Those gosh darn meddling kids!

Those gosh darn meddling kids!

The "Scooby Gang" has been following me through the maze of secret passages. Fortunately, TickTick, SunAeryn, SWORDandMug, Annisette, and RagnarRB are making a lot of racket. Clop, clang, flop, Clop. Indeed, I have led them on a merry chase!

The Phantom hops across the weight activated floor switch.

Minutes later, RagnarRB steps on the switch and activates the autoamtic Pie-Tosser. <splat>, <splat>, <splat>, <splat>, <splat>.

He removes his luminescent shoes that left glowing prints.

The Phantom yells, "You'll never find me!"

The gang wipes pie from their faces. They are resolved to continue the search.

SunAeryn -- Calling all “Scooby Gang”...

"Are we gonna give up?" SunAeryn asks barely audible.

"Hell no we won't." cheers the "Scooby Gang" ever so quietly.

"Well then....lets get moving!" SunAeryn pushes SWORD in front and says, "Follow SWORD!" (that's for the tutu remark...besides...you look so much better in that kilt!) And the "Scooby Gang" takes up the chase.

Hey in2d3, next time could you throw in more chocolate cream pies? They're my favorite. Did I just ask the BB Phantom to do that? I think I know what affect Punch O' Doom has on human flesh...it's absorbed. Oh, man! Now I'm gonna be acting like the rest of you guys! And I don't drink...this could get weird or ugly.

Be Good, and if you can't? Be Good At It!

Offical In2scifi blackmailer

SWORDandMUG -- A bombard of pies..

...hits SWORD square on the left side and lifts his from the ground. He lands on the ledge of a ravine in the grotto, staggers momentarily, teeters, and stops.

"Whew..." he begins to say.

The ledge gives way.

SWORD tumbles down 30 feet below the others and lands in a heap of rubble.

"Oh, my gosh!" Ticker cries.

"...the Phantom just killed SWORD!" Anni gasps.

"Brave warrior, the Valkyrie will carry your broken form upon their winged steeds..." Rangar begins to say.

"...i think i'm okay..."

"...nothing seems to be broken..."

"WHAT? SWORD! YOU'RE ALIVE!" Anni cries.

"...yeah... i think we're supposed to go this way..."

"Where is that, SWORD?" SunAeryn asks.

"...to post #8051... ...I'll meet you there..."

"Well about that time two young and lovely ladies happened by

And one said to the other, with a twinkle in her eye

"Oh see yon sleepy Scotsman, so strong and handsome built?"

"Well I wonder if it's true what they don't wear beneath their kilts."

Ring-ding diddle diddle aye-dee-oh

Ring di-diddlee-aye-oh

"Oh I wonder if it's true what they don't wear beneath their kilts."

TickTick -- So now we got booby traps

The Ticker says with a sigh. "This is driving me crazy!"

Sword and Mug finishes buttoning the green pants he got from Phantom Hunter with a grin. "Aye, lassie, noe ye be liken unto yon In2scifi. She be alreadie loopy."

"Cut out the Scotch talk, Sword!' Annisette whispers fiercely. "We gotta be serious. We've just taken a severe pie ambush. Any body got any weapons?"

"Legos," said Sword" and I'm Scots, not Scotch!"

"Whatever. Legos aren't good enough!"

Sword looks insulted. "You can't mean that. After the fort I built this morning?"

SunAeryn looks at the gang with dismay. "This is what we have to catch the Phantom? The Scooby gang was a bunch of professionals compared to this!"

TickTick giggles. "She's right, guys...we gotta be serious. Now, Ragnar?"

"Hmmmm?" Ragnar says absently, staring off into space. The Ticker grabs his chin and turns his face to hers.

"Hmm. Okay, yeah, I gotcha."

TickTick nods. "You be the scout. That way, all the pies hit you," she says with a wink to the rest of her group. Ragnar is so focused on her pointy ears that he nods without thinking.

"Okay. Scout. Right-o!" He says and takes the lead. Sword, Annisette, and SunAeryn look at TickTick in amazement.

"It's the BROWNIES. Plus you just gotta be firm. Works everytime..."

Suddenly another pie attack is launched.

Ragnar shouts "sorry guys! Tripped another wire."

"Everybody down!" shouts Annisette. The gang drops to the floor, which is covered in PUNCH OF DOOM puddles.

"DAND!" "OW" "OH MAN MY NEW RUFFLED SHIRT" "THIS STUFF BURNS LIKE HESS!!!" "WHAT THE YOTZ?"

"Watch out for the puddles, kiddies..." a voice calls in the distance...

RagnarRB -- Haven’t we been this way before?

Ragnar peers into the dimness, mumbles to himself. 'That TickTick, she's not to bad after all. She knew right away who should be leading this hunt...' His mind pauses in mid-thought.' but why do I think i'm missing something here. something important...did she pull something?'

Ragnars back straitens. He can hear the others shuffing along behind.

'No not Tickster, nobody with such interesting ears would do that.' "Yes" he says aloud that's it.

Glad that he's now gotten that figured out he turns back to the passageway "Focus, TickTick said focus." He shakes his head in effort. "But that's so hard...but its for In2scifi." He staitens some more. Yes, its not to hard, not when its for In2scifi!

While Ragnar had been busy distracting himself a shadow passed by, one that he didn't even notice. A gentle fog began to roll across the floor, floating inchs above it and thickening. He glances down.

"Arrgga, arrgge...." Behind him he hears the others dropping to the floor, expecting more pies at any moment."

"What now?" Annisette cautiously calls.

Shaking visable Ragnar turns around. " I'm...I'm going blind! I cann't see my feet!" Ragnar's busy looking at the gang, then at his feet, at the gang, back to his feet.

The rest begin to stand up. Annisette turns to TickTick. "How many did you say he ate?"

"Too many."She replys Shaking her head she walks up and grabs Ragnar by the chin again. "Focus Ragnar, Focus." she sooths. "It's only a little mist!"

"But...but then why did it eat SWORD?"

"SWORD, it ate SWORD>" Ragnar motions behind them. Sure enough SWORD was gone!

Annisette -- The search for SWoRD

Oh NO! IF it could eat Sword...we are all in DANGER! SunAeryn could feel her resolve melting,

OH SWORD, I hardly knew ye, ye Scots rascal. Annisette's shoulders shook with building sobs. She clutched the LEGO block like a treasure.

Man, that bites. TickTick took a more pragmatic view of things. There goes the entertainment.

Ragnar RB was preparing a pyre on which to send a fellow warrior to his final rest. Thats if they could find what was left of him...Ugh, Ragnar shuddered, don't want to think of it.

Yoo hoo, oh Hello, Hello HELLLLOOOO. The High pitched cheery voice carried through the mist. Oh Scooby Gang, here we are! Over here!

We. Who is.? I dunno. Who's that? Sword?

Oh Lasses. I cuhld hear yer wailing....Dinna greet, I'm no'deid. Sword was still feeling his Scots.

Well I'm gonna kill em. TickTick held Annisette back. Making me cry, I HATE crying. We thought you were deid, dead.

The tiny tweeded figure in the grey bun and multiple spectacles on brightly colored beaded chains popped out from behind Sword. Annisette blinked and hid behind SunAeryn whose mouth had fallen open.

Ragnar looked down at the little old lady in sensible shoes who barely reached his belt. Madam, may we assist you? You seem to be lost.

Well I was but the lad here helped me find my way.

Actually she is a professional. Sword gestured to the satchel she carried. Annisette continue to make her self small.

A pro? TickTick said. At her age? Ragnar barely controlled his laughter. But she's so tiny.

A professional PHANTOM HUNTER, coming out of my semi-retirement to help you kiddies. Just call me Mrs. H. or...

Annisette Cacciatore, I should have known you'd be mixed up in this. Mrs. H's eyes glared at the puffy-shirted figure in thigh-high boots.

Hi Nonna! Annisette gave the Phantom Hunter a wiggly smile.

Sword and TickTick looked back and forth and noticed the stunning resemblance. But you said your name was Hunter.

Like Chicken cacciatore? SunAeryn hooted.

Hunter, Cacciatore, same thing, Hunter was cheaper to put on the business cards! Mr. H was frugal.

Sounds like a Scot. Sword couldn't argue with the reasoning.

Anni, I'll deal with you later, but we have a phantom to hunt. Lets just see what tools I have in my bag, shall we. Mrs. H rifled through her satchel.

TickTick, SunAeryn, Ragnar, hold these.... and handed them various Phantom-detecting equipment.

Annisette, Sword, pay attention. Yes Nonna. Ma'am.

And the Scooby Gang circled the little figure of th Phantom Hunter awaiting the next move.

in2d3 -- The mist...

permeating the main floor seems to be rising from the basement. The "Scooby Gang" rushes to the basement and discovers the entire ball room enshrouded with a thick fog. They hear a rubbing noise over by the grotto. They get to the dock just in time to see The Phantom" escaping on the "Flying Dutchman". RagnarRB searches for the Viking longboat and finds...

RagnarRB -- Vanderdreken

Ragnar spits out the name like its a bad course. Behind him the "Scooby gang" is silent.

Mrs H. rest a gentle hand on his shoulder. He's slumped slightly but far more sober than he was. All around them is quiet.

Mrs. H. looks at him, sadly. " I'm sorry Ragnar son, sometimes phantoms do that. I haven't seen the "Dutchman in a long time."

Before them the longboat lies empty and abandoned. Tattered and scratched. Whatever happened here happened quickly. "Vanderdecken." was all Rangan could say.

Sheepishly SunAeryn pipped up. "What's Vanderdreken?"

Mrs H. replys, Ragnars still looking at the ship." It's not a what dear, it's a who. Vanderdreken is the most common name given to the captain of the "Flying Dutchman". Some legends say its captain was condemned for blasphemy and cursed to sail around forever, never able to make 'port'. Others say his name is Von Falkenberg condemned to sail about with out helm or steersman, gambling with the devil for his soul. Some say its laden with bullion and all the treasure it has taken from captured vessels."

Annisette steps foreward. "We're sorry Ragnar, we all are." She turns to Mrs. H. "But what's it doing here?"

"I don't know dear...I don't know..."

Ragnars goes to take a closer look. Maybe its not all for In2scifi afterall.

TickTick -- Awww....Dren!!!!

Ragnar shouts, stamping his feet. The Gang runs up to find that his Viking longboat is--

"That stupid Phantom. He-"

"or she" Annisette says with a grin to TickTick.

"has taken my boat! After I worked so hard to put this little dock here and everything!"

Phantom Hunter looks around on the floor, peering through her glasses. "Look, there!" She announces suddenly.

"What?" Sword says, stepping forward, his green pants glowing slightly in the mist.

"It's...a cd player."

TickTick kneels and pulls out the cd. "Greatest Pipe Organ Hits of the '70s" she reads.

"1970's?" asks Ragnar, interested for a moment and ignoring the plight of his lost boat.

"No...1770's. What a wacko!" TickTick drops the cd and stands. "Okay, I'm getting tired of this stuff. I've got PUNCH OF DOOM all over my coat."

"And I'm tired" says Sword.

"And I'm hungry" says Annisette.

"And I'm scared" says Ragnar. Everyone glares at him.

SunAeryn smiles. "This was your idea, wasn't it Ragnar?"

Ragnar smiles sheepishly. "But I was under the influence..."

"Under the Influence of Brownies" Annisette explains to Phantom Hunter.

"Okay, then...TickTick, you lead." Phantom Hunter announces.

"Why me?" TickTick says plaintively. Everyone grins at her and she feels a blush rising to her ears.

"Come on," Phantom Hunter says. "Even I know that you made those brownies."

Godallmitey says, "and everyone is under the influence, except you."

The gang looks around for Godallmitey and then collectively shrugs.

"Yeah, why don't they affect you?" asks Annisette.

"'Cause I don't eat FIVE OR SIX at a time! I pace myself," the Ticker replies stonily. Sighing deeply, she nods.

"Fine. How do we follow the Phantom down the underground stream?"

"How about these big inner tubes?" Sword says, holding up a giant black doughnut.

"Glad I still have my swimsuit on..." TickTick says. "Okay, all aboard who's going aboard. Who's riding with me?" she asks. "Sword? Ragnar?" she adds with a sly grin.

"I'm afraid of you," Sword says, grinning. "You ride, Ragnar."

The gang piles on to the inner tubes and heads downstream...

TickTick -- These dang posts are getting mixed up..

::: Please reverse the orders to make the most sense to you, lovely reader. Don't mind us...we're just silly that way:::

godallmitey -- Dagnabit, I was just over to #8001 and

#8051 and y'all had already left. Now you've cleared out over here. Where ya headed next? Left a goody for Sword at #8051.

RagnarRB -- Looking serious

Having found nothing less than he expected Ragnar walks back down the gangplank. She was still seaworthy but the crew was completely gone, not a trace. Worse yet he could find no sign of the brownie and PUNCH stash he had been quietly putting togeter.

Without speaking to the others he goes to the nearest phone. "Yes...humm...big, real big...cost?...bill the Dominion...yes that will do.." He hangs up looking intense but much relieved. His walk has almost returned to normal as he regroups with the gang.

"Uh.."TickTick askes "What was that about?"

"Oh that?" Ragnar begins to grin, a really big grin." Oh that nothing much. I was just placing a a special order with the bakery. A big pie, a really_ BIG_ pie." He spreads his arms in a wide circle. "I don't know what kind the Phantom likes so I told them to include a little bit of everything. I'll ask what she likes later."

"She?" Mrs. H. asks.

"Yes?" Ragnar confirms. "For now,what man would do that to a ship!" He gestures at the longboat. Mrs. H. smiles.

"Ok Lad I see yer reasonin," SWORD offers, "But ho ye gonna threw da thin?"

If possible Ragnars smile gets even wider. "I'm not."

They all look at him. He chuckles. "I might miss so I figured I'd just throw the Phantom on IN."

SWORD begins to chuckle as well. It spreads amungst the group.

"Of course I'll give In2scifi the first go, but after that. Fairs, fair, and rights, right."

Mr's H. remains silently watching. She's pleased. This could have gone badly. Maybe Scapers weren't so bad after all. Yes maybe so. On with the hunt.

Officer Sun -- Yes, call them the Scooby Gang

You should call them the Scooby Gang, because they are a gang. You should. Who are you, in2d3? I want to know. But good post, it's funny. But lookout, the Scooby Gang is coming after you!

Chianna -- In2d3, you’re not supposed to say...

...that yet. It is after you get caught. "...and I would've gotten away with it if it weren't for those meddling kids!!"

P.S. It's late and Officer_Sun is too tired to know what she's saying, don't pay attention

RagnarRB -- TickTick!!

"TickTick? TickTick are you alright?"

TickTick awakens to find herself lying mostly on the ground her head and shoulders craddled by Ragnar. The whole Scooby gangs is gathered around her looking on, each with their own variety of concern.

"Huh? What?" TickTick blinks her eyes. "What Happened?"

Mrs H. is kneeling beside her."We don't know dear. You seemed to have feinted."

"It wasn't a feint it was a trance?" Annisette explaims.

"Yeh we all saw it." SunAeryn adds."You were just lying there with your eyes open!"

"Huh? I don't understand>" TickTick starts to sit up. Ragnar helps her.

"It's true TickTick. You were seeing things. You mumbled even." he adds.

TickTick stands. "I thought I was here." She looks around,"Only it was a little different. The Phantom had taken the longboat." She turns to point at the dock only...the longboat was still there. A little worse for ware but there.

"But...the longboat was gone! " She looks at each of her friends, pleading with her eyes that they believe her. She sees nothing but understanding. "The longboat was gone and we were fixing to follow the Dutchman in intertubes! Don't you'll remember?"

Everyone was looking at her with patience. Where had SHE been? Mrs H. thought it was a good time to step in. "It's alright dear. We believe you." She addressed the whole gang. "You should all get used to this. Chasing Phantoms is touchy bussiness. That's why I came out of retirement. Strange things happen when Phantoms are active. The Flying Dutchman shouldn't be here but it was." She looked at each of them sternly driving her words home."Sometimes things get a little confusing, a little out of order. Don't worry about it, we'll set it right, It can happen to any of us. We don't yet know what this Phantom's up to. Beware!"

Ragnar thought about it a sec. Shaking his head"Yes ma'am"

"Yeh...yes..o.k...."The others chimned in.

"Alright now." Mrs H. took charge. "That intertube idea was a good one TickTick."TickTick britened at the praise. She stuck her tongue out at Ragnar."Now everybody grab the intertubes and lets go. And I'd be careful about that TickTick. You're riding with him!"

Mrs. H. watched them gather they're stuff. SWORD and Ragnar hustled up to the ballroom to scrounge supplies and came back with full sacks. They were nearly ready...

SunAeryn -- YeeHaw!

The men folk finally made it back from gathering supplies and everyone got ready, Mrs. H, (bless her) tried to get the gang paired off but it didn't really work, we don't listen very well.

"But don't ye think we should at least tie the intertubes together?" Mrs.H, suggested. Everyone thought this was a great idea.

"Nonna, that's a great idea, this way we won't lose anyone. But maybe we should tie SWORD to his innertube. He has a tendancy to fall out." Annisette answered

SWORD looked at Anni like she had just stepped on his big toe.

"What do ye mean lassie? I do not!" SWORD whispered loudly.

"Aww, now you've done it Annisette! SWORD's feelings are hurt and we'll get no work out of him." TickTick whined.

"Well it's true." Annisette replied.

"BWAAHAAAAAAA." came the evil laugh from out of no where.

"Shush, young ones!" Mrs. H scolded

"That'll be the Phantom....and he/she hears all!"

"Lets get moving!" Ragnar suggested

"And away we go!" yelled SunAeryn jumping in an innertube. The rest of the gang followed suit and...........

Annisette -- A little Swordie told me

After much apologies to Sword, he agreed to get into the inner tube. Ragnar was extremely happy on the water. Mrs H. packed up her satchel and loaded into an empty tube. She paused and pulled the flask out again and took a quick sip. She winked at Sword who winked back. Ragnar winked too.

"Oh, gosh, darnit!" Ticker says with frustration, "That Phantom is just proving to be too slippery. We need to catch him/her/it/they/them/who/whom by surprise! We need a secret weapon!"

Anni pauses for a moment and then looks at SWORD, who notes her intense look and starts to squirm. SunAeryn glances back at them. Mrs. H looks at Anni and nods.

"Ticker," Anni asks rhetorically, "what is the most dangerous and unpredictable thing you have seen this month?"

"You mean other than a Phantom?"

"Yes, other than a Phantom. Something that you saw wreak untold destruction on a Biblical scale."

"Biblical..." A disembodied voice sounded from the gloom.

"Hush, godallmitey!" everyone says and returns to the question at hand. SWORD sinks lower into his inner tube until only his feet and the top his head are visible in the dim light. His body makes a loud squeek against the rubber as he tries not to be noticed.

"Hmmm? OH NO! Not him!" SunAeryn says pointing at the fuzzy toes poking up out the inner tube.

"Ticker," Anni says decisively, "give him some Scooby snacks."

SWORDandMUG -- Cliffhanger!

Will the Phantom elude the Scooby gang?

Will the Ragnar put a dragon prow on his inner tube?

Does TickTick have any scooby snacks left after the big bash the other night?

Learn the answers to all of these questions and more by tuning in with us next time at post #8092!