G5 Adventures in Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire

The Dreamlands, Shaggy and Scooby had gotten severely lost in the swamp after the vampire hunters chased Shaggy and Scooby out of town, believing them to be shape-shifting vampires. Luckily, the Dreamlands were able to find their friends, but they were unsure of how to get back to the others.

Now all they could do was find a safe place to rest for the night, and hope that they could find their friends the next morning... before Lord Valdronya could find them again.

XXXXXXXX

After the Dreamlands, Shaggy and Scooby never returned the previous night, the Mane 6, the rest of Mystery Inc and Ruby Jubilee became incredibly worried for the safety of their friends.

But what was even worse was Kelly Smith’s news report that next morning. “But critics call the move shortsighted and a slinging blow to the local economy.”

“It’s an attack on capitalism,” Lita told the reporter as they discussed the dusk to dawn curfew and its effect on the festival. “Disgusting. This is the last time I bring my fair to this Podunk town.”

“Podunk?! Why I oughta…” Pipp began to say before she paused. “What does that even mean?”

“No idea, but… right now, it really doesn’t seem to matter,” Sunny said. “I mean… look at how upset Mr. Van Helsing is.”

Pipp turned and realized Sunny was right-- Mr. Van Helsing was upset, and for good reason. “Without the income from Lita's festival, there's no way I can keep this place afloat,” he said. “I’m ruined!”

“We'll try to solve this mystery before Lita packs up for good,” Velma promised. “Thank you, Velma,” Mr. Van Helsing said gratefully. “I'm really lucky to have you kids here.”

“Hey, guys,” Fred spoke up as he entered the room. “I'm worried about Shaggy, Scooby and the Dreamlands. I haven't seen them since last night.”

“Come to think of it, neither have I,” Ruby said. “And I have the Dreamlands on speed dial… it’s weird that they didn’t call.”

“Shag and Scoob got spooked by their own shadows and hid out all night,” Zipp said. “And the Dreamlands are probably out trying to find them.”

Misty shuddered nervously. “I just hope the vampire didn’t get them.”

“I highly doubt we're dealing with a real vampire,” Velma told the blue unicorn. “Show them, Daphne.”

That’s when Daphne pulled out the piece of fabric she had torn off of Valdronya the night before. “I found this in the Mystery Machine. It's a piece of the vampire's cloak. I must've torn it loose when he attacked us.”

Fred inspected the fabric, but after a moment, frowned. “What's an old piece of fabric gonna prove?”

“That’s the thing-- it’s NOT as old as we think,” Ruby said. “Remember how I said my mom was a costume designer? Well, she taught me to recognize different kinds of fabric.”

“And from what Ruby said, and with my own fashion knowledge,” Daphne said, “it’s clearly poly-krillion, a synthetic material first produced in 1997.”

“Ooh!” Izzy said, impressed. “Those girls know their fabric!”

“So the vampire, or whatever it was,” Hitch assumed, “probably isn't a thousand years old!”

“Oh, what a relief,” Fred sighed, causing the others to look at him strangely. “I mean, not that I thought we were dealing with a real vampire. That would be dumb to think that.”

“Actually, I must confess…” Mr. Van Helsing admitted as he walked over to a nearby cabinet. “...the outfit Valdronya was wearing in his tomb was new.”

“How?” Velma asked in confusion. “You said he was sealed in his tomb for a thousand years.”

“Yes, but his clothing had disintegrated overtime,” Mr. Van Helsing said as he opened the cabinet and pulled out a box. “We unsealed him briefly for authentication and in the name of modesty.”

However, something in that statement didn’t seem right with Sunny. “Valdronya's clothing had disintegrated, but he didn't? That’s weird…”

“A vampire is a living being, even in a state of slumber,” Mr. Van Helsing explained to the earth pony mare before opening the box, revealing a beautiful cape inside it. “This is what's left of his original garments.”

Daphne inspected the fabric more closely than before, and Pipp ran her hooves over the fabric, stunned at how smooth and silky they were. “Antique Asian silk… spun gold markings… the thick hand weave…” Daphne muttered in realization. “Fabric like this hasn't been made for 500 years!”

“Well, whatever this fabric has to do with it,” said Sunny, “Valdronya is still out there… somewhere.”

“Yes,” Mr. Van Helsing nodded gravely. “I'm afraid those actors unleashed an unholy terror upon us all.”

Velma gasped in realization. “Yes! The actors!”

“Ooh. I'll go check them out!” Daphne immediately volunteered, causing Fred to cross his arms crossly. “I bet you will…”

“Fred,” said Daphne, “do I detect a little twinge of jealousy?”

“Me?” Fred repeated. “Jealous of some vitamin D-deprived, historical vampire reenactment nuts? …maybe I should go with you.”

“No thanks,” Daphne declined as she looked at her hair in the mirror. “I'm well prepared to handle Bram. Uh... I mean, the actors. Bye!”

And just like that, Daphne ran out of the room. Ruby, seeing Fred's apparent jealousy, approached him with a comforting smile on her face. “Freddy, if it makes you feel better, I could always follow Daphne and see that she and Bram don’t get into any funny business.”

Fred smiled in relief at this. “Thanks, Ruby. I guess that would make me feel some better.”

“Just… be careful,” Pipp told Ruby cautiously. “The Dreamlands, Shaggy and Scooby have already gone missing, and we don’t want anypony else going missing too.”

“Hoof to heart,” Ruby promised her friends sincerely before setting off after Daphne.

XXXXXXXX

Ruby discreetly flew after Daphne all the way to the theater where the actors were supposed to be performing their show, and decided to stay out of sight, so Daphne wouldn't suspect that she had been followed.

Speaking of Daphne, she began to enter the theater, but there didn't seem to be anyone else in there... except Ruby, who was still hiding. “Hello? Anyone in here?”

And like Daphne expected, no one answered. But as she explored the theater and entered one of the box seats, she stumbled upon something strange-- a laser projector, laying on the ground between the chairs. “Strange place for a laser projector…”

So, she decided to set the projector back up, in case whoever put it there came back. But as she was adjusting the position of the projector, Bram appeared out of nowhere, causing Daphne to shriek before she realized who it was. “Bram!” she sighed. “ Don't sneak up on a girl like that.”

“I wasn't the one sneaking,” Bram said as he displayed several moves on a long rope… impressive in Ruby’s opinion. “You looking for something or someone?”

“Actually,” Daphne stammered before looking toward the rafters, thankfully not noticing Ruby in the corner, “I… do you… sleep up there?”

“To know the vampire, you must become the vampire,” Bram told her, impressing Daphne slightly more than he had been. “You’re really committed.”

“It's the role I was meant for,” Bram answered. “So do you lurk around darkened theaters often?”

“More than you know.”

“Well, there's something we have in common,” Bram stated. “Right off the… bat.”

Daphne smirked at this. “Cute.”

Ruby rolled her eyes from her hiding place in the rafters. “Come on, Daphne…” she whispered. “This guy is as cheesy as they come… and I’m in the music business.”

However, before she could make any movements, Bram held his hand out to Daphne. “Grab on. I'll teach you to fly.”

“I-I don’t know,” Daphne said unsuredly, taking his hand. “Promise not to drop me?”

Bram only gave her a sincere smile. “Only a fool would drop a girl like you.”

“Smooth…” Daphne said before Bram took her in his arms before swinging her down to the stage. “Wow! This is amazing!”

“It's fate that brought you here,” Bram said as he and Daphne lowered onto the stage. “Destiny. A cosmic occurrence. A vision foretold.”

Thankfully, Daphne was able to recognize that this was moving a little too quickly, and decided to pause things right then and there. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Look, Bram, I think you're very interesting, but you're one clich from my limit.”

“Daphne…” Bram began to say before tango-like music filled the halls of the theater, and another song began… much to Ruby’s surprise.

Bram: From the moment you'd first seen us
Did you ever in your life think
You'd be standing here with me?

With this thing we have between us
I could tell that it was fate
And it was always meant to be

Yes, you and I were meant for glory
And something greater
Than this drab little world that we see

And who'd have thought that later
You and I would have this date
A date with destiny

However, Daphne seemed a little intimidated by the move on her, and immediately drew back, much to Ruby’s relief.

Daphne: I can't believe you think I'd buy that
Come on, I've heard this all before
It's just a line, I'm not naive

I really can't believe you'd try that
I've gotta say you must be nuts
To think that's something I'd believe

You lay it on there kind of heavy
With all this talk of something special
So, what could it be?

Bram: What if I say that I know a way
To immortality

This caused both Ruby and Daphne to pause in surprise, the former from the rafters and out of sight. “Really?”

Bram: You and I would live forever

Daphne: You mean our lives would never end?

Bram: That’s right

Daphne: And we won't be aging ever?

Bram: You’d be Bram’s immortal friend

Daphne: For real?

Bram: That’s the deal
Can't you feel, it's so exciting?

Daphne: (Everlasting life eternal)

Bram: You've been chosen for this honor
You'll have wealth and you'll have fame

Daphne: I gotta write this in my journal

Bram: Just wait and see
Everyone will know your name

Daphne: Will I stay cute?

Bram: Absolute!

Daphne and Bram: We'll be going down in history
We'll be known throughout the world
Eternity for you and me

Let's live forever and ever
Yes, never to sever
Together forever, we'll be

You and me

In other circumstances, Ruby would find the song romantic and enjoyable... but... something about this didn't seem right.

As Bram kneeled next to her, Daphne felt the need to make the decision of a lifetime. “I'm gonna have to say thanks... but no. Points for trying though.”

However, Bram’s next phrase caught Daphne offguard. “This makes us very unhappy.”

“Well, I’m sorry,” Daphne said, “but… us?”

Bram pointed up to the ceiling, and Daphne shined her light just enough to reveal the rest of the vampire actors leaping down onto the stage, surrounding her. “Seize the vampire’s bride!” Bram shouted, much to Daphne’s shock. “The what?!”

Ruby gasped as the vampires closed in on Daphne-- she had to make her move now, and save her friend before it was too late. “Hang on, Daph!” she cried. “I’m coming!”

Ruby swooped down and knocked several of the vampire actors down, including Bram, kicking and swatting her wings at them to keep them back.

However… this defense was not going to work for long, and before they knew it, Daphne and Ruby had BOTH been captured.

For what reason… we will soon find out.