Fred, Daphne, and Velma sneak slowly around the hedge. They see a mysterious shape dangling in the air, lassoed by the vine. Numerous appendages flail at its side while the creature howls.
“AROOO!”
Upon closer inspection, the friends discover what the creature really is . . .
“Jeepers!” gasps Daphne. “We caught Scooby and Shaggy!”
The two friends are tangled together and hanging upside down from the branch. Candy, treats, and snacks tumble out of Shaggy’s pockets.
“Like, your trap certainly works, Fred,” Shaggy says, twirling around above him. “I feel like a piñata!”
“Drat. I thought we got the drop on the Minotaur,” Fred said, letting out a sigh. “I guess he got away!”
Suddenly a dark shadow falls over the gang.
“Ruess again!” Scooby-Doo shouts. Still hanging in the tree, he hugs Shaggy tightly and closes his eyes.
The others turn around to see . . .
The Minotaur!
His red eyes glow. Steam puffs out of his nostrils like two exhaust pipes. The beast scrapes his hooves against the ground, readying himself to charge at any moment.
“ROAARR!” The monster lets out a terrible roar that echoes through the night.
“Jinkies!” Velma cries. “I’ve got an idea. Run for it!”
Fred, Daphne, and Velma race down the path back to the tree. The Minotaur gives chase, stampeding after them with powerful, lightning-quick speed.
“This time, Fred and I are going to be the bait,” Velma says to Daphne. Then she leans over and whispers the rest of the plan into her friend’s ear.
THUMP
THUMP
THUMP
The Minotaur clears the hedge and pounds down the path. Daphne hides behind the tree, disappearing from view.
“Hey, fur ball!” Fred shouts. “Catch us if you can!”
He and Velma sprint down the path. The Minotaur roars, spins on its heels, and takes off after them.
In the meantime, Daphne pulls out a nail file from her purse. She begins to slice away at the vine tied around the tree. It slowly unravels.
Fred and Velma run back around to where they left Shaggy and Scooby-Doo. The Minotaur is hot on their heels.
Approaching their friends, they both shout, “NOW!” They dive for cover.
Daphne cuts through the vine.
In a flash, Shaggy and Scooby-Doo fall from the branch. They come crashing down right on top of the monster!
WHAM!
The monster is pinned to the ground beneath Shaggy and Scooby. The beast kicks and bucks, but he cannot move beneath the weight of the two friends. Luckily they both had a hefty breakfast this morning.
“Zoinks!” Shaggy cries. “Looks like we got the drop on the Minotaur after all.”
“GRRRRR!” he snarls.
At that moment, Mr. King arrives with the other guests. They had followed the sound of the commotion.
“The Minotaur!” Ms. Daedalus says in alarm. “He’s real!”
“He’s a real fake!” Fred says, ripping off the Minotaur’s mask.
Mr. King gasps when he sees the monster’s true identity. “Martin Clark! But why?”
The professor struggles to free himself, but the combined weight of Shaggy and Scooby-Doo is too heavy to move.
“Those artifacts are worth a fortune!” Martin spits out. “If I had sold them, I would be living in a mansion bigger than this one.”
“Well, the only big house you’ll be staying in is prison,” Shaggy says.
“Reah!” Scooby-Doo agrees.
Wadsworth walks over and announces, “I’ve alerted the authorities, and they are on their way.”
“Excellent news,” Mr. King says. “A great big thanks goes out to the members of Mystery Inc. for solving another case.”
“Do you have anything else to say, Dr. Clark?” Fred asks.
“My Minotaur plan was flawless,” he snarls. “I would have gotten away with it, too, if it weren’t for you meddling kids!”
“Famous last words,” Daphne says.
“And so are these,” adds Velma, pointing to Scooby-Doo.
Grinning from ear to ear, the Great Dane replies, “Scooby-Dooby-Doo!”
THE END