Scooby, Scrappy, and C.J. sat in the bleachers watching Ronnie Anne and her skateboarding team as they competed at a regional competition. Carlos Casagrande was on his feet, having driven them to the competition he was now backseat coaching. Scrappy and C.J. were trying their best to explain what was going on to Scooby.
"See Uncle Scooby, that trick is pretty technical and that's worth more points" Scrappy explained. Scooby was trying to split his focus between watching the skateboarding, his nephew's explanation and his nachos with strawberry ice cream. The rest of the gang had been asked to appear on Hunter Spector's show following the events at the Scooby Snack factory, but his cameraman was allergic to dogs so Scooby joined Scrappy to watch the competition.
When the kids tied for first, Scrappy dashed over and hugged Casey excitedly. Carlos came to check on CJ and Scooby while the team took photos.
"Well I'd say this has been an excellent showing for the team," Carlos replied.
"They did great, Dad!" CJ added.
"Coach Kernicky said if they win then they should do something fun as a reward this weekend" Carlos continued. But their conversation was interrupted when CJ's backpack started glowing.
"Ro-no" Scooby whimpered.
C.J. pulled out the crystal ball, he had forgotten it was in his backpack. "Hello, Mr. Van Ghoul," he excitedly answered.
"CJ where are you right now? I can't tell?" Vincent replied.
"We are at Ronnie Anne's skateboarding match, Scooby, Scrappy and I are cheering them on!"
"Well as soon as they finish you must leave at once. The Time Scepter has been rediscovered." As Vincent explained Scooby shuttered, knowing this meant Time Slime had returned.
Just then Ronnie Anne skated over, she had intended to just ask her Tio Carlos where they would be having dinner but her attention immediately shifted to the crystal when she saw it was lit up. "Mr. Van Ghoul, is it one of the ghosts?" she asked.
Vince turned to face her, "yes, Time Slime has located the bulk of his scepter. Only the top remains hidden. His immense power could throw the world into chaos. You must recapture him before he can harness the full power." He turned back to Scooby "Be prepared, Scooby Doo, he sees you as the greatest threat. I'll be in touch as soon as I have more information."
After Vincent disappeared, Carlos sighed and picked up the phone to call home and request the Chest. Ronnie Anne turned to Scooby and CJ, she looked exhausted. "Don't worry Ronnie Anne, I'll protect you!" CJ said drawing his toy sword. His cousin smiled.
"Thanks C.J., I was just looking forward to spending the day just relaxing with my friends" she replied. Speaking of which, Ronnie Anne's five friends Sid, Casey, Nikki, Sameer, and Laird came over to them carrying all of their gear.
"Why the long face Ronnie Anne, we just won! And now we get a whole weekend to chill!" Sameer exclaimed.
"Sorry guys, you're gonna have to have fun without me today, C.J. and I have a job to do" Ronnie Anne sighed.
Sid noticed the distress and then saw the crystal ball, adding it up in her head. She dashed over and put her arm around her friend. "Hey this team sticks together, if you need us we're here for you" she exclaimed, Ronnie Anne tried to protest but Sid would not hear her. "Right guys?" she asked, and the others nodded.
"Hooray! Let's go catch a ghost!" CJ cheered.
"Ghost?" Laird, Nikki, Casey and Sameer all said dropping their gear.
Scrappy dashed up and as he stacked up their gear, he said, "oh boy! What are we waiting for? Follow me!" he said before carrying the pile of skateboarding equipment away.
Ronnie Anne and Sid did their best to be optimistic around their nervous teammates. They recounted their encounter with the Ghost Clown at Dairyland. "I'm not too worried, Scrappy goes on and on about how strong and fearless his uncle Scooby is, he'll protect us," Casey added. Ronnie Anne and Sid decided not to comment on Scooby Doo's alleged bravery.
"Mr. Van Ghoul says this ghost has a grudge against Scooby so we're gonna have to protect him," Ronnie Anne added.
"Don't worry Uncle Scooby, we won't let Time Slime get you" Scrappy reassured. Scooby gritted his teeth, Time Slime was a dangerous ghost, and he remembered their last battle. The only thing scarier than him was what would happen to his friends if they failed to recapture him.
Meanwhile, about 2 miles outside of Great Lakes City, an antique clocktower sat surrounded by a topiary maze. The entire structure was dismantled and imported brick by brick. Originally it had been the home of the wizard who created the Time Scepter. Time Slime had entered without hassle and broke the seal on an enchanted cabinet built into the wall. "Hahaha, finally my Time Scepter will be restored" he said. But as he opened the door, he saw it was empty except for a note where the jewel that powered his scepter was supposed to be resting. "What?" He snatched the note which read.
To whom it may concern, living or dead, How foolish do you think I would be to return the gem to its original hiding place! - VVG
"Curse you Van Ghoul, even imprisoned you have outfoxed me! But no matter, I can squeeze the location out of you! After I get my revenge on that meddling mutt!" Time Slime grumbled.
"Ah ah ah, TIme Slime," the ghost turned around to see Weerd and Bogel leaning against the wall with a hideous oil painting hanging in between them. "Don't forget you have a job to do. When we retrieve the power source for the Time Scepter you have to use it to speed up the phases of the moon so we can revive Maldor faster." The lankier ghost said, enjoying getting to tell Time Slime what to do.
"You dare forget your place, you dimwitted pathetic apparitions!" Time Slime shot back. He had initially sworn allegiance to Maldor to avoid the fate that befell so many of the original ghosts imprisoned in the Chest of Demons. But after Vincent Van Ghoul rendered the malevolent warlock unable to become tangible, he saw no point in continuing his charade of false loyalty. "The moon will be in place when it's supposed to be in place!"
Suddenly the picture in between the two ghosts caught fire and Maldor's face appeared at the center of the blaze. Weerd and Bogel jumped to the side. "Watch your ungrateful tongue! You will not hinder my return!" Maldor roared.
Time Slime laughed, "I will wipe Scooby Doo and all those meddling kids off the face of the earth, then I shall conquer the world before you return! But when you do, I'm coming for you." Time Slime teleported away as the flames around Maldor flared in anger.
Weerd and Bogel stuck their heads up from their hiding places. They turned to ask Maldor what to do, but the painting had burnt up, ending his conduit to the room. "Gee Weerd, I guess we get this job off!"
"Not so fast Bogel, you seriously want Time Slime to get control of the world? Of all the ghosts we've served over the years he's the last one I'd want as a master for eternity."
"Well what do you suggest we do?" Bogel asked.
Weerd smiled, "well if Time Slime were to be sent back to the Chest of Demons, Maldor would reward us for getting rid of the traitor, and we wouldn't have to worry about that goggle wearing ghoul ever again!"
"Uhhh," Bogel strained to work out the logistics in his head. "Weerd, we can't use the Chest of Demons."
"We can't but those kids can. All we have to do is make sure…" Weerd began whispering his plan into Bogel's ear as quietly as possible.
The kids had piled into the back of the Mercado van. Scrappy was providing a summary recounting of their first encounter with Time Slime. "He sort of looks like an alien skeleton wearing ugly green robes and goggles. He'll be easy to spot, but the biggest challenge is the Time Scepter, even without the power of the top piece, he can still use it to mess with us." he described. "What he didn't count on was Uncle Scooby outwitting his traps."
"I don't know Scrappy, a villain who can freeze time sounds pretty dangerous" Casey said anxiously.
"But without the top of the staff his powers of time are super limited" Sid said trying to be reassuring.
"Now where are we heading next exactly?" Laird asked.
'"Back to my place to pick up the chest. Then to the old Cuckoosburg clock tower Mr. Van Ghoul told us about, it's just outside of the city" Ronnie Anne explained.
"It really is a fascinating place. It was brought across the Atlantic in pieces by a wealthy fashion mogul as an 80th birthday present for her watch collecting father" Carlos said, recounting the local history.
"Huh, I guess that's more original than a 'world's greatest dad' new coffee mug," commented Nikki.
"And once we get there, we'll split up," CJ added.
"Split up? CJ I know you're a little young for scary movies but if we split up the demon will hunt us down one by one," Laird replied in a panic.
"Not split up individually, he means half of us are going to go into the gardens and flush out the ghost, while the rest of us stay and guard the Chest of Demons because Time Slime will want to take it." clarified Ronnie Anne.
"Uncle Scooby will lead the hunting party won't you Uncle Scooby?" Scrappy asked. Scooby cringed.
"That's a good idea Scrappy, Time Slime's is going to come after Scooby, so we need to get him as far from the chest as possible" Ronnie Anne replied.
Sid, who was sitting next to the Great Dane, began stroking him to calm his nerves. "It's ok Scooby, you've got all of us here to protect you." Scooby was still anxious, he wished the rest of the gang was here.
"I bet I know something that might help" Casey reached into his duffle bag and pulled out a box of Scooby Snacks. He tossed a handful which Scooby caught midair.
"That's a good idea Uncle Scooby, building up your energy so you can really splat him this time!" Scrappy exclaimed.
After picking up Rosa and the Chest of Demons they drove on and reached the gardens, about half an hour later. The antique structure looked like it was straight out of Heidi with a maze of bushes surrounding it. The full moon made it a truly haunting scene.
"Alright niños let's catch you a ghost. Ronnie Anne, Sid, Nikki and Scooby, you come with me and we'll flush out this demonio" Rosa said. "Carlos, you watch the chest with Scrappy and the boys. Burn my herbs and it will help keep the ghosts away."
As they headed into the maze Carlos turned to explain his plan to the others. "I predict the best thing to do is not leave this chest in one place for two long. So, I'm going to keep it in the trunk and move it from time to time under the guise of running to get us snacks."
"But Mrs. Casagranda brought us a picnic basket," Sameer said, reaching in and pulling out a taco.
"Uh, well, she didn't remember the lemonade, so we may need to run to the gas station for some" Carlos contested.
"Dad? Are you afraid of the ghosts?" C.J. asked.
"What? No, I'm just being strategic. Besides, if Sergio can handle those dimwitted ghosts, then surely I can."
Suddenly a voice from the hedge exclaimed. "Hey my name is Bogel not Shirley!" Laird jumped backwards into Casey's arms as the two began shaking in fear. Then the two ghosts popped their heads out. "Ooo, tacos!" Bogel added, helping himself.
"Hands off the tacos ghosts, da-da-da-da-da-da puppy power!" Scrappy lunged tackling the skinnier ghost knocking all three of them back into the bush. Casey and CJ were worried about the enthusiastic pup and darted into the maze to find him. They made three left turns and found Scrappy tussling with the two ghosts.
"Hang on Scrappy we're coming!" Casey called and together he and CJ yanked Bogel off of Scrappy and threw him over the top of a hedge deeper into the maze. Weerd and Scrappy broke apart in their grappling and the skinnier ghost.
Weerd dusted the dirt off of himself and snapped. "You're lucky it's just us, if you had found Time Slime's surprise trap by the maze's fountain you'd be in real trouble." Weerd then paused as if he just realized he had said too much. "Dang it."
Just then Laird popped his head through the hedge. "Did you guys win?" he asked. He and Weerd caught each other off guard and Weerd darted away, phasing through the hedge on the other side disappearing. Laird meanwhile fainted forward.
"It's okay, you scared the ghost away" C.J. said trying to rouse laird.
"And more importantly, they let slip where Time Slime is setting a trap for Uncle Scooby and the others. If it's anything like the trap he had for us last time, then we need to warn them" Scrappy said. "Come on, Sameer has the walkie talkie!" They headed back to the start of the maze as Weerd and Bogel eavesdropped happily.
"It worked Weerd, they know about the trap. Soon we'll be free of Time Slime" Bogul laughed. "Never thought we'd be helping catch a ghost."
"Strange times call for strange matters Bogul."
The others got back to Sameer who relayed the message to Ronnie Anne over the walkie talkie. "Repeat Time Slime has a trap by the fountain."
"Thanks Sameer, we'll be careful," she responded before hanging up the walkie talkie. They were creeping deeper through the hedge maze getting closer to the clocktower at the center. Rosa was leading the way.
"Wait, what good is it to know that the ghost has a trap waiting at the fountain?" Nikki asked.
"Maybe we can throw abuela's chancla and set it off" Ronnie Anne suggested. But they all froze when they heard the trickle of running water. Peaking around the corner they spotted the intricate fountain, with twin gargoyles spewing water and dozens of small purple flowering shrubs around it. In the corner was Time Slime who was using his scepter to erode a concrete memorial slab to look for a secret hiding place.
"Ew, this is an ugly ghost," Sid whispered.
"Where is the trap?" Ronnie Anne wondered.
"You girls stay back, Scooby and I will find out" Rosa said, before hurling her chancla at Time Slime. The ghost was distracted, and the shoe slammed into the back of his head. He stumbled before turning around to see Rosa, standing with Scooby who had the crystal ball.
"Ah Scooby Doo, I was wondering when you show your mangy face!" Time Slime replied. "You will not get the best of me this time, once I get the top staff you will pose no threat to me again!" He began laughing.
""Roh Reah, Where ris it?" Scooby replied.
"Ah, so Van Ghoul has not entrusted its location to you?" Time Slime mocked.
Suddenly Vincent Van Ghoul appeared in the crystal ball. "You have ways of breaking people Time Slime; I would not risk you torturing anyone for the location. And I hid it in the last place anyone would look here."
"No matter, I will get the information out of you Van Ghoul, after I get my revenge. For you have played right into my trap!" Time Slime tapped on his scepter and the two gargoyles stopped spitting water and roared at Scooby and Rosa. Rosa's chancla bounced off their stone bodies like a rubber ball. They jumped to either side as the gargoyles lunged forward. Time Slime laughed, "and now my search continues!" he added before going inside the clocktower.
"Come on!" Ronnie Anne said and she, Sid and Nikki ran over to the fountain. "How are we supposed to stop them?"
"We need a wrecking ball!" Sid declared.
"Fresh out," Nikki replied sarcastically. She then felt something sticking out of the hedge. At first it looked like a stick, but when she grabbed it, it turned out to be a sledgehammer. "Huh, this could work." She charged the stone monster from behind. "Batter up!" With one swing the leg crumbled. The monster began hopping on its remaining leg. Sid eager took the hammer from Nikki and with another blow the hammer and the gargoyle both broke into a million pieces.
"Rice rork" Scooby said before the second Gargoyle took another swipe at him.
Rosa picked up a piece of stone from the destroyed gargoyle, it was smooth, probably part of its wing. It was also about the size of her chancla. With the flick of her wrist the stone went straight to the gargoyle, decapitating it but it being a statue the neck ended up smooth as a countertop. The now headless gargoyle continued to swing blindly, and the kids, Scooby and Rosa hastened their retreat.
"I wish we had another sledgehammer!" Nikki said as they ran.
"What was a hammer doing in a garden anyway?" Ronnie Anne asked. She did not hear Weerd and Bogel snickering behind the hedge. They began weaving through the maze heading towards the entrance; but when they rounded the corner they collided with Scrappy, CJ, Casey, Sameer, and Laird. "Guys, what are you doing here?"
"We heard fighting, we wanted to make sure you were ok!" Casey replied.
"And besides you need the Chest of Demons to trap Time Slime!" Scrappy added. Suddenly they saw the headless gargoyle barrel into the hedge. They all continued running and eventually came to a fork. Rosa, Ronnie Anne, Sid, C.J. and Scrappy ducked right but Scooby, Laird, Casey, Nikki, and Sameer ran left back towards the car and the gargoyle followed them. Ronnie Anne had to hold Scrappy back to keep him from going after the others. "Come on Ronnie Anne, we can't let that thing catch them.
"And we won't Scrappy, we just need a plan" Ronnie Anne replied. "Let's get back to the van and get the skateboards, maybe they can outskate that gargoyle."
As they backtracked to the van, the others found themselves cornered by the headless gargoyle. "Try not to make a sound, he can't see us" Laird whispered. Sure enough, the statue was reaching out to feel for them with his claws. Quietly the boys each tiptoed one at a time to get around it. When they were all behind the gargoyle, Scooby quickly dug a hole.
As soon as Casey and Sameer had pulled the Great Dane out of his freshly dug pit, CJ called. "Yoohoo, Mr. gargoyle." The statue turned around and ran straight into the pit falling with a thud. Scooby quickly kicked the dirt back over it.
"W-will that hold him?" Laird asked nervously. The ground started rumbling.
"Long enough for us to get away. Let's get out of here!" Sameer added. Scooby led the way as they headed back to the van. When they arrived, they found the girls and Scrappy sifting through their stuff. The vehicle had been ransacked.
"Hold up what happened? Was there another Gargoyle?" Casey asked.
"Nope, looks like Time Slime came here, he must have thought the last place to look for his scepter top was with us" Sid replied.
But the scattered skateboard gear was not C.J.'s chief concern. He was frantically looking around for his Dad. The kids had ran quicker than Carlos could so when they had gone to check on Ronnie Anne and the others; they had left him far behind. He assumed they would have caught up with him. But he was nowhere to be found. Rosa held him tight as he was about to have an anxiety attack. She didn't know what to say to comfort her grandson but that just made her heart ache more.
"I don't get it, where would Mr. Casagrande go?" Scrappy asked.
The answer came from the top of a hedge. Weerd and Bogel looked down at them. "Sorry kids, Time Slime has him at the top of the clocktower. You'll need to get up there fast!" Weerd warned.
CJ and Rosa were frightened for Carlos, but Scrappy was suspicious of the ghosts' warning. "Why are you telling us this? You work for Maldor!"
"But we hate Time Slime, he's the biggest jerk in the afterlife. We'd rather you win than him" Bogel replied. "Now we're gonna have to bolt to save face with Maldor but we swiped this, and it might give you a leg up." He tossed down the bottom end of the time scepter. Suddenly the hedge collapsed, and the dirt covered headless gargoyle started chasing the two ghosts away from the clocktower. "You're welcome!" they called back to the kids.
"Wow, those were some friendly ghosts," Casey commented, not believing what he was saying.
"It's weird, they usually are not," CJ commented.
"Never mind them" Vincent Van Ghoul interrupted from his crystal ball. You need to get back to the clocktower. Even without the time scepter, Time Slime is still powerful enough to cause harm."
Meanwhile, inside the clocktower, Carlos Casagrande had been tied to the massive bell and the brass hammer was lined up to ring in the hour on his head. He attempted to reason with Time Slime who was angrily lashing out at some crates after realizing his treacherous minions had pilfered the rest of his staff. "Now see here, I have to question how you think that this will benefit your plans."
"Foolish mortal, you are merely a pawn in my grand plans for revenge and world domination. The children will trade the Chest of Demons for your life, and I will be free from the fear of imprisonment. I can then strike out against my treacherous minions!"
"Are those goggles cutting off oxygen to your brain? CJ and Ronnie Anne are smart enough to know you can't be trusted. As soon as you get your hands on that chest, you'd have reason to keep your word." Carlos replied then started rambling to buy time. "And by the way, why do you wear those goggles, are you the ghost of a swimmer? If that was the case the time theming of your costume and weapon would make no sense."
Time Slime began visibly showing annoyance. "Shut up" he snapped, and the hammer began falling towards the bell. Carlos braced but the hammer froze midair. Confused, they both looked to see the kids, Rosa and the dogs had made it to the top of the clocktower with the Time Scepter in Scooby Doo's mouth.
"Perfect timing!" Carlos said, laughing with relief.
"Give me that!" Time Slime lunged to try and pull the scepter from Scooby. But he stepped on a conveniently placed skateboard and began rolling around the room out of control.
CJ and Scrappy darted over and untied Carlos from the bell. And the hammer fell as Time Slime's concentration broke. Everyone covered their ears. The ghost then slammed into the bell, and it rang a second time.
"Ooh, ooh, can I say the words, Ronnie Anne?" Sid asked. Her friend nodded as she readied the chest. "Hocus Pocus, spirit rest, return oh return to the Demon chest!"
Ronnie Anne opened the chest as Time Slime slowly began to drag towards it. Alarming everyone he grabbed Scooby's tail causing the dog to spit the time scepter out launching it across the room. "If I can't rule this world Scooby Doo, I'll settle for trapping you with me for revenge!" he snarled.
Scooby whimpered. Scrappy, Casey, Sameer, and Nikki grabbed Scooby's front paws and pulled against Time Slime. After a sudden smack by Rosa's flying chancla to Time Slime's face, they pulled Scooby free. He fell into the chest taking the shoe with him. Everyone cheered, with Scrappy hugging his uncle.
"Well done, Time Slime was a formidable adversary" Vincent said from his crystal ball. "Now I feel it is safe for me to reveal the location of the top of the time scepter."
"You mean this?" Everyone turned to see Laird who was holding up the top of the Time Scepter.
Vincent was shocked. "Laird, where did you find it?" Ronnie asked in equal amazement.
"Well, you said it was in the last place we'd look, so I went to the exit and sure enough it was hidden behind the sign. So, what do I win?" Everyone was speechless.
"It will be safest to keep the Time Scepter pieces separate until I can safely secure them back in my castle" Vincent explained.
"And is there any progress on that?" Carlos asked.
"Young Lucy Loud and her friends are going to try something soon, for now, young Laird, take the top half, and Scrappy watch the bottom of the scepter" he replied. There was agreement to the plan and then they turned to head to the back down the clocktower.
"Wait, Abuela, I just remembered, the ghost took your chancla" Ronnie Anne exclaimed.
"No worries, I am prepared" she said and pulled out a backup chancla and put it on her foot. Daphne had given her the idea. "If I had a nickel for every time I whacked a ghost with my chancla so it will go back into a magic chest, I'd have dos nickels. Not a lot, but it's strange it happened twice." Everyone laughed and they headed back to the van.