The morning sun painted the farmhouse in a warm glow, illuminating the scene of the usual chaos that was breakfast at the Bagges'. Shaggy and Scooby, their mouths smeared with syrup, were tackling monstrous stacks of pancakes, their eyes wide with delight. Muriel, a picture of domestic bliss, bustled about the kitchen, preparing a hearty breakfast for her husband, Eustace. But amidst the idyllic image, a pungent smell permeated the air, a distinct odor of neglect. Eustace, perched upon a kitchen chair, was engaged in the utterly revolting act of clipping his toenails with hedge shears, right at the dining table.
Shaggy and Scooby recoiled in disgust, their appetites waning, but poor Courage bore the brunt of this bizarre ritual. Eustace, in a thoughtless gesture, unceremoniously dumped his toenail clippings into Courage's food bowl, the pink beagle yelping in protest.
"Yuck! Couldn't the farmer done it in the bathroom!?" Courage whined, his nose wrinkled in distaste.
A sudden knock on the back door shattered the morning peace.
"Eustace, would you be a dear and see who that is?" Muriel called her husband from the stove.
Eustace grumbled, before turning to the pink beagle, "Argh! Go get the door, dog."
Courage rolled his eyes at the lazy farmer, his patience wearing thin, but he reluctantly obeyed, "Coming," he muttered, rising from his bowl and padding towards the door.
As he opened it, he found the mailman standing on the porch, a telegram clutched in his hand.
"Telegram for Muriel Bagge!" the mailman announced, as he held out a letter.
Courage snatched the telegram and scurried back to his owner.
Shaggy, noticing the mailman, rose from his chair and handed the red-faced delivery man a ten-dollar bill, "Enjoy your day man," he said, a wide grin plastered on his face.
"Thank you," the mailman replied, as he grabbed his ten bucks and Shaggy closed the door, leaving behind the anticipation of what this unexpected telegram might bring.
"Muriel, this is for you," Courage uttered as he presented the letter.
Muriel opened the letter, and there was a note, "Ooh! It's from my Great Uncle Angus in Scotland," she gasped in surprise, but quickly grew confused. "I didn't even know I had a Great Uncle Angus."
Shaggy, equally bewildered, echoed her sentiment, "Me neither, My parents never mentioned a Great Uncle Angus."
Muriel shrugged, "Well, it's a bit confusing, but let's see what else it says,"
Scooby, ever curious, piped up, "Rhat else does it say Ruriel?"
Muriel begin to read out loud to her family, "It seems the last relative who knew the secret pattern of our family's tartan Kilt, just died."
A collective gasp erupted from Shaggy, Scooby, and Courage.
"It looks like I'm the only one left who knows how to weave the family kilt," Muriel stated.
Eustace as usual not caring scoffed, "Big deal. Where's my breakfast?"
This callous response drew a sigh from Courage, "How can someone think more about food instead of his own family?" I mean Shaggy and Scooby always think about food, but at least they care about others, besides there stomachs.
Shaggy simply retorted with a pointed, "Two words, Uncle Eustace."
Muriel then gasped, "Oh, dear! Angus says he needs us to come to Scotland at once!" she then grabbed a picture of the kilt that was hanging off the wall. "We'll be needing the secret pattern for the kilt then, won't we?"
"I ain't going. I hate Scotland!" Eustace snapped.
"Suit yourself," Muriel said to her husband.
"Looks like we're going to Scotland again old buddy, old pal," Shaggy said to Scooby, his voice brimming with excitement.
"Roh boy," Scooby enthusiastically agreed, his tail wagging with anticipation.
"I could use a vacation," Courage agreed, before whispering conspiratorially to his friends, "Especially from him," he added, nodding towards Eustace, who continued to grumble.
"You got that right, little pink dude," Shaggy whispered back, a shared understanding passing between them.
The twelve-hour flight from Kansas to Scotland seemed to stretch into an eternity, but Shaggy and Scooby kept their spirits high by regaling Courage with tales of their previous adventure in the land of kilts and bagpipes. It was their trip to solve the mystery of the Glasburgh Dragon, a legendary beast said to haunt the moors. Scooby's eyes widened with each detail of the terrifying encounter, and Courage felt a shiver run down his spine at the thought of such a creature. By the time the plane touched down, the sun had risen on a new day in Scotland.
Stepping out of the airport, the trio was greeted by a cool breeze and the sight of a bustling crowd. As they emerged from the arrival gate, Courage, dutifully carrying the luggage, surveyed the scene. Amidst the throng of people, a small figure stood out, holding a sign that read 'Bagge'.
"Oh, my!" Muriel gasped, surprise to see that the man was small.
"Hoots, man! Is that you, Muriel Bagge?" Angus asked.
"Why, yes. Great Uncle Angus?" Muriel asked.
Angus pondered for moment, before he spoke, "Um, right. It's me! Your Great Uncle Angus!" he then noticed Shaggy. "And who's this?"
"Oh my where are my manners. This is my great nephew Norville Rogers, but everybody calls him Shaggy," Muriel introduced to her uncle to her nephew.
"Like, nice to meet you Uncle dude," Shaggy grinned, "Hope you don't mind if I brought my dog Scooby-Doo along."
"Same with my dog Courage," Muriel added.
"Not at all. Nice to meet all of you," Angus replied, as he looked down at the suitcase with interest, "I see you've brought the secret kilt pattern with you! Very good!" he said, as he poked Courage's nose.
"Well, we had better be getting to the castle before the fog rolls over the moors," Angus suggested, as he begin to walk.
Shaggy, Scooby, and Muriel followed closely behind him, with Courage trailing after, the suitcase a heavy but familiar weight in his paws.
Half an hour later, the family found themselves within the towering castle, specifically in an expansive chamber situated high within the tall tower.
Shaggy rubbed his stomach with satisfaction, exclaiming, "Man that haggis sure was tasty."
Scooby agreed, referring to the delectable haggis they had enjoyed on their journey to the castle, "Reah, it was delicious."
"Here we are, lassie. This bedroom is for you, your nephew and the wee pooches," Angus offered.
However, upon surveying the room, the family was met with disappointment. It lacked the essential comfort of a bed, leaving them perplexed.
"I don't mean to be ungrateful, but there's no bed," Muriel stated, trying to be polite as possible.
"How could I forget the bed?" Angus giggled nervously, before changing the subject, "Meanwhile, I'd love it if you could commence weaving the tartan kilt, you know, for family tradition and all."
Muriel nodded, "Of course, Uncle Angus. Why, it'd be an honor. I'll be needing some wool, though."
"Oh, we've got plenty of that," Angus reassured his niece.
As the conversation progressed, Courage's keen ears detected the faint sound of a sheep's baa. Fear coursed through his veins as he whimpered and sought refuge behind Scooby.
"Rit's okay Rourage, it's just a sheep," Scooby reassured his trembling companion.
Courage took a deep breath of relief, "Phew," but quickly noticed something peculiar, "Wait a minute the color sheep wool is usually white and black," he exclaimed.
To their astonishment, the sheep they observed bore a distinct tartan pattern on its wool.
"Must be a new species," Shaggy speculated, his curiosity piqued.
"Now, you just roll the wool off the sheepie's back, and hand it to me as I weave," Muriel instructed Courage, as she handed a piece of thin wool to him.
"Good. I'll leave you two to your work," Angus said, before leaving the room.
Shaggy, however, felt a prickle of unease, "Something doesn't feel right," he mumbled, his voice laced with suspicion.
"Rhat do you mean Raggy?" Scooby asked, his human best friend, his voice echoing Shaggy's uncertainty.
"Like Great Uncle Angus doesn't feel like family," Shaggy elaborated, his suspicion growing.
"I know what you mean, Shaggy. He seems more like a stranger," Courage agreed, the cowardly teen echoing Shaggy's unease; the little man truly seemed more like a stranger than a family member.
"I better make a phone call," Shaggy decided, his suspicion solidifying into a need for confirmation. He hurried out of the room, his intention clear: to call his parents and see if they shared his unsettling feeling about Great Uncle Angus.
A half an hour later, Angus came into the room and asked, "So, how are we doing?"
The sheep, now shivering uncontrollably without its wool, was a stark reminder of the cold; Scooby and Courage exchanged worried glances.
"We've got one tartan kilt, woven with love for my dear Uncle Angus," Muriel said, as she held out a kilt.
Angus went over to take a good look at it, "Now all we need are 4,999 more of these babies by the time the sun peeks over the moors."
His tone laced with an arrogance that sent a shiver down both Scooby and Courage's spines. The sheer impossibility of the request was a slap in the face.
"Sure. After a wee nap and a nice cup of tea, I can get start–" Muriel began, before realizing what her uncle was saying, "Are you daft, man?"
"I've got outlet stores breathing down my neck for more kilts! -It's supply and demand. I demand, you supply," Angus said, impatiently.
Meanwhile, Shaggy, having just finished a phone call with his parents, returned to the room, his face etched with concern, "No way! Okay thanks for telling me. Love you guys, bye," he said, hanging up and turning back to the confrontation unfolding before him.
It when he went in, and saw the confrontation, between his family and his 'uncle.'
Muriel was on the verge of crying, "But... But how can you do this to me, Uncle Angus?"
"You're nothing to me! Because I'm not your Great Uncle Angus! What's more, you don't have a Great Uncle Angus. And you never did!" 'Angus' relived his identity.
Shaggy's eyes widened in horror, "You're right man!" he exclaimed, pointing an accusing finger at the imposter, "I called my parents if I did have an Uncle Angus and guess what? They told me there is no Uncle Angus."
"You… lied to us!" Courage cried out, his tiny voice trembling.
"Row could you do this?" Scooby echoed, his eyes wide with shock and disappointment.
"Oh Norville and mutts. I was just using your aunt to come to Scotland to make me more kilts to sell," the little man confirmed.
"But then, who are ya?" Muriel asked, wanting to know.
"Who am I? Who am I?" the little man echoed, "Never mind who I am. I'm not telling you! Now, start your weaving, baby!"
"And what if I don't?" Muriel refused, as she crossed her arms.
"Then you'd leave me no choice but to…" the little man threatened, before grumbling, "...shepherd's pie!"
Panic erupted. Scooby and Courage, their fear palpable, scrambled for safety, Scooby leaping into Shaggy's arms and Courage seeking refuge on Muriel's lap.
Shaggy's voice trembling with terror, let out a strangled, "Zoinks!"
"You'd make shepherd's pie out of us?" Muriel asked, with horror.
"Aye," the little man nodded, as he use a tooth picked for his teeth.
"You're crazy man!" Shaggy exclaimed, his voice filled with indignation.
"Why, you're nothing but a wee monster, Mister… Uh, what's your name again?" Muriel asked, again.
"Never mind my name! You just do your work!" the little man demanded, before leaving the room.
Leaving them to grapple with the horrifying truth and the chilling threat that hung over them.
"Ooh! What a strange, nasty little man!" Muriel said.
"Rand scary," Scooby added, his voice a trembling whimper, as he huddled behind Muriel, his tail tucked between his legs.
"And just where am I supposed to get the wool to weave 4,999 kilts?" Muriel asked.
As if the questions were answer, a sheep suddenly jumped through the window, surprising the family.
"Ooh!" Muriel exclaimed.
Shaggy asked the sheep, his eyes wide with bewilderment, "Zoinks, where did you come from?"
Courage walked up to the window and peered outside, "I think a catapult is shooting sheep," he announced, his voice filled with a mix of confusion and growing alarm.
The rest of the family hurried to the window, their faces mirroring Courage's concern as they saw the little man, a mischievous glint in his eye, using a crude catapult to launch sheep, one after another, towards their home.
"REMEMBER, BE FINISHED BY SUNRISE!" the little man called.
"RI've heard of counting sheep, but this is just ridiculous," Scooby commented, his voice laced with a touch of humor, though his eyes were still filled with fear.
"Oh, dear, whatever are we going to do?" Muriel asked, with despair.
"Like, there is absolutely no way Aunt Muriel would ever finished them by sunrise," Shaggy said, his voice laced with worry, a sense of helplessness creeping into his tone.
"Rand I don't wanna be made into shepherd's pie," Scooby added, his voice a barely audible whimper, as he buried his face in Muriel's skirt, fear gripping him.
"Well, we gotta do something," Courage said, his voice a determined whisper, his eyes flashing with a newfound resolve.
"There must be a way out of here," Muriel insisted.
Shaggy countered with a groan, "But like, the only way out of here is through the window, and that creepy little dude lock us up in here!" His despair was palpable.
"Oh, no. That's way too far for me to jump. It's up to you, boys. You three have got to go out the window and get help. I'll lower you three down with my hair, just like Rapunzel," Muriel said, as she try to lower her hair down, but this didn't matter because her hair is short, and not like Rapunzel's hair.
Courage pointed out, "This isn't a fairytale Muriel. This is real life."
"Do it for me," Muriel begged.
Shaggy sighed, realizing they had no other choice, "Okay, come on dudes," he conceded, knowing the window was their only escape.
The cowardly trio started their descent, clinging to Muriel's meager hair. But the short length proved insufficient, forcing them to let go and plummet to the hard ground below, landing with a painful thud. Shaggy, Scooby, and Courage groaned in unison, disoriented and sore. Blindly, they stumbled towards the water's edge, only to fall in with a splash.
"The things I do for love," Courage groaned, gasping for breath as he resurfaced.
Suddenly, a drawbridge slammed down, striking the trio on their heads and plunging them back into the murky water. They resurfaced again, coughing and sputtering, their hearts pounding.
Then they heard an furious anger voice of the little man, "You're fired! Take your things and get out! You know the rules, and you broke them. No one utters my name. Anyone who dares even to whisper it gets a sure boot out of my castle. Now, off with you! Be gone, Mum!"
The little man laughed, before the drawbridge goes up.
Shaggy, Scooby, and Courage, still sputtering, listened to his cruel words, their faces reflecting confusion and disbelief.
"Like, how could somebody fire their own mom?" Shaggy questioned, flabbergasted.
Scooby mourned, "Roor lady," feeling sorry for the little man's mother.
Courage, however, began to formulate a plan, "I'm sure he wouldn't tell her his name even if he gets paid. Paid? Guys I have an idea!" His eyes sparkled with mischief, a glimmer of hope shining through the darkness of their predicament.
To deceive the cunning little man guarding the drawbridge, Courage, Shaggy, and Scooby devised an elaborate plan. Courage concealed his identity beneath a top hat and a meticulously groomed fake mustache, while Shaggy and Scooby disguise themselves into alluring showgirls. With a theatrical flourish, Courage approached the drawbridge, his heart pounding with anticipation. As the drawbridge slowly descended, the little man peered out curiously, his piercing gaze scanning their peculiar ensemble.
With a sly smile, Courage activated a hidden boom box, its speakers reverberating with an enticing announcement.
"Congratulations, friend! You've just won our grand prize, one million dollars!"
The little man's face lighted up like a Christmas tree when he heard this. As Shaggy, Scooby, and Courage celebrated this 'triumphant' news with an impromptu dance routine.
"And all you have to do is just tell us your name so we can complete the check," the man on the boom box instructed.
Courage, hoping against hope that this plan would work, extended a fake check towards the little man. But his heart sank as the man, with a sly grin, wrote in bold letters.
The little man wrote in, "Let's just make it out to 'cash.'"
Courage gasped, his face pale with despair. This was not the answer they were looking for.
"I'm guessing that Cash is his name?" Shaggy asked, clueless, as always, to the subtle nuances of the situation.
"It's not cash you fool! Now if you'll excuse me I'm gonna take my check with me to bed," the little man said, before closing the drawbridge.
"Like, if we don't find out what that dude's name is, we'll never save Aunt Muriel," Shaggy said, his voice filled with despair.
"And we can't get back home without Muriel," Courage added, his voice tight with worry.
"Rhat are we gonna do?" Scooby whined, his big brown eyes wide with fear.
The weight of their mission, the fate of Aunt Muriel hanging in the balance, pressed down on them like a heavy, unseen burden.
Back inside the tower, poor Muriel was exhausted as she made kilts, as fast as she could, even though she was exhausted and it was late at night.
"3, 206..." Muriel sighed, as she swept her forehead.
As the morning sun painted the sky with its golden hues, Shaggy, Scooby, and Courage stirred from their slumber. Abruptly, the little man's mother materialized beside them, her voice laced with both indignation and sorrow.
"Oh, what kind of world is it when a mother gets treated like a bag of dirt? And all 'cause she didn't name her son 'Tony' or 'Frankie' or 'Myron.' But, no, I gave him a perfectly lovely name," the little man's mother said, before whispering into Courage's ear.
A surge of excitement coursed through Courage as he exclaimed, "Yes! I know what his name is!"
Scooby's curiosity piqued, and he inquired, "Rhat's his name Rourage?"
Courage whispered the name into the Great Dane's ear.
Shaggy, eager to be in on the secret, asked Scooby, "Like, what's his name you guys?"
Scooby, in turn, whispered the name to the teen.
Shaggy's eyes widened in disbelief, "Like, that's a totally weird name."
Scooby echoed his sentiments with an emphatic, "RI know right?"
However, the gravity of their mission quickly dawned on them.
"Guys we can't just stand around. We gotta save Muriel," Courage implored his companions.
But at that moment, Shaggy and Scooby's stomachs rumbled in unison.
"Right after we eat," Shaggy said, his eyes pleading for understanding.
"Ran't save Muriel on an empty stomach," Scooby added, before he and Shaggy took off in search of a breakfast spot.
Courage sighed, the weight of the mission pressing down on him, but he knew he couldn't ignore his friends' hunger. With a resigned shake of his head, he followed his two best friends, hoping they wouldn't let their hunger delay their rescue mission too long.
After breakfast, Shaggy, Scooby and Courage managed to climb all the way back to the top of the window, their limbs aching from the exertion. They were met with the sight of Muriel, looking utterly exhausted, her eyes bloodshot and her shoulders slumped. She clearly hadn't slept a wink the previous night.
"Muriel! Rumpledkiltskin!" Courage gasped, his breath coming in ragged bursts, wasting no time in sounding the alarm.
"What's that you're saying?" Muriel asked.
"Rumpledkiltskin!" Courage exclaimed, his voice gaining urgency.
"Wrinkled Pimple Skin?" Muriel asked, with confusion.
"No Rumpledkiltskin!/Ro Rumpledkiltskin!" Shaggy, Scooby and Courage cried in unison, their voices echoing in the quiet morning air.
"Pumpernickel Stilts Fin?" Muriel asked, still not getting it.
Shaggy let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping, "This is gonna be a long morning," he muttered, his voice filled with a mixture of dread and resignation.
Suddenly the little man slammed the door open, and entering the room.
"Time's up! Do I have my 5,000 kilts?" the little man asked, with demand.
"All I could manage to weave was 4,237," Muriel cried, with despair, "Please don't grind us up, Mister, uh… What did you say your name was again?"
"There you go again with my name! It's none of your business!" the little man snapped at the old woman.
Chaos erupted as Shaggy, Scooby, and Courage chanted in unison, "We do! We do!/Re do! Re do!"
Shaggy stepped forward, his voice laced with a hint of desperation, "But like, you're gonna guess it in charades."
"I don't mind a challenge," the little man nodded.
"I do love charades," Muriel smiled.
Scooby pointed a single paw skyward, "Ret's begin."
"First word is?" the little man questioned.
Shaggy, Scooby, and Courage turned in unison, then proceeded to slap their rear ends with exaggerated gestures.
"Uh, buttocks?" the little man guessed.
Courage shook his head, "No."
"Bottom?" the little man guessed again.
Shaggy, with a perplexed expression, uttered, "Like, no."
"Tush? Heinie!" the little man guessed, with determination.
Scooby, with a sigh, simply replied, "Ro."
"Rump," Muriel guessed.
Courage, with a triumphant nod, confirmed, "Uh-huh! That's correct," He then held up two fingers, signaling the next word.
"Second word!" the little man shouted.
Courage, with a flourish, wheeled out a walker, while Shaggy and Scooby, sporting canes and a wheelchair respectively, dressed like elderly man.
"Om! Rump old," the little man said, before gasping, "Rumpled!"
"Rorrect," Scooby affirmed, his tail wagging with joy.
"Oh, isn't this fun? Next word?" Muriel said.
Courage, with a mischievous glint in his eye, looked at the kilts lying nearby, "Follow my lead," he instructed.
Shaggy, Scooby, and Courage, each grabbed a kilt, fashioning them into impromptu skirts.
"You're girls!" Muriel guessed.
"Aye! You're girls!" the little man guessed as well.
Courage, with a sigh, corrected, "We're not girls!" he then glanced at the device Muriel had been working on earlier, a spark of inspiration lighting up his face, "Scooby come on. I have an idea."
Scooby, trusting his best dog friend, nodded, "Rokay."
The two dogs jumped into the device, and with a whirring and clicking, Courage brought the machine to life.
Emerging with a kilt-patterned fur, Scooby and Courage declared in unison, "Ta da!/Ra da!"
"Kilt skin," the little man guessed.
"Rumpled kilt skin?" Muriel guessed.
Courage, with a satisfied grin, confirmed, "That's Right!"
"No!" the little man suddenly cried, as he finally realized what this all meant.
"Rumpled Kilt Skin? What in heaven's name is that?" Muriel asked.
"It's my name!" the little man shouted, "I told you, no one utters my name and stays here under my roof! Now, get out! Out!"
Shaggy, Scooby and Courage's faces turned pale and their bodies trembling, instinctively clutched onto each other, a pathetic huddle of fear before seeking refuge behind Muriel's towering form.
"Don't hurt us. Please!?" Courage pleaded, his voice barely a whisper, his whole body shaking in terror.
"Rumpledkiltskin? Well, I think it's a darling, precious name," Muriel smiled, trying to make the little man better.
"Don't ever say it again, woman, or I swear I'll... I'll...," Rumpledkiltskin threatened, before beginning to cry onto Muriel.
"There, there...," Muriel said, with a motherly tone.
Shaggy tentatively offered a theory: "I can't believe I'm saying this, but poor dude. Like, is that the reason why you're so mean to everyone around you, all 'cause you didn't like how you were named?"
"Aye, it's true! It's all true! Ever since me own mother brought me into this world, she gave me a ridiculously stupid name! I could've been named 'Tony' or 'Frankie' or 'Myron!' But no, instead I end up with "Rumpledkiltskin"! Oh, woe is me!" Rumpledkiltskin sobbed.
"But if you hate your name so much, why don't you just change it, dear?" Muriel suggested.
"Change it? What do you mean, change it?" Rumpledkiltskin asked, sniffling.
"You know, maybe something more along the lines of… Rumpelstiltskin," Muriel suggested.
"Hmm! It does have a certain ring to it. I like it! I feel like a new man! Say, how about you and me going into business together as full partners?" Rumpelstilskin offered, with his hand up.
"You've got yourself a deal, Rumpelstiltskin. But I have to get home," Muriel said, shaking the little man's hand.
Rumpelstiltskin nodded, "Aye I understand, Oh! Before you lass and laddies go, why don't I make you all some nice fresh haggis for your trip back home to Nowhere? Think it of it as a token of apology for keeping you all locked up in here in the first place."
Scooby's tail wagging furiously, barked in agreement, "Rake that five and you got yourself another deal!" he exclaimed, his voice dripping with enthusiasm.
Courage has a proud glint in his eyes, produced a set of bagpipes from behind his back and began to play a spirited tune. The air vibrated with the haunting melody, a sound that seemed to echo the very essence of the Scottish highlands.
"Like, someone sure has some Scottish genes inside of him," Shaggy chuckled, his face lit with amusement.
A blush creeping onto Courage's cheeks, gave Shaggy a quick thumbs-up in thanks.
"Rou go Rourage!" Scooby cheered, unable to contain his excitement, "Scooby-Dooby-Doo!"
Well that's all for this chapter, next will be House Calls. I like to thank Aartman141999 and schweenieboy for the quotes and ideas. Let me guys know in the reviews/comments of what should I do for the future episodes or next chapter. And what Courage should say in future chapters. Until then this is vakarns signing out.
House Calls: A lonely scientist named Dr. Gerhart wants neighbors, but his sentient house, who is very old and envious, fends them away. He brings the farmhouse next to his house with music, but Gerhart's house intends on destroying the farmhouse out of sheer jealousy and wants Gerhart all to itself. Shaggy, Scooby and Courage has to find a way to make Gerhart's house happy and save the farmhouse.