Season 2, Episode 1:
The Sewer Gator Gamble!

FEATURING THE VOICES OF:
MATTHEW LILLARD as Shaggy
SCOTT INNES as Scooby-Doo
CAT TABER as Daphne
TATI GABRIELLE as Velma
JOSH KEATON as Fred

GUEST VOICES
GREY GRIFFIN as Ruby Doo
JASON RITTER as Scrappy-Doo
KEITH DAVID as Big Zeke
DEE BRADLEY BAKER and FRED TATASCIORE as the Gator Gangsters
JEFF BERGMAN as Security Officer
JONATHAN BANKS as Mortimer McAllister
ANDRE STOJKA as Store Man
JASON MARSDEN as Michelangelo
CURTIS ARMSTRONG as Raphael
FRANK WELKER as Slimer


COLD OPEN

In a Manhattan apartment, a female Great Dane was looking through a newspaper she'd found at the bus station. It read, MEDDLING KIDS AND POOCH FOIL MONSTER SCAM!

"That's my brother for ya," she said while looking at the picture of Scooby-Doo.

This was Scooby's big sister, Ruby. And she'd been living in Manhattan for a while now. But, even though they hadn't seen each other since they were puppies, she tried as best as she could to keep up with how her brothers had been.

Then she heard the fridge open and she looked up.

"What are you getting?" Ruby asked the one in the fridge.

"Just gettin' some milk, is all," responded a tough young voice.

"Okay." Ruby replied. "Enjoy your drink, Scrappy."

"Sure, Mom," the voice said as the door closed, revealing a Great Dane puppy with a spot around his eye, scruffy-looking fur, and a bandana around his neck—plus, he had a few bruises on his person.

Ruby's smile faded as she noticed the bruises. "Oh, Scrappy, please tell me you weren't fighting again," she gently chastised.

"A fight...would be an overstatement," Scrappy responded, trying to downplay things. "Besides, what else could I have done? They needed my help."

Ruby sighed again, a mixture of frustration and worry in her eyes. "Just please, promise me that you'll be careful, and try not to go too far," she urged, her voice carrying a hint of pleading.

"...I'll try," responded Scrappy after some hesitation.

"That's all I ask," Ruby replied with concern in her voice.

Scrappy sighed, the weight of his mother's worry settling on his young shoulders. He didn't like making her fret, but the urge to stand up for those who couldn't defend themselves was something he couldn't shake. It often led him into trouble, but he couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

As he drank his milk, Scrappy resolved to try his hardest to be more careful—for his mom's sake.

(End of Cold Open.)


The show's title fades onto the screen.

SCOOBY-DOO!
Unmasked

SCOOBY (v.o.): Scooby-Dooby-Doo!


Episode 17:

THE SEWER GATOR GAMBLE!
[or Don't Gamble with a Gator]


Out at the city limits, the Mystery RV rumbled its way toward New York City. The towering skyline loomed in the distance, its jagged silhouette growing clearer as they approached the entrance to the George Washington Bridge.

"Welp, here we are, gang," Fred announced, gripping the steering wheel with anticipation. "New York, New York, at last."

Velma peered out the window, adjusting her glasses as the skyscrapers came into view. "This place is definitely tall," she mused.

"No kidding," Daphne chimed in, her eyes wide with excitement. "So many places to shop and plenty of Broadway shows!"

"And like, don't forget all the good places to eat!" Shaggy added with a grin.

"Reah!" Scooby chimed in enthusiastically. "Rand I'm gonna ree ry big sister!"

Fred chuckled, glancing at the fuel gauge. "That's our first stop—right after we get some gas."

"Fair enough," Daphne agreed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Once we're over the bridge."

"Indeed," Velma nodded, already making mental notes of what they'd need to do once they arrived.

"In the meantime, we better take inventory," Shaggy suggested, heading to the back of the RV with Scooby in tow. He rummaged through the pantry, reading off the supplies. "Alright, we've still got 10 boxes of Girl Scout cookies..."

"Renty-two rackages of rotdogs," Scooby added, counting the packages with his paw.

"66 packs of Scooby Snax ingredients," Shaggy continued, checking each item off the list.

"Rand 83 boxes of Scooby Snax!" Scooby finished with a triumphant wag of his tail.

"Any chance we've got fruits, vegetables, and possibly granola bars?" Velma asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Uh...yeah, I think they're around here somewhere," Shaggy replied, glancing up at the upper pantry. "Probably up there."

"Okay, just checking," Velma said with a nod, satisfied with their preparations.

The RV merged into the steady flow of traffic, soon plunging into the dimly lit tunnel. As they emerged on the other side, the energy inside the van buzzed with anticipation. They were almost there—New York City, the Big Apple.

"Mind if I check that postcard, Scoob?" Fred asked, his hand extended. "I wanna make sure we've got the right address in the GPS."

"Rokay!" Scooby handed over the postcard, his tail thumping against the seat.

Fred examined the handwritten note on the back before inputting the address into the GPS. A moment later, a calm voice provided the directions, guiding them toward their first stop.

Scooby could hardly contain his excitement as they neared their destination. "Ri ronder rhat she'll be like?" he pondered aloud, his tail wagging furiously.

"I guess we'll, like, find out soon," Shaggy advised, patting his friend on the back.

"He's right," Velma added, glancing at the GPS. "We're almost there!"

"Roh, boy! Roh, boy!" Scooby exclaimed, hopping up and down with giddy anticipation.

"Hey, didn't she mention having something like a kid?" Shaggy asked. "That would, like, make you an uncle."

"Re? A runcle?" Scooby asked, bewildered by the thought. After a moment, his eyes lit up. "...Runcle Rooby! Ri rike it!" he chuckled, the idea settling in nicely.

"That does sound like a fun title for you, Scooby," Daphne agreed with a smile.

"Well, now's your chance to claim it," Fred said as he pulled the RV into a gas station. "You guys head up and meet them. I'll come back once the RV's refueled."

"Sounds good," Shaggy agreed, turning to Scooby. "How about it, Scooby?"

"Rokay," Scooby nodded, grabbing a box of Scooby Snax to take with him as they stepped out of the RV.

As Fred started pumping gas, Shaggy and Scooby began their walk towards Ruby's apartment. "Welp, this is it, Scoob," Shaggy said, plucking a few stray chin hairs and letting them drift away in the breeze. "The moment of truth."

Scooby nodded in agreement, feeling the weight of the moment, while Daphne caught up with them.

"Hey, mind if I come with?" she asked, her voice bright with curiosity.

"Not a problem," Shaggy replied with a grin. "The more, the merrier."

"Reah!" Scooby echoed, wagging his tail.

With that, the trio entered the apartment lobby and buzzed the number Ruby had given them. A moment later, a voice crackled through the intercom.

"Hello?" Ruby's voice asked, filled with curiosity.

"Ruby? Rhis is Scooby!" Scooby responded eagerly.

"Scooby!" Ruby exclaimed, buzzing them in with excitement. "Come on up!"

"Rokay!" Scooby said as they entered the elevator, heading up to the third floor.

Once they reached Ruby's apartment, Scooby gave a few eager knocks on the door. A few clicks later, the door swung open to reveal Ruby, standing there with a wide smile. "Hi, little brother!" she beamed, pulling Scooby into a warm hug.

"Hi, sis," Scooby replied, his tail thumping against the floor.

"And you brought company!" Ruby noticed, her smile widening as she saw Shaggy and Daphne. "Come in, come in."

"I'm, like, Shaggy, and this is Daphne," Shaggy introduced with a friendly wave. "I'm the one Scooby's been living with."

"Hi there," Daphne waved, stepping forward.

"Nice to meet you both," Ruby greeted them warmly. "Thanks for taking care of my little brother."

"Rhere is he?" Scooby asked, looking around eagerly.

"Oh, are you looking for Scrappy?" Ruby asked with a knowing smile.

"Reah! Reah!" Scooby nodded, his excitement surging.

"One moment," Ruby said, turning toward a room down the hall. "Oh, Scrappy! Your Uncle Scooby is here!"

"Coming!" came the energetic response, followed by the patter of small feet. Soon, a young pup emerged, walking on his hind legs with a confidence that belied his size.

"Scooby, this is your nephew, Scrapford Doo," Ruby introduced proudly.

"I go by Scrappy, though," the pup corrected with a grin as he looked up at Scooby. "Are you my Uncle Scooby?"

"Reah, rhat's re," Scooby nodded, smiling down at him. "Scooby-Doo!"

"Good to know ya, Unc," Scrappy said, wagging his tail.

"And I'm Shaggy, and this is Daphne," Shaggy added. "I'm your uncle's best friend, and Daphne is our friend."

"Nice to meet you two...too," Scrappy responded after a brief pause.

"Same here," Daphne replied warmly.

"Scrappy, why don't you show your uncle and his friends around?" Ruby suggested with a gentle nudge.

"Well, alright," Scrappy nodded, glancing back at his mom. "You gonna be okay, Mom?"

Ruby chuckled softly, brushing a stray hair from her face. "Why wouldn't I be?" she asked.

"Well, alright," Scrappy said, satisfied with her answer.

With that, Scrappy led the group out into the bustling city, eager to show them around. As they left, Ruby leaned against the doorframe, wiping her brow.

"...I couldn't tell them—not yet," she murmured to herself, a troubled look crossing her face. There was a secret she couldn't share right now, and little did she know, things were about to get worse before they could get better.


As Scrappy led the group downstairs, he was eager to introduce his friends. "First, I'm gonna introduce you to my friends," he said with a confident grin. "Then I'll show ya where we can get a bite to eat. I know a great hotdog place around here!"

"OK, now THAT sounds awesome," Shaggy replied, his stomach already growling at the thought.

"Reah! Reah!" Scooby nodded eagerly, his mouth watering. "Rot rogs!"

"Hey, that reminds me..." Daphne chimed in, glancing at the box Scooby was holding. "You forgot to give Ruby your present, right?"

"Ri did?" Scooby asked, looking down at the box of Scooby Snax in his paw. "Roh, nuts! Ri did!" He face-pawed in frustration.

"Don't worry, I'll get you back up there," Scrappy assured him, patting his uncle's leg.

"Aw...rhanks!" Scooby beamed, his tail wagging in appreciation.

"It's no problem," Scrappy responded confidently as he pulled out his house key and led Scooby back inside.

By the time they arrived at Ruby's apartment, they noticed something was off. The door was slightly ajar, and as they approached, they heard voices inside.

"Ruby, Ruby, Ruby..." a deep voice drawled. A large Mastiff stood in the center of the room, flanked by two smaller but still formidable dogs. "...you remember the arrangement we had, don't you? I hope you're not thinking about backing out."

"No, Zeke...of course not," Ruby replied, her voice steady but tinged with barely concealed contempt.

"Rappy, rhat's roing on?" Scooby whispered, concern in his eyes.

"Somethin' real bad," Scrappy whispered back, his tone serious.

"Like I said, the boys and I came for our cash," said Big Zeke, a smug grin spreading across his face. "After all...can't get something for nothing."

"I'm aware," Ruby responded curtly, handing over a bundle of cash.

"Rash?" Scooby mumbled, his confusion deepening. "Rappy, ris romething wrong rith Ruby reeding roney?"

"Alright, here it is," Ruby said as she handed over some money.

Big Zeke took the money with a satisfied nod. "Pleasure doin' business with you," he said as he turned to leave. "Let's go, boys. I got a fire hydrant on 5th and Main that's got my mark on it."

As the gang of dogs left the apartment, Scooby and Scrappy quickly ducked behind an umbrella rack, staying out of sight. Once the coast was clear, they heard Ruby let out a frustrated howl, clearly distressed.

"...Okay, I know you're curious," Scrappy admitted as they stepped out from their hiding spot. "But can't we discuss it over lunch?"

"Well...okay," Scooby relented, though he couldn't shake the worry gnawing at him.


After rejoining Shaggy and Daphne, Scrappy led the group to a nearby hot-dog place. Although his friends hadn't been home that day, Scrappy made sure to leave notes for them, explaining where he'd gone.

The hot-dog place was a dream come true for Scooby and Shaggy. The toppings bar was overflowing with choices, and they wasted no time loading up their hotdogs with every combination imaginable.

"So what's the scariest thing you've faced?" Scrappy asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Rappy!" Scooby reminded him with a gentle nudge.

"...Right-right-right...but I'll ask again later," Scrappy said, chuckling at his own excitement. "In the meantime, you're wondering about what's goin' on with Mom, yeah?"

"Reah," Scooby confirmed, his brow furrowing in concern.

"Like, what'cha mean, ol' buddy?" Shaggy asked, leaning in.

"Is something wrong with your sister?" Daphne added, her voice filled with worry.

Scrappy sighed, looking down at his half-eaten hotdog. "For as long as I can remember, Mom's been having money troubles," he explained, his voice low. "But she didn't want to ask you or Uncle Yabba for help 'cuz she feels like she's gotta rely on herself to take care of herself and me. Plus, she didn't know you were alive for a while."

Scooby's ears drooped as the weight of Scrappy's words sank in. "Ri didn't know," he murmured, feeling a pang of guilt.

"She didn't want you to worry," Scrappy continued. "But now, with Zeke and his goons coming around, it's getting worse. I don't know how much longer she can keep this up on her own."

"Rhat's understandable," Scooby admitted, his voice steady but slightly muffled. "Rut rhese ruys are rad ruys."

"No kidding," Scrappy agreed. "That's why I've been trying to stand up to 'em. Of course, being as height-challenged as I am, it usually gets me thrown into a trash can."

"Scrappy, how old are you?" Daphne asked, her curiosity piqued.

"...six," Scrappy replied with a hint of pride. "Years, not months."

[AUTHOR'S NOTE: In this universe, let's just say talking animals age at the same rate as humans.]

"Okay," Daphne said, nodding in understanding. "How long has she been having these money troubles, and how did she get into them in the first place?"

"Since I was two," Scrappy answered. "And... well, I don't know how they started."

"Looks like we have a mystery that doesn't involve any sort of monster this time," Shaggy said, a note of dread in his voice. "Oh no, I think I jinxed us."

As if on cue, three bipedal, man-sized gators burst from a nearby bank, brandishing bags of money and guns.

"I was, like, totally right!" Shaggy exclaimed, his eyes wide as he spotted the gator-men.

"Whoa!" Daphne cried, her excitement palpable. "Now there's a mystery! And I'm going to get on it!"

"Like, let's not and say we did, okay?" Shaggy said, glancing longingly at his half-finished hot dogs. "I mean, I haven't even finished my hot dogs—I've still got 26 left!"

"I'll hold onto them," the hot dog stand owner offered with a grin. "With how much you guys eat, I might give you a lifetime supply whenever you want."

"Great... thanks..." Shaggy responded, rising reluctantly from his seat. He and Scooby joined Daphne as they set off.

"I'm coming too!" Scrappy piped up, his tail wagging with excitement.

"Like, no way. You're still young!" Shaggy protested. "You don't really have an obligation!"

"Like fun I don't," Scrappy retorted. "Those gator guys are makin' trouble! And I'm just the pup to stop it!"

"Row I ree how you rot your name," Scooby said with a chuckle.

"Yup!" Scrappy nodded eagerly. "Now let's get goin'!" And he scurried off after Daphne.

"Looks like we have our hands full with him," Shaggy remarked, shaking his head as he chased after Scrappy.

"We see anyone comin' after us, we ain't gonna be so nice!" warned the head gator as he and his crew scrambled into a nearby manhole.

Daphne and the group watched as the gators disappeared into the sewer. "Alright then..." she said, pulling out her phone. "Time to let Fred and Velma know!"

As she dialed, Scrappy struggled with the manhole cover, grunting with effort. "Nnngh...c'mon! C'mon!" he huffed, but the cover wouldn't budge. "Ruff and double-ruff!"

"Rit's rokay, Scrappy," Scooby reassured him. "Come reet my friends."

"Aw... okay," Scrappy relented, following the others reluctantly.


Eventually, they reached the gas station where the Mystery RV was parked. Fred and Velma were sitting on a bench when they saw their friends arriving.

"Oh, hey, gang," Fred greeted. "Who's the puppy with you?"

"Re's ry rephew!" Scooby exclaimed with a broad grin.

"Hi, I'm Scrappy Doo," Scrappy introduced himself proudly.

"Pleased to meet you," Velma said with a warm smile. "Velma Dinkley."

"Fred Jones," Fred added with a friendly nod. "...okay, you are adorable, you know that?"

Scrappy winced slightly, his cheeks flushing. "...yeah, I know," he replied.

"He, like, seems to be tender on the subject of puppy love," Shaggy observed with a knowing glance.

"Nah, I just don't like being called cute," Scrappy said, sticking out his tongue in distaste. "Yecch." [Yet another carryover from the original. Scrappy never liked being "cute".]

"Understandable," they all agreed, nodding in sympathy.

"Anyways, these gator guys," Daphne began, turning to Velma. "Did you find anything on them?"

"I did some research," Velma said, her tone shifting to businesslike. "I found plenty about theories of alligators in the sewer and one about a criminal who hid there. The story said he ate so many that he eventually became one himself."

"I'd say that sounds ridiculous," Daphne admitted. "But after what we've seen...I'm ready to accept that possibility."

"Either way, we've gotta stop 'em!" Scrappy declared.

"Scrappy's right," Fred agreed. "And first, we go back to the scene of the crime."

"The bank is back this way," Daphne said, pointing in the direction they had come from.

"Then we'd better get to it," Velma said, gathering her things. "C'mon!"

"Looks like we're up to our scales in another mystery," Fred commented with a grin. "Back in the groove for sure!" he added, proud of his wordplay.

"This should be interesting," Scrappy said, his eyes sparkling with excitement.


The gang headed back to the bank, determined to unravel the latest mystery. Once they arrived, they started to investigate.

Soon, a security officer approached them. "Can I help you?" he asked.

"We're Mystery Incorporated, and we're looking into the gator-men that robbed your bank," Fred explained.

"I see, we've heard about you," the officer said, acknowledging their reputation.

"Could we get the security footage to look over for clues?" Velma requested.

"I'll get you a copy," the officer promised, heading off to retrieve the footage. A moment later, he returned with a copy of the security footage from the day of the robbery.

As the gang was leaving with the footage in hand, they bumped into a mustached man wearing an orange vest. "Watch it!" he snapped, pushing past them with a scowl.

"Sheesh... like, what a grouch," Shaggy remarked, watching the man storm off. "Who the heck was that?"

"Not sure," Fred admitted, frowning slightly.

Velma quickly checked her phone, her brow furrowing as she read. "Apparently, that's Mortimer McAllister, a well-known construction tycoon."

"Not a very nice person, apparently," Daphne added, a hint of disdain in her voice.

"Ro kidding," Scooby responded, sticking his tongue out in disgust.

"Let's go and check the footage," Velma suggested, eager to get back to the mystery.

Fred nodded and inserted the disc into a portable DVD player. As the video started to play, Shaggy grabbed a bag of popcorn and began munching noisily.

"Could you keep it down, Shag?" Fred asked, slightly annoyed.

"Whup! Sorry," Shaggy mumbled through a mouthful of popcorn.

On the screen, the footage showed the gator-men bursting into the bank, brandishing their guns and gnashing their jaws menacingly.

"This is interesting…" Velma murmured, her eyes glued to the screen.

As the gang continued to watch, they saw the gators collect the money and leave the bank. In their haste, they left behind a few loose scales.

"I grabbed some of those," Scrappy admitted, pulling out a small handful of the scales.

Velma took one of the scales and placed it under her portable microscope, examining it closely. "Well, it's definitely not an alligator scale," she said thoughtfully. "Alligators don't have scales like this. This material is synthetic—made to look just like the real thing. It's mostly used on movie props and costumes."

"So where would someone get that sort of stuff?" Fred asked, his curiosity piqued.

"If they have enough money, they could get it from a well-known costume and props company that's done work for some big movies in the past," Velma explained, tapping her chin in thought.

"Alright, we'll need to see if there's anywhere like that around here," Fred said, already planning their next move.

"I think I know a connected store," Daphne chimed in as she quickly checked her phone. "Yep, there's one just a block over."

"Then that's where we go," Fred decided. "C'mon, gang!"

And with that, the gang set off to follow their latest lead, determined to solve the mystery of the gator-men.


The gang found the shop they were looking for, nestled between two tall buildings. The storefront was unassuming, but the inside was a different story.

"So this is the place, yeah?" Fred asked, surveying the area.

"Yes, it is," Daphne confirmed. "It's a branch of a larger company based out in California, but they offer the same high-quality costumes and props here."

"Alright, then let's get in there," Fred said, leading the way as he pushed open the door. The gang followed him inside, eyes wide with amazement.

The interior was like stepping into a movie museum. Costumes and props from famous films lined the walls, some so lifelike it felt like they might come to life at any moment.

"Whoa... it's like a who's who of the movie world!" Shaggy exclaimed, his eyes darting from one display to another.

"No kidding," Scrappy echoed, equally impressed.

An old man, with a neatly trimmed white beard, stood behind the counter. He smiled as he saw the gang's reactions. "Well, our company has done a lot of work for big-time motion pictures for at least four decades," he said proudly. "We were so proud of our work that we display all the spares we made as a testament to our success."

"Hey, look!" Shaggy pointed to a life-sized maquette. "That's the one from Boogedy Bones Rises from the Grave! Didn't we watch that in 7th grade?"

Scooby gulped and quickly ducked under a nearby table. "Reah...and it's STILL scary!" he exclaimed, his tail trembling.

"Aw, he's not so tough!" Scrappy said bravely. "Anyone can be scary if they've got two extra heads backin' them up!"

"Indeed," the old man agreed with a chuckle. "Is there something I can do for you?"

"Did anyone come in here and buy an alligator costume recently?" Velma asked, cutting to the chase.

The old man's expression became more serious. "Unfortunately, I can't reveal that information due to a special confidentiality clause set in any sale contract that we make for custom-made costumes," he explained. "However, I will admit to being curious as to why you ask."

"Because recently, these were found at a bank," Fred said as he placed the scales on the counter. "Whoever bought the costumes used them to rob the place."

The old man's eyebrows rose in surprise. "I see..." he murmured, examining the scales. "I can't tell you who bought the costumes without a warrant, but I do have a clue that might help you."

"We'll take what we can get," Velma replied, eager for any lead.

The old man nodded and reached under the counter, pulling out a Geiger counter. "We had to ship the material in via air flights, so it absorbed enough solar radiation to register on this," he explained. He moved the device over the scales, and the Geiger counter began to tick softly at the lowest levels. "It's not enough to be harmful, but it's enough to be tracked."

"Jinkies!" Velma exclaimed, impressed.

"I hope this helps you out," the old man said, handing back the scales.

"Thank you," Velma said, nodding gratefully. "We appreciate it."

With a new lead in hand, the gang left the shop. Velma wasted no time retrieving her own Geiger counter from the Mystery Machine.

"...I keep forgetting you have that," Daphne remarked, watching Velma set up the device.

"I don't use it often, but it's handy in emergencies," Velma admitted.

"Ah, right," Daphne said. "So, what do you have?"

"Since the material has a small amount of radiation, we can use this to track it while going after the gator-men," Velma explained.

"Yeah, and I have some stuff that can help us keep clean, or at least dry, while down there," Fred added, opening a compartment in the Mystery Machine.

"Okay, let's see what you got," Shaggy said, eyeing the gear.

Fred pulled out boots, waders, homemade containment suits, and gas masks. "We'll need these to stay safe."

One by one, the gang suited up, even Scrappy.

"I might be tough, but I really don't want a bath," Scrappy quipped as he zipped up his suit.

"Especially not in sewage," Daphne added, sticking out her tongue in disgust.

Once everyone was ready, they made their way to the nearest manhole. Fred and Shaggy pried the cover off, and one by one, they climbed down into the dark, damp sewer below, their Geiger counter ticking softly as they began their search.


As the gang descended into the sewers, the damp, dark tunnels closed in around them, but fortunately, their masks kept the worst of the smell at bay. The only sounds were the faint drip of water and the echo of their footsteps. Scooby, however, thought he caught a glimpse of movement in the shadows—five figures, armed, their silhouettes stark against the dim light.

"...ruh?" Scooby muttered, his ears twitching as he tried to make sense of what he saw.

"What's up, Uncle Scooby?" Scrappy asked, noticing his uncle's unease.

Scooby took another glance back, but the figures were gone. "Never mind," he said, shaking it off and continuing down the tunnel.

"Okay," Scrappy replied, following closely behind.

As they left, he thought he heard the echoes of another conversation.

"Dude, that was mondo-bizarro... I coulda sworn I heard someone down here," a voice echoed through the tunnels.

"What, besides us?" another voice responded. "Just keep walking, Mikey."

Before they could process the strange conversation, they were interrupted by a low, guttural growl coming from around the corner. Velma's Geiger counter began to tick, picking up faint traces of radiation.

"Eh?" one of the gator-men growled. "What was that?"

"Hide!" Fred whispered urgently, and Velma quickly turned off the Geiger counter.

The gang pressed themselves into a small, shadowy alcove as they heard the heavy, wet footsteps of a gator-man approaching. The creature's scaly feet slapped against the damp floor, getting closer with each passing second.

The gator-man sniffed the air and scanned the area, his yellow eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. "I swear I heard something here..." he muttered, his voice a low rumble. After a tense moment, he shook his head and lumbered away, grumbling to himself about his imagination.

Once the coast was clear, the gang exhaled in relief, emerging from their hiding spot.

"That was close," Daphne whispered, her heart still racing.

"Reah...too close," Scooby agreed, his legs still trembling.

"So, what do we do now?" Daphne asked, glancing at Fred.

"We need to find their hideout," Fred replied. "Velma, is there a quiet setting on that Geiger counter?"

"There is," Velma confirmed, adjusting the device.

"Good, set it to silent mode," Fred instructed.

With the Geiger counter now quieter, the gang resumed their search, following the faint ticks that grew stronger as they moved deeper into the sewers. They took turns at each intersection, heading in the direction that the Geiger counter reacted to the most.

Eventually, they arrived at a drier, more open area of the sewers. The walls here were cleaner, and the air didn't carry the usual stench of the sewers.

"This must be the place," Scrappy whispered, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the area.

"It definitely seems like it," Velma agreed, scanning the surroundings and confirming the traces of mild radioactivity.

The gang carefully climbed up a nearby slope, which led to a large, rusted metal door partially hidden in the shadows.

"Well, there's definitely something strange here," Daphne said, wrinkling her nose. "For one, this area doesn't smell like sewage."

"New York's full of old, abandoned subway tunnels and stations," Scrappy explained. "Sometimes, you find them while exploring sewers and storm drains. My pals and I found some old tracks that haven't been used in years while exploring once."

"Alright..." Fred said, glancing back at the gang. "Flashlights?"

One by one, they switched on their flashlights, the beams cutting through the darkness. Fred turned around to lead the way, only to come face to snout with one of the Gator Ghouls.

The creature huffed in Fred's face before letting out a thunderous roar, its jaws snapping inches from Fred's nose.

"...Alright, this is the part where we... RUN!" Fred shouted, spinning on his heel.

"From this oversized excuse for a purse?" Scrappy scoffed, putting up his fists. "Nothin' doin'! We got a little something called strength in numbers, and I'm gonna make HIM real numb!"

But before Scrappy could make a move, more Gator Ghouls appeared, their jaws snapping menacingly.

"Try getting past jaws that can tear limbs off," Velma warned, "and the numbers have turned against us."

"Well, when ya put it that way..." Scrappy hesitated, taking a step back.

"How else CAN he put it?" Shaggy quipped as Daphne scooped up Scrappy. "Time to vacate!"

With that, the gang bolted, the Gator Ghouls hot on their heels. They dashed through the twisting tunnels, their flashlights bouncing wildly as they dodged and weaved through the maze of passageways. Despite their bulk, the Gator Ghouls were surprisingly fast, though not as quick as real alligators, giving the gang a fighting chance to escape.

The chase led them deeper into the sewers, but with the Gator Ghouls closing in, the gang had to think fast to outwit their pursuers.

The gang's frantic escape through the labyrinthine sewer tunnels led them to a sudden stop after the twelfth turn, where they encountered what appeared to be a crew of sewer workers. The Gator Ghouls, hot on their trail, skidded to a halt, unsure of what to make of the men standing before them.

"Hey, d'ya mind?" barked the leader of the crew, a burly man with a thick New York accent. "We got work to do! So take off!"

"Yeah!" chimed in another worker, shaking a wrench at the gators. "We're WORKIN' HERE!"

The sewer workers, without hesitation, began tossing tools and bits of debris at the Gator Ghouls, who, startled by the sudden aggression, snarled in frustration before retreating down the tunnel.

Once the coast was clear, the "sewer workers" removed their helmets and fake mustaches, revealing themselves to be none other than Scooby and the gang.

"Like, wow! I can't believe that worked!" Shaggy exclaimed, still catching his breath.

"Didn't recognize us at all," Daphne said with a satisfied smile. "And you have to be tough to work down here, so throwing some of this junk definitely made them leave."

"Hey, lucky for us," Fred added, dusting off his hands. "Now let's get a move on and see if we can find some more clues."

The gang quickly regrouped and made their way out of the sewers. As they emerged into the cool night air, they removed their helmets and took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air after the stifling confines of the tunnels.

"We're pretty far from figuring this out," Velma mused, adjusting her glasses. "But we're going to keep looking for information."

"So far, we know they're using the sewers to get around," Daphne mentioned, "and they might have set up shop in one of those abandoned subway stations."

"Then we might hafta check there," Shaggy said, his voice tinged with nervousness as he glanced back at the sewer entrance.

"Oh, boy! That oughta be great!" Scrappy exclaimed.

"Suuuure," sneered a voice from the shadows. "Just the right place for a little punk like you."

Scrappy whipped around, his ears perking up and his fists clenched. "Hey! Who said that?" he demanded, baring his teeth as he scanned the area. His eyes soon landed on a large, rough-looking dog who stepped into view, smirking down at the pup.

"Whoa, whoa, Lon, ease up," came another voice, deeper and smoother. Emerging from the darkness was Big Zeke, the massive Mastiff loan shark, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Well! If it ain't the pup of my favo-rite client!"

Upon recognizing Big Zeke, Scrappy dropped to all fours, his growl deepening. "Whadda YOU want, Zeke?" he spat, his small frame tense.

"I just finished up a visit with your mommy," Big Zeke replied casually, his voice dripping with smugness. "Just had to collect what she owed me." He glanced over at the rest of the gang, who were standing behind Scrappy. "Ah! And you brought company, too! Guess you've moved up from the other two runts you usually hang around with."

Scrappy growled, baring his teeth. "Don't make fun a'my friends!" he snapped.

"Or what?" Lon sneered, stepping closer. "Don't tell me you're gonna unleash your 'puppy power' on us! Oh, please, don't hurt us, Mister Scrappy, we'll do whatever you say!" He feigned fear, before bursting into raucous laughter.

Seeing how they were treating Scrappy, Scooby's protective instincts kicked in. "Rey! Reave ry rephew alone!" he snapped, his normally gentle demeanor replaced by a fierce snarl.

"Who's the mutt?" asked another dog, Benny, his tone dismissive.

"My uncle Scooby ain't a mutt!" Scrappy shot back, standing tall. "He's the toughest dog ever!"

"Uncle Scooby?" Big Zeke's eyes narrowed with recognition. "You mean the mealy-mouthed mongrel is the Scooby-Doo?"

"The one and only!" Scrappy declared.

"Gosh...I hadn't realized!" Big Zeke said, his tone suddenly mockingly respectful. "Boys, boys...we're in the presence of a celebrity!"

"Yeah, real scary," snickered Benny. "Dumb mutt can't even talk right!" He and Lon immediately started mocking Scooby's speech mannerisms, before they laughed their tails off.

Scrappy's fists clenched as he stepped forward. "Don't make fun of my uncle, either!"

"Or WHAT, brat?" Big Zeke snarled, leaning down to get in Scrappy's face, his intimidating presence looming over the smaller dog.

Scrappy glared up at him defiantly. "Or...THIS!" He wound up and, with surprising strength, landed a solid punch right on Big Zeke's nose.

Zeke stumbled back a step, holding his nose in shock. "...that actually...hurt..." he muttered, his eyes briefly flashing with anger.

"Say it ain't so!" Benny exclaimed, surprised. "It's a bluff, yeah?"

Scrappy, still amazed at his own strength, puffed out his chest. "And there's plenty more where THAT came from!"

Scooby jumped to his feet and started doing karate poses. "Ree-yah! Hoi! Tsuao! Tet-suo!" he shouted, each movement more exaggerated than the last.

Big Zeke, still rubbing his nose, shot a look at his lackeys. "Let's go, for now," he ordered, his voice low and dangerous. "We'll take care of them later. Besides, we got places to be."

"...sure, boss, sure," Benny and Lon mumbled, both quickly falling in line as they retreated, casting wary glances back at the gang.

"Ruff and double-ruff!" Scrappy exclaimed triumphantly, watching them go. "Boy, did we show THEM what for!"

"Let's hope they don't have reinforcements..." Velma cautioned, always the voice of reason.

"Nah, they're a three-dog band," Scrappy replied confidently.

"Okay, but we'd better keep an eye out for them anyway," Fred advised. "They could be suspects."

"Not to mention, they got Mom stuck paying them!" Scrappy added, his earlier bravado fading slightly as he thought about his mother.

"Where do they even get their money to begin with?" Velma asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Well, Duke sez they get it from placing bets," Scrappy said.

"Hmm, something is definitely going on with them," Velma said thoughtfully. "Let's keep looking for clues."

"If only we knew where they'd be next," mused Daphne. "Then we could be ready and have something prepared to stop them!"

"Let's check the banks they've hit," Velma suggested. "Maybe we'll find a pattern."

"Alright," Fred nodded as Velma pulled out her phone to do a quick search.

After a moment, she let out a small gasp. "Jinkies! Take a look at this!" She held up her phone for everyone to see.

"Hey, they're, like, going down the line, literally," Shaggy pointed out.

"And all those banks could be leading to something," Fred said, a determined look on his face. "Maybe the last point has some kind of treasure connection?"

"I don't know, but the next location should be here," Velma said, pinpointing the next bank on the map.

"Alright, gang, let's get to the RV and move out," Fred said decisively.

"Sure thing," they agreed, heading towards the RV parked nearby.

When they climbed inside, Scrappy's eyes widened in awe as he took in the vehicle's sleek and modern interior. "Whoa...you guys drive around in this thing?" he asked, bewildered.

"It's a recent development so we could come up here," Fred explained, taking the wheel.

"Still, cool!" Scrappy said, glancing around. "...but what's behind that door?" he asked, pointing to a large garage-like door at the far end of the RV.

"That's something we're going to need," Fred replied as he walked over and opened the door, revealing what was behind it.

Inside the hidden compartment was a futuristic-looking, streamlined van that bore a striking resemblance to the iconic Mystery Machine, but with a more high-tech flair.

"...where'd you get this?" Daphne asked, her voice filled with awe.

"I had a very special pen pal in the scientific community," Velma admitted with a sly smile.

"I guess we'll find out more about that later," Shaggy remarked, still trying to process everything.

"Exactly," Fred nodded as the doors to the compartment slowly rose open. "Now, everybody in!"

The gang quickly piled into the high-tech van, marveling at its cutting-edge interior as Fred started the engine. With the back of the RV opening up, the van smoothly glided out and onto the road, speeding off towards their next destination.


After a while, the gang arrived at the Charles A. Nichols Bank and got out to survey the area.

"This is the spot," Fred declared confidently, glancing around the premises.

With their magnifying glasses in hand, the gang began meticulously searching the bank grounds for any signs of trouble.

"So far, nothing," Daphne noted as she scanned the area, "but I'm willing to bet they'll strike soon enough."

"Maybe they'd be tempted if there was a big enough prize," suggested Scrappy. "Like...I dunno, some really big jewel on display."

"There's actually a couple of big diamonds being deposited here," Velma mentioned as she checked some information about the bank on her phone.

"Really?" Fred mused, his mind already racing. "Well...then once those gators hear about the diamonds, they'll be over here in no time!"

"Shouldn't take too long," Daphne agreed, her eyes narrowing.

"Then might I suggest setting a trap?" Velma proposed.

"Well, considering that we actually have enough suspects and there's a strong chance that we can figure out what the crime really is, sure!" Fred agreed.

"Alright then!" Daphne nodded. "Let's get to it!"

"Hey, yeah!" Scrappy exclaimed. "Let's kick some gator tail!"

Shaggy sighed. "Looks like we're going back into our old positions again."

"Reah," Scooby agreed. "Rokay, rhat bait are we today?"

"Actually, we need you two to dress up like security guards," Fred mentioned, pointing at Shaggy and Scooby.

"Yeah?" Shaggy asked, a little relieved that they wouldn't be the bait this time.

"The diamonds are the bait this time, while you and Scooby are the lookouts," Daphne explained with a reassuring smile.

"Well, okay," Shaggy nodded, still a bit nervous but ready to help. "We'll do what we can."

"Rokay," Scooby agreed, though his tail gave a little wag at the prospect of playing a different role.

"Same here!" Scrappy declared, eager to prove himself.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" asked Daphne, concerned.

"As sure as sure can be," Scrappy replied firmly, puffing out his chest.

"I say we, like, give him a chance!" Shaggy commented, smiling at Scrappy's enthusiasm.

"Ri think he's got what it takes, too," Scooby nodded.

"Okay, then," Fred agreed. "I'm sure he could help out as an extra lookout."

"With his size, he could sneak around while the gatormen are distracted," Velma suggested, appreciating Scrappy's agility.

Scrappy gave a sharp salute. "Aye-aye!" he replied.


After getting everything settled, the gang quickly got to work setting up their trap. Within half an hour, the trap was in place, and Scooby, Shaggy, and Scrappy were all decked out in their security guard disguises.

Taking their positions, they waited for the Gator Men to arrive. It wasn't long before the gangsters showed up, picking the lock and slipping into the bank.

"So this is the place, eh?" asked the leader as he looked around. "Very swank. They got a lotta guts to put that jewel up on display like this—and in a bank, too."

Shaggy and Scooby spotted them and quickly texted the rest of the gang.

Scrappy, crouched nearby, growled under his breath as he watched the gators.

"Looks like our guests have arrived," Fred said as he received the alert. "Now for the festivities to begin!"

"We're ready on our end," Velma confirmed.

"Alright, the pressure-sensitive plates are ready, and so are the goo-blasters," Daphne added, her eyes trained on the security monitors.

"Just need to make sure they get into the right position," Fred said, keeping his focus on the Gator Men.

"So we gonna grab it?" asked the second gator.

"Naturally," replied the leader, as they began crossing the floor, carefully avoiding the laser grid. However, the moment they stepped onto a pressure-sensitive plate, they heard a click.

"Uh-oh..." the third gator muttered just before a massive orange glob shot out, knocking him off his feet and pinning him to the wall with a loud SPLAT!

The other gators tried to wipe the goo off and stand up, but before they could, two more goo cannons emerged from the walls, firing directly at them.

SPLAT! SPLAT!

In seconds, the remaining Gator Men were glued to the wall, trapped like flies in a spider's web.

"Bullseye!" Scrappy shouted in excitement.

Within minutes, the police arrived on the scene.

"Nice work, kids," the chief said, impressed. "But how'd you figure this one out?"

"Well, we spotted them at another bank, and as mystery solvers, we followed the clues," Daphne explained, gesturing toward the rest of the gang.

"Specifically, we noticed that all the banks targeted were along a specific route," Velma added.

"And not only did we set up a trap here, but I'm pretty sure we figured out who was responsible," Shaggy chimed in.

"Yeah!" Scrappy exclaimed. "And now we get to pull off the masks!"

"Exactly," Fred agreed, stepping forward and yanking off the leader's mask, revealing the scowling face of Morty McAlister.

"Morty McAlister!" the policemen exclaimed in unison.

"But why?" one of the officers asked.

"Because he was attempting to become rich by buying up property after devaluing it," Velma explained, handing over a map of the area. "It was a real estate scam, a big one that included robbing banks and using people like Big Zeke to shake down the neighborhood." She then showed a picture of McAlister and Zeke meeting in secret and exchanging money. "Apparently, one of Zeke's guys didn't understand the concept of secret meetings and posted these pictures on social media," Daphne added.

"And speaking of which..." Scrappy began, sniffing the air. "There's one more!"

Leaping up, he yanked the mask off another gator, revealing Zeke's face underneath.

"Hmm...maybe I shoulda kept the mask on," Scrappy quipped. "He looked better with it ON!"

"I'm really starting to hate you," Zeke growled at Scrappy.

"Tell it to the cops, sleazeball!" Scrappy retorted, brushing his paws off.

Soon, the Gator Men were taken away.

"Buh-bye, guys!" Scrappy waved. "And don't expect us to write!"

"Ruby rould re rafe row," Scooby advised his nephew.

"Guess I owe you a big thanks, Uncle Scooby," Scrappy responded. "You AND your friends."

"Always happy to help!" Fred replied with a grin.

"And that wraps up another case, gang!" Daphne declared. "So, what's next?"

"We did come up here to find someone, so let's get back to it," Velma suggested.

"But first, let's go visit Ruby and bring Scrappy home," Fred advised.

"Well, alright," Shaggy agreed. "Even if it was short, it was nice having you around."

"I sure liked it too, Shaggy," Scrappy replied.


Eventually, the gang brought Scrappy home and shared the good news with Ruby.

"Well, Ruby, looks like your loan shark problems are as good as dealt with," Velma informed her with a satisfied smile.

"Thank you so much for all the help," Ruby said, her voice full of gratitude.

"Aw, ro problem!" Scooby replied, hugging his sister warmly.

"I guess this is goodbye, for who knows how long," Scrappy said with a hint of sadness.

"...Maybe, but maybe not," Ruby responded thoughtfully. "I just might have an idea."

"What's, like, on your mind?" Shaggy asked, curious.

"Well, I've been pondering this, but..." Ruby began. "Scooby, how would you and your friends like to take Scrappy along with you?"

"Really, Mom?" Scrappy asked, his excitement bubbling over.

"As long as it's okay with them," Ruby said, looking to the gang. "I understand if you'll have to think about it."

"Actually, I think he might be helpful," Fred mentioned, nodding.

"And he was fun to have around," Velma added, smiling.

"Plus, he made Scooby and Shaggy happy," Daphne pointed out.

"Right!" Shaggy and Scooby agreed enthusiastically.

"...Well, then I guess it's unanimous," Ruby replied, hugging her son. "You'd better get packing."

"Oh, boy!" Scrappy exclaimed, hugging his mom back before racing off to his room.

AND SO...

"Well, we're still in the Big Apple, gang," Fred said as they exited Ruby's apartment. "What should we do?"

"I'm thinking we get some dinner," Shaggy replied. "Like, all this gator stuff's got me starving!"

"Well, we DID come to New York for a reason," Velma reminded them. "We still have to pay another important visit!"

"I looked into Dr. Spengler's address, and it's at what used to be a firehouse," Daphne mentioned, holding up her phone.

"Then let's get a move on!" Fred said, leading the way to the Mystery Machine.

Everyone agreed as they piled into the van and headed toward the firehouse. As they arrived, they saw the Ecto-1 pulling out of the garage.

"Looks like they're out on a call," Scrappy noted, watching the car drive by.

"Hey, look at that sign!" Daphne said, pointing at the ghost logo hanging over the door, a ghost behind a prohibition sign. "I saw that while looking up the address."

As the Ecto-1 drove past, Scooby caught a glimpse of something green and floating with orange eyes in the back seat. "Hi!" it gibbered as the car drove off.

"Ruh?" Scooby muttered, his eyes wide with astonishment.

"See something, Scoob?" Shaggy asked, noticing his friend's expression.

"...Ri think," Scooby replied, still trying to process what he saw.

"I think I'm going to love traveling with you, Uncle Scooby-Dooby-Doo!" Scrappy said excitedly.

"Re too, Rappy-Dappy-Doo!" Scooby replied with a big smile.

TO BE CONTINUED!