The air was crisp and cool, a welcome change from the usual sweltering summer days. The sun, still a fiery orange orb peeking over the horizon, cast long shadows across the dewy grass. It was a perfect morning for a bit of outdoor enjoyment, a sentiment shared by the whole family.
"Shaggy, dear," Muriel suggested, her voice sweet as she watched the birds begin to flutter down to the backyard, "Would you be a dear and feed the birdies? They usually come out around this time."
Shaggy, ever eager to please, agreed with a grin, "No problem, Aunt Muriel, like, other animals need to be fed too." With a playful wink, he grabbed the birdseed and scattered it across the ground.
"Here you are, you sweet feathered creatures, you. Breakfast time!" Muriel said as she tossed some seeds to the ground and watched the birds come to eat.
A small whine echoed from the porch. "Out of all the creatures in the world, why does it have to be birds?" Courage lamented, his body trembling as the feathered guests swarmed the yard.
"Ron't worry Rourage, they're just birds," Scooby said reassuringly, giving the nervous pink beagle a gentle pat on the back.
"Where's my breakfast, woman? I'm starving to death!" Eustace yelled out, from inside the kitchen sitting down at the table.
"Calm yourself, Eustace, Shaggy and I are just feeding the birdies," Muriel calmly told him as she threw some more seeds down.
"I'd like to feed the birdies... To the cats," Eustace laughed evilly.
Shaggy stepped into the fray, his voice a soft murmur in the face of Eustace's booming pronouncements, "One, we don't even have a cat, and two, why don't you make your own breakfast?"
"One cats are even better than that stupid dog we own, along with your stupid dog, and two back in my day the women we're the ones who cook for their men," Eustace grumpily replied.
"Like, if you want to stay in your day that's fine just wait until we're done," Shaggy shrugged, rolling his eyes at the absurdity of it all.
"Whatever," Eustace turned his head.
On the porch, a mischievous bird perched on a nearby branch. Its beady eyes gleamed with amusement as it unleashed a tiny seed that zinged through the air, striking both canines squarely on their noses. A chorus of squawks and yelps filled the air as the bird burst into a mocking laughter, its chuckling reverberating through the porch rafters.
"Rhat's one mean birdie," Scooby lamented, rubbing his sore nose with a trembling paw.
Courage scurried behind a nearby pole, his trembling body concealed from the bird's relentless gaze. "Welcome to my world," he muttered, his voice filled with a resignation born from countless encounters with nature's feathered tormentors.
"Don't let that bird get to you, little pink dude," Shaggy interjected, "Some birds may be nice," he added, scattering a handful of birdseeds on the porch floor.
"Oh yeah, you never see birds who just love to pick on you for no reason," Courage retorted, his sarcasm dripping with bitterness.
"Shaggy's right Courage, there's nothing to be afraid of. A bird would never do us any harm," Muriel said as she allowed a bird to rest on her finger.
However, the idyllic scene was abruptly shattered when an ominous shadow blotted out the sun. A deafening screech pierced the air as a colossal bird swooped down from the heavens, its razor-sharp talons extended. In a matter of moments, Muriel and Shaggy were ensnared in the bird's massive clutches, their screams echoing through the silent meadow.
Panic surged through Shaggy's veins as he felt the bird's iron grip tighten around his torso, his body dangling helplessly in the sky. "Zoinks!" he wailed, his voice filled with terror, "Like, Scooby, Courage, help us!"
Courage, who had witnessed the horrifying spectacle unfold, let out a piercing cry of despair as he watched his cherished love ones vanish into the clutches of the avian predator. "Muriel!" he shouted, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Raggy!" Scooby, too, howled in anguish for his beloved companion.
As the two dogs, Scooby and Courage, darted into the house, they immediately made their way to the kitchen.
"Muriel, where's my breakfast?" Eustace demanded.
"Rustace?!" before Scooby could utter a word, Courage interrupted.
Courage's voice trembling with urgency. 'Muriel and Shaggy have been taken by a gigantic bird!' he exclaimed. To emphasize his point, Courage transformed himself, his body contorting into Muriel's form, then into Shaggy's, before morphing his arm into the menacing talons of a bird.
But Eustace wasn't having any of it, as he took out his mask and said, "Ooga-booga-booga!"
This sent Scooby and Courage into a frenzy, their screams echoing through the house as they fled.
'Forget about the farmer, we must save Muriel and Shaggy!' Courage shouted as he launched himself into a pursuit of the colossal bird.
Scooby, panting heavily, exclaimed, 'Rait for me, Rourage!' and followed closely behind the determined pink beagle.
Panting heavily, Scooby and Courage finally reached the base of the towering tree, their legs burning from the frantic dash. They had seen the strange bird land there, and the screams of Muriel and Shaggy echoing from the nest above had sent a wave of terror through them.
Oh no, what is that bird doing to them? Courage thought, his fur bristling with anxiety.
With a shared look of determination, they began the arduous climb, their paws scrabbling for purchase on the rough bark. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they reached the top, hearts pounding. To their relief, and slight bewilderment, they found Shaggy and Muriel unharmed, cooing and playing with a clutch of adorable, chirping baby birds. The fear that had gripped them dissipated, replaced by a puzzled amusement.
Scooby wagged his tail, while Courage, still a little shaken, couldn't help but smile at the unexpected scene.
Courage let out a relieved sigh, uttering, "Phew, thank goodness."
"Koochie-koochie-koochie-koo!" Muriel cooed, as she tickled one of the baby's chin.
Shaggy, despite being the victim of an abduction, couldn't help but be charmed by the adorable creatures. "Aww, look at the cute little birds," he said, his admiration for their innocence and playfulness overshadowing any lingering fear.
"Now, remember," the mother bird's shrill voice filled the air.
Scooby and Courage couldn't help but perk up their ears. "Huh?/Ruh?" they queried in unison.
"I'm only going to be gone for a few hours. Imagine, a woman of my quality, having to raise three kids all alone," the bird said as she did her eye lashes. "Good thing I'm such a devoted mother. And that's why I'm off to Florida on a singles weekend to look for a husband," the mother bird said, before walking over to Muriel and Shaggy and picking up the baby birds.
"Like, what about the birdies father?" Shaggy couldn't help but ask, a hint of concern in his voice.
"He was put in an oven by a hunter before they were hatched," the mother bird explained matter-of-factly.
Shaggy's eyes widened in horror, a twinge of sympathy stirring within him.
"I am terribly sorry for your loss," Muriel offered, her voice filled with compassion.
"Don't worry about it. Now, you two take good care of my precious little babies, they mean the world to me," the mother bird said, as she put her babies down, "If I come back here and just find one feather out of their place on their on their little heads... I'M GOING TO EAT YOU BOTH WITH THIS CEREAL SPOON!" the mother bird threatened while holding up a green cereal spoon.
Scooby and Courage gasped in unison, their eyes wide with terror and apprehension. Shaggy swallowed nervously, his body trembling slightly.
"So long," the mother bird said, as she flew away.
"Don't you worry now, I'm sure they'll be perfect little angels. Besides my nephew will assist me. You ever babysat before Shaggy?" Muriel asked her nephew.
'Many times. I'm sure this will be a piece of cake,' Shaggy replied, his voice barely a squeak, his eyes wide with the terror of a thousand nightmares. The threat of being devoured by a giant, feathery parent still lingered, but Shaggy, the cowardly teen, felt obligated to impress his aunt.
But as soon as the cowardly teen said this, the baby birds started to cry.
"Oh my!" Muriel said.
This, Shaggy realized, might be far harder than a piece of cake. He flinched, covering his ears as the baby bird symphony reached a crescendo, a cacophony that threatened to shatter his very soul. This, he realized, was going to be a very long, very painful day.
Seeing that the immediate danger had passed, Scooby and Courage emerged from their hiding spot, cautiously approaching Muriel and Shaggy.
"Muriel, Shaggy/Ruriel, Raggy," Scooby and Courage said in unison, their voices tinged with relief.
"Scooby, Courage," Shaggy responded, a wave of gratitude washing over him as he saw his two best friends.
"Are you alright?" Courage asked, his small frame trembling with concern.
'We're okay, little dog dude," Shaggy reassured the cowardly beagle.
"Rhank goodness. Re heard that your babysitting these baby birds," Scooby said, eyeing the chirping nestlings with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
"That's correct," Muriel nodded.
"Rhat do you want us to do?" Scooby asked, his tail wagging tentatively.
"I'm glad you asked Scooby. We've got some hungry wee birdies to feed, would you mind getting them something to eat?" Muriel asked, as two of the three birds used their wings and pointed to their mouth to show that they were hungry.
"Do we have to?" Courage whined, his eyes widening in fear at the thought of dealing with these feathered creatures.
"Rit's the only way to keep Raggy and Ruriel alive," Scooby pointed out, his voice a mixture of concern and pragmatism.
"What about you Shaggy?" Courage asked, hoping for some backup.
"Aunt Muriel needs assisting, here so I'm assisting her in the nest," Shaggy answered, his voice resolute as he took on the responsibility of helping Muriel with the baby birds.
"Rokay. Rome on Rourage," Scooby nodded, accepting his fate with a resigned sigh.
The thrill of the climb had given way to a terrifying freefall. Scooby and Courage, their hearts pounding like drums in their chests, plummeted from the tall, skeletal tree. Scooby, with his size and clumsy grace, landed with a resounding thud, his head bouncing off the soft earth. Courage, on the other hand, had tried to use his sharp claws to arrest his descent, but the force of the fall had been too much. His brave attempt left him with nothing but smoking stubs where his paws once were.
"Rou okay Courage?" Scooby Scooby asked, concern etched on his goofy face as he rubbed his head.
Courage, despite the pain, mustered a weak smile, "The things I do for love," he muttered, holding up his charred paws for Scooby to see.
Scooby, ever the loyal friend, reassured him, "Ron't worry Rourage, I got your back," his voice full of genuine concern.
Courage, touched by Scooby's unwavering support, gave a small, tentative smile, "Thanks Scooby, your the best."
Scooby and Courage scrambled back towards the house, choosing the familiar route through the kitchen. Courage, a whirlwind of energy in the small space, began rummaging through the cabinets, his tiny paws fishing out pots and pans with surprising dexterity.
"You chop, I'll stir," Courage announced, his voice resonating with determination.
Scooby enthusiastically raised a thumbs-up in agreement. With bustling efficiency, they arranged the pots and pans on the stove's sizzling surface and set to work. Courage, wielding a wooden spoon with vigor, stirred the contents of the pots while Scooby deftly chopped a vibrant carrot into minuscule pieces, meticulously crafting a culinary masterpiece. In a matter of minutes, their collaborative efforts bore fruit as they presented the delectable dish to Eustace, who remained oblivious to their culinary endeavors, immersed in the pages of his newspaper.
"Muriel, it's about time, I'm dying of starvation here," Eustace complained, as he continued to read his paper.
Unaware that it was Scooby and Courage cooking and setting the food they made on the table.
"Oh," Eustace said when he saw the food Scooby and Courage prepared together.
Eustace then tried to grabbed some, but Courage took it away before he could, "Huh?"
"Rorry Rustace, but these are for the birds," Scooby interjected, his words laced with a hint of regret.
With unwavering determination, Scooby and Courage embarked on their ascent to the colossal tree, Courage extending his tongue to receive the tray from Scooby. With each step they took, the tree's towering form loomed larger until they reached its summit, a journey that had occupied ten minutes of their time.
Shaggy and Muriel were sitting on the edge of the nest with the baby birds sitting next to them. Walking over to them, Scooby and Courage presented them the food they made earlier.
"Your food has arrived," Courage declared, adopting a flamboyant French accent, his voice dripping with misplaced confidence.
The baby birds examined the food for a bit before crying out again.
"Rhat did we do wrong?" Scooby whined, his brow furrowed with concern.
"NO, no, no, boys. Baby birdies don't eat escargot with baselined pancetta in an herb crust, and they especially don't eat stuff mushrooms with anchovies and chocolate. They eat worms. Worms are good for birdies," Muriel said pointing to the food.
"Rhe stuffed mushrooms aren't for the birdies. Rhere for me and Raggy," Scooby clarified, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Oh boy, I thought I'd never get a chance to eat," Shaggy said, chimed in, his mouth watering at the mere sight of the mushrooms.
The duo, hungry and oblivious to the birds' needs, promptly dug into the gourmet concoctions. Courage, watching in horror, cringed at the sight of Shaggy and Scooby devouring the mushrooms with gusto, his stomach churning with double the disgust – both at the thought of birds eating worms and the culinary atrocities before him.
"Bleah! How do you guys eat like this?" Courage exclaimed, his voice laced with sheer bewilderment.
"Will you and Scooby please go and dig for some worms?" Muriel asked.
Courage grumbled as he snatched the tray from the birds and tossed it over the edge of the nest, earning disapproving glances from Shaggy and Scooby. "What? I was famished."
Scooby, never one to be left out of a good excuse, chimed in, "Rou said it Rourage."
Shaggy, ever the easygoing friend, merely chuckled and wished them luck on their worm-hunting expedition, "Good luck guys."
Scooby and Courage climbed down the tree, only to fell down again. With unwavering determination, Courage's paws delved into the soil, retrieving a fistful of wriggling earthworms.
"Rid you find any yet?" Scooby asked, as he stick his head out from the hole he dug in.
"Rid you find any yet?" Scooby inquired, his head protruding curiously from the hole he had excavated.
"Yep," Courage replied, his expression contorted with a mixture of triumph and aversion.
"Rome on, let's go back to the nest," Scooby urged.
As they returned to the tree, the cries of the baby birds echoed through the air, their hunger unmistakable.
"Row are we gonna get the worms up there?" Scooby puzzled.
Courage responded with a guttural groan, his body shuddering as he placed the writhing worms upon his tongue. Together, they scaled the tree once more, their hearts pounding with anxiety.
Upon reaching the top, Courage retrieved the worms from his tongue, his expression a testament to the profound disgust he felt. "No amount of therapy will ever make this moment okay," he lamented, his voice trembling with distaste.
Scooby exclaimed with glee, 'Rere's your worms, little birdies!'
Muriel and Shaggy, ever the eager assistants, followed suit, holding out juicy worms for the fledglings to grab.
Courage voiced the group's shared confusion with a touch of annoyance, "Now what's wrong?"
"Oh, they're just wee babies, they can't chew their food yet. Oh, boys, what are we gonna do?" Muriel asked.
Gulping back the bile rising in his throat, Courage, in a moment of selfless heroism, declared, "I can't believe I'm about to do this," before grabbing a handful of wriggling worms and commencing to chew them, fighting back the immediate urge to vomit
Shaggy and Scooby watched in horror, cringing at the sight, while a delighted Muriel observed. After several minutes of chewing and multiple handfuls of worms, Courage bravely stuck out his tongue, covered in a mush of chewed-up worms. The baby birds, sensing a tasty, easily digestible meal, flocked to him and happily pecked at his tongue, their tiny beaks quickly cleaning him of the worm-paste. As the last of the birds pecked at the remnants of Courage's sacrifice.
"Isn't that lovely?" Muriel asked, smiling when the birds finished eating.
Courage, exhausted and traumatized, could only groan in pain before collapsing in a faint.
The family were on the edge of the nest admiring the beautiful view while the babies played behind them.
"Babies are so sweet, aren't they, Boys?" Muriel asked, as she listened to the baby birds play.
"They can be at times... especially when they're not... uh... hungry," Shaggy sort of agreed, a hesitant smile playing on his lips. His eyes darted nervously towards the nestlings, as if worried they might suddenly develop ravenous appetites.
Courage, ever curious, looked up at Shaggy and Scooby, his brow furrowed in thought. 'I've always wondered how did you two first meet,' he asked, his voice filled with genuine interest.
Shaggy and Scooby glanced at each other, exchanging a knowing grin that spoke volumes of shared history.
"It all began at the beach…," Shaggy started, his voice deepening with a nostalgic tone, as he began to weave the tale of their first encounter, a story that had become a legend within their close-knit family.
Eight years ago…
Amidst the vibrant atmosphere of Venice Beach, an unusual scene unfolded. As beachgoers basked under the golden sun and reveled in leisure activities, a commotion within Alexander's, the local food establishment, drew attention. A sizable meat product hung temptingly from a display, its aroma tantalizing the nostrils of patrons. Suddenly, a small brown puppy emerged from the crowd, its keen sense of smell guiding it irresistibly towards the culinary treasure. With nimble paws, it snatched the meat, triggering an immediate outcry from its bewildered owner.
"What? You little mutt, come back here!" he exclaimed, giving chase to the playful canine.
"Roh!" The puppy, yelping in delight, zigzagged through the beach crowd, its paws pounding against the compressed meat tube like a rhythmic bass drum.
The man pursued relentlessly, his voice echoing through the air, 'Bring me back my Gyros!'
Passersby gaped in amusement as the chase unfolded, some chuckling at the puppy's antics while others admonished its behavior.
"Hey, watch it!" a young woman exclaimed as the puppy narrowly avoided colliding with her.
"Rexcuse me! Rardon me! Rhoa!" the puppy vocalized, its voice sounding oddly human as it dodged and darted.
'Hey! Bone-headed pooch!' a man hollered.
"Rorry," the puppy replied, momentarily pausing his mad dash, only to mutter a sheepish, "Ruh-Roh," as he realized he was still far from safe.
There stood a police wearing sunglasses, the police noticed the dog and report, "Dispatch, I've got a stray dog on a tube of compressed meat."
the Great Dane puppy, a blur of floppy ears and wagging tail, darted ahead. The puppy, apparently oblivious to the seriousness of the situation, had a single-minded goal: the tube of compressed meat. He had successfully jumped over the officer's shoulders, landing gracefully on his prize, and was now sprinting towards the skate ramp.
The officer, determined to reclaim the stolen meat, pursued on his bicycle, yelling, "Hey, slow it down!"
The ramp loomed before them, and both, in a flurry of limbs and yelps, ended up tumbling into the empty pool. The officer, momentarily stunned, looked around and found himself staring at the puppy, who was now perched precariously on the edge of the pool. "Huh?" he muttered, disoriented.
The puppy, equally surprised, let out a startled, "Rikes? Rhoa!" With a mischievous shake of his head, the puppy leaped back into the pool, landing squarely on the officer, propelling him back onto the ground.
In another swift movement, the dog launched himself onto the tube of compressed meat and disappeared down the street, leaving the officer sprawled on the ground, muttering about the absurdity of the whole situation. He scrambled to his feet, hopped onto his bike, and took off after the furry thief, determined to reclaim his stolen snack.
The puppy darted through the crowded park, weaving between legs and dodging picnic baskets.
"Zoinks!" a boy with messy blond hair and a green shirt yelped, his lunch tumbling to the ground as the puppy bumped into him.
"Like, slow down, dude," he mumbled, plugging his earbuds back in and starting a song. The boy, lost in his own world, pulled out his phone and scrolled through his playlist, desperately seeking a tune that would catch his ear. He couldn't find anything to his liking, settling for a motivational podcast hosted by Ira Glass as he continued his stroll.
"Rexcuse me! Roming through!" the puppy yelled, a high-pitched bark that echoed through the park, as it bounded past teens and adults alike. The police officer, his eyes scanning the park, stopped his chase, searching for the small, furry fugitive.
Meanwhile, the Great Dane puppy, panting heavily from its exertion, had found refuge in a pile of sand, its stolen piece of meat clutched protectively between its paws. It watched the chaos it had caused with a mixture of amusement and relief.
From his sandy sanctuary, the puppy's eyes locked with those of a young boy. Curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn't resist a soft "Ruh?"
The boy, his attention momentarily drawn away from his electronic devices, smiled and unhooked one of his ear-sets. 'Make friends,' he muttered to himself, mentally ticking off another item on his to-do list.
He made the piles of sand into makeshift sand friends, placing a picnic blanket, a couple of cups, and a half-eaten sandwich on a plate between them. "Nice to meet you, Shelly and Sandy." Shelly's eye fell off, a sad reminder of the boy's solitude. "How was your day? Oh, you want me to start? How polite, Sandy," he said, a hint of loneliness creeping into his voice.
The puppy, listening from nearby, felt a pang of sympathy for the boy.
"Well, I told my mom I was meeting my pals at the beach," the puppy perked up, happy to hear the boy had friends. "So, if she asks, this technically counts as a play date," the boy said, his voice laced with a tinge of guilt, making the puppy feel sad again.
"But it's all good. I like eating lunch by myself," the puppy slumped, his tail drooping. 'And hanging out by myself,' the boy added, his eyes fixed on his food, a wistful sigh escaping his lips. "And playing ping-pong by myself. I lose a lot of balls." Each word carried a weight of loneliness, a stark contrast to the joyous scene he had tried to create.
Driven by a mix of compassion and loneliness, the puppy cautiously emerged from the shadows, startling the young boy with its sudden appearance. Both yelped in unison, their eyes wide with surprise. The boy glanced at his half-eaten sandwich, an idea stirring within him. He extended the sandwich towards the puppy, offering to share.
'I gotta warn you, it's got tater tots, gummy worms, and ketchup leather,' the boy admitted, describing the sandwich's bizarre contents of tater tots, gummy worms, and ketchup.
The puppy tilted its head, its expression a curious blend of hunger and confusion.
"I know, no liverwurst, it's not like me to forget the protein," the boy lamented, realizing his culinary oversight. As the puppy hesitated, the boy added, "Yeah, I get it, nobody likes my sandwiches."
Then, in a gesture of unexpected kindness, the puppy, who had been hiding a large chunk of meat from Alexander's, dropped it beside the sandwich. The boy's eyes widened in shock, his jaw dropping. "Whoa!" he exclaimed, amazed at the sight of such a large piece of meat in the puppy's possession.
The puppy, seemingly understanding the boy's surprise, grabbed a plastic fork and knife, expertly cutting off a couple of pieces of the meat. He then carefully placed them on the sandwich, transforming it into a culinary masterpiece. The two, now bonded by a shared love of food and a newfound friendship, picked up their respective halves of the sandwich and ate them in one go, the crunch of the tater tots and the gooey sweetness of the gummy worms contrasting with the savory richness of the meat. They were an unlikely pair, a lonely boy and a scruffy puppy, united by a single sandwich and a shared sense of understanding.
The boy's inquisitive mind prompted him to inquire, "Is that...pepper corn?"
With a playful grin, the puppy shook his head and uttered, "Rand!"
Their shared laughter was abruptly shattered by an authoritative voice from behind them.
"There you are!"
The boy and puppy spun around to face the pursuing cop. Fear coursed through their veins as the puppy leaped into the boy's protective embrace.
"This mangy stray has done enough damage for today," the cop stated firmly, "He's coming with me."
However, the young boy, witnessing the exchange, vehemently disagreed. "He's not a stray!" he protested, standing up resolutely, the puppy huddled protectively in his arms.
"Is he YOUR dog?" the cop asked
A pause fell over the scene as the boy contemplated his response. "He's, like, totally mine," he stated, his voice unwavering. But then, a mischievous glint appeared in his eye as he leaned closer to the puppy. "If you wanna be," he whispered conspiratorially.
The puppy responded in an equally hushed tone, "RI'd like that very much."
"Okay, then, what's his name?" the cop asked, having high doubts this little boy actually owned this puppy.
The boy, however, seemed oblivious to the officer's skepticism. Instead, he looked down at the puppy, who, in a soft, barely audible voice, whispered, "RI don't have one."
The boy's eyes darted around, searching for inspiration, a glimmer of hope in their depths. His gaze landed on his box of Scooby Snacks and a smile spread across his face. "Snacks," he declared, his voice a mixture of confidence and desperation.
"What?" the cop responded, obviously confused.
The puppy, equally baffled, echoed the question, "Rnacks?"
The boy, realizing his error, quickly corrected himself, "I mean…Scooby."
"Middle name?" the cop further asked.
A beat passed before the boy answered, "Dooby…"
"Last name?" the cop asked.
A silent struggle played out on the boy's face, before he hesitantly offered, "Doo."
There was a tense silence, the only sound the soft whimpers of the puppy. But then, the cop started heading back to his bike.
"Alright, if the dog has a middle name, there's no punishment for damages or theft. I don't like it, but, thems the laws,"the cop said as he got on his bike. "Have a good day, sir, Mr. Dooby-Doo" he added before riding off.
The boy set the puppy, now named Scooby, back on the blanket. The puppy looked up at him with big, curious eyes.
"I'm Norville, but everyone calls me Shaggy," the boy introduced, a nervous smile gracing his lips.
Scooby responded with a playful wag of his tail and a tentative "Raggy," doing his best to pronounce his new friend's name.
Shaggy chuckled, the sound a little shaky, "No, it's Shaggy."
Scooby, undeterred by the correction, repeated, 'Rhat's what I said, Raggy.'
Shaggy laughed again, a genuine sound this time, and said, "We'll work on it," before gently fist bumping Scooby's paw. The air was thick with the promise of a friendship, one that was already starting to bloom, despite their somewhat shaky start.
"Man, I can't believe those were almost called Scooby snacks," Courage exclaimed with a chuckle. "It's so hard to imagine."
Shaggy shrugged, "Well, I was kinda freaking out, you know?"
Scooby burst into laughter. "Rell, I'm so glad I'm not named 'snacks'," he said. 'Rhat about you, Rourage? Row did you and Ruriel meet?"
Courage's expression shifted to one of unease as a memory from his past surfaced, a memory of something terrible that had happened long ago. "Well..." he began, but his voice trailed off as he suddenly let out a piercing scream. He saw the baby birds playing with a live hornets' nest.
"RO!" Scooby bellowed, his voice echoing through the trees as he, Shaggy, and a bewildered Courage charged towards the birds, their mission: to retrieve the rogue beehive. The birds, seemingly amused by the frantic trio, bounced the nest between them, their playful squawks adding to the chaos.
After several failed attempts, Shaggy managed to snatch the hive, his voice squeaking with triumph, "Like, I got it!"
Quickly, he ran towards Scooby, the hive held aloft like a prize.
"Raggy!" Scooby yapped, desperate for the nest.
Shaggy, with clumsy grace, handed it off, and Scooby, with a determined gleam in his eye, sprinted towards Courage.
With a mighty thud, Scooby nailed the hive back onto the branch. But their victory was short-lived. The hive, now greatly agitated by the disturbance, buzzed ferociously, its anger palpable.
Courage and Scooby, nervously chuckling, attempted to retreat to safety but lost their footing, tumbling off the branch in a comical flurry of limbs and yelps.
"SCOOBY! COURAGE!" Shaggy shrieked, his voice laced with fear, as his two companions plummeted to the earth.
They landed with a muffled thud, sinking slightly into the soft soil below. But their ordeal was far from over. The enraged bees, now swarming like a vengeful cloud, descended upon the two dogs, their angry buzzing filling the air. Scooby and Courage, now victims of their own well-meaning intentions, let out a symphony of yelps and whimpers as the bees bombarded them, their stings leaving painful welts on their fur.
Courage and Scooby, their fur bristling with the stings of countless bees, finally reached the bird's nest after a grueling ten-minute climb. The air thrummed with the painful memory of the bee attack, their fur still tingling with the lingering venom.
"Oh, thank goodness you boys are back!" Muriel said.
"Next to birds, bees are the worst," Courage grumbled, wincing at the pain radiating from his stung legs.
"Reah worse..." Scooby agreed, his voice muffled by the discomfort.
Shaggy felt a twinge of guilt for putting the dogs in such a predicament. "I'm sorry you had to go through all that you guys," he apologized, his voice laced with concern.
"Don't worry about it, Shaggy. We're alright," Courage reassured him, trying to mask his discomfort.
"The poor dears are hungry again," Muriel said referring to the baby birds crying, "Eustace has a bucket of fishing bait in the cellar, I'm sure the wee birdies would enjoy a meal of that."
"Ralright," Scoobyimmediately moved to the edge of the nest, ready to brave the climb again.
Courage, however, let out a whine of protest, his bravery waning in the face of the recent ordeal.
Scooby and Courage, their paws heavy with the weight of responsibility, made their way back to the farmhouse.
"RI'm not sure about this, what about Rustace?" Scooby whined, his voice trembling with unease. He didn't want to face the farmer's wrath
"The farmer may be attached to his things, like his truck, his chair, and his television, but this is an emergency," Courage stated, his voice firm despite his own apprehension. "We gotta get the bait to the birds and fast, before Raggy and Ruriel…."
"Ror Raggy and Ruriel," Scooby finished, his eyes wide with fear.
"Same here buddy, same here," Courage agreed, his heart pounding.
Reaching the cellar entrance, they cautiously pushed open the door. A musty scent wafted out, and Scooby shivered. They quickly located the bait on a nearby workbench, a bucket filled with wriggling worms. Just as they were about to make their escape, they heard the kitchen door creak open and Eustace's booming voice bellow, "Muriel, where's my breakfast?" Terror gripped them. They scrambled up the stairs, their hearts pounding against their ribs.
"Sorry farmer, but this for a good cause!" Courage shouted, trying to explain as they made their way back to the tree.
But Eustace of course was not having any of it and started to chase the dogs, "Stupid thieving dogs! Get back here with my bait!"
Ignoring his threats, they continued towards the tree, their minds focused only on the desperate birds. As they reached the base, Courage tripped on a protruding rock, sending the bucket flying. The worms spilled out, wriggling frantically on the ground, desperate to escape.
"Oh-no!" Courage grimaced, his heart sinking.
"Rhe worms," Scooby yelped, his tail drooping.
"Quick, grab as many worms as you can!" Courage shouted, his voice urgency laced with panic.
Scrambling to their feet, Scooby managed to scoop up most of the worms, while Courage chased after the others, desperate to catch them before they burrowed into the ground. With a last desperate heave, Courage managed to gather the remaining worms
Scooby managed to grabbed most of the worms as he can and put them back in the bucket. Courage manage to grab some from a hole they crawl into but then all in the bucket.
"That's all of worms Scooby," Courage declared, a sigh of relief escaping his lips.
Just then, Scooby's ears twitched and his eyes widened in alarm. He looked up to see Eustace approaching, his face a mask of fury. "Ruh...Rourage," Scooby stammered, pointing a shaky paw towards the advancing farmer.
"I'm coming to get you, dogs!" Eustace yelled.
Courage's heart skipped a beat. "Quick, back to the tree!" he yelled, his voice betraying a hint of panic.
The two dogs, fueled by fear and the instinct for self-preservation, scrambled towards the safety of the tree, their paws finding purchase on the rough bark as they climbed back to their sanctuary.
"Oh, there you are, boys," Muriel said, as the two dogs pulled themselves onto the nest again.
"What happened dudes?" Shaggy asked, raising the book in his hands.
Courage, still panting slightly from the exertion of their latest adventure, spoke up. "The farmer saw us take the worms and he chased us," he explained.
"Ras usual, he's so attached to his things he never listens to reason," Scooby added. He flopped down onto the nest, looking thoroughly worn out.
Shaggy shook his head, a bemused expression on his face. "What does Aunt Muriel see in Uncle Eustace?" he wondered aloud. I mean, I get that he's family and all, but he's always a grouch.
As the baby birds squawked incessantly at the two dogs, pointing their innocent beaks towards their empty mouths, Courage groaned inwardly, recognizing the familiar plea.
"Not again," he muttered to himself, recalling the arduous task he had recently endured.
Sighing deeply, he reluctantly reached into a nearby bucket and retrieved a handful of wriggling worms. With each worm he chewed, a chorus of eager chirps filled the air. However, as he reached for more worms, a sinister sound cut through the cheerful ambiance. An ominous hissing emanated from the bucket, sending shivers down the spines of Shaggy, Scooby and Courage. They turned their heads in horror and gasped at the sight of a venomous rattlesnake coiled within the container. Courage's eyes widened in fear, and he promptly expelled the worms he had been masticating, his stomach churning with revulsion.
"Yuck! How utterly disgusting," the snake hissed as he shook the food off him, but his attention was quickly grabbed when he heard the babies crying. "Mmm, babies, I love babies. Let me help you name them. How about breakfast, lunch and dinner?"
The serpent's sinister suggestion sent a chill down Shaggy's spine. "Wait, those aren't names for baby birds!" he exclaimed, his nerves jangling with unease.
Courage, his face devoid of emotion, turned to Shaggy with an ominous look. "Those birds are intended for breakfast, lunch, and dinner," he said flatly.
A piercing shriek erupted from Scooby's mouth at this horrifying revelation.
"Zoinks!" Shaggy cried, the realization dawning upon him. If the baby birds were harmed, their mother would seek retribution by consuming him and his aunt. But the thought of the serpent devouring the baby birds filled him with equal dread. If that snake gets its claws on them, we're toast! he thought, his mind racing frantically for a solution.
"Oh, how very witty," the snake hissed.
"Nooo! Stay away from my babies, you horrid creature, you!" Muriel said, as she went to the birds and hugged them protectively.
"Come here babies, don't be afraid, come and play with papa's rattle." The snake said, as he shook his tail.
With quivering legs and wide-eyed terror, Shaggy, Scooby, and Courage retreated from the menacing snake that slithered towards the nest of helpless baby birds.
Scooby's voice trembled as he exclaimed, "Rhe snake is gonna eat the babies!"
Shaggy's body shook with fright as he whispered, "The baby birds are goners!"
Courage, his small frame trembling, questioned with a voice laced with fear, "Why doesn't that snake just mind his own beeswax?" Suddenly, inspiration struck Courage's mind. "Bees, that's it!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with a glimmer of hope.
Quietly, the trio approached the branch holding the nest. Courage deftly grabbed it and lifted it to his head, his eyes locked on the snake below. "I'll throw. One, two, three!" he shouted, hurling the nest towards the snake.
But their plan was met with a swift dodge, as the cunning reptile anticipated the trajectory and slithered out of harm's way.
the terrified birds, Shaggy, Scooby, Muriel. Panic surged through their hearts as they witnessed the deadly strike. But a glimmer of hope emerged amidst the chaos as Courage dove headfirst into the snake's mouth, determined to thwart its sinister intentions. "Oh-no you don't!" he exclaimed, his tiny body wriggling vigorously to keep the snake from clamping down. The snake, its patience wearing thin, lashed its muscular tail in an attempt to dislodge the relentless canine.
However, the sound of piercing screams interrupted its efforts. Turning their attention to the source of the commotion, they noticed a peculiar bird perched high in the tree. Its frantic flapping and squawking revealed that it was under siege by a swarm of angry hornets, their stings mercilessly targeting its feathered posterior.
"Huh? Good heavens, it's the mother of all chickens," the snake said. With a flick of its powerful tail, it sent Courage flying through the air. But fate intervened, and Scooby's clumsy but well-timed catch prevented the beagle from succumbing to the snake's deadly jaws.
It then proceeded to head over to the strange bird who just stopped running in circles.
"Huh? A snake!" the strange bird screamed when he saw the snake and jumped out of the nest before falling to the ground with the snake following him.
"What kind of birdie was that? He was so strange... yet so familiar," Muriel wondered as she and the others watch the snake continue to chase the strange bird.
Amidst the spectacle, Shaggy's witticism brought forth a wave of laughter. "Whatever that bird is," he quipped, his tone laced with amusement, "I think I'll call it the Birdtasce."
The shared laughter reverberated through Shaggy, Scooby and Courage.
As the early evening hours cast their golden glow upon the nest, family gathered at the edge of the birds' nest, their hearts filled with a sense of tranquility. The harrowing incident with the slithering serpent and Courage's selfless act of nourishment had given way to an unexpected calm. The baby birds, once restless and endangered, had settled into a peaceful slumber, their tiny bodies huddled together in a fluffy pile. With the threat of the venomous hive now extinguished, the family could finally breathe a collective sigh of relief. As the shadows danced and the sun began its descent, the family patiently awaited the arrival of the fledglings' mother.
Sentimentally, she reached into a bag and extracted a worn photo album. With a flurry of pages, she flipped to a collection of cherished snapshots, proudly displaying the adorable visage of Courage as a mischievous puppy. Scooby and Shaggy couldn't help but exclaim their delight at the sight.
"Raw!" Scooby exclaimed, his eyes twinkling with admiration.
"Zoinks! Look at how adorable you were, little pink dude!" Shaggy echoed, marveling at the puppy's irresistible charm.
Courage couldn't resist a blush as he recalled the fond memories, "Aw shucks, Muriel. She always said I was the cutest little pup in all of Nowhere."
"Darling, Mama's back," the mother bird said as she landed in the nest.
The baby birds began cheering happily at seeing their mother back again, "Mama! Mama!"
Shaggy piped up, "How did it go mama dude?"
"The singles mixer was a bust," the mother bird answered, "But on my way home, I found the man of my dreams. Kids, say hello to your new daddy, the mother bird said, as she moved her wing to reveal the strange bird from earlier.
The baby birds chirped happily while Eustace grumbled.
"Where's my dinner?" Eustace demanded angrily.
Courage stuck out his tongue, which was covered in chewed-up worms, and let out a raucous laugh.
"Isn't he just fabulous?" The mother bird asked dreamily.
Shaggy, Scooby, and Courage, minus Muriel, could only stare at the strange bird, their laughter echoing through the nest as they watched the scene unfold.
Well that's all for this chapter, next will be Fishy Business. I like to thank 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.
Fishy Business: A fish missionary arrives at the farmhouse, believing that the family are unfit to live on the land. The fish court forces them to live in a fish bowl with gills.