//------------------------------// // The Halloween Open House // Story: G5 Adventures in Scooby-Doo! and the Ghoul School // by ponydog127 //------------------------------// A couple of days had passed since Grimwood slayed Calloway’s military school in the volleyball game, and soon, it was Halloween time, which meant that the school would be putting on their annual open house for parents. The way Shaggy and Scooby explained it, Halloween was a lot like Nightmare Night, with spooky vibes and treats and costumes. And since they didn’t have anything to make regular costumes, Izzy had cobbled together their old outfits from last Nightmare Night: Sunny as Nightmare Moon Pipp as a fancy queen Zipp as a masked huntspony Izzy as a cobbled up version of all her best friends Hitch as a disco pony Misty with her cloak and butterfly mask The girls were thrilled that the ponies would be dressing up to get in the Halloween spirit, and soon, they were all decorating the school for the festivities that night. “Awooooooooooo!!!” Winnie howled, placing a jack o’lantern on the countertop. “This is gonna be our happiest Halloween ever!” “Because we have a trophy to show off at our open house!” Tanis agreed. “Open house?” Scrappy questioned. “Is that like a party?” “It's only the biggest event of the Grimwood school year,” Sibella hung a fake skeleton from the ceiling as Misty and Izzy stood with Shaggy and Scooby as they displayed pumpkin versions of their heads. “Like, will there be food?” Shaggy asked, he and Scooby getting a little startled by the skeleton. “Oh, lots of goodies, Shaggy,” Sibella said. “Miss Grimwood is in the kitchen right now.” “What are we waiting for?” Izzy asked. “Come on!” “Excuse us!” Scooby told the pumpkins, and the four ran off toward the kitchen to dine on some tasty treats. XXXXXXX Meanwhile, Miss Grimwood was just finishing up baking, pouring some batter in a pan, and the floating hand was helping her out. “Oh, I just love making brownies.” “Brownie?! Oh boy!” Scooby said hungrily as they came in. “Like, can we give you a hand, Miss Grimwood?” Shaggy asked. “Thanks, Shaggy,” said the headmistress. “I’ve already got one. But you can lick the bowl.” Luckily, the ponies, Shaggy and Scooby were fine licking the bowl, and Miss Grimwood put the bowl in the oven for Matches to heat. “All right, Matches. Ready to bake a batch of brownies?” “Yeah!” Matches seemed to growl, and breathed fire to heat the oven as Sibella came in and sniffed the air. “Something smells rotten.” That’s when Misty sniffed the air, realizing she was right, but surprisingly, she was getting used to it. “You said it, Sibella!” “Yeah, really rotten!” Scooby agreed. “Deliciously rotten!” Sibella said once the brownies were brought out. “Swamp brownies fresh from the oven.” “Made with slimy swamp water,” Miss Grimwood named off ingredients, “chock full of mosquitos…” “Zoinks!” Shaggy and Scooby stopped licking the bowl immediately and started scratching themselves. “Like, there’s itchin’ in the kitchen, Scoob!” “Yeah! Hee hee hee!” Scooby said, scratching himself with a giggle. “Phantasma,” Miss Grimwood called, “are those caterpillar cookies ready to bake yet?” “They will be as soon as we catch them!” Zipp said as she and Phantasma chased the living cookies throughout the kitchen, Zipp stopping just in time before she crashed into the wall while Phantasma went right through. “Hey, guys!” Sunny came into the room, carrying her portable blender. “Before that storm rolls in, could some of you go out and get some of those veggies from the garden? I’m gonna make Grimwood Rotten Ripple Smoothies for the open house.” “Rotten Ripple Smoothies?” Scooby blinked in surprise. “I just made it up,” Sunny admitted. “I can fix some regular smoothies for us, though.” “Pipp and I can do that, Sunny,” Zipp said, flying out of the room. “Come on!” Misty pulled on Scooby and Shaggy. “I wanna go see how the rest of the decorations are coming!” XXXXXXX The decorations were coming along great, and Zipp and Pipp managed to get plenty of rotten veggies for Sunny’s Rotten Ripple Smoothies. All the while, Scrappy, his uncle, Shaggy and the rest of the ponies were checking in with the excited girl ghouls. “Gee, who’s coming to this open house anyway?” Scrappy wondered. “Everyone, Scrappy!” Sibella said, pulling out a photo of a large black bat. “My daddy, Dracula.” “That’s your daddy?” Hitch said, a little bit nervous. “It's a bat picture of him,” Sibella explained, “but he'll show up after sundown.” A chilly wind began to blow through the open window, prompting Misty to shiver under her cloak, and this led Scooby to putting on a brightly knit yellow scarf Izzy made for him. “Zoinks! It’s almost s-s-sundown now, Scoob!” Shaggy pointed out, and Misty realized what he was referring to. “That’s when the vampires start biting!” “Oh no!” Scooby yelped and broke out running, and Misty and Shaggy were right behind him. “Stop!” Elsa stopped them, holding up a picture of their father. “You've gotta meet Frankenteen Senior.” “And my mummy daddy!” Tanis added. “Awoo!” Winnie howled. “Don’t forget Papa Werewolf!” “And my phantom father!” Phantasma cackled, and Scooby yelped and leapt into Shaggy’s arms trembling. “Like, we’re gonna trapped,” Shaggy whimpered, “in a house full of M-M-M-M-MONSTERS!!!!!” XXXXXXX Needless to say, Shaggy and Scooby were HORRIFIED about coming into contact with the girl ghouls’ fathers, and the ponies did their best to try and reassure them. The girls were as sweet as could be… maybe their fathers would too.  But unfortunately… it didn’t do much. All they could hope was that their inside guts were telling them right.  XXXXXXX Meanwhile, Creeper and Revolta, alongside Opaline and Midnight, were watching the girls’ fathers coming toward the school in the blinding storm. “Here they come, Revolta!” Creeper said. “The mightest monsters in the world!” “Let me cape you out of the rain, Mr. Mummy,” said Dracula, draping his cape over Tanis’ father. “Thank you, count,” the mummy said. “This wrap isn’t waterproof.” “Yes, they were the mightiest,” Opaline scoffed, “but it appears they’ve grown soft.” “Soon Revolta will be the most feared name in the monster world!” Revolta declared, her spider-bats snapping their jaws at her. “When I get those girl ghouls in my clutches.” “And the ponies in mine,” Opaline chuckled. “Um… Opaline? Ma’am?” Midnight gulped nervously. “Why do you wanna get rid of Sunny and Misty more than any others?” “Because,” Opaline sneered, “Sunny Starscout is the leader, and Misty abandoned me for their FRIENDSHIP. I gave her everything, and she abandons ME? That is punishable by the worst ways possible, so I hope you will not do the same.” Midnight sighed… that was exactly what she was afraid of. XXXXXXX Back inside the school, Pipp, Sunny and Misty were playing a board game with Shaggy, the dogs, Elsa and Winnie when they heard a monstrous groaning that Elsa recognized. “Dada!” She then left to greet him, and after that, there came a howl that Winnie brightened up at. “My papa’s calling me!” she said, racing off to greet her father. “You two go and greet the parents,” Sunny told Misty and Pipp. “I’ll stay with the boys.” “Um… what if I get freaked out by them, Sunny? What if I make a mistake I live to regret?” Misty asked. “They are scary, and… by experience, I don’t do well with scary things.” “Don’t worry, Misty,” Pipp reassured. “You’ll be with me! Come on!” Misty yelped as Pipp dragged her away, and once they were gone, Shaggy turned to his Great Dane bestie. “Like, everyone’s running off, Scoob. So, why don't we?” “Yeah!” Scooby nodded, and the two of them pulled Sunny and Scrappy into a dumbwaiter nearby. “Gee, Uncle Scooby,” said Scrappy. “Are we going up to meet the folks?” “Uh, not exactly, Scrappy,” Sunny frowned, having a feeling she knew what Shaggy and Scooby were doing-- trying to run and hide. Once they got to the next floor, they ran inside another room and sealed it shut by putting heavy items in front of the door. “Like, we should be safe now, Scoob,” Shaggy panted. “I hope so,” Scooby said with a worried look. But we all know that wasn't meant to be. As they sat there for a moment, Sunny and Scrappy noticed Phantasma floating through the pile in front of the door, smiling. “We've got company, Uncle Scooby!” Scrappy said as Phantasma laughed. “There you are! Father?” Next to her emerged a blue-skinned ghost wearing a black and red hat with a black trench coat, looking happy to be with his daughter again. “Meet my new teachers!” Phantasma introduced. “Phanty's told me so much about you,” said Phantasma’s father, but Shaggy and Scooby screamed, grabbing Sunny and Scrappy and started running. “See, Father?” asked Phantasma. “They just love to exercise!” That's when they tried to get out through the window, but in came Sibella and Dracula, and as Shaggy and Scooby screamed and ran, Dracula shifted out of his bat form and grabbed them by their collars. “It’s so nice to see new blood at Grimwood.” “L-Like, you don’t want mine!” Shaggy said in a frightened voice. “It’s chicken blood!” “Yeah, chicken!” Scooby imitated a chicken, which is how he and Shaggy were able to escape the confused Dracula. “Sibella,” he spoke up, “these two are battier than we are.” “They are a little strange, Daddy,” Sibella told him, “but they're fang-tastic teachers.” At the same time, Shaggy and Scooby were desperately trying to clear the door of all the stuff they piled up, seemingly trying to make another escape attempt. “Like, we were clucky that time, Scoob,” Shaggy said, “but it's time to fly this coop!” “Absolutely!” Scooby agreed. “Shaggy, Scoob! Maybe you can try to give the girls’ fathers a chance,” Sunny said. “They may be as sweet as the girls, but you’ll never know unless you try.” “Sunny, we’ve seen them in history books, and, like, they’re nothing but trouble for us!” Shaggy whispered, leading Scooby to nod in agreement. “Aww,” Scrappy frowned. “But then we won't meet the other parents.” “Like, I hope you’re right, Scrappy!” Shaggy said as they prepared to clear the door… if Frankenteen Senior and Elsa had bashed through first. “There they are, Dada!” Elsa pointed. “Come to Frankenteen,” her father moaned. “Yes,” Tanis’ father spoke. “Let’s take a closer look at these four.” He wrapped his mummy wrapping around them, dragging them closer until Scooby was inches away from the mummy’s face. “Who are you?” the mummy asked. “Scooby-Doo,” the Great Dane answered nervously, and Scrappy pulled on his wrapping on his leg. “And Scrappy-Doo too!” “A-And I’m Sunny Starscout,” Sunny said a little nervous. “Like, don’t hurt ‘em, Mr. Mummy,” Shaggy spoke up. “It’s all my fault we’re here!” “Hurt you? I want to hug you!” Tanis’ father wrapped Shaggy and Scooby in a hug. “For making my daughter feel like a winner.” “I’ll howl to that,” Papa Werewolf spoke up. “Let’s give ‘em three cheers.” And so, he and Winnie howled three times in their praises, and everyone else cheered before Miss Grimwood came up to retrieve them. “Now that everyone's acquainted, let's go downstairs for refreshments.” XXXXXXXX The refreshments were ready, and everyone was helping themselves to some punch Miss Grimwood had whipped up. “Like, not bad, right, Scoob?” Shaggy asked as Scooby sampled the punch. “Yeah!” “It’s an old Grimwood recipe,” Miss Grimwood explained. “Poison ivy punch-- made from scratch.” As Shaggy and Scooby began to scratch themselves, and Pipp, Sunny and Hitch went to prepare a little musical number from last Nightmare Night to perform for the crowd, Scrappy noticed a small item in Winnie’s paws. “Gee, Winnie, what’s that?” “Something for my papa, Scrappy,” Winnie explained. “Izzy helped me make it in arts-and-crafts class.”  She then put a sour lemon into the mummy-case shaped device, and juice squirted out of the top and into the cup beside of it. “It’s a juicer!” Winnie said as her father took a sample. “Now, you can have sour lemonade whenever you want, Papa!” “That’s wonderful, Winnie,” said Papa Werewolf, finishing his lemonade. “Ohh… nice and sour. Makes my whiskers pucker.” “Pipp helped me make this for you, Daddy,” Sibella held up a small red robe. “It’s a bat robe!” “Wonderful!” Dracula beamed. “Just what I need after a rainy flight. Let me try it on.” So, he shifted into bat form, and Sibella easily slid it over his wings. “Oh, fang-tastic. It fits!” she said, lifting a mirror up to the count. “See for yourself.” “That’s wonderful!” the count shrieked, despite not being able to see his reflection. “Like, nice robe, count,” said Shaggy. “But that's no reflection on you. Ha ha! Get it, Scoob?” “Yeah!” Scooby giggled for a moment. “I think…” Dracula shifted back to human form and gave his daughter a hug. “What a wonderful gift.” “All the girls have worked very hard on their presents,” said Miss Grimwood, just as Sibella noticed Matches looking down. “Don't feel left out, Matches. I made a robe for you, too, and it's fireproof.” Matches tested it out with his fire breath, and was delighted to see that it was not destroyed. “Zipp and I made my present in science class. It’s a portable shockman,” Elsa explained, using the shockman to power her up thanks to the lightning outside. “With a rechargeable battery pack that lasts for wee-ee-eee-eeks. For you, Dada.” After Frankenteen tested it out, claiming it put ‘volts in his bolts’, he patted his daughter on the head. “Thank you, Elsa.” “Welcome, Dada,” said Elsa. “I thought you'd get a charge out of it.” “Show your mummy daddy what you made, Tanis,” Miss Grimwood urged, and Tanis handed the device to her father. “It's a fright light, to brighten the darkest mummy case.” “What a thoughtful gift, Tanis,” the mummy said proudly. “Last but not least,” Miss Grimwood said to Phantasma’s father, “your daughter would like to play her latest composition for you.” “It’s called Duet for Three Hands… and Six Tentacles,” Phantasma said, beginning to play with the floating hand while the octopus began to play the drums, prompting everyone to start dancing… all while Creeper and Revolta were watching through their looking window, Midnight and Opaline retiring for the night. “They’re having fun, Revolta!” Creeper said. “Yes…” Revolta nodded. “But soon the party will be over.” Finally, the song ended, prompting everyone to cheer and clap for Phantasma as she stood proudly. “Fantastic, Phantasma!” her father said. “Bravo!” Hitch cried as Winnie howled. “It made my blood run cold,” Dracula said as the clapping continued, and the floating hand and Phantasma took a bow for everyone. “Thank you, thank you!” “Oh, Miss Grimwood? I think we’re ready,” Misty said. “Fantastic! Ladies and gentle-monsters,” Miss Grimwood announced, “allow me to present Pipp Petals and her Equestrian friends in their very first Grimwood performance!” After the cheering had settled down, Matches turned on the music to one of Pipp’s most popular Nightmare Night songs, and everyone started dancing to the tune.  Pipp: There’s something kinda creepy Happening tonight So call your favorite ghoulies Sunny: And get your costume right Hitch: They may look freaky But I promise they won’t bite Misty: And they say the place is haunted But the dancing’s a delight! All: It may look scary But don’t be afraid Cause nothing’s what it seems At a monster party It may look spooky But don’t have a fright Cause at this monster party We will rock all night! Bah-dah-dah-dah-dah Bah-dah-dah-dah-dah Cause nothing's what it seems At a monster party Izzy: Frankenteen is spinning Making everypony move Hitch: And the mummy daddy’s  Really busting loose Pipp: The wizards and the witches  Got nothing to prove Zipp: They just keep on rocking Misty: To the monster groove! The song was so upbeat and not spooky, Shaggy, Scooby and Scrappy decided to get in on the fun.  All: It may look scary But don’t be afraid Cause nothing’s what it seems At a monster party It may look spooky But don’t have a fright Cause at this monster party We will rock all night! Bah-dah-dah-dah-dah Bah-dah-dah-dah-dah Cause nothing's what it seems At a monster party Bah-dah-dah-dah-dah Bah-dah-dah-dah-dah Cause at this monster party We will rock all night Yeah, at this monster party We will rock all night! Everyone cheered as the song came to a close, and Sunny then turned to her friends. “Come on, ponies-- the fun isn’t stopping for a couple hours. Let’s show off some of our skills!” “Finally!” Izzy giggled. “I can unicycle to the extreeeeeeme!!!” XXXXXXXX Soon, the party raged on, all the way up until 5 o’clock in the morning. “It will soon be dawn,” Dracula observed. “I must be on my way, Sibella.” “I know, Daddy.” “The moon is going down, Winnie,” Papa Werewolf said. “I'd better run, too.” “Like, see you next Halloween,” Shaggy bid farewell to the count, who then looked at them with a murderous look. “In the meantime,” he said, “I want you to take good care of my little Sibella.” “Uh… y-y-you can count on us, count,” Zipp stammered. “Good,” Dracula huffed. “because if anything happens to her… it will be a bat day for you.” “Grr, that goes for Winnie too,” Papa Werewolf howled before they left, and after they did, Frankenteen Senior grabbed Shaggy and Scooby by their collars. “Elsa's my pride and joy. Don't let me down.” He then threw them to the ground, only for them to be picked up by Tanis’ father as well. “Take care of Tanis and her friends, or you'll meet a very mad mummy!” “Not to mention, a foul-tempered phantom!” said Phantasma’s father, and with that, the remaining fathers left the school. “Bye bye, guys!” Scrappy waved them off. “Gee, what a friendly bunch of folks. Right, Uncle Scooby?” “Y-Yeah,” Scooby gulped. “Really.” “See?” Sunny smiled. “Now there’s nothing to be afraid of, guys.” XXXXXXXX “That’s what they think,” Revolta cackled as she moved to one of her spider-bats. “Get ready to fly, little spider bat. You're about to earn your keep. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!” But what Revolta didn’t realize was a certain young kirin, hoping that whatever plan she had would fail. As Midnight was about to creep back to bed, the Creeper stood in her way. “Not so fast, you horned brat,” he sneered. “Revolta requires your assistance to trap the ghoul girls.” “Great…” Midnight muttered sarcastically. “My soul purpose… what could go wrong?”