Introduction updating characters

Background: This story takes place a few years after the current What’s New Scooby Doo? Series. The kids have grown up Shaggy is 22, Freddy and Daphne 21 and Velma is 20. Since we last saw Mystery Inc. a few developments have taken place, the most obvious and pressing of which is Fred and Daphne’s engagement. They have finally admitted their true feelings for one another and this story picks up a couple of days before the engagement party to end all engagement parties, held in the plush surroundings of Blake Manor.
The gang now run Mystery Inc as a fully-fledged business. They are very well known in their local area and beyond. Fred and Daphne are also tabloid sweethearts. The media traces their every move a la Posh ‘n’ Becks or Jlo and Ben. Velma is still the brains of the operation, Shaggy and Scooby as comical as ever. The Mystery Machine still a prominent feature but with Fred and Daphne’s impending nuptials could Mystery Inc be heading for a split? Freddie has an announcement to make...

The gang are gathered in the ‘living room’ of Velma’s spacious yet cluttered flat, the tension in the room is there for all to see. Shaggy sits in an overstuffed chair, Scooby curled at his feet, even they don’t look their normal cheery selves. Velma, Freddy and Daphne are seated on a couch, Daphne’s head is resting on Fred’s shoulder in an intimate manner, Velma sits cross- legged, perplexed. After what seems like an eternity, Freddy finally speaks “I think you all know what I’m going to say...” Velma abruptly cuts him off “It’s fine Fred really, you know we all have other jobs anyway.” “Yeah and Scooby and I are done chasing ghosts” Shaggy cuts in; Scooby nods his head in firm agreement. “It doesn’t have to be forever” Daphne hastily adds “Its just, were going to be so busy with wedding preparations, there really won’t be time for Mystery Inc anymore.” Freddy reiterates, “So we are all agreed then? To shut down the business at least for a while” He is met with quiet murmurs of agreement. With false brightness Daphne tries to brighten the sombre mood O.K then so we’ll see you guys on Saturday?” “Wouldn’t miss it!” is Velma’s over enthusiastic reply. An hour later and Velma was alone. Great! She thought I’ve got more time to spend on my science projects! I won’t lose my glasses again and I won’t see Shag and Scoob running away from ghosts again or solve exciting mysteries or enjoy getting lost in the mystery machine or catching a criminal. Suddenly Velma’s world grew emptier and emptier...
Shaggy and Scooby drove home in a jovial mood “No more spooky ghosts!” “No more reepy rastles!” “No more haunted houses!” “No more rary ronsters!” “No more gang, no more splitting up.” He couldn’t for the life of him figure out why but Shaggy knew he would miss Mystery Inc. The journey home from then on was silent.
In the mystery machine Fred and Daphne were also silent. Finally Daphne spoke exactly what was on Fred’s mind “Did we do the right thing?” “Of course we did Daphne, it was the best thing to do for us, for them.” His reply was none too convincing. “Yeah I know Fred but I am really going to miss it all” “What getting kidnapped, falling through trapdoors, almost getting killed on numerous occasions. He was being playful but it riled Daphne. “No Freddie I won’t miss that but thank you for reminding me. She sounded hurt. “No I meant the mystery, the intrigue, suspense and adventure. Won’t you miss it?” “Of course Daph but we have got to move on, there’s more important things in life” He squeezed her hand for reassurance “Yeah I know”. The conversation stopped, Fred kept his eyes firmly fixed on the road, and Daphne gazed out of the window. The single tear that ran down her lovely face did not go unnoticed by Fred.
About ten miles away a mystery man read a newspaper with interest, he is sat by a blinking light one article catches his eye ‘Teen sweethearts announce their engagement. Big party at Blake Manor tomorrow 7PM’ “well, well the idiot and the beautiful klutz are getting married. How sweet” Suddenly he snatches the paper and violently tosses it across the room. His voice has added venom “I don’t think so! None of those kids deserve any happiness. Not after what they did to me. I swore I would get even and I will” He strides over to a desk, thumbs through papers and finally picks up the phone. “Yeah its me, I got a job for you.” at the same time he holds a lighter to a photo of the gang. It slowly burns. “Yeah it’s a really big job...”