Legal: I don't own Scooby Doo, Hell I don't think if I owned it I could do it justice. However like all my stories I feel I want to play in the Scooby world, and I think Shaggy deserves a harem thus this was born. I mean come on the guy's been through more than anyone in the gang except for Scooby. Yes as usual this is M rated because no character is under sixteen at the youngest. Shaggy's in his mid twenties the rest of the gang are too and all the girls are at least eighteen unless stated otherwise. Anyway hope you enjoy. Later.

So here's Chapter 3. This time we learn more about Shaggy's family, we see so many people and places, and Shaggy gets his first girl. Bet none of you can guess what she is before Shaggy finds out. I'll give you a hint she is something that can't die the usual way and is an immortal. She's not a vampire or one of the ghoul girls so I can tell you I haven't introduced her before other than as a member of the dreams. That said I will say she appeared in earlier chapters. Anyway that's everything now on to reviews.

The Book of Eli: I don't know if the hillbilly from Boo Brothers will reappear but the boo brothers will make an appearance as time goes on, after all they gotta look out for Phanty as she is their neice. As for the Goblin King you'll be surprised by his, Jack's and others reactions to Shaggy.

avatar330: Shaggy may end up with Crystal but who's to say the dog can't gain a more humanoid form or Scooby can't change. As for the old man, I can't say if you're right or wrong. We'll see the gangs reaction to the hex girls here in another chapter or two.

kade32: I'll Reveal Shaggy's Harem at the end of this chapter for Fanfiction readers, or at least some of it. I can't reveal everyone and some of you could guess who many of them are. I'm only going to reveal the dream girls in the harem for now.

Shogun lord poke burst: I may Revive Lena but if I do I have to plan out how to do it and what to do with her, maybe she'll end up with Fred or Shaggy maybe she'll end up a lesbian, I don't know I don't even know if she'll be revived but thanks for the review.

Thanks you guys for all the reviews and with all that said I can't wait to see how you take this next chapter, I'll probably have a few chapters out between now and Halloween but I will have a separate Halloween Special so if you're following me as well as the story be on the lookout.

Chapter 3: Returning to Coolsville, Calling the Hex Girls, Talking to Van Ghoul, and More.

Shaggy and Scooby got on the road and headed back to Coolsville. The return trip was mostly uneventful other than the two foodies splurging on junk food. After a while they finally returned home and parked the mystery machine talking about what they'd tell the gang about the ghoul school. Shaggy glanced at Scooby and asked "Think we should tell them the girls are monsters?" Scooby shook his head and Shaggy said "Me neither." Scooby nodded and they walked into Mystery Inc's apartment complex. The gang was gathered in the entrance talking about what they planned on doing. There was Velma Dinkley a girl wearing an orange sweater with auburn hair, and glasses, Fred Jones a young man wearing an ascot, Eric Staufer, Velma's boyfriend who was a bit shorter than Shaggy had black hair, glasses, brown eyes, tan skin, and was wearing a black polo and blue jeans, and Daphne Black the groups resident red head.

Shaggy smiled and said "Like hey guys." They all replied with some kind of greeting and he said "I see Eric's visiting." Velma nodded and he said "That's great Velma, you two still having trouble wanting to tie the knot, and has Fred finally realized Daphne needs more than a trap book for their anniversaries?" The gang all laughed except Fred and Eric who looked Sheepish. Scooby smirked and Shaggy continued "I guess I shouldn't pick fun, since I tend to fail my relationships rather badly as time goes on. It's just so easy to pick on you two. Like man is it good to be home. The girls were all happy to see me and Scooby though Mrs. Grimwood's pet matches missed Scrappy. Anyway me and Scoob are going to go crash we'll talk to everyone tomorrow because it's been a long trip." The gang nodded and Shaggy walked up to his room then put away his suitcase and collapsed on his bed while Scooby curled up on his dog bed. Of course this led to more dreams for our intrepid foodie.

Shaggy's dream started like this, Shaggy was sitting in a study reading a book. As with most dreams he couldn't remember the text he was reading though a voice was saying "Shaggy hun, you can you please come here? Our kids, the little rascals, are causing trouble for Thorn, Luna and Dusk, alongside their own children. I'm serious Shag, I need you to get out of your study and help." Shaggy looked up from his book and looked around for the source of the voice when the person said "Woah younger Shag, I thought you were my husband. Oh I get it this is what she meant when she said you were in two places at once and you were you yet not. Damn her. Sorry hun, can't let you see me in my more human form but I can let you see me in my beast form, thankfully I can still talk. If you look at the large reptile by the door you'll see me. You can call me Sheila, no that's not my real name, it's just that I'm an Aussie and you always called me your sheila after we met."

Shaggy turned toward the voice and saw a large draconian being. It was about the size of a horse in this form, which Shaggy assumed was so she could fit in the room, had black scales, red eyes, and long, sharp, white teeth. Shaggy blinked and said "Like hello there Sheila, you a dragon?" She nodded and he said "Your eyes always red?" She shook her head and he asked "Just their current color?" She nodded and he said "Cool, so what was this about your kids bugging Thorn, Luna, and Dusk?"

Sheila smirked and said "No spoilers Shag. Plus we're still trying to figure out how you're getting here without the help of Phanty or Shadow. I mean Shadow said he wasn't inviting you into this world, but this is the nexus of your worlds. It's complicated ask Van Ghoul about it if you want. Anyway just thought since I'm the one with you this time I could talk to my bloke for a bit." Shaggy blinked and she said "That'd be you, just older." He nodded figuring as much and she said "Crikey mate, you don't look so good. What were you reading?"

Shaggy shrugged and said "I don't remember Sheila."

She blinked and said 'Crikey this is a dream for you, isn't it?" He nodded and she said "Of course you wont' remember what you read, want me to take a look and tell you, your book's title?" He nodded and she picked it up with a claw then said "Ah, bending reality for the twister. I forgot about this one. I should probably have my Shaggy check it out. I guess I can tell you about Twisters if you want Shag." He shrugged and she said "Twisters are creatures that screw up the tapestry of fate. They create other twisters and twisted just by interacting with them, the fates call them the heroes of history. Every great figure of history was a twister, especially in the monster worlds. Honestly some of the girls you got are descended from Twisters, other than Dracula's family, Drac's family are some of those who were twisted and so are other vamps. Crikey is it a mess when one of the twisted becomes a twister but boy is it fun. Anyway that's not important, I assume you spoke to the old man?"

He asked "Do you mean Jiji?" Sheila nodded and he said "Yeah, interesting old guy, for a classic prophet of doom. Care to tell me what he meant by I have to prepare?" She shook her head and he sighed then said "Alright, I guess I'll have to live with the classic disastrous prophecy hanging over my head." She laughed and he asked "Like what gives Sheila, why are you laughing?"

She smirked and said "The old man's prophecy can go a million ways. Honestly it's those that don't live by prophecy who have a habit of fulfilling them in unexpected ways. From what my da says prophecy is a risky thing to put stock in so just live as you've been. Anyway my wonderful bloke, it's always interesting to talk to you even in my time. Of course it was fun to watch you breeze through every challenge da threw at you, but what does he expect from, well never-mind. Anyway Shag, want to see the kids?" He shook his head and she said "Oh crikey I didn't think about how that could change things even if this place is outside of time so long as you're visiting through the cognitive or dream realms. Anything you'd like to know my handsome bloke?"

Shaggy shrugged and said "I'm curious what I did to earn your affection, I thought dragons were known to keep to themselves and never breed outside their species." She smiled happy to see he knew a little about her kind and he said "Unless of course Mr. Van Ghoul's books are outdated?"

She shook her head and said "No stud, they haven't changed. You just have a special magnetism that attracted some of my kind. I can't say any more than that. Anyway anything else you want to know?" He shrugged and she said "I can tell you about the house, since we're constantly renovating ti." He shrugged again and motioned for her to go ahead. She smiled and said "Well it's got five above ground floors, several underground, lots of bedrooms, a few music rooms, two kitchens, an indoor and outdoor pool, a science lab or two, and training areas for martial arts. I can't tell you much more than that because a lot of rooms are unused or occupied by the youngest members of the family."

Shaggy slowly nodded and said "Right, what about the gang do they live here?"

She shook her head and said "Nah, they still live in your old apartment building, it's just there were too many of us to all live there, and the girls decided they wanted you to themselves. It wasn't a problem to have this place built, what with all the girls having their own income. Honestly I'm surprised you work at all, though it isn't my place to say what you do, just know that it's important to things." He nodded and she smiled then stretched out her wings yawning a small flame licking over her jaws before saying "So, are you afraid of me?" Shaggy shook his head wondering why that is. She smirked and said "So the doc's theory was right. The more you interact with us here the less likely you'll be afraid of monsters in General unless they purposely try to scare you or they are so foreign you don't know what to do with them. Not sure about costumed idiots though."

Shaggy sighed and said "Well whatever works I guess. So Sheila, what do you do for a living?" She smirked and shook her head he asked "Not even a hint?" Another head shake and he sighed then stretched, his muscles feeling tight, before yawning and asking "What can you tell me?"

She thought about it and said "Van Ghoul plays a big part in you're future if your world is anything like ours. Of course you could literally be from the past of our timeline just as the old man could be from the future he doesn't really say and neither does Shadow when he speaks up even if he's mostly gone in our time. He's the one who holds the cognitive portals open for you and dimensional portals open for us besides our Shaggy who does whatever we ask as long as it's within reason. God I love that bloke." Shaggy blinked and nodded slowly wondering why Shadow of all creatures and people would be keeping these portals open for his mind to go to this place in his dreams and thoughts.

Sheila sighed and said "Looks like you're waking up. I'll tell 'Dear' that I met you this time and you already met the old timer. Well I'll see you around Shags. Have fun in your time, and enjoy life a little instead of being so scared all the time. After all you have more friends in the supernatural than you realize." After that the dream faded away.

Shaggy woke up from his dream and said "Like Zoinks man, dragons are real." Scooby snored in his bed and Shaggy got up then headed to the kitchen where he made himself a large sandwich for breakfast. He ate at a slower rate than usual as he pondered what he learned. He was with both Dear and a Dragon nicknamed Sheila, and both of them implied there were other girls. He had kids, and a huge house. Like wow was that a lot to take in, but then he remembered that yes, that was one possible future but not the only future. Even Sheila didn't know if he was from her past, so if a dragon, which were renown for knowing about magic, didn't know then he had no hope of figuring it out. Though he did wonder why he was having these dreams.

He shrugged and pushed it aside deciding to do what he told Blake Roan and let him know Mister Van Ghoul could contact him. He pulled out his phone and dialed Blake's number then waited as it rang. After a few minutes Blake answered with a breathless "Hello?"

Shaggy sighed and said "Hello this is Shaggy Rogers. I just wanted to let you know Mr. Van Ghoul can contact me whenever he feels like it because I'm home now."

Blake said "Thanks for the info Mister Rogers, I'll let him know and he'll get back to you ASAP, I gotta go I was on the case of a creature that's terrorizing a town when you called." Shaggy hummed and said farewell then hung up and put his phone down. He made another sandwich eating it faster than the first and settling his appetite. He smiled and hummed a tune as he pulled out his computer and started typing away looking up different things while he waited for Van Ghoul to call him. He started looking up legends, theories, and other things that could point him to what he would need to know, remembering that he should probably get a hold of the goblin king at some point for his help.

After about twenty minutes Shaggy's phone rang. He answered with a simple "Like hi this is Shaggy Rogers, who is calling?"

The voice on the other end said "Hello Shaggy, how are you and Scooby? I need your help with a problem. It's Mr. Van Ghoul in case you couldn't tell. Anyway I think I'll make a trip to your home to tell you everything in person rather than requesting this over the phone, if you're ok with that, that is?" Shaggy hummed in thought then agreed and Van Ghoul said he'd see him in about two days as he had to pack and prepare. He bid Shaggy farewell and hung up then Shaggy went back to his research.

Scooby trotted into the room at about eleven thirty and started making himself a sandwich. Shaggy asked him, "You up for meeting Mr. Van Ghoul in two days?" Scooby nodded and yawned then started eating his sandwich as Shaggy rubbed his eyes trying to get the lines out of his vision from staring at a computer screen so long when he wasn't used to doing so. He yawned and said "So I looked up a bunch of supernatural creatures from around the world and I gotta ask ya Scoob, think we'll be either lucky or unlucky enough to meet them as time goes on?" Scooby nodded and Shaggy sighed saying, "That's what I thought." Scooby patted Shaggy on the back and the two of them stared up at the ceiling in deep thought.

Suddenly Scooby said "Hey Raggy?" Shaggy looked at him questioningly and he said "Rhy have rou been dreaming of rifferent girls every right?"

Shaggy blinked and said "It's not only girls Scoob. I dreamed about someone named Shadow and nad old man who told me to call him grandfather. It was weird, but not so much that I can't concentrate on anything else. The only girls I dreamed about were a dragon who went by Sheila, and a cloaked figure who went by Dear. Weird right?" Scooby nodded and Shaggy continued "They didn't seem to mean any harm so I just humored them, though they did leave me a lot of questions to ponder. Ah well. Anyway why you ask Scoob?"

Scooby shrugged and said "Ro reason." Shaggy nodded and went back to staring at the ceiling while Scooby went and ate another sandwich. Scooby glanced around then said "Radow re need to ralk." Suddenly Scooby fainted and found himself inside the mind of his owner one Norville, "Shaggy", Rogers. He looked around and saw the black haired, red eyed, pail skinned version of Shaggy known as Shadow. Scooby glared and said "Radow, re ralked about this. Raggy isn't ready roo learn rabout rat."

Shadow chuckled and said "He's not talked to me more than once my friend. I didn't tell him much, and the things the others told him were mostly vague warnings. Plus they may have no effect on Shaggy." Scooby blinked confused and Shadow explained "Shaggy has yet to meet most of the people he meets in his dreams, and they hide their human forms from him. The biggest slip was the mentioning of the Hex Girls, which Shaggy didn't question about. You and I both know Shaggy is meant to be a hero."

Scooby glared and asked "Rhy?"

Shadow sighed and said "Because he is descended from heroes Scoobert. Or did you forget him saving you as a puppy?" Scooby shook his head and glared at the Scoobert comment then Shadow said "Van Ghoul's already about to ask Shaggy for help with something that the blood of a hero will react to. He and you have saved countless lives when you saved the girls at Grimwood's. He stood up to Dracula, he got along with the mates of a few of the most dangerous monsters known to man. He dreams about monsters that are believed to be myth. If you put that all together you know he's more than a normal twenty something year old." Scooby nodded slowly and Shadow said "Honestly Scooby, I wouldn't be surprised if Shaggy stopped aging at his prime. I mean he's a hero of legend supposedly and heroes live forever in one way or another. Who knows though." Scooby nodded and Shadow sighed.

Scooby asked "So rou rink Raggy, is really roing to rive forever?" Shadow shrugged and Scooby said "Rell at reast he ron't be arone." Shadow nodded and sighed then sat down into a large black chair and Scooby asked "Rhat's wrong?"

Shadow said "It's hard to keep being a piece of Shaggy but separated from him. Every day more light and darkness enter his soul and he does more to the tapestry of fate that he has woven by twisting threads together." Scooby looked confused and Shadow stood up motioning for Scooby to follow him. He led Scooby down several passageways, over a creek, and into a well built building made of black and white stone. The white half had murals of peace, prosperity, and honor while the black half had images of war, destruction, and death. Shadow sighed and said "Duality. The nature of Shaggy's soul so long as I exist. One side is peaceful, the other is carnage and wrathful. The white half is everything Shaggy uses to make up Shaggy's happier emotions. The black his darker emotions that I hold back. Notice that both have monsters in different poses, Scooby?" Scooby nodded and Shadow explained "This is because Shaggy knows that monsters have a dual nature in the human world. They are seen as destroyers but all the monsters he's met, have either been kind or indifferent. Take you're friend the Goblin King for instance, he is both kind to his subjects and ambivalent toward humans in most cases though he does hate those of evil hearts."

Scooby nodded and Shadow continued "Let's go to the heart, shall we?" Scooby nodded once again and Shadow led him deeper into the building passing more murals on either wall, but now threads were starting to appear. Threads in every color even some most didn't know anything about. The deeper they went the more threads that appeared until finally they reached a room full of the threads with a tapestry at its center. The different threads seemed to spread out from the tapestry which had an image of a man straddling darkness and light with friends on either side of him. On the light side were humans, and on the side of darkness were some monsters that Shaggy had already met. The man looked like Shaggy only with darker eyes, a tan, and stronger in build.

Scooby stared and asked "Rhat's rat?"

Shadow smiled and said "That, Scooby, is a tapestry representing the true self of Shaggy. You see how it's not filled in completely that's because he's hiding from himself. Notice all the cobwebs and dust around it? Shaggy hasn't been down here since he saved you as a kid. Honestly this tapestry also depicts everyone important to Shaggy. You'll notice a figure in black at the back, that figure is to represent the uncertainty of the future." Scooby nodded and said "IF you look behind the tapestry you'll see where the threads enter into Shaggy's soul, and then if you look at this side you'll see all the branching paths the threads take after leaving his center."

Scooby looked behind the tapestry and indeed found a bunch of loose threads connecting off into the distance. He said "Really reird. Ri guess Raggy ris a bit out of ractice."

Shadow blinked and said "Out of practice in what Scooby?"

Scooby explained "Raggy used to re able roo really rend strings. Ri guess row he ris ro disconnected from roo he ras, he roesn't remember how to roo that." Shadow nodded and Scooby sighed.

Shadow patted the dog's head and said "It's alright Scooby if Shaggy hadn't separated from his dark side he'd have never saved you. However now that he's older it's time he fixed his world, starting with himself. Eventually he and I will become one again, I just hope it's before he gets hurt so badly that the only way I can save him is by fusing with him, you can understand that right Scooby?" Scooby nodded and Shadow said "I just don't know what to do. Shaggy always gets himself into situations I can't protect him from without taking over or having someone else step in. So what do I do? Scooby shrugged and Shadow said "I didn't think you'd have any extra ideas. Ah well I'll send you back to your own body now." He snapped and Scooby vanished then he said "I hope we can save Shaggy from what's ahead or else he'll become something evil."

Meanwhile Shaggy was writing to the Hex Girls humming one of their covers under his breath. He finished the email and sent it then leaned back in his chair wondering if he should go to the mall. Scooby walked in looking haggard and he asked "You alright Scoob?" Scooby nodded tiredly and he asked "Weren't' you alright a little while ago?" Scooby shrugged and he asked "Want a puppy aspirin?" Scooby nodded and he got him some specially made dog aspirin then handed it to him. Scooby downed it with a Scooby Snack and water. Shaggy watched him and said "Why don't you go lay down. I think I'm going to go out for the day."

Scooby nodded and said "Reah, I'll ro ray down." He walked back to their room while Shaggy grabbed his sweatshirt, keys, and wallet which he put on his person.

Shaggy walked downstairs and stopped in the meeting room of Mystery inc and said "Like guys I'm going out. Any of you want me to pick up anything for you? I'm like probably going to be out a while so if you can't think of anything just text me when you do and I'll like see if I can get it on my way back." The gang said they didn't need anything and wished him a great day as he headed out the door and got into his car. It was an old beat up mustang he was restoring with his skills from his work on the race track. He drove into town and to the local ball park to catch a game. While he was there he met the concession stand girl who was always so friendly. He smiled and said "Hey there, you're Shelly right, from the incident with the Baseball Spectre, right?" She nodded and he said "I was wondering if you'd like to hang out some time so I can pay you back for all the concessions you gave me when we were here at that time."

Shelly was a five and a half foot tall girl with blonde hair, freckles, and blue eyes. She smiled and said "That'd rock Shaggy, thanks. When do you want to meet up?"

Shaggy smiled and said "How about we exchange numbers and see what happens because I have a friend coming in in two days and I think I'm going to be busy helping him out." She nodded and they exchanged numbers then Shaggy bought a bunch of food and sat down to watch the local game. He watched the game until it's completion a few hours later, occasionally talking to Shelly throughout, then drove to the mall. The moment the food stands saw him they all started getting prepared for a rush. He chuckled seeing them batten down the hatches so to speak and said "Like no worries guys I'm not hungry right this moment, but I probably will be after some shopping." They sighed in relief at first then sighed again in disappointment when they realized they weren't' getting off Scott free. Shaggy walked throughout the mall just browsing. He ran into his ex Rachel, the two of them talked for about fifteen minutes and agreed to meet up again at a later time when neither was busy then traded their new numbers.

Shaggy walked into a video game store and bought a few new games for his game systems, then bought a few CDs of his favorite bands, and one CD of the Hex Girls newest album, before heading to the food court and ordering his usual one of everything from every stall. He sat down and ate everything over the course of fifteen minutes then checked his phone. He got a few texts from the gang asking for a few CDs, a game for Fred, and Velma needed him to get something form the health food store. He replied with an Ok to all three of them then got their stuff and drove home.

When he got home he handed Daphne the bag with her CDs, Velma her health products, and Fred his game before heading up to his room and starting to play the games he got. He got into a war game and started cursing out the people he was playing with cause they were camping then he stopped and calmed down, getting off the game, and laying back on his bed. Scooby was sleeping in his dog bed and Shaggy decided he'd let the overgrown pup sleep. He yawned and took a nap this time not dreaming of anything.

When Shaggy woke up he checked his email and saw he had a message from the Hex Girls. They'd sent him a number to call them at and he grinned then pulled out his phone and dialed their number waiting for them to answer. After a few minutes Sally "Thorn" McKnight answered and said "Hello?"

Shaggy replied "Like hey Thorn it's Shaggy, how are you, Dusk, and Luna doing?"

Thorn grinned and said "We're good Shaggy, I see you got our last email. So what's this about you being a teacher, you said something about it in your last message but the girls and I can't see what you meant."

Shaggy yawned and replied "I was a teacher at a girls' finishing school for a year. I just got back from the graduation of the students I taught. It was pretty fun. Though I don't know why their mothers kept asking me strange questions. Ah well. Anyway I heard you guys are coming through Coolsville, when?"

Thorn smirked, you could hear it in her voice, and said "Shaggy, Shaggy, Shaggy, we're going to be in Coolsville in a month for a new show. I was hoping we could hire Mystery Inc as a body guard service, if not I'd like to at least hire you and Scooby. Also the girls want to know how you're doing."

Shaggy smiled and said "I'm doing good. Tell them I miss all three of you, it's been a long time since Transylvania. I'll see if Scoob wants to try being bodyguards for you and the girls but I don't think I can get Velma, her boyfriend Eric, or Fred and Daphne because they have all sorts of stuff going on."

Thorn asked "What kind of guy is Velma's boyfriend. You mentioned him in your emails but you never said what kind of guy he was or if he was taking care of her."

Shaggy chuckled and said "That was on purpose. Eric's a great guy and he looks out for Velma, helps her with her science stuff though he's not used to the supernatural stuff we get involved in. He's still surprised when we show him things that are real but supernatural. He's an alright guy though. Honestly I'm happy for her. Anyway anything you wanted to know, because I think I'm going to head back to bed because I just woke up from a nap and Morpheus is calling to me."

She giggle and said "I see you know your myths Shaggy. All I got to say is we'll see you ni a few weeks. The girls said to send you lots of scares and that they hope you're happy with how life's going. Also didn't you say that warlock was coming to visit you in a day or two?"

Shaggy hummed and said "Yeah, Vincent Van Ghoul. He needs my help with something. I don't know what but if it's not to dangerous and doesn't take me out of Coolsville I'll be glad to help him, heck if I make it back in time for your concert I may even leave Coolsville. Anyway Night Thorn."

Thorn said "Night Shaggy, bad dreams shouldn't haunt you but if they do well it's not me and the girls' fault." Shaggy laughed and she said "See you in a few weeks." He replied with a see ya and hung up then crawled back into bed and passed out for the remainder of the night.

The following morning Shaggy went out for a run. Shaggy yawned as he jogged through the town occasionally checking his phone and sending texts to Rachel and Shelly. He just planned on being friends with both girls, but he wouldn't complain if they became more than friends since he knew that he was probably going to have a hell of a time in the future. He got a call from an unknown number and answered it saying "Hello?"

Sibella's voice replied "Hey Shaggy. How are you? I contacted Mystery Inc and they gave me your shell when I said I was a friend. What are you up to? Do you think if I come to Coolsville you could host me a few days? The other girls haven't called you, have they?" Shaggy laughed and made her slow down then she said "Sorry this is just fang-tastic that they got me your number and we can now keep in touch through more than mail which takes forever."

Shaggy chuckled and said "It's like this is your first time using a phone. To answer your questions I'm good, I'm just going for a run around town, and no you're the first of the girls from Grimwood's Ghoul School to call. I'm happy we can keep in touch and yes you can stay at Mystery Inc HQ if you come to visit. Is that all your questions or do you want to know something else Sibella? Like it's cool either way but I'd like to know."

Sibella said "Yes that's all I wanted to ask really but I figured you could tell me what you've been up to how was your trip back home. That said I just thought of a few questions. So, have you run into any more monsters? Have any dreams about me or the girls? Do you miss us? Were you surprised by my call? What are your plans for the rest of the month? Do you have anyone you plan on keeping track of or anything? Have you decided to forget about the girls and I until I called you, and most importantly do you still see us as your friends?"

Shaggy laughed at the rambled off questions and said "Most important question first, I still see all of you as my friends but not my students after seeing you graduate. I haven't run into any monsters, just some human girls. I was very surprised by your call because I didn't think about the fact I hadn't given any of you girls my personal number because you didn't ask about it. I didn't decide to forget about you because I told the gang about you just yesterday, and honestly if I could be sure I'd be here for a long time I'd invite all five of you to check out Coolsville but I need to see what Mr. Van Ghoul needs from me."

Sibella sighed and said "Think you can call me when you get home, I'd really like to come visit since father said you visited Transylvania. It'd be nice to see where you live." Shaggy agreed and they hung u then he walked into the apartment complex and sat down in the main foyer reading a book. Velma and Eric found him there an hour later, halfway done with his book. He smiled and said "Hey you two." They replied with hellos of their own then the three got into a discussion about what Shaggy was reading and on the supernatural in general. Shaggy smiled and said "Thanks Velma you really gave me a different insight. Speaking of which, Eric, how do you like hanging out with Mystery Inc?"

Eric smiled and said "It's great, though I mainly spend my time with Velma. Also you want to check out the new game I made? It's basically an advanced version of the one you guys played back with the cybernetic menace running around." Shaggy shrugged and made a motion of why not then started playing the game. It had a more supernatural feel than the first one and Shaggy enjoyed it a bit more. After he beat it Eric said "Nice Shaggy, I'm surprised you were so good." He waved it off and Eric continued " So what's your plans for the day?" Shaggy shrugged and Eric said "Alright well we'll let you ge ton with your day, right love?"

Velma nodded and said "Right Eric." Shaggy bid them both adieu and walked back to his apartment then collapsed into his couch yawning and relaxing. Shaggy stretched and started playing a handheld game he kept for moments of boredom, then looked up when Scooby walked in looking in better shape than earlier that morning. He waved at the Great Dane who walked over and sat next to him. They smiled at each other and Shaggy went back to his game while Scooby turned on and watched the TV.

After a few hours of doing nothing but being vegetables Shaggy said "You know Scoob, I think I miss being on the road." Scooby nodded and Shaggy said "It was a bit more fun even if we weer constantly dealing with criminals. I mean we've dealt with a few real monsters, but the only reason we're not leaving yet was because we have to see Van Ghoul. Sorry I mean Mister Van Ghoul. It's just hard to think of him with the mister all the time." Scooby nodded and Shaggy sighed then said "I wonder if the girls could get us in touch with the Goblin King and his court, you know?" Scooby nodded again and Shaggy said, "Hell it wouldn't surprise me if we had some old enemies be revived by some big bad guy who wants to make you and me pay." Scooby blinked and stared at him like he was nuts. Shaggy chuckled and said "I know you don't want to deal with a big bad, but it would be more interesting than blowing the day away. Unless you like watching TV all day and doing nothing?" Scooby thought about it then shrugged to say he didn't mind either way as long as he wasn't scared.

Shaggy chuckled and said "Yeah life's great when you aren't constantly terrified. Anyway Scoob, If Mr. Van Ghoul has us doing a job for him maybe it will get rid of the doldrums." Scooby nodded and Shaggy sighed then said "I think I'm going to go to bed after making Dinner, just nothing to keep em awake, you know? Like I am so used to being terrified it's dull when ti's not happening and I think I actually like the excitement more than food, which is saying something." Scooby looked at him as if he'd spoken blasphemy and he chuckled saying "Ok maybe not more than food, but as much as." Scooby nodded content with that and Shaggy started cooking. He didn't know why he felt a need for excitement but it was as if a part of him had awoken that had been silent for so long. He shrugged it off and thought nothing more of ti for the rest of the day and night.

After dinner Shaggy went to bed as he said he would, hoping for more of those dreams involving Sheila and Dear as they called themselves. Maybe even someone new. As Shaggy drifted off Shadow made that slightly wishful though a reality.

Shaggy found himself sitting beside a pool in a swimsuit this time. However unlike last time where one of the girls came to him, the girl was already there in the water. She waved and said "Hello Shaggy Dear, Shadow said you'd be coming to our time again. Call me Aqua. I'm a water creature, so unlike Dear and Sheila I prefer to be around the indoor and outdoor pools. Anyway I can walk on land but honestly it's just not the same because I prefer to be hydrated. You know what Sheila is, don't know what Dear is, and can guess what I am based on my topic of choice but anyway what would you like to talk about Shaggy love?"

Shaggy studied her. She was about five and a half to six feet tall because she was standing in about three feet of water and it only came over her chest, had long blue hair that went down to her back and splayed all around her in the water, sea green eyes, and was wearing a seashell bikini top, he could see a long tail below her that looked like a fish tail. He realized she was a mermaid. After a few seconds of staring he remembered what she said and thought about it before saying, "What can you tell me about your time line, and what do you mean you know Dear and Sheila, I thought they were from alternate timelines?"

Aqua giggled and said 'Sorry shaggy love but we're all form the same timeline, we all love you, and we all want you to love us just as much, like your counterpart does. Anyway I can tell you you have at least one child with each of you mates, who they are I can't say other than Dear, Sheila, and me. I say mates because even you can't call them just your wives because that would mean there was a chance for Divorce, which none of us want even your counterpart. Hell he was the one who bound himself to each of us. It was very sweet of him. Anyway you're oldest children are all in college and your youngest have barely been around a few days. You will be a bridge between monsters and humans, and different types of monsters both if you're anything like you're counterpart. Anyway Shaggy Love, can I ask where in the time stream you're from? Like what important events are going on and how has your personality been changing?"

He blinked surprised she knew about the personality changes and said "Um, I've been more adventurous and less willing to do nothing, I'm going to see the hex girls concert in about a month and Mr. Van Ghoul is coming over to ask for me and Scooby's help with something, why?"

She blinked and said "Oh then everything is just starting. Good, just be yourself and this future could be assured. I can't tell you what you're counterparts done because I'm one of the latest mates. I can only tell you what I've heard, and that is that you will be faced with a choice to either destroy or save someone. You won't realize it's someone until it's done, but you will be given the option to save or destroy by Van Ghoul and others. Honestly I don't know what you chose. I just know that it weighed on you either way because of who you went against when you chose to do it. Just remember to follow your heart and listen for the voice that you need to save or destroy the voice should tell you what kind of creature it is. Anyway I'm going to go down to the depths Shaggy Love, so why don't you explore until you're dream is over?" Shaggy nodded and bid Aqua farewell then started walking out of the swimming area.

Shaggy walked along till he ran into a little girl. She looked like Aqua only with a more humanesque appearance. She stood three and a half feet tall, had blonde hair that was as long as her mother's, putting it down to her back, blue eyes, and was wearing a red one piece swimsuit. She smiled and said "DADDY! Mom said you were working late and that you wouldn't be home, so what are you doin outside mom's pool? I mean I know she likes to hide in her mermaid form in the water, but she always joins you in the bed with the other moms at night. Wait, you look younger...not a lot but enough that it's kinda noticeable. I may only be seven but we mermaids mature fast so I'd be a young teenager to most humans. Are you really my daddy or are you an impostor here to hurt mom?"

Shaggy smiled slightly and said "My name is Shaggy Rogers, if that's what you're asking. I only met your mom today though I did meet your other mothers Sheila and Dear in their hidden forms. Unless those aren't their names one hid in a cloak and the other was a dragon. Anyway your mom called herself Aqua so I don't think you're supposed to tell me their real names." The little girl nodded. He continued "Honestly I think I'm your dad from another time or world, it really depends on what happens in my future. So like what's your name little miss?"

She smiled and said "Sonya. Sonya Rogers. You sure don't act like daddy does nowadays, after all he'd normally be muttering about work or something where you look kind of care free. Anyway I think you're vanishing it was nice meeting you kinda but not daddy." Shaggy waved farewell as he woke up and found Scooby laying on top of him.

He groaned and said "Scoob you can't keep doing this man. Like this is the third time I've woken up to you laying on top of me like I'm your bed. I know for a fact your dog bed is comfortable because I picked one you liked. So if you could please get off me it'd be appreciated man." Scooby yawned and climbed off Shaggy then went to the kitchen to look for food. Shaggy sighed and muttered about his buddy, nothing bad, just wishes that he wouldn't do certain things. Shaggy followed after Scooby and started breakfast even though it was only five in the morning. HE figured with how things were going it was better to be ready for the day sooner rather than later.

As Shaggy cooked Scooby sat at the table reading a magazine. Shaggy glanced at him and asked "Anything interesting Scoob?" Scooby shook his head and he sighed before saying "Ah well." Scooby nodded and the two went back to what they were doing. Shaggy finished his usual huge serving of breakfast for himself and his pal, then dug in. The two ate in a companionable silence until there was a knock at the door. Shaggy answered it. Standing on the other side was a tall gentleman with salt and pepper hair, black eyes, tan skin, an awesome mustache wearing a suit, slacks, and loafers. Shaggy blinked and said "Like hey Mr. Van Ghoul. How are you doing?" Scooby walked up to see it was their favorite TV star/warlock.

Scooby said "Rowdy. Row are Rou?"

Vincent Van Ghoul smiled and said "I'm doing well you two. I came for your help with a small matter. I want your help to get rid of something that could be used for a great evil. I have it's container with me but it will be up to you two whether you destroy it or something else. I don't know if you can bind it but Shaggy being the one to seal the chest of demons made me want to rely on him for this because I can't do it myself. It would breach my role as a magical protector. It would also violate the rules by which I gained my abilities. Shaggy is still a mortal so he has the chance to completely destroy, change, or even enslave this creature. I can't do anything to it or I break my oath of noninterference. I hate to ask, but can you see what you can do, then I'll ask you for another favor however I will owe you a favor in exchange for both of these."

Shaggy looked at Scooby whose eyes screamed don't do it, then sighed and said "Fine Mr. Van Ghoul I'll do it." Vincent smiled knowing Shaggy was a good soul and went to get the object from his ca while Shaggy turned to Scooby and said "Let's hear it."

Scooby glared and said "Raggy rou are running yourself ragged. Rou ron't know rat ris ron't rause roblems. Raggy Rou are roo rusting. Rhat happens rhen rou ret hurt?"

Shaggy smiled and said "As long as my friends are ok it doesn't matter. I can heal, Scoob, you just need to trust me." Scooby sighed and nodded then the two went back to waiting for Van Ghoul who was approaching slowly while carrying a large chest similar to the chest of demons. Shaggy blinked and said "Like what is it with things being sealed in creepy chests? Why can't they be sealed in a briefcase or something."

Vincent laughed as he set the chest in the middle of Shaggy and Scooby's living room then replied "We make it scary looking to warn people away, however that usually attracts thieves and the like." Shaggy sighed not getting what it was about thieves and liking dangerous looking stuff. Van Ghoul looked relaxed and said "Now's the time to do what you will with the box. It won't explored or anything, it will just open or be destroyed based upon your will, but first you must put your blood upon it." Shaggy sighed wondering why everything had to do with blood. If a vampire or werewolf bit you their abilities turned you into a vampire or werewolf only if they drank your blood, ghosts remembered humans by their blood, even mummies had blood. He shook his head and cut his finger with a knife then smeared the blood on the lock.

Suddenly Shaggy found himself standing in darkness. He knew his body was fine, because he could still feel a connection to it. He sighed and said "Zoinks, more mental stuff. Hello?" He heard crying nearby and slowly approached the sound saying "Is there something wrong?"

The crying voice stopped and said "Stay back I don't want to hurt you." He approached and it curled up into a ball. He sighed and the voice, which he could recognize as a female's, said "Please stay back. I don't want to hurt anyone else. I don't know how I hurt all those people but if everyone says me being there is how they died then obviously it's the truth. I mean they wouldn't have died if I wasn't there right?"

Shaggy said "How could you have caused a lot of people to die?" The figure curled up tighter, and he realized she was a few years younger than him, however she didn't have as much life experience as him. He sighed softly and sat beside her stroking a finger down her back which was covered in a black cloak. He said "Like I hate to say it but death comes to everyone and everything eventually. However I can't see how a slip of a girl like you could kill a bunch of people so why don't you tell me what happened."

She sighed and said softly in a tearful voice, "I felt a strange pull. It led me to a town where a disaster struck. The town was torn apart by an earthquake. As I arrived I pulled out my scythe and cut these threads I saw in the air, that were full of pain and sorrow. After I cut the threads the people in the town started shouting about people dying in the hospital. I didn't understand but it must have been me who killed them. So I agreed to be locked in the chest. They said I'd be released when I was a good girl or when the world needed me. I don't think I'm a good girl, and honestly I don't know how the world could need a monster that can kill thousands in one fell swoop. So please just leave me alone."

Shaggy blinked as he felt himself returning to his physical body and said "Mr. Van Ghoul, what kind of creature carries a scythe and can cut threads?"

Vincent asked "Threads?" Shaggy nodded and he said "The only beings I think of that can cut threads as you say are reapers, and they don't cut threads they cut souls free from bodies that are no longer able to house them. They call them threads of pain, sorrow, joy, or other emotions the soul felt upon their death. Why do you ask Shaggy?"

Shaggy sighed and said "Because locked in the chest is a female reaper. She didn't know what she did which probably means she was new to her job so I figured I'd ask. I'm going to go back to talking to her." Vincent nodded and Shaggy found himself back in the blackness. The girl sobbed and Shaggy said "Hey it's ok, I know what happened."

She turned to him her face hidden other than her glowing golden eyes and the tears running down from them and said "What?"

He said "You're a reaper. You released their souls from the mortal coil when they were dead form the earthquake. I don't know how long you've been a reaper or why no one taught you what you needed to know before your first job, but I think that the townsfolk saw you as a bad omen. I think you can come out now because I know a warlock who can help you learn to harness your powers. IF you'd rather stay here I can let you, or I can end you and let you go on to wherever reapers go after they die."

She shivered and said "Die a second time you mean. I died once already. That I guess is how I became a reaper. I know my father always said our family had strong ties to the afterlife but I didn't know he meant we'd live after we died. I don't know anyone in the world, so how will I get by? Cities were just becoming a big thing in most of the colonies when I died. I spent ten years wandering, never aging beyond twenty two the age I died at, and yet I saw the rise of small cities and freedom of the colonies. If I come out, will you take me in?"

Shaggy smiled and said "Like sure man. I'd be happy to take you in. You can learn from Mister Van Ghoul and come back to my place whenever you want. I mean you reapers should be able to travel long distances tirelessly, right?" She nodded and he said "Then so be it. I take you in as one of my own." Suddenly he heard an ancient voice whispering in his ears. He repeated what it said in a commanding tone. The words were "I accept thee into my home and family. To my life thou art wed. To my soul thou art bound. In my heart thee shall forever have a place. So long as life remains within me thee shalt have a home among the land of men and monsters from which thou canst rest. I bind thee as my life-mate for the rest of eternity and by the hand of the ancients I bind thee as thine personal reaper. Thou shalt be free to do as thee wishes but thou art bound to my commands and art both subservient and not to my will. Thou art my equal in some ways, my better in others, and my lesser in others still. When I return to the void whence all came thou shall be free to choose thine own past whether to train the next generation or join me in the cycle of rebirth as a newborn soul but to still be forever bound to each other. For thou are thine and thy are thous."

After Shaggy said the words the girl replied "Thy art thees and thee are thine. So shall it be till the end of time. A reaper bound I have become. Forever bound to my life-mate for the rest of eternity. So it was so shall it be again." They both glowed with a cool blue light, that had a cone of darkness within and a ring of white without. The two felt their souls become linked, well Shaggy's soul and the reaper's spirit. They appeared outside of the chest which shattered the girl with her arms around Shaggy's chest her head pressed into his neck and her eyes closed as if afraid she was still in the dark alone. Shaggy said "Hey it's ok, we're out."

She opened one eye then smiled and shouted in joy "YAY! THOU HATH FREED THEE FROM THINE IMPRISONMENT AND BOUND THOU TO THYSELF! THANK THEE THANK THEE SO MUCH!" Shaggy smiled and stroked her hair feeling her voluptuous form pressing against his body. He shivered a the cool feeling of her lips against his neck as she hadn't moved her head when she shouted and Vincent Van Ghoul stared on in surprise alongside a flabbergasted Scooby Doo. She pulled off her cloak as she stepped back from Sarah and said "Dear husband I need thy name. Mine own is Dianna Heart. Thou can call me thy dear heart though."

Shaggy suddenly remembered where he'd heard a voice similar to hers before, only older. It had been in the dreams. He said "Did you say dear?" She nodded and he sighed then flopped back onto the couch saying "I took the first step in the direction of my other self." He heard soft laughter in his mind but he couldn't help but smile glad he'd saved a life rather than destroyed one by a misunderstanding. Little did he know that he'd started not only himself but the world on a better path. While Shaggy was thinking about this Dianna was talking with Van Ghoul about how to master her powers. He promised he could help, but in exchange he'd need help with some of his projects that only a non warlock or reaper could do so it would have to be her new husband. Shaggy agreed saying "Like as long as you can help Dianna, Mr. Van Ghoul I'll gladly help you out with what I can." Vincent thanked him as did Dianna and Shaggy closed his eyes feeling a pulsing in his chest. He wasn't completely human anymore though none knew as much, but the world was singing with joy at the rebirth of a race thought long lost. The reapers had been hunted to near extinction because of their job by humans who knew of the supernatural.

Vincent said "The first task I have for you Shaggy is retrieving the chest of demons, or the chest of thirteen ghosts as you may remember it. I don't expect you to drop everything but once I have a location for it I'd like you to go there." Shaggy nodded and Scooby agreed. Dianna smiled happy her husband was so kind a man. Vincent said "I guess I'd best be off. Have fun with your new wife in the old ways Shaggy. I can see the soul bond between you, so I know it is truly a bond by the gods. I hope you are prepared for what this means. The gods of death will be watching over both of you unlike the reapers of old who were lost because the gods didn't watch. I will contact you sooner or later Shaggy my friend. Farewell." He got up and left the building leaving Shaggy, Dianna, and Scooby to sit together on the couch.

Dianna said "So, you and I are bound, husband. Even in the eyes of the death gods. I know my father said bindings were strong for our kind, but I just thought he'd meant our family. What can you tell me about how much the world has changed since the war between Britain and the colonies."

Shaggy smiled and started to explain about all the advancements of the world, including the world wars, the cold war, the war of 1812, and more. The more he went on the more he had to answer questions by Dianna. Eventually she was satisfied when he finished talking about modern day. He stretched and said "So, do you want to know anything else Dear?" She giggled at being called dear and admitted to having no more questions. Shaggy smiled and asked her about her past. She told him about everything she could remember. It had been a long time but she'd forgotten nothing. Finally he asked "What is a reaper's standpoint on marriage?"

She smiled and said "The more a male reaper has the merrier the females are. We love to feel the life-force of many protecting our young. I had seven mothers besides my birth mother." Shaggy slowly nodded in understanding and she smiled then kissed his cheek and said "You still haven't told me your name dear husband."

Shaggy chuckled and said "Shaggy Rogers, you are now Dianna Heart Rogers." She giggled at the name and nodded then stretched and popped her back let out a sigh as each vertebrae cracked. Eventually Shaggy asked "Are you tired Dear Heart?" She nodded and he led her to his room then told her to rest as long as she needed. She smiled and thanked him then collapsed on the bed instantly falling asleep. Shaggy walked out of the room and sat on the couch next to Scooby. He turned to Scooby and said "Let me have it Scoob."

Scooby sighed and said "Raggy, rou rarried a REAPER! A Reaper of reath. Rhat ram ri ronna roo rith rou?" Shaggy raised an eyebrow and he said "Res I'm Run." Shaggy smiled and stretched then scratched Scooby behind the ears. Scooby sighed and relaxed knowing that Shaggy had a plan for what he was doing. He yawned and curled up beside Shaggy getting scratches and enjoying life, even if he now lived with a reaper of death that had married his best friend.

Shaggy laughed softly and said "Scooby she was just a girl locked up for no reason. She thought she killed all those people but she didn't. Honestly I'm amazed she didn't feel better after talking to me and it took so long for her to collapse. It took about an hour to explain everything, then another hour to learn about her past, all that together equals two hours to get to this point plus however long she was locked up and ten minutes talking to Mister Van Ghoul. Honestly I'm a little beat." Scooby nodded and the two yawned then relaxed deciding not to go to sleep just yet.

Shaggy and Scooby relaxed for a good hour just basking in the glow of having their best friend with them, and letting the world keep on turning. The dog and foodie looked up as they heard footsteps approach and saw Dianna, She smiled and said "Mi amour, there you are. I thought maybe you'd left while I was sleeping." Shaggy shook his head and finally got his first good look at his dear. She was about five foot seven, had red hair, gold eyes, pale skin, as stated before a voluptuous figure that would make many women jealous with a nice chest and ass that fit perfectly on her hourglass figure, was wearing a black dress and black socks, brown leather boots, and a black cloak that she had pulled the cowl of back. She smiled and said "I see my lord likes what his lady wife appears to be."

Shaggy nodded and said "You're beautiful Dear Heart. I was just relaxing with my faithful companion Scooby Doo." Scooby greeted her and she returned it then joined the two on the couch by sitting in Shaggy's lap. Shaggy shivered at the cool sensation of her body pressed against his as Dianna sighed at the warmth of his body enveloping her when he put his arms around her..

As they relaxed there was a knock at the door. Shaggy called out "Come in." The door opened and in walked a sobbing Daphne. Shaggy glanced at Dianna who got off of him the got up and wrapped his arms around Daphne asking "Like what's wrong Daph, something happen to Fred?" Daphne shook her head and he asked "Something happen to Velma or Eric?" She shook her head again and he asked "Then like what's wrong?"

Daphne opened her mouth only to break down into more sobs and cling to Shaggy. He stroked her hair and she finally mustered the ability to say "Freddie's leaving. He got drafted." Shaggy blinked and Scooby let out a quiet oh no. Shaggy stroked Daphne's hair gently wondering why he'd never been drafted after they instituted it recently. He figured it was probably because he'd make a lousy soldier. Daphne continued "Fred, he said not to worry but I'm scared he won't make it back. What do I do Shaggy?"

Shaggy stroked her hair and said "You support him. Just like you always have. We'll all support him, we'll keep in touch through letters, instant messaging, and the occasional phone call. He'll need you more than ever when he's gone even if he won't say as much. I know paranormal investigators aren't important jobs but we'll keep doing what we've been. I mean the only reason they haven't drafted Eric is because he's a tech expert. I don't know why they haven't drafted me, but if I do get drafted I'll protect Fred with everything I have. For now though I'll have to be the man of Mystery Inc and the head of the company. I mean Fred's usually the leader but like I can do things just as well as he can, and I guess I'll have to talk to my dad about taking over our company and asking if I can use it to help expand our contracts. For now though we can plan Fred's going away party and show him we will be waiting for his tour to be over."

Daphne wiped her eyes and said "Thanks Shaggy. It's just I don't know what I'll do without Fred, I mean I could always take up those modeling jobs I've been putting off, but what about the rest of Mystery Inc. Velma and I are usually in charge of finances and what not. Fred didn't really have all that much to do with leading the company except on investigations. So what do we do? I mean I think I love him, but I don't want to be stuck waiting on him forever. So Shaggy what do you suggest?"

Shaggy sighed wondering when he became the person Daphne asked for advice, not realizing that he had a different aura from the coward he'd been as little as a month ago. He said "You support him for as long as you can Daph. Like you stay his friend no matter what and if you don't think it'll work out you tell him to his face before he leaves and promise to see what happens when he gets back. We're not teenagers anymore, we can all make our own decisions so all I can say is search your heart and mind and find what feels right then go with it."

She smiled wiping her eyes and said "You're right. Thanks Shaggy. I think I'll go tell Velma the bad news. I can hold it together now. You're the best Shag." She kissed his cheek and left the room causing Dianna to laugh at the look on Shaggy's face. Shaggy turned to her seeing she wasn't mad then remembered what she said about reapers being used to having more than one mate of either gender.

Dianna giggled and said "The look on your face holder of my heart. It does me good to laugh again. I know you didn't expect that, but you shouldn't have frozen up over a peck on the cheek from a friend. Anyway, you want me to watch over your friend Fred when I get a hang on my powers, love?" He shook his head and she asked "Why not?"

Shaggy said softly "Because it's time we all grew up and this will do Fred good. I don't want him to die but he has to face this like every other soldier. It wouldn't be right for me to have you protect him and not everyone else in his unit, or his division, or his commanders. I can't protect Fred, and I can't ask you to do so unless we join the army, which I don't plan on doing cause it would break Daph to lose her friend as well as her boyfriend if something happens."

Dianna stared and said "Wow hun, that was well though out. I understand what you're saying but I feel like something bad may happen to your friend." Shaggy nodded. She sighed and said "As long as you know love. I'm sorry to say I may have to be the on e to reap his soul, if I am do you have anything you want me to tell him?"

Shaggy nodded and said "Yeah. I want you to tell him his friends will be alright without him and that we'll look out for each other, but that's only if you have to reap him." She nodded and kissed Shaggy gently then sat back on the couch. Shaggy started pacing and said "I'm starting to think there's a reason I haven't been drafted. Maybe it's a gods intervention or something but I don't know. Whatever it is I guess it means I have to take care of Daphne as a friend now more than ever." Dianna and Scooby nodded. Shaggy turned to Scooby and asked "What do you think is going to happen next Scoob?"

Scooby shrugged and said "Ri ron't row Raggy."

Shaggy nodded sadly and stretched then said "I'm going to make lunch, you two hungry?" Their stomachs rumbled in answer and he said "Alright lunch will be ready anywhere from fifteen min to half an hour. Like I'm starved too." He walked into the kitchen and started cooking allowing Scooby and Dianna to get to know each other as more than dog and reaper.

Half an hour later the two were laughing and joking like old friends when Shaggy called them in to eat. He set out three plates of pasta, meat sauce, and salad. They all dug in the two who didn't cook complimenting Shaggy on his delicious meal. Shaggy finished last and noticed the other two watching him then started to ask what was wrong when his phone rang. He answered it and said "Hello Shaggy Roger's speaking?"

Suddenly a girl exited the phone saying "Hey Coach, mind if I visit a while?" He instantly knew who this specter was and sighed. She giggled and said "That wasn't a no. If I can't visit now how about with the other girls in a few weeks?"

Shaggy sighed and said "Now's not the best time Phanty, a friend of mine just got drafted into the military so I have to host a going away party for him and keep track of my other friends so they don't do something stupid. How about come by in a month or two?" She nodded and went back through the phone lines to her parents' house where she'd called from. He said "Later Phanty," and hung up then turned to Dianna and said "That was Phantasma Phantom my former student and a poltergeist from Grimwood's Ghoul School's graduating class."

She blinked and said "Mrs. Grimwood's still teaching ghouls?" Shaggy nodded and she said "Wow she was rather old when I was a little girl. Does she look old?" Shaggy shook his head and she said "Amazing." He nodded and the two started talking about the differences in Grimwood's school past and present. Scooby listened in not really caring, just happy to see Shaggy so animated without being scared, he hadn't acted like this since he stopped reading Captain Cool comics. He yawned and curled up on his bed going to sleep while the human and reaper kept conversing.

After an hour Shaggy told Dianna he was going to go out and she asked if she could go with him. He agreed readily enough figuring it wouldn't hurt anything then took her to the mall. She was fascinated by all the shops, food stands, and technology. Shaggy chuckled and led her around telling her about it all as if she was a foreigner.

Eventually they walked into a clothing shop where Dianna tried on a Gothic outfit and found it fit. She grinned and even bought a choker that looked like a collar giggling to herself knowing who's name she'd have embossed upon it. Shaggy watched her show off and commented on each outfit she tried agreeing she looked better in darker colors, but saying she shouldn't only wear black. Shaggy blushed when she dragged him into a lingerie store where she showed off stockings, bras, and panties. He whistled a few times despite his blush and she bought a ton of things with lace, whether it was black, blood red, dark green, or dark blue he enjoyed it all. She smiled and Shaggy paid for everything she wanted in both stores then helped her check out some new music.

She enjoyed rock music more than anything, other than classical which she enjoyed immensely. He bought her an mp3 player and taught her how to use it, then purchased a few Cd's for her. She kissed his cheek and he had a grin that wouldn't go away no matter how much he tried to make it. They got dinner at the food court getting some to go for Scooby then went home.

They gave Scooby his food, which he dug into with gusto. After he finished the three started watching a horror movie. It made Dianna laugh though it scared the boys. She said "Sorry Shaggy Dear, but those monsters are nothing like real monsters. I mean come on most monsters don't target humans because they have no reason to. They did back in the dark ages but that was cause humans were encroaching onto their territory. I mean Vlad Dracula for example even kept human advisers until he could create the monster council of Transylvania. Afterward he kind of drained his advisers dry." Shaggy shivered at that. The three all went to bed about two hours later after everyone showered, luckily the building had plenty of hot water because Dianna luxuriated in a hot shower.

As they climbed into bed Scooby hopped up to the foot of it, Shaggy and Dianna climbed in together and Shaggy kissed Dianna goodnight. She hugged him and held him close as she drifted off almost as if afraid he was going to vanish over night. As Shaggy fell asleep he found himself back in the future of his dreams.

Shaggy walked into a long hallway of mirrors and said "Dear, Dianna? Sheila? Aqua? Are any of you here?"

Suddenly someone covered his eyes and whispered "Guess who me laird."

Shaggy blinked and said "Ummm, what do you mean by the me laird talk?"

The girl covering his eyes said "Well me laird it means my lord. I think you should remember me from a time when you were at a horse ranch. I was just a young girl at the time but we met and bonded over the horses." Shaggy thought about it trying to remember that time. He knew it was shortly before he met Scooby but he just couldn't bring it to the forefront of his mind. He sighed and said as much making the girl smile and say "Let me pull it forward." He nodded and she started massaging his temples with her fingers taking him back. Slowly the world around them faded and they reappeared at a large ranch where they raised riding horses for all sorts of things.

Shaggy opened his eyes but the girl covered them and said "Just listen to the world around you, you'll remember as time goes on." Shaggy nodded and she said "It all started when you and your parents arrived." Shaggy could almost see his parents car pulling up in front of him, and himself climbing out. The girl continued "You were wearing a blue t shirt and shorts. Your parents weer talking to the owners of the stables, and you went exploring. Eventually you were allowed to go out into the fields with the horses." Shaggy nodded starting to remember even as a younger him did as she said. She continued "Your father had told you to be careful, but you were so sure the animals wouldn't hurt you. After all your mother always said horses were loving creatures that took care of the young."

She paused and breathed deeply enjoying the scent of fresh cut hay and said "You walked out to a fresh cut hay field and from there headed to the field the horses were congregating within then sat down on the fence. That's where we met. I was six to your five. You called me over when you saw me playing among the horses as if they were old friends. I was a little taller than you, had bright red hair, that I still have today, dark forest green eyes, and was wearing a dark green dress with sandals."

He nodded at every word and said "Yeah you said you were there checking up on the colts and fillies. I thought you were being sarcastic but you weren't. You were seriously looking over the foals, younger colts, and fillies, and even the older colts and fillies. The mares let you through without any trouble almost as if they bowed to your will when mom said that horses were even more protective of their own young than the young of other animals they allowed near their herds."

She nodded into his shoulder which he felt and said "What did I tell you my name was Shaggy?"

Shaggy smiled and said "Epona. You said your name was Epona and that it was the name of the goddess of horses." She giggled and nodded he said "So you aren't a child anymore, or were you ever a child because I don't and didn't know any children with you way with animals. When I told my parents about you they went out looking but they couldn't find you and asked if I really saw you. I said I may have imagined it but the head of the ranch,a Celtic man named Angus McCall, said that he worshiped the goddess Epona and she liked to pretend to be a young girl and hide among the animals meeting those she found worthy. He said he'd met you only three times and each time you had told him of problems with the herd. I met you again before we left and you kissed me on the cheek calling me a young laird I believe."

She smiled and said "Right ye are me laird. I called you a young laird and promised to watch over you as well as tell other pantheons about you. Which I did. Ami, Arty, the Norse goddesses and Valkyries, and so many others. You know we've all been keeping in touch through your online gaming and what not, we all have also been watching you slowly push away the darkness in the hearts of your friends, including what you did for young Daphne Blake just this afternoon. So if you know who I am, then can you remember which pantheon I'm a major goddess of and what that means to be watched over by gods and goddesses, me laird?"

Shaggy grinned and said "Of course my goddess. I remember you being Epona adopted by Rome but born in the Celtic highlands long before man. You never gave up on the Celts even as you embraced being a symbol of fertility and the roman cavalry's goddess. Can I face you milady?" She nodded into his shoulder and he turned around wrapping his arms around her staring into her beautiful forest green eyes. She was wearing an emerald dress, a torc of gold, and bracers on her arms. She was standing in front of a pure white mare which was pawing the ground. He raised an eyebrow and she smiled and he said "Epona mother of horses, and so much more. How are you milady?"

She giggled and said "Ah me laird, I am good. I just came to check on you and tell you that now you ride with me and the fallen. The moment you embraced a reaper into your household you embraced all the gods and goddesses of death. Even the crone now has an eye on you." Shaggy knew the crone was a name of the Morrigan. She smirked seeing he knew her and said "Yes the Morrigan is interested in you. She never married Dagda, only lay with him once."

Shaggy smiled and said "Send her my thanks for watching over me and my friends just as you have my thanks lady Epona." Epona giggled and kissed his cheek then he said "Why did you come to see me though?"

She smirked and said "You are mine Shaggy Rogers. I marked you that day, but I know that you will be with many. You're heart attracts many. Now if only your strength and courage matched your kindness and honesty. I think we'll have to train you up. So eventually come to the isles. We will train you in our ways as the other gods will, and some day you will meet children of the different gods. I ask you to watch out for the demigods and protect them where you can. It's only fair since the gods can't protect them much as they wish they could."

Shaggy nodded and said "If you gods and goddesses see me as family then your children are family as far as I'm concerned. However I won't know any gods or goddesses children unless there is some way to learn who they are upon sight."

She smiled and said "Ah that's the beauty of it. I will be granting you magic sight so you can see the way we divine do. You already have death sight from your reaper girl."

He blinked and said "I do?"

She nodded and said "Aye me laird ye do. Ye have the sight of the dead and it allows you to also see when one is dying. Eventually it will evolve into soul sight if you work with it. However until that time you will be stuck only knowing the dead and being able to help them move along. I ask that you don't lose hope in the world and that you do what you can to save it, the magical and mundane worlds, and the multiverse. Not all of the multiverse but the parts that are tied to your reality at least. Anyway Shaggy I must return to my home. I'll leave you back to your dream where more of your girls await you. I think I hear the other goddesses calling my name, they're probably surprised that you aren't acting high and mighty from talking to a goddess and starting to finally believe me about what I saw within your heart."

Shaggy smiled and bowed then said "Merry Meet, and Merry Part. May we meet again within this world or the next until the end of time. May the wheel turn and the great serpent live on, as the threads continue moving along their path. Farewell milady and tell the other gods and goddesses thank you from me." Epona nodded and smiled then vanished leaving Shaggy sitting in a large couch with Dear, Aqua, Sheila, and another girl all standing around him.

Shaggy smiled and said "Hello Ladies."

They giggled and said "Hello Love, it appears that you saw your friend Epona again." He nodded and they said "Wonderful," then Sheila said "So how are you my wonderful Bloke?" Aqua said "My prince how does thee fare?" Dear said "I'm glad we finally met Dear Heart." The fourth figure, a fox with nine tails behind it said "Call me Kit my Renai."

Shaggy blinked and said "I know the other three from previous meetings, but when do I meet you Kit?"

She giggled and said "Shortly after meeting Sheila you come to Japan for the second time where we meet again. The first time is when you first come to Japan with Scooby Doo." Shaggy nodded and she said "Girls can I be the one who gets to talk to him tonight, then the four of us the next time we talk to him?"

The others muttered amongst themselves and eventually nodded filing out of the room after giving Shaggy a kiss, or lick in the case of Sheila. Shaggy smiled and said "So Kit what would you like to talk about?"

Kit giggled and hopped into his lap then licked his cheek and said "I came to talk to you about your future with all of us." He nodded and she smiled some more then said "So let me start with this. The children will start arriving five years after you meet your first girl. The second, third, and fourth girl will join you by their own free will before the ghouls come after you. As for your first born, they are special. Eventually the goddesses and gods will have quests for you but first you must learn from so many different people."

Shaggy sighed and said "I don't think I could handle being married to so many of you. I am a mere mortal, well not so mortal anymore, but I am still just human. I don't have the ability to be in many places at once, I don't have the ability to please all of you, and I don't doubt I'd spend all my life trying to make each and everyone of you and our children happy but it just seems like I'll fail."

Kit asked "Do you mean that?"

He blinked and said "Mean what?"

She smiled at his cluelessness and said "That you would probably spend every day of your life trying to please each of us, and our children?" When he nodded she giggled and said "Then you are the right man my hatsukoi. If you believe that we will expect everything from you you're wrong. We'll probably try to get you to spend your time with us but we know you have a life outside of us. So long as you keep us first and foremost in your heart we'll all be happy. After all it's not as if you have to worry about dying of old age by the time you are done with everything. Maybe one day you can settle down for good. However first you will have to do a lot of tasks for the gods, goddesses, monsters, and men. I don't believe any of us want you to be anyone but you."

Shaggy smiled and said "Thanks Kit. I guess you're right that I have nothing to worry about, plus I can always count on you girls to help me get through everything. Though I don't know why you all think I'm not human just because I can talk to monsters. I'm terrified of all of you yet at the same time I'm not. It's like weird. Like what do you think causes it?" She shrugged and he said "Does it have to do with Shadow, whoever he is?" She shrugged again and he sighed then popped his back and cuddled the nine tailed fox who was currently only the size of a large dog, slightly smaller than Scooby. Shaggy kissed her nose and said "So what can you tell me about the gods nad goddesses?"

She smiled and said "Many of them are interested in you. I don't know why because the goddesses that come to the house don't talk about work but they all talk about a new coming of time. I don't know what that means either, so don't ask. Epona is the only one who will say anything and that is that her claim on you supersedes all of ours. No one is brave enough to argue with her. Of course the gods have their eyes on your friends too, but not as much as you and those interested in you."

Shaggy nodded and stretched then said "So Kit, love, how many species are there that you think are tied to me?"

Kit giggled and said "I can't tell you just how many there are. I can say that every race with a female is tied to you in some way and that your soul grows with each one. How it grows I don't know, but you are something more than a reaper, human, monster, god, or demon. I don't know what you are, neither do the other girls but you never feel completely human after each of us are tied to you. Shaggy, Scooby changes with you. I don't know why. Hell it's strange and honestly I think Scooby isn't exactly a normal dog but he changes in other ways." Shaggy blinked and wondered what she meant she saw his confusion and shrugged slightly unable to tell him due to a Geas.

Shaggy sighed and said "Why do I keep feeling like things are hidden from me for a reason?"

Kit smiled and said "Because they are me rabu." Shaggy knew the words she was using were Japanese but he wasn't sure about Rabu. She saw his confusion and said "Love. Rabu is love in Japanese because we don't' have l or v sounds. It's just saying love like speaking English." He nodded slowly and accepted that then hugged her tightly. She smiled and said "I rabu you Shaggy." Shaggy smiled and kissed her nose then let her hop off his lap and stood up walking to the bookshelf. She watched him and said "You can't remember anything you read, remember?"

Shaggy nodded and said "Yeah just stretching my legs. I was talking to Epona before I came here." She blinked and muttered under her breath about the crimson haired goddess. Shaggy laughed and said "I can see there is some competition between you girls even if you don't want to admit to it." She blushed and looked down only to feel him rubbing her ears smiling

She smiled up at him and said "I love you Shaggy. I don't say it in English that much, but I do. I find it hard to speak your native tongue even though I've learned it from years of studying foreigners. I trust you'll be happy to talk to everyone next time you come back?" Shaggy nodded and she said "Wonderful. I think you're starting to awaken Shaggy, so I'll just say that it's time for you to wake up and that I love you with all my heart, and don't be afraid to save the animals in the traps that are set by hunters just because the hunters would be angry."

He nodded slightly and stretched then popped his back as he started to wake up he called out "I love you girls, tell our children I can't wait for them to be born and that honestly my brightest days are by having you by my side."

He woke up and stretched yawning then felt Dianna clinging to him whimpering in her sleep. He started stroking her hair whispering in her ear that everything would be ok. He glanced at the foot of the bed and saw Scooby just twitching in his sleep as if chasing Scooby Snacks. He smiled and laughed softly then whispered "I'm glad you're doing good Scoob." He turned back to Dianna and held her close until she calmed down then laid back in bed with her laying her head on his chest. He noticed that her hair was a lighter red than Epona's and wondered if she had Celtic blood in her veins.

Shaggy closed his eyes dozing just barely as the other two held onto his legs and torso respectively. He rubbed his hand down Scooby's back and through Dianna's hair until they both woke up gently and relaxedly. They rubbed their eyes and looked around for Shaggy then smiled when they felt him under their legs, arms, paws, hands, and feet.

Shaggy smiled and said "Good morning you two. I had an interesting dream. Did you two sleep well?" They nodded both thinking they slept especially well toward their waking moment as they found a lot of relaxation in his touching them. Scooby didn't know why but he started to see Shaggy as something more than a friend, while Dianna saw Shaggy as her heart, soul, and so much more.

Dianna asked "Are you alright Shaggy love?" Shaggy nodded and she said "Good I'm going to go get started on breakfast then." He nodded while scratching Scooby's ears the dog humming in pleasure. The dog smiled at Shaggy and watched Dianna leave the bed. Scooby got up and stretched out then popped his spine, tail, and paws.

As the three started their day there was a knock at the door. Shaggy got up and answered it saying "Hell...oh it's you, what do you want?"

Shaggy's Harem so far:

Sheila the dragon girl

Dianna the Reaper

Aqua the mermaid

Kit the nine tailed kitsune

The Celtic Goddess Epona

Possible members:

The ghoul girls

The hex girls

Daphne

Crystal

Amber

Lena

Googie

Sadie Mae Scroggins

Shelly

Meadow

Mae Ling

Morrigan

For now that's all the possible girls of course that doens't mean any of these girls will end up with Shaggy or all of them will, we'll see. So se you next time everybody hope you enjoyed and dont' forget to be on the lookout for the next chapter as well as the halloween special and omakes will be starting in the next chapter as well as I will be accepting omakes from anyone who wants to write in this world I'm creating, so beck maybe you're omake will become canon if you send it to me and it fits with my plans.