Sooo...ready to torture the guys?

Let's have fun.

Micky: I don't like the sound of that.

Peter: Oh god... :O

Mike: What's goin' on? :o

Davy: Don't bothah me too much, mate. ;)

*Micky swats Davy in the head.* :P

*We open in the devils' hideout, more specifically, the labs. Micky and Peter are strapped down to tables. It's obvious they both received cuts and bruises from the explosion, but nothing terrible.*

Peter: (His eyes flutter open first; he groans, then slowly looks around) Wha...where am I? Micky? Mick, are you ok?

Micky: *turns his head to face Peter* You don't wanna know where we are.

Peter: I think I have a pretty good idea. I'm not THAT naive, Mick. There's only two people we know who have a set-up like this.

Micky: Well, I didn't have to tell ya. *turns his head back to face the ceiling* I feel like shit, achy all over. How about you?

Peter: Same, and my head's throbbing. (He looks down at himself as well as he can - both guys are in their boxers) Why do I have the bad feeling I know where this is leading? Sheila loves to... (gulps, then) ...well, you know what she loves.

Micky: Already thought about it. Think I came to about fifteen minutes before you did. I keep waiting for one or the other to show up.

Peter: Or those weird handmaidens, or the demons, or those slaves. (He whimpers) I don't want to be a slave! I want to go home!

Micky: Oh, God, I just realized something! The girls!

Peter: (Eyes widen - he realizes it, too) They must be so worried! They can feel us! They know we're hurt!

Micky: They must've found out about the car by now, too. The way it was flaming when we crawled out...

Peter: Everyone must think we're dead!

Micky: *eyes close* I hope they can still feel us even just slightly. They've GOT to know we're not dead. They have to...

Peter: I'm sure they do, Mick! (He leans back and closes his eyes...but winces) Ow. I can't concentrate. My head hurts too much.

Micky: My head is swimming. I can't concentrate, either. I think I can guess how the girls are feeling right now.

Peter: So do I. And the kids...(another whimper)...Jordan...

*Micky just groans.*

*The lab door opens. Both devils enter.*

Alex: Sounds like at least one of our Guardians is awake, from the groan we just heard.

Peter: I knew it. You guys are the only ones who'd do this to us.

Alex: We gotta keep your lives interesting.

Micky: Interesting my ass.

Sheila: And it is a lovely ass, Savage.

(She gives it a little smack for emphasis.)

*Micky raises his head to glare.*

Alex: Ain't that the truth. *does the same*

Micky: Hey! It ain't open season!

Alex: No? Could've fooled me. >:)

(Peter whimpers and tries to move away in his bonds, but he ends up groaning again.)

Sheila: What, Bard, aren't you comfortable here? (She goes to him and strokes his cheeks)

Peter: No, and please don't touch me. Your hands are cold.

Alex: *gives Micky a once over* It appears that my black light didn't completely shield either of you from the explosion. Darn shame.

Peter: (Eyes widen) YOU'RE the ones who blew up Micky's car?

Sheila: (Glares at Alex) Blame him for this one. I had no idea he was going to go after you THAT way.

Micky: You only did that to keep us in one piece so you can still try to make us into collectors for you.

Alex: Guilty!

Micky: *moans* I worked so hard on that car.

Peter: I guess you didn't save the car.

Sheila: Alex wanted to, but the cops impounded it. Not much left of it in any case.

Alex: Nothing left but the burnt out frame. *shakes his head*

*Micky moans again.*

Peter: God, Mick, I feel so bad for you.

Alex: Seem to have struck a chord with the Savage.

Micky: *lifts his head & his arms as far off the table as he can, making a choking motion* If I wasn't strapped down...

Alex: You'd what? If you were free, you'd barely be able to stand after what you were just through.

Sheila: (Goes to Peter and begins playing with his hair) Now now, Savage. I wouldn't try anything, if I were you. Remember, you're a guest in our household now. (Her fingers travel further down Peter's face)

Alex: Oh, a riled up Savage. As much as I love that, *turns to Sheila* I think the Bard should have the first turn.

Micky: *watches Alex join Sheila next to Peter* Leave him alone!

Peter: (His eyes fill with tears) No! Don't hurt me or Micky! (He closes his eyes and whimpers)

Alex: Hmm, what should we do?

Sheila: (Her fingers travel further down Peter's neck and chest, towards his shorts) Now Bard, we're just going to have a bit of fun.

Alex: First thing's first. *drags a finger along Peter's throat* No more voice.

Micky: Stop it!

Alex: *over his shoulder* Quiet, Savage, you'll have your turn.

*Micky growls.*

(Peter tries to whimper again, but no sound emerges. He turns helplessly to Micky, his face horrified.)

Micky: Pete... *struggles, but it's useless*

Sheila: (Her hand moves into his shorts; Peter's eyes widen. She grins) Hmm. Not bad at all, Bard.

Alex: *grins* Make sure to save some for me. *patiently awaits his turn*

*Micky turns away, but he keeps trying to free himself, to no avail.*

(Peter closes his eyes and, taking a page from Micky, also tries to free himself.)

Alex: Might I add that trying to get free is useless. There's no way to break those bonds, and your powers aren't strong enough to work on them, either.

Sheila: Perhaps we should weaken them some more. (Her hands remain in Peter's shorts; his eyes widen) Yes, this is quite fun. No wonder the Aristocrat fell for you so quickly, Bard.

Alex: Oh, we will. *enjoys watching Sheila's fun*

(Tears run down Peter's cheeks. Sheila finally runs her hands out of his shorts and down his legs.)

Sheila: There. Your turn, Alex dear.

Alex: Thank you, Milady. *he puts his hands up Peter's shorts and grins widely* Didn't know you had it in you, Bard!

Micky: *groans* Oh, please.

(Peter grimaces and tries to move away from Alex.)

Alex: Where are you going? Nowhere, actually. *waggles his eyebrows*

Sheila: Quite amusing, isn't he? (Goes to Peter's head and rubs it; Peter ends up panting)

Alex: *takes his hands out of Peter's shorts* Damn. I thought I was the one making him make that sound.

*Micky snorts.*

Sheila: (Stroking his head) He could be very useful. After all, he can sense emotions. Those auras of his could lead us to quite a few easily persuaded souls.

Alex: He could sniff them out, so to speak.

(Peter shakes his head sadly. He doesn't want to take souls!)

Sheila: And he'll come in handy in...other ways, too. (Looks at Alex) Would you like to keep him and the Savage when we've worked on them? I know you're fondest of the Mother, but it never hurts to have back-ups in reserve.

(Peter shakes his head in horror.)

Alex: I'd love to keep them.

Micky: We aren't play things, you know!

(Peter nods in agreement.)

Alex: *rolls his eyes* I see it's necessary. *Drags his finger over Micky’s throat.* No more commentary from the peanut gallery!

*Micky tries to scream, but nothing comes out. He does his best to kick his feet, but being strapped down, all he can manage is a faint tapping.*

(Peter begins to cry again.)

Sheila: Oh, good grief. Stop that, Bard!

Alex: Do you know how silly that soundless crying looks?

(Peter blinks his eyes, but he can't stop the tears.)

Sheila: (Continues stroking Peter's head) What we need is to calm you down, Bard. You're too upset.

Alex: *eyes Peter's shorts* No kidding.

Sheila: Ready to experiment on him, Alex?

Alex: Yeah. We had our fun. Time for fun of a different kind.

*Micky tries to scream "No!", but nothing comes out.*

(Peter's mouth drops open for a wail, but he, too, is silent.)

Sheila: What shall we do with this one, Alex? Drugs, or something...else?

Alex: We'll hypnotize the Bard. I'm saving the drugs for the Savage.

*Micky lifts his head to glare.*

(Peter sniffles.)

Sheila: Yes, dear Bard, you're going to obey us from now on. You will collect souls for us.

(Peter thrashes as well as he can, his mouth open in a "No! No!" that can't be heard.)

Alex: If you'll be so kind as to hold his head, Milady. *pulls a gold pocket watch from his pocket; to the camera* What did you expect me to hypnotize him with? A fork?

(Sheila takes hold of Peter's head. He tries to move away from her.)

Sheila: Begin, Alex.

*Alex starts to swing the pocket watch.*

Sheila: Yes, Bard. Concentrate on the pocket-watch. Think about nothing else.

(Peter only blinks. His eyes remain the same light brown color.)

Sheila: You will be a collector. When you are not collecting souls for us, you will amuse Alex, me, and the handmaidens.

(Peter tries to pull his head from Sheila's grip.)

Sheila: (Angry) Damn it, Bard, pay attention! (Yanks his head; Peter winces.)

Alex: It should've worked by now, Milady. Looks like we'll just have to try something a little different.

Sheila: Weren't you working on something new?

Alex: Exactly what I had in mind. *goes to a relatively small machine compared to some of his creations* I know THIS will work.

Sheila: And it doesn't take an entire city block?

(Peter frowns and tries to pull his head away from Sheila again.)

Alex: I don't need everything to be huge, you know.

*Micky lifts his head and raises an eyebrow. That sentence sounded wrong on many levels.*

(Peter looks at Micky weird. He didn't get it. Sheila sighs.)

Sheila: Are you ready with it? (She's stroking Peter again. He opens his mouth to whimper, but can't.)

Alex: *presses a few buttons, then flips a switch* All set.

Alex: *places head gear on Peter* If this doesn't do it, well...

Sheila: We'll think of something else.

Alex: Right.

*Alex presses one more button. The machine hums to life.*

(A black light shoots out of the machine. It envelopes Peter's head as he struggles to pull away from Sheila.)

Sheila: Now, Bard. Why don't you just calm down? You'll make a wonderful collector. Your skills will be a great asset to us.

Alex: Yes, Bard, just relax.

(Peter slowly stops struggling, his eyes becoming swallowed in black.)

*Micky tries to scream "Noooo!", but again nothing comes out. He looks on helplessly.*

Sheila: Yes, Bard. You'll play the music we want you to play.

(Peter slowly nods.)

Sheila: You'll be our best collector yet. Your empathic gifts will lead us right to lost souls.

Alex: A darn cute one, too.

(Sheila gently rests Peter's head on the table. She looks at Alex, smirking.)

Sheila: How would you like to read their souls, Alex? It'll be so much fun!

Alex: Don't have to ask me twice!

*Micky lifts his head again, making a face. He shakes his head.*

Alex: *goes over to Micky* Don't worry, you'll get your turn for fun in a few moments. Now... *kneads his fingertips into Micky's chest; Micky cringes, his head dropping back onto the table* You know, I'd be MORE than happy to watch the Mother and your children for you.

*Micky managed to mouth a certain four letter word followed by "you."*

Alex: Now, now, Savage, such language!

Sheila: Remember our ratings, Savage.

Alex: You're scared beyond belief. *evil grin* You still wonder what happened back at the hotel that no one would tell you about. *Whispers into Micky’s ear. As Alex whispers, Micky's eyes go wide. His expression turns to rage as he tries to do anything to get off the table and GET Alex!*

Sheila: Is this about those chalk marks you left in one of the dimensions at the Hotel California?

Alex: *smirks* You better believe it.

Sheila: What of the Bard?

Alex: *leaves the fuming Micky and moves back to Peter* Let’s see... *kneads his fingertips into Peter's chest* Ah, sweet Bard. (Raises an eyebrow) Well, well, well... *wide grin* It seems the Bard's son shares his empathic powers and innocent soul.

(Peter nods.)

Sheila: Ahh, we've known of his soul since before he was born, but his powers... (Smirks) The Young Bard will be as useful as his father when he's older.

Alex: If not more so.

Sheila: We'll be able to train him ourselves and more easily control him.

(Peter nods again.)

Sheila: (Returns to Micky) Are you ready for our Savage, Alex?

Alex: *rubs his hands together greedily* Am I ever!

*Micky shakes his head, still fuming.*

Alex: I'm afraid he's a little too riled now. We'll have to calm him first.

*Alex goes over to the table holding his chemistry set and returns with a potion.*

(Sheila moves to Micky and rubs his head.)

*Micky still tries to move away, though his movements do become a little sluggish.*

Alex: Just a little more, and he'll be ready for this. *sucks the potion into a syringe*

Sheila: (Micky lowers his head, panting) There. He's ready now.

Alex: *straightens Micky's left arm and empties the syringe into it* There. *sighs* I do wish he'd behaved better.

Sheila: What was that?

Alex: Just a little sedative. He'll be a lot easier to handle, but there is one side effect. I'm afraid it's also a stimulant.

Sheila: What kind?

Alex: Ehhh...watch. ;)

*Micky's head lulls around a bit before he lifts it and sees Alex. He grins widely, then makes a kissing motion.*

Sheila: (Grins) Ohhhhhhh...

Alex: What can I say? I'm irresistible!

Sheila: I'm sure you intended that.

Alex: You got me. (Grins) Now, Milady, you may have first dibs.

Sheila: Thank you, dear.

(The camera fades out just as Sheila climbs onto Micky.)