*We open with Alex stalking off the courts, slamming his racket on the ground as he walks off.*
Sheila: Alex! (She, Stella, and Zelda catch up with Alex) What happened out there?
Alex: I screwed up, alright?!
Sheila: I knew you weren't as good as you said you were.
Stella: Where's that machine?
Alex: Gone.
Sheila: What do you mean "gone?"
Alex: The Guardians have it! That's why I missed, especially that last shot!
Sheila: How did they get their bloody hands on it?
Alex: That damn gopher those fools were following!
Sheila: A GOPHER?
Stella: What would a gopher want with a soul removing thingie?
Zelda: To play Hide and Seek.
Stella: Gophers can play hide and seek?
*Zelda slaps her forehead.*
Sheila: Where are they now?
Alex: Leaving the club.
Stella: Shouldn't we stop them?
Sheila: We'd never catch up with them now. Besides, it would be suspicious, with all the people still milling around.
Stella: Has anyone seen Belavarg? He was supposed to come and watch the tournament, but he still hasn't shown up!
Zelda: *Shakes her head* Not lately.
Sheila: He obviously didn't do his job. The Savage was at the tournament. I saw the Lord of the Manor, too.
Alex: I'm done for today.
Sheila: Alex, do you know what happened to Belavarg? You two brought the Savage to the underground area.
Alex: *Starts walking away* Does it really matter? I don't particularly care right now!
Stella: Of course, it matters! He's my lover, and he's the one in charge of this club!
Sheila: (Mutters) And most of this was HIS idea, including the damn sauna.
Alex: *Calls over his shoulder* I'm not his keeper!
Zelda: *Sighs* There goes my evening.
Sheila: Alex! (She hurries to catch up with him) May I remind you that we're supposed to be working WITH these people?
Alex: And may I remind you that I have male pride, and right now, it's been bashed into the ground, so I really sorta don't care.
Sheila: Male pride? What about all our plans?
Alex: Sheila, can't you just let me stew?
Sheila: Fine. While you're stewing, we're losing souls and the chance to find out what Belavarg's doing at Dark Star! Don't you want some new ladies to have fun with?
Alex: Yes, I do want new ladies, but that can wait for right now.
Sheila: Alex, may I remind you that I lost in the tournament too? To someone five hundred years younger and with far less experience than me?
Alex: Enough, Sheila. *starts walking away again*
Sheila: Alex, where are you going?
Alex: *Keeps walking* I don't know.
Sheila: Maybe we should find Belavarg. He might be able to explain some things. (Smirks) Then we can have lunch in that restaurant I know you love.
Alex: Everyone knows me in there now!
Sheila: Alex... (Zelda and Stella finally catch up with them, both panting.)
Stella: Boy, can you guys move fast!
Zelda: I hate it when you guys do this!
Sheila: Zelda, your lover boy is being stubborn. He's still upset about losing in the tournament.
Stella: Oh, is that all?
Zelda: He won't listen to me when he's in one of his moods.
Stella: (Grins at Alex) Perhaps I can help him feel...better.
Zelda: *Raises an eyebrow* Oh, really?
*Alex continues pacing, moving farther away.*
Stella: (She moves to Alex) Hey there, cutie. What's on your mind?
Alex: Disappointment, mainly.
Stella: Happens to everyone.
Alex: Over...and over...and over again. They defeat us every time!
Stella: Well...why don't we work on ways they WON'T defeat us?
Alex: *His interest is piqued* What, uh... did you have in mind?
Stella: We almost had them. I made that Knight into a nice little puppy!
Alex: Yeah, we did.
Stella: So, who's to say we won't get them tomorrow?
Alex: Maybe...
Stella: I've noticed that the two older Guardians are the easiest to control.
Alex: *Nods* They can be.
Stella: We sure got the Bard easy! He was putty in my hands.
Alex: Putty...
Stella: Yeah! (Makes a face) I just wish he hadn't gotten out of control later. He really freaked out! He almost killed everyone with the vines in our garden, including me!
Alex: Lets not gloss over the putty thing.
Stella: Oh, he was sooo good! He had such amazing energy. Well, they all do, but his was so pure!
Alex: *Steps closer to Stella* Let’s talk energy, Stell.
Stella: Whose? The Guardians?
Alex: *Steps a little closer* Yours...mine...
Stella: (Also gets closer) Oh, I can talk about your energy. It's so...strong...
Alex: *Grins, moving right up to her* Tell me more...
Stella: (Puts her arms around his shoulders) But there's something...different...about it. Darker. It's like Belavarg's...but not quite.
Alex: *Wraps his arms around her waist* How "not quite?"
Stella: His energy is demon energy. Yours isn't. It's kind of like that, but it's human...and there's so MUCH of it.
Alex: Well, if you wanna be technical about it... *smirks* Would you like to find out just how much energy I have?
Stella: I'd LOVE to. (Looks behind them) But what about your girlfriends?
Sheila: (Calls from behind them) What ARE you two doing?
Alex: Leaving!
Sheila: Oh no, you're not! Not without us!
Stella: Got anyplace private you can take this, cutie?
Alex: You bet I do. *grins as they disappear in a black light*
Sheila: (Growls when she sees the black light) Damn it! (Turns to Zelda) They hopped out on us!
Zelda: *Folds her arms* Such a jerk!
Sheila: Any idea where they'd go?
Zelda: They could be anywhere. Alex would purposely pick somewhere we'd never be able to guess, just so we wouldn't find them.
Sheila: Wonderful. (Sighs) Why don't we go down into the underground area and see if we can find Belavarg? Maybe he can explain how the Guardians got loose.
Zelda: Might as well.
*We switch to a fairly large hotel room that's outfitted in dark colors. There's a black light that reveals Alex and Stella stand in the middle of the room, still with their arms around each other.*
Alex: How's this?
Stella: Oooh, very stylish!
Alex: Thank you.
Stella: Now, you said something about energy...
Alex: Yes, I did. You wanna know about energy. Try me.
Stella: Would LOVE to. (She jumps on the bed) Oooh, it's one of those new waterbeds!
Alex: You approve. Perfect. *Climbs on the bed with her* Let’s test this baby out.
Stella: Sounds good to me!
(Alex climbs on top of Stella. She starts pulling his clothes off, and he works on hers. She's pulling at his pants and groaning when she pulls back a little, looking a bit shocked.)
Alex: What?
Stella: Oh, my GOD. The energy...there's so MUCH of it...
Alex: *Smirks* And that's a BAD thing?
Stella: I can't...I've never SEEN so much energy!
Alex: *Grins* Well, I have been told I can be a bit much sometimes.
Stella: It's just...look at me! (She shows him her amazingly white and delicate skin) I look like a teenager! I can't believe all the energy! I couldn't take it all in at once!
Alex: You're welcome.
Stella: I...you're just...now I know where I've felt that kind of energy before! You have as much energy as the Savage...but it's so much darker and heavier...it was like...it almost literally blew my mind...
Alex: I was so close...
Stella: I MUST have that energy...but how? (She goes to a mirror to inspect her face) Look at me! I can't be any more than eighteen!
Alex: *Goes over to her* Just take it.
Stella: All right... (She grabs Alex again and concentrates...but once again, jumps back, nearly falling onto the floor) I can't! (She's breathing heavily) It's just too...too MUCH!
Alex: *Gulps; his pride takes another hit* Forget the energy. Let’s just have some fun!
Stella: No...no, I can't. Not without taking your energy, and I just...I can't.
Alex: *Runs his hands over her* Just a little. Come on, Stell...
Stella: No...I want to be young, but not that young. Not eight years old.
Alex: *Head drops* Dammit.
Stella: I'll just have to work on a little something so I can have fun with you.
Alex: *Looks up* Sounds interesting...
Stella: (Pats him on the cheek) We'll keep in touch, cutie.
Alex: But...touch...now!
Stella: Not until touch doesn't blow me out the door.
Alex: But...
Stella: Sorry, cutie, but you just have TOO much energy for me! (Grins and gives him a smooch) But keep me in mind, ok? I'll work on that drug.
Alex: *Frowns* Stella...
Stella: Alex, if we...do...something, I may lose my mind. I don't really want to lose more of my mind than I already have.
Alex: *Runs a hand through his hair, groans, and turns away; mutters* Dammit.
Stella: That's ok, cutie. I won't forget you. (Nibbles on his ear) We'll have our fun. Maybe you could help me with that drug?
Alex: Yes...I just need to...not be so wound up.
Stella: Try reading the news these days. That would bring anyone down.
Alex: That is NOT how I want to unwind.
Stella: Watch some TV, then.
Alex: A certain kind of TV...
Stella: Sitcoms are always fun. There might be some game shows on...
Alex: Not what I was thinking of...
Stella: It's not Saturday. No cartoons.
Alex: *Glares, then leans over into her face* Cartoons do not fix horny.
Stella: I don't know about that. Have you seen "Speed Racer" lately?
Alex: You need to go, Stella.
Stella: What a shame. Are you going to go, too?
Alex: Not right now.
Stella: Gonna spend some time with one of your girlfriends?
Alex: Gonna have to.
Stella: Shorty or the Devil?
Alex: Shorty?
Stella: Well, she IS kinda small.
Alex: Well, yes, but only in height.
Stella: She does get awfully mad, doesn't she?
Alex: Yes. She's probably ready to kill me right now.
Stella: Maybe I'd better go, in that case. (Frowns) What DID happen to Belavarg, speaking of people who are probably angry right now? Do you know?
Alex: The Knight slashed his shoulder. Last I saw him, he was still stewing in the Sauna.
Stella: (Groans) He should be either home by now or at the main building. (She gives him another kiss on the cheek) We'll talk again as soon as I've readied my drug.
Alex: I'll be counting the minutes.
Stella: Me too, sweetheart. (She buttons her blouse again, pulls her heels back on, and sashays out of the suite.)
Alex: *Takes in several long, deep breaths, trying to compose himself, but the last one comes out in a whine* Dammit! *Paces around for a few moments before stopping and concentrating. Suddenly, Zelda appears in a black light.*
Zelda: *Looks around, then at him* Alex? Where are we? *Narrows her eyes* Where's Stella?
Alex: She ran on me. *Picks up Zelda* I need you right now.
Zelda: *Grins* I won't argue.
*We fade out as the two hit the bed.*