Everyone ready for our first four-part adventure?

Mike: I ain't too sure.

Micky: I'm thinking we don't have much choice. :P

Davy: Might as well grin and beah it.

(We open in Arizona, under the ghost town. Sheila storms down the hallway, waving several sheets of paper. She flings open the first door on her right.)

Sheila: ALEX!

*There's a loud groan from underneath some shifting sheets on the bed. Alex pokes his head out.*

Alex: *sneering* What?

Sheila: Alex, have you seen the bill for your last four chemical experiments?

Alex: *eyes narrow* Do you see what I'm DOING here? Or did you see the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on my door?

Sheila: I saw it. I just chose to ignore it. This is more important. We have plans to make, souls to collect...and you're spending MY money like it's watah!

Alex: Oh yeah, well... *makes a face, then turns his attention under the blanket, saying something to whomever is there with him*

Sheila: Hello, Zelda. Why don't you talk some sense into him? He's spending money like it's going out of style and blowing up half of it. I thought he was working on the crystals!

Zelda: *pokes her head out* You seem to be unaware that we're a little busy here.

Sheila: You can be busy anytime. Right now, we need to work on those crystals, and there's PPF holdings to inspect.

Alex: We're frickin' in the middle of something here!

Sheila: You're always in the middle of something!

Zelda: *as she disappears back under the blanket, moaning* Not like this...

Sheila: When Alex isn't blowing something to hell and gone, he's "in the middle of something" with you! I need you two to concentrate! Have you gotten any crystal yet?

Alex: *grounds out* Five minutes, Sheila, THEN you can play 20 questions with me!

Sheila: Just answer one question. Have you gotten any crystals yet?

Alex: Got a few shards, alright?

Sheila: Have you studied them yet? Those crystals may be our best chance of figuring out how to get to my sister and the Guardians!

Alex: A little bit...oooh... *moans* You know, I met get to LIKING having an audience...

Sheila: Alex, I think I have the answer to both our financial and our Guardian woes. We're going to inspect some holdings in Texas and Oklahoma.

Alex: Yeah, yeah, inspect...LATER!

Sheila: Alex, you're behaving like a teenager.

Alex: Well, how the hell would you feel if someone walked in the middle of you having sex with a gorgeous creature and started asking a bunch of frickin' questions that could wait FIVE minutes!

Sheila: Alex, this is impORTANT! Don't you want to get the Guardians...and your little mother?

Alex: Yes, I do, but...gaahh! *disappears under the blanket*

Sheila: (Groans) Why me?

*More moans and groans emanate from under the blanket.*

Sheila: This is worse than trying to talk to my board of directors. (Makes a face) Maybe THIS will convince you. (Concentrates. There's a dark light around the blankets...and the lumps get much smaller. She goes to the blanket and pulls two brown toads from the sheets.) Maybe NOW you'll listen?

*One toad flicks his tongue out, smacking Sheila's cheek.*

Sheila: I can see it doesn't. I ought to leave you like this, but I don't have time. Our driver will be around to take us to the airport in an hour.

*The other toad flicks her tongue and licks Sheila.*

Sheila: (Makes a face) Cut that out! Are you both convinced?

*Both toads shake their heads.*

Sheila: (Sighs and concentrates. There's a black light around the toads. When it subsides, Alex and Zelda appear...dressed in dark pants, sneakers, and turtlenecks.)

Alex:* Sighs* Well, THAT killed the mood.

Sheila: Good. You two have been too...moody...lately.

Alex: You're just jealous that you don't have someone live-in to shag with!

Sheila: I will soon. Our new...addition has said he intends to bring me the White Knight. He has many, many bones to pick with our handsome guitarist.

Alex: *snorts* Handsome... *waggles his eyebrows*

Zelda: *slugs his arm* Don't do that.

Sheila: For me (smirks), although we can share, if you want. I imagine you'll be busy with your mother and Zelda here.

Alex: A little piece would be nice.

Sheila: Our new addition is the one who wants to step up the production and study of the crystals. (Thoughtful) Uncle and old Kristoff were onto something when they developed those Black Crystals. Whatever they used on the crystals seems to be the only thing besides the muddling that's able to take out the Guardians.

Alex: I thought my Goo worked pretty well...

Sheila: I think the Goo could work with the Crystals. Whatever you put into that goo, you could put into the Crystals. (Makes a face) We can't replicate Kristoff's formula. All of his work was lost when his hide-out was destroyed. I went out with several of our slaves the day after his demise. There was nothing left of him or his work after your brother blew the cave laboratory to bits. (Thinks) Didn't you make a Goo-coated rope that slowed down the White Knight during that Canadian tour?

Alex: Yeah, I did.

Sheila: We need to figure out how to do that with the Crystals...but to do that, we'll need more crystals. (Growls) And I WANT to find out just how the Savage got my sister in that blasted car, so we can get her OUT and OUT of her casing!

Alex: We will.

Sheila: And we will now, which is why we're going to Texas. Our new friend just gave us word that the Guardians will be there, too.

Alex: *folds his arms* How do we know that this isn't really some elaborate trap for us?

Sheila: Oh, I had a nice long...chat...with our friend before he went back to California. He swears this is not only NOT a trap, but is something he's wanted to do for a long time. He wants revenge on the White Knight.

Alex: Something still rubs me the wrong way about this.

Sheila: Nonsense, Alex dear. I quite corrupted them. I have it all under control.

Alex: Hmph.

Sheila: (Looks at her watch) We can discuss the rest on our way to Texas.

(Sheila starts to leave, but Alex and Zelda don't follow.)

Sheila: Come on, you two! I'm already packed and ready.

Alex: There's something wrong. I don't know what, but I can feel it. We're not going with you.

Sheila: Of course you are!

Alex: No, we're not.

Sheila: Alex, for the last time, stop being stubborn!

Alex: *eyes narrow* Perhaps I'll stop being stubborn when you stop treating me like a two year old!

Sheila: You're MY creation! I can treat you any way I want!

Alex: You may have created me, but you don't CONTROL me.

Sheila: Alex, you're trying my patience. Get going.

Alex: No.

Sheila: NOW.

*Alex just stands there with his arms folded.*

Sheila: Fine. BE that way! I'll get someone else to help me! (Growls) You had BETTER be here when I come back...and everything will be IN ONE PIECE! (She storms out)

Alex: *snorts* Bitch.

Zelda: She's going to keep doing that as long as we're here, Alex. You know that.

Alex: Well then, maybe we won't be here!

Zelda: Where will we go? We don't have any money!

Alex: Um... *a wide smile slowly forms*

Zelda: Ok Alex, out with it. What do you have in mind?

Alex: We could pay a visit to our originals.

Zelda: They're in Texas, right? That's what Milady said.

Alex: Yeah, they are.

Zelda: We could go there. I've never seen Texas (smirks) outside of my original.

Alex: *shrugs* Sure, why not.

Zelda: We'd better get moving if we want to beat Milady. (Frowns) Alex, you feel weird about this whole thing, too? I mean, with...him.

Alex: *nods* I just feel weird, that's all. I can't put my finger on it.

Zelda: I know how important it is that we take his soul, but...there's just something wrong.

Alex: Let’s get going.