Rock, Magic, and Destiny

Chapter One

Nyssa Thorne leaned comfortably against the side of the Mystery Machine's back seat, her head resting against the cool window as the familiar hum of the van filled the space around her. Her long dark brown hair spilled over her shoulder, shifting slightly whenever Fred hit a bump in the road.

Her eyes were closed, though she wasn't asleep. She rarely slept while they were traveling. Instead, she enjoyed listening to the chaos that inevitably surrounded her whenever Mystery Inc. was trapped together in one vehicle for longer than ten minutes. Today was certainly no exception.

Fred drove steadily down the highway toward their destination while the others transformed the back of the Mystery Machine into what looked like a combination dressing room and makeup station. Costume pieces were scattered across the seats, containers of face paint had been opened, and Daphne was currently monopolizing the small mirror as she carefully worked on her makeup.

They were heading to KISS World. Apparently, simply visiting the amusement park hadn't been exciting enough for everyone. No, most of the gang had decided they needed to arrive dressed as members of KISS as well.

Nyssa had politely declined. She had nothing against KISS. She knew their music, could play most of their songs on guitar and bass without much difficulty, and understood perfectly well why they had become as famous as they had. She simply wasn't interested enough to paint her face for the occasion. Besides, watching everyone else do it was far more entertaining. Nyssa slowly opened her brown eyes when Shaggy's excitement rose above the general noise inside the van.

"Like, I can't believe we get to go to KISS World!" Shaggy exclaimed.

He looked positively thrilled, his face already painted as he practically bounced in his seat.

"And solve a mystery," Velma chimed in. "That's like killing two birds with one stone."

A soft laugh escaped Nyssa. Mystery Inc. couldn't seem to go anywhere without finding a mystery. They could probably take a trip to the grocery store and somehow end up investigating a phantom haunting the frozen-food aisle.

Scooby suddenly popped up between Shaggy and Velma, looking every bit as excited as his best friend. "Yeah!" he agreed enthusiastically. "Or two birds with one cat!"

Nyssa raised an eyebrow. She wasn't entirely sure how that was supposed to work, but judging by Shaggy's approving expression, questioning it would only lead to an explanation she probably didn't want.

Velma adjusted her glasses. "Personally, I find their sideshow act a little juvenile," she admitted. "But my mother told me to take a more active role in my friends' interests."

Nyssa's lips twitched. That certainly explained the face paint. She loved Velma dearly, but the other girl had never been particularly good at pretending enthusiasm for something she considered illogical or frivolous. The fact that she had agreed to dress up at all was actually rather sweet. Nyssa's attention shifted toward Daphne when her adoptive sister spoke.

"Well, I'm pretty interested in Starchild," Daphne said dreamily.

She leaned closer to the mirror, carefully finishing the star around her eye.

"He's so dreamy."

Nyssa's gaze immediately flicked toward the driver's seat. Oh, no. She knew that look. Fred's hands tightened almost imperceptibly around the steering wheel. Nyssa barely had enough time to brace herself before the Mystery Machine abruptly swerved just enough for one of its tires to hit a pothole. The van bounced. Daphne's hand jerked. A streak of makeup shot across her cheek.

Silence filled the Mystery Machine for approximately half a second. Nyssa slapped a hand over her mouth. Her shoulders shook as she desperately tried not to laugh. Daphne slowly lowered the makeup brush. Her eyes narrowed at Nyssa through the mirror. Nyssa immediately attempted to compose herself, although the amusement sparkling in her eyes betrayed her completely.