So, let's get on with that cliffhanger! Everyone ready to get that clone? :D
Mike: (Growls) You'd better believe it. X(
Micky: Yeah! X-(
Daphne: Let me at 'em! X(
Lauren: Definitely! :P
(Peter whimpers and leans into Valerie. :o :( )
Valerie: We'll do whatever we can. :)
*We fade in on the Rainbow Room. Shelia & Alex stand in the middle of the room, both smirking. The group ran into Micky's back once he stopped.*
Shelia: Well, isn't this nice? ;)
Mike: Hey, what's goin' on?
Emma: Did someone get the license number of that back?
Peter: (Gasps) Oh no!
Mike: (Eyes flare) What are YOU doing here, Shelia?
Micky: Other than annoying us? :P
Mike: (Growls) Get OUT of here, both of you!(Pushes Emma behind him)
Daphne: Where's Davy? X(
Shelia: He's safe, for now. >:)
Micky: (His eyes are on Alex; pushes Lauren behind him) Hello, Alex.
Shelia: Oh, I don't think so. You see, I made a promise I intend to keep. *grins at Alex*
Peter: (Whimpers) A...promise?
Alex: *evil grin* I see everyone's familiar with me now.
Valerie: Shelia, we aren't playing games. You know we'll turn you over to Sergent Nielson at first opportunity. (Pushes Peter behind her)
Alex: I asked to come here. >:)
Shelia: This is no game. This is for keeps. ;)
Daphne: Where are you holding Davy?
Alex: Wouldn't you like to know?
Daphne: (Shakes her fist) You bet I would, you asshole! (Starts to stomp over to Alex, but Lauren grabs her arm)
Lauren: I wouldn't do that, Daph. *shakes her head*
*Alex folds his arms, smirking.*
Daphne: Well, I'm pissed off! Those two bastards have my soulmate, and god only knows WHAT they've done to him! X(
Lauren: I know, Daphne, I know.
Mike: (Low growl) What do you two want?
Emma: And could you take it outside? Micky worked hard on this house.
Micky: (Nods) Damn right! X(
Alex: I just wanted to personally thank someone, without whom I wouldn't be here. And I like it right here. *evil grin*
Lauren: Mick, maybe you oughta seal off the room from the rest of the house, just in case. :P
Micky: (Nods) Good idea. (Concentrates. A blue light surrounds the room. All of the doors close and are instantly locked. The instruments, amps, blankets, and playpen vanish.)
Alex: Well, isn't THAT a neat trick.
Peter: What are you going to do with us? :o :(
Mike: They ought to worry about what I'M gonna do to THEM! X(
Emma: (Takes Mike's arm) Honey, please, don't make things worse!
Shelia: Alex has made a request to face off against ONE of you.
Mike: Let me at 'em!
(Emma grabs his arm again...but Micky runs in front of him.)
Alex: Not you, SHOTGUN. *points at Micky* Curly's got it. ;)
(Mike lets out a growl and lunges for him. It takes Emma and Micky to hold Mike back this time.)
Emma: (Near tears) Mike, please! Don't do this! I need you!
Micky: Mike, it'll be all right. I know what I'm doing.
Valerie: What about the rest of us?
Peter: Yeah!
Daphne: I'm ready to tear both of them limb from limb! X(
Shelia: The rest will watch. *concentrates--a black light moves around the room. When the light clears, there's invisibles walls keeping everyone else from getting to Micky & Alex.*
Alex: Now that's a BETTER trick. ;)
Mike: No! (He and Daphne bang on the walls angrily.)
Daphne: Let us out!
Lauren: Dammit! X-(
Micky: (Eyes flare) LET THEM GO, YOU ASSHOLE! X(
Alex: Not until we have a winner. (Chuckles) Now, the rules are simple...*spits* brother. There are NO rules. ;) >:)
Micky: So I've noticed. :p
Alex: Everything is fair game. The only limit, obviously, is your imagination. So, let’s begin, shall we? *Alex immediately makes a steel folding chair appear.*
Lauren: Dammit, he's gonna cheat already! :P X-(
Micky: Hey! (Ducks away from the steel chair)
Alex: Awe...but I came close!
*Alex tosses the chair down as "Unlucky Stars" begins. The two Mickys circle each other.*
(Micky grins and concentrates on Alex. His mop of curls "sprout" and turn into a bunch of fluffy chrysanthamums, which Micky waters with a watering can. ;) )
*Alex is fuming so much, he has steam coming out his ears. He changes his hair back & makes a lead pipe appear. He grins & goes after Micky.*
(Micky squeaks. His squeak gives him an idea. He turns himself into a mouse and runs up Alex's leg. ;) :D )
*Alex swats at the mouse, but can't catch Micky. Instead, Alex spins himself around so fast, a black light appears. When it fades, a cat grins at the mouse.* ;)
(The mouse squeaks again and runs up to the bandstand, where he turns into a brown dog with almond-shaped eyes. He chases the cat around the room. ;) :D )
*Alex changes back to human form & grabs the brown dog by the scruff of his neck. He makes a cage appear.*
(The brown dog bites him on the hand. Alex screams and drops the dog, who turns back into Micky.)
*Alex shakes his hand out, then holds it. He narrows his eyes at Micky & makes himself disappear. He reappears & drops on Micky's back, making them both tumble to the floor.*
(Micky grins. He pushes Alex off and makes a guitar appear in his hand. He starts playing along with the music. Alex backs away angrily.)
*Alex screams again & makes a dagger appear, along with cotton for his ears. He charges at Micky, dagger raised.* ;)
(Micky's eyes widen. He holds up the guitar as a shield. Alex runs into it, leaving a dagger-sized gash in the back. Micky's eyes widen. He makes his own dagger appear in his hand. The two start to duel with the weapons.)
(Alex backs Micky into a wall. Micky pushes away from him...but, as he does, his dagger accidentally connects with Alex's cheek. Alex grabs his cheek angrily.)
Micky: (Eyes widen as the music ends) I...I'm sorry...I didn't mean to hurt you like that.... :o
Alex: Dammit! *growls; then drops to one knee* Wanna fight dirty, huh? *low blows Micky* :P >:)
(Micky doubles over, puffing.)
Micky: (Breathing hard) I told you it was an accident! :p :o
Alex: *raises his dagger* Enough of this! X-(
(Micky once again ducks out of the way of Alex's gleaming black dagger. Alex lunges too hard and his dagger gets stuck in the wall.)
(Micky laughs. :)) )
Alex: *tugs on the dagger* Why don't you hold still!? *tugs again & pulls it out; advances on Micky--one hand holding the dagger, the other back on his cheek*
Micky: You want me to hold still? (Grins) Ok! I can hold still! (Lifts his hands; a ball of bright blue light forms)
Alex: *eyes widen* Uh oh...
Micky: (As the ball grows bigger) You didn't say anything about my MAGIC holding still, though! ;) (Aims the ball at Alex) Batter up! (Throws right at his chest)
*The ball hits Alex square in the chest, part of it deflecting off his face. He screams, falling to the floor. Moments later, he disappears in a black light. The invisible walls are gone.*
Shelia: NO! X-(
Mike: Nice work, Mick!
Emma: You did great!
(Peter runs to Micky and gives him a big hug, followed by Lauren.)
Micky: No sweat! #:-S
Lauren: That was great, Mick. :)
Daphne: (Goes up to Shelia and shakes her fist at her) You're next, Devil Woman!
Shelia: I don't think so. Not tonight. Not against you.
Mike: Why not? Too scared to fight us without your little toy clone around? ;)
Micky: You're just mad that your boy lost. :P
Shelia: I will fight under my own terms. And choose WHO I want to fight.
Peter: (Gulps) Challenges again? :o
Valerie: I am NOT going in a suitcase, and neither is Peter. :p
Mike: (Takes Emma in his arms) Or Em.
Shelia: *shakes her head* No. *points at Lauren* I want to fight the Mother. But not now. Right now, I have other plans. *a black light begins to surround her...& Emma* >:)
Lauren: Gladly! :P
Emma: (Looks at herself) What? (Screams) Mike!
Mike: (Eyes widen in horror; pulls Emma closer to him) NO! NO! EM!
Lauren: Leave Em alone & fight me NOW! X-(
Daphne: Where are you going, you bitch? X(
Valerie: What's going on?
*Shelia disappears, taking Emma with her.* >:)
Micky: Oh, come ON! :P
Mike: (Roars at his empty arms) NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
(There's a dark blue light around Mike as he roars. When it subsides, a wolf stands in Mike's place, and the roar is that of an angry animal. The wolf lunges for the door, running into it.)
Peter: Michael, be careful! You'll wreck the paint! :o :p
Valerie: Not to mention hurt yourself. :p
Lauren: *calls after* Open the door, first!
Micky: *shakes his head* Mike, lemme open it, before you give yourself a concussion! *blue lights the door opening it just before Mike goes charging out* ;)
(Peter follows Mike and opens the front door for him as he runs out in search of his wife.)
Daphne: (Does some roaring of her own) DAMN THAT BITCH! X(
Micky: *growls* You know, I'm really tired of this! X-( *doubles over again to catch his breath* ;)
Lauren: *puts a hand on his back* I can't WAIT to get my hands on her. X-(
(Peter follows Mike out the door, and Valerie follows Peter.)
Daphne: Join the crowd, Lauren. (Plops on the couch) We just have to figure out what theater she's IN. :p
Lauren: That oughta be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. *helps guide Micky to a chair; he sits with a *thud**
Daphne: Given what you just went through, this may seem like a silly question, but are you ok, Mick?
Micky: *puffs out again & straightens enough to prop his elbows on his knees* Considering the fact that I just fought my evil twin and we damaged each other rather nicely, I'm fine. Well, I'm a bit sore in ONE place, but... :">
(Daphne grins wickedly. ;) )
Lauren: *clenches her fists* I'll get BOTH of them for THAT! X-(
Daphne: But Alex is gone! :o :p
Micky: *grins* Down, babe. I got Alex but GOOD with that light ball. He won't be back.
Lauren: Then I'll give it to Shelia for BOTH of them! X-(
Daphne: Wish I could join you. This is the SECOND time that damn Devil has tried to take Davy away from me! Oooh, if we only knew where she was! (Punches a pillow angrily)
Lauren: I'll give her enough for everyone!
Micky: We'll find her somehow. :P
Lauren: Hell with somehow! She took Em & she's already got Dave! I wanna find her NOW! X-(
Daphne: Me too! X(
Micky: *backs off slightly; winces* Babe, wanna reign in that Irish temper, please? :-O :(
Lauren: I've got A LOT of pent-up anger for Shelia. Now that she's challenged me, I'll finally get to take it out on her! I wanna make her wish she'd never come after us in the first place! :P X-(
Daphne: And if she tries anything on you, Em, or Davy, she's gonna have to answer to ME. X(
Micky: I'll help, too! Right now, though, I'd like some rest. :"> :P
(Peter, Valerie, and Mike come back in. Mike is still a wolf. He hangs his head sadly. Tears run onto his muzzle. Peter strokes his best friend's back.)
Peter: They're gone. Mike checked the house, and we looked around the street.
Lauren: DAMMIT! X-(
Valerie: We couldn't find hide nor hair of either of them. :(
(Mike lets out a frustrated, heartbroken growl.)
Peter: (Gets on his knees and hugs his best friend) Oh, Mike, you're so upset. Your aura is so sad and angry and scared.
(For once, Mike leans into Peter's arms. Growls mingle with sobs as a dark blue light surrounds the wolf. When it subsides, a very human Mike sobs helplessly into his best friend's arms.)
Mike: (Sobbing) Peter, she took her...Em could have our kid any day now...she's so scared...I wanna hurt that bitch for takin' her... :(( :(
Peter: (Leads Mike to the couch) It's ok, Mike. We'll find Em, and Davy, too, and we'll get her home before she has her baby.
Micky: *watches Lauren pace angrily, a little too close to his chair for comfort* We'll get Em & Dave back, safe & sound. :)
Valerie: Maybe we'd better stay together tonight. We could eat dinner here or at Millie's and sleep over.
Mike: I don't wanna go back to the Pad.
Micky: We can eat here. We've got plenty. ;) :) *Lauren continues to pace & mutter*
Valerie: I'm going to call my father. He may be able to get through to some of his friends in real estate who'll know if anyone's purchased one of the old movie palaces within the last year and a half.
Peter: I'll stay with Michael. He needs a friend right now.
Mike: (Sniffles, nodding) Thanks, ol' buddy.
Micky: And I think I need some ice. I'll be back. *gets up slowly & heads for the kitchen* ;)
*Lauren continues her angry pacing.* :P
Valerie: I'll be on the phone. (Follows Micky to the kitchen)
*Lauren mutters something that sounds like "I'll be here pacing."* :P
(Daphne continues punching and throwing pillows. X( )
Micky: *returns to the living room with a bag of ice in hand; frowns at Lauren* Babe, you're gonna wear a hole in the floor. *plops back into his chair, settling his ice pack* ;)
*Lauren stops abruptly & glares at Micky.* X-(
Micky: *gulps* If looks could kill, I'd be dead right now. :P
Peter: (Eyes widen at her expression) Um, Lauren, you can pace anywhere you want to! :o
*Lauren nods & resumes pacing.*
Mike: (Chuckles through his tears) Shelia don't have a chance when Lauren gets her hands on her. ;)
Micky: That's for sure. ;)
Mike: (Puts his hand on his heart) Em's ok...but so scared. I don't think Shelia's done anythin' to her besides takin' off with her. (Makes a face) Yet.
Peter: I don't think she'll hurt Emma, Michael. She wants her child.
Micky: Yeah, man. Em will be okay.
Mike: Yeah, but she don't want Em. She'll do her best to freak her out. X( :( :p
*Lauren growls, still pacing.* X-(
Peter: (Closes his eyes, then opens them) Hey, do you guys remember Christmas? When we were talking about how the TV station was in the old Hunter Shore Theater? Didn't someone mention somebody bought the big Hunter Royale Theater?
Mike: (Nods) That's right.
Micky: Yeah...
Daphne: That place was a wreck!
Mike: Yeah, but a fancy wreck. (Looks at Micky) Hey, Micky, were you ever in the Hunter Royale?
Micky: Umm... *thinks* Yeah, I think I was. I was really little at the time. If I recall correctly, the place was huge, very ornamently... *quirks an eyebrow* and it had a basement.
Mike: (Narrows his eyes) Sounds right up her demented alley. :p
Daphne: Let's get her! X(
Lauren: YEAH! X-(
Peter: Hold on, now! We don't even know if she's really there.
Micky: Besides, she'd probably be waiting for us. :P
Valerie: (Emerges from the kitchen with a pad in her hand) Dad called someone, who called someone, whose secretary managed to give me a list of all of the movie theaters that were purchased since last March.
Mike: Is the Hunter Royale among them?
Valerie: Yes. According to this, it was bought by PPF Inc in September 1969. (Reads over the pad) There have supposedly been some renovations to it since then, but no word on whether it'll be used as a movie theater or something else, or anything at all.
Peter: PPF Inc?
Valerie: Past, Present, and Future Inc. Big corporation. Deals with older buildings and antiques. Owns a series of large antique stores, major remodeling businesses, and similar stores that deal with remaking or fixing older things.
Mike: That would be perfect for Shelia. Who knows more about antiques than someone who's almost five hundred years old? :p
Micky: She's dating herself something awful with THAT. ;)
Peter: It's something she knows about, though, just like we know about music and building houses and riding horses and writing.
Mike: No wonder she didn't have the time to go after us after last March. She was too busy taking over a major company from her uncle. :p
Lauren: Lemme at her! X-(
Daphne: Right behind you! X(
Micky: Here we go again. *groans*
Peter: But we don't know it's her!
Valerie: I could call Dad's secretary. See if she or anyone at his office knows about Past, Present, and Future, Inc.
Mike: Figures the Devil would be the head of a major company. :p
Peter: We don't know that she is. We're just guessing.
Micky: What other job would she have? :P
Lauren: So lemme at her! X-(
Mike: It all add up, Pete. I'll bet PPF owned Zero's pawn shop and the Montgomery House before Val bought it.
Valerie: Wouldn't be surprised if they bankrolled Marcovich's operations in January, too. :p
Daphne: (Eyes widen) I'll bet Shelia was the one who got him paroled! :o
Micky: Makes sense. :P
Mike: She knew he'd handled us before.
Peter: That's why she went to him...and Mendrek and Ronnie, too! She KNEW we'd been involved with them before, and they'd all want to get revenge on us in one way or another! :o
Valerie: Marcovich was so willing, I'll bet she didn't even need to "control" him, like she did Ronnie. :p
Micky: I hate a devil who does her homework. *makes a face*
Mike: Well, it explains why she dropped out of sight between March and early January. :p
Daphne: Yeah. By the time she finished her "homework" and taking control of PPF, it was Christmas. As Urse pointed out, that's NOT a devil's favorite time of year. ;) :p
Valerie: Once Christmas was over, she was free to really launch her plans. :p
Peter: (Eyes widen) Hey, Mick, remember the party where Lauren had her baby? Didn't Tilly say a mad scientist had been let out of jail? :o
Micky: *nods* Yeah she did say something about a mad scientist...
Peter: I'll bet that's when Shelia had Marcovich paroled! :o
Micky: Oh, man. :-O
Mike: And Ronnie...
Valerie: Just happened to be there when Shelia was about to join the Music Society.
Peter: She DID say she was a singer.
Micky: Who actually hates music. Or our music, anyway. :P
Mike: Yeah, 'cause we know how to LOVE, and it shows in our songs.
Peter: What about Mendrek?
Mike: (Frowns) Remember when we were signing up for the charity show and Belinda talked to us? Her dad must have been there, too.
Micky: Yeah...
Daphne: (Raises her eyebrows) She must have heard Mendrek talking about us or kids in general and decided he'd be perfect to help her!
Micky: And she sucked him in with promises & he gladly helped, or something to that effect. :P
Mike: (Nods) Right. She was probably gonna sign up as a solo singer and switched to Mendrek after she heard his talk about hatin' young people and how much the world has changed. :p
Valerie: She wormed her way into his act so she could do that disappearing trick with Micky. :p
Micky: And got lucky when I agreed to it thinking I WOULDN’T disappear. :P
Mike: Mendrek saw Mick and thought showin' off his fancy new trick and his new, attractive assistant would be the perfect revenge. :p
Peter: Only he didn't realize he was helping Shelia! :o
Daphne: He ended up helping her get HER revenge on US, too. :p
Lauren: Lemme AT her! X-( :P
Peter: Lauren, we're only guessing.
Mike: (Growls) And I'll bet our guess is right. X(
Lauren: That's why I want to get her! X-(
Micky: Babe, calm down, please! You're not helping anything pacing around & yelling like that. :P
Daphne: Oooh, I wanna HURT that bitch! (Slams the pillow into the couch)
*Lauren growls.* :P
Peter: And you're not helping either, Daphne! The pillows didn't do anything to you! :o
(Daphne growls.) :p
Valerie: (Puts up her hands) Look, we need to calm down.
Micky: And we worked hard to get those pillows. ;) :P
*Lauren resumes pacing again.*
Micky: *rolls his eyes, then gets up slowly; goes to Lauren* Babe, there IS NOW a rut in the floor. You're NOT helping by pacing like this!
*Lauren stops & growls.* :P
Micky: You're not scaring me. :P
Peter: (Looks down at where Lauren is pacing) Wow! :o
Lauren: I'm mad that I CAN'T do anything to save Em or Dave right now! *pushes her way around Micky’s chair and stomps up the stairs*
Micky: *hangs onto the chair, still where Lauren shoved him* I think that went rather well, don't you? :P
Peter: Why don't we play a song, right here? That'll cheer everyone up! :)
Mike: Somethin' quiet, please. I ain't up for anythin' too noisy or complicated. :p :(
Peter: Why not one of Mike’s songs, "Don't Call On Me?" :)
Micky: *eases back into his chair* Yeah. Good idea, Pete. :)
(Peter closes his eyes and makes the bass that was in the Rainbow Room appear. Mike concentrates; Black Beauty materializes in his hands.)
Micky: *shrugs & makes one tom tom appear, along with his sticks* Easier on the ears. ;)
(We go into a general performance video of "Don't Call On Me." Valerie sits cross-legged on the floor, watching the show. Daphne draws her legs onto the couch and holds them, her face thoughtful and worried. Mike's is unreadable as he sings. Lauren gradually comes back downstairs and joins Valerie on the floor, still looking frustrated and a little angry.)
Mike: (As the boys finish) Why don't we go have somethin' to eat, then turn in early and get a fresh start in the morning?
Peter: That's a good idea. Our brains will be working better after food and a good night's rest. :)
Micky: Good idea. I'm starved! ;)
Lauren: *small grin* You're always starved, Mick.
Daphne: We'll sleep wherever you can put us. ;)
Mike: Including the bathtub. ;)
Micky: *laughs* Well, there's the couch, one of the guestrooms has a bed, *grins at Mike* the tub... ;) *shrugs* Anywhere you wanna crash is fine with us. :)
Peter: Val and I will take the bed. :)
Mike: I'll take the tub. ;)
Daphne: The couch is fine by me. :)
Micky: Mike, just be careful where you put your feet. Don't wanna accidentally hit the faucets and fill the tub. ;)
Lauren: *smirks* Mick's done that before. ;)
(Everyone chuckles.)
Micky: I thought I'd dreamt up a water bed. ;)
Mike: (Smiles) Em's been after me to take a shower, anyhow...(His smile immediately falls) Oh, man, Em.... :(
Peter: (Puts his hand on his friend's shoulder) She's ok, Mike. We'll get her.
*Lauren frowns.*
Micky: Yeah, man. :)
(Mike only nods quietly, puts Black Beauty aside on the couch, and goes to the kitchen.)
Peter: (Sadly) He's really hurting. His aura is so unhappy. :(
Daphne: (Growls) Of course, he is! That (spits) BITCH just kidnapped his pregnant wife...and the last time she got her hands on Em, she gave her nasty nightmares and messed with her head! X(
Lauren: He's got every RIGHT to be unhappy. :P X-(
Valerie: (Quietly) Maybe we should all go eat dinner. :(
Micky: Now we're talking. :)
Peter: (Puts his guitar down and nods) Yeah. The faster we eat, the faster we can get to bed and think up some ideas to help save Em and Davy.
Lauren: Right!
(The others stand, put their instruments aside if they have them, and follow Mike to the kitchen.)
*We cut to late that night, the main bedroom. The night light is on as usual, & shedding enough light that we see Micky tossing & turning. A deep frown is etched on his face.*
Lauren: *blinks her eyes open & nearly gets whacked by Micky when rolling over to face her* Mick? *see watches him roll over the other way, then back again; her eyes widen when she sees the look on his face* Mick! *shakes him*
Micky: (Mumbles) No...don't do it...not Davy...
Lauren: Mick?! *shakes him harder*
Micky: (Shoots up in bed, his eyes wide) NO! DAVY! (Softer) Davy...(puts his head in his hands)
Lauren: *worried* Mick, what's the matter? :-O
Micky: I...I saw Shelia....she seduced Davy...
Lauren: *frowns* Oh no. :(
Micky: She...she was about to make love to him. They were gonna do it onstage, right in front of the lights...
Lauren: *eye narrow* Damn her! X-(
Micky: On stage...
Lauren: What?
Micky: Lauren, they were on the stage of an old movie theater.
Lauren: Yeah... *realizes* Did it look familiar?
Micky: (Nods) A little....
Lauren: Familiar enough to find it? ;)
Micky: (Nods) Yeah! I know I've been there before! (Frowns) Didn't the others say Shelia's corporation may have bought the Hunter Royale?
Lauren: *nods* Yeah, they did. Was that it?
Micky: (Closes his eyes) I think so. I haven't been in the place in ages.
Lauren: Then we're going there first.