G5 Adventures in Scooby-Doo! Moon Monster Madness

The Mane 6 and Sparky were in the middle of a very exciting outing with their Trail Trotters group, learning about the Sun and Moon Jaguars and looking at the stars through the telescope that Sunny's mother gave her before she disappeared.

But all of a sudden, the Unity Crystals summoned the Mane 6 on their next Unity Quest, but the other Trail Trotters promised that they would wait for the Mane 6 to get back before they roasted marshmallows and told spooky campfire stories.

This led the Mane 6 to wonder one thing as they traveled through the portal to their next mission...

...where would the Unity Crystals be sending them this time, and what sort of dangers would they have to face in order to potentially find the second piece to the map of Skyros?

XXXXXXXX

Daphne Blake sat in the driver's eat of driver's the Mystery Machine with the DMV worker beside her, starting it up and placing her hands on the steering wheel with Fred, Velma, Shaggy and Scooby standing next to it.

However, Daphne whimpered nervously and looked toward her friends. “I'm so nervous...”

“Don’t sweat it, Daph,” Fred reassured her with a smile. “You’ll do great.”

“Mmm-hmm,” Scooby nodded in agreement as Daphne flashed her friends a smile. “You think so?”

“Like, yeah,” Shaggy reassured, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his driver's license. “Driving tests are easy. Even I passed mine.”

The picture on Shaggy's driver's license had a picture of him eating a sandwich, and Scooby's driver's license (which he got somehow, don't ask me why) had a picture of his face and a picture of his pawprint on it. “Yeah. Me too.”

Velma, being one of Daphne's closest friends, decided to step forward and help handle the situation. “Daphne, you're going to be great. I believe in you-- we all do.”

Fred, Shaggy and Scooby nodded to this. “Yeah.”

“If you put your mind to it,” Velma continued, “you can do anything, Daphne.”

“Yeah!” the boys cheered again. “Right on!”

“You've got what it takes. Right, guys?” Velma asked the boys, who once again nodded. “Yeah!”

Daphne's smile began to widen as she looked over at her friends. “Yeah?”

Her friends nodded once again. “Yeah!”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah!”

By this point, Daphne's confidence appeared to be at an all-time high, and she gripped the steering wheel with a determined smile on her face. “All right!”

Suddenly, Daphne's foot slammed down on the gas pedal and the Mystery Machine lurched forward, a bit too fast, I might add, and crashed right into a nearby tree, causing the others to wince and groan while Velma merely sighed and shook her head. “Oh, no...”

The DMV employee groaned as the airbags hissed, obviously not expecting Daphne to drive straight into the trees. “So,” Daphne said with a hopeful smile on her face, “did I pass?”

Suddenly, the tree that Daphne had just crashed into fell onto the ground with a large crash, causing Shaggy and Scooby to wince.

This was definitely not looking good for their red-head friend, and they knew it.

But what could they do to help her?

Suddenly, a portal with swirling pastel colors began to open not too far away, and the Mane 6 with Sparky on Hitch’s back stepped out of it, their eyes slowly widening as they saw the scene in front of them. “Sweet sauce horseshoe toss!” Izzy gasped. “What in Equestria happened?!”

“From the looks of it,” Hitch said as Daphne and the DMV employee got out of the Mystery Machine, “Daphne got a little too excited with getting her driver's license and kinda... crashed into a tree.”

“Are you okay, Daphne?” Sunny asked in concern as the two groups reunited. “Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks, Sunny,” Daphne said gratefully. “It’s so good to see you guys again-- any interesting Unity Quests since we last saw you?”

“Actually, we've had some really interesting things happening to us here recently,” Zipp nodded with a small smile. “Once we get the Mystery Machine out of this fix, let's all go out for lunch and we can get you guys up to speed on all Equestrian activities.”

The Mystery Incorporated gang nodded and helped their pony pals move the Mystery Machine away from the trees, but Daphne knew that the outcome of her short-term driving test wasn't going to go in her favor.

XXXXXXXX

And like we all expected, Daphne didn't pass her driving test, and she felt embarrassed, disappointed, frustration and every other negative emotion in the book as she, her friends, Sparky and the Mane 6 gathered at the diner to try and cheer her up over a quiet lunch.

Zipp was the first to put a hoof on Daphne's shoulder, realizing where Daphne's negative emotions might be coming from. “Daphne, your feelings are totally valid. If I got too excited on my first time driving the Marestream and crashed it, I would be totally bummed too.”

“But, Zipp, doesn’t the Marestream fly?” Fred asked, swallowing his bite of his hamburger. “Wouldn’t that mean you have to pilot it instead of drive it? I mean, it makes logical sense since the Marestream has wings and the Mystery Machine is more of a vehicle built for the ground, and...”

“Freddy… forgive me for being blunt, but…” Pipp said sweetly before glaring at the blonde-haired boy, “stay out of this.”

Fred timidly nodded, not wanting to get on Pipp’s bad side when Daphne still felt as bad as she did. “So… to get off the subject of driving/flying vehicles,” Velma cleared her throat, “have you found any other pieces to the map of Skyros yet?”

“No, not yet,” Misty shook her head negatively as she tried to duck and dodge the food being accidentally thrown by Shaggy and Scooby as they were eating. “But the good news is, we haven’t seen Alterro since our adventure in Piqua, so at least that part’s worked out in our favor.”

“Good,” Shaggy said with a nervous gulp as he swallowed his burger. “Cause, like, I don’t think I ever wanna see that guy-- ever!”

“Here’s hoping you never have to, Shaggy,” Hitch said before shuddering. “I know we’ve encountered a lot of villains before, but… Alterro really REALLY wants to find those alicorns, and his magic is so much stronger than Allura’s, if you can believe it. If he were to find it…”

“He won’t,” Sunny interrupted with a stern look on her face. “For the sake of the alicorns there… and my mom… we’re not gonna let him.”

The others looked at each other in concern, never seeing Sunny act like this before. It was clear that she wanted to find her mother more than anything else in the world, and if there was anything they could do to help with that, they would do it in a heartbeat.

As Sparky patted Sunny’s leg with his paw, trying to comfort her, his dragon ears suddenly picked up the sound of excited voices coming from outside, as well as screams of excitement, causing him to turn and look out the window, head tilted curiously.

Hitch seemed to sense his dragon son’s new curiosity and turned around. “Sparky? What is it, bud?”

“I think he hears something,” Daphne said, observing the dragon’s actions. “And it sounds like it’s getting louder!”

“Oh, no…” Zipp muttered. “I hope it’s nothing serious!”

The others raced to the window to look out and see a crowd of people surrounding a four-legged figure and taking pictures of her. But upon looking closer, the Mane 6 could tell that it wasn’t a pony… it looked like a jaguar!

This jaguar in question had golden-brown colored fur with black spots and darker golden-brown rosettes, along with black on her ears, a black nose, a cream-white chest, muzzle and tail tip and golden-brown eyes.

Sunny was the first to speak up. “Whoa… who do you think that is?”

“You kids must not be from around here,” said one of the waitresses behind the counter who had been watching the entire thing. “That’s Aruna, a Sun Jaguar who’s an influencer, singer, dancer and all around goodness guru!”

Scooby tilted her head in confusion. “What’s a Sun Jaguar?”

“It’s a jaguar born from pure sunlight, Scooby,” Misty explained. “We just learned about them from Scout Kindheart, our troop leader back home.”

“But… I’m a little confused,” Zipp frowned. “When we just learned about Sun Jaguars, one appears. Isn’t that somewhat of a coincidence?”

But before anyone could answer Zipp’s question, music began to play from speakers outside, causing Aruna to sing with an incredibly beautiful voice that almost made Pipp jealous.

Aruna: Time for the spectacle
Time for the show
The lights are bright and the colors glow

I'm not just anypony
I think you know
The time is now, it's about to blow!

That was when several backup dancers, all human, came out of nowhere to dance behind Aruna, causing many more people to cheer, while the Mane 6, Sparky and Mystery Incorporated looked stunned at her level of talent.

Aruna: Razzle dazzle
Glitz and glam
Turn it all up, it's a spectacle

Razzle dazzle
Glitz and glam
Turn it all up, it's a spectacle

Give me more
Razzle dazzle
Glitter eyes, big surprise
Lights, cameras

“Whoa,” Pipp blinked in surprise as Aruna began to vocalize, causing Pipp to take out her phone. “I gotta do a duet with her to prove to the Pippsqueaks that she’s as talented as people say she is!”

Aruna: Razzle dazzle
Glitz and glam
Turn it all up, it's a spectacle

Hear the applause
Here to impress
Not just a jaguar, I am the countess!

Everyone outside the diner and in the diner cheered and screamed in excitement as Aruna finished her song, prompting her to stop and giggle. “Thank you, thank you, everyone! Your adoration means everything to me! But, if you’ll excuse me, I have some guests waiting at the diner that I just have to see. Does anyone know where I can find a group called... Mystery Incorporated who might have some pony friends?”

The Mane 6 stared at one another for a moment before Aruna spotted them through the glass windows of the diner, causing her to smile. “Oh, there you are!”

“Quick, back to your seats!” Pipp whispered urgingly, prompting the group to sit down just as Aruna entered the diner and pranced over to them. “Hello there! I’m Aruna, but… heh, let’s be honest-- you all probably know me, right?”

“Uh… we just found out that Sun Jaguars existed today, so… no,” Izzy said innocently, and Aruna had to push back a growl at this, regaining her composure. “I see… that’s okay. It happens sometimes.”

“That was quite the performance you put on back there,” Fred spoke as he pulled a chair up for her. “Pipp here is actually a social media influencer and singer herself.”

“Ah! Yes!” Pipp said in delight, leaning over the table to face Aruna. “And I would love it/i] if we could do a collab sometime! It would be so… much… FUN!!”

“Heh heh… I’m sure it would,” Aruna pushed Pipp back with her paw before clearing her throat. “To be honest, I wasn’t exactly planning on making a trip out into town today, but when I heard the news, I just had to come and tell you all in person… including your little pony friends.”

“News?” Daphne seemed surprised. “What news?”

“Well, sources anonymously told me you all won a special contest that they sent out a couple of weeks back,” Aruna said with a smile. “What was it again? Oh, yes… the ‘Sly Me to Space’ sweepstakes?”

“Jinkies!” Velma gasped, her eyes widening in surprise. “We won?!”

“Sure did!” Aruna chirped. “And with you guys taking some training classes within the next week or so, we’ll all be going with a few other guests on the biggest adventure of our lives!”

The gang began to excitedly chat with each other about whatever the prize for the sweepstakes was, but after a moment, Zipp whistled to get their attention. “Okay, can somepony slow down and tell me what all this is about?”

“Yeah,” Izzy said with a nod, scrolling through her phone. “I don’t remember getting an email that we signed up for any kind of contest.”

“Actually… that was our doing,” Daphne said with a blush. “The winners of the sweepstakes actually get to go on a space voyage around the moon! And I guess we kinda figured you guys might be back soon, we entered you guys in it too, so you guys could get away from your Unity Quests for a while and have some fun.”

“Awww, guys!” Sunny smiled. “That is so sweet!”

“Uh, but… is Sparky really ready to go to space?” Hitch asked nervously. “I mean, I know we’ve been once, but that was with the Pippsqueaks and the Buddies. He’s just a baby!”

“Don’t worry, Hitch, he’ll be with us,” Misty reassured gently. “And even if he's not with us, he’ll be more than capable of handling himself.”

“Well… I guess that’s true,” Hitch nodded slowly. “I mean, he’s been on really exciting missions with us before, so…”

Sparky babbled and cheered in excitement, causing Aruna to giggle slightly. “Looks like your cutie baby dragon is just as fired up for the trip as you all are.”

“So, when do we start?” Shaggy asked curiously. “Like I said, you’ll need some training, but I know some really good people who follow me online that can help you with that part,” Aruna said. “I’ll send you all the address for the training facility, and you need to be there by 10:30 tomorrow morning, no later. Remember, punctuation is key.”

“Oh, we are WELL aware,” Pipp said with a nervous laugh. “You know, us being social media influencers and all?”

“...right,” Aruna rolled her eyes slightly before getting up from the table. “Well, I’ll see you all tomorrow!”

And with a blinding flash, two wings made of pure sunlight appeared on Aruna's back just before she flew out of the diner, leaving the group stunned for a few moments before Fred shook his head. “Uh… did that really just happen?”

“It sure did,” Sunny nodded, trying to grasp the feeling of excitement and grasp the concept of the space voyage at the same time. “I can hardly believe it myself.”

“Huh… I wonder how she knew exactly where to find us,” Zipp said in suspicion, eyeing the door Aruna had left through. “Is it a Sun Jaguar thing or is it something else entirely?”

“Hey, we can figure it out later, Zipperdoodle,” Izzy said to the white pegasus. “Right now, does, uh… anypony know where we’re gonna spend the night?”

“You can come and stay with me and Scoob for the night, if you want,” Shaggy offered. “We’ve got plenty of snacks to go around.”

“Yeah,” Scooby nodded before looking at the group with his irresistible puppy dog eyes. “Please?”

“We’d love that,” Sunny said, rubbing the Great Dane on the head. “Thanks, guys.”

“All right, then. Once we finish our meal,” said Fred, “we’ll drop you guys off for that sleepover and then we can get to our training session in the morning.”

XXXXXXXX

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Aruna landed on the ground and looked around, making sure no one was around before sighing to herself. “Time to let him know that those ponies have taken the bait.”

With that, she pulled out a small compact mirror from out of nowhere and touched the glassy surface with her paw before an image of Alterro appeared in the glass. “Ah, Aruna, the beloved Sun Jaguar of this… ugh… ridiculous community,” Alterro bid her a greeting. “I take it you’ve spotted my sister’s friends?”

“I have, Alterro,” Aruna said. “They and those bogus Mystery Incorporated fools have joined up again, just as you predicted. But… why do you want me to be nice to them? I could’ve just forced them into taking this voyage.”

“All in due time, my dear,” Alterro purred. “But in the meantime, did you see any signs of a piece of the map to Skyros in that diner?”

“I’m sorry, sir, but… no, I didn’t,” Aruna said, causing Alterro to grumble. “But-- but I’m sure I can find it before the voyage is over. Besides… I have plans up there in the great inky void of space that I just can’t ignore.”

“Hmm… very well then, Aruna. Now, keep an eye on them and report back to me as soon as you can,” Alterro told his minion. “And make sure you keep this mirror safe. If those petulant ponies or their meddling miscreant playmates get hold of it…”

“Don’t worry, sir,” Aruna cut him off with reassurance in her voice. “No one will find it, I’ll make sure of it.”

“...you’d better.”

And with that, the image of Alterro disappeared and Aruna’s face was in the reflection again. Aruna sighed and tucked the mirror away before turning and walking off, hoping to do her wicked master proud.

XXXXXXXX

Later that night, the Mane 6, and Sparky were having a sleepover at Shaggy and Scooby’s house, complete with snacks, karaoke, more snacks, games, movies, more snacks… basically, a lot of snacks.

Right now, Zipp and Hitch were finishing up a song that they had written together a few months back that the others were just going crazy for.

Hitch: You just need the right company (Company)

Zipp: So come on, pony, follow my lead (Hitch: Follow my lead)
We're gonna get you back to where you belong (Hitch: Belong)

Both: It’s as easy as the rules of this song

First step, you gotta find your rhythm
Make your way back to the life you're livin'
Second step, have fun with it

Hitch: It’ll come naturally

Both: Don't lose your groove
Keep your attitude
Yeah, we're all just livin' it up
We're here, we're just havin' fun

Don't lose your groove
It's what makes you you (Hitch: It's what makes you you)
You'll always find your way back
So, pony, have fun with that

Like, uh, uh-huh-huh-huh

Hitch: Find my groove, get back to it, back to it

Both: Like, uh, uh-huh-huh-huh
Find my groove, get back to it, back to it now!

Shaggy, Scooby, Sparky and the other ponies cheered wildly for their friends as they finished the song, and Pipp approached her older sister with a smirk. “I had no idea you liked writing your own songs, Zipperdoodle.”

“Hey, you’re not the only princess with insanely cool talents,” Zipp smirked at her younger sister with a teasing twinkle in her eyes. “I have a few tricks of my own too.”

Shaggy took a bite of his sandwich before swallowing it. “Like... what do you guys wanna do now?”

Sunny looked at her friends for a moment before sighing and getting an idea. “Well... I could always tell a story that my dad used to tell me when I was a filly... the story of how Nightmare Moon came into existence.”

“Ooh, I love a good thriller story!” Pipp giggled enthusiastically. “Plus, it would be good for my socials.”

“Sure, Sunny. Go ahead and tell it,” Zipp said as the group sat down. “It could set the mood for a little investigation that I'm hoping to do while we're in space.”

And so, once her friends were all facing her, Sunny cleared her throat and began telling the story. “Once upon a time, in the ancient days of Equestria, there were two regal sisters who ruled together and created harmony for all the land.”

“Princess Celestia and Princess Luna,” Misty nodded in understanding. “Opaline's older sisters from Skyros.”

Sunny nodded, though she seemed a bit sad when Misty mentioned Skyros. “In order to do this, Princess Celestia used her unicorn magic to raise the sun at dawn; then, Princess Luna brought out the moon to begin the night. Thus, the two sisters maintained balance for their kingdom and their subjects, all the different types of ponies.”

Then, Sunny took a deep breath to continue the next part of the story. “But as time went on, the younger sister became resentful. The ponies relished and played in the day her elder sister brought forth but shunned and slept through her beautiful night. One fateful day, Princess Luna refused to lower the moon to make way for the dawn. Her older sister tried to reason with her, but the bitterness in the young Princess Luna's heart had transformed her into a wicked mare of darkness: Nightmare Moon.”

Lightning flashed right on cue, causing Scooby and Izzy to shriek and cling to each other in fright before Sunny continued the story again, showing them a drawing of six gems in her journal. “Nightmare Moon soon declared that she would shroud the land in eternal night. Reluctantly, the elder sister harnessed the most powerful magic known to ponydom: the Elements of Harmony.”

“They sort of remind me of earlier versions of the Unity Crystals,” Hitch tilted his head curiously. “I mean... in a way.”

“Using the magic of the Elements of Harmony, Celestia defeated her younger sister, and banished her permanently in the moon. Once that was done, for the next thousand years, at least,” Sunny wrapped up the story, “the elder sister took on responsibility for both sun and moon and harmony had been maintained in Equestria for generations since.”

Shaggy sighed, out of breath as the story came to a close. “Wow, Sunster... that's quite the story.”

“Princess Luna was reformed back to her old self thanks to the Guardians of Harmony, but...” Sunny sighed sadly. “It just shows you how bitter somepony can get when they feel... overshadowed and undervalued in their own community.”

Zipp raised an eyebrow at this. “You’re not just talking about Nightmare Moon... are you, Sunny?”

Sunny shook her head in response. “From what my dad said, when he and my mom got together to share their dreams of a better Equestria... not a lot of earth ponies were willing to hear them out. When I was born, a lot of ponies were a little bit suspicious that I would end up like them... and not always for the better. When we find Mom... I want her to see how we managed to change Equestria in the past few years and what we're doing on these missions. That is... if she's even... you know...”

Scooby whined sadly as he listened to Sunny’s sad tone, and nuzzled against Sunny to comfort her. “She’s alive, Sunny... I know it,” Misty told the earth pony/alicorn mare. “And we're not gonna stop until we find her and Skyros, so we can protect them from Alterro.”

Zipp then yawned tiredly, stretching her wings a bit. “I say we should get to sleep before it gets any later. We do have our first round of astronaut training first thing tomorrow. We need to be ready for just about anything.”

But what our heroes didn't realize as they went to bed that night was that their upcoming excursion to space was going to bring some unexpected new challenges...

...both in a good way and in a bad way.