Emma: Hi! Just let me check my e-mail quick.

Lauren: Okay! :-)

(While Emma checks her e-mail, we go into a re-cap romp to "I'm a Believer" - Micky and Lauren nuzzling, laughing, and chasing each other; Davy and Pearl; Emma and Mike sparring; Peter amid the mer-kids and unicorns.)

Emma: Whenever you're ready!

Lauren: I'm all set!

Emma: Boys?

Mike: (Punches his fist into his hand) You'd BET I'm ready!

Davy: Ready!

Peter: I'm ready!

Micky: *still rubbing his hands* Singed, but ready! *smirks*

Emma: Mike, are you still thinking about the demon?

(Mike turns away from her, muttering. Emma just sighs.)

Lauren: *rolls her eyes* Oh, brother.

Emma: Well...here goes everything.

(The four walk around the back of the spooky old castle. It's growing darker by the minute.)

Peter: (Clutches Mike's sleeve) This place is spooky!

Lauren: Someone suggested flashlights earlier. Would've been a good idea.

Emma: (Shivers) This is worse than Cape May at Halloween.

Davy: I feel like I'm in one of those old movies about knights and things!

Mike: Where the heck are we going to find that diamond?

*Micky cackles into the darkness*

Emma: (Jumps) Mick, don't DO that!

Lauren: *slugs Micky in the arm* Knock it off, Mick!

Micky: Well, excuuuse me!

Emma: (Glares at Micky and Lauren) Enough, you two. Micky, this place is spooky enough. We don't need to add to the ambiance. (Turns back to Mike) Didn't Robert say it would be where you would least expect an air diamond to be?

*Micky lets rip with a razzberry.*

Lauren: Ewww.

Mike: (Rolls his eyes at Micky) Cool it, ok, Mick? We're all a little on edge, and you're not helping. (To Emma) Em, I don't trust him. Yeah, I know they can't help it, but damn it, they're still under Alakazam's control. They could have lied.

Emma: Do you have any other bright ideas?

Peter: (Groans and gets between Emma and Mike) Please, not here! Don't start again!

*Micky grumbles something that makes Lauren snicker.*

Emma: Where would you least expect an air diamond to be?

Davy: (Grins) Maybe Micky ate it. He eats everything else.

Micky: Hey?! Where are you, Davy? *waves his arms blindly trying to find Davy*

Davy: (Stumbles) Ouch! I'm here, mate! Tripping over rocks and other lovely things that jump out in front of weary travelers!

Micky: Gimme your head. I wanna smack the back of it! (Davy grabs Micky as he falls. They both end up on the ground.)

Emma and Mike: (In unison, thoughtful) Ground?

Davy: That was my rear. (Grins) I didn't know you cared, Mick!

Micky: *yelps* Man, I thought that was Lauren!

Lauren: *snickers* Well, Davy and I are almost the same height.

Mike: Cool it, you two. (Quietly) Where would you least expect to find something that's of the air?

Emma: (Points down) In the ground!

Peter: (Grabs Mike's arm) Hey, guys, the Aero Diamond could be under the ground!

Davy: Oh, Petah, that's old news!

Lauren: You mean we have to dig for it? *kicks at the ground* This could take a while.

Mike: Maybe not. Didn't Davy say he tripped over something?

Micky: Davy, feel around for it.

Peter: Wouldn't it glow?

Emma: Not if it's covered with cloud!

Lauren: Just watch out for Micky.

Davy: That I will, luv! (Feels around for something hard) Ow! (Rubs his hand) I found something 'ard and pointy, and it bit me!

(Everyone leaps for the ground around Davy at once and end up tripping over each other.)

Micky: Whoa, Monkee pile!

*Lauren snickers*

Mike: Emma, git off me! You ain't no cream puff!

Emma: Hey, no weight jokes, Mr. Skinny!

Peter: Who's sitting on my legs? (Feels around) Oh, that's you, Micky. I can feel your poncho fringe.

Lauren: Can we just look for the jewel, please?

Micky: Is that you? Sorry, Pete! *shifts around*

Lauren: Hey? *shoves at someone leaning on her*

Mike: (As Emma gets off him) Right. (Starts pulling cloud away from the dusty, sharp rock.)

Micky: I'm starting to feel like I'm in a pinball machine.

(Emma, Davy, and Peter join Mike in digging. Mike finally comes up with an object surrounded by a bright, white light)

Mike: As the ol' California miners useta say, "Eureka, I have found it!" :D

Lauren: That sucker's bright! *shields her eyes*

Peter: Ouch! (Shields his eyes, too)

Emma: (Puts her hand over her spectacled eyes) I know we asked for a light, but this is a little much.

Davy: Put that thing in Emma's bag!

Micky: Psychadelic freakout! *snickers*

(Mike tosses the diamond in the bag, where it continues to glow. All of the other jewels glow, too.)

Lauren: Uhhh, are they supposed to do that?

Davy: I don't know, but they make a smashing night light, luv.

Mike: Ok, got that. Now, how do we get out of here, and where do we go?

(Several winged forms can be seen amid the brightness. Hercules, Megara, and Zeus are joined by three other pegasus, one barely more than a baby.)

Peter: (Delighted) The Pegasus are here! We're saved!

Hercules: (Lands with a self-satisfied smirk; to Megara, who lands beside him) Told 'ya I'd find them, Meg.

Megara: Oh, please. You had no idea where you were going. I'm the one who suggested trying the castle!

Young Pegasus: Mom, Dad, don't fight!

Lauren: *muttering* That seems to be going around.

Zeus: (Lands; sees the bag) You've found them! You've found them all!

Mike: Yeah, well, what do we do with them?

Pegasus 1: (He is pale blue with a white mane) You take them to the Castle of the Four Elements! King Bruce is retiring from the throne, and with the knights gone, he plans on making Alakazam his sucessor!

Young Pegasus: (Throws back a brick-red mane) We'll stop them, now that we have all of the jewels! I know we will!

Pegasus 2: (Mature, with a gray coat and silvery mane) You're forgetting, Bacchus, that only the Knights of the Elements can bring forth the ultimate power. (Does a double-take when he sees the guys) Goodness, Hercules, are you certain they aren't the knights themselves? There's a very close resemblance.

Bacchus: (Rolls his eyes) We're certain, Achilles. These young people are merely here by chance.

Megara: (Sighs) Could you all get to the point? (To the group) Your next mission is to find the knights themselves, free them from the enchantment, and see them and the jewels safely to the Castle of the Four Elements before the corination in three days!

Micky: Gee, that won't be tough. *makes a face*

Peter: How are we gonna do that?

Young Pegasus: We've got friends who can help you, right, Mom? The Warrioresses of the Four Elements!

Megara: We'll land you in the Darkness Plains, the place where Alakazam makes his home. The Warrioresses will meet you there. They were once the King's personal bodyguards and defenders of the Castle of the Four Elements, but Alakazam disbanded them when he wormed his way into the King's council.

Lauren: Sound familiar to anyone? *quirks an eyebrow towards Emma*

Emma: Weren't you going to do this as a fanfic?

Lauren: *looks around innocently* Who, me?

Young Pegasus: (Does a flip in the air, then flies down) Alakazam is at the Castle itself and won't be at the Darkness Plains, but his nasty henchman, Jurrisson, is still around! He thinks he can do magic, but he's just a bully. (Frowns) I could take him on easy, but Mom and Dad won't let me!

Hercules: (Shakes his head) Perseus, you're too young for handling bad guys right now. Wait a few years, son.

Perseus: (Grumbles) Awww, not fair! Grown-ups won't let you have any fun!

Achilles: We'll take you to the surface, but we can go no further. We can't be on land for too long, or we lose our powers.

(Mike mounts Hercules, Emma mounts Megara, Peter mounts Achillies, Davy rides Bacchus, Micky rides Zeus, and Lauren mounts Perseus. The Pegasus leave the castle far behind, swooping through fluffy gray clouds, across wide expanses of sea and green fields and forests. The land gradually becomes less and less green, until the six flying horses land on a gray expanse of flat fields. Only a few skeletal trees and the occasional rock formation can be seen for miles.)

Mike: (Dismounts Hercules) Cheerful place, isn't it?

Peter: (Whimpers) I don't like this place! It's dark and gray and it smells like rotten eggs!

Davy: (Dismounts Bacchus and pinches his nose) Sulfur, Petah. It smells of sulfur.

Micky: Gross!

Lauren: *snickering, covering her nose* Aw, Micky!

Emma: (Fans herself) And it's so hot!

Hercules: This place is full of boiling mud springs and sulfuric swamps. (Makes a face) Not my choice of pleasant hang-outs.

Micky: Goody.

Megara: Watch where you step! Mud monsters live in the swamps and hot springs! They aren't too bright and will grab at and suffocate anything that moves.

Peter: (Gasps and ducks behind Mike) M...mm...mmmm...ud m...monsters?

Emma: (Sarcastic) Wonderful.

Lauren: *grumbles* Fantastic.

Davy: (Makes a face) How pleasant.

Mike: (Shakes Hercules' hoof) Well, thanks anyway for your hospitality, Herc.

Hercules: (Grins) Pleasure was all ours.

Micky: *moves out in front* Well, let's get this over with, then!

(The Pegasus fly off, and the six weary travelers start across the dead plain.)

Mike: (Shudders) Did they have to mention "dead?"

Peter: (Clutches Mike's arm) I don't like it here! It's so gloomy and gray and cloudy!

Davy: And those are it's good points.

Lauren: Trudge, trudge, trudge... *acts like she's tightrope walking*

Emma: I wonder where these Warrioresses are?

Mike: They'll probably find us. Everyone else seems to.

Micky: Do we have some huge, invisible sign hanging over us?

Emma: (Pulls her shoes out of gray-brown muck) Ewwwwwww! This ground is gross!(Grumbling) These are my only sneakers, too!

Lauren: The only place that looks worse than this is Micky's side of his and Mike's room.

Mike: Ain't that the truth!

Micky: *scoops up a wad of mud* Wanna repeat that, Babe?

*Lauren sticks her tongue out at him, then continues her "tightrope act," moving away from the group*

Mike: You should try sleepin' there sometime. When I can actually find our beds, that is.

Peter: The mud feels like it's moving!

Davy: That's your imagination, Petah!

Emma: Something grabbed my leg! (Pulls onto drier land) It felt all slimy and gooky!

Mike: Hey! Something slapped my rear! (Glares at Emma) Darlin', I know you're upset about earlier, but there are easier ways of showin' off your romantic impulses!

Emma: (Makes a face) Oh please.

Peter: M...mm...mmm...iiiiiiiikkkkkeeeeeeeeeee! (Pulls his legs free of the muck and runs behind his friend) The mud has a face!

Mike: Pete, this is really gettin' silly. This place must be gettin' to you.

Micky: *does an investigator impersonation* So, Peter, what did the face look like?

Peter: (In a suit, the victim) Well, it had squinty eyes, and no nose, and a mouth that was dripping with lots of greenish-brown stuff! (Points at the very monster described behind him) Kinda like him. (Turns to the monster and lets out a bloodcurdling scream)

Emma: (Screams) Good Lord Allmighty, that's ugly!

Micky: I was only joking around!

Mike: Um, Micky, look behind you.

Davy: That's disgusting!

Micky: Huh? *turns around*

Peter: G...god... (runs in the other direction, but another monster is coming that way, followed by more)

Emma: Ok, uglies, you're going down! (Whacks at one with her sword. The sword proceeds to get stuck. She whines) Hey, that's mine! Gimmie, you smelly pile of crud! (Puts a foot on a rock and starts tugging her sword away from the creature)

Peter: Mike, help! (He's got a monster on his tail. He tries to shoot at it, but his arrows just sink into the beast.)

Micky: Oh, crap. *glances around* Hey, anyone seen Lauren?

Davy: (Ducks a monster swinging at him) No, not since the monsters arrived.

Micky: *muttering* Probably hiding somewhere. *looks around while trying to fend off more monsters*

Emma: (Pulls at the monster) Damn you, you piece of deteriorating, disgusting... (monster lets out a noisy groan and grabs Emma's arm. Emma grins shakily) Um, maybe the deteriorating comment was a little out of line. You can keep the sword! I'm not all that good with it, anyway!

Mike: EM! (Slices the monster's arm off. Emma steps back as the monster grows a new arm.)

Emma: They can regenerate. Swell.

Micky: *sarcastic* That makes me feel better!

Mike: I wish it would rain or something. It would wash these damn compost heaps into the nearest river.

Davy: (Thoughtful, as he ducks another monster) Rain...(runs past Emma) Emma, can you get to the bag with the Jewels?

Emma: (Pulling damp mud off of her) My boss is going to love what's happened to my uniform. (To Dave) Yes!

Davy: Toss me the Aquatica Sapphire quickly, luv!

Peter: (A monster grabs him. He drops his bow and cries) HEEEELLLLP!

Micky: Hurry, Dave!

Davy: (As a monster advances) Please, bring up a flood, right NOW! (Clutches the sapphire for dear life)

(The Sapphire glows, and the gray, mucky brown river gushes clear water. The monsters groan and moan as they're turned into nothing but ground. The five travelers make their way to a flat rock in the center of the plains. Just as quickly as the waters came in, they subside.)

Emma: Holy cow!

Micky: *sits Indian-style on the flat* Great, but that still doesn't help us find Lauren!

Peter: (Points at a group of women dressed in tight pants, soft boots, and loose shirts of various colors. Lauren is with them, grinning) There she is! And she has friends!

Lauren: Aw man, I missed the mud fight! *smirks*

Emma: Thank god! (Jumps off the rock and into the soft sand. Runs to her friend and embraces her) Don't scare me like that ever again! I thought you were washed away!

Lauren: *rolls her eyes* Who, me?

Woman 1: While the rest of you were fighting the Mud Monsters, she sought our aid. We were looking for you, anyway. (Bows before the group) My name is Martha, formerly the head of the Warrioresses of the Castle of the Four Elements. (Nods at the other women) My friends are Carlotta (a tiny Hispanic woman nods her head), Corelle (a tall, willowy black woman waves), Lelita (an athletic brunette with a tough look nods), and Mina (a pretty, small blonde giggles). There used to be so many more of us, but many have died fighting Alakazam's forces or have abandoned us.

Mike: Um, yeah, hi. (Shakes Martha's hand) I'm Mike Nesmith, and yeah, we're the ones you're supposed 'ta be meetin'. We aren't any fonder of ol' Alakazam than you are.

Peter: (Gazes wistfully at Martha from behind Mike) She's the prettiest girl I ever saw.

Davy: (Works up the charm) Nice to meet you, too, luv. So, (leans on a rock and grins) come here often?

Lauren: *groans* Davy...

Corelle (Rolls her eyes) I know Hercules said you guys are tired of people mentioning this, but, damn little boy, you're worse than Lord Tommy in the flirt-and-break-hearts department!

Micky: Preach on, sister! *laughs*

Carlotta: (Slight Spanish accent) I think he cute!

Mina: (Leans on the rock and flirts right back) No, not really. Do you, cute, short, and adorable?

Emma: (Groans) Oh, good grief. God made two of 'em!

*Lauren wraps an arm around Micky's waist.*

Micky: Not taking any chances, are you? *snickers*

Martha: Mina, stop chasing anything in pants. We're not going to get anywhere unless we start moving.

Mina: (Pouts) But everyone's wearing pants, and I only chase boys!

Mike: This is all lovely, but I agree with Martha. We've got to get going, before those mud monsters regroup.

Lelita: (Nods) Let's go get that son-of-a-bitch Alakazam!

Corelle: (Nods) We were told what he did to the knights. I was wondering how they vanished so suddenly.

Carlotta: It's a sin, senoritas, that's what it is! Those four were the best men in the kingdom!

Martha: (Sadly) By far the best men in the kingdom. (Far away) And Halsten... (She gulps and wipes her eyes. Peter runs to her.)

Peter: Are you upset?

Martha: (Sniffles) No, it's just Halsten and I had an understanding. (Smiles) You're very much like him. He hated hurting anything or seeing anyone sad.

Emma: Come on. Let's get moving, before Alakazam's lackey starts getting ideas, or we run into the knights again. (Mike bristles at the mention of the knights, but says nothing.)

Davy: (To Mike) Are you still jealous of Lord Robert?

Mike: (Rolls his eyes) Jealous? Me? No way! Emma's a free woman. She can flirt with every demon in the entire kingdom, for all I care!

Davy: (Shakes his head) Why don't you admit that you love her and get on with your life?

Micky: *from behind them* It'd make our lives easier!

Mike: Because I don't! (Sighs) Well, maybe I do, but she's so hard to read! One minute, she's all hearts and flowers, a little girl, and the next, she's ready to kill me over somethin' stupid.

Lauren: You don't understand women, do you Mike?

Mike: (Watches Emma as she chats with Carlotta and Martha) I know I don't understand Emma, that's for sure.

(The group walk across a grove of tall, scrawny, dead trees. The sky becomes more and more gray, and there's no life to be seen anywhere for miles around.)

Lauren: My, isn't it depressing? *makes a face*

Martha: (Takes Peter's arm) Stay close now. We're almost at Hades Palace, Alakazam's home.

Micky: *snickering* Aptly named.

Peter: (Clutches Martha) He won't do anything to us like he did to the knights, will he?

Martha: He's not here. He's at the Castle of the Four Elements, thinking he's going to inherit the kingdom. His right-hand man, Jurrisson, is in charge while he's gone. Jurrisson's a creep, a jerk, and a major bully, but he's not as powerful as Alakazam. He's mostly just a yes-man.

Emma: (Growls) Jurrisson sounds like someone I wish I didn't know. (mutters about nasty TV executives who take away favorite shows for no reason)

*Lauren smirks knowingly*

Mike: I don't want to run into the knights again, either.

Emma: (Glares at Mike) You mean you don't want ME to run into the knights!

Davy: This is not a good time to start that again!

Mina: Start what? (Watches as Emma runs to catch up with Mike) I think they're cute together!

Peter: Mike's mad 'cause Lord Robert likes Emma and he does, too.

Micky: Could you two just knock it off already? Man, you sound like an old married couple.

Mike and Emma: (In loud, angry unison) WE DO NOT!!!!

Micky: *yelling back* Yeah, you do!

Corelle: (Smirks) Sorry, you two, but Ge...Curly's right. Bickering ain't gonna get us anywhere.

Mina: (Sighs) Secret love! That's sooooo romantic! It's like a princess and a knight from some old fairy tale!

Mike: (Glares) If she's a princess, I'm one of those monsters.

(Emma just sticks her tongue out at Mike's retreating back.)

Micky: *waves* Hi monster!

(Mike glares at Micky but says nothing.)

*Micky sticks his tongue out*

(A large, gloomy-looking castle looms over the horizon. It's high on top of a huge, craggy hill and looks like piles of sharp rock thrown haphazardly together until it makes one long, razor-edged rock formation.)

Mike: Nice place. Few geraniums, and it'll be ready for "Better Rock Castles and Gardens."

Micky: Just your typical evil-doers home.

Emma: Um, has anyone considered how we're gonna get in?

Micky: We could knock.

Peter: Why don't we just ring the doorbell?

Mina: Maybe there's a secret entrance or something!

(Thunder cracks and lightning flashes as the group comes up to the base of the mountain.)

Lauren: Yup, that's all we were missing. *groans*

Peter: (Whimpers and grabs Martha) Is there somewhere to hide? I HATE thunderstorms!

Martha: We must find another entrance! (Points to the castle's drawbridge, which is surrounded by huge, burly creatures that look like they're made of solid rock.) The front is guarded by Alakazam's rock creatures. Not the sharpest pieces of flint in the drawers, but they can break through anything and have absolutely no brains whatsoever. They're completely loyal to Alakazam.

Davy: Sounds like the way Micky acts around Lauren. *receives glares from Lauren and Micky*

Lelita: Trust me, we've handled them before. You DON'T want to take them on without serious medical coverage and about 100 years of life insurance.

Mike: (Groans) That's just wonderful.

Peter: (Still hiding behind Martha as more thunder rings out) How are we going to get in?

(The group tiptoes around the back of the castle, climbing the rock higher until they reach the castle's base.)

Peter: (Jumps as another bolt of thunder is heard) Let's get in, and soon!

Mike: I don't like this. It's too quiet back here.

Micky: *hisses* Don't say that, Mike!

Davy: Whenever someone says that, it immediately gets much louder!

Carlotta: Come here, quickly! I have found an entrance that is not guarded! It's a tunnel under the castle!

Mina: (Sticks her head in and immediatly pulls it back out) Ewwww, I'm NOT going in there! It's damp and dirty and smells really gross!

Lelita: Do you have a better idea, Mina?

Mike: I still don't like this.

Emma: What WOULD you like, a hundred guards jumping out at us?

Corelle: We can't stand around all night.

Peter: (Gets closer to Martha, who takes his hand) I just wanna get inside!

Micky: *heads for the tunnel* Last one in's a rotten egg!

Emma: Wait for me, Mick! (Joins him)

Lauren: *follows* Wait up, Curly!

(The warrioresses and the travelers enter the tunnel, which is, indeed, damp, dirty, smelly, and slimy.)

Micky: *puts on a dreamy voice* Reminds me of home!

Davy: Always knew you came from the sewers, Mick!

Micky: Hardy har har!

Peter: M...martha?

Martha: Yes, Peter?

Peter: Do you...I mean, are you...do you...like, um, books, music, and poltics?

Micky: *slaps his forehead* Oh my Lord.

*Lauren glares at Micky, who shrugs*

Martha: What? (Smiles) Well, I do enjoy reading, and I love listening to Halsten play the piano. He's such a genius with music! I wish I could hear him play more often.

Peter: Do you miss him?

Martha: (Sighs) More than anything.

Peter: Well, I, uh, I miss you, too. (Martha raises an eyebrow. Peter blushes deep red) I, um, I'm sure he misses you, too.

Emma: (Sighs, to herself) Poor dear! And I thought I had a hard time talking to men!

Corelle: (Rolls her eyes) He's as bad as Hal. Can't say five words in front of a girl!

Micky: Sounds like Lauren. *gets an elbow in the gut from Lauren*

(The tunnel dead-ends in front of a large grate in a brick wall. The grate is rusty and grimy from disuse.)

Emma: What now?

Lauren: Looks like a job for the ruby.

Emma: Go ahead and knock yourself out, Mickster. (Grins naughtily) Just don't do it literally!

Micky: *frowns* My hands are still sore from the first time! *pauses* Oh, all right, gimme it.

Lauren: What'll we use to get it hot?

(Carlotta takes a torch from the wall and holds it under the ruby, which immediately starts to glow. Micky drops it in front of the grate, and the grate blows up in a ton of bits of rust and rock.)

Emma: I love convenient torches. Imaginations are wonderful, aren't they?

Lauren: *grins* Very much so!

Micky: Ow, ow, ow! *blows on his hands*

Davy: (Winks at Micky and Lauren) Why don't you let Lauren kiss it and make it better?

Lauren: *glares at Micky's dirty hands* Maybe later. *winks*

(The others chuckle as Mina sticks her head out into the hallway.)

Mina: (Nods) All clear!

Martha: (Takes a short sword not unlike Emma's) We have to be at the ready, folks. This is probably just a service hallway, but there could be monsters down here, or anywhere.

(Everyone takes their wepons. Peter shakily grabs his arrows, nearly poking Martha in the process.)

Peter: (Embarassed) Oh, golly, I'm sorry, Martha! I didn't mean...

Martha: That's ok, Peter. No harm done. (She smiles at him and he melts into a paisley-colored puddle on the floor.)

Davy: Petah, this is no time to go to pieces! (Gathers him in a bucket and walks back into the tunnel) One minute, please. (There's a bit of shaking and the sound of thick liquid pouring, and a blushing Peter and a grinning Davy emerge)

Lauren: *folds her arms* Nice trick.

Mike: How in the hell...

Emma: (Rolls her eyes) I don't even want to KNOW.

(They creep around the hallways, avoiding lumbering rock-monsters and other assorted odd monsters, occasionally scaring each other and pointing their wepons at each other before realizing it's just them.)

Mike: This place is like a really demented San Diego Zoo!

Micky: *becoming impatient* We're getting nowhere fast!

Martha: Jurrisson's room is in the tower. I'll bet he has the demons there, if they're not with Alakazam. (Whispers) Hold on, Hal, I'm coming! (Darts for a set of narrow stairways. The others follow, Peter watching Martha sadly as they do.)

Emma: (Grumbles) I feel like I'm in one of the bed-and-breakfasts in Cape May. They have really narrow stairways, too, and are almost as old.

Micky: And they make you walk like a drunk!

Lauren: No, Mick, that's just you. *smirks*

(The stairs stop at a heavy oaken doorway as the others chuckle. Martha puts her hand out and nearly knocks the entire group back down the stairs.)

Martha: Shhhhh! This must be it! I can hear voices!

(Everyone leans against Martha and the door.)

Micky: *whispers* Can you see dead people? *Lauren smacks Micky in the back of his head.*

Whiny, Nasal Voice: (As the sound of a whip is clearly heard) Hey, cut that out! Master Alakazam left all of you under my leadership while he's getting crowned king of The Land of Sunshine and Beauty! He won't be happy if you guys slice me in two before he comes back!

Emma: (Makes a face) What a jerk. I wish the demons WOULD slice him in two!

Robert: (Deep growl) You're lucky we ain't sliced you in two already.

Nasal Voice: (The sound of a whip rings loud and clear, followed by a castle-shaking, agonized roar) And YOU'RE lucky to still be alive! How could you let those idiotic brats escape? (The sound of more whipping and noisy growling echoes through the castle.)

Halsten: We told you, we got rid of them!

Nasal Voice: (Sound of a booted foot kicking a very large, heavy object) You're lying. You were supposed to come back with them! They could ruin everything!

Martha: (Gasps) Hal? That couldn't be!

Lauren: *Whispers urgently* We gotta do something!

Mike: I have an idea. Everyone push at the door as hard as you can!

(Everyone pushes at the door as more agonized screaming and roaring is heard.)

Carlotta: The hinges are old! I feel them give way!

(The entire group makes a less-than-graceful entrance into a very large, round room with an extremely high ceiling and craggy, rocky walls. The four knight-demons are chained against one side of the wall with thick, iron manacles. A short man with beady eyes and a puckering mouth, wearing a riding outfit, holds a long, stiff leather whip. He grins as the group tumbles helter-skelter into the room.)

Mike: (As he untangles himself from Corelle and Davy) We gotta work on our entrances, man.