Episode 3, Part 2:
Abra-Cadaver!

"And now, for my next trick: I'LL MAKE YOU DISAPPEAR!" the Great Pilkini cackled wickedly.

"Great, but first we gotta run!" Shaggy managed to say.

"What happened to all that determination and bravado from earlier?" asked Daphne.

"It happened to realize that WE'RE STILL JUST KIDS!" Shaggy responded.

"Wouldn't be a chase scene without the music," commented Velma as she went over to a radio and started tuning it until she found the right music.

(Featured song: Man with the Hex, by The Atomic Fireballs)

"There we go!" said Shaggy. "Now...RUN FOR IT!"

And so off they ran, throughout the store with the poltergeist of prestidigitation hot on their heels.

Scooby and Shaggy ran into a cabinet and closed the door behind them. As Pilkini opened the cabinet door, he saw it was empty. Behind him, Scooby and Shaggy tiptoed away.

But Pilkini seemed to hear them as he turned around and growled at them.

Scooby and Shaggy yelped and ran off, with Pilkini right on their heels.

Before Pilkini could continue to go after them, Fred stopped him and held out a magic hat...which knocked him back with a tidal wave of bunnies. "Golly...I didn't think that would work!" he remarked.

"Be impressed later!" Velma said as she took Fred by the sleeve and pulled him along. "C'mon, we better go hide!"

"Right!" Fred said as he was surprisingly pulled along effortlessly.

Meanwhile, Daphne was trying to find a place to hide that wasn't a table where she could get sawed in half.

"Cripes...where to hide, where to hide..." she pondered as she looked around.

She then saw what looked like a wardrobe sitting against the wall.

"It couldn't hurt!" Daphne decided as she scurried over and opened the wardrobe, then climbed inside.

Daphne tried to keep her breathing slow and steady as she hid from her pursuer.

Just stay cool...stay cool... she thought to herself as she tried to keep from being heard.

She heard footsteps slowly approaching the dressed she had hid herself in.

Mustering all her effort, she concentrated and slowed her breathing to the point one would have to listen VERY carefully to hear it.

As she took a tiny peek from between the curtains, she saw Pilkini leaving the room in annoyance. But as he did, her keen eyes spotted something sliding out from his right pant leg.

Moving quickly, Daphne snatched it off the floor in record time and hid it on her person before its owner had a chance to notice it was gone.

Eventually everyone got back together: Shaggy, Dusk, and Scooby emerged from a locked wooden box, and Fred & Velma pulled themselves out of a top hat, although Fred was covered in clumps of dove feathers, some of which he spat out.

"Is everyone okay?" asked Velma.

"Psychologically? I'll probably be having nightmares about this until I'm in my eighties!" Shaggy responded.

"Physically, though, we're just peachy!" Scooby added.

"Hey, over here." Daphne said as she brought over what she'd found. "I think this might be a clue."

"What is it?" asked Fred.

"It's a pen." Daphne revealed as they noticed that the pen has "M. Stanton" engraved on it.

"Like, who's this M. Stanton?" Shaggy asked in confusion.

"Let's ask Prestina about it." Dusk suggested. "She keeps records for people that come here."

The gang nodded in agreement before asking Prestina about M. Stanton.

"Stanton...Stanton..." pondered Prestina. "The only 'Stanton' I know would be Mr. Maxfield Stanton...guy in his twenties, wants to be a great magician himself. You want an address?"

Daphne nodded. "We'd very much appreciate that, thank you," she replied.

Prestina took out a card and wrote the address down:

1264 HEYWARD TERRACE
COOLSVILLE, OH
44257

"He orders his magic supplies either over the phone or via the internet," she explained. "...plus there were a few times when he tried to ask me out and gave me his address."

Velma and Daphne cringed when they heard that piece of information.

"May it be of more use to you than it ever was to me," Prestina told the kids as they went on their way.

AND SO...

The Gang soon arrived at 1264 Heyward Terrace, and saw that it was a large palatial estate.

"Whoa...!" Shaggy remarked. "Like, talk about swanky!"

"Reah! Ranky!" Scooby nodded.

"We can admire the place on Google Maps," said Fred. "Let's head on up and start asking questions!"

The others nodded as they headed up the stairs.

"I wonder if he's home?" Dusk asked as she looked around.

"So then let's ring the doorbell," said Daphne as she rang said doorbell.

There were a series of stomping sounds heard from behind the door.

After a few minutes, the door flew open, and behind it stood a disheveled-looking brunette young man in his 20s, panting exhaustedly as he looked like he'd clawed his way out of a wood chipper. His clothes, originally dapper, were utterly disheveled; granted, they weren't extremely fancy, but they weren't rags. To sum it up, he looked as though he'd been in a fight...with a weed whacker.

"What happened to you?" Fred asked as he saw the state of the man.

"How is it that you live in this mansion and look like this?" Daphne asked out of disgust.

"...ah...I didn't expect...company..." the man wheezed as he collapsed on the steps. "Sorry...if I'm not...exactly...presentable..."

"What happened to you?" Velma asked as she started searching the guy for answers.

"Attacked...by..." panted Maxfield. "...zombie...magician..."

"Uh-oh." Shaggy and Scooby said together.

And without another word, Maxfield collapsed face-first on the pavement.

WHUMPH!

"I'll call 911!" Daphne said as she got her phone out. "...maybe you guys should go in and investigate in the meantime."

The gang immediately got to work on trying to help him out. "Let's get him inside," said Fred. "So I'll lift the front. Who's lifting the back?"

"I've got it." Shaggy said as he lifted his side with ease.

So, Fred and Shaggy got Maxfield inside while Daphne called 911.

A little while later, an ambulance arrived. While the paramedics took Mr. Stanton to the hospital, the gang went in and looked around.

"...okay, is there a room for his magician stuff?" asked Fred. "Maybe we could use it to set a trap of some kind."

"Some people like to have their own secret hiding spots and rooms to keep that stuff." Dusk explained as she was looking around, with her hand secretly glowing, as she was looking for a hidden door. Suddenly she found one behind a bookshelf and found the book that triggered it and pulled it.

The shelf slid to the side, opening a doorway that led down some stairs.

"You magicians, like, really love your secret doors and stuff." Shaggy commented as they checked it out.

And so, the gang headed down the stairs and into the basement. Once there they found a light switch and flipped it.

As the lights turned on, it illuminated the room, showing off that it was filled to the gills with magical items, as well as a few arcade machines.

"So, what should we look for?" inquired Velma.

"Anything that could indicate Pilkini or possibly be connected to the ghost will suffice." Dusk advised.

With that, the gang nodded and got started with looking around.

Scooby, meanwhile, was more interested in trying to find something to eat. Besides, this part of the house was too dusty to have anything for food.

"Ret's ro, Raggy," he urged.

"Like, not now, Scoob," replied Shaggy as he looked around.

"Maybe you guys can go back upstairs to look around." Fred suggested. "We've got plenty of eyes down here."

"Rokay!" Scooby said as he grabbed Shaggy's leg with his tail and pulled him up the stairs as he left.

As Shaggy and Scooby went upstairs and the gang kept looking around a pair of eyes was watching them from the shadows.

One thing was certain: they weren't the only ones hanging around the house...

A moment later, Shaggy and Scooby got to the kitchen, as well as the fridge.

"Like, what're we doing here, Scoob?" Shaggy asked. "It's not like we're gonna find any clues here!"

"Rhosts gotta eat too," responded Scooby.

"Okay...but don'cha think it's a little rude that we're, like, raiding some guy's fridge while he's in the hospital?" asked Shaggy.

As soon as Scooby opened the fridge he found the ghost hiding inside of it. "Raaaaagh!" Pilkini roared.

"Rit is rhen rhere's a rhost in it!" Scooby screamed before slamming the fridge and taking off.

The fridge flew open, revealing the ghost of Pilkini, covered in deli meats and lettuce as he sprang forth, and continued his pursuit.

Shaggy and Scooby were on the run again and ran up and down and all around the house. Everywhere they ran, it seemed like they couldn't escape the manic magician, since he kept popping up almost everywhere they were.

Eventually Dusk walked in front of them.

"WHOA!" both Shaggy and Scooby came to a halt.

"Like, sorry, we're kinda in the middle of running from a peeved prestidigitationist!" Shaggy exclaimed.

"Oh, yeah?" Dusk asked before looking past them and seeing the ghost. "I see." She said before pulling something out of her pocket.

It was a magic wand, which she pointed towards Pilkini and called out a strange word before a lightning bolt shot from the wand and zapped the ghost.

"YEEEAAARGH!" the ghost magician exclaimed as he was electrocuted. Once it was done, he got to his feet and took off.

Scooby and Shaggy glanced at Dusk. "Like, what did that thing do to him?" Shaggy asked.

"It more or less tased him." Dusk replied before putting away her wand.

"Rool!" Scooby commented, impressed.

"Did you guys find anything?" asked Shaggy.

"They found a business card with some sort of stain on it." Dusk revealed. "We'd better go check it out."

Shaggy and Scooby looked at each other, then went and followed Dusk to meet up with the gang.

A moment later they were in the basement as Velma was checking something out on her computer. Naturally, everyone was gathered around.

"So, Dusk said you found something about a business card," said Shaggy. "What's that about?"

"Another magician, but it's one with a bad attitude that's messing with his popularity and reputation." Velma replied while pulling up his information. "Krudsky."

Scooby suddenly remembered something that he saw in the kitchen. "Rait!" He said before zooming off to find something in the kitchen before coming back with a notepad in his mouth.

Daphne took it and read what was on it. "4PM call Krudsky, and his number is underneath."

"Then it looks like that's where we're headed next, gang," said Fred. "Depending on where his next show is being held."

"Looking it up." Velma replied as she checked his schedule. After a few minutes, Velma spoke up. "Youth center performance in half an hour."

Daphne glanced at the others. "Then let's go find him!" she responded.

And so, after another drive courtesy of Jenkins, they made it to the Youth Center.

As they went inside, they caught Krudsky as he was setting up for the show. He was a potbellied, rotund, balding dark-haired man with a goatee, dressed in a tuxedo.

"If you want an autograph, you'll have to buy a ticket like everyone else," the magician retorted.

"We're not here for an autograph." Fred corrected. "We're the Scooby-Doo Detective Agency and we're on the case of the ghost of the Great Pilkini messing up magic acts."

"There might be a chance he'll try to ruin your show." Daphne mentioned.

"He's already struck against two others so far." Velma added.

"Oh, I've heard," scoffed Krudsky. "And from what I've been hearing, this thing is only attacking...ecch...birthday parties. Amateur-hour stuff for penny-ante prestedigitators!"

"There's always the chance he'll escalate to higher targets." Velma explained. "The statistics indicate a seventy-two percent chance that he'll start targeting magicians that go for a bigger audience and bigger money."

"Statistics," scoffed Krudsky as he got his hat on. "If you don't mind, I've got a show to do. And if you intend to come to any future shows, mind the sign." he pointed to a nearby sign, which the group all looked at.

"NO! DOGS! ALLOWED!" he bellowed, sending the gang tumbling out of his prep room.

"Rog? Rhere?" Scooby asked.

"C'mon, Mellow Mutt," said Shaggy. "Like, we know when we're not wanted. Just 'cuz we look dumb doesn't mean we ARE dumb."

Dusk took on a look of suspicion and decided to step away for a moment. "I'll be right back," she said.

With their curiosities piqued about what she was going to do, Shaggy and Scooby changed into their normal clothes and followed Dusk.

They saw her take out her wand, whisper something, and she waved it towards Krudsky before putting her wand away.

"Hey, guys." Dusk said after noticing them.

"Hey, Dusk," said Shaggy. "Like, what did you hafta take care of?"

"Just a small hex to expose him." Dusk replied. "Let's go catch up with the others."

Scooby and Shaggy glanced at each other before they followed Dusk and went on their way to catch up with the rest of the gang.

In the background they heard a rip and a burst of laughter before leaving.

"Well...is there anything else we need?" asked Fred.

"Not at all." Daphne replied after double checking the lipstick on the card.

"I agree, we have everything we need." Velma agreed. "It's time to solve the mystery."

"Time for a trap!" Fred declared.

SHORTLY, AT SHAGGY'S HOUSE...

The gang had finished gathering party guests and supplies for the birthday celebration.

"Like, it might've taken a while," said Shaggy. "But now I can celebrate my birthday in peace!"

"We couldn't find anyone willing to show up," said Velma. "...sorry."

"Eh...it's fine," shrugged Shaggy. "I'm kinda used to low turnouts."

"That's pretty sad." Dusk mentioned with a frown. "I hate people that treat fun guys like you two so poorly."

"Ah, thanks anyway," responded Shaggy. "Coming from you, that's a pretty big compliment."

"You're welcome." Dusk replied with a smile.

"Well, at least you've got some friends here, y'know?" asked Daphne.

"Yeah, I guess you're right!" Shaggy said. "Alright, time for the birthday song!"

"Sure thing." Fred agreed as he gave a wink to signal everyone to be ready.

Everyone else nodded.

"Happy Birthday to you..." they began, right before they heard a rustling noise.

They continued to sing the birthday song as the rustling grew louder and louder.

"Happy Birthday, dear Shaggy..." the gang continued.

"Happy Birthday...tooooo yooooooou~!" finished Daphne.

Shaggy and Scooby applauded, whistling and snapping their fingers.

"Excellent...and what's a party without a little...ENTERTAINMENT?!" boomed the Great Pilkini as he appeared in a sudden puff of smoke, atop the stage.

Scooby and Shaggy's eyes popped out, screamed, flew back into their heads, and they proceeded to scream at the top of their lungs!

"Run!" Fred said as everyone took off running and got the trap ready. Pilkini leapt from the stage and began his pursuit...and of course, with Shaggy as the birthday boy, Pilkini chased him.

"Great... he's singled ME out!" Shaggy exclaimed, mortified as he kept ahead as much as he could.

"Just lead him to us!" Fred called out.

Lead him to us, he says, Shaggy thought as he tried his best to do so.

He ran around his backyard before running towards where Fred and the gang was. After passing by Fred, Fred dropped a banana peel on the ground, right in the path of Pilkini.

Pilkini ran past, but he slipped on the peel and went sliding, flailing his arms in a panic as he slipped.

Then Velma and Daphne revealed a crate full of wet cement and Pilkini fell into it. Quickly as they could, Scooby and Dusk wheeled out a heat lamp and made the cement dry faster before taking the now-stuck Pilkini out of the crate as his head was still free.

"Where did you get the cement?" asked Shaggy.

Dusk started whistling nonchalantly while flashing him her wand for a moment before stopping.

"Question asked, question answered," said Shaggy.

"And now it's time to unmask him!" chimed in Fred, as he went over to the struggling Pilkini.

"And with all the clues we have, the Great Pilkini is none other than Prestina." Velma revealed.

And thus, Fred pulled the mask off, revealing the blonde-haired woman underneath.

"Prestina...why?" Dusk asked, feeling hurt.

"I was bitter, Duskyra," sighed Prestina. "I never got a magician for my own birthday parties when I was little. All I got each year were clowns, clowns, stupid CLOWNS! I didn't care about clowns, I wanted a magician! Which is why I wanted to BE one! And what better magician to be than one of the best...?"

"...admittedly, I can relate in the whole anti-clown sentiment," replied Velma. "But that's not exactly an excuse to take it out on children celebrating their birthdays."

"So how did you figure out it was Prestina?" queried Fred.

"First off, working in that magic shop could provide her with all the magical tricks she needed," explained Velma.

"Of COURSE!" Daphne commented. "She'd have plenty of resources to choose from!"

Velma nodded. "And let's not forget how she tried to keep us off her trail with our other two suspects," she replied.

"Hey, YEAH!" Shaggy exclaimed. "Things were set up pretty well to make it seem like Maxfield might've faked his own injuries."

"But the bruises on his face were marked with a ring imprint," Daphne added. "The same kind of ring Prestina wears!"

"And given how big of a name Krudsky is, if he was framed for all this, she'd be able to take the spotlight for herself!" said Fred.

"That windbag didn't deserve his acclaim," snorted Prestina. "I would've had the glory! I would've gotten the respect! Never again would I have to bear the indignity of being second choice after some wretched idiot with a big red nose and a face full of greasepaint...and I would have gotten away with it, if it wasn't for you meddling kids and your puppy."

"Prestina, what you did would never make you a true magician." Dusk explained. "A true magician is someone that's willing to create their own tricks to bring happiness to others...besides, sometimes even clowns would practice a few magic tricks."

Prestina sighed, miffed...but she knew Dusk was right.

They eventually managed to chisel her out and her parents came and took her away.

"I feel kinda bad for her," Shaggy said as they watched her go. "Sure, she went about it all wrong, but I know what it's like feeling that way."

"She'll be alright," Dusk assured him. "I explained everything to her parents and they admitted that they were just as guilty as she was and promised to get help."

"Well, alright," said Shaggy.

"Now...how about finishing up this birthday right?" Dusk asked as she revealed a cake.

"Like, yeah!/Reah!" Scooby and Shaggy beamed happily.

AND SO!

At long last, Shaggy was finally getting his birthday party put on.

"Oh-kay, Scoob..." he told his canine cohort as he was getting ready to step outdoors. "This is it; the big moment!"

And with confidence, Shaggy opened the door and stepped out into the backyard with Scooby.

Outside, were Shaggy's parents, his Uncle Albert and his cousin Isabelle, his little sister Maggie aka "Sugie", Fred, Daphne, Velma, Mr. Daws, Sadie-Mae, Gigi, and Marcie Fleach. Of course, each of the kids were with their respective parents as well.

Everyone was having fun with party games and Shaggy and Scooby were more than willing to hold back on their huge appetites so everyone could have something to eat. Besides, they wanted to enjoy the cake.

Shaggy smiled, although he grew nervous as he saw Sadie-Mae giving him goo-goo eyes. "Happy birthday, Shaggikins~" she cooed.

The brown-haired boy smiled sheepishly. Maybe it was the advent of becoming 12...but Sadie-Mae was actually starting to seem almost...cute. Granted, her brother was pretty intimidating to him, but still!

But whenever her brother was bothering Shaggy, Sadie-Mae would always pick him up and toss him away. She was a whole lot stronger than she looked.

"Boy, does that cake look great!" Shaggy beamed.

"Then it's time to start cutting!" Uncle Albert declared as he readied a knife for the cake.

And so, the cake pieces were distributed evenly among the partygoers. Then, Scooby and Shaggy scarfed down their pieces in a flurry of icing and cake.

"Hey." Dusk said as she came over. "Sorry to say it, but I've gotta leave early."

"Yeah?" Fred asked. "How come?"

"I've gotta go and take care of some stuff back home, but before I go, I have something for Shaggy to share with you all." Dusk explained before pulling out a CD. "A sampler pack of a few songs my friends and I are working on." She revealed as she handed it to Shaggy.

"Wow!" Shaggy replied. "Like, thanks, Dusk. I really appreciate this."

"You're welcome." Dusk replied with a smile. "I'll see you all again soon enough, bye." Dusk said before she disappeared in a puff of smoke.

The gang stared on in awe, before turning back to the CD.

"Rhere's a rote," Scooby pointed out. Shaggy turned over the CD and saw there was indeed a sticky note on the other end of the cover.

"Hope you have a good birthday; you and your friends best be ready—big changes are coming.
—Thorn, Luna, and Dusk."

"...whoa," shuddered Shaggy, surprised.

"Rawesome!" Scooby agreed.

"What do you suppose that could mean?" wondered Daphne.

"Who knows?" Velma replied. "With how things are it could mean a lot of things."

"In the meantime, let's at least live in the moment," said Daphne.

"Agreed." Fred replied as they continued to have fun at Shaggy's birthday party.

"Happy Birthday, Shaggy!" Daphne exclaimed, with everyone else joining in.

"Like, thanks," smiled Shaggy. "And it wouldn't be complete without help from you and a pup named..."

"SCOOBY-DOOBY-DOO!" howled Scooby as he spin-licked the cake frosting off his face.