Everyone ready, willing, and able to go kick some major Wizard rear end? ;)
Lauren: Yeah!
Micky: Let's pound that wizard!
Mike: Let's get 'em!
Peter: I'm ready! (Raises his bow)
Davy: Don't have to ask me twice, luv! ;)
Well, then...
Lelita: (Sighs) I hate to break up the romance novel, but don't we have a coranation to stop?
Carlotta: She is right! We must get back to the throne room!
Peter: And we've got a gig!
Mina: But how are we going to get back without being seen?
George: (Grins) We know all the secret passageways in the castle. We'll lead you!
Micky: I love secret passages!
Emma: Does anyone have any idea of HOW we're going to stop Alakazam?
Lauren: Nope, not a one.
Robert: Music.
Mike: Music?
Micky: Really?
Halsten: He hates it. All the entertainment always plays before and after he steps out of the room. That's why he and we live down here, so we can't hear the music.
Lauren: No music? That's terrible!
Thomas: If we can get some music to him during the coronation, it should distract him long enough to get the jewels!
Mike: I agree with Lauren. That's the worst thing I ever heard! Life without music is like life without air!
Micky: Or food.
Davy: Or love! (Gazes into Mina's eyes; she giggles)
Robert: (Crosses his arms in a very Mike-like fashion) He ain't a pleasant guy. He doesn't like what makes people happy.
Halsten: But how can we do music during the coronation? He always orders all the instruments locked away and all of the entertainers to keep quiet while he's present!
Mike: (Grins) Hal, my friends and I just happen to be musicians.
Emma: (Smiles) And we have a magic that's even more powerful than Alakazam's at our fingertips.
George: What's that?
Emma: (Grins) The power of the imagination.
Lauren: And we've had plenty of practice!
Davy: Whatever we imagine appears!
Robert: (Frowns) This, I've gotta see.
Mike: That's what I said when all this started, but trust me, it works.
Micky: Ooooh, a disbeliever!
Davy: (Rolls his eyes) Another one! (Looks at his tall friend) Are you sure you're an only child, Mike?
Mike: I didn't have any hairy reletives last I checked.
(Robert glares at Mike and starts for him, but one look from Emma stops him in his tracks. He continues to glare, though.)
Emma: Mike, if you don't leave Rob alone, I'm going to imagine you back at the Long-Title Library.
Martha: Didn't you guys say something about a secret passage?
Robert: (Finally stops glaring at Mike) Yeah, it's in Master's main room. (Gestures at a door in the stone wall) This way.
(The group follows Robert into another room, a large one filled with all kinds of odd instruments. Four huge glass tubes stand in the middle. Large, heavy chains lay on the floor, some of them broken. Whips and more chains hang on the walls, and clawmarks are on every wall and all over the glass tubes. Heavy, old-fashioned cog-and-spring machines whirr and grind and occasionally spark.)
Emma: Oh, geez, I feel like Charlie Chaplin in "Modern Times."
Lauren: Freaky!
Halsten: (Shudders) This is the room where Master keeps the machine.
Micky: *sarcastically* This is just a little scary.
Mike: (Eyeing the whips) This Alakazam definately has some interesting hobbies.
George: (Points at the tubes) All any of us remember is waking up in those tubes, wrapped with chains and having major headaches.
Martha: He's been using these strange object to control all of you.
Micky: I think I saw something like this in a bad horror movie once...
Robert: (Points to a trap door in the celing) That's how we're gonna get you out of here.
Mike: (Gazes up, and up - the celing is at least ten feet high) And just how are we going to get up there? There's no ladder, and I'm not climbing on all this weird equipment.
George: (Taps his black wings) No problem! We'll help you!
(The demons slowly haul the members of the group, in ones and twos, up to the trap door and into a musty hallway lit by torches. Robert is the last one through the trap door.)
Lauren: That was fun! *grins*
Thomas: (Smiles) It's been a long time since we've had any real fun, luv. I can't remember feeling as happy around any group of people.
Martha: (Takes a torch) We'd better split up again. The Warrioresses will come with me and distract the guards. The rest of you will make your way to the throne room. (Stands on her toes and kisses Halsten's hairy cheek) Be careful, Hal! (He turns red under his fur again.)
(The Warrioresses go in one direction down the hall, and the demons and the travelers turn down the other.)
Mike: Ok, does anyone have any bright ideas of how we're going to get into the throne room without attracting attention? (Looks over his shoulder at the four demons) And I'm sorry, but four very big, hairy guys tend to attract attention.
George: (Shrugs) Comes with the territory.
Micky: Is not attracting attention even possible for us anymore?
Robert: (Nods upwards) This passageway leads right under the bandstand in the throne room. The curtains will probably be closed during the coronation. We could probably get upstairs and set up while everyone else is watchin' the ceremony.
Emma: Convienient passageways are definately a wonderful thing. ;)
Lauren: Aren't they, though? ;-)
Thomas: We'll get the jewels as you distract Alakazam. Music is like poison to him!
MickY: Great! Let's go poison him!
Emma: (Murmurs to herself) No wonder he hates the knights and the guys, they're all involved with music. (Eyes widen) Thomas, Hal, Robert, George...can any of you sing, or play an instrument?
Thomas: (Shakes his head) We've never been allowed to try. Master goes into fits if he hears even one note of music.
Robert: All I can do is screech.
Halsten: I only know about instruments from hearing about them.
George: And it's not easy to dance when you've got feet our size!
Emma: (Grabs Mike's arms as the hallway gradually lightens and becomes less dirty and dusty) Mike, the bastard...he took away their music! Their musical abilities!
Lauren: *to Micky* I think she's getting mad again. *Micky nods*
Mike: (Clenches his fists) You're right! I'll bet they haven't heard a note of music since Alakazam shoved them in those machines. And Hercules said they loved playing together. (Growls) That son-of-a-bitch!
Emma: (Gets between Lauren and Micky and says quietly) We think that arrogant prick wizard stripped the knights of their musical abilities, just because he can't carry a tune in a bucket and he wants them to suffer! (Puts her hand on her sword hilt) Ooooh, that asshole! When I get my hands on him, he won't be able to perform card tricks at kids' birthday parties!
Davy: Down now, luv. He's not here now.
*Lauren & Micky glare at her for stating the obvious*
Lauren: So, then, what's the plan?
Robert: (Puts one big claw to his lips) Shhhh! (Points above, to another trap door. Voices can be heard above it.) They've started the ceremony!
Micky: Aren't there any regular doors in this place? *stares up at the trap door*
(People can be heard above, discussing the impending crowning in hushed and frightened tones. There's also the distinct sound of popcorn and peanuts being sold.)
George: (Grins and taps Micky on the shoulder) What, don't like flying with us?
Micky: No, it's just, uh... nevermind. *glares*
Thomas: (Adds his own grin) It's more fun this way. George and I have been trying to figure out how many passageways there are in this place.
Lauren: Something to pass the time. *smiles*
Robert: (Pokes his head through the door and shushes the others) Quiet! (Comes back down) The bandstand is all clear. King Bruce is makin' a lot of fancy speeches on how wonderful Alakazam is and how he's going to do fantastic things for the kingdom. (Frowns) He doesn't sound like himself. Almost like he's been drugged...
Peter: (Makes a face) I'll bet Alakazam did something to the King, too!
Micky: How surprising.
Davy: It would explain how he managed to wrest power away from the knights so quickly. I'll bet he's fixed it so the poor king doesn't remember he even had sons!
Halsten: (Cries) No, King Bruce thinks his sons have abandoned him! Alakazam told him that his sons no longer loved him and never did, and left the kingdom for other pastures!
Peter: (Also cries) Oh, that's terrible!
Lauren: This just keeps getting worse!
Robert: (Rolls his eyes) Great, the other guy bawls at card tricks, too?
Mike: And just about everything else.
Emma: Get me up there, Rob!
Mike: (Puts his hand on Emma's arm) You take care, darlin'. I know you're mad, but you can't go runnin' into danger. This isn't small potatoes stuff.
Emma: (Takes his hand and squeezes it) I will, Mike. Don't worry!
Lauren: I'm with Emma! I've had enough of this crap!
Micky: *shrugs* Ah, hell, I'm with them, too.
(Robert starts pulling everyone through the trap door. Mike is the last one hauled in. The banstand is eerily quiet and surrounded by an extremely heavy curtain that masks almost any sound.)
Davy: Good, no one home. They're all watching the ceremony.
Micky: All the easier to sneak around!
George: Exactly! (Grins at Micky) I like the way you think, Curly!
Emma: (Sets up her microphone on tiptoe) Shhh! We've gotta set up the instruments!
Micky: I'm really gettin' to like you *grins*
Davy: (Sticks his head out of the curtain) Oooh, look at all the girls!
Lauren: *taps Micky* Mutual admiration society later, set up instruments *now*!
Thomas: Where? (Joins Davy. Robert pulls both back in)
Micky: *salutes* Yes, ma'am!
Lauren: And don't call me "ma'am"!
Robert: Cool it, you two. I'm glad you have hormones, but could you possibly keep them in check until after we've taken care of Master?
Thomas: You're no bloomin' fun, Rob!
*Micky sticks his tongue out at Robert*
Davy: (As Robert shoves him over to help Micky with the drum set) Yeah, we were only looking, not touching!
Lauren: *joins them in setting up the kit* No harm in that.
Mike: (Takes Black Beauty around his shoulder) Yeah, but we need to concentrate. I agree with Robert.
Thomas: (To Davy, pointing his claw at Mike) Does he have a stick up his arse too, mate?
Davy: (Indicates a large space with his palms) The size of Canada.
Emma: (Sticks her head out of the curtain and draws it back in after a few minutes, looking worried) Guys, Alakazam's rattling off his demands for how the kingdom should be run. If he ever finishes listing all seven hundred fifty nine new taxes he's going to levy, they're going to put the crown on his head and make him king. It's now or never.
Micky: *twirls his sticks* Let's do it, then!
George: Right! (Does an evil cackle worthy of Micky) Come on, Rob! We'll distract the crowd while Tom and Hal open the curtains!
(He and Robert leap out of the curtains. The crowd's screams and Alakazam's attempts to quel his "pets" can be heard, even through the stiffling velvet drapery. There's the sounds of guards attacking and being smacked around by large demon paws.)
Robert: (Roars) NOW, GUYS!!!!
(Thomas and Halsten open the curtain to reveal the Monkees and their new friends standing determindedly at the ready, instruments in hand. Emma's eyes gleam as she turns on the microphone. Robert and George are being held down by about a hundred guards. The guards turn as Emma's microphone shrieks, and the demons easily throw them against walls. Alakazam is screaming orders unintelligably. The crowd stands behind velvet ropes, eating peanuts and popcorn and gasping and cheering for the guards or the demons, depending on their preferences. King Bruce sits on a large, familar red-upholstered throne. He is a very old, gaunt man with a snow-white beard and thick, white-silver hair. His eyes are blank and opaque.)
Alakazam: (Waves his staff) What's this all about? You know the rules! No music in my presense! No music EVER! I want these people arrested, drawn, and quartered! (Glares at the demons) And all of you are in SERIOUS trouble! This means triple the time in the machines...
*Lauren blows a razzberry at the wizard*
Robert: (Leaps onto Alakazam, his brown eyes blazing) NEVER!!! I WILL NEVER LET YOU HURT US LIKE THAT AGAIN! (Turns to the kids as the guards advance) PLAY NOW!!!!!
*Micky counts it off*
Mike: (Nods at the guys) Right! (The song is, appropriately, "Listen to the Band." Alakazam writhes and screams in horror, like the music is killing him. The guards attack the demons, who fling them right and left. The people at first scream and run around, but they like the music so much, they eventually start to sing and dance along.)
Alakazam: (On his knees as popcorn, peanuts, and guards are flung around him) No! NO! (Points at the bandstand) Stop the music! Stop them! (To the demons) Listen to your Master! I order you to stop those kids!
Halsten: We're not taking orders from you anymore! You hate us!
Thomas: You make us go into those bloody machines everyday!
George: You call us nasty names and whip us like we're dogs!
Alakazam: No! (As the song draws to a close) No! I'm your Master! I command you to kill them!
*Micky can be faintly heard calling out "I'm melting!"*
(As the song winds to a close, the King's eyes are growing less and less opaque. He puts his head in his hand and shakes it.)
King Bruce: (Faintly) W...wh...what happened? Where am I?
Emma: (Speaks into her microphone) Your highness, you don't know us, but we're here to stop a terrible crime!
Mike: (Joins her and points at Alakazam) That man has been controlling you with his magic! He's kidnapped your sons and made you believe they up and left you!
King Bruce: (Frowns) Alakazam, is this true?
(Thomas and George drag the tall, thin man before the king.)
Alakazam: (Smiles) Now, why would I do something like that, Your Majesty? My pets have been blowing off a bit of steam, and these silly children don't know what they're talking about.
Micky: *calls out from behind the drums* He's a liar!
Peter: (Nods) A great big liar, liar, pants on fire!
Emma: Ask him how he got the jewels! Ask him where the demons came from!
Lauren: *laughs* Good one, Peter!
Micky: Ask him who the demons are!
King Bruce: (Crosses his arms) Well, Alakazam, can you answer these young people's questions? (Looks onto the bandstand) The boys look terribly familiar...
Alakazam: No! Your Majesty...
Davy: He's been controlling you and your sons!
Emma: (Nods) He's used his magic to control your mind and the kingdom and imprison and torture your own children!
King Bruce: (Has been staring at the group on the bandstand) Now, I remember! You four young gentlemen look like my sons, who left me for other kingdoms. (Sighs) My poor boys! What made them leave...
Mike: Your Majesty, they never left!
Lauren: They're right here!
Robert: (Frowns) What do you mean?
Alakazam: (Zaps Thomas and George with blue energy, throwing both against their brothers) Shut up, all of you! (Shoots more blue energy into the bandstand. The kids all get out of the way in time, but there's a sizzling hole in the wall behind the drum kit.)
Micky: Hey, man, watch it with the light show!
Mike: (Clutching Black Beauty) Watch where you aim that, jerk!
Alakazam: (Throws his hand in the air and glares at King Bruce) Yes, Bruce, I have been controlling your mind! I turned you against your sons, made you believe those four spoiled brats had left you in your old age! Your beloved babies have been right here all along, and none of you ever knew it!
Robert: (Grabs Alakazam by his collar) Cut the crap, Wizard breath! What were we before we were monsters?
Alakazam: You were monsters, Robert. You always were.
Emma: (Gets up and screams into the microphone) HE LIES!!!
Lauren: That's not true!
King Bruce: Alakazam, where are the jewels?
(Alakazam creates a blue light. The jewels appear out of nowhere on a black pillow. The moment they get near the demons, they start to glow.)
Micky: Hey, something's happening with the jewels!
Alakazam: I hid them from you and your men! (Glares at the kids) I sent you on a wild goose chase in the hopes that it would kill all of you off! I'd never planned on playing fair!
Emma: He's right! They're starting to look like the Fourth of July Fireworks display on the Wildwood beach!
Robert: What the hell... (he touches one and springs back. His once-huge paw now has normal human fingertips.)
Lauren: *gawks* Hey, do that again!
Robert: I...I....(leaps onto Alakzam) THOSE KIDS ARE RIGHT!!! YOU'VE LIED TO ALL OF US!!! YOU TOLD US WE WERE ALWAYS LIKE THIS!!!!
Alakazam: (Tries to wrest the jewels from Robert. The guards start ganging up on the demons. The king's guards and some guests join in, but they're fewer in number.)
Mike: (Puts aside Black Beauty and pulls his broadsword) Anyone in the mood to join the party?
Micky: 8pulls his dagger* Me! Me!
Emma: (Pulls her own sword and leaps into the fray) You don't even need to ask!
Lauren: I want in! *pulls her twin daggers & twirls them*
(The six musicians jump off the bandstand and join the duel. Alakazam keeps trying to take the jewels, and the six travelers keep taking them back and handing them to the demons, all while dueling, to the tune of "Tomorrow's Gonna Be Another Day.")
Micky: (Gasps as he sees a guard back Lauren into the wall) Hey, babe, watch out! (Micky jumps on the guard. The guard tries to shake him off, but he pins the guard's red uniform to a wall with one of Peter's leftover arrows.) I TOLD ya I'd get to be a hero, babe! (Grabs Lauren and kisses her) And I didn't even get hit in the head!
Lauren: *winks at him* About time. *smiles*
Mike: (Grins as he parries another guard) Nice work, Micky!
Micky: T'weren't nothin'!
Emma: (Gets a guard in the crotch with her good knee, takes the Desert Sun Ruby from him, and tosses it to George) Here, Georgie, catch!
George: (Catches it and makes a face) Don't call me that!
Davy: (Pulls the Aquatica Sapphire from another guard) Here, Thomas! Have fun!
Thomas: (Cathches it) Right, mate!
Peter: (Pins the guard holding the Green Tree Emerald to the floor with three arrows and throws it to Halsten) I hope you're better at catching than I am at throwing!
Halsten: (It hits him in the head, but he does get it. His head now has much more lustrous, somewhat shorter gold hair.) Ow!
Peter: (Sheepish) Ooops! Baseball was never my sport!
Micky: Oh, Peter!
Robert: (Pins Alakazam to the floor) GIVE ME THE AERO DIAMOND NOW, OR I'LL RIP OUT YOUR INSIDES AND CUT THEM INTO RIBBONS!
Alakazam: Try me! (Robert finally just knocks the older man cold and grabs the diamond.)
Lauren: *calls out* Do it, anyway!
(The moment he gets to his feet with the diamond, all eight of the young men are enveloped in bright green, white, blue, and red light. Several walls blow out, Micky's drum set is knocked over, and winds and rain blows everywhere. The six travelers run for cover behind the bandstand.)
Mike: (Gazes at the light around him) Holy shit! What the hell is going on?
Emma: Mega power.
Lauren: I don't like the looks of this light show!
(When everything subsides, four very familiar young men fall to their knees in the middle of the room. All wear tattered trousers and are naked from the waist-up, except for the blonde, who has beads around his neck. They pant, still holding the jewels.)
(The tallest young man finally raises his head. He is the spitting image of Mike, complete with large brown eyes and sideburns. The others slowly join them, and they, too, look like the other Monkees.)
Robert: I...we...we're really, truly human...
Mike: Oh my god!
Lauren: I knew this was gonna be freaky, but this takes the cake!
Emma: (Gasps, putting her hand over her mouth) They really DO look like you guys!
Thomas: The jewels restored us, mate!
Micky: *walks over to George* Nice hair!
George: (Runs his now-slender fingers through his wild curls) Thanks! (Runs fingers through Micky's curls) I like yours, too!
Peter: (Gets off the bandstand and helps Halsten up) I have beads just like those!
*Micky laughs at George's antics*
Halsten: (Familiar city-lighting grin) I'm never without mine!
Robert: (Smiles as Emma and Mike help Robert to his feet) Thanks, shotgun. (Turns to Alakazam, who's been trying to sneak out the door quietly while everyone's attention's been focused on the knights.) I want this man arrested!
Thomas: (As Davy helps him up) And now we know what he did to us!
George: He trapped us one by one, promising to show us where the jewels were, then had his monsters slap us in those machines! (George shudders)
King Bruce: Machines?
Halsten: (Gulps) That's how he controlled our minds and took our bodies. Every day, he chained us in his mind-control machines and let them run a little bit longer every time. He gradually made us believe that we were nothing but mindless beasts!
Lauren: *frowns* Just horrible!
Alakazam: (Stares at his staff, mutters to himself) I should have enough energy for one...
Alakazam: (Puts up his hands and glares at the Monkees and the girls) Most of my strength was drained, thanks to you brats. However...(shoots Mike with a thin, weak bright blue light; he vanishes)...that won't stop me from making one more pet out of your stoic, fearless leader! Catch me if you can, kiddies!
Emma: (Shrieks) MIIIIIKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEE!!!! NOOOOO!!!!! (Robert holds her back as Alakazam disappears in a weak puff of smoke)
Robert: (Swats smoke out of his face) That guy's gotta cut it down to two packs a day! (Frowns) He's probably got Mike down at the machines.
Emma: (Sobs) He's going to do to him what he did to you!
Halsten: He doesn't have the power. Your music drained it!
King Bruce: (Nods at his guards) I want an order placed on that man's head!
Lauren: Yeah!
Emma: (Sobbing) What's he going to do to him?
George: He'll probably just try to condition his mind and not his body.
Micky: Not if we can help it!
Emma: (Smiles through her tears) He'll have a hell of a time! Mike's as stubborn as a mule. Just ask me!
Thomas: (As the king's guards file out and others tie up the remaining Red Guards) We've got to get down there quickly!
George: How? We can't fly anymore!
Micky: Jump?
Peter: What if we imagined ourselves down there, instruments and all?
Emma: Imagined?
Lauren: *glares at Micky* I like Peter's idea better.
Davy: Fastest way to travel! ;)
*Micky shrugs*
Peter: (Puts his hand on Emma's shoulder) Are you ok?
Emma: (Wipes her eyes with the side of her arm) Yeah, I'm alright, Peter. (Grits her teeth) But that bastard is SEAGULL FOOD when I get my hands on him! (Between sobs) Everyone, knights too, close your eyes and think "machine rooms, with instruments!"
Robert: (Rolls his eyes) Oh, this is silly!
Micky: Oh, just do it, will you!?
Emma: (Smiles through her tears) That's what Mike said when he tried it.
Halsten: Just trust her, Robert! We don't have a choice if we're going to rescue her friend!
Thomas: And if she gets any angrier, she may need the Aero Diamond to blow off steam!
Lauren: It'd take the Aero Diamond to cool her down!
Robert: Fine! (Everyone closes their eyes. The group is surrounded by a warm, multi-colored glow. When the glow subsides, they're downstairs, in Alakazam's room behind the machine room. The instruments are with them, and Micky's drum set is now set up.)
Robert: (Grins) Well, maybe it's not so silly...
Micky: *grins at the drum kit* It's so much easier that way!
Halsten: Shhh! I can hear voices!
(Everyone presses their ears to the wall, using stephoscopes to hear what's going on in the machine room.)
Mike: (Struggling) You're off your buzzard, you bastard! (Sound of chains rattling and machines whirring and clicking) I'm not going to end up like the knights, mindless and serving you!
Alakazam: No, you're not going to end up like those weak idiots. Your music ("music" is hissed) knocked out most of my power. However, I should have enough to knock all that stubborness and cleverness right out of your mind.
Mike: You're crazy!
Micky: *hisses* We gotta do something!
Emma: No! We've got to get in there! (Turns to Robert) Can you use the Aero Diamond?
Robert: (Takes the diamond from his frayed pocket and mutters) Damn, I hate it when she looks like that. (Holds up the diamond to the breath of wind in the room. The air becomes faster and faster until it finally blows open the heavy door.)
(Alakazam is literally blown away from the controls he was leaned over. Mike is bound with heavy chains in one of the glass tubes, still struggling, but more weakly.)
Mike: What took you guys so long?
Micky: Hey, we had a door in our way!
Emma: It's over, Alakazam! You're through! (Grabs a metal tube and slams the glass with it. It shatters, and Mike tumbles out, battered but alive.)
Robert: (As Emma and Davy help Mike out of the chains) Hal, use the Emerald to heal him! (Halsten obeys, kneeling next to Mike, who's covered with glass shards and cuts. The green light envelopes him, and he is completely back to normal.)
Mike: (Holds his head) Oh, god... (Turns to Emma) What the heck did you do that for?
Emma: I saved your life!
Alakazam: These lovers' chats are all well and fine, but damn you, you've both slipped up one too many of my plans!
Lauren: *mutters* That's gratitude for ya...
Emma: (Stands wobbly) You're not going to hurt anyone anymore. You're evil and selfish and you've never been loved! You don't know what it's like to love someone! Micky loves Lauren with his whole heart! Davy falls in love constantly! And I...I (sighs) I love the most exasperating, stubborn, aggravating, (smiles) wonderful man in every alternative universe there is!
Micky: *puts an arm around Lauren's shoulders* Ain't it the truth!
Davy: Maybe I do fall in love constantly, but at least I have it to give!
(Mike takes Black Beauty in one hand and puts his arm around Emma, who smiles up at him.)
Mike: She's right, Ally. You're as bad as Zero. You just don't get that "love is power" thing. That's why the boys and the knights and I play music. That's why the girls write their stories. It's what we love. It makes us happy, we're good at it, and we enjoy it. All you care about is power, controlling others. That's all you've done throughtout this entire shindig!
Peter: Love is more than the ultimate trip. It's why we exist! Humans can't live without love or freedom!
Robert: (He and his brother stand together, each holding a jewel) You've controled one too many people, Ally. Now you're gonna know what it's like to feel the ultimate power. (Nods at the travelers) Grab your instruments, kids! We're gonna need a little tune to make this work!
*Micky whoops with joy, running to the drum kit*
Mike: Now that's my kind of magic! (Pulls Black Beauty over his shoulder)
Peter: What key, maestro? (Sits at the piano)
*Lauren grabs her tambourine & gives it a twirl*
Emma: Damn, I was so wrapped up with Mike, I forgot my microphone! (Smiles) Oh, well, I'll just pull an Ethel Merman and belt to the balcony!
Micky: *a tuning fork suddenly appears in his hand* B-Flat!
Davy: (Picks up his maracas as Alakazam's staff and the jewels start to glow) Let's go!
(And suddenly, wild lights explode everywhere, to the tune of "Dream World." It looks like an every crazier version of the "Star Collector" video from the Monkees' second season. Winds blow, mist streams across the room, glass tubes explode. Finally, as the song and the romp finishes, all six kids are knocked from their instrments and blown in a corner. The knights remain upright, holding their jewels and concentrating with all their might, but the lights are going too fast to be able to see the wizard.)
Emma: (Tumbles into Mike and Black Beauty) Holy shit!
Peter: (Cries) Waaaahhh! They've gone crazy!
Davy: (Clutching his maracas) Just hold on!
Micky: Man, this is too psychadelic, even for me!
Lauren: Wish I had my sunglasses!
Mike: Wish I had mine! (Looks at Emma, who shrugs.)
(Finally, the lights subside, and the Knights are seen panting, still holding the now-lifeless jewels. Alakazam is gone from the room. All that's left of him is a thin, silvery-gray guitar.)
Emma: We're alive!
Peter: (Hugs Mike) Thank god!
Micky: *pats himself all over* Yup, I'm all here!
Peter: (Frowns) Where would you have gone?
*Lauren rolls her eyes*
Davy: That was bloody crackers, mates!
Micky: *shrugs* I dunno, swept up in the winds?
(Robert picks up the guitar and plays it. A thin screech emanuates from it, rather like the sound of claws across a blackboard.)
Robert: No sweet sound is ever gonna come from this thing, no matter who plays it!
Mike: (Hands Robert his guitar) Hey, Rob...wanna play?
Robert: (Gently takes the instrument) I haven't played anything in so long...
(He holds the guitar lovingly in his arms and finally strums his finger across it, playing the first few notes of "What Am I Doin' Hangin' 'Round?)
Robert: (Sighs as if a heavy weight was lifted from his shoulders) I can play again!
George: (Kicks the guitar) What are we going to do with this thing? No one can play it!
Thomas: (Grins) Could make a nice conversation piece for the living room.
Halsten: I never want to see that thing again!
Mike: Maybe we should destroy it.
Emma: No! Then we'd be just as bad as Alakazam!
Micky: So what do we do with it?
Robert: (Grins and picks up the guitar) We could send it back to the Darkness Plains with Jurrisson.
Thomas: Oh, yes, our old friend should be trying to make his way out of about eighteen different mud monsters now.
George: And I...(winks) fixed up his labs a bit, so he'll never be able to perform any kind of magic again!
Halsten: (Grins) George blew the Hades Palace labs to hell and gone!
Micky: *grins* Good job, man!
George: (Grins a wide Micky grin) Felt good to blow things to hell-and-gone again!
(The room suddenly becomes crowded as the five Warrioresses and the King's Guards, all of them very female, file in.)
Lelita: (Frowns) Aw, damn, we missed the whole show!
Corelle: What tidal wave hit down here?
Martha: And what happened to Alakazam? King Bruce told us he took off with Mike!
Lauren: *waves it off* That's old news. *smirks*
Halsten: (Smiles at Martha, who gasps) Long story, Marthie. (She throws her arms around him)
Martha: Hal! I never thought I'd see you again!
Thomas: (Sighs) I wonder if Pearl still remembers me...
Davy: (Sighs) Oh, she remembers you, Tommy. She's waiting for you to come back to the Aquatides and marry her. She truly loves you, mate. You should have heard how she talked about you!
Robert: (Fingers Black Beauty) I want to go back to the Air Ranch and finish that song I was working on. I wrote the music, but I never wrote the words. (Starts humming the tune to "You Just May Be The One")
Carlotta: Well, what DID happen down here? There's glass everywhere!
Mina: (Puts her arm around Davy's waist) It looks like Godzilla invaded a glass factory!
*Lauren & Micky laugh, George also starts laughing*
Davy: (Rubs Mina's rear; she giggles) We got a bit busy, luv.
Emma: (Chuckles herself) Alakazam wanted to use the last of his energy to put Mike under mind control. The knights turned on the Jewels' "Mega Power" instead and turned him into that guitar.
Mike: (Goes to Robert, takes Black Beauty, and starts playing the song) I can help you with the lyrics to that, shotgun. Sounds like something I wrote myself a while back...
Peter: (Leans on the piano, a bit unhappy since Martha's happily cuddling in Halsten's arms) And we zapped any energy he had left with our music!
Lelita: (Grumbles, kicks at broken spring) Man, I miss ALL the good parts!
Micky: *snickers* Sorry!
Corelle: We got a bit held up with the last of Alakazam's boys. The King's girls are rounding the remaining ones up.
Carlotta: They're going to convert the Candy House labs into a chain bakery and candy store.
Lauren: Sounds yummy!
Emma: (Sits down on the stool to Micky's drum set, smiling weakly) We stopped Alakazam with music. He truly couldn't stand seeing anyone happy, and playing music makes us and the knights happy. (Puts her head in her hand. Mike gently puts his arms around Emma)
Mike: You ok, darlin'?
Emma: (Head in hands) Yeah, Mike, I'm fine. All this just took a lot out of me, that's all. I was so worried about you, I thought I would be sick, or kill something!
Lauren: That's how I felt.
Robert: She sounded like she would kill something, too.
Thomas: (Points at Emma and squeaks) She scared the bloomin' 'ell out of me!
Micky: P'shaw! She does that to us all the time!
*Lauren whacks Micky in the arm*
Emma: (Laughs) I really scare you guys?
Lauren: *points at Micky* Just him. *Micky nods, smirking*
Peter: I've seen you take on monsters that would scare the living and dead daylights out of me!
Robert: You know, this is all fun, but don't we have a coronation to attend?
Corelle: (Punches Robert in the arm) I always did like you, Rob. You get straight to the point.
Mike: (Emma leans into his chest, and he strokes her hair) Are you up for imaginin' all of us back up there? King Bruce is probably waitin'.
Emma: (Nods weakly) Yeah, Mike, I'm ok. (Looks around at the group) As long as everyone else is ready.
Lauren: Ready & rarin'!
Thomas: (Blushes at his bare chest) Maybe we should put on some clothes before we get crowned?
Carlotta: (Eyes the four half-naked men) I like you this way, Lords!
Peter: We'll just imagine some clothes for you!
George: What's wrong with this? *smirks at Carlotta*
Carlotta: (Smirks right back) I like you mind, George! Even if it is dirty!
George: Hey, thanks!
Carlotta: You very, very welcome (eyes his chest and hair with much interest), Curly!
*Micky snorts, then snickers*
Davy: (Looks at his own now-ragged pesant gear) We're hardly the 'eight of fashion ourselves, mates.
Micky: Yeah, man, I want my poncho back.
Mike: (His clothes look like they were put through a shredding machine) I know the feeling.
Emma: (Sighs) Well, why don't we just imagine ourselves in outfits befitting a group of kings, ladies, and great musicians? Close your eyes, and think "Coronation Ball!"
(Everyone does so, Martha and Halsten still holding each other. The entire group, along with their instruments and the Jewels, reappear in the throne room. The four knights wear outfits resembling Mike's counselor costume from "The Prince and the Paupers" - Robert's is dark blue with white, Thomas' is royal blue with pale blue, Halsten's is Emerald green with gold, and George's is dark red with light tan.
(The Warrioresses still wear their same black boots and tops, but their trousers are now skirts, and each wears a simple gold headband with a jewel in the center.)
Emma: (She wears a fancy red gown trimmed with a touch of brown ruffles, and red high-heels. Her wavy, soft brown hair bounces lightly on her shoulders, held back with a red satin ribbon. Her typewriter pendant glows around her neck and on her slightly exposed bosum) Oooh, I look like a princess, or one of those high-born ladies from the swashbuckler movies!
Mike: (Wears his Victorian get-up from the "Sometime in the Morning" Video in "Monkee Mother") Emma, you clean up really, really nice!
Emma: And you look soooooooo sexy in historical outfits! (Mike turns the color of Emma's gown.)
Lauren: *looks down at her form-fitting purple dress* I like the color, but...
Micky: *nudges Luaren* You look great, babe!
Lauren: *frowns* Enjoy it while you can. This could be a once in a lifetime experience. *glances up & down at his simple black tux with purple cummerbund* You, however, are to die for!
Micky: *blushes* You're too much, babe!
Peter: (Wears his paisley shirt under a nice jacket and pants, with his ever-present beads) The last time we went to a fancy ball, Davy fought a duel with the Princess' uncle and they kept climbing all over the food!
Davy: (Wears his swashbuckler costume from "Royal Flush") Hey, I was smashing in the duel!
Peter: (Sticks his tongue out at him) I still think I could have done better!
Micky: Can I place a bet on that?
Carlotta: You deal with princesses and kings and things like this before?
Micky: *shrugs* Doesn't everybody?
(Horns blare as the King calls his sons forth.)
King Bruce: (Stands in front of the now-antsy crowd) People, when you came here this afternoon, you believed we were going to crown one man. (The four knights stand before him, each holding their jewel) That man was a fake, a liar, and a scoundrel. He twisted my minds against my sons and controled them with unspeakable tortures! (Nods at the six travelers gathered around their instruments at the bandstand) It's thanks to these six young people that my sons and I are now freed of Alakazam's treachery!
Mike: (Bows) We thank you, Your Majesty. My friends and I were proud to have saved your sons, who so resemble us, and restore music and happiness to your land!
King Bruce: (Squints his eyes) Yes, there is a resemblance to my sons, isn't there?
Sir Brighton: (Steps out of the crowd) You Majesty, they are the ones of the prophecy, the owners of the Savage Heart, the Foreign Heart, the Kind Heart, and the Clever Heart, led by two woman saviors who would rescue the true rulers of our land!
Emma: Woman saviors?
Lauren: *blushes* Gosharooney...
Mike: (Holds her hand) You saved me I don't know how many times, darlin'. I don't know who better to call a savior!
Micky: (Rubs Lauren's hand and whispers in her ear) You can save me any time you like, babe! ;)
Lauren: *winks* Count on it!
King Bruce: (As the crowd bursts into whispers and gossip, pointing and exclaiming over how much the four musicians resemble the four knights, the King nods, and a young man brings four crowns, each trimmed with the knights' respective jewels. There's hushed, respectfuly silence as the Knights kneel and the king places the crowns on each of their heads) I dub thee, Thomas, Robert, Halsten, and George, Soverign Kings of the Land of Sunshine and Beauty! May each of you experience a long and peaceful reign!
(Micky lets out a whoop of joy and hugs Lauren as the crowd goes bananas.)
Peter: (Cries) I love happy endings!
Lauren: Awe! *returns Micky's hug*
Emma: (Leans against Mike's shoulder as he puts his arms around her) I do too, Peter. (Sighs happily) I do, too.
Davy: Now that's more like it! (Grabs Mina, bends her over, and gives her a deep kiss.)
Mina: THAT's a happy ending! (Kisses him so hard, they end up on the floor.)
*Micky & Lauren applaud*
Robert: (As each son embraces his father) And now, everyone, our first duties as Royal Sovereigns will be to remove all of the evil Alakazam did this place. Music will once again be allowed to flow, parties will be groovy, and all of his taxes will be dropped!
Halsten: (Indicates the six happy travelers) Our second order of business will be to commend each of the warriors and warrioresses who rescued us from Alakazam's treachery!
George: (Grins) Yeah, if it wasn't for the Monkees and those two chicks, we would still be hairy idiots!
Micky: *scratches his head* There's a difference?
*Lauren rolls her eyes & laughs*
Thomas: (He and each of his brothers places a necklace around the Monkees' necks, with smaller versions of the jewels set in pendants, as George sticks his tongue out at Micky) These jewels will serve as inspiration. Whenever you're stuck on a lyric or can't think of an equation to finish your newest concotion, just touch the jewel, and it will come to you!
Robert: (Turns to the girls, blushing bright red when he comes to Emma, whom Mike holds close to him) We especially can't thank you ladies enough. Your creativity, wit, and strength saved us all. We are truly in your debts. (Bows before them)
Lauren: *grins* All in a day's work.
Emma: (Curtsies and cringes at her still-healing knee) Thank you, King Robert. It was the least we could do.
Robert: (Holds out two pens shaped like swords trimmed with jewels) They say "the pen is mightier than the sword," but you ladies proved that both hold equally. (He hands Emma the gold pen-sword, and George gives Lauren the silver one.) These are for you. You will never run out of imagination when you write with these pens...or of stories to tell.
Lauren: Wow! Thank you!
Emma: Thank you, Robert! (Kisses him gently on the cheek) You and your brothers will be wonderful kings!
*Lauren follows Emma's lead & gives George a peck on the cheek also*
*Micky makes a face*
George: (Grins) Maybe someday, you'll write a story about us, and you'll get to kiss me again like that!
Emma: (Smiles as Mike draws her back into his embrace) King George, I think we already did!
Micky: *shaking his head* Don't push it, Georgie.
Thomas: (Whines) This is boring! Could we start the party now?
Robert: (Watching as Mike and Emma walk toward the bandstand, hand in hand) Only if you six will play for the ball.
Mike: (Gets up on the bandstand and picks up Black Beauty) I think we could handle another number. (Smiles as the others join him) How 'bout you guys?
Micky: *grabs his sticks* Always ready!
Lauren: *picks up her tambourine* Anytime!
Emma: (Sets up the microphone) Let's roll!
(And they do, to the tune of "Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)," as Halsten takes Martha in her arms and kisses her, George dances with Carlotta, Thomas chats with various princesses, Robert watches the bandstand on the throne, the king beams happily, and all the guests dance, including the six travelers. This is interspurses with the six playing the song at the coronation and in the Long-Title Library.)
Mike: (As the number ends) I think it's time we thought about gettin' back to the Library. Our work here is finished.
Lauren: Sounds good to me.
Emma: (Sighs) He's right, for once. It's time to go.
Micky: *yawns* Yeah, man, I'm worn out!
Robert: (Takes Emma's hand as the six leave the bandstand) Do you really have to leave, darlin? I could make you the Queen of the Land of the Musical Winds!
Emma: (Looks over her shoulder at a stony faced Mike placing Black Beauty in her case) I have to, Robert. I can't live in a dream world forever. I like it here, and I like you, but I have family I have to go home to (gives Mike another wistful look) and friends.
Robert: (Kisses her hand) You're special, Emma. You think you aren't, but you are. You just have to believe in yourself, and your imagination can soar.
Emma: (Smiles) Thank you, Robert. (Takes his hand) And never forget that what Mike said is true. Love IS power. The love that you and your brothers have for each other is just as special!
Mike: (Impatient) You comin', Em?
Lauren: Come one! You don't wanna miss the last train to Clarksville, do ya? *laughs*
Emma: (Lets Robert's hand go and rushes over to him) Yeah, I'm coming, Mike. This is one station I wouldn't miss for the world!
George: (Envelopes Micky and Lauren in his arms) Thanks again, guys! (Jabs Micky in the arm) You be good to her, ok? Give her lots of lovin'!
Mina: (Holds Davy's hand) Davy, I don't want to see you go!
Micky: Gladly! *slugs George in return*
Lauren: You're nuts, George, but sweet. *smiles*
Davy: Mina, I can't live in a dream anymore than Emma can. (Smiles at her) You be good, now, luv! Don't go chasing after too many men!
Mina: I'll try to limit them to three a day!
Lauren: *rolls her eyes* Yeah, right.
Halsten: (Puts his hand on Peter's) I want to thank you for helping me come back to Marthie and realizing that I was meant to heal, not harm!
Peter: (Blushes the color of his paisley shirt) Aww, it was nothing, Hal!
Martha: Peter, you're a greater man than you think! A kind heart can be just as strong as an unkind one, if not more! (Kisses him on the cheek. Peter just grins his city-lighting grin and returns to the others in a daze.)
Corelle: (Smiles as the group gathers in a circle) It was nice to meet y'all!
Carlotta: Come back again some day! I'll make you some of my special Spanish chili!
Micky: That sounds good...!
Lelita: And maybe this time, we won't miss the show!
Emma: (Grins) Maybe some day, we will! (Turns to the other five, now assembled amid the instruments on the bandstand) Ok, everyone. Think "everyone and everything home!"
(Everyone closes their eyes, and suddenly all six, the instruments, and the Monkeecarriage parked outside are enveloped in a blue glow and vanish entirely before the bewildered crowd. All six arrive back in their original positions on the bed in the Long-Title Library, wearing their original clothes, up to and including Lauren sitting on Micky's back.)
Emma: (Checks herself; she's wearing her Acme uniform and sneakers again) I'm all here! Is everyone ok?
Lauren: I'm fine!
*Micky groans*
Mike: (Touches himself, then his hat) I'm here!
Peter: (City-lighting grin) Wow, that was totally groovy!
Davy: Can you believe we saved a whole fantasy kingdom?
Lauren: I can't believe we made it out in one piece!
Micky: Speak for yourself, babe.
Emma: Um, maybe we'd better abandon the bed, before it collapses. (Emma returns to her computer chair and Mike goes to the Deco Chair.)