rhat's rong rith rhat?"

"Never mind." She turned her attention to Fred. "So when do we go?"

"The nineteenth."

Shaggy had a realisation. "Wait a second that means..."

"Will be in Australia on the twenty-second of September."

"That's..."

"The anniversary of the day me and Freddy started dating." Daphne finished.

"Lucky you." Velma congratulated her best friend.

"Freddy, I... I... I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything." He said hugging his girlfriend.

"Wow. Australia."

Shaggy took out a box of Scooby-Snaxs only for a gull to swoop down and snatch the box.

"Hey!"

"Rats rith rings!"

The other three could not help but laugh at the situation.

"Ha, ha, ha. Very funny." Shaggy crossed his arms as he spoke in sarcasm.

"Don't Shaggy, I'm sure we've got a spear box in the van." Velma comforted.

"Ri rhink re rall ready ate rhose rnes," Scooby admitted.

"I always bring more than one box of spears."

"Thank goodness for that." Shaggy signed in relief.

They chuckled as they continued towards the Mystery Machine.

"Australia, I can't wait," Daphne said excitedly.

"Me too, I can't wait to see the outback." Fred agreed. "Man, this will be the best trip we've ever done yet."

Daphne smiled knowingly to herself. Fred didn't know it yet but she had a surprise of her own for him, and a big one at that.

Fred dropped off the rest of the gang to their respected houses. The last was Daphne. "Thanks again for the trip, Freddy."

"No problem. Glad you like it."

She gave him one last kiss goodbye.

"See you tomorrow Daphne," Fred called.

"See you tomorrow Freddy." Daphne waved as he drove off.

She made her way upstairs to her bedroom. After changing into her nightgown, she headed over to her desk where a small dark blue box sat up.

She opened. "This will be one anniversary we'll never forget." She smiled to herself as looked at the silver ring with a small blue diamond. "and hopefully the beginning of something special."