It was a sunny Saturday and Lori and Bobby were preparing a picnic to have in the park. "Tacos, chips, cookies, plates and napkins. Okay babe we've got everything!" Bobby declared.
"Wait, we forgot the sodas!" Lori exclaimed and turned to the Casagrande's fridge. But as she opened the fridge door Sergio dove down in front of her fluttering feathers in her face. Then he flew out with a snack. Lori spit a feather out of her mouth, "watch where you're flying Sergio."
Sergio squawked, "needed butter for popcorn." He said and flew the tub of butter to the living room where Ronnie Anne, Carl, and C.J. were playing video games with a big bowl of popcorn.
"Thanks Sergio," Ronnie Anne said as she spooned some butter into the bowl. The parrot accepted the thanks by diving into the food to help himself. Sending corn flying onto the kids.
"Do you mind! I'm trying to focus!" Carl grumbled as he lost the lead in the game. As C.J. crossed the finish line in first place Carlota burst in the door carrying the glowing crystal ball.
"Uhh, guys I think we've got a ghost to bust!" she said. Upon hearing her announcement, Lori and Bobby tried to sneak out behind them.
"It's been over a week, I kind of hoped the ghosts had just decided to lay low forever," Bobby whispered. Vincent Van Ghoul projected himself from the crystal ball and blocked their getaway in the front door.
"More like they went to the high seas, Bobby!" Vincent replied.
"Oh great, first an alligator ghost, now a fish ghost?" Lori grumbled.
"Not quite," Vincent said and snapped his finger at the tv. The video game screen immediately switched to a news report. Ronnie Anne, Carl and CJ voiced complaints but Vincent shushed them as the news report began.
"This is Katherine Mulligan reporting live. The ship behind is the latest in a series of ships that have been attacked while at sea. Nobody was hurt but the ship has been damaged to the point it is no longer fit to sail. Much like the crew of other ships, the victims reported the same events leading up to the attack. First a rolling fog appeared in late in the evening, the slowly they saw a seventeenth century galleon, flying the flag of Redbeard the pirate!" She said with a pause for dramatic effect as the kids leaned in to catch everything. "This is not the first time the long dead pirate has been resurrected for a nefarious scheme. However police confirm that the previous perpetrator C. L. Magnus was under house arrest 200 miles away. Tune in tonight for my interview with Daphne Blake and Fred Jones, part of the teen mystery solving team responsible for unraveling Magnus' embezzling scheme." Katherine Mulligan signed off.
"Wait, Dad said his boat was coming into port tonight, what if he runs into Redbeard?" Ronnie Anne asked anxiously.
"Another reason there is not a moment to lose," Vincent declared. "I have Shaggy, Scrappy and Scooby Doo securing us a boat, I will meet you at the marina." And his projection disappeared.
Later at the dock, Scooby and Scrappy waved as the Mercado van, with Hector at the wheel, parked by the curb. Ronnie Anne, Bobby, Carl, Carlota, CJ, Lori and Vincent van Ghoul all disembarked; Sergio was perched on C.J..'s shoulder. "Sorry we're late you guys" Ronnie Anne said, "traffic was terrible."
"Yeah, thankfully Bobby and Lori packed a great picnic." Carl added rubbing his tummy. Lori and Bobby stared at him with disdain.
"We've got a boat lined up, and Shaggy is getting it reinforced" Scrappy said. They looked at him with confusion, so he explained, "Last time Redbeard rammed his ship into there's and cut it down the middle so Shaggy's not going to let it happen again!"
They were interrupted by the sound of a boat's horn blaring. Shaggy pulled up in an old pontoon barge. "Like ahoy dudes!" he waved.
"Shaggy, where did you get that boat? The 1970s?" Vincent exclaimed, noticing the rusted age of the craft.
"Well, when you don't give us much money to rent a boat, that makes it harder to get a good one!" Shaggy explained. Vincent conceded and everyone hesitantly came aboard.
The water was fairly smooth as they cruised out in search of the ghost ship.
"Would it not have been better to search by air? Maybe in a helicopter?" Carlota asked.
"Perhaps, but it would make it much harder to make an undetected approach on the ghost with the Chest of Demons. Besides, have you ever tried to land a helicopter on a boat?" Vincent asked.
"Yep, it's tricky" Hector said with a hint of nostalgia, shocking both of them.
Lori and Bobby were at the bow of the ship. "Sorry our picnic got messed up babe," Bobby lamented.
"It's ok Boo-boo bear, this is sort of romantic" Lori replied. "The sound of crashing waves, a chance to see dolphins," she looked out at the sea, "a bunch of fog." Indeed, a pea soup fog was rolling in towards them.
Scrappy excitedly jumped on the railing, "bow-wow-wow, I'll bet we'll find the ghost ship in that fog."
"I've got the Chest of Demons ready to go," Ronnie Anne said, tapping the lid.
"How are we gonna find them?" Carl asked, "this fog is so thick I can't see anything!" Suddenly Carl saw a bit of yellow plastic pierce the fog and spin in a circle, the fog popped out revealing CJ and his toy sword.
"Hi Carl!" he said, surprising his brother. Carl was about to yell at CJ but suddenly a massive splash drenched them both.
"Who did that!" Carl yelled waving through the fog to find Scooby and Sergio at the starboard rail.
"Rot me!" Scooby mumbled. Another massive splash drenched all four of them.
"What are you four doing" Hector asked.
"Abuelo look!" C.J. said and soon everyone was looking right as a rickety seventeenth century galleon appeared in the fog, with tattered sails and a jolly roger flying. "The ghost ship!" They could hear the ghost pirate's laugh. Then there was loud boom, and they saw a cannonball fly next to the ship. When it hit the water, it splashed them all.
"We're under attack!" Vincent said. As the rocking of the boat moved everyone back and forth, he zeroed in on the Chest as it and Ronnie Anne slid from one end of the boat to the other. The ghost ship was getting closer, and Redbeard didn't seemed set on sinking them. "Hang on!" he said, putting his hands on the deck and the chest. He began reciting an incantation as the others waited in anticipation. And cannonball struck the boat shaking Vincent as he completed the spell. In a flash of light, he saw that he was on the beach of a tropical island. "Is everyone ok?"
Ronnie Annie stood up in confusion, still shaky with sea legs. "That was crazy!" she said before spotting her Abuelo who was coughing up seawater.
"Like Vincent dude, warn us next time, that was a bumpy ride!" Shaggy said still grasping the ship's wheel.
"Apologies Shaggy but we are thankfully safe now. Redbeard has failed to destroy the Chest of Demons" Vincent said.
"Um yeah but weren't there more of us on that boat?" Carlota asked as she anxiously looked around. Soon everyone realized that only the end of the boat they were on had been transported. The bow where Carl, C.J., Bobby, Lori, Scooby, Scrappy, and Sergio had braced was nowhere in sight. "How did we lose half the boat?"
Vincent pulled out his new crystal ball and they saw the others bobbing on the now split off front end of the ship.
"Like what happened the rest of the boat is literally gone!" Lori exclaimed.
"That crazy Mr. Van Ghoul didn't do his spell right!" Carl snapped as he held onto the rail. In reality the spell was being cast correctly, but the turbulence kept it from being completed.
"Well, we better get out of here before we become dinner for a passing shark" Bobby replied.
"And where exactly do we go?" Sergio snapped, "I don't see a seaside resort!"
The only thing they could see was the passing ghost ship and an open porthole. Everyone seemed hesitant, especially Scooby who held tightly to the bow. "We're sinking! We're better off if we can get on the boat and wait for Shaggy and the others to find us," Scrappy argued. As the wave rocked them closer to the ship the smaller dog dove into the porthole. "Come on you guys, nobody's in the cargo bay!" Lori followed next, then she and Scrappy pulled Carl and CJ inside. Sergio dove in ahead of Bobby who was holding onto Scooby. He pulled with all his might, yanking the dog in after him,
"Seriously Scooby, you need to go on a diet" Bobby said.
From the crystal ball the others observed them. "Phew they're out of the water!" said Vincent.
"But they're on the pirate ship!" Hector snapped.
"Like we have to figure out how to get to them!" Shaggy replied.
"But before that we better find out where we are?" Ronnie Anne said, and they all looked out at the jungle of the island behind them.
Meanwhile, aboard the ghost ship, the others were getting a bearing for their surroundings. The cargo bay was mostly empty aside from a few barrels and crates. "It doesn't seem like anybody noticed we got onboard," Lori said.
"I hope everyone else is safe," C.J. said.
"I'm sure they are C.J., and they have a Chest of Demons so maybe we should hide out here until the find us," Bobby added.
"I wonder if there's any pirate treasure in here," Carl said, lifting the lid off of one of the crates. "Huh?" Scooby and Scrappy over each of his shoulders so see what cargo had confused him.
"Rooby Snacks!" Scooby said, lifting up one of the dozens of boxes from Scooby Snacks and gobbling them down.
"Great find Carl, we'll need plenty of nourishment if we are gonna face Redbeard," Scrappy added. Carl sighed wishing the crate had had jewels instead of dog treats.
"Look!" CJ said after finding a pair of mounted pirates' swords on the wall. He grabbed one and started swinging it like a heroic captain.
"CJ be careful," Bobby exclaimed. As C.J. swung around he knocked the other sword off the wall. But before anyone could pick it up and hang it back on the wall, it began hovering in midair and swinging itself at the kids.
"A ghost sword!" Scrappy exclaimed. "Take cover!" Everyone ducked as the swords whizzed through the air, ready to slice anyone in its path. "Ok you overgrown butter knife, now I'm angry!"
"Scrappy! stop drawing the flying blade towards us" Lori replied. She scooped up the smaller dog and followed Bobby, Sergio, Scooby, C.J. and Carl as they ran out of the cargo bay, and then ducked as the sword flew over their heads and impaled itself in a wooden beam. "Hope that wasn't a load bearing beam." Looking around they saw they had taken shelter inside the galley.
"Roh-boy!" Scooby said, licking his list.
"How can you think of food at a time like this?" Carl sighed. "I mean what do ghost pirates eat anyway?"
"Why don't you ask?" C.J. said, gripping his brother's shoulder. He turned around to see a towering figure standing in the other door. He wore a bright red coat, and black captain's hat with matching belt with a sheathed pirate cutlass. His trademark beard left no mystery that this was the ghost of Redbeard. The captain chuckled triumphantly, they had nowhere to run but back into the cargo bay which had no other exit.
Scooby jumped backwards into Bobby's arms. Scrappy lunged at the pirate, grabbing his boot but Redbeard kicked him off and the pup flew into Lori's arms. Carl cowered behind his brother, quivering. "Stop that sniveling," Redbeard ordered
"I will protect you Carl!" C.J. said drawing his toy sword. Redbeard laughed.
"So, you think you're a pirate boy?" Redbeard grinned. The boy tried not to let the ghost know how scared he was. They all waited to see what the pirate would do next. "Well seeing as how ye be without your precious chest, you're going to help me find another one! Crew!"
Redbeard's call was answered as Weerd and Bogel fumbled down the stairs. "Y-you rang captain?" Bogel asked.
"This one fancies himself a pirate, take him, the cowardly one and that pesky Scooby Doo to my cabin" he ordered.
"Aye aye captain?" Weerd said, pulling out a pirate sword. He nudged C.J. and Carl egging them forward. Bogel started dragging the fear petrified Scooby.
"W-what about us?" Bobby said, looking to Lori, Sergio and Scrappy.
"You're in the galley, aren't ya?" Redbeard replied. "So, get to work and fix me some dinner! And remember, it better be good; or" Redbeard swiped his finger across his neck and indicated decapitation. Bobby, Lori, Scrappy, and Sergio looked at each other scared, and Redbeard locked them in.
Back on the island, the others were moving around the perimeter of the island. "You know if you had told me I'd be walking on a tropical beach today, I'm not sure I'd believe it would be this stressful!" Carlota said.
"Well hopefully we'll find a boat rental place and get back out to sea!" Hector added. "We can't leave Bobby, Carl, C.J. and the others at the mercy of crazy ghosts!"
"But even if we find a boat, how are we supposed to find the ghost ship?" Shaggy said.
Ronnie Anne who had run ahead and tried to get a view from the top of a pile of rocks called down to them. "I'm not sure we have to worry about finding the ghost ship!" she exclaimed. Carlota and Shaggy followed her up and they could make out the faint sight of the ghostly fog and the speck of the ghost ship getting closer. "They're heading straight for the island!"
"Fascinating," Vincent pondered, "there must be something special to this island I have been unable to determine. But if they are truly heading here, it will make our rescue all the easier."
"They're sailing pretty slow, it's barely a breeze. Could be hours before they arrive" Shaggy called down.
Hector was anxiously worrying about his grandchildren. Ronnie Anne and Carlota hugged their Abuelo when they saw he was distraught.
Back in the ship's galley Bobby, Lori, Scrappy and Sergio were trying to decide what they were going to cook. "Come on you guys, we've gotta figure this out, I'm pretty attached to my head!" Lori said as she dug into the cupboard pulling out ingredients.
"Don't worry babe, we've got this, our families are foodie families" Bobby replied. "Let's see, Redbeard doesn't have a soup pot; so, I guess we're making a casserole."
"We've got a bunch of fish in this barrel," Scrappy said, holding up a big tuna fish.
"Okay and hey we can use this cheese too!" Lori said, pulling out a plate of stinky cheese with visible aroma from the icebox.
"And I've got some of Abuela's homemade ghost pepper chili sauce, what ghost wouldn't like ghost-peppers," Bobby said, pouring it over the fish and cheese.
Sergio squawked, "I can smell the indigestion!"
As they worked away in the kitchen. Carl, C.J. and Scooby were held captive in Redbeard's quarters. Weerd and Bogel were standing guard by the door.
"Wow, look Carl it's a real treasure map!" C.J. said as he looked at Redbeard's desk.
"Good eye kid, that's where we're heading. You're gonna help Redbeard find that treasure; it's all that remains of the library of Zagraz" Bogel said.
"The Ribrary rof Ragraz?" Scooby exclaimed.
"No, the Library of Zagraz!" Weerd snapped. "And you're gonna help us find it!"
"Why would we help you?" Carl said.
"You're not in a position to argue, you help us and we don't make y'all walk the plank" Weerd chuckled.
"And you kids seem nice, we'd kind of be upset if you had to walk the plank," Bogel added.
Carl was about to protest further before Redbeard hollered, all hands to the mess hall. And minutes later they were all seated at the long table with the captain at the head of it. Scrappy, Lori, Bobby and Sergio emerged carrying a massive dish.
"Alright kids, I hope for your sake you were able to produce something decent. After Scooby cooked for me last time, I removed all soap from the ship!" Redbeard said menacingly making Lori cringe with disgust.
"W-well today for your consideration sir we offer a delicious ghost pirate casserole" Bobby presented.
Redbeard studied the dish with a fish tale sticking out. He smiled and pushed the dish across the table to Scooby, C.J., Carl, Weerd and Bogel. "You first!"" he said and then laughed nefariously. Carl seemed confused about even how to eat it. Weerd and Bogel were a little put off for being told to eat with the others. Redbeard ordered, "eat it!"
They each took a spoonful of the casserole. Weerd and Bogel immediately turned red and began steaming. "I don't think they like the ghost peppers Bobby!" Scrappy said.
"You guys are wimps," C.J. took a second second bite, almost daring the two ghosts.
"Milk!" Bogel shouted as he and Weerd phased below to quench their burning in the galley. Redbeard seemed to be enjoying the pain the spice was inflicting, as Carl and Scooby began tearing up it was so hot.
Then Scooby's stomach started gurgling after the fifth huge spoonful. "Uh oh, Uncle Scooby I don't think all that spice and cheese is agreeing with you" Scrappy added.
Scooby's stomach, and Scrappy jumped and turned him to not face Redbeard. "Duh-duh-duh-duh-duh, puppy power!" Scrappy yanked on Scooby's tail unleashing a fart straight at the ghost pirate, making him cough. The room filled with smelly smoke, Sergio ducked out the porthole to breath fresh air, and by the time Redbeard recovered the others had cleared out.
"Not the cleanest exit, but maybe the smelliest I've ever encountered," Lori said, silently congratulating herself for thinking to add her crumbled high-fiber bean chips on top. They headed deeper into the ship searching for a new hiding place.
At this point the ship was clearly visible from the island. "This explains why Redbeard has been sailing these waters. He must have been searching for this island." Vincent contemplated.
"Well he can have this island, I want the others back!" Ronnie Anne replied. The fog was rolling in as if preparing the way for the ghost ship. They ducked into the bushes, laying low until they knew what tricks Redbeard might have up his sleeve. They could hear the old wood beaching on the shore.
"What are we waiting for? Let's rush in with the chest and lock up that pirate!" Hector said.
"Like we don't know if Redbeard has a full crew or not. We could be outnumbered." Shaggy said. They heard a splash and then rowing as a smaller moved up the river. They looked up in time to see Redbeard in a rowboat rowed upstream by Weerd and Bogel disappear into the forest.
"I didn't see the others, come on they must still be aboard!" Carlota exclaimed. They all bolted to the shore. "This ship is huge, it'll take hours to find them!"
"Well if Scooby Doo is on this ship, this will bring him running" Vincent said, and with flick of his hand a plate of freshly baked Scooby Snacks appeared. Within a moment Scooby leapt from his hiding place in a barrel and jumped on Vincent with his excitement for the treats. Shaggy happily hugged his best buddy before they helped the wizard back to his feet. The barrel continued shaking, and then it poured over and Lori and Bobby spilled out.
"Why did we all hide in the same barrel?" Bobby mumbled as the feeling returned to his legs.
"You're ok!" Ronnie said excitedly.
"Wait, did you catch Redbeard already?" Lori said, looking around.
"No he left with Weerd and Bogel in the life boat heading into the island interior" Vincent replied. Lori, Bobby, and Scooby tensed at the news; they revealed C.J., Scrappy, and Carl had hidden under a tarp in the back of the rowboat.
"W-w-what do we do?" Carlota said anxiously.
"We've got to take the other rowboat after them" Shaggy said, in disbelief that he was actually suggesting they follow a ghost.
Vince waved his hand, and an outboard motor appeared on the back of the boat. "They've gotten so far ahead of us we can focus on speed rather than stealth" he added.
Not as far ahead as they thought, Carl, C.J. and Scrappy kept quiet as they heard Weerd and Bogel complaining as Redbeard made them row.
"I hope he's reading that map right!" Weerd said panting.
"Uhh Weerd, it's an island there's' only one stream. I don't think we're going the wrong way." Weerd felt stupid at Bogel's reasoning. Redbeard then demanded silence, so he could focus.
"What are we gonna do? We can't hide in here forever, we gotta stop them from getting the treasure Redbeard is looking for" Scrappy said.
"We don't have the Chest of Demons, we don't have any magic; how do we fight them?" Carl asked. C.J. silently responded by poking out his toy sword. "C.J. stop, you'll give us away!"
They felt the boat beach and then the tarp was whipped off them. "Next time offer to take a turn rowing!" Weerd exclaimed. They looked up at the three ghosts looking down at them triumphantly.
Redbeard laughed, "well since you're here, I'll be making you go first. twas gonna make these two go in front of me and spring all the traps on the way to the treasure. But now you can!"
The kids gulped, and Scrappy turned to Weerd and Bogel and muttered. "You two oughta report him to whatever union ghosts report to!" Bogel actually nodded.
Redbeard shoved the map into C.J.'s hand and ushered him forward into the shrubs.
C.J. studied the map and stopped after a few steps and lifted a leaf to reveal a trip wire. He stepped over it and then ushered the others forward. First Carl and Scrappy and then Redbeard cut the line after stepping over safely. A flurry of darts flew down from the spring trap in a tree and pelted Weerd and Bogel. Redbeard laughed at their expense.
As they moved further into the jungle. The motorboat rocketed up the river after them. "Come on Shaggy can't this thing go any faster?" Carlota exclaimed.
"Not without the river changing directions and flowing with us," Shaggy replied.
"Rook rook!" Scooby said pointing from the vow where the rowboat was beached.
"I hope they aren't too far ahead," Bobby said worryingly.
"Don't worry boo-boo bear I'm sure they're ok" Lori said. But then they heard a loud roar. The bushes started rustling before Weerd and Bogel emerged being chased by a tiger. The two ghosts jumped into the rowboat and started rowing away as fast as they could; they soon passed the others heading back downstream.
"Who uses a tiger as a booby trap!" Weerd cried.
"Well, that was rude, they didn't even say look out!" Hector said. They refrained from docking until Vincent teleported the tiger away. (The Great Lakes City Zoo was delighted)
"Come on, they've got to be close!" Ronnie Anne exclaimed as they poured out of the boat and into the jungle.
Sure enough, Carl, C.J. and Scrappy were standing with Redbeard where they found the sealed stone vault. "Don't suppose that map came with a key," Carl complained.
Redbeard laughed and just pierced his sword into the slot. Scrappy took the moment where the pirate's sword was not a threat and pounced, knocking him over. Unfortunately, the ghost didn't let go of his blade. "That's it, now I'll make a pirate casserole out of you!" He swung and connected with C.J. toy blade.
"En garde!" C.J. exclaimed. And the two engaged in a duel. While Scrappy and Carl watched.
Redbeard seemed annoyed, whereas C.J. seemed to be having a blast. "You really think you can outduel me boy!"
"Haha, maybe I can," C.J. said smiling as he played defense. "Hocus Pocus, spirit rest, return, oh return, to the demon chest!"
Redbeard was confused but C.J. lunged forward with his sword. Redbeard stepped back, tripping over Scooby who had snuck up behind them and he fell straight into the Chest of Demons. His hat fell off as he vanished inside, and Lori slammed the lid shut. Everyone cheered.
"Nice work C.J., I think this is yours now!" Ronnie Anne said handing him Redbeard's hat.
"Wow!" her cousin said in awe.
"Hey guys check this out!" Scrappy called. He and Carl were standing just inside the vault. Everyone looked through the doorway and saw stacks of scrolls.
"Some treasure!" Carl added with disappointment. He unrolled one and saw the bottom was singed as if burnt off. His abuelo looked at the document over his shoulder.
"Hmm, looks sort of like the family tree report I did at your school" Hector noticed. Vincent then grabbed the paper out of Carl's hands.
"Great scott, this is a family tree, the family of Maldor the Malevolent!" he exclaimed.
"Like that nightmare fuel warlock has family," Shaggy replied shocked.
"Ancestors and a line of descendents, unfortunately everything after the 1500s is gone," Vincent added.
"Maldor was trapped in the chest of demons for centuries before Shaggy and Scooby let him out. Do you suppose his descendents got rid of this for some reason?" Ronnie Anne speculated. "And besides that, what did Redbeard want here?"
"This, no doubt," Vincent said, picking up an ornate magic schematic. "This is the smith's notes from the creation of the wonder wand of Zagraz."
"Zoinks!" Shaggy exclaimed, "wasn't one of those wands enough!"
"Indeed, and much like the Time Scepter and Ankha's scarab, it is imperative we keep them from Maldor and his minions," Vincent said before making the paper disappear. They headed back to the beach, to find the ghost ship gone.
"I guess Weerd and Bogel didn't want to wait for us or Redbeard," Scrappy said.
"Well how are we supposed to get home now?" Carlota added.
They were discussing what to do, when a modern boat sailed close enough to the island to signal them. It was a relief boat from an international doctor's group. The man at the bow waving at them was Arturo Santiago, Bobby and Ronnie Anne's dad. The siblings ran ahead of the others to greet him. "Dad what are you doing here?" Ronnie Anne asked, as she and her brother hugged her Dad.
"A little birdie told me you needed help" her father replied. They looked up and saw Sergio perched on the railing, feeling proud he had found help. "Come on everyone" Arturo said ushering them aboard.
"I hope this voyage is more peaceful than the last one" Shaggy said. And it was a ghostship free voyage, they made it back in time for breakfast.