A Familiar Scent

[Scooby Dum]

(April 30th. Morning.)

Scooby Dum walked around sniffing the ground.

"Something smells familiar. A clue? Dum. Dum. Dum. Dum." said Scooby Dum, chanting a theme to himself as he ran towards a circus.

He then bumped into a storage container dropping red herrings over him. He shoved them off him and frowned.

"Aww. I lost the trail." said Scooby Dum.

He got up and dusted himself off. He began sniffing picking up the familiar scent. His cousin's.

"Scooby Doo? Where are you?" asked Scooby Dum.

He paused looking up seeing Shaggy. He ran up to him jumping up to see him and knocking Shaggy over in the process and licked his face.

"Shaggy! It's good to see you." said Scooby Dum.

XXXX

Shaggy was walking through the circus after a full breakfast and overheard a familiar phrase that he was often saying.

"That's funny. I'm the one who usually says that. But that wasn't me. But it sounded familiar." said Shaggy.

Puzzled he walked towards the circus spotting Scooby Dum near some red herring.

"Scooby Dum! It is you!" said Shaggy.

He ran inside only to have the dog run up to him and knock him over as he laughed.

"Stop that! That tickles!" said Shaggy.

XXXX

Scroop walked into the circus next spotting the dog knocking over the boy and shook his head.

"Another dog. Well as long as I don't have to clean up after him." said Scroop, mumbling to himself.

XXXX

Fat Cat walked up seeing the dog and Shaggy and sighed.

"Great. Another dog. Well as long as he doesn't chase after me I suppose he can stay." said Fat Cat.

[Pooka]

Speaking of chasing, Pooka was chasing Toulouse just for the fun of it. Only not in a preditorial way. The two were trying to have some fun with themselves. Toulouse was laughing while Pooka kept barking and barking to try and get him. Eventually he did and Toulouse replied "Ah, ya caught me, dang it" Pooka though was smiling proudly. That is until he smelled a new dog. He turned over to see Scooby dum reunite with Scooby and Shaggy and Pooka felt a little sad missing his owner Anya. Still, it didn't hurt to be friendly. Pooka sniffed the new older dog and wagged his tail and gave a hello with his paw.
XXXX

"Not all dogs are bad I think. But don't worry, if they do chase you I'll show em" Toulouse replied to his older friend. He did turn to Scooby dum and replied "Hey there. I'm Toulouse. Nice to meet you" He then turned to see Scooby and rolled his eyes in amusement.
XXXXX

The Trickster walked over slowly and chuckled in amusement to both Fat Cat and Scoop's comments "Ah, canines, unpredictable but loyal. I'm sure he can take care of himself, Mr. scroop" He then smirked at the reunion "Very nice" He then bowed to the dog "Welcome to the group, canine companion"
XXXX

Scooby raised his ear as he remembered the voice calling for him. He sniffed the trail of the familiar scent and was anxious to find out where it was coming from. When he turned to see what it was, it was none other than his cousin scooby dum! Scooby cried out in joy "Scooby dooby dum!" He then raced to his cousin before lending his paw for a hi five for their traditional handshake and hug combo. He was beyond excited to see his cousin. First his best friend, now his cousin.

[Scooby Dum]

Scooby Dum smiled waving to Pooka.

"Hello." said Scooby Dum.

He smiled at all the other new arrivals and waved to Toulouse, Trickster, Fat Cat, and Scroop as well. Then turned back to Scooby Doo and Shaggy.

"I've missed you guys. Been awhile since we got to solve mysteries together." said Scooby Dum.

He paused looking around.

"Are any of the others here?" asked Scooby Dum.

XXXX

Shaggy shook his head.

"Not in this army Scooby-Dum. A couple of our enemies are in Ask That Guy's army. But I haven't seen Fred, Daphne, Velma, or any of your relatives besides Scooby Doo." said Shaggy.

When he saw Amber he looked around for Crystal and didn't see her.

"Amber is Crystal with you?" asked Shaggy.

When Amber said she wasn't Shaggy nodded sadly. He hadn't seen Crystal in years and it would have been nice to see her again. He also hoped she was ok on her home planet.

XXXX

Fat Cat sighed.

"Well Scooby Doo and Pooka haven't been so bad I suppose. As long as the mutts don't chase me I'll learn to tolerate them." said Fat Cat.

XXXX

Scroop turned to Trickster and shrugged.

"I guess we'll find out. I guess Facilier will probably be glad his familiar has another friend here. Will make it easier for him to want to stay." said Scroop.

XXXX

Just then another dog came running in sniffing something before she ran up to Scooby Doo nearly knocking Scoooby Dum and Shaggy over in the process.

"Scooby Doo! I knew it was you!" said Amber.

She paused glancing at the others and recognizing Shaggy with a grin.

"It's good to see you again too Shaggy." said Amber.

She shook her head at Shaggy's question.

"I haven't seen Crystal in awhile. I disappeared from my world and ended up here. I hope she's alright on her own." said Amber.

[Pooka]

Scooby Doo smiled, pleased to have his cousin back. He nodded as scooby dum mentioned it was long since he seen them "Reah, rong time" He then nodded to everything shaggy said about the others "Relma, red rand daphine rive haven't reen. Rots of reople we raven't met. Rit's rust rus ror now" He then noticed Amber almost immediately and he blushed as red as a beet. He still had a lot of feelings for her. Shaggy seemed to get over crystal but Scooby still had dreams where he and amber were together. He still missed her. So seeing her was a pleasant surprise. Scooby was so shocked he didn't see her pounce coming. After allowing her to speak to Shaggy and Dum, he responded with a lot of happiness in his voice "Amber. Amber, it's really rou" He hugged her tightly and replied "You're rack. Rim ro glad to ree you"
XXXXX

Toulouse smiled glad to meet the new dog but saw Pooka stay firmly nearby him. Toulouse could relate, it must of been due to admiration of some kind. He felt this way about his stepfather. He then turned to scooby and amber and rolled his eyes. He had seen it plenty from his mother, he did NOT need to see any more of it. Toulouse turned to the adults and went over to Fat Cat especially and heard his comment about tolerating dogs. He sat by him not feeling appropriate to barge in yet.
XXXXX

The Trickster chuckled to scroop "Yes. I agree. We will need to see to believe but it seems if he is as capable as his cousin it might work out fine. Besides, the little pup as Fat Cat correctly stated has behaved himself overall" He then turned to see the possibility of having more allies here would gain shaggy's desire to stay "Perhaps bringing the friends from the other sides might help too but alas they're not from this army" He whispered this to scroop for only scroop to hear, not wanting to annoy or hurt shaggy's feelings.
XXXXX

Pooka looked up, interested in Scooby Dum immensely. He was surprisingly more curious with him than Scooby or even amber. Sure amber seemed like a nice dog but she seemed way too interested in scooby and scooby was way too interested in her. He rolled his eyes as the display, finding the romance a bit gross. Pooka was still a puppy afterall. He then turned to shaggy and looked to see his sadness and poked scooby dum's leg to look at shaggy. As if to suggest he should say something, since he could not really speak.

[Scooby Dum]

Shaggy sighed. Crystal was still gone. It was probably a long shot. She was off in another world and now another universe. But he smiled at the group in front of him.

"This must be your lucky day Scoob. Your cousin and your girlfriend." said Shaggy.

He paused looking up half expecting one of the others to show up. Even someone he hadn't seen in a while like Film Flam, Scrappy or Vincent Van Ghoul.

"Guess we have no other surprise guests. At least for now." said Shaggy.

When Scooby tried to talk to Pooka Shaggy smiled.

"Pooka doesn't talk. I don't know if animals just didn't talk in his world or maybe he's too young. You may have to talk the old fashioned way through barking." said Shaggy.

XXXX

Scooby Dum glanced at Pooka and smiled.

"Hello, little one. I'm Scooby Dum." said Scooby Dum.

Hearing Shaggy he glanced at the puppy curiously.

"Can't talk huh? Maybe you just need someone to teach you." said Scooby Dum.

He heard Amber and smiled.

"Yep. I'm his cousin and it's ok. I'm a bit clumsy sometimes." said Scooby Dum.

XXXX

Amber smiled nuzzling her head against Scooby.

"I've missed you too. I am sorry I couldn't bring Crystal with me. She missed Shaggy and I can see he misses her." said Amber.

She paused as Shaggy mentioned a cousin. She glanced at Scooby Dum realizing she'd nearly knocked him over in her excitement to see Scooby Doo again.

"So you are his cousin? I'm sorry for almost knocking you over. I was too excited to see Scooby Doo again." said Amber.

XXXX

Fat Cat turned to Tolouse.

"I guess this army's going to the dogs." said Fat Cat.

XXXX

Scroop just watched the reunions. At least they were getting more allies. Even though he wasn't sure how useful they'd be.

"Well, I suppose having more animals wouldn't hurt. At least they're full grown this time." said Scroop.

He shrugged.

"But they more likely won't want to join us unlike him. He's one of our leader's familiars. The dogs are staying out of loyalty to Shaggy it seems." said Scroop.

[Pooka]

Pooka was about to silently express hello when shaggy spoke that he could not speak. Pooka was slightly irritated at the assumption that he didn't understand just because he couldn't talk. He could speak russian and english perfectly, that is if he could speak. But he understood it quite well. He heard the comments from fat cat and scroop. Mentioning his age and size and clearly questioning the use for dogs. Pooka could say a million things about how useful he was. If he could. He then perked his ears a bit at the possibility of being taught how to speak. That may be extremely useful. He nodded insistently at the idea of learning how to speak. Maybe it would get people to realize he wasn't as naive or dumb as he supposedly appeared.

He did however wanted people to know that while he didn't talk, it did not mean he didn't understand. So he tried to get shaggy and scooby dum's attention by moving his paws, similar to how he saw jerry do it. He moved his paws which he hoped would help and it came down to this I can understand what scooby dum says. But hard to talk. Want to learn Pooka then looked to scooby dum signing curiously Maybe you.. help me?
XXXXX

Scooby couldn't help but beam brighter at shaggy's words. He had his best friend, closest cousin and girlfriend all in the same place. Too bad the gang wasn't here otherwise this would've been perfect. But this would do just fine. He was a tad more focused on amber. It had been so long since he last saw her. Scooby was however a bit sad that crystal wasn't here. Maybe things would've been much easier for shaggy if she was here. Scooby replied softly to her "Ry do wish crystal was here for rhaggy rand rou. Rut ri ram so, so rappy you're here" He meant that. Amber did mean a lot to him and for her to be here was a huge comfort. Scooby then smiled more as scooby dum and amber conversed and he blushed as amber admitted to being so excited to see him. He was relieved she missed him as much as he missed her
XXXXX

The Trickster couldn't help but chuckle at the cat's pun. He had a slight sense of childish humor still. The trickster raised a finger though at scroop and replied calmly "Grown up or not animals can have their uses. Trust me. I speak from experience. They have a good sense about them" Trickster then turned to toulouse who spoke politely that he could easily show the villians what for and he chuckled "While you have your uses, they do not include you impulsively going into things little one. That is definitely a grown up thing. Danger is not for you"
XXXX

Toulouse snickered at fat cat's pun, finding it also kind of funny. However toulouse felt slightly offended that scroop did not take children, in particular animal children, very seriously. He went over and replied, albeit politely "Um. Hey. We can have uses. We're small but we can show those other sides what for. I certainly can show them" He got into a defensive stance at that point but then listened as trickster told him it was too dangerous "But I love danger!"

[Scooby Dum]

Scooby Dum raised an eyebrow at Shaggy.

"Just because you can't speak doesn't mean you don't know what people are saying." said Scooby Dum.

He turned to Pooka seeing him moving his paws but he wasn't exactly sure what it was.

"You trying to say something?" asked Scooby Dum.

XXXX

Amber nodded as well.

"He's right Shaggy. I can understand Pooka perfectly." said Amber.

XXXX

Shaggy blushed a bit at being chided by the dogs.

"You're right. My apologies. I've gotten so used to being around talking dogs that I don't know what to do around the ones that can't talk. I'm sorry Pooka. I hope I didn't hurt your feelings." said Shaggy.

Shaggy turned to Scooby Doo.

"It's okay, Scooby. I guess I've just always been unlucky in love. Googie, Crystal. I even dated Velma and Daphne. But Daphne was more like a sister to me. It didn't really work out." said Shaggy.

Thinking of Velma though he smiled. From the outside, they wouldn't have seemed to have clicked. The genius and the guy who spent half his time binging on food and the other half running away like a coward from guys dressed up in costumes. Sometimes he wondered what anyone saw in him.

"Maybe I'm just meant to be alone." said Shaggy, thinking out loud.

XXXX

Scroop shrugged.

"The downside of being a human. Can't understand animals who don't speak English." said Scroop.

He glanced down at Toulouse.

"Small things like you at most would only be a nice distraction. You might hurt one of them if you were quick enough. But most of them could trap you or stop you before they got close. Your size could get you hurt or worse." said Scroop.

XXXX

Fat Cat glanced at Toulouse.

"The scorpion pirate may be a tad rude but he does have a point. Just look at me. I'm an average size for a cat but I usually had my henchmen do all the work. Other cats and a lizard that was stronger than me. You've got the courage I admit but you could get hurt. I wouldn't want that. We cats have to stick together." said Fat Cat.

He paused not wanting to upset the kitten.

"But I am one of the medics of this army so I still am useful. However, if you really prefer fighting then you should talk to some of scientists or sorcerers. Maybe they get you some armor or spells to help you. Make you taller or make you harder to hit. I'm sure there's very little Facilier and the others can't do." said Fat Cat.

[Pooka]

Pooka saw scooby dum and amber stand up for him but he could see shaggy meant nothing by it. Pooka smiled and showed no hard feelings and tried desperately to sign It. Is. Ok He did much better thanks to seeing jerry do it. He then noticed scooby dum and he nodded and barked a bit trying to communicate that he could understand but wished to speak like humans did. He then signed with a hint of annoyance with himself Yes. Want. To. Learn. Teach. Me. Please He then saw shaggy sad and he whined in pity for him
XXXXX

Scooby saw both his cousin and girl annoyed with shaggy and he replied sheepishly "Re ridn't rean rit. Rit ras ra risrunderstanding" He then saw shaggy get a bit melancholy as he talked about his love life. Scooby then heard his comment about being alone and scooby replied assuringly "Rat's rot rue rhaggy. Rou rave re rand you'll rind romone. Rou ran't ray rat. Ron't rive rup" He then gave his friend a hug. He then turned to amber with a soft smile. If she was here maybe velma would come back. Scooby could tell that shaggy was into her
XXXXXXX

"Fat Cat and Scroop are right little one. It is not just your size. It's your age. You have much life ahead of you. You do not need to fight to be useful though" Trickster replied to the Toulouse, fat cat and the scroop talk. He then noticed pooka and he raised his hand and replied "I think he is trying to say he wishes to communicate with sign language or writing. But it's clear he wishes to talk. I shall think of something for him"
XXXXXXX

Toulouse wasn't quite thrilled with scroop telling him he'd get hurt by fighting "But isn't that what soldiers do? Get hurt fighting to help others?" Toulouse puzzledly asked "I wanna help!" He then turned as fat cat, in a kinder tone, told him it was best to stay behind and trickster backing them up. He then sighed, defeated at last. But then fat cat gave him a idea to ask to get bigger "That's it! Fat cat, you're a genius! I'll just make facilier make me a big cat! So I can beat my enemies up for you guys!" He then replied as fat cat said they'd stick together "Exactly. That's why I wanna help you. I wanna stick together with my fellow cats"