Everyone ready to find out more about illusions?

Mike: Yeah, I guess...

Micky: *shrugs, grinning* Why not? ;)

Davy: This is rathah weird...

(We open in the local library. Micky has books, newspapers, and magazines piled next to him and is busy scribbling notes. Davy sits next to him, leaning on his hand. Mike's head is on his arms on the table.)

Davy: How's it comin'?

Mike: (From under his arms) Huh?

Davy: Found anythin' interestin' yet...on him or his magic?

Micky: *around the pencil in his mouth; has one tucked behind his ear as well* I'm workin' on it.

Davy: Somethin' weird happened back there. I don't know how to explain it.

*Micky suddenly smacks the pencil he's been writing with on the pad of paper, followed by the one from his mouth, then the one from behind his ear. He puts his head in his hands, shaking it a little.*

Davy: Ran out of pencils, Mick?

Mike: (From under his arms) Uh-huh.

Micky: *sticks his tongue out at him* No! I'm going cross-eyed! *mutters* Should've blue lighted my glasses...

Davy: So, what have you been able to find, besides the obvious - the guy is damn good at what he does.

Micky: That's just it. I really haven't found anything other than that. *rubs the bridge of his nose* I also found a headache, if you're wondering.

Davy: How could that be? There must be something. Nothing even in the papahs?

Micky: Nothing! Zero! Zip! Zilch! Nada! Bupkis!

Mike: Huh.

Micky: So articulate, Mike. *to Davy, about Mike* Can't we do something about him?

Davy: (Shakes Mike) Hey man, you ok? You've been out of it evah since you came out of the theater!

Mike: (Pulls his head up) Oh, hey. Did you find anythin'?

*Micky lets rip with an exasperated sigh and puts his head back in his hands.*

Davy: Mike, what's with you? It ain't like you to be so flaky!

Mike: (Sighs) Sorry. I guess I just have a lot on my mind.

Davy: (Grins) Come on, Mike. We need you if we're going to figure out what this guy's aftah.

Mike: Do you really need me?

Micky: We need the you that wants to know everything. We don't need the way you are now.

Mike: I've been doin' a lot of thinkin'. Do you mind me leadin' so much?

Micky: *props his chin in one hand* Frankly, at times, yes, we do mind. But we could really use your help, Mike! You flakin' out on us ain't doing anything.

Davy: Mike, what did you and Harrison do aftah we left?

Mike: (Thinks) Talked. Worked on my wolf powers, like Davy worked on his.

Micky: Talked...

Mike: Mostly 'bout my powers, and me an' you guys.

Micky: He got in your head.

Mike: I guess. I don't really remember. I know we talked.

Davy: I think Micky's right. There's got to be a way for us to block him gettin' in our heads.

Mike: Now hold on. I didn't say he got in my head...

Davy: Mike, we saw how he "talks" to us.

Micky: Yeah. It isn't just talking.

Mike: Darn it, I wish I could remember more of what we talked about...

Davy: Maybe someone ought to go and have another chat wit' him.

Micky: Yeah, someone...

Davy: We'd bettah not all go this time. (Grins) Mick, how about you?

Mike: Yeah, NOBODY can get in your head, boy. Too solid. And weird.

Micky: *grins, proud of himself...then it slowly changes to confusion; he finally shrugs* Okay, I'll go.

Mike: Good. Come on. Let's hit the MonkeeMobile and get you back to the theater. While you're inside with Darren, Dave and I will check around for wires and mirrors and other things to show what he's doin'.

(Cut to the guys in the library parking lot. They jump in the MonkeeMobile, Mike in the front next to Micky, Davy behind them. Micky turns the key.)

Ursula: Hello, Guardians. Was your investigation fruitful?

Micky: Not really, no.

Ursula: Boys, I really don't like this.

Mike: Urse, we'll be ok. I don't think this guy means us any harm. He ain't a devil. He's just someone who happens to have powers.

Ursula: That may be so, Mike, but we don't know his intentions.

Mike: He didn't hurt us or anything.

Ursula: Mike, why do you think he's so interested in you? He barely knows you!

Davy: Yes, he does. He's a mind-reahah, Urse.

Micky: *smirks* He read mine and was still interested in us despite it.

Ursula: (As the other boys chuckle) I'm serious! I'm concerned that this man wants to use you for some nefarious purpose!

Mike: What, readin' our minds? If he's really interested in their minds (nods at the other two), he could buy himself a Playboy. Same difference.

Micky: Well, not really.

Ursula: You can do what you want, but I still think that man is dangerous.

Mike: Urse, he would have hurt us already if he wanted to. He had control over us several times yesterday.

Ursula: It might not hurt to investigate. Just be careful, and don't let him manipulate any of you further.

Mike: Urse, calm down. We'll be fine. We're grown-up Guardians. We know what we're doin'.

Ursula: (Under her breath) I'm not so sure.

(Cut to the outside of the theater. The boys park Ursula in the lot across the street, then head over.)

Mike: Ok, Davy and I will investigate the theater and find out more about this guy and his tricks. Micky, you talk to Darren.

Micky: *nods* Got it.

Mike: Good. (The three split up. Mike and Davy go around the side of the building; Micky goes through the main entrance)

(Cut to the dark stage. It looks more-or-less like it did in the last part.)

Micky: *calls out* Hello? Anyone here? Darren?

Darren: Looking for me? (Micky looks up and sees Darren in the balcony seats)

Micky: What're you doing up there?

Darren: (Suddenly, he appears from behind a curtain; the Darren on the balcony fades out and disappears) Were you looking for me, Micky?

Micky: *raises an eyebrow* Damn, you ARE good! *conspiratorial* How do you do that? *waggles his eyebrows*

Darren: I can't tell you. A magician never reveals his secrets. It's our oldest trade rule.

Micky: *snaps his fingers* Rats. *shrugs* Hey, I tried.

Darren: Now, what brings you here? Wanted to learn some more tricks?

Micky: *pauses* No, no tricks. Uh, I just wanted to talk, actually.

Darren: (Sits on a chair) What about?

Micky: Oh, I don't know. I thought we just shoot the breeze, y'know? We could talk about friends, things or people we find interesting...

Darren: Like whom?

Micky: One of your friends, one of my friends.

Darren: (Smiles) If you mean your friends, they're just fine.

Micky: Oh, uh, well... *glances around, trying to think*

Darren: Why don't we talk about you?

Micky: Me? Nahhh, I'm not that interesting.

Darren: On the contrary, Micky. Your powers are amazing.

Micky: Ah, go on with ya. *gives Darren a slight shove*

Darren: I mean it. I saw what you did to David yesterday. You can really pummel someone when you get angry like that.

Micky: *frowns* I'm not really all that proud of it.

Darren: I can understand your reluctance to harness your power. You have great force in you, Micky. You just don't know how to control it.

Micky: *sighs* You're right.

Darren: What if I helped you with that?

Micky: I don't know...

Darren: (Puts his finger on Micky's forehead) Why don't we work on your powers, Micky?

Micky: Oh-kay...

Darren:(Grins and sits back) Now first, Micky, I want to see you attack what you see in the mirror. (Indicates a floor-length mirror with gilded metal trim to one side of the stage)

*Micky turns to face the mirror. He points at his reflection, then grows angrier seeing his reflection pointing back. He runs for the mirror, which disappears just before he gets to it. Micky slams into the wall and falls backwards. He props himself up on his arms and shakes his head. He sits up completely, then smacks himself in the head, muttering something that included the word "stupid."*

*Micky glances at the mirror again and cracks a smile. Now he's being laughed at! He dives for the mirror, but it disappears again and he goes sliding across the stage floor.*

Darren: Very good, Micky. Just don't hurt yourself too badly. David isn't here to heal you.

*Defeated, Micky thumps his head on the floor and stays that way.*

Darren: Micky, it's a matter of concentration. Why don't you try attacking me next?

*Micky raises his head and glares at Darren. He gets to his feet, then charges at Darren.*

(But Darren fades out again, and Micky ends up skidding across the stage, almost ending up in the orchestra pit.)

*Micky teeters on the edge of the stage, but manages to keep himself upright.*

Darren: (Lifts Micky to his feet) Close, Micky! Now, try again!

*Micky lets rip with a yell and dives at Darren this time.*

(Darren disappears again. This time, Micky just stops.)

Darren: (From the wings) Over here, Micky!

*Micky runs toward the wings, only to have Darren disappear again! Micky looks around for him, steam practically coming out his ears.* X(

Darren: (This time, he rises up from the stage, like steam) Hello, Micky.

*Micky goes for Darren again, and he vanishes. Micky cries out in aggravation, looking all around for him.*

Darren: (He walks right out in front of Micky) Hello, Micky. You can attack me now. I'm ready. I won't disappear.

*Micky is so angry, he's shaking a little. He slowly reaches out for Darren, who lets him grab one arm. Micky yells and pounces on Darren, sending them rolling across the stage.*

Darren: (Smiles) Excellent, Micky. (Grins) I'll reward you with a game. How would you like to demonstrate your Imagination Power for me? Anything you'd like.

*Micky, still seated on the floor, narrows his eyes. His drumkit appears in the blue light.*

Darren: Pound out your frustration, then.

*Micky makes the drumkit disappear in the blue light. He stands & slowly walks toward Darren, anger still clearly etched on his face.*

Darren: (Raises his eyebrows) I guess you're still angry.

*Micky closes in on him, moving slowly and with more purpose. He grabs both of Darren's arms.*

Darren: Now Micky, be careful. Remember what I said about control.

*Micky's eyes are wild and he's shaking a bit again. He shakes Darren, then slams him against the nearest wall.*

Darren: (Winces, eyes widening) I didn't realize how strong you were. I underestimated you.

*Micky holds firms, his wild eyes still fixed on him. He doesn't move, though.*

Darren: Micky...let me go. You don't want to hurt me. I'm not an enemy.

*Micky gives Darren a good shake.*

Darren: Micky...concentrate. Think. (He pulls an apple out from behind him and plays with it between his fingers)

*Micky appears to twitch a little, but he still holds firm.*

Darren: Micky, would you like to know how I made this apple appear? (He makes it vanish, then pulls it out of Micky's mass of curls)

*Micky glances up, then at the apple. He stares at the apple, his grip letting up a little.*

Darren: Why don't we work on your focus? (He grins) You let me go, I show you how to focus on that apple. And yes, you'll get to eat it.

Micky: *lets go of Darren and says faintly* Okay.

Darren: (Holds out the apple) And now...we begin.

(We fade out as Darren shows Micky how to do his finger tricks with the apple.)