It was a late night in Coolsville. Cop cars surrounded the local bank in a frenzy as the titular Mystery Incorporated exited the building with a ghostly masked figure wrapped in a heavy-duty net.
Clearly the handiwork of Fred.
Exiting his patrol car was Sheriff Bronson Stone, who knew all too well about the gang's history with solving mysteries—unconventional or not.
"Alright, kids, what have you gotten yourselves into this time?" asked Sheriff Stone.
"We solved the mystery!" said Daphne.
"Reah!" added Scooby.
"The Ghost of J.P. Morgan really is…" began Fred, yanking off the mask.
"Mr. Hanna the bank teller!" the gang shouted in unison.
"But, like, why?" asked Shaggy.
"I can answer that one, Shaggy," said Velma, stepping forward. "Mr. Hanna was upset about not getting a promotion, even after being named Employee of the Year. So he came up with an elaborate plan to scare off his coworkers."
"He figured if he could get everyone else to quit, he would get promoted by default," added Daphne.
"So he created the phony ghost story and dressed up like J.P. Morgan to make it look authentic," said Fred.
"And for added creepiness, he hid a fog machine and projector to make it look like the ghost could float!" brought up Shaggy.
"Then he tampered with the security footage so no one would catch him," Scooby added.
"Precisely. But he didn't cover his tracks… literally," Velma concluded. "No one else at the bank wears shoes that tacky. That was our smoking gun."
Mr. Hanna, still tangled in the net, grumbled as officers hauled him into the back of a squad car.
"I would've gotten away with it, too—if it weren't for you meddling kids and that dog!" he shouted.
Sheriff Stone crossed his arms, unimpressed.
"So let me get this straight. You dressed up like a ghost, haunted your own bank, and thought that would get you a raise? Not to mention, you didn't even try to steal any money?" asked Stone in confusion.
"Uh…yeah. Pretty much," admitted Mr. Hanna.
"Well, congratulations," said Sheriff Stone dryly. "You just got promoted…TO A JAIL CELL!
The gang erupted into cheers as the squad cars pulled away.
"Scooby Dooby Doo!" howled Scooby.
With the scene winding down, the gang headed for the Mystery Machine.
"Well gang, another mystery solved!" Fred said enthusiastically.
"Just in time for bed too. I didn't realize that it was that late," remarked Daphne, stretching.
"So the Malt Shop's a no-go?" asked Shaggy.
"Can we meet halfway and hit up a drive-thru?" Velma suggested.
"Deal!" Shaggy grinned, hopping into the van.
"Scooby, want me to drop you off at your mama's place?" Fred asked as he slid into the driver's seat.
"Actually…can you take me to Brandy's? Her apartment's closer," Scooby said, a little hesitant.
"Ooh, staying over again?" giggled Daphne.
"Reah. She probably wants to know how the mystery turned out," Scooby said casually.
"I'm sure that's the only reason," Velma teased with a smirk.
"Hey, I'm sure she needs the extra company since moving out here without Mr. Whiskers," interjected Shaggy.
"Thank you, Raggy! Besides, she wants to see you guys too," Scooby added.
"Aww, we should do something then," grinned Daphne.
"We could take her to the Coolsonian Criminology Museum tomorrow?" suggested Fred.
"I think she's still reeling from the Glowing Monster mystery if you want me to be honest," chuckled Scooby.
"I'm sure we'll think of something," assured Velma as the van pulled up to Brandy's apartment.
"See you tomorrow, gang. I'll text you what Brandy wants to do," Scooby said, hopping out.
"See ya, Scooby!" Fred called out.
"Tell Brandy we said hi," waved Daphne.
"Try not to keep her up too late," Velma joked.
"Can we go to the Clam Cabin now?" asked Shaggy.
Groans filled the van as Scooby watched his best friends drive off, a smile tugging at his lips. He checked his phone.
12:20 AM.
Maybe he should've gone back to his mama's. But after a long day, seeing Brandy sounded way better. Especially after the call she made earlier.
She definitely wanted him to come over.
Scooby stepped into the apartment building's lobby, quietly shaking off some leftover drywall dust from the earlier mystery's trap. The place was quiet—just the soft hum of the overhead fluorescent lights and a flickering exit sign lighting his way. He padded toward the elevator and hit the button.
Ding.
By the time he reached the fourth floor, his ears perked up at the sight of his girlfriend's door.
A place he knew he was always welcome.
Inside, Brandy was lounging on her couch, watching TV and sipping tea from her favorite mug. Her ears were tied up in a bun, and she wore a dark pink crop top, floral pajama pants, and flip-flops. She was just starting to get sleepy when she heard a knock at the door.
She opened it—and there he was.
"Um…I know it's late, but can I stay the night? The gang and I just wrapped up a mystery, and your place is closer than Mama's house," Scooby said, rubbing the back of his neck.
Brandy leaned her foot on the doorframe and crossed her arms with a smirk.
"Let me order some pizza," she said, kissing him on the cheek and stepping aside.
"You're the best," smiled Scooby.
"I thought we've been over this already?" teased Brandy. "You're late."
Scooby stepped in and set his collar on the side table. "You weren't waiting for me, were you?" he asked playfully.
"Was my call earlier too subtle? Did I have to spell it out for you?" Brandy continued to tease as she plopped back onto the couch.
"You might have to. My brain's fried after a mystery," Scooby said, flopping beside her, tail thumping the cushion.
Brandy leaned her head on his shoulder, eyes locked onto him.
"Are you sure it's not because you got into Shaggy's 'secret stash'?" she giggled.
"I thought that was our little secret," Scooby replied as the two of them burst into laughter.
"Anyways, how did the mystery at the bank go? When we talked earlier, you said you guys were close to cracking it. Wait, let me guess…It was the security guard!" guessed Brandy.
"It was the bank tell, actually!" revealed Scooby.
"Ooh, that was my second guess," Brandy grinned, slipping off her flip-flops and propping her feet up on the coffee table.
"Reah, I don't know where these guys keep coming from," sighed Scooby.
"Long day?" Brandy asked.
"Long night," Scooby corrected with a sleepy chuckle. "I didn't wake you up, did I?"
"No, no, not at all! I was just catching up on Charmed. I missed like half of the series while I was stranded in the Amazon. The girl who plays Billie? She's really good!" explained Brandy. "But I should probably be studying for my GED. Maybe you can help?"
"You're the smartest dog I know. I don't think you need my help," joked Scooby.
"Okay, maybe I just needed an excuse to order pizza then," admitted Brandy.
"How much did you order?" asked Scooby.
"Just four boxes," replied Brandy.
"Four?" Scooby repeated, wide-eyed.
"It's not like it's going to waste with the two of us," Brandy said with a shrug.
"Well, I'm paying at least," insisted Scooby.
"Aww, sweetie. Thank you," smiled Brandy.
"No, thank you for letting me stay over tonight," retorted Scooby.
"Sure thing, roomie—six days out of the week!" joked Brandy.
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Scooby.
"All I'm saying is that the only time you're not staying over here is domino nights with your family," Brandy pointed out.
"Hey, you've seen how heated those games get. I swear, Ruby definitely helps Scrappy cheat!" retorted Scooby.
"Yeah, but you know…you could always just move in with me," Brandy suggested with a seductive smirk.
Scooby blinked, caught off guard for a second.
Scooby shifted uncomfortably on the couch, ears slightly drooping.
"Brandy…you know I want to," he said, gently, his voice trailing off.
"Then what's stopping you?" Brandy's tone softened, but her eyes searched his face, genuinely wanting to know.
"You've got to commit to me," she continued.
"But, baby, I'm here every day," Scooby replied, trying to meet her gaze.
Brandy opened her mouth to respond—but before she could answer, ding!
A notification popped up on her phone, sitting face-up on the coffee table.
Your Pizza Has Arrived!
Scooby leaned in to read it, then perked up a little too eagerly. "Oh! Pizza's here!" he blurted, standing up with more energy than the moment called for.
He quickly made his way to the door, practically using the notification as an escape hatch.
Brandy stayed sunk into the couch, arms folded under her chest as she watched him go.
"Don't think this conversation's over, little man!" she called after him, her voice firm but with a teasing edge.
Scooby paused at the door, looking back with a sheepish smile. "Never said it was," he replied before slipping out into the hallway.