Everyone ready to go?
Mike: I'm ready.
Lauren: Ready to roll!
Peter: Ready here!
Micky: Yee haaa!
I'll take that as a "yes."
Lauren: *chuckles*
Davy: Well, where's the mermaids?
Lauren: We're gettin' there, Dave.
Emma: The group stood on a cliff overlooking Lord George's home in the Parched Mountains. They were preparing for takeoff and for their next journey.
Prometheous: (Sadly)The four knights really did fall into Alakazam's clutches.
Mike: It would seem so, Promy.
Lauren: Unfortunately.
Emma: We're sorry. We're going to do everything we can to get them back!
Ares: It's not your fault, girl! I told those fool boys not to run off, but did they listen? Noooo!
Athena: Ares, they went to defend the kingdom!
Lauren: *glances around* Sound familiar?
(Emma giggles. Mike glares at her.)
Prometheous: We can take you as far as the edge of Aquatide. Pearl will contact you there.
(Emma and Lauren climb back onto Athena's back, Micky and Davy onto Prometheous, and Peter and Mike onto Ares. The three dragons take off, soaring into the wide, blue desert sky.)
Micky: Wheeeeeeeeeeee!!!
Prometheous: (Laughs) I'm glad you enjoy the ride, Lord Ge...Micky.
Peter: I like it, too. I wish we could ride dragons at home!
Athena: (To the girls) Keep a close watch on those boys. Alakazam must have some idea of their close resemblance to the knights. He may attempt to capture and transform them as well.
Lauren: *sarcastically* Wonderful.
Emma: (Clutches the sword at her side) I won't let anything happen to then, Athie, you can count on that!
(As Athena skirts the top of a cliff, the girls hear a ear-killing screech.)
Emma: (Looks over her shoulder) Oh, shit, it's the demons, and they have company!
Lauren: Oh my Lord!
(The dragons are surrounded by the four demons, who are joined by black, bird-like monsters with huge, sharp claws. One tries to scratch at Emma, who ducks and smacks at it with her sword.)
Lauren: Hey, watch it buddy!
Athena: Archeopterix! They're Alakazam's pets and part of his army. They're breeded for nothing but death and destruction. Their presence means doom and darkness!
Emma: (Grumbles) Swell, just swell.
Micky: Oh, well, if that's all. *groans*
(Emma whacks at another one with her sword as it grabs at her hair. The others are trying to cut them down the best they can, but they're in too close of a range for Peter's arrows to be of much use.)
Athena: Hold on, girls! Brothers, follow me! I can lose them!
Prometheous: Be careful Athena!
Lauren: *holds on tight* Oh, Gawd...
Emma: (Screams as a demon tries to force her off Athena) Let me go, you big ugly beast! You...(looks into his large, chocolate-brown eyes)...it's you!
Lauren: *sees what's going on* Hey?!
Mike: (Sees Emma attacked) NO!! Ares, pull up alongside Athena!
Ares: (Mutters) Giving orders like a general! You're worse than Robert!
Emma: (Cut back to the girls; looks into his eyes) Robert, let me go!
(The demon lets go in shock as Ares swoops next to him, followed by more Archeopterix.)
Robert: You...know?
Lauren: *looks on, wide-eyed*
(The dragons dive as Mike whacks the demon in the arm.)
Mike: That ain't no way to treat a lady!
Emma: Mike, don't hurt him!
Lauren: Careful!
(The demons fall away as Athena and Ares almost hit the ground. Some of the nasty black birds don't pull up in time and hit the ground. The others rally around the demons.)
Emma: (Turns a nasty shade of green) This is worse than the Great White at Wildwood!
*Lauren moans.*
(The two dragons come back up again, slowing for Prometheous to catch up, with a concerned Davy and Micky on his back.)
Davy: (Nods at the the now-clear sky) They're gone now, luvs.
Micky: Man, that was too weird!
Peter: The demons went away, and took those ugly birds with them!
Emma: Guys, I...the demons know that we...know.
Prometheous: And how did this come about?
Emma: (Blushes) That was Lord Robert who tried to grab me.
Mike: (Stony-faced) So help me, if he ever tries that again, I WILL kill him.
Micky: He can't help what he's doing, Mike! (Mike mutters something unintelligble about how one should treat a girl, even when one is a demon.)
Peter: I think Lord Robert likes Emma!
Mike: (Glares daggers at him. Peter blushes)
Lauren: *smirks* Surprise, surprise.
Peter: Um, oops, guess I shouldn't have said that.
Emma: (Puts her head in her hands) Oh, good lord allmighty.
Ares: Are you hurt, girl?
Emma: (Looks herself over) No, not at all, unless you count feathers leftover from those damn ugly birds. (Speaking to the group, but looking at Mike) Robert did NOT hurt me in any way, shape, or form.
Mike: How did you know the demon was Lord Robert?
Emma: His eyes are like yours, Mike.
Mike: Yeah, but I wouldn't try to grab a girl off of a moving dragon.
Emma: (Angry) Damn you! Stop being so freakin' stubborn!
Micky: Guys!
Ares: (Sarcastic) I just ADORE love patter.
Mike and Emma: (In unison) LOVE PATTER?
Athena: (Sighs) We're almost at the Aquatides. Could you wait to kill each other until we've landed?
Lauren: So Peter and I can get out of the way first? *smirks*
Peter: Yeah, guys, enough fighting! (Nods at Mike) The demons can't help what they're doing. (Nods at Emma) Em, he thought you were in trouble.
(Athena pulls ahead, followed by the others. After what seems like hours of flying, the six travelers and three dragons come to the edge of a low cliff. Beyond the cliff can be seen a sparkling turquoise sea.)
Athena: Ahh, the Aquatides! Ladies, we're here!
Prometheous: (As the three dragons land on the edge of the cliff) This is as far as we can take you. The merpeople who live in the Aquatides will aid you in finding the Aquatica Sapphire.
Lauren: It's so beautiful!
Emma: (Grins) The beach is HUGE! All you need are condos and a boardwalk, and I could be home!
Peter: Wow, I've never seen a beach that looks that pretty, even in California!
Micky: What I'd give for a surfboard right now...
Davy: Wouldn't mind one me'self. Look at those waves! Can you imagine all the girls we could impress?
Lauren: There'd better be only one girl Mick will be impressing. *raises an eyebrow*
Micky: (Tries to look innocent) Wouldn't dream of impressing anyone but you, Babe!
(The dragons land and the six travelers dismount.)
Ares: End of the line, kiddies! Dragons and water do NOT get along, and I'm not fond of those flaky mer-morons, either.
Lauren: "Mer-morons?"
Athena: (Rolls her eyes) Ares doesn't understand the people of the sea. They're...different..than us. More carefree.
Micky: I'm gonna miss you guys!
Emma: (Throws her arm around Prometheous) Thank you for everything!
Mike: (Shakes Prometheous' big claw) Thanks, Promy. If there's any way we can repay all of you for what you've done for us...
Prometheous: Find the other jewels and restore the lords to their human forms. That's all we ask. They don't deserve to be tortured this way, and a tyrant like Alakazam ruling this kingdom would spell disaster for all.
Athena: It's a heavy burden for four such young people, but you've already proved yourselves worthy of the finest warriors the kingdom has to offer.
Micky: *hugs Athena* We shall do our best!
Ares: (Turns away to hide tears) Ok, kiddies, get out of here, before I start getting mushy!
Athena: (Grins) And you do NOT want to see him when he's mushy!
Lauren: Oh, darn! *winks and pulls Micky from Athena*
Emma: (Laughs and throws her arms around Ares) I think I'll even miss you, Ares.
Ares: (Tries not to show he's touched) Yeah, yeah. (Pulls away and nudges Emma forward) Go on, girl! And the next time you see Alakazam, give him a whack in the rear for me!
Prometheous: (Smiles) For all of us...and poor Lord George.
(The six travelers wave good-bye to the dragons as they fly off into the wide blue sky.)
Emma: (Wipes her eyes) I'm going to miss those guys.
Mike: Yeah, they were great friends. Lord George is lucky to have them around.
Micky: I myself am deeply jealous. *grins*
Davy: (Looks down at the empty beach below them) What do we do now, mates?
Mike: Finding this Pearl person would be a good start.
Peter: Maybe she'll find us, like Prometheous and the unicorns did!
Lauren: That'd be nice.
(The six skitter down the sandy cliff to the wide beaches. Emma pulls up a handful of sand, then lets it fall through her fingers.)
Emma: Ahh, the sounds of home! Isn't it wonderful? The salt smell, the sand between your toes!
Micky: *holds up a crab* Uhhh, Em? *looks at it cross-eyed*
Emma: Yes?
Micky: *holds out the crab* Look familiar? *grins*
(Emma doubles over laughing. Mike rolls his eyes and pushes past her and Micky.)
Emma: Geez, can't he take a joke?
*Micky shrugs and puts the crab down*
Lauren: I liked it.
Mike: (As a pile of sand is thrown in his direction) HEY! (Looks over his shoulder to see Lauren and Micky holding large piles of sand and snickering) Oh, you two are going to be very dead! (Picks up a big pile of sand in his own hands and throws it. He's about a mile off, and the sand goes between them.)
Lauren: Well, we know who didn't play softball ever!
Emma: (Laughs) And I thought I was a bad shot! (As a pile of sand hits her in the neck) Hey! (Grabs a pile and throws it at Lauren, misses by a mile, and hits Peter.)
Peter: That's not fair! I didn't do it! (Takes a pile and throws it at Emma, who sidesteps it. It hits Micky in the chest.)
Micky: Hey, Pete, I thought you were on my side!
Peter: (Embarrassed) Um, oops! (Squawks as sand hits his rear, this time from Davy.)
Lauren: Can't take it, Mick?
*Micky dumps sand down the back of Lauren's shirt*
Lauren: MICKY!!!
Emma: Well, let's see how well you can take it, Mr. Stoic Texan! (Emma chases after him with a huge pile of sand as Davy and Peter fall on the ground laughing at their friends' antics.)
Micky: Go, Em!
Emma: (Grins) Thanks, Mick!
(Emma is distracted long enough for Mike to finally hit her square in her considerable chest.)
Micky: *blushes* Whoops! Sorry, Em!
Emma: Oooh, you're gonna pay for that, Michael Nesmith! (Chases him down the beach. The two end up on top of each other, laughing and throwing sand.)
Lauren: *finally gets rid of the sand from her shirt* Well, well, well.
Davy: It's about bloody time!
Micky: *cups his hands around his mouth* Finally!
Peter: I knew they liked each other!
Lauren: It was only obvious. *smirks*
Davy: Like? Take it from someone who knows about romance. Those two are bloomin' crazy about each other!
Peter: Shh! They're gonna kiss!
(A horrified scream is heard from a rocky inlet near-by just as Emma and Mike's lips are about to meet.)
Davy: Darn!
Lauren: *slaps her forehead* Now what!?
(Emma and Mike pull apart, blushing to the roots of their brown and black hair.)
Davy: That sounds like a girl! (Grabs Peter) Come on!
Micky: Leave it to Davy to be the fair maiden's hero. *Lauren chuckles.*
(Davy, Lauren, Micky, and Peter run to the inlet. A beautiful girl with shoulder-length blonde hair and a mermaid's golden tail is surrounded by large fish with huge teeth. She brandishes a glittering dagger with a coral handle at them.)
Mermaid: Go away, nasty creatures, or I'll make food for the whales out of you!
Lauren: Help her, Davy!
(Davy jumps into the inlet and starts hacking at every fish he can get his hands on, oblivious to the fact that they're nipping at his heels and boots.)
Mermaid: (Gasps) Lord Thomas, you've returned!
Peter: Not her too!
Micky: *slaps his forehead* Oh man...
Peter: I'm coming, Davy! (Peter draws his bow and arrow and shoots at several, being careful not to hit Davy or the mermaid. Micky and Lauren jump into the inlet to help Davy and the mermaid finish off the bloodthirsty critters as Emma and Mike finally catch up to the group.)
Emma: (Turns pale) More monsters!
Mike: (Grumbles) Alakazam's work, I'll bet.
Micky: Annoying suckers, too!
(Davy stabs the largest of the fish in the gut. The others let out a hideous screech at the sight of their dead leader and swim as quickly as they can away. Davy pants and finally collapses on a rock.)
Davy: (Takes the mermaid's hand) Are you all right?
Mermaid: (Kisses his hand) I'm all right as long as you're here, Tommy!
Lauren: *snickers* Tommy!
Davy: (Sighs) I'm sorry, but my name is not Thomas. I just look like him. My name is David.
Mermaid: (Confused) But you're the spitting image of Tommy...of Lord Thomas!
Mike: (Shakes his head) That seems to go around.
Micky: *offers a sympathetic look* We've been through this before.
Mermaid: (Looks around her and turns pale) You all...
Emma: (Sighs and finishes)...Look like the missing lords. We know. Trust me, honey, they're not.
Mermaid: (Sighs) You must be the ones Prometheous spoke of. He was in contact with me and told me to meet those who look like the lost knights. (She gazes wistfully at Davy) I didn't truly believe him about how much you resemble them until I saw David run up the beach and my heart nearly stopped!
Mike: That would make you Pearl, then.
Pearl: (Nods at him with a grin) That would make you right. My name is Lady Pearl Albacore, of the Oyster Bay Albacores, but you may call me Pearl.
Emma: (Nods) I'm Emma, the other girl is Lauren, you've met Davy, Curlylocks is Micky, Blondie is Peter, and the one with the hat is Mike.
Pearl: (Gives them all a once-over) This just won't do! You can't travel to the Aquatides like that!
Peter: (Looks at his paisley shirt and beads) Like what?
Micky: What's wrong with how we look? *looks himself over*
Pearl: With legs, and no gills! You won't survive for more than an hour!
Emma: Then how are we going to get to Aquatides?
Pearl: Tommy could transform himself into a merman at will. He was part mer-person, after all. (Sighs) But I doubt any of you would have that ability.
Emma: Guys, I have an idea. (Gestures to the others, who join her.) Since this is all in our imaginations, it shouldn't be hard to imagine ourselves as merpeople! I am working on a story about them, after all!
Lauren: *nods* Good. I don't have to worry about not being able to swim. *folds her arms over her chest*
Peter: Well, how do we become merpeople?
Emma: The same way we came here. Close your eyes and think "fish."
Mike: (Closes his eyes, but doesn't look happy) This is ridiculous!
Micky: What if I think "shark?" *Lauren smacks Micky in the arm.*
Mike: Don't think "big teeth" then.
(A warm blue light surroundes the group. Pearl gasps and throws her arms over her eyes. When she looks again, all six sit in the inlet, now with tails instead of legs.)
Emma: (Her tail is golden-brown; she still wears her Acme uniform shirt) Well I'll be snookered, it worked!
Lauren: Whoa!
Davy: (Tail is aquamarine) This is bloody amazing!
Mike: (Lifts his dark blue tail to reveal a fin that's missing a very large hunk) What the hell happened to my tail? I look like Moby Dick decided to munch on me for breakfast!
Emma: (Looks down) Um, in my story, you were caught in a fisherman's net and escaped, but lost part of your fin.
Mike: What happened to "no permanent damage?"
Emma: (Glares) I have no intention of blinding or maiming anyone worse than that! I'm not that kind of writer!
Lauren: *raises hand* I am, sort of.
Mike: (Reaches up on his head) At least I still have my hat.
Micky: Too weird. *points out his tail, which is the same pattern as his poncho; he's now wearing a navy blue striped turtle neck only*
Lauren: At least I got purple. *smiles at her tail*
Peter: (Lifts his tail) Mine's green, like the Emerald!
Micky: *grumps* But I lost my poncho! I worked hard on that tablecloth!
Davy: (Snickers) It looks better on your tail.
Micky: *gets modest suddenly* Don't look at my tail!
Davy: Too late, mate. Lauren already looked.
*Micky turns to Lauren, who blushes.*
Pearl: (Impatient) Come along! (Dives beneath the surface)
Emma: (Shrugs) What do we have to lose? (Dives) Bombs away!
Davy: Hey, wait up, luv! (Joins her)
Micky: Sorry! *follows* Yaa-hoo!!!
Lauren: Wait for me, Mick! *dives in*
Mike: (Sighs) Here goes nuthin'. (Dives, followed by Peter.)
(The group follows Pearl past colorful coral and all kinds of fish. The fish often stop and stare at them. They also see other merpeople, who also stare and sometimes whisper or gossip to their neighbors, occasionally pointing at Davy.)
Pearl: (Smiles to the group behind her) Word seems to have gotten out, Tom...David.
Davy: (Pulls Mike aside) Should we tell her about the demons, mate?
Mike: Yeah, but not now. Wait until she gets where she's goin'.
(They emerge in a breathtaking city of coral, seashells, and green and blue seaglass. The wavy sunlight reflects off of every surface. Merpeople riding large seahorses watch the six travelers curiously as they approach a huge dwelling made of white coral and trimmed with crystal pebbles.)
Lauren: It's so beautiful.
Emma: This is amazing!
Davy: I've never seen anything more stunning.
Mike: Man, it's gorgeous!
Micky: I wanna shake the architect's hand!
Pearl: I'm assuming you approve of our humble home?
Peter: Approve? We LOVE it, Pearl!
Pearl: (Brings them to a gate made from old logs from a shipwreck. A mer-man guard wearing armor on his top and riding a huge seahorse stands in front of it.) Good afternoon, Craddock!
Craddock: (Salutes her) Lady Pearl, it's so nice to have you home! (Nods) And you have guests? (Notices Davy and nearly falls off the seahorse) My lord, you've returned! We...
Pearl: (Takes Craddock's hand) This is not Lord Thomas, Craddock, merely a young man who resembles him. (Sighs) They will be staying here while we search for the hiding place of the Aquatica Sapphire.
(Davy's attracted quite a crowd. Several mermaids are gathered around him, playing with his brown hair and blue paisley shirt. Davy's in a big, blissful daze.)
Mermaid 1: Isn't he cute?
Mermaid 2: Are you sure he isn't Tommy, Pearl? He looks so much like him!
Micky: *groans, pointing at the scene in front of them* Would you look at that!
Mike: (Pulls Davy out of the crowd) Flirt later, shotgun.
Davy: Mike, I was just having a bit of sport!
Mike: It ain't open season on girls.
Mermaids: (Wave goodbye in flirtatious unison) Good-bye, Tommy!
Lauren: *rolls her eyes* Good grief!
Davy: (Blows them a kiss, even as Mike drags him with the others to Pearl's home) Good bye, my watery beauties!
Emma: (Gags) Ugh. What is it about Davy that attracts every bimbo within a five-mile radius?
Peter: (Sighs) Just lucky, I guess!
Davy: 'ey, there were some nice girls in there, too!
Mike: (Still pulling him along) Where?
Lauren: *smirks* Sure, Dave.
Pearl: (Shakes her head as a mermaid in a black-and-white top opens the door for them) Your friend is an even worse flirt than Tommy! He always seemed to have six or seven mermaids following him around at any given time!
Mike: (Grumbles) You should see what it's like when we rehearse.
Micky: You mean try to rehearse.
Peter: We have to drag girls out of everywhere, even the refrigerator! (Pouts) One of them ate my cream of root beer soup without asking!
Mike: (Raises his eyebrows) Was that the one who ran out of the house holding her mouth and lookin' real green?
Davy: Is that what it was? I thought we hit a wrong note or something.
Peter: I didn't think that soup was all THAT bad.
Lauren: Are you sure she didn't see Micky? *jabs a thumb at him*
(Emma and Davy chuckle. Micky is not amused.)
Micky: Thank you very much! *sticks his tongue out at her*
(Mike stops in the middle of the room as Pearl floats across the hall. Everyone runs into him.)
Lauren: Ow. Did anyone get the number of that truck?
Emma: Ow! (Rubs her nose, then gazes out from behind Mike) Wow! Get a load of this place!
(The room is carved from pure, sparkling coral and is filled with fine furnature and treasures made of gold, silver, and precious jewels. The glittering coral walls look like a thousand sparling stars against the watery light of the sun.)
Pearl: Welcome to my home, travelers!
Peter: You have a great home! It looks like you live in the stars!
Micky: I'm definitely going to reconsider giving up being an architect.
Mike: Pearl, I've never seen anything like it. Not in Texas, anyway.
Emma: Not even in Southern New Jersey! We don't have coral like this!
Peter: There's no coral in Connecticut!
Lauren: Not in Western Massachussetes, either!
Davy: The waters around Manchester are about as safe as those fish we ran into earlier.
Pearl: (Sadly) I don't know how much longer we'll be safe, either, not with Alakazam and that witch and their terrible fish monsters, not to mention those demons that fly above the waters, snatching innocent merpeople who don't agree with Alakazam and Katrina!
Davy: Witch?
Emma: Demons? (Whispers, to Mike) Um, would now be a good time to tell her?
Pearl: (Confused) Tell me what?
Peter: We're sorry, Pearl. Alakazam turned the knights into the demons who steal merpeople, and probably a lot of other people, too. They hate doing it, but they're under his control, even Lord Thomas.
Pearl: (Turns even paler than she already is) Those hideous beings who swoop down and wreck havoc on our homes are our heroic knights, and one of them is my dear Thomas?
Lauren: You got it.
Pearl: (Collapses on a once-velvet lounge and starts to cry) Oh, my poor, poor Thomas! He can't even come home! The demons won't touch the water!
Davy: (Swims next to her and puts his arms around her) There, there, luv, we'll get him back. We'll get them all back, and they'll be all right, you'll see!
Pearl: (Sniffles) Do you really think so, Tom...Davy?
Davy: (Hugs her) I know so. We're a pretty tough team.
Mike: What's this about a witch?
Pearl: (Dabs at her eyes with a well-worn bit of lace) Katrina Von Lobster! She's an evil, terrible being. She was once one of King Bruce's most trusted advisors, but he caught her trying to cause a mutiny in the Aquatides, and she had a falling out with him. She's in league with Alakazam and has been taking innocent merpeople and transforming them into mindless slaves!
Peter: Is that what happened to those mermaids who kept kissing Davy?
Mike: No, that's just your typical reaction to Davy's irresistable charm.
Davy: (Swats at Mike) Can I help it if I'm beautiful?
Micky: Sure you can! Uglify yourself sometime!
Davy: Why on earth would I do that?
Lauren: I don't know, but you could ask Mick for tips. *winks*
(Emma, Peter, and Davy burst into laughter.)
Pearl: (Giggles) I like being around all of you. I feel better already!
Micky: *folds his arms* What do you have against me today?
Emma: That's just her way of saying "I love you," Mick!
Lauren: *blushes* I do it 'cause I can!
Davy: She's just crackers about you, luv! ;)
Micky: *rolls his eyes* Women!
Emma: Oooh, the things I could tell you from our e-mails!
Lauren: *turns a darker shade of red* Emma!
Micky: What things?
(Now everybody's cracking up, even Mike.)
Emma: Interesting things. She's looney about you, boy. She has so many pictures... ;)
Lauren: Gawd...
(Everyone is still laughing when there's the sound of screaming and things breaking outside.)
Mike: What the hell? (Goes to a window) Holy shit! I think we're bein' invaded!
Emma: (Joins him and blanches) The Fighting Fish are back, with reinforcements!
Micky: I knew I should've thought shark!
Emma: (Reaches for her sword) Let's get 'em! (Rushes outside before Mike can stop her)
Mike: Damn that head-strong brat! (Follows her, reaching for his own sword)
Lauren: *calls after her* Emma! *unsheathes her double daggers*
Micky: Man! *follows, brandishing his own dagger*
Pearl: (Hands Peter a large knife) Your arrows are of little use here, Peter.
Peter: (Blanches at the knife) But it's so big! (Runs his finger alongs it and gasps) And sharp!
Davy: (As four huge Fighting Fish break through the window, pulls Peter and Pearl under the chaise) Watch out, luvs!
(Emma hacks at as many Fighting Fish as she can, blind with rage.)
Mike: Is this a private party, or can anybody join, girl?
Emma: I told you... (slams her sword through one very large fish) DON'T CALL ME GIRL!!!!!
*Micky and Lauren join the fight without asking for fear of losing limbs.*
(Merpeople run back and forth, some fighting, others hiding, others being chased. The silly mermaids chase Davy, who's defending Pearl against two very large Fighting Fish. Peter slashes blindly at any fish who gets near the chaise, all to the tune of "Laugh")
Emma: Mike, watch out! (A fish's tail knocks him flat on his back. Emma puts her sword through the fish and goes to Mike's side.)
Peter: (Ducks out from under the chaise as two Fighting Fish crash into it) Yikes!
Davy: (As the fish continue to swarm) We're outnumbered!
Mike: (Coming to in Emma's arms) Huh? Did someone get the number of that fish?
Emma: Mike, are you ok? That fish got you pretty hard!
Mike: (Gets up) I'll be ok (looks at the carnage), but I don't know if I can say the same for everyone else.
Micky: We could use a little help here, guys!
Davy: (Comes out clutching Pearl, Peter following) We're here for you!
(A large, feminine hand grips Micky by the neck. The hand belongs to a very large, very fat mermaid with long, dark hair. Her skin is an odd shade of grey-violet, and her eyes glow a shade of neon green seldom seen beyond diner signs.)
Mike: Mick!
Lauren: Let him go!
Micky: *coughs, struggling* Hey, lady, watch it! *coughs* I don't kiss on the first date!
Mermaid: (Laughs) Aren't you the amusing one? If I hadn't spoken to Alakazam before I came here, I would have mistaken you for one of those spoiled lords, like every other idiot in this kingdom!
Davy: (Brown eyes blaze) Let him go, you wretched witch! It's me you want! I'm Thomas's double!
Pearl: Davy, no!
Mike: (Eyes him warily) What you doin', Dave?
Pearl: Let the boy go, Katrina!
Micky: *coughs* Yeah, let the boy go! *struggling slows*
Katrina: (Looks around her) Why, Pearl, what a surprise! (Laughs) I would have thought you could dredge up a better fighting force than this!
Emma: (Bristles) I think we're pretty damn good!
Mike: (Puts his hand on her shoulder) Em, cool it.
Lauren: *furious* Someone better hold me back.
(Peter lunges for Lauren as she aims for Katrina. Katrina just laughs again.)
Katrina: Ahh, so you're the curly-haired one's lover. How adorable! One seldom sees such dedication in young people anymore!
*Lauren blushes.*
Emma: What do you want?
Katrina: Why don't we make a bargain, little one? (Points at Davy) Him for this one with the strange tail.
Davy: Me?
Pearl: (Clutches Davy) No!
Katrina: My boopsy-pie Alakzam really just wants all of you to come quietly, with no fuss, but he promised me the small one.
Lauren: *fuming* And if he doesn't go?
Katrina: (Reveals long, sharp nails, which she runs across Micky's neck, drawing a thread-thin trickle of blood) You'll be looking for a new lover, little girl.
*Lauren whimpers, slumping.*
Mike: (Lunges at Katrina; Emma joins him) You bitch!
(Katrina blasts Emma and Mike with a bolt of energy from her free hand. Both hit the ground unconcious.)
Katrina: (To the assembled crowd) Anyone else?
Davy: No! (Pulls away from Pearl) I'll go. It's me you want, Katrina.
Peter: (Still holding Lauren) Davy, no, don't give into her!
Davy: (Gulps) I'll go with you. Just leave the others alone.
(Katrina hesitates, then throws Micky on the ground. He hits it hard, groaning. Lauren and Peter immediately swim to him.)
Lauren: Mick!
Katrina: Deal, boy. (Hits Davy with another blue light. He swoons into her arms) My, what a pretty little package. Alakazam will be pleased.
Pearl: No! Let him go! (Swims to her and slashes at her with her knife as the witch and an unconcious Davy fade from view in a burst of dark purple light)
Peter: (Takes the Emerald from Emma's bag and runs it across Micky's throat.) Here you go, Micky! (He's enveloped with a warm, green glow.)
Micky: *his eyes blink open* Am I dead?
Peter: No, you're all right, Micky. The Emerald healed you.
Micky: Oh, that's good. *holds a hand to his head*
Emma: (Groans as she comes to) Ow. Ow. And did I say ow?
Mike: (Holds his head in his hands) Man, that chick packs one hell of a punch!
Emma: (Shakily gets up and looks around) Micky, Lauren, are you guys ok? Peter?
Peter: We're ok now, but the witch took Davy!
Mike: Shit!
Micky: No thanks to me. *grumps*
Emma: Don't blame yourself, Mick!
Lauren: *rolls her eyes* Micky... *wraps an arm around his shoulders*
Mike: Yeah, you just happened to be closest to her. (Rubs the back of his neck) She sure wanted Davy something terrible, didn't she?
Micky: *still unhappy* I can only imagine why.
Pearl: (Sobs) It's that Alakazam! He wants you four boys out of the way.
Emma: (Groans) Why am I NOT surprised?
Lauren: Gee, is that all he wants? Oh, brother.
Pearl: She'll enslave Davy like the others! Like my whole family!
Mike: Turn him into a mindless hell-hound, like the demons, I bet.
Pearl: (Shakes her head no) Katrina prefers other...ways...of torture. She probably wants him for a love slave.
Peter: Love slave?
Micky: *groans* That figures.
Pearl: She'll cast a spell on him that will make him completely devoted to serving her sexual desires, which rumor has are nothing you want to practice at home in your own bedroom.
Lauren: Oh goodness. *gulps*
Mike: I've heard of being desperate for a date, but that's ridiculous!
Peter: (Turns pale) Oh god!
Micky: That's insane!
Emma: (Clutches her sword again) We have to get him out of there, and the other merpeople, including your family, Pearl.
Pearl: I've heard the witch's home can be found in the Dark Depths, and she keeps her slaves in the richest shipwreck in all of Aquatides, the ASS Lover's Bounty.
Micky: *smirking* Now there's a pun for you.
(Emma, Lauren and Peter chuckle in spite of themselves, and even Pearl smiles a bit.)
Pearl: Follow me.
(The five remaining travelers follow Pearl, hiding from the occasional Fighting Fish sentry. Many of the beautiful mer-homes have been reduced to rubble, and merpeople are seen crying and holding each other.)
Emma: Shit, they really kicked the hell out of this place!
Peter: What a waste! It was so beautiful!
Lauren: This is terrible!
(Pearl leads them lower and lower, to the very bottom of the Aquatides. The lower the six go, the darker it becomes, until they can scarcely see two feet in front of them.)
Pearl: Stay close by, and don't go wandering off. There are creatures in this place even I've never been able to categorize.
Lauren: *gives a nervous chuckle* Oh joy.
Pearl: (Points at an the remains of an old-fashioned ship draped with seaweed and kelp. A bit of gold leafing that once read LOVER'S BOUNTY can still be seen on the side.) There it is, Katrina's home!
Emma: (grabs Mike's arm as they swim onto the remains of the ship's deck. Mike notices, but says nothing. She shudders) I hate shipwrecks. I heard too many stories about them as a kid.
Micky: Hey, I see light! (Points at a grate)
Lauren: About time!
Davy: (Heard quite clearly through the grate) You want to WHAT? You're bloomin' crackers!
Katrina: (As the others crowd around the gate) Come on, sweet little thing. The potion-wotion won't hurt any, and it will make you quite willing to play with Mommy Katrina.
Davy: Your idea of fun and games could kill me!
Lauren: *disgusted* Gross.
(Davy is chained to a bed in what must have once been the captain's quarters. Katrina's huge, vulptuous body is surrounded by heavy pillows and floating seaweed. Young mermen with blank stares caress her and bring her food, but she ignores them all and concentrates on Davy.)
Katrina: I was supposed to bring you and your friends to Ally, but they didn't want to play fair. (Oozes against Davy, running her fingers through his dark hair) It's much more fun with just one of you.
Lauren: *groans* I think I'm gonna be sick.
Micky: Even I'm not that desperate.
Emma: That witch! (Reaches for her sword, but Mike stops her)
Mike: Cool it. If you break in there, she'll have her zombies all over you and Davy in an instant.
Peter: (Starts to cry) Poor Davy!
Emma: We've got to distract her somehow. (Grins) Micky, you wouldn't have any home-made knock-out drops on you, would you?
Micky: *pulls them out of his shirt pocket* Never leave home without them *grins*
Emma: Good. (Nods at the group) Lauren and I will distract the zombie club, while Micky sneaks in and puts these in her loving cup before she shoves the potion down Davy's throat.
Mike: (To Pearl) Pearl, you go find the other zombies and get them loose.
Peter: Mike, what about us?
Emma: Peter, go with Pearl. Mike, cover us.
(The group breaks off. Pearl and Peter swim cautiously past the captain's quarters, while Emma and Lauren wiggle their hips and try to look flirtatious in front of the two large, burly mermen guarding the door.)
Emma: (Blushes) Um, high, big boys! (Tries to wiggle her hips and shove out her chest) Wanna play with us?
(Micky slips in the door while the girls put on their performance.)
Lauren: *muttering* Micky better hurry.
Emma: (Whispers to Lauren) I'm not very good at this! I feel like an idiot!
(Micky swims quietly around the zombies as Katrina oozes closer to Davy. He dumps the drops in Katrina's glass and wiggles his finger at Davy, who sees him. He hides under the table, behind a tattered velvet cloth.)
Davy: You know, luv, did you know that you, um, have very nice teeth?
Katrina: (Eyes him) All the better to eat you with, my dear boy.
*Micky makes a disgusted face*
Emma: (Peeks quickly in the door and chuckles) Now, this, I never thought I'd see, Davy Jones unable to talk to a woman!
Lauren: Definitely a first.
Davy: Well, before you eat, why don't you have a nice, um, spot of, um, whatever you drink in the ocean?
Katrina: (Sighs) If I drink the little drink for you, (holds up a golden cup with a strange red fluid) will you drink this little drink for me?
Davy: (Grins and winks) Of course, I will! Now, be a good girl and sip that!
Katrina: (Holds the cup up to him) Here's to us, darling! (Drinks it and grins) Now, little boy, time to hold your end of the deal.
Emma: (Looking past as one of the mermen try to kiss her) No! Davy! (Struggles) Let me go, you big ox!
(Katrina passes out just as she reaches Davy's lips with the cup. She, the cup, and the liquid sink slowly to the floor of the wreck. Micky jumps out from behind the velvet cloth.)
Davy: Micky, thank god!
Micky: (Doing a good impression of Mighty Mouse) Here I come to save the daaaaay!
(Outside, both girls are trying to avoid the advances of the amourous mermen.)
Lauren: *calls from outside, struggling against one of them* Then come save our day!
(As Emma tries to reach her sword, the merman who holds her sinks to the ground. A grinning Mike appears from behind him, his sword raised flat side up.)
Mike: These mermen have NO idea of how to treat a lady!
(Davy and Micky burst into the hallway. Micky stares the other merman in the eye.)
Micky: (Pokes the merman in the eye a la "The Three Stooges") Learned that from Larry, Moe, and Curly!
(Micky catches Lauren dramatically as the merman drops her)
Lauren: Nice catch *smiles*
Micky: (Grins) Thank you, babe! I thought so, too! (Gives her a big, romantic kiss)
Emma: (Makes a face) Oh, please.
Lauren: *still swooning from the kiss* You're just jealous.
Mike: Could you two be romantic somewhere else? We've got to find Pearl and Peter, before Katrina the Romantic Whale comes to!
Micky: Where would you like us to go?
Mike: (Takes Micky by the ear) Preferably with us, Romeo!
Micky: Ow, ow ow!
Davy: (Rubs his hands) Where's Pearl?
(The five swim further down the hallway when they hear groans and moans of pain.)
Emma: I don't like the sound of that.
Mike: (Sniffs) I don't even like the smell of that.
Lauren: Oh, goodness.
Davy: Pearl!
(The British boy pushes past the others and slams into a room at the end of the hallway. It's the holds, where many slimy, green, fish-like creatures are chained. Pearl cries before a group of them that includes small ones. Peter looks around in horror, holding up his knife and trying to decide which one to faint before first.)
Pearl: (Gasps) Mama? Papa?
Emma: Oh my god!
Mike: These were merpeople, right, Pearl?
Micky: Oh man.
Pearl: (Swallows and nods) Y...yes. These are her slaves. They capture other merpeople and labor in her crystal mines.
Emma: Slavery is a very popular concept around here.
Lauren: Apparently.
Mike: How are we going to change them back?
Davy: There's got to be a way to reverse the spell!
Peter: (Wails as several slaves gather around him) MIIIIIIIIKKKKKKEEE!
Mike: (Grabs Peter away from the merpeople) Not so loud, Big Peter! You'll scare them!
Peter: THEY'RE scared?
Pearl: Katrina keeps all of her potions and charms in her quarters, near the captain's chambers.
Emma: (Slices through Pearl's family's bonds) I'm sick of this! No one should be able to do this to anyone!
Mike: Emma...
Peter: WAAAAHHHH! (Accidentally slices through the rusted chains that bind several more with his big knife)
Davy: (Peers out the passageway) Um, blokes, we have COMPANY!!!!
(The "company" is Katrina's zombies, who chase the seven helter-skelter to the tune of "Star Collector." The slaves also chase the zombies, and this is intercut with scenes of Katrina coming to, realizing what happened, and floating bloatedly out to the hallway, only to get nearly run over by zombies, merpeople, and travelers.)
Katrina: What the HELL is this? MTV?
Lauren: It will be in about twenty years!
Emma: (Grins as she parries a zombie) Nice one, Lauren!
Lauren: Thanks! *knocks out a zombie* That felt good.
(The seven and the freed merpeople, who really just shuffle around looking like rejects from a 50s B horror movie, manage to drive Katrina and her zombies back into the rooms adjoining the captain's chambers)
Katrina: What the HELL have you done to me?
Emma: (Grins at Mike) Offhand, I'd say we've defeated you.
Micky: Ha HA!
Davy: (Points his rapier at Katrina's neck) I've never killed a woman before, but so help me god, I will tonight if you don't give us what we want!
Katrina: Which is, lover?
Davy: The Aquatica Sapphire and all of your slaves and zombies freed.
Katrina: (Whines) But Mommy can't give up the sapphire! Alakazam will have my tail, or worse!
Micky: *snickers* Mommy...
Mike: (Pulls out his sword) Alakazam's magic would be a heck of a lot nicer than some of us around here in bad moods. (Joins Davy) And believe me, I'm NOT amused right now, by your love potions or your enslaving innocent merpeople!
Micky: *pulls out his dagger* Or trying to behead me earlier.
Emma: (Adds her sword to the mix) What will you have, Katrina? Our fury, or Alakazam's? *Lauren pulls her twin daggers and glares.*
Peter: (Shyly adds his knife) You're not very nice, trying to make Davy do things he doesn't want to do!
Katrina: (Her blubber shudders) Th...th...t...Aquatica Sapphire is located in the largest treasure chest in the hold. (Sneers) But only I can make the potion that will restore the merpeople.
Davy: (Thrusts his rapier further) Then make it. (Brown eyes blaze) Now.
Emma: Davy, you and Pearl get the sapphire. The rest of us will stay with Katrina to make sure she and the Zombies from the Planet Aquatides don't try anything funny.
(Davy and Pearl leave, Davy shooting Katrina extremely nasty looks as he does. Micky and Peter inspect Katrina's potions as she mixes one thing or another under the watchful glares of Lauren, Emma, and Mike.)
Katrina: Curlylocks, can you hand me the bottle with the ground flounder eyes while you're mucking about over there?
Micky: Don't call me that. *grabs the bottle*
Emma: (Grins) I think it's kinda cute.
Mike: (Smiles) And fitting.
Micky: *gives Emma a look* But I don't like her!
Katrina: I'm not crazy about you either, boy! Stay out of my potions! You don't know what you're messing with!
Micky: Oh, yes, I do! I have a chemistry set, which I'm very good at using.
Lauren: *rolls her eyes* So he says.
Mike: (Snickers) Um, no he isn't. (Emma and Peter just chuckle.)
Micky: *sighs* Are you done yet?
Katrina: Yes, I'm finished. (Emerges with a thick, slimy green potion.) All of you, stand back. This will reverse their spell, but you'd end up becoming monsters.
(The five move back as she pours the potion along the ground. It oozes across the merpeople and zombies. The zombies shudder and lose their clueless looks; the slime on the merpeople falls away, revealing human flesh and scales of every color in the rainbow.)
Davy: (Runs in, holding a blue light in one hand and Pearl's hand in his other) We found it!
Pearl: The Aquatica Sapphire controls water. You'll be able to make a flash flood in the middle of a desert!
(Davy shows them all the heart-shaped sapphire. Katrina groans.)
Katrina: Ally isn't going to like this!
Lauren: Aw! *smirks*
Merman 1: (Two burly mermen carrying spears float up to Katrina and each take her by the arm) You'll be coming with us, ma'am. You're under arrest for attempted murder, kidnapping, theft, and handling of illegal and hazarous substances.
Pearl: (As a group of merpeople with pale gold hair and gentle round faces enter) Add slavery and attemtped rape to that, Officer Waterworld.
Katrina: (Tries to turn on the charm) Now, how could a lovely little woman like me do all of those things?
Lauren: *covers her mouth to keep from laughing* Oh please.
Merman 2: Ma'am, we only have about 200 witnesses.
Officer Waterworld: (Slaps brass cuffs on Katrina) Just the facts, ma'am.
Katrina: (Looks over her shoulder at the seven mer-youths) And I would have gotten away with it, if it wasn't for those meddling mer-kids!
*Micky sticks his tongue out at her.*
Emma: (Grins) Rooby-dooby-doo! ;)
Pearl: (Turns to the merpeople, a woman, man, and two children) Mama, Papa, these are my new friends from the surface.
Mama: (Gasps when her gaze falls on Davy) Your Royal Highness!
Davy: (Groans) I'm not Ludlow or Lord Thomas!
Pearl: (Mouths) Ludlow?
Mike: (Shrugs) Long story. This isn't our first time handlin' doubles.
Micky: More than likely isn't our last, either.
Papa: (Takes Mike's hand) We can't thank you enough for what you've done for us!
Mike: Aww, it was nuthin', sir.
Peter: (Plays hide-and-seek with the kids) Hey, you're peeking! No fair!
Little Girl: Hee hee! He's fun!
Mama: If there's anything we can do for you...
Davy: Can I marry your daughter?
Pearl: (Blushes) I'm sorry, Davy. I owe you so much, but I'm betrothed to Lord Thomas.
Lauren: *slaps her forehead* Davy...
Emma: (Sighs) Here we go with his hormones again.
Davy: (Sadly) That Tommy of yours must be quite a guy.
Pearl: He's the most wonderful man in Aquatides, (softly) or was.
Davy: (Brushes a stray tear from her cheek) Now, now, luv, don't cry. I promised you I'd free your Lord Thomas and his brothers, and an Englishman always keeps his promises, especially to a pretty mermaid.
Pearl: Thank you, Davy! (Leans over and kisses him on the cheek)
Lauren: Aw!
Little Boy: (Points) Oooh, Pearl's gettin' kissy!
Mike: (elbows Emma as she wipes away a few stray tears of her own) What's this, tears? I thought you were supposed to be Miss Strong and Independent.
Emma: (Mutters) Yeah, well, I'm also Miss Sentimental. So sue me.
Peter: (Cries) That's so beautiful!
*Micky sniffs, smiling.*
Davy: Now, come on, no tears. I'll bet your Lord Thomas wouldn't want to come home to see your pretty eyes all red. (Wipes her eyes) All better now, luv? (Pearl nods with a wan smile.)
Papa: (Bows to the kids) I am Lord Marlin Albacore, (nods at his wife) and this is my lovely wife Coral, (nods at the kids still chasing Peter) and those spirited darlings are Crystal and Shelton.
Peter: (The kids have found him and are tickling him) Hey, cut that out! Stop it! :)
Mike: All we ask is for the Aquatic Sapphire and for safe passage back to the surface, your lordship.
Emma: (To Mike) Very nicely done, Nesmith.
Mike: I thought so myself, Redmer.
Papa: Done! (Nods at Davy, who still holds Pearl) After tonight, I truly believe that there is no one in the kingdom more qualified to keep an eye on the Sapphire than the six of you, except for maybe our dear Lord Thomas. (The mer-family takes the six travelers past happy merpeople who wave at them, smiling and cheering. The water gradually becomes lighter, and the group finally emerges on shallow waters, just within sight of the beach.)
Mike: (Grins) Dry land at last!
Lauren: Yes! *lunges for land*
Micky: *calls after her* Just don't kiss it!
Papa: (As the kids head for shore) I'll send word to Hercules that you're searching for the Aero Diamond! Don't look for him, he'll come to you!
Davy: (Gazes wistfully into Pearl's eyes) I'll never forget you, Pearl.
Pearl: And I'll never forget you, Tom...Davy. (Hugs him) Thank you so much for helping save my family!
Mama: Pearl, come along!
(Davy reluctantly lets Pearl go and watches her as her glittering tail dives beneath the turquoise waves.)
Mike: (Dragging himself onto the shore) Ok, how do we turn back into normal humans?
Emma: (Shrugs) The same way we turned into them, I guess. (Closes her eyes) Close your eyes and think "human!"
Lauren: That's fine for us, but what about Micky?
*Micky tosses a handful of sand at her.*
Mike: It would take a lot more than imagination to turn him into a human!
Emma: Enough, guys! Concentrate! (The same warm glow envelopes the group. When it subsides, they have returned to their normal forms. Emma stands wobbily; Mike catches her) Thank god!
Lauren: *touches her toes* Welcome back!
Peter: (Looks at his feet) I never really appreciated my feet until I didn't have them anymore!
Micky: *whoops with glee* I got my legs and my poncho back! *continues bounding around for a bit, then hugs Lauren*
(Davy sits on a rock and stares sadly out to sea. Mike joins him.)
Mike: You hung up on that fish-chick, boy?
Davy: I cahn't help it, Mike. I really loved that girl, fish or not.
Mike: It wouldn't work, Dave. You're not of her world, and she's not of yours. You're not Lord Thomas.
Davy: I am deeply jealous of him.
Peter: (City-lighting grin) Cheer up, Davy! Maybe she has a double with legs, just like Wendy had a double!
Emma: Certainly are enough doubles around here!
Micky: *joins them, wagging a finger* You almost stole my line, David. Man, cheer up. There's a girl out there for you. You'll find her when it's time.
Emma: To each his or her own, Davy honey.
Lauren: It's possible. It happened to Micky!
Emma: And to Lauren. (Grins at her friend)
*Lauren returns a pained grin.*