Scooby-Doo: Equestria's Greatest Sleuth (The Series)

Chapters

Episode 1: The Gateway to Mysteries P1
Episode 2: The Gateway to Mysteries P2
Episode 3: What Did You Especter?

Episode 1: The Gateway to Mysteries P1

Author's Note

So, this is an idea I have been throwing around with my mind for quite a while. MLP hasn’t actually had a full crossover with any known product of Hasbro, but over the years of its existence, it has had many crossovers in the fanfiction world with a few exceptions. One of those exceptions is the franchise of Scooby-Doo. There are many similarities with the shows as they all have their old incarnations and have been modernized as the years have went on, they have explored difficult issues and darker themes in previous installments, and the main cast of each franchise has striking similarities between them. What a better combination can you ask for?!

Now, I thought about doing this in a movie-type format, but that’s just not going to fly with a one-shot otherwise you’re reading a one-page story with 50,000 words, because there is a lot of content I want to put in this story. So, this instead will be a series and it will be a one-story arc rather than misadventure filler episodes. There will still be character involvement and interactions, but it will be mostly mysteries throughout the episodes leading up to the big bad villain at the end. I’ve got plenty of ideas for this so I’m inching to get started. Enjoy the show!

Episode 1: The Gateway to Mysteries P1

Episode 1: The Gateway of Mysteries Part 1

*thunder boom*
*lightning flash*
*thunder boom*
*lightning flash*

Normally, the sun would be shining high in the air and the glistening of the tall crystal castle known as The Crystal Empire would be gleaming all over Equestria. It had a shine unlike anything anypony has seen before, but alas, today would not bring that sparkle as rain droplets hit the ground fast making small puddles around the city surrounding the castle ruled by Prince Shining Armor and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, or Cadence as she prefers. A trained staff of the prince’s personal royal guard fleet stood on patrol at all times and during certain times of crises.

“You ever think we would ever get a storm again?” A royal guard asked his patrol partner as they stood on a balcony overseeing the kingdom.

The two royal guards were a silver grey and chocolate brown ponies respectively as they wore gold armor over their backs, gold bracelets around their legs, and gold helmets resembling what gladiator ponies wore back in the day with blue feathers strapped together on top of the helmet. They each held a spear keeping a watchful eye.

“It has been pretty sunny, but it’s also been too dry. It’s nice for a cool down to happen,” The silver grey pony replied.

“I instantly miss it. Nothing, but dark storm clouds for miles and the weather ponies can’t get rid of them till tomorrow,” The chocolate brown pony replied.

“At least it isn’t something evil this time,” The silver grey pony stated with a gruff chuckle.

The lighting crashed through the skies further casting flashes on the crystallized walls of the Crystal Empire as a dark shadow crept up behind both guards. It was a bulky pony dressed up in a crystallized armor suit with a white helmet over their face and black gloves over all four hooves. It got on it’s hind legs and stared down the two guards as they noticed a hulking shadow over them.

“Did it get darker all of a sudden?” The silver grey pony asked.

“Uh…I think it’s this troublemaker right here,” The chocolate brown pony replied as he tapped the shoulder of his partner as they both turned screaming.

“ARGHHHHHHH!!!!! RAWARRRRRR!!!!!” The Crystal Pony Knight screamed as both guards started dropping their spears.

The guards jumped over the balcony and realized they didn’t have anything to stand on before falling through a fruit cart all the way through the wood splattering all kinds of products on them. The hulking knight manically laughed into the night sky filled with storm clouds as it retreated back into the shadows having done it’s evil act.

(Scene Break)

A chilling wind swept through the night sky as the leaves rustled from the trees rattling inside the ever-quiet Everfree Forest. This desolate and very active area of Equestria is no place to be when nightfall hits and the moon is way up in the sky during this rainstorm. Many creatures lurk within the thick brushes as many have encountered these beasts in order to recount the tales of almost falling victim to these creatures of the darkness. The only brave soul that lives within the forest is the local sage, Zecora, who has no fear when it comes to venturing out into the wild of the forest. Sometimes, the ponies are happy to at least stay away far from the forest, but some can't seem to help themselves.

"Come on, Lyra! We shouldn't be out this late!" A female voice exclaimed as a pony with a beige coat, a pigment blue mane with a pink streak included in the fur, cerulean eyes, and an image of three little wrapped candies on her behind appeared at the edge of the forest.

The pony looked up into the trees and gulped knowing the dangers of being near this place especially being alone. Her name is Bon-Bon and she is best known for her friendship with her roommate, Lyra Heartstrings, and the antics they tend to get into from time to time. Bon-Bon has seen many evils come and go through Equestria trying to wreak havoc, but the Elements of Harmony harnessed by the Mane Six lead by Princess Twilight Sparkle of Ponyville have always stepped in to put an end to it all. However, knowing Lyra, her roommate is bound to be a hazard herself as the unicorn ran straight into the brush leading a game of chase for Bon-Bon to suffer through.

"Lyra! Come on! We can't be here right now!" Bon-Bon yelled for her friend.

"Where's your sense of adventure, Bon-Bon?! Come find me! Let's have some fun!" Lyra yelled from within the forest.

"Of all the roommates I get stuck with, I'm being a foalsitter 24/7 it seems," Bon-Bon muttered to herself slowly strolling into the forest with the use of the entrance trail.

Bon-Bon carefully watched as the darkness quickly took over and her sight was completely limited as she tried seeing any kind of clearing where the moonlight casted off of.

"Can you at least make a noise so I can find you?!" Bon-Bon yelled lifting her right hoof up to seek for her roommate.

"I guess I can give you a hint!" Lyra replied as a rock was thrown from the left side as Bon-Bon saw it hit the grass in front of her.

"Okay…backtracking then," Bon-Bon stated as she carefully entered the bushes into the much darker parts of the forest.

"This is so much fun!" Lyra called from the right as her roommate kept following the voice to look for her.

Suddenly, a tree started falling as Bon-Bon heard it jumping out of the way before it crash landed squishing some bushes underneath it. The candy pony got to her hooves checking out the fallen tree before another fell straight towards her causing her to kick it into high gear running for her life. The tree landed loudly as Bon-Bon looked back at the destruction left in the spots she once was as she shook her head.

"Lyra! What are you doing?!" Bon-Bon demanded as she was very crossed with her friend at the moment thinking she intentionally knocked those rickety trees over as a joke to scare her.

"I'm right here. I was hiding over there in the brush the whole time," Lyra stated as a mint-colored unicorn with a horn protruding from the forehead and a symbol of a golden harp on her behind appeared literally out of nowhere.

"WAAAAHHHHHHH!" Bon-Bon screamed jumping in the air high as she could before coming down scared silly shaking all around.

"Hahahahahahahahaha! I got you good, Bonny!" Lyra teased as she fell on her back laughing her head off.

"That's not funny! You seriously could've hurt me!" Bon-Bon accused as she glared at Lyra.

"So a joke can harm you now? Come on, lighten up a little," Lyra stated as she got up on her hooves again.

"You think knocking down trees is funny?" Bon-Bon asked with a jabbing hoof at the two trees down on the ground.

Lyra then frowned as she raised an eyebrow at her roommate and then looked over at the fallen trees inspecting them.

"I'm not strong enough to knock these trees over. Plus, I wouldn't do it to purposefully scare you if I can just sneak up behind you," Lyra corrected.

"That wasn't you?" Bon-Bon asked with a look of bewilderment on her face.

"It could've been old roots that just snapped," Lyra replied as she looked over the bottom of the tree the nearest towards her.

"T-T-Then that means something else is here with us!" Bon-Bon stammered as she fiddled with her front hooves.

"Well, duh, it's the Everfree Forest after all. There's loads of creepy crawlers in here, but I'm not sure what could've knocked these trees down. A whole manticore isn't even this close to the trails," Lyra explained.

Suddenly, they both hear brushes of grass being rustled and sticks coming together in a pile as two massive arms connected together by twigs started lifting up. Lyra and Bon-Bon looked behind them as their ears dropped seeing a wolf-shaped head with glowing red eyes glaring down upon them as the creature stood on two legs filled with green bush leaves up the legs and body. The top of the head is covered with leaves as well and snarls came from the creature towering over the two ponies.

"What in Equestria is that thing?!" Bon-Bon exclaimed.

"Why are you even asking that question? Let's get out of here!" Lyra screamed as she activated her magic picking up Bon-Bon with a levitation spell high-tailing it to the exit for safety.

The creature snarled roaring down at the ponies running away as Lyra quickly followed the entrance trail right back out of the forest. The wolf creature sniffed the air and started heading deeper into the dark forest pushing aside trees and snarling looking for more unsuspecting trespassers into the domain it called home.

(Scene Break)

Nightfall had come over the School of Friendship as the large prestigious school had headlights turned on at the request of a certain shy pony’s firefly friends, who flew around the place to stand guard and keep it well-lit so no intruders would ever think to enter the premises. Inside the halls were pitch black and hardly anything could be seen except for the flicker of a dragon flame onto a simple candle lit by one orange dragon named Smolder.

“It sure is creepy in the school at night,” Ocellus stated as she kept close to her friends.

“It was Sandbar’s idea to stay after school to work on our mid-term project for Ms. Rarity’s class,” Gallus interjected.

“Well, excuse me if I want to get ahead of the deadline. That research will be worth it,” Sandbar stated.

“We would be ahead if you didn’t make us read 300 books in four hours. I could be home right now hanging with the other griffons,” Gallus retorted as he glared back at his friend.

“Yona wish best friends would stop fighting,” Yona pleaded as the big yak girl followed closely behind.

“Tell me about it…these two get into arguments over the dumbest things. The deadline is two weeks from now so we may as well get a head start on research. No matter how many pages I almost ripped to shreds with my impatience,” Smolder explained as she muttered that last sentence to herself.

“It’s getting pretty hectic out there, guys. We should get home now!” Silverstream warned as thunder crackled as demonstrated when the hippogriff saw the flash outside.

“Yona not scared of thunder or dark! Yona very brave!” Yona bellowed, but the next round of thunder and lightning made her eyes go wide as she hid away.

“Silver’s right. We better make it home before the end of this storm or even before it gets worse,” Smolder stated as she started leading her friends to the front door of the closed school.

Before Smolder could pull one of the doors open with her claw hanging around the handle, a loud wailing caught the ears of all six students as they looked around looking for the source.

“Ocellus, tell me that was you…,” Gallus stated as he backed up against the door with a frightful expression.

“Is there anypony else here after hours?” Sandbar asked as he fiddled with his hooves.

“That isn’t me, guys…..,” Ocellus squealed as she hid under a frightful Yona.

The only one not afraid is Smolder as she holds her candle out seeing into the lit-up room of the main lobby not seeing anything out of the ordinary until they heard the loud wailing again. This time, it was a lot closer as they looked up seeing a spectral purple pony figure floating in the sky. The pony’s velvet mane was done up in a bun and she had glasses on along with a flowing purple dress with a silver necklace attached with a pencil medallion on the chain. She wailed louder descending on the students with a creepy look in her eyes and her hooves outstretched.

“What is scary lady?!” Yona exclaimed as she pointed out the specter.

“Let’s make a break for it before we find out!” Gallus stated as he barreled through the double doors with his friends quickly behind him.

Before the specter could leave the inside of the school, Smolder closed the door on it and the Young Six screamed all the way to the edge of the school not wanting to believe what they saw was real. A specter in the School of Friendship? That couldn’t be true? It had to all be a harmless joke, right?

(Scene Break)

The rain had soon ceased and the storm clouds had started subsiding over the town of Canterlot and the main castle. The flowing celestial blue mane of Princess Luna was spotted as she oversaw the night with her telescope putting her eye in the viewfinder and releasing her hold walking back into the kingdom. Luna paced around the halls of the kingdom worried as she had just gotten many reports of terrifying monsters appearing around Equestria and she couldn’t get her sister up knowing Celestia can be a heavy sleeper. She had gotten messages from Princess Cadence that there had been the appearance of a crystallized rouge knight stalking the empire grounds so she evacuated with Prince Shining Armor and Flurry Heart coming to Ponyville to stay for a few days. The Everfree Forest is booming with some type of paranormal activity and Twilight said she heard rumors of a specter roaming and haunting the School of Friendship very recently.

“Things just keep getting worse. What’s going on? Is it some new evil? This is so much activity at once!” Luna clambered as she scrambled through the fast approaching messages.

“Are things alright, Princess?” A royal guard by the name of Flash Sentry with a yellow coat and blue mane wearing his royal guard uniform walked into the room.

“No, things are not okay, Flash. I’m getting numerous messages that various monsters have shown up around the land of Equestria. One even forced the royal family at the Crystal Empire to abandon their home and that’s not good,” Luna explained.

“Holy hoofsteps! Are we under attack?” Flash asked.

“I’m not sure. No sightings so far from Ponyville or Canterlot so we are in the clear for now. However, I’m monitoring talks from the Crystal Empire and any other neighboring kingdoms. Hopefully, this is all an easy fix,” Luna replied.

“Monsters appearing all over Equestria? It’s not exactly anything new, but that fast to breach a kingdom is incredible,” Flash stated.

“It’s just unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. We haven’t had multiple attacks and sightings everywhere before so we are a little underprepared. The royal guard is already on high alert,” Luna added.

“What else can we do?” Flash asked.

“I don’t want to run the risk of waking my sister and her having a panic attack. I’ll need to handle this strategically and quickly. Oh, what can help us? What can we do?” Luna asked as she put a hoof to her head and started thinking.

“Um….maybe Princess Twilight and her friends can help. They can get the Elements of Harmony and put these monsters in their place,” Flash suggested.

“We don’t know that, though. These monsters are unknown to us and unless we have more answers on how powerful they can be, we are stuck without the Elements. I don’t want to take the chance of losing them by making a reckless decision,” Luna explained.

Luna walked away from Flash as she went behind a blue curtain with her cutie mark symbol of the white crescent moon on the front. Flash followed her as he lifted the curtain to see a mostly pitch black room with the only glow being that of Luna’s celestial mane. The Princess of the Night came up to a glowing crystal ball sat upon a small table with a dark blue cloth over it.

“Whoa! You have your own crystal ball?” Flash asked as he walked to the other side of the table.

“Something I used when my sister banished me to the moon. I used it to keep tabs on what happened in Equestria to plan for my revenge as Nightmare Moon,” Luna explained as she started putting her hooves on the ball.

“Have you used it since?” Flash asked.

“Only on rare occasions. It only served one purpose, but maybe it can serve another by giving us an answer to our current predicament,” Luna replied.

Luna rubbed the crystal ball focusing hard on what she wanted to see and images started appearing as she backed away seeing what the ball would give her. Flash leaned in squinting his eyes trying to see what the princess was seeing. Images appeared of a team of teenagers from another world as Luna and Flash gasped at the sight of seeing humans. Further images showed some creepy creatures chasing after them like a black suit of armor moving on it’s own, a glowing deep sea diver, two freaky looking green phantoms, a giant snow creature, a ghost of a man continually saying “Creeper”, a well-dressed headless specter, a phantom puppeteer, a man with a metal mask riding two seas creatures, a monster completely made out of black tar with only one green eye, a monster completely charged up with volts of electricity, and plenty of other frights.

“What the hay?! What’s going on here?” Flash asked with a widened expression.

“Hang on-there’s more to it!” Luna warned.

These images showed these human teens taking the masks off every single villain they managed to capture and they all turned out to be normal humans themselves using these monster disguises to further their own interests.

“Those monsters are just fakes?” Flash asked as he rubbed his temples literally confused about what he just saw.

“These humans apparently solve mysteries based on what monster is ravaging through the entire area. It turns out to be common criminals under the disguises,” Luna explained.

“But what does that mean for our situation? Can they help? There aren’t any known humans that have been to Equestria yet,” Flash stated.

Luna pondered over that thought tapping her chin and looking more at what the crystal ball offered her in answers. She stood up stretching her wings and looked at Flash Sentry.

“Return to your post at once. I have business to handle on my own,” Luna ordered.

Flash nodded and retreated out of the special room as Luna made her horn glow closing her eyes and trying her best to focus. Maybe these humans could help their emergency at once and there was only one way she knew to contact them for help.

(Scene Break)

“Another day wasted on being bait for the gang. You think they take the initiative just one time to have the ghouls and ghosts chase them for once,” Shaggy complained as he opened his bedroom door wearing a olive green t-shirt, maroon red pants, and black shoes.

Walking next to him is his pet, a brown black-spotted Great Dane dog wearing a teal blue color with a dog medallion with ‘SD’ on it in yellow lettering, and Scooby started coming over to a brown dog bed laid in the corner of the room starting to settle in.

“At least I can get a midnight snack before bed time. Some ravioli salami sandwiches sound pretty good right now,” Shaggy stated as he smiled at his pal, Scooby-Doo.

“Reah, reah!” Scooby exclaimed as he nodded in agreement.

“I’ll be right back. I’ll bring the sandwiches along with some seasonal mustard and extra cheese. Everything needs a little appetizer,” Shaggy stated as he left down the stairs towards his kitchen.

Scooby yawned as he laid his head down hopefully getting a few Z’s knowing his owner took a little bit to make the ingredients needed for the sandwiches. He started snoring and drifting further into dreamland hoping his recurring dream of dog bones would come back. However, Scooby woke up and sitting at attention as he found himself in some mystical purple realm which put him on instant high alert.

“Raggy? Rhere am I?” Scooby asked to no one in particular as he made rapid head movements hoping to find some source of help.

However, he looked in front of him seeing a blue outline of something walking towards him and the footsteps grew closer which made the Great Dane stand on edge. A flowing mane could be made out as it swished in and out with the background of the dream environment. Scooby’s legs started shaking and his teeth started clattering as he did not know what was coming nor did he really want any part of it. Scooby’s eyes darted open as he found himself searching the room for the mysterious figure. Shaggy came up with two sandwiches with ravioli, salami, and cheese wrapped between the slices of bread doused in seasonal mustard.

“Whoa, Scoob, you look like you saw a ghost,” Shaggy stated as he sat on the floor with his best buddy.

Scooby whimpered a little and crawled into the lap of Shaggy shaking from the dream as his owner started petting his back to calm his nerves. Scooby eventually subsided his fears and ate his sandwich with his buddy moaning in delight at the taste of the sandwiches that Shaggy made. As they both finished their plates, they sat back sighing back to back as they looked up at the ceiling with satisfied smiles.

“A life with those kind of sandwiches is a life worth living,” Shaggy stated.

“Reah…,” Scooby added with a nod.

Both boys fell asleep about 30 minutes later on the floor soaking in most of the delight from those sandwiches they had. Scooby curled up on his dog bed while Shaggy just put a simple pillow over his face and placed his hands over his stomach snoring soundly. Just then, Scooby awoke again in the mystical realm from which he awakened in the first place. He saw the outline of misty feet as he looked up seeing the previous outline he saw before seeing the outline of a head look down at him as he jumped up screaming his head off covering it with his paws and closing his eyes whimpering.

“Fear not, furry friend. I shall not harm you…” A distant voice escaped the outline.

“Rou won’t?” Scooby asked as he peered one eye at the misty figure.

“It is not my intention to harm you or your friend…me and my subjects are in grave danger. Our land is…being plagued….by villainous monsters,” The figure continued as Scooby got on all fours.

“Ronsters? Rhy?” Scooby asked as he hunched back a bit from the mention of his least favorite topic.

“That remains a mystery to me…however, I’ve observed that you and your friends are quite fond of peculiar mysteries. Perhaps you can all assist in our affairs,” The misty figure suggested.

“Ah, my head is killing me!” Shaggy complained as he appeared behind Scooby stroking his aching head.

“Raggy!” Scooby exclaimed as he turned around hugging his human owner and he licked the face of his favorite pal.

“Hehehehehe…nice to see you, old pal. Who were you talking to?” Shaggy asked as he looked around his dog’s surroundings.

Scooby pointed to the misty figure as the human trembled at the sight of the outline and thought it was another ghost, but Scooby walked back up to it no problem like it was his new best friend.

“Scooby?! What are you doing?! That’s a ghost!” Shaggy declared as he pointed at the figure.

“You must be Shaggy. It’s a pleasure to meet your acquaintance. I’m not a ghost, my magic is just providing a rather troublesome connection to your dream state. I’m Princess Luna, one of the princesses of a land known as Equestria. We are currently under trouble and are in need of help,” Princess Luna replied.

“Uh…so you’re a friendly ghost?” Shaggy asked.

“If that is what my form looks to you, then yes. Please! I don’t know who else to turn to in this time of crisis,” Princess Luna replied with an outstretched pose like one would make if they were worried.

“What do you think, Scoob? Could this be some bad dream?” Shaggy asked.

Scooby just shrugged his shoulders indicating no answer on the top of his mind as Shaggy stroked his chin in deep thought.

“Well, if this is all a dream, pinching myself would wake me up. However, I know better than to write it off as that knowing our luck. Preferably, me and Scooby would want nothing to do with monster-related antics, but Fred, Velma, and Daphne would want to help no matter how skeptical everything would be. Plus, we can’t just leave your world in danger if it truly needs help. Like, I guess we’re in,” Shaggy decided.

“So it’s a yes? Thank you very much! I’ll have to cast a quick trans-dimensional spell to bring you both here. There’s not a moment too soon to lose,” Princess Luna stated as both boys saw a blue aura surrounding the head of the figure.

“Like, I hope this doesn’t hurt. Please be a dream…please be a dream…please be a dream…,” Shaggy muttered as he hugged Scooby real tight.

A wind cyclone started opening up as dark blue wind covered Shaggy and Scooby’s cone of vision as they started being lifted from the ground screaming for their lives. They started spinning rapidly hanging on for dear life and covering each other’s eyes hoping it would all be over soon.

“Argh! Jinkies! Wah! Agh!” Screams could be heard all around them as both boys opened their eyes finding three people suddenly joining their sides.

One is a female with short red hair, glasses, an orange dress-like shirt, red miniskirt, and black-strapped shoes over large orange socks while the one flying next to her is a taller red-haired female wearing a purple shirt with a green ascot tied around the neck. She has a purple headband on the top of her head and wore hot pink stockings with purple shoes covering her feet. The last person is a man with bleach-blonde hair wearing a white shirt with a blue collar tied with an orange ascot around it. He wore blue jeans and brown shoes as the Mystery Inc. gang was finally together once more.

“What the heck is happening?” Fred asked as he felt like he could hurl at any moment.

“Some misty figure joined me in my sleep! Then, I’m shifted into here!” Daphne added.

“Oh, I can’t lose my glasses!” Velma screamed as she kept ahold of her glasses on her face.

“Like, guys, where are we going?!” Shaggy screamed.

“I’m not sure! We just had some…weird figure visit us supposedly in our dreams!” Fred answered.

“Not how I expected my beauty sleep to go. My hair is gonna be a mess after this!” Daphne exclaimed.

“You better hang on tight then! We’re about to come out the other end!” Velma stated as she pointed towards the white light at the end of the cyclone.

Mystery Inc. screamed as they covered their eyes falling straight through the portal and hoping that this would have all been some terrible nightmare they experienced. However, they knew better than to write off something as creepy and cooky unless is was undeniably a fraud. Wherever land this lead them to, they weren’t sure what they were heading into. Time to find out.

(Scene Break)

“Argh! Ugh! Oof! Rah!” came the noises of the Mystery Inc. gang dog piling on top of one another as the blades of grass below them brushed against their skin as they all groaned from the pain. The stack order was Fred, Daphne, Shaggy, Velma, and Scooby as they each got off one another feeling around their bodies and shaking their heads of the cobwebs. They opened their eyes trying to restore the visuals to their orbitals and they saw the large rows of trees that lined up, but the darkness was also apparent with the stars above them and they shook off their aches getting up.

“That wasn’t a pleasure trip,” Daphne stated as she had to keep still instead of falling forward.

“Like, we can feel those sandwiches coming right back up,” Shaggy added as he felt his stomach churn.

“Where are we? Looks like some kind of forest,” Fred observed as he stroked his chin seeing all those around him.

“So this isn’t a dream? I swear we were all in bed a few minutes ago,” Shaggy replied as he stayed near Scooby, who shook his whole body at the creepiness of the forest.

“This is all just a mismatch of logic. So much is happening at once and we aren’t sure what could be real or fake,” Velma stated.

“Not to mention, it’s really creepy out here. Nothing new, I guess,” Daphne added.

“I guess this is another mystery for us to solve, gang. We might want to explore every inch of this forest to truly find out it’s origin story,” Fred explained.

“Are we sure it’s a good idea going around a spooky forest at night? Me and Scoob volunteer to wait right here until you all find an exit,” Shaggy declared.

“R’m staying too,” Scooby added.

“Staying in this forest is very dangerous. No telling what spooks could be lurking just beyond those tree lines. You’re risking a lot not following us,” Velma explained as she used her usual taunting tactics to gear the boys in her favor.

“We’re willing to risk it. We’ll run and hide like we always do,” Shaggy retorted as he crossed his arms in defiance.

“Let them stay. They’ll be behind us in a few seconds after we’re out of view,” Fred stated as he started his walk into the forest down a trail he saw while the girls followed behind him.

Shaggy sat down in the grass as Scooby started sniffing around the area hoping to find some kind of exit for himself and Shaggy or maybe some food to calm his nerves. He dug through some bushes and stumbled upon a few branches scattered together as his inner dog instincts began kicking in so he started chewing trying to bring the stick with him, but he found the branch wouldn’t budge. Scooby wagged his tail trying to think of a way to get the branch to loosen so he dug his paws into the dirt trying to pull at the branch with his teeth hard, but Scooby found himself launched onto his back as he couldn’t pry the stick loose. However, the branches started to move then as Scooby stared in shock looking up at the huge Timber Wolf monster rising. The monster’s head and red eyes locked onto Scooby as the dog screamed booking it back to Shaggy while the roar followed.

“ZONIKS! Like, what was that?” Shaggy asked as he got back to his feet after hearing the roar.

“Run! Run! Ronster!” Scooby yelled as he immediately dashed past his owner leaving Shaggy to see the large monster stomping towards them.

That was all the motivation needed for Shaggy to book it himself as he followed after his dog while trees fell down at the slight movement of the Timber Wolf’s steps. More roars bellowed from the beast as his domain in the Everfree Forest was disturbed and it was something that wouldn’t easily be forgiven. This was another mystery alright.

To Be Continued…

Episode 2: The Gateway to Mysteries P2

Episode 2: The Gateway of Mysteries Part 2

“Keep running, Scoob! It’s dark so he can’t see us!” Shaggy exclaimed as he and Scooby ran through the darkness that surrounded the inside of the Everfree Forest.

They barely got away from a big Timber Wolf monster chasing them down and knocking over trees while it caused a massive rampage chasing the boys, but they used the darkness in the forest to their advantage hoping that the monster didn’t have some sort of night vision to spring an ambush on them with. Shaggy and Scooby dove under a log and looked up not hearing massive footsteps or growls that could lead them to believing the Timber Wolf would be after them.

“Whewwwwww....I’m glad we managed to get away from old logs for bones. That massive giant nearly gave me a massive heart attack,” Shaggy stated as he felt his heart nearly burst out of his chest in a cartoonish fashion.

“Rhwere Red, Relma, and Raphne?” Scooby asked as he darted his vision elsewhere, but couldn’t see anything due to the massive pitch blackness in the forest.

“That’s a good question, but it’s so dark that I can’t see my hands in front of my face. If only we, like, had a light source,” Shaggy replied as he stood up.

Scooby and Shaggy made sure the coast was clear using the damp light of the moonlight to light their way to a trail that they followed straight through. It must’ve been an hour or so since they last saw the gang, but without some watch or clock, they were in the dark on what specific time it was. They only knew they were literally in the dark.

“They couldn’t have gotten far. Maybe they set up camp somewhere,” Shaggy suggested.

“Right,” Scooby added with a nod.

“Which means they are probably stoking a fire....or better yet, cooking food. I could go for something after the scare I’ve had,” Shaggy stated as he clasped his hands together at the thought of food.

The boys continued to follow the path they found themselves on until they came to some kind of exit looking around seeing an open field of green plains with some mountains in the distance.

“We found an exit, but no gang. We’ll have to leave some kind of marker here so we can find our way back once we have found the others,” Shaggy explained as he looked around for anything to use.

“Raggy! Rook! A ragon!” Scooby exclaimed as he tugged on Shaggy’s shirt and pointed off in the distance at a little purple wagon with a yellow trim and a green roof with big star designs.

“A wagon? Out here? Well, maybe we can get some help....and hopefully some food,” Shaggy stated as he and Scooby made a dash for the wagon.

Shaggy snuck up to the back door telling Scooby to shush as not to wake the resident or residents early. The food loving human knocked on the door three times rapidly hoping someone would be inside and a light flickered on giving both boys hope. The door swiftly open as Shaggy and Scooby gasped seeing a dark blue unicorn wipe her eyes of sleep murmuring to herself.

“This had better be good. It’s late!” Trixie Lulamoon exclaimed as she saw the two boys, but screamed at the sight.

This started a screaming match between Shaggy, Scooby, and Trixie with exaggerated closeups as each party screamed their heads off in unison at seeing each other.

“Like, you’re a talking unicorn!” Shaggy exclaimed as he pointed at Trixie.

“And you’re a hairless ape!” Trixie added as she pointed back at Shaggy.

“Ape? I’m no monkey, sister, and how is it that a unicorn can talk or even exist in the first place?” Shaggy asked.

“This is Equestria, mind you! All sorts of beings live here ranging from earth ponies to griffons and unicorns are one of the most common species here. Definitely not monkeys,” Trixie spat.

“I’m not a monkey! I’m a human being!” Shaggy exclaimed.

“A human? I have heard rumors about such creatures existing, but I just thought it was all a foal’s tale. Trixie guesses even she can be mistaken time from time,” Trixie stated as she tapped her hoof to her chin in deep thought.

“Why did you refer to yourself as Trixie and in the third person?” Shaggy asked with a raised eyebrow.

“First of all, Trixie is my name and Trixie will refer to herself as she pleases. Just who are you two buffoons?” Trixie asked.

“I’m Shaggy and this is my dog, Scooby-Doo. We don’t know what Equestria even is and we are looking for our friends. They look like me, but with different features and such,” Shaggy replied.

“Trixie hasn’t seen any other humans besides you for the moment. What are you two doing out here? The Everfree Forest is dangerous,” Trixie stated.

“Like I said before, me and my friends just wandered into the forest and had no idea what we were even doing there. We also got separated when a giant monster of sticks, shrubs, and roots came after us,” Shaggy explained.

“A giant monster? Trixie has been hearing weird noises out in the forest recently, but she hasn’t seen too much activity,” Trixie explained.

“Like, it was big and mean and had red eyes....ooooohhhh, was it terrifying!” Shaggy exclaimed.

“What did it exactly look like?” Trixie asked as she wanted more information than both boys were giving her.

“Mainly really tall, lots of sticks and bushes attached to the limbs, it had a wolf-shaped head, and really freaky red eyes as I just said,” Shaggy replied as he counted off the features on his right hand.

“Wait….you saw a Timberwolf?” Trixie asked with some astonishment.

“A timber-what now?” Shaggy asked as he scratched his head.

“A Timberwolf….its a wolf species that frequents their territory in the Everfree Forest and based on your description, it seems you have encountered one. Though, Trixie never saw one with any kind of bush attached to it and they usually have green eyes instead of red,” Trixie explained.

“Like so it could be a fake?” Shaggy asked.

“Or you could just be scammers trying to lure Trixie into a scheme,” Trixie replied with a narrowing glare.

However, a roar could be heard as Trixie darted over to Scooby-Doo and Shaggy as she saw the giant Timber Wolf stomping over to them from a thin line of tress and it even crushed her wagon with one massive foot.

“Trixie’s wagon!” Trixie exclaimed.

“Like no time for the sob stories, let’s get out of here!” Shaggy exclaimed as he grabbed Trixie up in his arms and he ran back into the dark forest with Scooby following right behind.

(Scene Break)

Fred, Daphne, and Velma were a little nervous as they trekked far into the dark forest hearing things deep within the trees or right in front of their eyes. Fred had a little pocket flashlight with him as he shined it around and the girls kept close as not to get lost within these trees.

“Stay close, girls. A forest at night has tons of surprises waiting for us,” Fred stated.

“You’re telling me. It’s really creepy the further we walk,” Daphne stated as she grabbed Velma’s shoulders.

“Perhaps there’s someone living in this forest. We could ask them for directions and possibly bump into Shaggy and Scooby,” Velma suggested.

“Right on time. Look over there,” Fred called as he pointed over to a tree hut with a wooden door with a gold doorknob, a lot of scary tiki masks, and open windows with light pouring out.

“A very peculiar place for someone to live deep in the forest, but at least it might keep away the predators,” Velma observed as all three teens walked over to the tree cottage.

Fred knocked on the door a few times hoping whoever was behind the door could help them find their way out of this forest and Velma took notice of the shape of the door being smaller than usual doors she has come across in the past. The door opened after a few minutes and a putrid smell welcomed the gang as they held their noses from the smell.

“Ah, strange travelers. It seems you have managed to escape detection from my rattler,” A zebra with a black mohawk, gold rings around her neck and left front hoof, gold hoop earrings, dark blue eyes, and the symbol of a mystical sun on her behind answered the door.

“A talking zebra?” Fred asked with widened eyes.

“That is my species. Why is it that you find that fact creepy?” The zebra asked with a raised eyebrow.

“No disrespect intended…Miss Zebra. We…just aren’t used to seeing talking animals all that much,” Velma replied.

“Then you must not be familiar to this land. Allow me to invite you in and lend a hand,” Zecora stated as she stepped aside with a friendly smile.

The three humans all looked at each other with looks of bewilderment, but all filed in as they crawled under the doorway into the zebra’s hut. The tree was thankfully tall enough to host their large sizes and the zebra galloped back over to her pot tossing in more spices with the smell growing stronger.

“Ah, don’t mind me asking this, but what are you creating?” Daphne asked as the zebra stirred her pot with a wooden spoon.

“A potion that will heal any wound. A concoction I wished to create with the stirs of my spoon,” The zebra replied.

“She’d be a real poet,” Fred whispered to Velma.

“My name is Zecora and I’m an inhabiter of this forest. Although, it is a life without the wildlife performing a normal chorus,” Zecora greeted.

“So what exactly is this forest?” Velma asked as she found a rickety wooden chair to sit in and Fred sat in one, but it collapsed under his weight making him fall to the floor.

“This is the Everfree Forest where the summers become their warmest. Many creatures inhabit these grounds and will find anything a snack if found,” Zecora replied.

“You can’t be serious. We haven’t found anything remotely frightening so far,” Fred stated as he crossed his arms.

“We also have lost two of our friends. I’m Velma Dinkley and these are my friends Daphne Blake and Fred Jones,” Velma greeted back.

“You are…humans which could dig your hole deeper. The creatures don’t take kindly to disturbances to their environmental features,” Zecora stated.

“It’s not like we wounded up here by choice. We are from another world entirely and just happened to end up in this forest,” Daphne explained.

“It’s hard to explain, but once we find Shaggy and Scooby, we should be able to find a way out of here,” Fred stated.

“Beware of the Timber Wolf, a monster engulfed in stick and stones for the purpose of mending and breaking one’s bones. It has terrorized this forest tonight and searches for prey for a successful delight,” Zecora warned as she started stirring her pot even more.

“Jinkies! Just tonight?” Velma asked.

“We better find Shaggy and Scooby before this beast does,” Daphne urged the others.

“Like every man, dog, and unicorn for themselves!” Shaggy could be heard yelling as he ran by the window with Trixie in his hands.

“Trixie resents that!” Trixie yelled as Scooby-Doo followed behind them with Fred sticking his head out of the window to see them running.

“Shaggy! Scooby!” Fred called out, but the roar of the Timber Wolf stomping towards the tree hut got his attention and Zecora stuck her head out the window widening her eyes to seeing the beast.

The Timber Wolf saw Fred and Zecora poking their heads out and started putting it’s massive hands around the tree shaking it making all four individuals stumble inside. Zecora grabbed her saddle bag and two potions from her shelves filled with a strange green liquid inside the spherical bottles. She tossed them in her bag before turning to her new friends.

“Outside now and I’ll give us the time to hide!” Zecora ordered as Velma opened the door going out into the open with her friends.

The Timber Wolf noticed them after nearly knocking Zecora’s tree hut off it’s standard roots as it tried putting their hands down on the gang, but Zecora threw down her potions breaking them on the ground as green gasses filled the area blinding the vision of the Timber Wolf. Fred took Daphne’s hand and led her away while Velma and Zecora ran right behind them.

“Nice going, Zecora!” Daphne cheered.

“It will only hold it for so long and then we must see how much more we can prolong,” Zecora stated.

The gang would catch up to Scooby, Shaggy, and Trixie as the human and dog were out of breath and Shaggy hung onto a tree for dear life wheezing after so much running.

“The one time I really needed the exercise,” Shaggy stated.

“Guys! What the heck was that thing?” Velma asked as she tapped Shaggy on the back.

“A big scary monster! You new here or something?!” Shaggy retorted.

“Pfft…you haven’t seen anything yet,” Trixie muttered as she rolled her eyes.

“It seems you met a unique creature yourself,” Fred stated as he pointed at Trixie.

“Oh, her? Her name is Trixie and-“ Shaggy began talking, but Trixie barged ahead and cleared her throat.

“The Great and Powerful and Most Humble Trixie needs no introduction as she is known throughout Equestria,” Trixie boasted placing a hoof on her chest smirking.

“Equestria?” Daphne wondered.

“Like no time for dilly-dally or formal introductions! We need to get out of this forest and away from that monster,” Shaggy exclaimed.

“Your friend is right and I know of an idea that will show us how we might,” Zecora stated.

“What is it?” Fred asked.

“A secret path I am able to use to get through and pick up ingredients in order to make delicious stew,” Zecora replied as she frolicked through some bushes revealing a narrow clearing out of the forest.

“Like a zebra that knows a way out and knows how to cook? Sign me up!” Shaggy exclaimed as he and Scooby zoomed down the path looking for their way out.

“Trixie has never seen such scaredy cats in all her life,” Trixie stated as she followed soon after along with the rest of the gang hoping Zecora was right about the path she took.

(Scene Break)

Princess Luna groaned as she laid in her bed with the covers reaching up around her and her dark eyes fluttered open as she widened her eyes springing up in her bed looking around seeing her elder sister, Celestia, along with Flash and the Mane 7 as she calms her breathing.

“Are you alright, sister?” Celestia asked as she came bedside.

“I’m....a little sick. What happened?” Luna wondered as she laid back down.

“I found you lying unconscious on the floor and called the rest of the guard to escort you to your room. I even woke up Princess Celestia and told her,” Flash replied.

“I then notified Princess Twilight and her friends to come to Canterlot immediately so we could devise a plan for how to tackle the issues affecting Equestria,” Celestia stated.

“We’re glad you’re okay, Princess Luna,” Twilight added with a friendly smile.

“What were you doin’ to make you fall asleep?” Applejack asked the Princess of the Night.

“I was trying to contact beings from another world to come help us with our current predicament. They specialize in hunting monsters, but only their monsters were only fakes looking to gain something from their horrific ordeal,” Luna replied.

“Fake monsters? You sure you wasn’t thinking of Nightmare Night?” Rainbow Dash asked with a raised eyebrow.

“It does sound super-duper cool, though. Super sleuths finding the monsters only to pop off their heads and figure out who the true meanie is,” Pinkie Pie replied as she sunk to the floor sneakily and scared Fluttershy and Rarity popping up on them with her theatrics.

“It’s all true. I had the pleasure of talking with them, but it seems my powers only reach to a certain extent outside of Equestria,” Luna explained.

“Who were these individuals you met?” Celestia asked.

“Humans known as.....um....uh....my head hurts really bad and it hurts to think right now,” Luna complained as she held a hoof to her head.

“You must rest then until you are able to lead again. I’ll stay here with my sister to oversee her health. Twilight, you and your friends must gather the Elements of Harmony and stand by for battle should need be,” Celestia ordered.

“Right away, Princess,” Twilight stated.

The Mane 7 would soon show themselves out filing into the hallway and soon on their way out of Canterlot in order to get back to the Tree of Harmony, but Twilight stops in her tracks as the others notice her hesitation while deep in thought.

“What’s going on, Twilight?” Rarity asked with a look of concern.

“Humans...remember the opposite world through that mirror...I wonder if it’s possible....,” Twilight wondered as Rainbow started coming from behind and pushing her forward.

“You can think later...we have to get the Elements quickly,” Rainbow Dash urged as the Mane 7 shrugged their shoulders heading out of the castle

(Scene Break)

Zecora led Mystery Inc. into the town of Ponyville seeing it was very late at night and most of the residents were most likely in their homes hunkering down after the recent reports of monsters being sighted over at the School of Friendship and in Equestria itself.

“Whoa, from a creepy forest to a creepy ghost town,” Fred stated.

“It’s so sad that the residents here are too scared to come out and enjoy a beautiful night,” Daphne added as she looked at all the dark houses around the block.

“Not to mention that creature owes Trixie a new wagon,” Trixie blasted as she blew some of her mane out of her eyes.

“It looks like it’s up to us to dispose of that frightful creature,” Velma stated.

“Like us? That seems like wishful thinking when that thing is as tall as a building. You want to mess with that?” Shaggy asked.

“I think we have discussed this before. Real timberwolves have green eyes and that big monstrosity has red eyes. That’s just the biological nature and anatomy of the species,” Trixie explained to the two scaredy cats.

“Then that means someone is causing all this trouble on purpose...Velma is right everyone, we can’t let this faker scare everyone back into their homes forever,” Fred stated.

“Which is why I brought you all to Ponyville and to head for Princess Twilight’s castle so she and her friends can help us with this hassle,” Zecora explained.

“The more, the merrier,” Daphne added.

“Wait....princess? A princess lives here?” Velma asked.

“Princess Twilight is the princess of friendship here in Ponyville just as we have other world leaders around Equestria,” Trixie replied.

“So, if she’s a princess here, she has to have a castle, right?” Daphne asked with a peculiar look on her face.

“Like, is that enough of a castle for you?” Shaggy asked as the gang, Zecora, and Trixie looked upon a tall purple castle with yellow roofs and balconies with crystalized roots growing up the sides and front of the exterior as well as a giant crystalized star at the very top.

“Jinkies!” Velma exclaimed as she stepped back.

“Look at the design on that building,” Daphne marveled as she smiled a little bit.

Trixie came up to the castle doors and rapidly knocked her hoof against them as a purple dragon with tiny green spikes around his body answered the door.

“Trixie? Zecora? What are you two doing….who are they?” Spike asked as he pointed at the humans.

“We’ll do greetings later. Where is Twilight and the others?” Trixie asked.

“They went to Canterlot to check up on Princess Luna. Princess Celestia summoned them personally,” Spike replied.

“Ugh…leave it up to chance that we missed them by a few hoofsteps. Looks like we are on our own for now,” Trixie stated as she turned back to the others.

“That’s never stopped us before especially since we are now working together. I say we head back to that forest and look for clues,” Fred suggested.

“Correction: you all can head back there and me and Scooby stay in the castle…to keep it safe,” Shaggy stated.

“Not this shtick again,” Daphne retorted as she facepalmed.

“What? We are volunteering to stay someplace where it seems way more scarier despite it’s rather glamorous appearance,” Shaggy explained his horrible excuse.

“Or you buffoons are just avoiding facing that Timber Wolf again,” Trixie retorted.

“I know how to solve this. Would you two go back for a Scooby Snack each?” Velma asked as she grabbed a green box from behind her.

“One lousy snack isn’t going to change our minds, but it sure would be tasty,” Shaggy replied.

“How about two snacks each?” Velma asked holding four Scooby Snacks between her fingers.

“You drive a hard bargain on that one, but…we can’t beat our stomach desires,” Shaggy relented as Velma tossed the four snacks towards the boys which they each caught two in their mouths.

“Hey, I’m really worried about Twilight and the others. To get the Elements of Harmony, they need to go into the Everfree Forest with that monster. Maybe I should come along,” Spike suggested.

“I don’t see why not. It can help us cover more ground that way,” Fred stated.

(Scene Break)

The group of 8 returned outside the entrance to the Everfree Forest as they looked within the dark tree line not seeing anything at the moment, but could hear light growls from the wildlife which scared Scooby and Shaggy stiff.

“Alright, here’s how this will go. We’re gonna split up and search for clues in three different directions opting to meet back here with our findings,” Fred explained.

“Is spitting up really a good idea in the Everfree Forest?” Spike asked.

“We’ve been asking that question for every scary place we’ve been to,” Shaggy replied as he shakes his head.

“Shaggy and Scooby can go with Trixie, me and Daphne can tag along with Zecora, and Velma can investigate with Spike,” Fred assigned everyone their partners.

“Wonderful! I get the two scaredy cats,” Trixie muttered to herself.

“Any clues you find with your group keep nice and tight as losing them costs us the truth to this mystery,” Velma stated.

Everyone nodded as each group went down one trail into the forest hoping to find any sign of the true culprit and any clues that could help them along the way.

(Scene Break)

Velma and Spike took their trail slowly and cautiously as Spike breathed his dragon fire onto a stick to use as torch lighting through the dark forest. Velma kept her eye out for anything, but she had to admit anything wouldn’t be easy to find in such a large forest and it could’ve been taken by a creature. However, a glimmer of something caught her eye as she ran over and pointed to it on a lone tree branch.

“Check it out…a purple cloth with a star and a moon on it,” Velma inspected as she stroked her chin.

“What’s it doing on a random tree branch?” Spike asked.

“Definitely must’ve been left here by the monster…I’m not sure the significance of it, but it could be useful later,” Velma replied.

They went further through the forest as they saw two bushes huddled up and they both peered through them gasping as they saw a crushed wagon as Spike shined some light over it.

“Hey! This is Trixie’s wagon, but I could’ve swore it was in Ponyville the other day,” Spike recalled.

“It’s been crushed and parked near the forest. I don’t know if anything is salvageable, but a little digging wouldn’t hurt,” Velma stated as she started tossing boards away and making sure to see anything that didn’t look stomped on.

“Hey, I found a book!” Spike yelled as he sat on his behind with a brown book in his hands.

Velma perked up and grabbed the book seeing a purple background embedded into the book and the title being Magic and Inanimate Objects: The Mystical Sequel in bold gold lettering. She searched through the book and noticed several spells reserved for constructs as the pages revealed different blueprint designs for animals notably ones much larger than normal.

“Look at this! Blueprints for potential monster constructs. This is an interesting clue and Trixie has some explaining to do for all this evidence,” Velma explained as she closed the book.

(Scene Break)

“So you actually ate dog treats?” Trixie asked with a look of disgust on her face.

“What? It’s melted peanut batter melted into a solid shape and not to mention, it’s really tasty,” Shaggy replied with a smile.

“It’s a treat made for this mutt right here!” Trixie exclaimed as she pointed a hoof at Scooby.

“Hey, if Scooby loves it, chances are I’ll love it just as much,” Shaggy defended.

“Reah! Rooby Racks are reat!” Scooby cheered.

“Trixie will never understand this line of logic if she continues further with it,” Trixie muttered as she kept walking forward searching around for anything.

She heard a few branches breaking as she saw into the darkness of the forest seeing everything shift from all sides as she backed up. Scooby and Shaggy stopped their conversation as they looked all around holding one another shaking violently.

“It’s the monster! Get ready, boys….,” Trixie whispered as she stood ready for a battle.

“Like, you first, we’ll keep up the rear,” Shaggy stated.

“BOOOOOO!!!!!!” Pinkie Pie screamed as she poked her head out of a bush behind the three startling Scooby and Shaggy as they comically jumped high into the air before Pinkie pulled out a blue canvas trampoline with a yellow circle in the middle seemingly out of nowhere and let the boys land safely on it.

Pinkie started bursting out into so much laughter at her prank as the rest of her friends emerged from the bushes glaring down Pinkie for her prank.

“Whoa! A human!” Twilight exclaimed.

“Oh, it’s Twilight and the others. Both of you, this is Princess Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Starlight Glimmer and the one who scared you both is named Pinkie Pie,” Trixie introduced.

“Oh, it was a good one, too!” Pinkie exclaimed as she snorted during her laughing fit.

“I’d never thought I see the day where actual humans would cross the threshold into our world. It’s an honor to have you and your pet in Equestria, sir,” Twilight greeted with her right hoof outstretched to Shaggy.

“Uh…like, thanks,” Shaggy praised as he shook Twilight’s hoof and looked at his left hand to make sure he still wasn’t dreaming.

“And who might this handsome fellow be?” Fluttershy asked as she scratched Scooby under the chin getting content sighs from the Great Dane.

“Like, that’s Scooby-Doo and I’m Shaggy. We’re apart of Mystery Inc.,” Shaggy replied.

“Mystery Inc. What in Equestria is that?” Rarity asked.

“It’s kind of like a detective agency for hunting monsters. Only with our luck, they all turn out to be fakers,” Shaggy replied.

“Wait a minute….you’re apart of the humans that Princess Luna summoned to Equestria!” Twilight realized.

“Like, you know her?” Shaggy asked.

“Know her? She’s only one of the co-rulers of Equestria so it’s hard to not know her,” Rainbow Dash replied as she flew up to Shaggy.

“And not for nothing, darling, but I doubt green is your color,” Rarity added as she grabbed Shaggy’s shirt to inspect it.

“Like, we’re just out here looking for clues. They may lead us to discovering who is behind that creepy monster made out of sticks and brushes,” Shaggy explained.

“You mean him?” Pinkie asked as she smiled and pointed to the Timber Wolf monster behind everyone.

The monster roared at the ponies, dog, and human as they started running and screaming in all different directions with Twilight following Starlight, Applejack, and Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy taking to the sky, and Pinkie to be grabbed by Shaggy and whisked away with Trixie and Scooby following closely behind.

“We better trip him up,” Rainbow Dash urged towards Fluttershy as they divebombed straight into the trees.

Shaggy carried Pinkie as the party pony screamed in enjoyment as Scooby and Trixie followed close behind while the Timber Wolf pushed rows of trees down around them in order to cut off their path. The trees fell down in sync like dominoes until they blocked the opening in front of the group. They all turned back to see the Timber Wolf gaining ground on them roaring as Shaggy and Scooby held each other whining as Trixie gritted her teeth.

“Chew on this, cowpoke!” Applejack exclaimed as she came charging from the side swinging a lasso in her mouth before tossing around the right leg of the beast.

Fred, Daphne, and Zecora came from their path that intersected with the other trails and gasped seeing the monster as Applejack tossed another lasso which Fred caught.

“Tie it to his other leg and we’ll tie them to these trees!” Applejack ordered.

“Got it!” Fred exclaimed as he tied the lasso hook around the beast’s left leg making the monster even angrier.

Fred and Applejack tied the ropes around the trees really quickly leaving both pegasi to drop down from the trees kicking the monster in the shins to get it on it’s knees although Fluttershy had to scream a “I’m sorry! Don’t hold it against me!” The Timber Wolf screamed in agony as it held the knees, but Princess Twilight charged up some artificial magic and shooting at the back of the monster really destroying the back part before the Timber Wolf went down on it’s face crashing near Shaggy, Scooby, Trixie, and Pinkie Pie.

“Aw man, chase time is over?” Pinkie asked with her ears drooping.

“Yep! We caught the monster!” Shaggy cheered as Scooby hugged his pal.

Velma and Spike ran through another trail leading to the clearing as everyone new to each other regrouped around the crash landing of the monster.

“SPIKE?! I thought you were back at the castle?” Twilight wondered.

“I decided to tag along with the humans, Zecora, and Trixie, because I was worried about you and the girls having to fight off this monster,” Spike explained himself.

“Oh, how thoughtful,” Rarity cooed holding her hooves to his face.

“Don’t worry, once we get the Elements of Harmony, this bag of sticks will just be another part of the forest,” Rainbow Dash stated.

“Hey girls, there’s a hatch open in the back of the monster,” Starlight Glimmer observed as some sticks fell apart revealing a pony in all black clothing sitting up.

“It was a fake?” Fluttershy asked with an astonished look.

“That’s how it tends to be...time to see who this forest terror really is,” Fred said as he took off the black mask revealing a brown unicorn with a vanilla mane as he holds his head and adjusts the glasses slipping off his face.

“Bracer Britches!” Rarity exclaimed in her own astonishment look.

“He’s a regular for Rarity’s dress shop branch in Manehattan!” Fluttershy added.

“Oh, heavens, just where am I?” Bracer asked.

“It all makes sense to me now. This book right here is a book on how to make effective designs out of inanimate objects and just about any unicorn who had this book could create any kind of model they wanted. At first, I thought Trixie was playing us based on this clue me and Spike found in her crushed wagon,” Velma explained as she showed the book to the whole group.

“Hey! Just because Trixie’s wagon is crushed, doesn’t mean you can go snooping around in it,” Trixie stated.

“I know this book. I had a copy I borrowed from Canterlot back when I had my library,” Twilight explained as she levitated the book in front of her reading out of it.

“Bracer is also known to be a very serious businesspony with his designs. No wonder he would have a keen eye to create those things,” Rarity explained.

“Take a look at this! It’s a fabric roll,” Fred stated as she picked up a fabric roll with a dark purple cloth on it filled with stars and moons on it.

“We found a similar cloth stuck to a branch so they must go together. I guess this solves our mystery,” Velma stated.

“But why would he haunt the Everfree Forest?” Rarity asked.

“I would like to know as well. As far as I’m concerned, I’m supposed to be back in Manehattan working on my designs and all black is definitely not on my list,” Bracer replied.

“I’d say let’s lock him up in the Canterlot Dungeon so he can explain himself to the royal guards,” Starlight suggested.

“Good plan, Starlight. I’ll be overseeing that as I wish to know the reason of why he terrorized the Everfree Forest. He must’ve wanted something here,” Twilight added.

“Wait...no! No! No! I’m innocent! You have to believe me!” Bracer exclaimed, but Pinkie pounced on him to keep him from moving.

“No more excuses, bucko!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“One thing I still don’t understand is why you were here out in the forest, Trixie,” Velma stated.

“Yeah, we hear this forest is pretty dangerous so why on Earth would you live near it?” Shaggy asked as everyone looked at the unicorn.

“Uh....because I wanted to find an Ursa Major!” Trixie blurted out.

“An Ursa Major? But those are dangerous creatures if you poke around their home,” Applejack stated.

“Well, I still feel jealous of Twilight and wanted to show everypony that I could just be as powerful as her. Maybe if I actually took on and tamed something like an Ursa Major or even a Ursa Minor like I claimed before, maybe I could get some attention and respect for once and it could help boost my public image,” Trixie replied.

“Oh, Trixie, you don’t have to prove yourself, because you are such a good pony at stage magic that you have adoring fans that’ll back you up no matter what. Not to mention, you got friends like me and the others,” Twilight stated as she looked back at the others.

“I’d love to see some magic tricks of yours,” Daphne piped in.

“Who knows? Maybe we can see something spectacular,” Fred chirped.

“I always like seeing magic shows. They can be so rare to see back home,” Shaggy explained.

“You all would like to see my show? Ehm...uh....I mean, of course, you all would...No one can deny the greatest show in Equestria performed by the one and only Great and Powerful Trixie!” Trixie yelled as she stood on her hind legs and outstretched her hooves out before getting back on her hooves with a blush and nervous smile on her face.

“Is she going to continue-” Rainbow Dash started asking Starlight, but Starlight put a hoof to her mouth saying “Let her have it.”

“She can perform at the welcoming party for you all. I have to get some things set up first, but once I’m done, you will have the best party out of all parties in the entire history of parties!” Pinkie exclaimed with a big smile.

“Wait....party? That means food, right?” Shaggy asked.

“Of course, silly! What’s a party without the good party food?!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“Like sign me and Scoob up,” Shaggy stated.

“We could all use the break after this perplexing mystery and the even weirder way we got here,” Fred added.

“I have a quick question for you all...did an alicorn named Princess Luna send you all here?” Twilight asked the three humans she hadn’t met yet.

“We heard that name before. The next thing we know, we are caught in a wind cyclone and dropped off in this forest,” Daphne replied.

“Interesting...I’ll have to bring this up with both princesses, but in the meantime, I would like to thank you all for your help in making sure that the real villain was caught,” Twilight stated as she wore a big smile on her face.

“It’s no problem at all. It’s our job to hunt fake monsters and bring them to justice,” Velma replied.

“So, what are the rest of your names?” Twilight asked.

(Scene Break)

“Dear Princess Celestia,
It’s been hard making friends ever since my abysmal treatment of everypony with the Alicorn Amulet and I still have troubles even with my apology tour ceasing. It will take some time, but I have Twilight, Starlight, and the rest of the Elements with me backing me up. I realized that I don’t have to rely on a boastful attitude and be jealous of somepony’s success to make a name out there to get some recognition. I just have to reach across the aisle and make friends where I can and wow the crowd with my stage magic, because that is what I’m good at and what I will continue to grow with. I’ll keep moving like I have been and see where it takes me.
Your faithful subject,
TrixieLulamoon”

Trixie folded up the letter and gave it to Spike, who would be her assistant for this show at Mystery Inc.’s welcoming party. Spike blew fire on the letter which acted like the postal transportation towards the princesses in Canterlot and it would be in front of them in no time.

“And now, put your hooves together for the Great and Powerful and Magical....Trixie!” Pinkie announced from out onstage.

Trixie adjusted her cape and put her hat on before her and Spike took steps out onto the stage to begin the best magic show of Trixie’s career.

~THE END~

Episode 3: What Did You Especter?

Episode 3: What Did You Exspecter?

It had been the last interesting couple of days since the Timber Wolf incident in the Everfree Forest and Mystery Inc.’s sudden appearance in Equestria after Princess Luna requested their help. They had a welcoming party with dance music, Trixie’s magic show, a buffet of sweets and meat for Scooby and Shaggy, and the gang retelling many of their classic adventures with the ponies which they all found frightening and exciting like telling ghost stories by the fire. However, the gang realized they didn’t have any place to sleep for the night to which Princess Twilight let Fred, Daphne, and Velma to stay in the castle while Shaggy and Scooby opted to stay with Pinkie Pie at Sugarcube Corner to which the party pony proclaimed them her new roommates.

However, a new problem faced Equestria as half of the student body at the School of Friendship did not show up for classes due to the rumors of the School Specter. Even Fluttershy and Rarity had to decline to teach for the rest of the week due to being scared of the ghost. Twilight had her skepticisms and worried about keeping the school open, because without a full student body, the school would close down for good and she couldn’t let that happen.

“What am I going to do? I can’t let the school go down like this and I certainly can’t let a spooky tale deprive students of learning about friendship. Oh, this is such a mess!” Twilight explained as she paced around the six thrones of her castle.

“You really shouldn’t worry yourself too much about this, Twilight. I’m sure this will be cleared up by next week,” Starlight suggested.

“That’s if there is a next week?! I can’t wait, Starlight! There’s too much riding on the school staying open!” Twilight yelled making her personal student back up in fear.

“What’s going on out here?” Fred asked as he appeared from behind the corner.

“Huh? Oh, it’s just you, Fred. We have a crisis to deal with here and I’m losing my marbles over it,” Twilight replied.

Fred came in dressed in his natural attire as he sat down on Pinkie Pie’s throne in order to hear everything Twilight was worried about from the rumors of the ghost to the students not showing up for classes to the school potentially getting shut down for an unsafe environment.

“That does sound pretty dangerous,” Fred recalled as he leaned back in the seat.

“It’s going to ruin the School of Friendship! You and your friends gotta help us!” Twilight pleaded as she walked up to Fred nuzzling her head on his lap and giving him puppy dog eyes.

“Okay, okay, we can get to the bottom of this…you don’t have to worry,” Fred stated as he knelt down and patted Twilight’s head.

“That’s easier said than done. Twilight really gets going when something is awry,” Starlight retorted as she looked at the Princess of Friendship with an amused look.

“I just don’t want all my hard work to go to waste. We already lost the school once and I won’t let it happen again,” Twilight explained with a determined glance.

“I guess I better grab the girls and go grab Shaggy and Scooby from Sugarcube Corner. You’re welcome to join us if you want,” Fred offered with a hand in the air.

“Me and Starlight have other duties to attend to unfortunately, but I can send Spike with you all. He really loved investigating and wouldn’t stop rambling about it,” Twilight stated.

“We were happy to have his help last time. He did find that book which became a crucial part of the mystery,” Fred added.

“And Trixie shall join as well,” Trixie announced as she walked into the room with her normal purple cape flowing behind her.

“Oh hey, Trixie. I didn’t know you got up this early,” Fred stated as he turned to the stage magician unicorn.

“Trixie always has a morning routine even though it has been slightly adjusted since her wagon was crushed. Plus, you’ll need her guidance when we enter the School,” Trixie explained.

“You might want to go tell Spike he’s joining us for the mystery today while me, Daphne, and Velma go pick up the others. We’ll meet outside the school entrance in 20 minutes,” Fred announced.

Trixie nodded before turning on her heel and walking directly for Princess Twilight’s private bedroom where Spike normally slept in his small bed. Fred would get his shoes on as the girls got ready dressing up in their normal clothes before they set off out of the castle going after their scaredy cat best friends.

(Scene Break)

Meanwhile, Scooby and Shaggy were in heaven as the Cakes had made a whole batch of pancakes with extra amounts of maple syrup along with the normal butter plastered on top. Pinkie nearly drooled as her eyes gazed upon the pancakes as Shaggy grabbed three plates sliding them down the counter where each individual got five pancakes each adding on extra amounts of maple syrup to give it an extra flavor of stickiness.

“Like, I feel like this meal is missing something,” Shaggy stated as he wore a buttoned-up green pajama shirt with green pajama pants and a green nightcap that all belonged to Mr. Cake that surprisingly fit a human.

“The banana slices?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“Yep! But something very important…more important…,” Shaggy replied.

“Rhocalate Rauce?” Scooby-Doo asked his owner.

“That’s right, pal! No pancake breakfast is complete without a confectionary sweet taste of sweet chocolate,” Shaggy replied.

“Hehehehe…my word, I’ve never met two food creators like yourself. Probably the reason the business is booming around these parts,” Mr. Cake stated as he walked into the dining room.

“You picked the right man and dog for the job, Mr. C,” Shaggy praised with a wink.

“I’ll say. The recipes you two have added have really helped me and the misses. Not to mention Scooby’s perfect night with the twins the other night,” Mr. Cake stated.

The past few days, Shaggy and Scooby have taken up jobs at Sugarcube Corner to share their own personal recipes with the patrons of Ponyville. Suffice to say, they are a major hit becoming rising stars in food creativity and the Cakes were scrambling for a foal sitter since Pinkie went on a friendship mission with Rainbow Dash and Rarity to Manehattan. Shaggy and Scooby stepped up with the twins playing with the dog and the human making sure they didn’t climb on anything they weren’t supposed to.

“They were fine. Definitely are raising a set of well-behaved youngsters,” Shaggy stated as he added a tube of chocolate sauce to everyone’s pancakes.

Shaggy, Scooby, Pinkie, and Mr. Cake sat down for a hearty breakfast as the doorbell rang with Pinkie bouncing to open the door. Fred, Daphne, and Velma visited as the party pony let them inside.

“You must be the other humans I’ve been hearing about,” Mr. Cake stated as he lifted a hoof to shake the three teens’ hands.

“Nice to meet you, sir. I’m Fred Jones and these two are Daphne Blake and Velma Dinkley,” Fred introduced.

“So, you’re the sleuths who solved that mystery in the middle of the Everfree Forest?” Mr. Cake asked.

“I definitely do not need a reminder of that creepy forest,” Shaggy interjected as he bit into his third pancake.

“It wasn’t that bad. It was thanks to Trixie’s knowledge of the wildlife that we were able to determine the fake,” Velma explained.

“Speaking of which, we have a specter to hunt down in the School of Friendship to help out Twilight. You two better get ready,” Fred explained to the boys.

“Here we go again with the specters. Mr. Cake will need us today so maybe Pinkie can fill in for us,” Shaggy suggested.

“As much as I would love to giggle with the ghosties, I have to take an afternoon shift today so I won’t be able to,” Pinkie explained.

Shaggy dropped his shoulders as the gang laughed at the attempt to get out of mystery solving so both the boys admitted defeat getting dressed then meeting with the gang outside the bakery.

“I swear we will have a day off from this monster hunting,” Shaggy vowed.

“That’s some serious wishful thinking. Keep betting on it and it might come true,” Daphne retorted as the others strolled off for the Castle of Friendship.

(Scene Break)

Mystery Inc. came back as they saw the glamorous building of the School of Friendship with the architecture being very noticeable and the bridges being added for extra access to certain parts of the school. The waterfalls in the back added to the scenery and the calm environment of the establishment as the gang observed it with astonishing gazes.

“I’ve never seen such a school with a regal appearance and ponies are the ones that built this,” Velma stated.

“It's certainly impressive. I never knew these cute animals could do so much,” Daphne added.

“But Chancellor Neighsay....you got to give me time to fix this!” Princess Twilight pleaded coming out of the entrance to the school with a stern-looking grey stallion with a formal black mane and tail wearing a purple shirt with a red sash over it attached with a gold medallion depicting a horseshoe symbol on it trotting down the path back to land.

“Princess Twilight, I’m afraid my hooves are crossed,” The stallion stated as he closed his eyes.

“But I have investigators that can help! They can stop the specter!” Princess Twilight exclaimed as she flew into the stallion’s way to stop him from advancing.

“My decision is final!” The stallion barked back at the princess.

“You can’t just close the school...it isn’t even under the Equestrian Education Association registrar and thus does not need to comply with such hasty decisions,” Princess Twilight retorted.

“Lest you forget that we have ultimate authority if a school stays open or not. The safety of this school is not up to code even if it is independent from the rest of the institutions,” The stallion stated.

“So, it’s done and gone just like that?” Princess Twilight asked as the stallion walked pass her with a shake of his head.

“As much as I wish there was more I could do, it’s a decision that needed to be made and it’s better safe rather than sorry. There is not much else to discuss!” The stallion, Neighsay, explained to the Princess of Friendship.

“I’m sorry to intrude on this important matter, but what is going on?” Velma asked.

“Chancellor Neighsay is closing the school down forever before we even have a chance to stop the ghost or whatever is causing this ruckus,” Princess Twilight replied.

“Stopping us from even investigating?” Fred asked.

“I know you all mean well, but I have authority to make executive decisions based on poorly developed matters. This is until further notice,” Neighsay replied to the teen sleuths.

“Like how is the problem supposed to be solved if we can’t get in?” Shaggy asked.

“This isn’t for your concerns. This investigation will be looked into by the EEA and we will revisit this matter in a few weeks once we have collected our results,” Neighsay replied as he held up his right hoof.

“But that’s not fair! There should be an impartial outside investigation into this just as much,” Princess Twilight stated.

“Are you saying the EEA is partisan against this school? Even after my apologies for the prejudice I placed on your student enrollment?” Neighsay asked.

“What she means is that there needs to be an outside group who can possibly find the truth in this matter. We are the investigators she was referring to,” Velma interjected as she walked up to both ponies.

“Yes, they solved the mystery in the Everfree Forest and could potentially save the school,” Princess Twilight added.

“I did hear about that endeavor. The combined intellect of the Elements of Harmony and these humans were able to flush out the real culprit behind the commotion in the forest. What makes them qualified to take this mystery on, though?” Neighsay asked with a raised eyebrow.

“We’ve been solving mysteries for years, sir, and we just want to help Twilight keep her school in good graces,” Fred replied as Twilight smiled a little at Fred’s generosity.

“Is that so? Well, I do want to give the best education to students worldwide and Princess Twilight has proven my other views wrong before. I’ll give you all access to the school for the meantime, but if the School Specter is not dealt with by tomorrow afternoon, my decision to close the school stands and the EEA will handle the matter exclusively,” Neighsay stated.

The chancellor would make his way through the humans on his way out as Spike came in carrying a grey backpack while Trixie joined his side as they saw Neighsay trot past them. They looked at each other worriedly running over to Princess Twilight sighing angrily.

“What was going on here?” Trixie asked.

“Chancellor Neighsay has closed down the School of Friendship until the specter is dealt with,” Princess Twilight replied.

“And he even tried preventing us from investigating and leaving it up to his friends,” Shaggy added.

“That sounds like him. Always strict against any dissenting opinions opposite of the EEA,” Trixie stated.

“Well, we got an open window till tomorrow afternoon before the EEA begins their own investigation. So we better move quickly,” Fred stated.

“Good luck, everypony. I know I left this case in good hooves or hands,” Princess Twilight praised as she waved her goodbyes before heading back to the Castle of Friendship.

“Agreed. This is an important matter that needs our full attention,” Trixie added.

Everybody started walking the pathway up to the school as Fred started pushing the double doors to the establishment open beckoning his friends to follow him in with his left hand. Trixie made a mental note to keep Chancellor Neighsay as a prime suspect due to his hasty decision to close the school and allow no other investigation groups. She found it very suspicious before she headed inside the school with her gang.

(Scene Break)

The grand hallway was blooming with sunlight as the gang marveled at the sparkles in the walls and the clear white pillars holding up everything. Fred turned to the gang of six as he discussed the plans for the their investigation.

“Okay everyone, it’s time to get serious. Twilight is counting on us to get to the bottom of this mystery. Let’s split up and go search for clues,” Fred suggested.

“Like I think we’ve established that’s not the best idea,” Shaggy protested as he held up a finger.

“But it does make the chances of finding the School Specter easier. If we run into it, it will be easier to get a closer look at it,” Spike stated.

“I think you mean farther from it,” Shaggy corrected his new dragon friend.

“You buffoons know it’s not a real ghost…why are you scared of it?” Trixie asked.

“They are scared of rocks if they are thrown at them even if they sailed way over their heads,” Velma replied.

“In any case, Trixie and Spike go with Scooby and Shaggy if that is any consolation. Velma and Daphne stick with me,” Fred offered.

“Trixie is satisfied. We will need investigators that are not total scaredy foals if we are to proceed with any progress,” Trixie remarked as she started going up the front steps to the first floor.

“Me and Scooby just want to stay out of harm’s way. You all act like that’s a bad thing!” Shaggy accused.

Soon, the human, dog, unicorn, and dragon team were trotting down the hallways looking into each classroom trying to find something. Trixie walked into Rainbow Dash’s classroom as the whole room had eight plastic chairs with a chalkboard and pictures of each member of the Wonderbolts in a separate frame. Shaggy and Scooby inspected each photo as they scratched their heads.

“Like, who are they?” Shaggy asked as he pointed at the pictures.

“Oh, those are the Wonderbolts. They are Rainbow Dash’s favorite arial flight team and they do all sorts of great tricks. She’s even part-time performing with them in compliance with her duties as a professor here at the school,” Spike replied.

“Aha!” Trixie exclaimed as she went through the desk drawers of Rainbow Dash’s desk as she found a small envelope.

“An envelope?” Shaggy asked.

“Not just any envelope as you can see the golden seal of the Equestrian Education Association on it. She must have been sending a letter to them,” Trixie replied as she ripped the concealment open.

Trixie pulled the contents out as she read over the paper inside and widened her eyes using her magic to levitate it around showing the others of a list of demands from the EEA. Some range from disclosure of funds to qualifications of teaching to even blackmail operations.

“Zoinks! These are very detailed demands from these educators,” Shaggy exclaimed as he grabbed the paper reading it over.

“Rainbow Dash never mentioned this and it’s clear she was hiding this away, but whatever underlies at the end of this mystery, the EEA are running some type of secret operation,” Trixie stated.

“This is definitely a step in the right direction,” Shaggy remarked.

Spike and Scooby were watching their superiors talk to each other when a cold chill entered the room and they both started shivering.

“You feeling cold, Scooby?” Spike asked as he darted his head back and forth.

“Reah,” Scooby replied as he rubbed his shoulders.

“Now that they mention it, it is kinda cold in here,” Shaggy added as he hugged himself.

A loud wailing could be heard getting the attention of all four individuals as Scooby and Shaggy started holding each other in fright looking around. Trixie looked around as well trying to find the source of the noise and Spike held the backpack close to him before noticing a transparent purple dress. He looked up seeing a silver necklace with a pencil symbol attached to the front and the scary look of the School Specter as it shrieked at everyone. Shaggy and Scooby did a comical screaming fest backing up towards the photos of the Wonderbolts.

“Specter!” Shaggy screamed as he covered his eyes.

Spike dove under one of the chairs covering his face with his tail as the School Specter advanced raising her hands in a frightening manner. Shaggy saw the photos as he tapped Scooby on the shoulder jabbing a thumb at the photos to throw. The dog nodded as the duo started chucking the photos at the specter, but they were fruitless as the specter was unfazed as they sailed through her body.

“I should’ve known that wouldn’t work,” Shaggy stated as he held onto Scooby.

“Trixie has this handled!” Trixie exclaimed digging in her cape pulling out two small silver balls and she threw them down to the floor.

The specter started screaming loudly as her vision was blurred by the bright blue smoke and she searched around for everyone as Trixie made it out of the classroom with the rest of her gang.

(Scene Break)

Fred, Daphne, and Velma helped themselves to searching all the classrooms as they each found a letter from the drawers of Fluttershy’s, Rarity’s, and Applejack’s classrooms. The same one the other group found in RD’s room.

“Letters from the EEA? These upper authorities in the education system really want this place shut down,” Fred stated as he read the contents of the letter from Fluttershy’s room.

“That’s not all. I also found a small beaker filled with an unusual purple substance with this cork on top. I bet Twilight could probably tell us more,” Velma added as she presented her clue.

“One thing for sure is all six of those mares are getting targeted,” Daphne stated.

“Right. This specter is starting to become really clear if you know what I mean,” Fred added.

“Whoa, actual humans!” The gang hear a male voice cry out as they look up to see a flying pony/griffin hybrid with cream-colored fur and wings with a teal/light-green mane as well as a same-colored tail.

“What the-? It’s a pegasus or a griffon or a...,” Fred stated as he pointed the creature out, but the hybrid pony chuckled.

“I’m a hippogriff....and a seapony at the same time. I’m Terramar, Silverstream’s younger brother,” Terramar greeted as he landed.

“I’m Velma, and this is Daphane and Fred. This school is currently closed down. Why are you here?” Velma asked.

“I needed to pick up my sister’s homework she left behind and she was too scared to come on her own, but I guess if school is currently cancelled then nothing to worry about. I used an open window to get in,” Terramar explained.

“You said you were a hippogriff and a seapony. What exactly do you mean by that?” Daphne asked as she crossed her arms.

“Well, I originally come from the sea where I’m a fish technically, but I can also come out on land being a hybrid of a pegasus and griffon. It’s a little difficult to explain to those that never see it,” Terramar admitted.

“So you said your sister goes to this school?” Fred asked.

“Yes, she does, but I’m just glad she is gonna come home,” Terramar replied.

“Is she transferring or something?” Daphne asked.

“No, but with this school shutting down, she will be able to come home and be safe. Away from all the prejudice this school has given her,” Terramar replied as he closed his eyes with a serious look on his face.

“Prejudice? Like discrimination?” Fred asked as he stroked his chin.

“This school is full of it! I couldn’t even really stomach my sister going here, but I did it for her happiness. Now that she will be back home, I don’t have to worry anymore,” Terramar replied.

“Now, that is a bit hyperbolic. We have only just met the staff working at this institution, but they hardly strike us as the types that would discriminate against anyone here publicly,” Velma stated.

“That’s because you have never been here during the day when everything is really running and fights are being conducted. Not to mention, Silverstream tells me that while she believes it is fun at her school, she does have a bit of resentment for the comments made towards her,” Terramar added.

“It can’t be that bad,” Fred suggested with a friendly smile.

“Just ask that chancellor,” Terramar stated as he flew out the window he came in through leaving the three teens to be really confused knowing a new lead they had.

(Scene Break)

Shaggy, Scooby, Spike, and Trixie ducked behind some pillars as the wailing of the School Specter could be heard as the ghost stopped flying looking around and moved on in her search as the four individuals carefully poked their heads out looking around.

“Whew! We lost that glowing specter finally,” Shaggy stated.

“That’s one teacher I do not want leading detention,” Spike added.

“Oh, will you clowns give it a rest? We have evidence that this specter is most likely apart of the EEA and this mystery will lead to that truth,” Trixie declared.

Suddenly, all four individuals heard galloping as they only had a split second to react before Trixie was launched straight into a stone bust of Twilight Sparkle. The human, dog, and dragon gasped as they saw a big remorseful look on the face of Yona the Yak along with the other five Young Six students coming up behind her.

“I told you it wasn’t the specter, Yona!” Gallus exclaimed.

“Yona saw flowing cape and presumed such, but Yona admits she was wrong,” Yona stated.

“Is Trixie okay?” Ocellus asked.

Shaggy saw that Trixie’s head went right through the stone and she fell on her side groaning opening her eyes as Shaggy helped her up. She rubbed her head and glared down the Young Six.

“What are you six doing here?! The school is closed and it’s too dangerous!” Trixie yelled.

“Look, we just wanted to help figure out who the School Specter is. Yona just had to rush into things,” Gallus replied.

“Yona thought she had specter,” Yona added.

“Despite my splitting headache from that bust, I have a right mind to order you all into two weeks worth of detention,” Trixie stated.

“Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! Please don’t give us detention, Ms. Trixie!” Silverstream pleaded as she bowed her head to the guidance counselor.

“Don’t be so hard on them, Trixie. They mean well....just in their own special way,” Shaggy stated.

“Who are you two supposed to be?” Gallus asked the human.

“Ugh...this is Shaggy and that is Scooby-Doo. They are visitors to Equestria and helping us on this case,” Trixie replied.

“Like, what she said,” Shaggy added.

“I never ever thought it would be possible for a human to cross over into Equestria!” Silverstream exclaimed as she zoomed right up to Shaggy frightening him a bit.

“It’s not that big of a deal. You’ll have to excuse her excitement,” Smolder stated.

“Yona is Yona from Yakyakistan! Nice to meet you, Shaggy the human!” Yona exclaimed as she firmly shook Shaggy’s hand.

“Never thought I would meet a talking yak....let alone shake one’s hoof,” Shaggy stated towards Scooby-Doo.

“I’m Gallus and these are Smolder, Sandbar, Silverstream, and Ocellus. I’m a griffon and a pretty brave one at that,” Gallus boasted as he crossed his claws together.

“Enough of the formalities! If you want to help, you will stay quiet while we search!” Trixie ordered.

Everyone heard Trixie’s commanding voice as they all stood in a straight line even Spike, Shaggy, and Scooby as Trixie felt satisfied showing a smile to her company as she turned on her hooves smoothing out her cape before taking her gallop as the Young Six followed right behind her. Scooby and Shaggy looked at one another shaking their heads before walking right behind with Spike in tow.

“Is she always that scary to listen to?” Shaggy asked his dragon friend.

“She can make someone take her seriously when she wants to,” Spike replied.

(Scene Break)

The group now filled with ten creatures started slowly creeping around the halls of the school until Sandbar saw something glowing on a full-sized statue of Starlight Glimmer’s right hoof. A majestic piece of translucent purple cloth was hanging off the statue sparkling in the sunlight.

“Like, what’s that?” Shaggy asked.

“It seems like a piece of cloth that has been torn off. Even Professor Rarity doesn’t make something that stunning in her classes,” Sandbar commented.

Being the tallest and able to reach the material, Shaggy grabbed the cloth and inspected it trying to make sense of what it could be from.

“It does look like it came off that specter. I just hope she doesn’t come back around to get it back,” Shaggy replied.

However, the loud wailing form the down the hall could be heard as the School Specter shrieked coming after every pony as they all screamed running off in different directions. Shaggy, Trixie, Sliverstream, and Smolder ran for the cafeteria as they each tried finding places to hide as the School Specter flew into the room shrieking trying to chase after everyone. Silverstream flew up out of reach ducking from the ghost as Smolder peeked from the choices of lunches grabbing a sub sandwich and a head of lettuce. She tossed the lettuce in her claws before tossing it up, breathing a stream of fire onto it, and bashes it upwards using the sandwich like a baseball bat towards the School Specter as the ghost screams seeing the flames clear her vision as she floated straight out of the room.

“That’s what I call a home run,” Smolder joked as she tossed the sub over her shoulder.

Scooby had Yona and Ocellus near him as they all decided to hide in the main library opening and closing the door as Scooby started putting carts of books up against the door.

“Do you think it will hold Scooby?” Ocellus asked.

“Rhy rope ro,” Scooby replied holding the changeling near him trembling.

“Yona will make sure with her body!” Yona exclaimed as she ran and climbed on the carts using her big yak body to barricade the door.

However, the specter easily came through a wall screaming at her future victims as they all screamed starting to run around avoiding the specter. Ocellus hid behind a potted plant as Scooby climbed bookshelves to get away from the specter. The ghost shrieked going after Scooby as he tossed books behind him to slow her down, but then he noticed the bookshelf starting to tremble and rock back and forth as he started falling. Ocellus saw this and turned into Rainbow Dash quickly speeding towards Scooby in order to catch him to bring him to safety while the bookcase fell on the specter.

“Rank rou, Rocellus,” Scooby praised as the changeling went back to her original form with a friendly smile.

“Yona has no time to dilly dally! We must make our way out!” Yona exclaimed propping Ocellus and Scooby on her back charging out through the wall since the door was barricaded.

The specter went through the fallen bookcase shrieking in anger as she went through the wall looking for her prey and headed down another hallway. Spike, Gallus, and Sandbar headed out onto one of the decks just as Spike’s tail went around the corner, but it was too slow for the specter not to see as the ghost went after the three boys. The specter came out screaming into the mid-evening sunset looking around for the boys as they have seen to disappear out of nowhere. The specter took a few seconds to fly out into the middle of the scenery as she shrieked in anger heading back inside the school just as Gallus, Sandbar, and Spike were shown under the deck with the griffon and dragon flying and the pony hanging on Gallus.

“That was a close one right there!” Spike exclaimed.

(Scene Break)

Fred, Daphne, and Velma were walking down a hallway that led to a intersection of other hallways when they heard screaming not seeing the three different groups starting to diverge into one as everyone bumped into one another falling on the floor.

“Whoa! Ow! Hey! Watch it!” The others say as they all start rubbing their heads and dusting themselves off.

“Argh! That could’ve been better,” Smolder stated.

“Whoa, there is a lot more creatures here then we were aware of,” Fred added as he looked around himself.

“These are six of the students that attend this school. This is Gallus, Smolder, Yona, Ocellus, Silverstream, and Sandbar,” Trixie introduced as each of students waved their hands at the humans.

“Did you all see the specter?” Velma asked as she went straight into questioning.

“Boy, did we ever and we barely managed to escape from her grasp,” Gallus replied.

“Hey, Yona found broken bottle on floor,” Yona alerted the others as she pointed to a small broken bottle with a blue label on the front.

Fred picked up the tiny bottle and barely managed to read “Dry Ice” in bold black lettering as he held it up for everyone else to see. Shaggy scratched his chin and thought back to where he was cold when they first encountered the School Specter.

“Dry ice? Just like back on Redbeard’s ship,” Fred stated.

“Dry ice is just solidified carbon dioxide and is extremely colder than regular ice. Perfect ingredient for a supernatural scheme,” Velma added.

“So that’s why it was so cold when we first saw the ghost,” Spike reminded.

“That means our specter is a confirmed fraud. I think it’s time to make sure this school gets reopened,” Fred stated.

“Oooohhh, are we going to build a trap?” Silverstream asked.

“That’s correct! And like always, we need volunteers for bait,” Fred stated as he looked at Shaggy and Scooby.

“Like, do we have to?” Shaggy asked.

“You boys know how to drag out ghosts. If you’re interested, Trixie will supply you with five Scooby Snacks each,” Trixie replied with a smile.

“Five whole Scooby Snacks?!” Shaggy exclaimed with his hands on his head.

“Reah! Reah!” Scooby added with the nodding of his head and him licking his lips.

Trixie nodded and used her magic to morph five Scooby Snacks in the air as Scooby and Shaggy opened their mouths up like cash registers leaving the snacks to fall right in. They closed their mouths and rubbed their tummies as they swallowed the snacks.

(Scene Break)

Scooby and Shaggy were set in place as they looked down an empty corridor really frightened by the prospect of being bait for the umpteenth time. Fred, Daphne, Gallus, and Smolder held a catching net from the ceiling from around the corner while the others held three spotlights nearby to blind the ghost enough for the capture.

“I really hope this plan works, Scoob. They don’t seem to realize that this ghost can’t be caught by anything,” Shaggy stated.

Fred ushered the boys forward as they took their long steps down the hallway trying not to make too much noise, but Shaggy called out to the specter to get her attention.

“Oh, Ms. Specter, where are you? I really need some grammar lessons,” Shaggy stated with the first statement off his mind.

Scooby’s teeth could be heard chattering and Shaggy’s legs started shaking from the uncertainty as the loud wailing could be heard as they looked above them seeing the School Specter laughing hysterically reaching for them. The duo screamed starting to run as the specter followed them throughout the halls. Velma listened for the cue as Shaggy and Scooby ran past her alleyway and she pointed at Yona to flip the switch. The light stunned the School Specter as Sandbar and Ocellus flipped the other two switches with Trixie using her magic to hold the specter in place. The net was dropped wrapping around the specter and Trixie released her grip allowing the specter to fall on the floor sitting up and groaning.

“Oh yeah! A perfect catch!” Smolder exclaimed as she high-fived Gallus.

“Whew! I thought we were goners!” Shaggy stated as he wiped sweat off his brow.

“How did we catch her, though? Everything we threw at her was pointless and she just phased through it all,” Spike wondered.

“This potion I found may have the answers we seek,” Velma replied as she brought out the purple potion from earlier.

“That’s an illusionary concoction. It helps the wielder to be very transparent as possible,” Trixie explained.

“However, when sprinkling light into the equation, it helps wear the shield off and that’s how we captured the specter,” Velma stated.

“Mix that potion in with this dry ice we found and the specter was able to fly around pretending to be a real ghost,” Fred stated as he presented the dry ice bottle to the gang.

“Which leaves the question for who is behind the specter?” Gallus asked.

“If any pony, it’s Chancellor Neighsay as he tried to keep us out of the school so the EEA could investigate,” Trixie predicted.

Fred reached for the mask as he pulled it off the face of the culprit and it revealed the last pony anyone would have ever expected. It’s Terramar!

“Terramar!” Fred, Daphne, and Velma exclaimed.

“My brother!” Silverstream added.

“Ugh…hey sis,” Terramar stated.

“I think I know why he did it. The school gave him the impression that it was discriminating against non-pony students when it was just the chancellor. Based on his last remark to us, I only had to put two and two together. By masquerading as the specter, he would force the school to close and no more prejudice would be placed upon other students,” Velma explained.

“He also made several copies of this letter claiming them to be from the EEA threatening the main staff of this school,” Daphne added.

“Um…those letters weren’t my idea,” Terramar admitted.

“Huh? What do you mean?” Velma asked with a stunned expression.

“It’s all really fuzzy, but I only had plans to be the specter and never be caught. I just wanted my sister to be safe, but I guess I put all of you in unnecessary danger. But I didn’t threaten the staff at all,” Terramar replied.

“I’m not sure if I really believe that. You do think the staff was discriminating against your sister and the others, right?” Fred asked.

“I’ve met Princess Twilight before, but I guess I just got caught up in thinking I was doing the right thing that I misjudged every pony that teaches at this school,” Terramar replied with a saddened look.

“Oh, you can be such a bonehead sometimes, but it doesn’t make me love you any less,” Silverstream stated as she hugged her younger brother.

“I guess there’s a loose end we will need to warn Princess Twilight about,” Fred stated.

“However, that solves the case of the School Specter and the School of Friendship can reopen,” Velma announced as everyone in the room cheered for another mystery solved.

(Scene Break)

Dear Princess Celestia,

I never thought my scheme of shutting down the School of Friendship would put the lives of not just my sister, but the entire school body on the line. I just got caught up in what I wanted that I neglected everypony else and just went along with it all like nothing was going to backfire. I’m actually glad Mystery Inc. and the others stopped my plans before they grew worse. I did have to explain everything to Princess Twilight, but your student was gracious enough to accept my apology even allowing me to enroll in the School of Friendship as some sort of rehabilitation process. I definitely need it! I get to also attend school with my sister and make new friends along the way. The lesson learned here is getting all the facts before making moves. Those conclusions will never be right no matter how much I spin them.

Your faithful subject, Terramar

Terramar handed off his letter to Spike, who blasted it with a stream of fire to send off to Canterlot straight away as both heard the school bell ringing.

“Time to see what my first day of schooling brings me,” Terramar stated as he ran out the door of one of the study rooms and caught up with the Young Six heading up a flight of stairs.