The van rolled into the grounds that surrounded the Grimwood School. Withered trees and barren earth greeted them as the van moved across the bumpy trail that led to their destination. The old structure seemed ever more intimidating as they got closer. The storm continued it's rage as it hung over the school like an umbrella, drowning the area in a muggy gloom. Fred, Daphne and Velma had seen a lot of gloomy places in the past, but this place was certainly up there. The creepy factor was high and yet the guys who usually strayed away from such things had already opened the door when Fred stopped the Van and started towards the moat that surrounded the building.
"... Is that really a moat?" Daphne pointed at the gap between the road they had driven on and where the front door began. The rain fell and made the sound of hitting water, but the source seemed below where they could see. The ground just dropped into what could only be described as a genuine moat. Blinking, Velma could only nod.
"So how do we get across?" Fred said aloud as he got out of the van and trotted to stand in the rain beside Shaggy and Scooby. Peering down into the gap, his eyes grew wide. Did he just seem something move in the water? Nah, his eyes must have been playing tricks. The girls were more reluctant to join the guys, but soon did since they didn't want to stay in the van the whole time.
Grinning, Shaggy pointed upwards at something moving around the building walls. It was black and a bit hard to see at first. It's fluttering movements were hard to follow in the rain. But it was circling closer. With a diving arc, the black shape dove towards Shaggy and Scooby. As the rest of the gang flinched away, Shaggy just waved. A chittering shriek came from the small form as it dodged and floated in place for a bit. It was a black bat. With another chirp, it pushed off the air and struggled against the rainstorm to return to the school where it must have come from.
"What was..." Daphne started before the sound of chains interrupted her sentence. The drawbridge lowered and gained them access to the school. Turning around, Shaggy held out his hands as an invitation to go across and inside. Scooby padded ahead and opened the door to let everyone else inside. Dazed, the rest followed the two as they comfortably walked in their previous footsteps and returned to the school of their past.
Beyond the door, awaited the flapping black bat from outside. It was as if they were supposed to follow it into the school. Who ever heard of a pet bat greeting people to a school? Let alone lowering the draw bridge and leading them inside. But the rest of the gang didn't have time to ponder it much, as Shaggy and Scooby strode ahead into the dark and spooky entrance way to the school.
A single door greeted them, leading to a main hall that seemed to be the center of the building. Kind of a pathway leading to all the rest of the rooms contained inside. Two stone looking pillars hung on either side of the rough wooden door, the door had swung inward. The floor was black and white tiled, scattering into the various doors and hallways. Occasional metal knights sat in the nooks and crannies of the hallways, like silent sentinels keeping watch over the students. Almost looking as if they might move any second.
"Like' Last time we were here, Scooby made a terrible mess with those like dudes in armor." Shaggy said, gesturing at all the knights. It had been a terrible clamor, but Matches had been somewhat responsible.
"I wonder where that little guy is..." Shaggy pondered aloud, leaving the gang confused at the stuff that was being said. It was not exactly the most inviting place, and they had been to some creepy cribs before. But the main thing that baffled the gang was how well the two scary cats were taking it. Even though they had been here before, it was hard to picture the guys teaching at such a spooky place as Grimwoods.
"Ratches... Ratches..." Wandering backwards, the Dane brought up his hands to holler the name of what the gang could only guess was the name of the schools pet. They didn't think that a student would be named such a thing.... right?
Walking backwards, Scooby tripped over something. A form had been scuttling in the shadows and Scooby had come across it, squishing the creature's tail in the process.
FOOOOOOOSH!
The whole room got lit up as a burst of flame came from where Scooby had tripped. The fire burned Scooby rear as the offended critter took it out of the dog's derrière.
"Yippes! Raggy!" Zipping from the floor, the Dane sailed across the room and landed in his pal's waiting arms. Using his tail as a fan, he tried to sooth his inflamed tush from the flames.
"Scooby's it's just Matches. Come here boy, it's ok. It's us!" Putting Scooby down, Shaggy made a 'come' motion to the shadows that had been lit up a second ago. The others stood pensive, not exactly sure if they wanted to call out something that breathed fire. Though how that was possible, they weren't sure.
It was slow, almost a waddling movement. The sounds of padding feet rang against the tile floor as the small critter emerged from the shadows. The front feet seemed like a green duck's flipper. While the back feet looked more like a scaly cat haunch. Four dark green fin scales sat on it's back, right above a small patch of green dots that were similar to Scooby's spots. The tail was forked, and swished angrily. Finally the head emerged, scaled like the rest of it's body, it seemed to have a small patch of hair on the top of it's head. Two small horns sat on either side, and a gold-ish red pupil looked annoyed at the new visitors. That was until it seemed to recognize the guys.
It spoke... Sort of. It's garbled tongue seemed like it was trying to say something, but it escaped understanding from everyone in the gang, including the talking dog. But it was easy enough to understand that he was happy to see the guys. Dashing over, he knocked the lanky beatnik over and started lapping at his face.
"Oh, hahaha, Hiya Matches. How have you been boy?" He ruffled the dragon's head in familiarity, while the gang looked over petrified.
".. D.. d.. Dragon?" Fred was finally able to utter out. There was nothing in nature that existed that could explain the fire breathing critter that sat happily washing Shaggy's face. But Myth certainly had it covered. But that was the thing, myth's are fake. Stories to tell children. Not something that guards the front door of a school.
"Uh, yeah. Maybe I should have explained. It's kinda what you are thinking. I think. There is more to the school then meets the eye..."
Shaggy started, but then got cut off by a long and loud howl.
AROOOOOOOOOWWWWWW!
"Don't tell me. Werewolves too?" Daphne said with more vibration in her voice then she wanted. Sure, she had some experience with ghosts and goblins, but werewolves were another thing. Velma was having a hard time believing it all. Her denial was strong as she had pushed away the thoughts of Zombies and Warlocks, but now dragons and werewolves were just too much for her brain to handle.
"That... That isn't possible. Rational Mind, Shutting down!"
Collapsing in place, Daphne and Fred had to react quickly as the girl almost crumpled to the ground. Kneeling, they held the girl between the two of them as they looked up at Shaggy. Hoping he would explain more.
"Well, I didn't expect poor Velm's to faint like that. I hope Miss Grimwood get's here so we can bring her to the room." Turning a bit, he looked around expecting the mysterious school Head Mistress to show up.
"...The school is like what it's named for. Grimwood's School for Ghouls. And the Ghouls are the girls. There really isn't much to be afraid of. They only look scary on the outside, but once you get to know them they are great girls."
"Rah rah..." Scooby said agreeing with his partner. They did stay here for a while, and survived, so it couldn't be that bad. Scooby was about to say more, when te sound of wings flapping got his attention.
"Ribella!" The Dane waved as the bat seemed to hover off the ground around eye level. Suddenly, a bright flash of lightning lit up the room, blinding them all. And in the place of the bat, now stood a rather eerie yet beautiful woman. Blinking from the lightning, Fred and Daphne were surprised to see the random woman appear, but Shaggy and Scooby knew better.
Scrambling across the tile, Scooby had pounced upon the woman. Her face broke into a smile as she caught the dog and rubbed his head affectionately.
"Scooby! Shaggy! It's Fangtastic to see you guys here!"
"Hey Sibella. Like where's Miss Grimwood. I figure she would be here to greet us." Shaggy wandered over and gave the girl a hug. She was taller then he remembered, but it had been a long time since they had been here. She must have done some growing herself. Her long purple hair seemed to have kept up with her and hung around her ankles, yet it seemed not to stop her in the least. Her long purple dress had been updated to seem a bit more businesslike, but it still was simple. And she still was attached to the red heels of hers.
"Miss Grimwood retired. I have taken over the position of Head Mistress. I sent the letter to invite you all here. Oh!" Sibella noticed the others with them, as Velma was still on the ground being supported by the others. "... Who are your friend's Shaggy?"
"Oh, That's like Daphne and Fred. And the lady out like a light is our Velma! She's had a long trip. Is there any way we could have her settle in for the night?" Shaggy hoped they could settle her in a room. Maybe be able to calm her down when she woke up in order to explain it all.
"Ah, yes. Let me call the others. They will help you to your rooms." Pulling on a chain, a bell tolled out inside the school. The low gong was not even done ringing when there was the sound of hurried trotting across the hard floor. It almost sounded inhuman. With a slide, a shadow slid into the room to make her grand entrance.
"Hellooooooo!" Standing up, she stood about a foot shorter then Sibella. Her hair was wild and untamed, swept about her face like a mane. Her golden eyes looked over each one in the room. Her mouth smiled as she saw Shaggy and Scooby, grinning with fangs.
"Hiya guys! Long time no see!" Assuming a relaxed position, she looked them over placing a hand to her hip. Her clothing was similar as it had been back then, but instead of a dress, she was wearing jeans and a ripped up t-shirt. She was barefoot of course, her claws making a clatter on the floor as she walked.
"And who are these guys?" She said leaning around Shaggy to look at the rest of the gang.
"Those are my friends. I told you about the rest of the gang before." Shaggy had told stories to the girls about their past mysteries, she they shouldn't have forgotten about them.
"Oh. That's who deh are." Came a low voice from behind Fred and Daphne. Each foot fall seemed to shake the ground, as she walked. Her movements were slow and methodical, without really bending her knees. She was tall, taller then Shaggy and seemed relatively normal looking except for the various stitching keeping her limbs together and her wild hair that stood on end. Oh, and the bolts in her neck as well. Fred and Daphne had to crane their necks to look up.
"Ah Elsa. Can you see to that young lady there, and bring her to her room?" Sibella made a gesture to Velma as she was still a huddled lump on the ground. She was getting uncomfortable to support, as the blood was getting cut off from their kneeling legs to hold her up. But they were apprehensive to let their friend be handed off to a lady Monster.
"Don't worry Gang. Elsa wouldn't hurt a fly. You can let her take her. It's ok." Shaggy said with all confidence, and Scooby nodded all the same. Grudgingly the two let their younger companion be picked up by the patched woman and led off to another room.
"I'll, like bring her to your old room Shaggy. So you know where she is. The others can come if they like." Elsa held Velma gently, cradling the smaller woman in her arms. She seemed like it was effortless to hold her up.
"I'll go with Velma." Daphne suggested, struggling to get up. She wobbled and Winny the Werewolf was close to her side to steady her. The hairs on the back of her neck jumped as the other wolf woman got near, but she only was offering some support. Muttering a thank you under her breath, she steadied herself. Sometimes she hated wearing heels. It made when your legs fell asleep, a pain to circulate again.
"Then I'll stick with Shaggy." Fred said with a nod, helping himself to his own feet. He wobbled a bit, but without heels, he was able to get a better stance then Daphne.
Elsa, Daphne and Velma disappeared and Fred came beside Shaggy. Winny and Sibella were petting Scooby when a loud noise broke the silence.
AROOOOOOOOOWWWWWW!
Blinking, Shaggy looked over at Winny. Now normally, it was her that was howling. But she hadn't made a sound. So who else was here making that racket? His confused look must have notified Sibella of his question. She smiled and pointed towards one of the doors.
"That would be our other guest we invited. He seemed to have brought someone who's a bit... on the loud side. Shall we go over and meet the others?" Sibella didn't even wait for their answer. She strode towards the door, with Winny quickly behind. Shaggy and Fred looked at each other and shrugged. They were quick to follow, wondering who had been invited that was making so much noise?