Everyone accounted for?
Lauren: I'm here!
Micky: Let's roll!
Mike: Here.
Davy: Here, luv. (Still pounts a bit over Pearl)
Peter: Present!
Lauren: Aw, Dave...
Emma: Ok, then, we'll start with a romp.
(Micky chases Lauren, Emma and Mike walk on the beach, Peter plays with fish and crabs, and Davy just stares at the blue waters, to the tune of "Forget That Girl.")
Lauren: *laughing* Mick!
Emma: (Nods at Davy as she and Mike continue on down the beach) He's taking this whole thing with Pearl awfully hard. I wish there was some way we could help him.
Mike: (Shakes his head) He did this with Wendy, too. He'll get over it, Em.
*Lauren and Micky run past, Lauren still yelling at Micky to stop chasing her.*
Emma: (As Mike pulls her out of the way, both of them laughing) Hey, watch it, guys!
Micky: Sorry!
Peter: (Laughs) Get her, Micky!
Micky: I'm trying, Pete! *laughs*
*Micky finally catches Lauren. The two tumble onto the sand*
Peter: (Looks around as he leaves the fish) I wonder where we're going next?
Emma: (Looks around) Good question. I don't see anything but beach and water for miles.
Mike: Keep a watch out for those demons, too. (Takes Emma's arm protectively. She pushes him off.)
Emma: (Glares) I'll be just fine, Mike. You're still upset over the demon thing, aren't you?
Mike: Oh, of course I'm not mad. A big, ugly, hairy enchanted lord just tried to make off with you! I'm PISSED OFF!
Emma: Mike, I'm not your property. Knock it off.
*Lauren and Micky stop rolling to stare.*
Lauren: *under her breath* Whoa...
Davy: (Finally distracted from the rock) Here we go again!
Micky: Uh oh. One explosion coming up.
(Mike just glares at Emma, turns on his heel, and thunders down the beach.)
Emma: Hey, come back here, Nesmith! I'm not through with you yet!
(Everyone follows the long-legged Texan. Plump Emma is out of breath when she finally catches up with him.)
Emma: Mike, I like you a lot, but you can't be jealous of every guy who looks at me!
Mike: Even if they're a big, hairy demon?
Emma: You KNOW they have no control over what they do!
Mike: He sure didn't seem to have a problem pantin' over you.
Micky: *sighs* Come on, Mike!
Emma: Mike, I'm a free woman. I can do what I please.
Mike: Fine! Do what you want! See if I care!
Micky: Michael...
Emma: Fine!
Lauren: Em!
Emma: (Throws up her arms in angered defeat) OOOHHHHHH!
(The sound of wings beating stops everyone, including the arguing pair. A large horse, black as midnight with shining, coal-black wings, swoops out of the clouds above the beach. He lands before the flabbergasted group and bows before Mike.)
Emma: H...h...holy cow!
Lauren: No, holy horse!
(Emma, Peter, and Davy chuckle. Mike crosses his arms.)
Mike: And what the hell are you?
*Micky slaps his forehead*
Pegasus: (Smiles a great, big horse smile) Didn't Lady Pearl tell you about me? I'm Hercules, head Pegasus of the Land of the Musical Winds!
Mike: If you say I look like your master, I'll hurt something.
Micky: Don't say it. *shakes his head wildly and waves his hands*
Hercules: Ok, I won't say it. It's all too obvious, and besides, Pearl told me. (Bows his head sadly) She told me what happened to the real knights, too. (Looks up, eyes flaming) If I ever get my hooves on Alakazam, I'll knock him clear to the other side of the Aquatides...or further!
Lauren: I vote further. *raises hand*
Davy: (Raises his hand) Me too, especially after we saw what happened to the merpeople.
Hercules: (Looks up at the sky and screams at the top of his lungs) HEY, FOLKS, IT'S OK TO COME OUT! WE GOTTA GET GOING!
Micky: *grumbling* If you lost your voice, it's in my ear. *sticks a finger in an ear*
("Folks" turn out to be a large assortment of Pegasus of every size and color, from babies with tiny wings to majestic stallions with wings a mile wide.)
Peter: Awww, they're so cute!
Lauren: They are!
Female Pegasus: (A flame-red Pegasus, smaller than Hercules, lands next to him and gasps) My god, Herc, he really DOES look like Robert!
Hercules: (Glares) Meg, I told you not to say that! They've probably heard it from everyone in the entire kingdom twice! (Sighs; to the group) I'd like you all to meet my lovely mate, Megara, who has the tendency to run her mouth when she shouldn't.
Megara: You're not any better, Herc!
Mike: (Glares at Emma, who glares back) Sounds like someone I know.
Emma: Mike, if you don't clam up...
Lauren: Geez.
Large Pegasus: That will be quite enough! (A much older Pegasus with a deep British accent lands) Hercules, Megara, please mind your manners. They're our guests (points at Mike with a wing), and if this one is anything like our Robert, he'll be extremely angry if you continue like this all day!
Micky: *mutters* He's already angry.
Mike: (Looks around) I just want to get out of here, before there's another attack. Those demons may not know what they're doin', but they're still under Alakazam's control. (Climbs on Hercules)
Peter: Where ARE we going?
Large Pegasus: To our kingdom in the clouds, good blond gentleman!
Davy: In the clouds?
Micky: *jumps up and down* We're going on another ride!
Emma: (Groans) Oh no, not more horseback riding!
Davy: (Grins as he mounts a pale blue Pegasus) In the air, no less!
Lauren: This could be fun. *glances at Micky, who's still jumping around*
Emma: (Climbs gingerly on Megara) Micky, you can't ride if you're hopping around like a Mexican Jumping Bean!
Davy: (Winks) I'll bet 'e could!
Micky: *stops and glares* Sure, take my fun away!
Peter: (Climbs on the big, older Pegasus) Oooh, a flying horseback ride!
Large Pegasus: (Sighs) I know Hercules said you're not our master or his brothers, but you do have the same kind of childlike innocence that Halsten did! I wish we could have seen more of him. He was terribly shy and afraid of most people.
Peter: (Blushes) I'm just not any good with girls.
Davy: (Grins) You don't have any problems with Valerie, luv!
Peter: She was different.
Emma: Peter, everyone loves in a different way. Your way just isn't as open as Davy or Micky or Lauren's.
Lauren: *points at Micky* I wasn't this way until I met him. He corrupted me. *smirks*
Emma: (bursts into laughter) True! (To herself) I wish I could fall in love that easily.
(The others mount, and the group of Pegasus take off into the wide, blue sky, flying past clouds, birds of every description, and more Pegasus, as everyone but Mike, who is thoughtful, laughs and plays with the flying horses to the tune of 'Daydream Believer'.)
Micky: *crowing like a cowboy* Yee haw!
Emma: (As the romp ends) Talk about daydreaming! This is amazing! Now I remember why I wanted to be a bird when I was a kid.
Peter: It's so nice up here!
Mike: (Perks up as he hears distant music) What's that?
Hercules: (Sighs) It's just one of Master Robert's songs playing on Megara's record player. He loved music. He was a brilliant musician!
Megara: (Tears in her eyes) Whenever I hear the music, I feel closer to him, somehow.
Emma: (Strokes Megara's mane) Don't worry, we'll get them back!
Mike: (Perks up) Hey, I know that song.
Peter: It's "You Just May Be the One," without the words.
Emma: (Raises her eyebrows) Well, well...
(The group pass more Pegasus, these ridden by people in simple, soft-colored, billowy shirts, denim pants and skirts, gauzy pastel dresses, and boots. They wave to the Pegasus and gasp and gawk at the group.)
Mike: (Sighs) Here we go again. I'm gettin' a little tired of explainin' why we aren't the missin' knights.
Lauren: *snickering* Nothing like being the center of attention!
Mike: (Blushes) Some of us ain't used ot it.
Peter: (Wide-eyed) Girls are looking at me!
Davy: (shrugs) Look back!
Peter: (Squeaks) I can't!
Micky: Yes you can, Pete! Go for it!
Peter: (Looks at the girls for a second before he turns away. They grin and giggle at him.)
Lauren: A little longer than a split second there, Peter. *rolls her eyes*
Hercules: (As they come up on a large clump of clouds) Well folks, here's home!
Mike: In a cloud? (The clouds lift as the group gets closer to reveal a lovely-but-modest-sized, almost ranch-like dwelling. It is spacious without being ostentacious, pretty and airy.)
Davy: Very nice, luv!
Micky: *whispers* It a fantasy, Mike, remember?
Mike: I'm still havin' a hard time with the fantasy concept.
Emma: (Sticks her tongue out at Mike and shoots ahead of him on Megara) Learn to live a little, Mike!
Hercules: (As the Pegasus land) The room's for cleaning up are towards the back, near the Pegasus's corral, but if you're anything like my master, what you'll want first is the music room.
Mike: (Grins, just a tiny bit) Music room?
Megara: Oh, our masters played wonderful music together! They kept all of their instruments in the room at the back of the ranchhouse. Pegasus from miles around would come to listen to them!
Micky: Think we could get a gig up here?
Mike: Maybe. They seem to have good taste.
(The Pegasus land on a large, open cloud alongside the ranch. Green shoots of grass dot the cloud.)
Lauren: This is so cool!
Hercules: End of the line, folks! We'll meet back here in a few hours to regroup and see if we can find the Aero Diamond. In the meantime, feel free to wash up or do whatever it is that humans do. (Nods at the older Pegasus) Ol' Zeus, here, will keep an eye on all of you.
Zeus: (Bows his head) I am proud to serve those whom I have heard such marvelous things about.
(The group head into a spacious but sparcely furnished room. What furniture there is is light and airy, as appropriate to the location. The six wander around and finally find the mentioned music room. The room is huge, with enormous windows in the back that give a great view of the Pegasus' corral and the sea below. A large bandstand holds instruments of all kinds, from gorgeous guitars to tambourines to horns and saxaphones. A player piano stands in one corner.)
Mike: (Takes the guitar in his hands) Man, I think I'm startin' to believe in all this fantasy junk a little.
Lauren: *picks up a tambourine* Oh, I like it here very much!
Peter: (Runs his fingers over the piano) It's so gorgeous! Look at the carving work on the piano!
Davy: (Takes the maracas) And the maracas are hand-painted!
Micky: *after wandering over to the drum kit* Hey, the drums are even set up backwards, just the way I like them!
Emma: (Sits on a fat couch before the bandstand) I wish I could play an instrument. All I can play is two songs on the piano.
Mike: But you can sing ok. I've heard you.
Lauren: *cheers* Come on, Em, sing!
Emma: (Blushes) Um, well, any requests?(Mutters, to herself) I hate singing for a crowd.
Davy: Come on. I think Micky and I can live without singing one number.
Micky: *teasing* Speak for yourself, shorty. *winks*
Emma: Well, we haven't done a lot of slow romps, so how about "Sometime in the Morning?" I love that song. It's so sweet, and it always makes me think about how you guys helped Millie Rudnick.
Peter: (Picks up a guitar) Sure! (Smiles) Millie was a nice lady, even if she did have a lot of rules.
*Micky twirls his sticks.*
(The next romp is, indeed, "Sometime In the Morning," with Emma twirling and dancing as she sings the lead vocals. Mike watches her, though she doesn't notice. Micky notices Mike's interest and winks at Lauren. Peter and Davy grin.)
Emma: (After the song is over, she curtsies for the group) So, how was that?
Mike: (Leans over his guitar, not looking at her.) Not bad.
Lauren: *claps loudly* Wonderful! *attempts to whistle, but nothing comes out*
Emma: Don't feel bad, I can't whistle, either. Probably has to do with my teeth.
*Lauren shrugs*
*Micky gives a thumbs up from behind the drum kit.*
Mike: (Strums the guitar) This is all well and nice, but has anyone considered that Alakazam and his endless hordes of creeps and crazy critters are still after us?
Lauren: *groans* I was trying to forget that.
Emma: We have to find the Aero Diamond. The jewels are the keys to this whole mess. (Grims) And I'm sure Micky is dying to find a use for the Desert Sun Ruby.
Micky: You bet I am! *lets rip with a drum riff*
Peter: (Frowns as a loud, strange buzzing noise is heard) What's that?
Lauren: Big bees?
Davy: (Lifts his head) Really big bees.
Micky: Condor-sized bees?
Mike: (Looks over his shoulder at the window and shouts) Watch out! (Pulls Emma down as a swarm of bees the size of Montana crash through the window and buzz around the music room, followed by the Pegasus, who are doing their best to beat them down.)
Micky: *covering Lauren* I think we were kidding about the bees!
Davy: (Ducks down, clutching the maracas) Well, THEY obviously aren't kidding!
Micky: Can't they take a joke?
Hercules: (To the others) You get out of here! We'll hold them off!
Micky: Don't have to tell me twice! *jumps up, picks up Lauren, and runs for it*
Peter: (Cowering behind the piano) I HATE bees!
Davy: (Grabs Peter) Let's go!
Mike: (Pulls a dazed Emma along) Come on!
(The six rush out of the music room, only to be met by giant bees no matter where they go.)
Micky: I hope no one's allergic!
Peter: (Points) There's the main door, and it's not covered!
Mike: (Grabs the door, flings it open, and shoves Emma through) Let's get outta here!
Lauren: Move it, Mick!
Micky: I'm running, I'm running!
(The six run across the white, soft front lawn and the corral, barely missing Pegasus fighting bees. The bees have very long stingers that almost poke them several times.)
Peter: (Whimpering) Did you see the stingers? They looked like the needle the doctor gave me when I had the flu!
Lauren: I never said I wanted to be Swiss cheese!
Davy: (Points to the sky) Look out, luvs! Here come the uglies!
Micky: Can't they give us a break?
(Four all-too familiar black visages swoop out of the sky, followed by more bees.)
Lauren: They're the ones who brought the unwelcome guests!
Tall Demon: Now you figure that out, shotgun!
Mike: (Growling) Hey, that's my line!
Emma: (Gasps) Oh, god, not again.
Davy: (Groans) This is no time to fight over women!
Micky: Yeah, wait until we turn you back into a human!
Tall Demon: (To the others) I want the taller girl. (Nods at a curly-haired demon) And didn't you say you were interested in the smaller girl?
Lauren: *squeaks* Me?
Emma: (Pushes Lauren behind her) Oh, no, you don't. Bad enough me, don't start on Lauren!
Micky: *sets his jaw* Over my dead body!
Mike: (Growls) That's it, buddy. You've been askin' for it ever since you grabbed Emma's arm back in the desert. (Jumps at him with the sword. Robert twists Mike's arms behind his back.)
Emma: (Shrieks) NO!!!! Let him go, Robert!
Micky: Hey, big ugly? *pulls his dagger*
(Peter is being chased by the demon with lighter fur than the others. Davy and the smallest demon size each other up.)
Robert: (Twists Mike's arms more. He screams.) My friends and I were ordered to bring all six of you back to Master Alakazam. He wants all of you, especially the guys.
Emma: (Holds up the sword) And if we don't come?
Peter: (Still ducking around Halsten) Hellllp!
Micky: Put him down! *holds out his dagger*
Robert: I could take you out with one claw, and you know it.
Micky: Try me, Ugly!
Emma: If we go with you, will you call off the bees? The Pegasus did nothing to you!
Robert: (Grins evily) Maybe.
Halsten: (Grabs Peter's arms) A deal is a deal, Rob. Do what she says. Master says she and her friends are great warriors.
Mike: (Struggles) Don't you touch them!
Micky: *fuming* I'm getting impatient here!
Robert: Fine, darlin'. We'll call off our friends, but all of you have to come with us. (Indicates a black-and-red Pegasus with bright red eyes that snorts fire) Master's personal transportation.
Davy: (Sarcastic as he's dragged along by Thomas) How fitting for an evil wizard. Transportation from 'ell.
Emma: (Turns to the others) Guys?
Micky: *shaking his head* I don't like this!
Mike: Emma, don't... (Robert twists his arms more. Emma cringes)
Micky: Watch it, Rob! *points his dagger*
Peter: (Halsten wraps his claws around his neck) Just do what he says! I'm scared!
Emma: (Shaking) R...robert, we'll do it. We'll come with you. Just don't hurt Mike!
Mike: Emma, no! You don't know what you're sayin'!
Robert: Yeah, she's got smarts. I like that in a woman. (Drags Mike to his feet with one clawed paw and nods to the curly-locked demon) George, go tell the bees to go home. Ain't much more for them to do here, anyway. (George nods and flies back towards the ranch house)
Emma: Promise me you won't hurt Mike!
Mike: (Struggles) Em...
Robert: (Gazes into her teary gray eyes and sighs, throwing Mike onto the soft ground) I can't resist a lady.
Micky: *grumbles* This is seriously pissing me off!
Davy: (Struggling in Thomas' grasp) Join the crowd, mate! X-(
Emma: (Goes to Robert and takes his arm; quietly) Robert, you know you don't want to do this. You don't want to bring us to your master.
Lauren: We can help you!
Robert: (Struggling within himself) No, darlin', I don't, but I have to.
Halsten: (Shudders) Master will do horrible things to us if we don't do what we're told!
Thomas: (With a far less gentle British accent than Davy's) We have no choice in the matter, luv.
Robert: (Takes Emma from the half-conscious Mike) This girl is mine. (Points at Micky and Mike) Those two are ridin' the horses.
Emma: No! (Struggles) Robert, let me go!
Micky: *fuming* Listen to the lady!
Robert: I...I... (Looks from Emma, to Mike, still slumped on the ground, to the others, including the returning George) I...
Emma: We'll help you get through whatever he's done to you.
Lauren: *pleading* Come on, Robert!
Halsten: (Still gripping Peter) We're not even sure what he's done.
Emma: (Puts her hands on Robert's big, clawed one) If you're anything like Mike, you do it, and the others will follow you. You're a born leader.
Robert: (Growls, turns away) No, I ain't, girl. I ain't a leader. Master's the leader.
Emma: (Glares) 'Girl' again!
Robert: (Whispers into Emma's ear) Just come with me, darlin'. I know where to take you and your friends, even the tall one.
Emma: (Melts) What do you mean?
Robert: I'll just hide all of you there. Master will never find you. (Looks at the others) It'll mean a major beatin' for us, but if we can keep him from gettin' the rest of you...
George: (Nods) Yeah, he beats us black and blue when we don't do what we're told, or even when we do.
Mike: (Finally stands shakily) How do we know we can trust you?
Robert: Do you have a choice at the moment?
Emma: (Rolls her eyes) Yeah, that's his double, all right! Answering questions with more questions!
Robert: There's an old castle near the edge of the Land of the Musical Winds. It ain't been inhabited in years, but if we lock you up there, everythin' will be all right.
Thomas: Rob, I don't think that's such a good idea, mate. Master said... (Robert glares at him before the smallest demon can finish.)
Robert: (Grins a very familiar half-smile) And I think you'll all find somethin' VERY interestin' in that ol' castle...
Mike: The Aero Diamond.
Micky: Well, why didn't you say so sooner?!
Emma: (Hugs Robert without thinking, earning a major glare from Mike) I knew you could shake off whatever conditioning that terrible wizard did to you!
Robert: (Pulls away) Don't work quite that simple, girl. (Takes Emma gently in his arms, despite the angry glow in Mike's eyes) Everyone ready to head out?
(George pulls Lauren in his arms, not lightly, either.)
George: Hey, little girl, you're not bad at all!
Lauren: Watch it, pal!
Micky: *fuming again* That's my girl, ugly!
Mike: (Nods at Micky) Now you know how I feel!
Robert: Mind you manners around the lady, Georgie!
George: (Glares at him) Don't call me that!
Micky: *with an evil gleam in his eyes* Yeah! Hey Georgie, lighten up!
(Thomas scoops up a not-happy Davy. Peter faints dead away in Halsten's arms.)
Halsten: (Indicating the bundle of blonde arms and legs in his arms) And I thought I had no backbone!
(Mike pulls Micky over to the Pegasus, and they follow the four demons past the cloud-homes. The homes are not badly damaged, but the shades on all of them have been pulled, and the clouds are almost unnaturally empty. Not even a bird flies past.)
Emma: Isn't there any way we can reverse what was done to you?
Robert: We ain't even sure WHAT was done to us, little lady. We don't know if we've ever been anything BUT hairy monsters. All any of us remember is a strange glow and endin' up lookin' like this.
George: (Sighs) Wish I did know what hit us. I keep trying to remember what happened before Master took us in...but it's so hard, so hazy...
Emma: (Snuggles into Robert's chest, ignoring the glares she's earning from Mike, who's behind her with a not-happy Micky on the Pegasus) You know, you aren't so bad, for a demon. I feel like Beauty and the Beast!
Lauren: *groans* Emma...
Mike: (Glaring daggers dripping with blood) Damn you, girl!
*Micky grumbles something unintelligible.*
(The four demons and the Pegasus arrive at a huge, crumbling old castle. They fly into an open window and keep going, down through the giant old building, down into a dark dungeon. They land and throw all six into a large cell covered with moldy old straw and rusty chains.)
Robert: That oughta' hide you.
Lauren: Ewww!
Emma: Where's that industrial-strength rust remover when I need it?
Mike: Boy, is the maid going to get a lousy tip.
Micky: This is ridiculous!
Robert: (Turns as the demons start to leave) The diamond is in this castle. You've just gotta figure out where. We can't help you. Master's gonna have our hides as it is.
George: Boy, are we in for some whipping when we get back!
(Halsten whimpers and clutches Robert's arm.)
Halsten: Do you think he'll use the big whip again?
Davy: (Frowns) Whip? What's that madman been doing to you, mates?
Micky: I'm gonna pound that guy!
Emma: Can't you even give us a clue?
Robert: (As his brothers leave) It's where you least expect an air diamond to be, shotguns. (Takes one last look at Emma and flies out after his brothers)
Lauren: Great, more riddles.
Davy: (Throws up his arms in disgust) Oh, that was helpful!
Peter: (Coming to on the floor near the wall) W...what happened? Where are we?
Emma: In an old castle at the edge of the Land of the Musical Winds. Apparently, the Aero Diamond is here.
Peter: The diamond?
Mike: (Rubs his still-sore arms) We gotta get outta here.
Davy: (Paws through Emma's bag) Hey Em, do you still have all the jewels?
Emma: (Slaps Davy's hands and looks through her bag herself) Yes, as far as I know.
Davy: (Grins) Micky can blast our way out of here!
Micky: *beaming* Yeah!
Emma: (Hands the ruby to Micky) You wanted a chance to use this, Mick. Well (grins), here it is.
Micky: *takes the ruby* How the heck do ya work this thing?
Mike: There's a window up here! It should heat up the diamond!
Emma: Promy said if you get the ruby hot enough, it'll blow.
Micky: *shrugs* I'll give it a go. *moves to the window*
(Mike takes Micky and holds him and the Ruby up to the window. It glows redder and redder, until it starts to shake. Micky drops it like a hot potato, blowing on his hands, and Mike puts him down.)
Mike: Get down, everyone! I think she's gonna blow!
(They duck under a pile of hay on the other side of the cell. A loud explosion is heard, followed by concrete crunching on the ground and falling debris. Everyone emerges, coughing and dusty but alive, to find the back wall of the entire dungeon completely blown to bits.)
Peter: (Wide-eyed) Wow.
Micky: *grinning like a madman* I love that ruby!
Emma: Good Lord allmighty!
Davy: At least we blew up the right thing this time!
Lauren: That's a first. *grins*
(All four boys glare at Lauren.)
Lauren: What?
Mike: Well, let's get the hell out of here and find that diamond!
Emma: Mike... (Reaches out to him, but he pushes past her)
Davy: (Sighs and follows) Back to square one again with those two!