*We open in a spare room at Lauren and Micky's house. There's a few pieces of furniture scattered around the room, enough for Mike, Micky, and Davy to lounge on.*
Mike: (Sighs) Ok guys, we HAVE to find a place for our new hide-out! We really can't use the houses anymore. Our good women are gettin' fed up with us makin' a mess, and while we can get away with sparrin' on the beach if we do it in the morning and the evenin', it's not easy to explain to the neighbors.
Micky: No kidding. Why do you think Lauren gave us the smallest spare room in the house?
Mike: So we could keep our junk in one concetrated space?
Davy: Besides that.
Mike: So Mick wouldn't be have enough room to blow anything to smithereens?
Micky: *dark glare* I've got nothing to blow up anything WITH.
Mike: I'm sure you could think of somethin'.
Micky: Hmph.
Davy: I think you 'it a sore spot, Mike.
Mike: Mick, I swear we'll get you another chemistry set as soon as we can find a place to put it. You know the girls banned chemicals from any of our garages and sheds after the shrinking incident. They say it's too dangerous to be around the kids. (Mutters) Or even you boys.
Micky: It's just the fact that that jerk Alex STOLE it! :P X(
Mike: Have you tried imagining it back?
Micky: *slumps back in his chair* Yes. It won't work.
Mike: Either he's taken everything apart by now, has hexed everything, or both. I've tried imaginin' our other parts and tools back, and it hasn't worked, either.
Davy: I vote both.
Mike: With our luck... (Frowns; hand to the heart) Oh damn. I feel somethin' nasty. Mick, is the security system on?
Micky: Yeah, it is. *groans* Aw, crap.
Davy: They're real close, mates...
(Sheila and Alex appear in a dark light, both smirking. We see the outline of a familiar human shape in the shadows.)
Alex: You call THIS a hideout?
Micky: Temporarily, but I permanently call THIS *holds up his fist* a FIST!
Sheila: Do something about the Savage first. I don't want to be kicked out on the sand on my rear. These are good pants! I might get grass stains on them!
Male Voice: (From the shadows; sarcasm-laden) Heaven forbid. (A pair of hands seem to reach out from the shadows and rub Micky's temples)
Mike: MICK! What in the HELL...
Micky: Wha... *his eyes become cloudy as he slumps, panting*
Davy: Mick!
Alex: *folds his arms* Well that ought to make this a lot easier.
Male Voice: (As Micky falls back into the shadows, they seem to gently drop him on an old couch missing some stuffing) Here you go, Mick. (Louder) Alex, you may handle him, but don't play too rough. I don't want any harm to come to him. He'll be one of my collectors.
Mike: How in the HELL is a shadow holdn' Mick?
Alex: *grins* I'm so glad that at least YOU know how to share.
Davy: 'O cares? We're not gonna let Alex 'andle 'im!
Mike: (Concentrates) You keep away from him, Alex. (There's a blue light around Alex. When it subsides, he's wrapped with duct tape.) It really IS the handy-dandy plumber's friend.
Alex: What the HELL...
Davy: *chuckles* Quick thinking, Mike!
Male Voice: Must I do EVERYTHING? (He concentrates; Alex is free)
Mike: (Looks for the voice, turning in a quick circle) Who the hell are you, anyway? (Concentrates; his broadsword appears in a blue light)
Male Voice: White Knight, when did your light turn back to light blue?
Mike: A few months ago. Kind of a long story.
Alex: *makes his sword appear* Too much yack, not enough smack!
Male Voice: Enough! This is no place for that! There isn't enough room!
Shiela: We have to get the White Knight out of the way.
Mike: Nothin' doin', Sheila. (Turns to the shadows) And you...whomever you are...you've gotta be that Boss they keep talkin' about.
Male Voice: How clever you are, White Knight. (Smirk in the voice) Alex, why don't you play with him? I know how you hate him, hate how strong and willful he is.
Sheila: But be careful! (She grins and taps his chin) I want him tame and able to be in bed tonight.
Mike: (Shoves Sheila away) Nothin' doin', you witch!
Alex: *looks at his sword; it disappears* I'm fine with hand to hand combat. How about you, Knight?
Mike: (Makes his broadsword disappear) Yeah, works for me, too. (He takes a shot at Alex that knocks him straight across the room)
Alex: *sits up, scowling* You and that damn fist. *gets up*
*Alex moves toward Mike in a black blur. Next thing we know, Mike is hit and is sent across to the other side of the room.*
Davy: Mike!
Mike: (He hits something in the shadows) Oomph!
Male Voice: Ouch! Have you been eating your wife's cakes every day, Knight? You're heavier than you look! (Sound of someone - or something - getting to their feet)
*Alex rolls his eyes, then advances on Mike.*
(Mike just gives him a good smack in the nose.)
Alex: Ow! *holds his nose*
Male Voice: (Puffing) Someone do...something...
Alex: I'm trying, I'm trying!
Davy: This is absolutely crackahs.
Sheila: (As Mike makes a flying leap for Alex) Alex, what are you doing?
Alex: *swats Mike away; he crashes to the floor* I'm trying to beat him up! What's it LOOK like I'm doing?
Male Voice: Use your head!
Alex: My head? *lightbulb - he rams his head into Mike's gut*
Davy: Oh, for the love of...
Male Voice: That's not what I had in mind.
Sheila: (As Mike doubles over) But effective, just the same. Alex, grab him!
*Alex wraps his arms around Mike's waist, pinning his arms to his sides.*
Alex: Gotcha, Knight!
Davy: Let 'im go!
Mike: Alex! Davy, get Mick back up!
(Mike struggles with Alex...but the shadows seem to close over him and grab the other side of him.)
Mike: I don't know what you are, but you'd better let your slimy paws offa me!
Alex: Him? He ain't slimy!
*Davy runs to Micky and starts doing what he can to snap him out of the muddling. Micky groans and swats Davy away.*
Mike: Micky! Snap outta it! Mick... (But a hand flies out of the shadows and covers Mike's mouth)
Alex: *smirks* Much better.
Male Voice: We have to think of a way to control him. It's the one thing he fears and hates more than anything else!
Alex: No kidding. Whatcha got in mind?
Sheila: Oh, this is so lovely! (She goes to Mike and strokes his cheek; he glares at her)
*Davy tries to physically pull Micky up, but he just sags back down, muttering something about five more minutes.*
Davy: Come on, Mick, we really need you! *shakes him*
Male Voice: We have to confuse him, make him more vulnerable and less likely to fight.
(Mike growls under the hand and struggles as hard as he can.)
Sheila: He's easier to control when he's not human.
Male Voice: You tried that with that collar last year and failed.
Sheila: Read his soul. Find out what restored his light...and what could help us control him.
*There's a black light around Mike. Alex now holds a black-furred rabbit.*
Alex: Ta da!
Male Voice: (The hand that held Mike's mouth now strokes his ears) Ahh, much better. What a sweet rabbit he is!
Sheila: But I can't make love to him like that!
Male Voice: Control your libido, Sheila. We're breaking him down for you.
(The rabbit tries to struggle and claw in Alex's arms.)
Male Voice: Oh no you don't, little rabitt. We're in charge of you now. You're our little bunny pet.
(The rabbit wiggles his ears as Alex puts him on the floor.)
Male Voice: What should we make him do?
(The rabbitt tries to hop away, but Alex grabs him by the scruff of his neck.)
Alex: Uh uh uh! Naughty, naughty, little rabbit!
Davy: *shaking Micky* MICK! Snap out of it! We need you, mate!
(The bunny twists and turns in Alex's hands.)
Micky: *makes Davy stop shaking him* Don't do that.
Alex: *to the rabbit* Just WHERE do you think you're going?
Male Voice: Make him dance for us, Alex. He hates dancing.
Sheila: Oh, that would be adorable!
*Alex chuckles as he makes the rabbit dance.*
Alex: *still chuckling* Wow. Even with my help, he has bad rhythm.
Male Voice: He always was clumsy. (He strokes Mike's ears again)
(The rabbitt sniffs curiously around the shadowed hand. He KNOWS that smell...)
Sheila: (Turns to Davy) As for YOU boys...
Davy: *still holding Micky* Uh oh... *turns so Micky's behind him; Micky leans his chin on Davy's shoulder* Mick, really...
Alex: Isn't that cute?
Sheila: Let's see, who shall I take first? The pretty little Lord, or the lovely Savage?
Davy: *sudden wide grin* 'Ere! *turns behind Micky and shoves him into her. They collide. Micky slumps to the floor, holding his head and moaning.*
Sheila: Goodness Savage, have you all been eating nothing but cream puffs? You're getting heavy!
(The rabbitt looks up from Alex's hand as Sheila pulls out from under Micky. He struggles again.)
Alex: *to the bunny* Oh, knock it off.
Micky: *groggy* Wha...happened?
Sheila: The Lord pushed you into me. (She reaches for his head) We're going to have to do this again...
Micky: *grabs her wrists as she reaches for his head; his eyes are clearer now* No, you won't.
Davy: *grins* It worked!
Micky: Try me, Sheila.
Sheila: I would if I could move my wrists... (Tries to move her other hand)
Male Voice: Alex, get out of here with the White Knight. I'll meet you in Arizona.
Alex: *turns to the shadow* But I wanna watch this!
Davy: *suddenly appears, grabbing the rabbit away from Alex* Excuse me, mates!
Alex: Hey!? The British brat stole my rabbit!
(Davy gently places a hand on the rabbit's heart. There's a blue light around it. When it subsides, Mike stands next to Davy.)
Mike: Thanks, man. I owe you one.
Davy: Anytime, mate. We do still 'ave a slight devil problem to take care of.
Micky: Come on, Sheila! Do something!
Sheila: (She kicks at Micky's legs) Ooh, you little Savage brat!
Micky: *winces as she connects with one of the kicks; slow, wide grin* Thank you for doing that... *lets go of her wrists*
Sheila: Good boy. Now... (Reaches for his head again)
*Micky lets rip with a roar. He pushes Sheila into Alex, and the two go tumbling.*
Sheila: Oof! (She ends up on top of Alex) We must stop meeting like this.
Alex: Definitely.
*Micky growls as he slowly moves toward them.*
Male Voice: Stop it, you two! Get them!
Alex: *sees Micky* Uh, Milady, he's still coming for us!
Sheila: We'll do the one thing we can do. (She takes off for the door) Let him go after YOU.
Alex: Damn.
Davy: *whispers to Mike* I wish I 'ad some popcorn.
Mike: Ask and you'll get it, kid. (Concentrates; popcorn appears in a blue light)
Davy: Thanks, mate. *munches happily on the popcorn*
Mike: Anytime. (Reaches for a piece himself
*Micky fumes as he walks over to Alex, who's still trying to get his bearings. He pulls Alex to his feet, then off his feet and into the air. Micky holds him over his head and spins. After many rotations, Micky drops Alex onto his feet and watches Alex wobble from side to side.*
(The voice from the shadows chuckles.)
Alex: *wobbles* What a spin cycle. *a shaky black light makes him disappear*
Micky: *low voice* Oh Mister Shadow...
Male Voice: Nice try, Savage, but I'm not in the mood for your games today. I don't want to hurt you. (There's a dark blue light, and the shadows become a shapeless mass once again) Good bye, Guardians.
*Micky gives a yell of frustration as his fists clench.*
Davy: I guess the show's ovah.
Mike: Whoa, Mick! Cool it! (Puts a hand on Mick's shoulder) You did good. He's gone now, and so are the devils.
Micky: *runs a hand over his face* I'm...I'm all right. *sighs, then rubs his head* I do have one hell of a headache, though. That wasn't a normal muddling.
Mike: It's that shadow. He must be the Boss.
Davy: 'E sure seemed to know us well.
Micky: *still holding his head* It's weird. I think that shadow had callouses on his hands.
Mike: That hand...it smelled really, really familiar. REALLY familiar. (Frowns) Callouses?
Micky: *slight nod, then winces* When he was muddling me. I thought I felt something LIKE them on his fingers.
Mike: And Mick...he likes you. More than me, anyway. He twice said that he didn't want to hurt you.
Micky: Yay me.
Mike: We could use that to our advantage, Mick.
Micky: How? *rubs at one temple with his index and middle fingers*
Davy: *shrugs* 'E didn't seem ovahly bothahed by me, eithah.
Mike: You boys could go back to Sheila's hotel and check things out. Go through the lobby this time. I still think Pete's mixed up in all this, too. I definately smelled sandalwood-scented candles on that hand. Peter uses those to meditate.
Davy: *nods* We can do that.
Micky: Sure. Maybe my headache will be gone by then.
Mike: Let's go find some aspirin for that headache, Mick.
Micky: Thank you.
Mike: Anytime, Mick. (And they head for the door as we fade out)