Is everyone ready to go treasure hunting? ;)

Peter: Where's Mike? I'm worried! :o

Micky: You bet!

Davy: I 'ave the feelin' I know where Mike is...and Petah won't like it. :p

Peter: Oh, man... :(

(We open in the wine cellar. Mike is tied to a wine casket with thick rope and gagged. He glares at Alex as he messes with the chemistry set. X( )

Shelia: (Comes downstairs) I locked the door. I wish that damn Mary Kibbee hadn't told you to get the chemicals out of the rooms. I don't think they smelled THAT bad. :p

Alex: She's just jealous. :P

(Sir Donald materializes, looking annoyed.)

Sir Donald: I went looking for you in your rooms, but you weren't there. One of the servants said something about you being in the basement...(smirks when he sees the bound Mike) Is that the so-called "knight" who came with that odd and interferring group yesterday? I far prefer seeing him this way.

Alex: *nods* Yup, that's him. I prefer him this way, too. >:)

(Mike looks at them strangely, then struggles angrily, growling and thumping against the wine casket in an attempt to make enough noise to attract help to the basement.)

Alex: *glares* He's still too noisy, though. :P

Shelia: We could use that to our advantage. (Removes the gag) Now, my dear Michael, why don't you talk to us? ;)

Mike: You ain't gonna like what's on my mind. :p

Shelia: We know you found something very interesting at the museum this afternoon.

Mike: Yeah, well, hidden tapestries that fall on your friend's head are pretty interestin'. ;)

Alex: Hidden?

Mike: Mick accidentally smacked a lever in the wall that held a tapestry, and it fell on him. You know he can be clumsy. :p ;)

Sir Donald: What does a tapestry have to do with anything?

Shelia: There was something more on that tapestry, wasn't there? (Leans over him, stroking his cheeks and hair) Wasn't there, darling? :X

*Alex rolls his eyes.* :P

Mike: (Hisses) Get outta my face, Devil Bitch. X(

(Sir Donald raises his eyebrows and whistles.)

Shelia: (Grabs his hair harder) Michael, stop being so STUBBORN! You know what we're after. X(

Sir Donald: Where is the map, Knight?

(Mike spits right in Shelia's eyes. She pulls back angrily, then slaps him across the face.)

Alex: *smirks* What a right cross. ;) >:)

(Mike only glares at Shelia. X( )

Sir Donald: Not a talkative chap, is he?

Shelia: You...you...(hisses)...you'll be sorry, Sir Robert!

Mike: Shelia, stop livin' in your own world. I ain't your lover, and if the ghost of Paul's ass of an uncle is in the room, he ain't, either. Even YOU can't make love to a dead man. :p

Alex: *mutters* She sure does try, though. ;)

Sir Donald: Tell that insolent brat I heard that crack. X(

Mike: You think you can just take whatever you want, Shelia, whether it's money from poor Brits or another woman's husband. I have two words for you - GROW UP. X(

Sir Donald: The boy just begs for trouble, doesn't he?

Alex: Usually.

Shelia: (Grabs Mike by his shirt) You know I could make your life heaven on Earth...or a living hell.

Mike: Come back when you get it through your head that the world don't revolve around you, your money, and your god-damn body. X(

Sir Donald: (Reaches for his sword) I don't care if I can't use this. I just need to pull it out. He is insulting a woman. X(

Shelia: (Smirks) Robert, Sir Donald wishes to challenge you. He doesn't like the mean things you're saying about me. ;)

Mike: If he can hear me, I'd love to challenge him...if he were alive and if I were free. ;)

Alex: It'd still be interesting to watch, either way. ;)

Shelia: (Pushes Sir Donald down as he lunges for Mike) Stop it, Donald. Don't let him egg you on. :p

Sir Donald: Damn it, Shelia, let me at him! I'll give that boy a lashing that will make his head spin! I'll cut out that facile tongue for using it to insult a lady! X(

Mike: I ain't insultin' a lady. ;)

Shelia: Donald, please! (Pushes his sword hand down) Honesty, stop waving that thing around! You know you can't use it! :p

Sir Donald: This is getting us nowhere. Isn't there some torture that will make this mouthy lad tell us what we wish to know?

Alex: *grins* Actually, there is something we could do. ;)

Mike: You can't mute me if you want me to talk. ;)

Shelia: I'm afraid that will be of no use this time.

Alex: That wasn't what I meant. ;)

Mike: Can't turn me into an animal, either. Pets ain't allowed in the building. ;)

Alex: *shakes his head* Not that, either. ;) *holds up a flask of "The Goo"* ;) >:)

Sir Donald: What IS that?

Shelia: Good. If it doesn't make him talk, it'll at least make it more difficult for him to escape.

Mike: (Growls) I know what that is, and you ain't gonna use it on me. (He struggles wildly, turning and twisting in an attempt to get out of the tight ropes) X(

Alex: *saunters over to Mike, flask still in hand* Oh no? >:)

(Mike glares at him and struggles as hard as he can, but the ropes tied around his arms, legs, and torso refuse to budge. X( :p )

Alex: One more chance, Knight.

Mike: No.

Shelia: Michael...

(Mike just growls, turning this way and that in his bonds. X( )

Alex: Holds the flask over Mike* Well, here we go. >:)

*Alex pours "The Goo" over Mike, then backs away, arms folded, and grins.* >:)

Sir Donald: (Eyes widen) What IS that stuff, some kind of strange molassas? :o

Mike: (Groans under the sticky brownish liquid) Ugh...god...this is...gross... :p

Alex: That's the idea. ;) >:)

(Mike no longer struggles. He falls against the casket, his eyes droopy and his body limp.)

Alex: Great sedative, huh? ;) >:)

Sir Donald: He DOES seem calmer.

Mike: Feel...like I'm swimmin'...in Jello... :p

Shelia: Now, Michael, what was on that tapestry?

Mike: Like...you can't...guess. :p 8-|

Sir Donald: It must be the map! THAT'S why we could never find it! It wasn't on paper! :o :p

Shelia: Where's the map now, Michael?

(Mike says nothing, his eyes downcast.)

Shelia: You know what else we could do to you.

(Mike continues to stare at the floor, his eyes half-closed.)

Sir Donald: Why don't you put him on the rack or in the Iron Maiden? A round of those may loosen his tongue. Or perhaps some good, old-fashioned flogging. ;)

Shelia: I don't want him hurt worse than being sedated.

Sir Donald: If it'll get him to talk...

Shelia: Oh, we have some less-damaging methods of torture nowadays, Donald darling. (Looks at Alex) Alex, would you like to demonstrate some more less-damanging tortures? >:)

(Mike lets out a small growl. X( )

Alex: *nods* Gladly, Milady. >:)

Shelia: Before you do anything else to him, there's something I want. (She gets down on her knees and gives him a deep, long kiss. He only looks away again. Shelia narrows her eyes and stands) You're a fool, Robert. X(

Sir Donald: How can the boy NOT...react to you? If I were alive, I'd be on you. ;)

Shelia: I'm sure you would be. (Looks at Alex) Do your worst.

Alex: *rubs his hands together, then goes back to his chemistry set* Now, let’s see. *picks up and replaces several flasks, looking for just the right one; finally holds up a small vial* Ah ha! :D >:) ;)

Sir Donald: How are you creating all of these odd fluids? :-/

Shelia: You're better off not knowing. :p

*Alex grins evilly.* >:)

Alex: This one ought to do just the trick. ;) >:)

(Mike lifts his head, narrowing his eyes.)

Mike: Get...away...asshole. X(

Alex: No chance, Knight. *grabs a needle and pours the liquid into the tube* This one requires injection. ;) >:)

Mike: If it hurts me...Em will feel it... X(

Sir Donald: Who is this "Em," and how can she feel whatever that is?

Shelia: Em is Emma, his wife, and it's part of their...abilities. ;)

Alex: *shakes his head* If she feels it, it'll feel like a pinch. Now, hold still or else it'll REALLY hurt.

Mike: (Tries to pull away, but can only shuffle heavily) No...

*Alex sticks Mike with the needle. The serrum is a sedative, which also strips Mike of his powers.* >:)

(Mike collapses against the casket, his eyes open but blank and docile.)

Sir Donald: Amazing! He just...he calmed completely!

Shelia: That doesn't take care of ALL of his powers, though. He's something of a werewolf as well.

(Mike gives Shelia a small glare. :p)

Sir Donald: Then we should be looking for a stake, not odd fluids. :o

Alex: Ye of little faith, Milady. It does indeed take care of his werewolf powers.

Shelia: Not ALL of them. (Pulls at Mike’s nose)

Alex: Why didn't you SAY so? Here. *grabs another smaller flask; the liquid inside is purple* This one will take care of his nose. ;)

Shelia: I'll get his head. You drug him.

Sir Donald: What's all this about the chap's nose?

Shelia: Wolves have a very powerful sense of smell. Michael can pick up scents up to fifty miles, or traces of long-gone scents...and his is exaggerated by his other powers. :p

Alex: *administers the purple liquid into Mike’s nose* But not anymore. ;) >:)

Mike: (Sniffs...and whimpers softly) What did you do to me? :o :(

Alex: Instant stuffy nose. ;) >:)

Shelia: You're powerless, Sir Robert. Alex has sedated your mind. You can't think well enough to use your Imagination Powers, you can't work yourself into a rage, and your sense of smell has been temporarily blocked. >:)

Sir Donald: "Powers?" (Looks at Shelia and Alex) What "powers?" Is this lad a devil?

Shelia: No, quite the opposite. I believe I've told you about my wayward older sister, Ursula? :p

Sir Donald: (Nods) I met her once or twice. Attractive, but a bit of a priss. Refused the necklace I gave her, and absolutely would NOT get into bed with me. :p

Shelia: She gave this...the ancestor of this young man our powers...but filtered through the Light. She encouraged him and the...the ancestor of the others you saw upstairs to fight against my uncle and me. I ultimately killed her, but the band continued on for several years before they too died. :p

Sir Donald: Amazing! And he can no longer use those powers?

Shelia: Not if Alex's drugs work as they're supposed to. :p

Alex: And they WILL. >:)

(Mike continues to stare at the floor, his eyes confused and helpless.)

Sir Donald: I think he will talk now. ;)

Shelia: Quite. (Looks at Michael) Robert, luv, where IS that tapestry?

Mike: Peter and the others have it.

Sir Donald: Peter? The blond bard? :p

Mike: They wanna find the treasure. Mary, Lance, and the villagers need it.

Shelia: (Smirks) Well, why don't we LET them find the treasure? ;)

Sir Donald: Come again? :o

Alex: It'll be all the easier for US to get the treasure once they've found it. ;)

Sir Donald: It won't be difficult to follow them. (Grins) I can go anywhere in the castle. As long as they're in here, I can find them easily. ;)

Shelia: I have an absolutely delicious plan. Sir Donald, you follow them and spook them out a bit. Help them find the treasure...and rattle them doing it. Then, when they DO find the treasure, report to us. (Looks at the helpless man bound to the casket, covered with dark sticky goop) We'll trade the White Knight for the treasure. I'm sure they won't want him harmed further...and they know what we can do to all of them, including those three children and the pregnant women in their midst. >:)

Sir Donald: You wouldn't really hurt a pregnant woman?

Shelia: Not until they've given birth to their children. We'll just shake them up a bit.

Sir Donald: What of the knight in...whatever that liquid is. :p

Shelia: I'm not touching him when he's covered with that stuff. We'll leave him down here, the way he is. (She glares at him) You really must stop refusing me, luv. You know where it gets you. :p X(

(Mike's eyes are clouded, confused...and even a tiny bit frightened.)

Sir Donald: I wouldn't touch him if I was living. That looks ghastly. :p

Alex: *grins* Thank you. >:) ;)

Shelia: Leave him here. There's really nowhere else in the manor we can take him without his being discovered or him dripping all over the floors. :p

Sir Donald: What if the others seek the treasure here?

Shelia: We'll lock it and (looks at Sir Donald) you can discourage visitors. ;)

Sir Donald: I'll do what I can. What about you two?

Shelia: Oh, now that we have a few problems out of the way, I'd love to explore that little village and the museum again. (Turns to Alex) What about you, luv? ;)

Alex: I wouldn't mind a little exploring in town of my own. ;)

Mike: You're going...to leave me...here? :o

Shelia: A little time in the dark should be what you need. It'll let you get used to being a slave. ;) >:)

Mike: No...never...

Shelia: Come along, gentlemen. (Smirks at Mike) I do wish you'd do things the easy way for once. Good bye, luv. ;)

Sir Donald: Enjoy your time in town. (He glares at Mike, then fades out)